September 27, 2007
Our Return Home
After getting up so early we all managed to get to the airport, get our bags checked and get onto the plane. The Larson's changed their flight and so we traveled together. It was nice to have more people other than mom and dad to keep Vivian occupied. She did wonderful both girls slept on the flight from Houston to Minneapolis.

This photo is our point of entry into the United States. We were welcomed by Grandma & Grandpa Carraher and The Bishop's back in Minneapolis . It's nice to be home and looking forward to a regular routine.

September 26, 2007

Antiqua, Guatemala

Now that we completed all our paperwork, the Larson and Sommer family decided to take a little R&R road trip. We hired a driver for the day, Victor (recommended by Tracey), who acted as our tour guide. After sleeping in, he picked us up at 10:00 am for a day of pure enjoyment. Victor was great! We toured the Guatemalan Jade Factory, ate lunch at Hotel Posada de Don Rodrigo, planned on touring the coffee plantation (we're too late it was closed), so we went to an open air market. The first two photos are of the gardens where we ate lunch. It was absolutely beautiful.

Vivian watched as a local woman handwove and sold a variety of items in the square of the hotel.

Stephanie and Vivian pose on the stairs that lead up to the roof tops.

Cory and Alaina at lunch. We all ate a lot and all agreed that this was the first time that we actually felt "full." This restaurant that we ate at had authentic food from this area. It was so good.

I can barely get Vivian to stand still to catch a photo at the market.

Cory is window shopping... I guess???

Alaina after a long day.

We returned to our hotel around 7:00 pm to pack in order to get up at 3:30 am the next morning to catch our shuttle to the airport. Everyone was exhausted.

September 25, 2007

Embassy Appointment

Our Embassy appointment was at 7:15 am so it was an early morning. Henry was our translator and escort. He picked us up along with Jill, Pete and Raphael. We left around 6:30 and stopped on our way to get photos of Raphael and Alaina for their visa's.

Both our appointments went well. No surprises. We were back to the hotel around 11:00 for a late breakfast. We sat around for a long time and talked and drank a lot of the yummy Guatemalan coffee.

This is a photo of us after our Embassy appointments.

September 24, 2007

Getting to know ya

The next day we spent getting to know each other. We also had the opportunity to meet another couple from Minnesota. Jill and Pete were also working with IAS and were picking up their son Raphael. We had appointments scheduled with them at the Embassy tomorrow and had a lot to talk about. We are fortuante to meet another family that lives so close to us.

Tracey was escorting a 2 and 1/2 year old back to Arizona. Her name was Neyvada. Her and Vivian did become friends, in time. You all know how Vivian takes a while to warm up to people. This is a photo of them on their way down to the pool. Boy were they cute together!

September 23, 2007
The arrival of Rashell
As usual, the Sommer's were up early. We went up to the 9th floor (Royal Floor) for breakfast. This lounge area served a continental breakfast in the morning and appetizers in the evening. Vivian had cereal and we got her to pose for the camera.

We tried to phone Tracey, but were unable to reach her so we just went down to the hotel lobby. Cory said, "we know what Sandra, Mirna and Rashell look like so let's just wait for them.

Within minutes, Tracey called to us over the balcony to come up to her room. We hurried up the elevator. Our first sight was of Rashell (Alaina we will now call her). I, Steph, was in tears. I motioned to Vivian to come and see her baby sister. From that point on, it was very emotional.

This first photo is of Cindy (our foster mother). Beside her is her mother, Maria Teresa. Cindy was her primary care giver, with the help of Maria.








The next photo is of Vivian and her foster mother she had during her adoption. Her name is Elaina and the lady next to her is her sister Matty, and Elaina's son David. Both of them cared for Vivian while we were waiting her adoption. Again, very emotional for all. Vivian was the first foster child she had.






Group photo. Back row to front, left to right. Matty, Elaina, Cory, Vivian, David, Sandra, Cindy, Mirna, Maria, Stephanie and Alaina.

Proud parents!

September 22, 2007
Leave for Guatemala
We left our house around 11:00am to drop Chloe off at Tina's (a co-worker of Cory's). We arrived in Guatemala at 9:00pm. It was pouring rain and had been raining the entire day; we were told from the driver from the Grand Tikal. He picked us up in a Suburban and Steph was glad as we drove through some areas of water. We finally got settled after switching rooms. Our first room did not have a bath tub. I think it was safe to say that we were all exhausted!

September 13, 2007
We got "pink!"
After many phone calls, Tracey finally tracked us down. She gave us the news we have been waiting months for. Our appointment at the Embassy is Tuesday, September 25 at 7:15 am. We have to be in Guatemala no later than Monday at noon. No problem!!!

September 12, 2007
Embassy receives LabCorp Results
The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala received the DNA results from LabCorp. We have been told the Embassy should issue "pink" in about a week. Our expected travel should be in a couple of weeks.

September 7, 2007
LabCorp receives DNA
We just received notice today that Labcorp received the specimens. One step closer!

August 31, 2007
Second DNA
Rashell had her second DNA sample taken. We are so close to the end and so anxious to make our travel arrangements. Vivian asks every morning, "Baby sister coming?"

August 29, 2007
Case submitted to Embassy
Our adoption case has been translated and will be submitted to the Embassy tomorrow for final DNA. What a great birthday gift for Stephanie!

August 28, 2007
Birth Certificate and Passport
Rashell got her new birth certificate stating her name as "Rashell Sommer." She also got her Guatemalan passport. We will get her Visa when we travel to Guatemala.

August 23, 2007
Adoption Decree
We are out of PGN!!! Birth mother signs her final consent. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to make travel arrangements yet like we did with Vivian.

Effective, August 6, 2007 the US Embassy in Guatemala City is requiring a 2nd DNA test. This 2nd DNA test will only be on the child, the birth mother is not involved. This 2nd testing will occur after the case is approved and out of PGN. Once these test results are back, our "pink" will be issued.

August 17, 2007
Great News!
We got a call from Tracey at 8:30 pm that Rashell is officially a Sommer!

August 17, 2007
Update on Rashell
Your beautiful baby cut two teeth on the bottom yesterday. Just thought you might want to know.
Tracey

July 24, 2007
Update on Rashell
Photos from Tracey's most recent visit to Guatemala. Rashell now is sleeping through the night. She can rollover and is starting to crawl. Her personality is described as happy, playful and active. Her current weight is 11 lbs. 3 oz. and 24 inches long. They state, "beautiful little one. Very small, but healthy. Now drinking PediaSure between bottles. Very active and makes great faces."

We are able ask some questions again. They are as follows:

• What is her current weight? 11 lbs. 3 oz.
• When will her ears be pierced? Before you get to Guatemala
• Is she still waking up around 3:00 for a bottle? No she is sleeping through the night.
• Is she starting to roll over? Yes and is crawling.
• Can she reach or grasp for an object/toy? Yes
• Does she play with her toes? Yes, she has discovered her hands and feet.
• Is she eating anything other than her bottle? Yes, she has started to eat fruit and vegetables.
• 

June 15, 2007
Update on Rashell
Her current weight is 10lbs 12 oz., 22.4" long.

May 7, 2007

Update on Rashell

Tracey's most current photos of our precious girl!

May 7, 2007
Pre-approval
Our adoption case file is being reviewed. We have now entered "PGN!"

April 9, 2007

Update on Rashell

Rashell's current weight is 7 lbs 12 oz. and is 21.7" long.

March 3, 2007
DNA Results
Results of DNA came back at 99.99%. The DNA testing is done to confirm the biological relationship between the birth mother and child.

February 27, 2007
DNA Testing
Birth mother and child's identity are verified and saliva samples are collected for DNA analysis. Birth mother signs her consent for the third time.

February 26, 2007
Family Court
The attorney submits the adoption file to family court and petitions the court to assign a social worker to the case. The court reviews the social worker's report and makes its recommendation. The birth mother appears before the notary and signs her second consent to place her child for adoption.

February 13, 2007

Rashell's Valentine Photo
Tracey took this picture on her most recent trip to Guatemala. We were given the opportunity to ask questions regarding Rashell.

• What is her current weight? Unfortunately this was not answered.
• Is she loosing her hair in the back? No she is not.
• Has her hair been cut? No it has not, nor will it be.
• Does she sleep through the night? She gets up once during the night for a bottle.
• Will you be piercing her ears? Yes.
• How many foster children are in the home? She is the only child at this time.
• Can you describe her personality/temperament? She is a very happy baby.
• Does she have any Mongolian markings? Yes, she has one on her lower back.
  

January 19, 2007
Accepted Referral
January 19, we accepted the referral of Rashell. A Power of Attorney (POA) was assigned to us to act on our behalf during the adoption process. The POA represents the interest of the birth mother, child and adoptive family.

January 18, 2007
Our Referral
We received the referral of a baby girl named "Rashell Mejia Lopez." She was born on January 10 at 8:30 am, weighing 6lbs, 18.5 " long. At this time, the birth mother assigns the attorney custody of her child with her Express Consent (1st signature and consent in the adoption process).

August 21, 2006
Application to IAS
Soon after we received notice from our adoption agency stating that the U.S. will be closing adoptions with Guatemala, we decided to adopt a second child. We submitted our application and began the process less than 2 years after bringing Vivian home.