Lake Atitlan

We arrived in Guatemala City on Wednesday March 5th and took a private driver to Lake Atitlan which is about a 3 hr drive. We went to a town called Panajachel and stayed our first night at Posada Don Rodrigo.
We spent the evening walking the streets and shopping the markets. We bought many many cute dresses for Isabella. The next morning we again walked the town and people watched. We found a school on the main street that we stood in front of and watched the kids play for a while. There were so many kids who would notice us, stare and then smile at us. There was one little girl outside of school who came and stood by me. I took many pictures of her and she would just smile. I gave her a dollar and she looked at me and really smiled. She clutched that dollar so tight in her little hand. She was maybe 4 years old. Then we went to the docks and took our private boat driver to our next hotel La Casa El Mundo. The only access to this hotel is from boat. It was unbelievable! It was so beautiful except for the steep walks up rock steps. We just relaxed in our hammocks over looking the 3 volcanoes that surrounded us. The grounds were so beautiful with so many different flowering trees and shrubs. Flowers everywhere you looked. We actually just sat around and talked by ourselves what a concept! Then it was off to play a couple games of battleship, of course Rach lost all the games. They only serve one dinner a night which is set up like a party. It was a candle light multi course dinner. Since there are only 12 rooms on the cliff it was neat to sit with everybody and meet people from around the world. There were people there from France, Germany, Italy and of course the USA.

























2nd DNA Test

Finally we are nearing the end. Isabella went for her 2nd DNA test on February 7th. Results of course were all good. She is still the same baby we started with. What a silly system but at least we are near the end.


February Surprise Visit

Isabella is really surprised as she will be coming home soon. She will be going for her second DNA test soon. Its getting closer now.


February Social Visit

Here is Isabella's Social visit. It looks like our little girl is looking for her family. We want her home. She exited PGN on January 21st which was a big step. Now it's up to our Government to get us our baby home soon!!!


January Surprise Visit

We received photos today from Isabella's surprise visit. That is another thing great about our agency. They provide us with so many photos along the way to help pass the time. We normally get surprise photos where the director goes and shows up unannounced to check on the babies. It varies all the time as to keep it a surprise. Then we get social pictures once a month where as they bring all the babies together at the Westin in a room to interact with each other. And finally we get monthly Dr. office visit photos with updates.


January Social Visit

We received photos of Isabella's social visit. She is getting so big.

Christmas Break at the Westin

Well we made it after a long day of traveling. This is the first time every flight of ours was delayed in leaving and late to arrive! Jacob was so glad to hit the sheets after being up all day! We picked up Isabella at 10:30 am the next morning. She is such a good girl. She has a little cold though does not let it bother her. She is eating baby foods this time. How fun! We give her banana cereal in the morning and then Daddy mashes up some real bananas for her, which she loves!! For lunch she will eat a whole jar of vegatables or fruit. Like usual meeting so many nice people down here from our agency and others. Whether is typical in the 70's. Of course we have been swimming everyday so far. Hope to get more time to upate soon. Here are some photos for now.... Enjoy!

Click any Photo to Enlarge.







Enjoying a toy from Grandma and Grandpa.



Jacob learned how not to open ketchup packets.


Lots of Photos from the Westin....

Some Good Cuddle Time with Mommy....



I love to sit and watch spanish TV with my Big Brother. He is so good to me. He makes me giggle....



Just like the shirt says I love my Daddy.... He makes me laugh so hard!



I am ready to go Duck Hunting with Daddy... He lets me look at how pretty I am in all the mirrors....



Isabella and some new friends....



Isabella Loves Her Bath Time.....


Enjoying some pool time......

Do these sunglasses make my nose look big?

Hopefully some newer pictures to come as it has been a rough couple of days. Rach has been sick since Tuesday and Jacob woke up this morning sick now too. Luckily this time around we had a prescription for Rachel in case she became sick again. We were not prepared for Jacob being sick as he was fine last time. We learned you can buy anything from a pharmacy down here without a Doctor to call in a script. Glad I have internet access as the language barrier to translate teaspoons to ML was not easy. So I decided to go online which took only seconds. Isabella is being a perfect little Daddy's girl (just the way I like it).

October Visit

Hello Friends and Family we are having a great time in Guatemala with Isabella. Wow we can't believe how much she has changed. She giggles and smiles so much we love it! We met the Foster Moms daughter on pickup. She was so sweet, she helped us translate between the Foster Mom and us. We also just enjoyed hearing from her daughter how smart and good Isabella is. We sure are lucky to have such a great foster family who cares for and loves her so much. We have met a lot of nice people down here who are also visiting there babies. Like usual everybody at the Westin is so nice and accomodating. Today (Tuesday) Isabella had her first swim lesson. She was a natural and loved the water (Or just being in Daddy's arms). Isabella even helped Jaocb with some of his homework. The weather down here is in the 70's. Always rains in the afternoon for a little then clears up. Lots of swimming which of course Jacob likes. Enjoy the pictures. Please leave us a comment below.....

Chris, Rachel, Jacob and Isabella