"Hey, Hey, We're the Monkees"

Hi Again! The adventures continue during our time here visiting Jen and Max in Guatemala. We decided to go out for brunch at a new spot Jen hadn't tried yet called Posada Asjemenou and while dining a familiar face walked into the restaurant. Yes, it was the infamous member of the seventies group, the Monkees - Mikey Dolenz (the man behind the pole in photo #1). We weren't completely sure at first it was him, until we heard his voice - and then we KNEW! Molly said, "I'm going to go say hi and see what brings him to Antigua." Just as she approached him, Max threw his plantain and hit the "monkee" on the head. After all of the excitement, Max, who was not impressed, decided he would rather play in the fountain with his momma and with his Aunt Pants.*

*Some of the facts have been embellished for the viewer's enjoyment.

xxooxx

Tia Pantalones, Tia Molly B, Momma Bones and MAX!

Hola Tia Locas!

Hi Everyone!

It's Heather (aka Tia Pantalones) and I am going to be doing some guest blogging while Tia Molly B. and I are here for a fun-filled week in Antigua, Guatemala! Here we are heading to Guatemala "muy excited" to see Jen and Baby Boy Max!!!

Tia Molly B. hits the ground running with a cooking demo. This evening she was teaching Max how to make guacamole.

Later we discover that Max loves blue cheese, and once he starts eating it, he needs MORE! "Hey, Lady! I need a fix. Give me some of that bluuuuue cheeeeeese!!

The next day when Max has come down from his blue cheese high, we get him dressed in some new duds that his pappy picked out, that Tia Pantalones brought down to Gautemala. He is looking OH, SO CUTE in his new outfit, accompanied by his tan Gap Keds!

Sunday we went and had some brunch at Cafe Condessa. Molly and Max look up at the sky at something apparently amazing! And we can see how happy Max is to be in Momma's arms!

Later that evening, Molly prepares some Spaghetti-Os for Max. (Looks like someone is trying to win this little boy's heart!)

Finally, later, Max realizes that Aunt Pants ain't so bad. "She TRIED to change my poopie diaper, and she did strength training with me, and all along she was giving me lots-o-kisses and love, so I guess I will give her a shot ;)

Stay tuned for more photos and tales of the loca tias trip to Guatemala.

Adios!

Some Progress...

OK, now Mark is actually complaining that there has not been a post on his son's blog for over a week, so I better post some photos or else I will never hear the end of it...

Yesterday, our agency came by to take hand and foot prints of Max for his paperwork so that our case can be registered with the Central Authority and then go back into PGN. We hope that we will be able to go back into PGN in early February and will then pray for a speedy OUT. At this time, it still looks like we will be wintering here avoiding the sub-zero weather in Chicago.

Today my sister, Heather, and good friend, Molly, are coming to town for a week. It should be lots of fun - we are so excited for their arrival! The loco Tias are almost here!!!!

Enjoy some random photos of Max...

xxoo Jen & Max

Just Another Day in Antigua

As we wait to have our adoption case registered with the Central Authority (the new governmental adoption organization in Guatemala) and then submitted back into PGN for final approval, Max and I continue to have fun with his new colorful playmat, his walking escapades, and even the letter 'Q'.

Today, we learned that registration documentation forms were issued by the Central Authority for all in-process adoption cases affected by the initiation of the new adoption laws. So once we have more adoption news in relation to our case we will post, but for now we just are enjoying our time here in Antigua.

xxoo Jen & Max

Afternoon at Las Capuchinas

This afternoon, Max and I headed across the street to a beautiful old church ruin known as Las Capuchinas. This historic area has a lovely garden that is a great place for a toddler to run around in...

Below are some pics from our photo session at Las Capuchinas as well as a photo of Max after his lunch the other day (can you say I need a nap!).

xxoooo Jen & Max

Happy Child...

Well, now that the holidays are all done this also means that Mark and my parents have gone back home to Chicago (boo, boo, boo). As we start 2008, I look so forward to future visits that will occur later this month by Max's Tia 'Lones and Tia Molly B. (you guys rock!). Then, that will be followed by another visit by my parents where my mom will stay down for several weeks (thank you, thank you, you're the BEST!). Overall, I feel that January will be a harder month than expected due to the initiation of the new Guatemalan adoption laws. Our case may slow down this month due to government @&#!%#!!! This makes me SOOO mad (on so many levels)! We started this process in July 2006 and there really is no reason why we should not have our sweet little Max home yet!

Anyway, let me focus on the most important thing here, Max. He is such a happy child and doing really well adjusting to his new family and all that goes with it! Also we have finally gotten a better sleep routine going after several hard nights of 'crying it out' - Max is now doing a great job of sleeping well through the night. He also has started to have a great appetite for all sorts of foods. This is very exciting for me as I love making him new food creations on a daily basis and have also gotten closer to my nursing side over the past couple months by being so close to this child - it's awesome! Below are some photos capturing our happy child as he plays and attempts to ride motorcycles (look out Tio Ricardo, he will be asking for some lessons once he gets home!). Despite all the mess, we are EXTREMELY fortunate to have this experience with our little guy...

xxoo Jen & Max

Volcanos, Doctors Visits, Earthquakes, Oh My!!

Who needs a cocktail? Yes, my hand is high in the air and I am imbibing. A dad's life is tough. No, I didn't change his foul smelling diaper this morning (who knew asparagus also stunk up the poo??!!), but I did climb a volcano two days ago. That's the most excercise I have gotten since the 6th grade when I actually managed to hit a double in little league. The run all the way to second base was killer! I have to say, this was quite the experience. The US would never have allowed me to do what I did. I was within maybe 20 feet of a lava flow. No park rangers. No warning signs. Just our 17 year old guide who looked 12 asking if I wanted to climb to the cone. Of course I ran like a little girl when the flow started moving my way.

But hey, it's not all fun and games for daddy. I have been carrying my weight by being a punching bag for my son, and my wife, but I also cook a lot of brilliant meals. The other night I created a genuine Italian meal in our Tappen oven, just like you would receive in a quaint Italian restaurant like Leonas. Yes, I cooked us a FUD frozen pizza!!! Mmmmm, nothing says tasty like a FUD!! All was good until I pulled the oven door off. Max found the inside of the oven to be a fun new play area. Up next, I will show him the inside of the refrigerator.

Today we took Max to visit a doctor. We figured if our agency wasn't going to do it we would. Anyone who hasn't gone to a doctor in Guatemala should give it a try. Make sure you bring enough cash because the doctor will tell you what you owe at the end and he doesn't have change! If anyone is wondering, he keeps the cash in his desk drawer. We also enjoyed the cell phone conversations during the checkup. Good news is, Max is healthy, he got a shot for something like Ricketts, and he is as tall or taller than most Guatemalan kids his age. Go Max!!

Finally, shortly before this post we felt the apartment shake when a huge truck went by. Oh wait, that was a frigging earthquake!! It started small a grew to the point where you really could feel the apartment rock. It was a little unsettling. Jen had to actually change my diaper after all was said and done. We did have a call from our good Guatemalan friend here asking if we were ok, and he assured us that this happens frequently here this time of year. We felt much better. It's truly good to have friends here. He's the one who took me up the volcano and then told me it might be dangerous after we were done. He is also the one who wanted to take me out shooting guns. Still waiting for that.

Max is AWESOME. We miss everyone. And I really don't want to leave Sunday.

Mark (Jen and Max) xxoorrqq