Rather Have a Hug

I just can't help but to smile when I look at this picture... But I sure wish I could give him a big hug instead of staring at a photo.

"I've been looking so long at these pictures of you,

That I almost believe that they're real.

I've been living so long with my pictures of you,

That I almost believe that the pictures are all I can feel"

March Update Arrived!!!

March greetings, Joseph and Jill!

We recently gave Chancelet the gifts you had sent for him. He enjoyed the fun presents, and he especially enjoyed looking at (and playing with!) the photo album. Chancelet enjoyed turning the pages and looking at the faces of all his new family. After he was done looking at the pictures, he discovered the photo album made a wonderful chew toy! The cuddly toy was also fun for him, and he will look adorable in the clothes you sent for them. You can look for them in future updates. Chancelet is doing very well and is just such a happy, adorable little baby. He quickly steals the heart of his volunteers and anyone else who works with him!

· Weight: 15 lbs 2 oz
· Height: 26 inches (67 cm)
· Adoption Status: pre-IBESR :-(

Spring is just around the corner! For many of you that means warmer weather is on the way; here in Haiti we anticipate the rainy season coming soon. We have had a few rainy days and, while it can be dreary at times, we are thankful for the rain that helps fill the cisterns. We know that in the approaching days and months there will be much more rain to come.

The rains are renewing and allow the crops to grow and bring life into Haiti, but they can be damaging as well, as we learned all too well last year with the hurricanes. This month several of our staff members again went to Baie d’Orange in southern Haiti to help them recover from the damaging storms last fall. We took seeds and goats with us, in an effort to help the people of that area again provide for their own needs.

Here at GLA the children are continuing to do well and to grow and develop. March is a busy month at GLA and we are seeing many new volunteers coming and going. Your children at the main house are enjoying the extra love and attention they receive from the visitors. The kids at the toddler house have also had some excitement recently with the arrival of their new play set. The kids absolutely love their exciting new play area with the slide and ladders and swinging bridge. There are kids on the play set nearly all hours of the day, and they are sure to have a smile on their faces!

This month I am again sending candid photos of your children in their daily routine. I hope you will enjoy seeing your children in their natural surroundings and in the normal activities of their days here at GLA.

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
~ 1 Corinthians 10:31

Due to a change in our internet service, the monthly updates will now be sent out during non-office hours (8am – 5pm). This means I may not be able to send out your update until Friday night or Saturday. Thank you for your understanding.

Your next monthly update will be sent the week of April 20.

Blessings,
Melanie Wright

Bigger Sigh... No Update Coming Today

This just came through from our caseworker:

I was just informed that the worker in Haiti has not finished the updates about the little ones. She will have them out hopefully by Monday. LaDawn from Grand Rapids wanted me pass on to you her apologies for this being late and knows that each update it very important. She will forward the update to you as soon as she receives it from Haiti.

No Monthly Update Yet... Big Sigh.

We were expecting to get our monthly update "the week of March 16th." So, it's now the 20th and we haven't received anything yet. :-(

I could have used some pictures of Chancelet, given my rough week... So I am hoping something comes in today. If so, I will get them posted later today.

Hurting

It has been another very tough week... I don't have the energy or heart to go into all the details, but you can go to the infertility blog for the lastest...

My feelings today (and really for the past 5 years) are summed up in this song (In The Deep - Bird York):

Incoming... A Box from Cousin Jennifer!

On Saturday, Joe and I had 2/4 of my sister's kids (Jeff & Jennifer.) We decided to make our time "fun" but also productive. So we focused on projects where they could earn money, but also give back. We taught them about tithing & savings (Joe discussed tithing and the Bible and I put together a compound interest sheet to show how just $1 could grow over time) and we started savings jars for them. Jen & I put together a box for the GLA Orphanage (I showed her the website and a map of where Haiti is located,) we smashed boxes for recycling, painted some areas where I had filled holes in the walls and then wrote a letter to mom. Jeff & Joe went to the Goodwill, took food to the local food drive drop-off, mailed our Haiti box and swept the patio.

So all in all, it went well… we spent time with them, they earned money and hopefully gained something out of it too.

Jennifer working on the GLA box...

Friday's Should be Happier

I spent M-W of this week in bed sick... :-( I was miserable. I ended up having bronchitis, a sinus infection and the pressure was so bad my ear drum was actually bleeding. Yuck! I was sick while my parents were here, which I felt terrible about, but we all made it through and by the time Monday rolled around, I was not functioning.

Fortunately I have an understanding manager (who said just stay home!) and my team was able to cover everything for me so it all worked out. I hardly left my bed and started watching those shows that you only watch once every 2 years (the last time I was at home sick...) It made me glad I don't have to manage my TV time because I was consumed with learning how to make 30-minute meals, getting home improvement ideas and of course feeling jealous after watching the all-depressing "A Baby Story." (That one just wasn't productive...)

So, I went back to work yesterday (after being put on the 5-day antibiotic regimen) and am now back at it... not at 100%, but good enough to earn my pay (and feeling better about that.) AND it's Friday now, so I can't complain about that!

I found out that my friend Katie has the same birthday as Chancelet - how fun. And she also made me aware that once in a while Mother's Day falls on that day, which is pretty cool! Sometimes I wish I could fast-forward time, if even for a few seconds, to see what Chancelet will be doing in 5 years...

I feel old today... old in terms of tired (probably more to do with being sick, but I will write anyway.) I just wonder what God's plan is for me... I wonder why I wasn't able to start my family when I had more energy. I was reading about more governmental setbacks and no communication flow with Haitian adoptions today and reading how people have been stuck for 14 months in one step... it makes me tired. And sad.

Advanced Planning Required!

Today we put a package in the mail, bound for Haiti via Florida. Chancelet's 1st birthday is on May 9th and I am praying the package will get to him in time. It's just hard to say... But what kind of mom will we be if it doesn't arrive? :-( I probably should have got it in the mail sooner, but even for me (often an over-planner) even 2 months early is doing pretty well!

It makes me sad to know we will miss his first birthday. I would assume that has got to be a pretty special birthday to share with your little one. So, I think that day will be tough for me (and even tougher to know we will most likely miss his 2nd b-day too.)

I am kind of sad today (maybe it was putting Chancelet's package together?) but I also just read Jaime's blog details on their Haiti/GLA trip (3 days) to fill out their I-600 paperwork: http://ourlittlestangels.blogspot.com/2008/11/recap-day-1-in-haiti.html

It brought both tears of joy & sadness to my heart... what a process. To meet and spend time with your kids, knowing you can't bring them home. It's wonderful to be able to have the oppty to go to Haiti prior to the adoption (because the process is so very long) but I am sure the pain of leaving is overwhelming. We are hopeful that our timeline will fall into place in order for us to take our initial trip this summer (while Joe is off from teaching.) We pray each day (several times) that we will get into IBESR so we can make those plans...

This past week we made our way through the lastest paperwork updates that were required. We stopped off at the sheriff's office and got fingerprinted for Oregon, we got the taxes done so we could update our financials and we dug for proof of insurance, etc.. We still have to update our medical info, but have appointments for that next week. It just never ends...

My parents arrive back from Kauai tonight, so we will pick them up at the airport... I am not feeling well (sick with a nasty cold & feel de-energized) so it puts a damper on the excitement of going out to get them. But I am sure I will snap out of it once we see them walk through security. They have my niece, Kendra w/ them (her first trip to Hawaii!)

I can't wait until that first moment I get to watch Joe & Chancelet play on the beaches of Kauai... I think I will be crying tears of joy. My favorite place on earth, with my 2 favorite men...

Very Odd Weather

Portlanders are very much used to rainy winters... but not so much snow. Never has there been a time I can remember when Portland treated snow as "just another day." We have been hit snow many times this year - it's just odd.

It barely even made the news, where as in the past --- all stations would have had 10 reporters outside in various locations showing the fraction of an inch that came down overnight... But this time, we didn't even know it was supposed to snow again... we woke up early this morning to work-out and Joe said "it snowed Jill."

So, I like the fact that we aren't making a big deal out of it... but at the same time I am getting tired of it. I hate cold. I hate everything about being cold. My parents are in Kauai RIGHT NOW and I wish I would have added myself to one of their suitcases... I need some sunshine.

...or some good news about getting into IBESR would do the trick, I am sure! :-)

Old & Gray

My friend and co-worker (Scott) came into my office this morning and said "guess what Jill... we have officially adopted Jasmine!"

He and his wife met with a Florida judge via video conference and they finalized everything... They brought her home to Oregon about 6 months ago and she is now officially adopted. Their whole process lasted about 9 months.

So... we did expected a "long" process with international, but honestly we thought it would equivalent to domestic when we started this whole process. And about 6 months ago (when Scott brought Jasmine home) Scott told me to get a hold of his people and we could probably get a domestic black baby in 2-3 months... But I didn't feel right about changing direction. We went down this path for a reason, and I believe God has a plan.

So I guess this post is to help convince/remind me that we did the right thing, even though the timelines are so very frustrating (and knowing I will be old and gray when Chancelet is 18.) Chancelet is meant to be with us and that is God's plan. Patience is not my strength, but I have no choice but to "work on it" through this adoption process.

Praying; Not Trying to Understand (because I can't...)

I just got word from a friend, who went through IVF (again), that it failed.... I was heart-broken at the news. Having gone through some pretty similar paths with everything (and not even knowing it until recently) I had been praying she would have good news to share.

The whole process is painful, draining, and a very long road... So when you get to the end and are faced with failure, it is just devastating. I wouldn't wish that news on anyone and my heart is hurting for she and her husband today...

Criminals Have It Easy...

Go to the right side of the blog and review the list under "Our Adoption History" of steps and red-tape that we have been through for the past 2 years.

Now read this:

Joe and Jill, I've attached forms to this email to start the homestudy update process. You will need to:

• Complete a new medical form (another doctor visit)
• Insurance update
• Financial history update (with 2008 1040 tax)
• Have a new background completed (for the background checks, Seattle will be sending you the forms. Oregon now requires fingerprints to be done with these, so the process takes a little longer.)
• I will need to visit your home in March to do another brief walk through, and will schedule that with you later.

Do you see why this is so frustrating? We, as adoptive parents, (with perfect background records, excellent credit, jobs, and good families are being put through more than any criminal would ever be. )

Any 15 year old girl can go out, get pregnant, rely on goverment assitance & keep her baby regardless of these things. But we are penalized, because my organs are broken, and cannot adopt a baby (our baby, Chancelet!) without moving mountains...

Each of the steps above requires so much effort for us, given we both work full-time:

• Like dealing with our doctor who can't seem to get the form filled out on the same day it is notarized (forcing us to have to re-do the appointment & paperwork.)
• Or the fingerprinting letter that gives you the exact day/time to come in, regardless of what might actually work with your schedule (causing a re-schedule for a month out - and yet again the time doesn't work because you happen to be in Wichita, KS on business.)
• Or maybe it is the tax information... which actually requires you to be done with the 2008 taxes (and given we owe a "boat load" this year, not to mention we still owe money for 3/4 of a baby we aren't exactly in a rush to get them done.) SIGH, DEEP BREATH, SIGH...

God must have some deep message for me in all of this... and I guess that is where I should focus my frustration.

Little Indeed...

Joe and I were talking about Chancelet's height/weight this morning, and wondering how big (or little) Chancelet is for his age. So I went on-line and input his info and here is what I got:


Child Growth Chart Calculator
Based on the data you submitted, your child falls into the following percentiles:

• Length = below percentile 5


• Weight = below percentile 5

This wasn't a big shock (they tell us that Hatian babies are usually smaller than US babies...) But I guess we now know for sure that he is our "little" guy!

What A Wonderful Gift (and he is smiling!)

What a fun Valentines gift! :-) Melissa (our Bethany rep) just sent us our February email with photos & the update of Chancelet:

• Weight: 14 lbs 3 oz
• Height: 26 inches (66 cm)
• Adoption Status: pre-IBESR

• Happy Valentine’s Day, Joseph and Jill! As is often the case, this new year is speeding by and it is February already! This year February has been rather cold, making us thankful for the sweaters and jackets we have, both for ourselves and for all the children. Hopefully it will warm up soon and we will be back to our more normal, tropical weather. We have recently been seeing a lot of progress at the new land in Fort Jacques.

• This month we have several volunteers who have come to help with the construction, and they have been doing some of the more detailed work such as putting windows in and hanging doors. They have also been a huge help in moving and organizing the boxes of donations that came on the container last month. Now the donations are in neat, orderly groups for easy access when we need those particular supplies. It is exciting to see the progress at the land, and we pray that the necessary funds will come in to allow us to continue to build the necessary structures.

• With the celebration of Valentine’s Day this month, we are surrounded by reminders of love—romantic love, of course, but also love for all those who are dear to us. In spite of the commercialism of the holiday, it is a good reminder of what is important in life: LOVE. Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” ~ Matthew 22:37-39

• This month the theme for photo day is “Your Little Sweetheart”! With Valentine’s Day the big event in February, it seemed an appropriate setting to photograph your beautiful children. In an effort to get all updates out by Valentine’s Day, I will not be including a story with your update this month. Enjoy your photos and updated information!

I Appreciate Honesty...

I just appreciate raw, honest feelings & experiences. I would take pure honesty over "positioning" any day (even in the times I disagree - I just respect sincerity.)

This week, both of these blogs just made me smile (regarding adoption):

http://writergrlpdx.blogspot.com/2009/02/black-vs-african-american.html

http://haitibaby.blogspot.com/2009/02/green-monster.html

A Low Day...

I just did some analysis that I should not have done... Now I am really sad and depressed.



There is a database of people who are going through the adoption process in Haiti, where we can view the steps and how long it is taking everyone to move through the system. So I figured out the averages of each step, based on the actual days/time it is taking. I then compared that to the quoted estimates we have been given (worst case.) And unfortunately it is tracking to worst case right now. According to my math (see table) it's taking about 19-20 months. And we are currently still waiting to get to step 2... So this would say we wouldn't get him until the Sept/Oct timeframe of 2010.

This just crushed my spirits. I don't really understand all that has transpired in our lives... why all of this is so dificult. We can't have our own kids (after going to extreme measures) so we come to the point of moving to adoption and now this process is proving to be just as traumatic. I honestly don't know how much more of this I can deal with mentally...

I know I shouldn't question God (and it goes against everything I believe...) I know in my heart that He is in control and His timing/reasoning for everything is perfect... but at the same time, I am hurt and frustrated by the walls that continue to go up around us. What are we doing wrong? We are openly very tired of living in our "Joe & Jill world" and given we are both 37 years old there isn't a lot of "hope" outside of adoption... So will Chancelet even be able to have a sibling? We might be 50 before that happens...

I know I am being negative (sorry)... but I hit a low today. I probably shouldn't even publish this update.

Lifebook... A Long Work in Process

I have been working on a "Life Book" for Chancelet for quite some time. When I started it all, I just worked on some"basic" things about the process we were going through, and some details on Haiti, etc.

It was tough to start the process without knowing who Chancelet would be, but I also knew that I needed to work on it in advance, or I would never complete it... I don't have a lot of free time outside of work, so I just worked on it here & there on weekends. And now, I don't feel so overwhelmed, as I am caught up and can focus on the monthly updates when we receive them.

If you would like to view the pages, here is the link... some of the pages are still "WIP" but you will get the idea. :-)

http://picasaweb.google.com/jillswilkins/ChanceletSLifebook?feat=directlink

Big Brown Eyes & Conundrums

It's tough to be missing out on this part of his life; I look at these pictures and just wonder what he is thinking....




We just got confirmation that Joe's 20-year high school reunion will be held in July (Tampa, FL.) So I checked on flights tonight, and was able to get us free tickets there using my United miles (such great and unexpected news!) However... it's frustrating, as this might be during the exact same time period we "could" go to Haiti for the paperwork that we will need to do, and we would most likely fly to Haiti via Florida. Obviously, it would make sense to do this all in one trip... BUT we won't
know for sure on the adoption paperwork for 1-3 more months and are officially in IBESR (Haiti social services.) But at this point, we can't really afford to wait and potentially give up those "free" tickets.


Oh, the conundrum of it all. SIGH.

Thankful in February

Today... I spent the day in awful pain with my neck. I think it's a combination of stress, lifting weights, and just "me." I was in tears today because of the pain, and feeling useless as my concentration levels were at an all time low.

Last week, a co-worker shared some vicodin w/ me (the only thing that got me through last Thursday.) On Friday, I had a doctor's appointment, and somehow managed to get consumed with a presentation and completely forgot to leave work and go to it (unbelievable!) Then on Saturday, I did some funky twist getting into the car, hit my head and heard my neck "snap" out again. Oh... the pain!

But aside from all of that... I am thankful today. I feel blessed that both Joe and I have good jobs, family/friends who love us, a house that we never want to leave, and the ability to "work" on getting ourselves a family... Things are tough in the world right now, and I just never want to take what we have for granted.

And Joe is such a good husband... he went and got me Starbucks this morning (and brought it back) even though he was late for work. And he went and got Thai food tonight, even though it's a pain to go pick it up after a long day at work.

I am blessed.

Prayed specifically for a miracle tonight; that somehow we would get into IBESR this month.

Here's To Distracting Views

It's Friday...

...that's always a reason to smile!

I had prints made of Chancelet's latest photo's so I framed one of them for Joe to take to school this morning, as he wanted one for his desk. And then I decided I should also have one for my desk (after all, what kind of mother would I be without that?!) So I replaced a picture of Joe and I with Chancelet's picture. (He is more fun to look at during the day that the two of us - however, I am finding it a bit distracting... those big brown eyes!)

My new "distracting" view:

I was pondering some things last night (those mega issues that can give you a headache.) I think I am struggling on a decision about future IVF procedures; whether to close that chapter forever, or leave it "open" to add another saga. I have no intention of doing anything while we wait for our adoption to go through (for the next 13 years, or whatever it ends up being!) But Joe and I have discussed the idea of freezing some more embryos now, while my "egg quality" is still good (yes, I am getting very close to 40... ) And then once we are ready & able we could go through another round (or 2, or 3,145) of implanting. However, the emotional strength required to go through all that is very tough (not to mention the time & money required.) But I just keep thinking that if ever it actually did work, we would forever look back and say all of the pain, time, and money would have been more than well-spent.

So... I don't know. It's all just talk/thoughts right now. I am more than willing to be "done" with IVF; I know in my heart that I don't need my "own DNA" in a baby to feel complete in life. I realized that, the moment we received Chancelet's referral. (And maybe I need to go re-read my other blog to be reminded that it's a long, frustrating path to go down.)

Tonight? A double date with our friends Kevin & Katie Curry. I am very much looking forward to seeing them!

January 2009: Chancelet's Pics Are In!

Chancelet is a great little baby and he is doing very well here at GLA! Right now he is in our nursery for the littlest babies, and he is thriving under the care he is receiving from our nannies and staff. Chancelet is a happy little boy, and he also enjoys spending time outside of his nursery with our volunteers. Chancelet especially loves the jolly jumper and thinks it is great fun to bounce up and down. One day, Chancelet was in the jolly jumper, working so hard that he wore himself out and fell asleep after about a half an hour!

• Chancelet is doing very well and is a happy little boy!
• Weight: 14 lbs 3 oz Height: 25.25 inches (64 cm) Adoption Status: pre-IBESR
• You can expect your next update the week of February 16.

I can't stop smiling!!! :-)

Monday Update - Watch for It!

We received this update from Bethany Christian yesterday:

I just wanted to let you know that the GLA updates will be sent out Monday morning rather than tomorrow. I am guessing you will have families asking about their updates if they don't receive them tomorrow, and so just wanted to let you know what was happening so that if you want to let your families know ahead of time, you can.

So it sounds like we will have our updates/pictures for Chancelet on Monday! I will get them posted here when available.

Not Alone - GLA Yahoo Group

God stepped in and led us to the "GLA Yahoo Group" site last night and today has been the most amazing day...

The response from others who are going through the same trials, struggles and frustrations (and joy too!) with the Haiti adoption process has been amazing... I have been in touch with people on the same schedule (referrals in December), people who have gone down the similar infertility paths, people who clearly share my faith as a Christian, and even people who live in Oregon...

It's nice not to feel "so alone" in this process, and also find a forum where we can read about people who have had successes & can give us advice along the way.

Thanks to all of you out there who have commented today - I truly appreciate your words, thoughts and prayers. And I am looking forward to being a part of the journey with everyone!

Blessings,
Jill

Plastic Books & Hope...

Today I bought Chancelet a cute outfit, a soft "friend" and a plastic baby booklet that holds pictures (one he can drool and slobber on without damage!) We can send "small" 2 lb. packages via GLA and we really would like to send him something. Trust me, I know he is too young to appreciate it, but it's the only way we can show our love right now. And maybe, just maybe... we will see him in his outfit (in a future picture) and that will provide us a boost of energy!

The plastic baby picture book

I just love the artwork below. And I do believe it was meant just for us. :-) So it will have to be a part of the baby room. "Hope" has been the theme for a very long time. Going through infertility, a miscarriage and adoption. My mom and my friend Kristie share a connection with me in the word "HOPE," as it's very meaningful to the situation Joe and I have been faced with in life:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future."
- Jeremiah 29:11

DNA Tests & Orphan First Pilot Program (Q&A)

Question #1:
How does the government deal with a Visa situation when the child has no living parents? How will they work around the DNA testing situation for Chancelet?

Answer #1:
With children who have biological parents, the U.S. Consulate conducts a birth parent interview, as well as may request DNA. When children are declared abandoned (as Chancelet is), the birth parent interview is not a requirement. An orphan investigation will still happen; however, it will not include an interview. It will rather just include the studying of the documents provided to ensure their validity. Both the mayor and IBESR complete a declaration of abandonment, and so when the Consulate sees these documents, they understand that there are no parents to interview, and no need to request DNA.

Question #2:
We were looking at the "Orphan First Pilot Program", where CIS officials can conduct the orphan investigation before the child has been legally adopted (while our case is still in IBESR/court) and wondering if we should be looking at that process?

Answer #2:
We are encouraging families to travel to Haiti to file their I-600 as well as request participation in the Adjudicate Orphan Status First program. We have seen that the orphan investigation process is being completed with much less problems, and also more quickly when families travel to Haiti to file. Families can travel while they are in IBESR or in Parquet ... as long as they have filed before they enter the court system. I usually recommend families start thinking about dates after they have been in IBESR for one or two months. We have samples of all the documents that are required. GLA will provide Chancelet's documents; however, we have samples of the forms that need to be completed by the families before filing.

The Long Wait - Why?

I have had a lot of people ask me why it will take so long to get Chancelet from Haiti, as almost all of the other countries have a 2-3 month wait post-referral. I added the link above so you can see the steps for Haiti, and also have been piecing together info & comments when I find them.

Haiti has long been known as one of the more difficult countries from which to adopt, but in all honesty, I believe your heart pulls you to where your kids are... We may not enjoy every moment of a difficult adoption journey, but we do have faith that we are doing the right thing. We also believe strongly that people need to be adopting from Haiti and feel this was our path...

We just ask that you pray for us specifically; that God will somehow allow the process to move quickly so that we can be united with Chancelet sooner vs. later.

Name Change? No Rush... pondering things for now...

We just got an update from Melissa (our Bethany Christian Services adoption rep) responding to our questions about possible name changes for Chancelet.

[FOR THE RECORD]
We are still thinking through the whole name situation, so we will see how it plays out. We feel strongly about keeping a part (if not all) of Chancelet's name, but also have some of our own ideas as well. (Just an FYI as I know people were wondering about that...)

Joe and Jill,

As far as name changes
go, unfortunately no changes can be made until the child comes to the U.S. All
of the adoption paperwork must be completed on the child's name at birth.
Chancelet's name upon entry into the U.S. will be Chancelet Maurice Wilkins
(with Maurice like a middle name). If you two do decide to change Chancelet's
name, then you will just need to do a name change once he arrives here in the
U.S. So, you have some time to make that decision.

Timeline

Many of you have been asking what the timeline will be for us to travel to Haiti to pick him up, so I took the date ranges that we have been given and determined 3 scenarios. Unfortunately it looks like we have over a year to wait (yes, you read that correctly.) :-( The Haiti process is very long, frustrating and unpredictable, so we are in for a long year.

But we are praying for a miracle... and we sure would appreciate your prayers too!

(Click to enlarge)

We Got Our Haiti Adoption Referral!

I decided to start blogging again, as sometimes it is the best way to keep everyone updated on status and info. Since my last blog was tracking our infertility and in-vitro: http://justonegoodegg.blogspot.com/) I thought it appropriate to move on to our adoption story...

We JUST found on on 12/30/2008 that we have been blessed with a baby boy from Haiti. We have been waiting so long for this news and were overwhelmed with joy when the news came. Given all that we have been through with infertility and the long, long wait to get our adoption referral, we weren't quite sure how to react... it is very surreal for us at this point.

We couldn't be happier with our baby; we feel absolutely blessed and are praying that he stays healthy and continues to develop & grow as he should... And we pray that we will be brought together as a family, very soon.

However, the Haiti adoption process is not an easy journey... we might have another 12-18 months of waiting time before we can go get him. This is so heart-breaking to think about but we knew it wasn't going to be the easy route when we made the choice to adopt from Haiti. We did feel compelled to adopt from Haiti for several reasons, and we both know we will look back on this and not regret it.

So, here is what we know about our new baby: :-)

• Named: Chancelet Maurice
• Born: May 9, 2008
• 42 CM Head
• 60 CM tall
• 8.5 Kg weight

Here is our "official" proposal letter:
25 December 2008
Proposal for: Joseph and Jill WILKINS

We have reviewed the dossier for Mr. and Mrs. WILKINS and would like to propose a baby boy to them named Chancelet MAURICE born 9 May 2008. He was brought to the orphanage on 6 November 2008 by the Mayor of Kenscoff. He was abandoned when his mother and father died. The aunt took him to the Mayor after his parents died.

The only parental information that I have is that the mother was named Adeline LAURORE and the father was Michelet DESIRABLE. The aunt is Mary Sony LAURORE. The mayor gave him the last name of Maurice.

Chancelet was born at home and was a term baby. The mother did not breast feed him.

When Chancelet came to the orphanage, he did not know how to suck from a bottle. The aunt must have fed him by spoon only. It has been difficult to get him to suck. He ate porridge on admission but refused anything from a bottle.

He is on Similac formula now but does not take large volumes. So we mix his formula with cereal so it is thicker and he takes it better than liquid.

Chancelet smiles and is a very engaging baby. He reaches his arms out to be picked up. He is always happy to see his caregivers. He likes to play with toys. He rolls from front to back and back to front, but is not yet sitting up on his own. He sits well in the Bumbo Seat. He bears weight well on his legs.

The pediatrician finds him to be in good health. His lab work is within normal limits except for an elevated white blood count which has been treated with antibiotics. His psychological exam shows him to be developmentally delayed but with 1 on 1 attention of the volunteers and lots of stimulation, he is already making great progress in developmental goals.

Sincerely,
Dixie Bickel