Happy Halloween, Little Pumpkin Head!

(one month old)

Today, I first heard my baby cry...

and so will his birthmother. Today is supposed to be the day that Oliver and his birthmother will have their DNA test and social worker interview. It will be the first (and probably last) time that his birthmother sees him since she relinquished him shortly after he was born. What must this day be like for her? What are her circumstances? Was this her first child? Who is his birthfather? Will she smile when she holds him today? Will she cry? Or both? My heart is with her today, that is for certain.

Below is the very short video clip I received (taken just a few days ago). It makes me so sad to see Oliver crying and hungry- and to not be able to feed or comfort him. I am so thankful to have this video, though; otherwise, his one-month cry would be just another part of his life that I would miss...

DNA Authorization, Test & SWI

The US Embassy authorized Oliver's DNA test yesterday, and it was paid for today. We have been told that the DNA test and the SWI (Social Worker Interview) will happen tomorrow! This is great news because it means that Isabella's case is only one week ahead of Oliver's! Of course, anything can happen; but we are hoping that their cases proceed on similar timelines. :)

One Month Old!

Sweet baby Oliver is one month old today! I wonder how he has changed... what he looks like; how he smells; what his little cry sounds like; how soft his baby skin is; and how it feels to hold him in my arms. I pray that he is being kept warm and well fed and that he feels safe and loved.

This is the very first photo I ever saw of him. I only have a few, and they were taken when he was just 6 days old (and sleeping). He looks like he is smiling, doesn't he? Kissable little face...

Yesterday, I came across a poem I wrote for Isabella last month. I was having a very emotional day, so I sat down and wrote her a poem. I didn't know why I was so emotional, and I thought that, perhaps, something was going on with Isabella in Guatemala. I almost posted the poem to her blog, but then I chickened out. Yesterday, I noticed the date I wrote the poem: September 20, 2006... the day my sweet Oliver was born... Here is the poem.

Introducing Oliver!

We proudly introduce

Oliver Michael

born September 20, 2006

waiting for us in Guatemala