Bonding in Guatemala~~

Hey all, although it's 4:45am and I am trying to see the keyboard in the dark I am going to try and update you on how Levi and Isaac are doing. We had our Embassy appointments yesterday and couldn't believe that there was no more to it than that. Steve and I were a little nervous and worried about it for nothing. It took a little while and it was at times a challenge to keep Levi entertained but, Steve handled that part and did a great job. Steve was physically exhausted afterwards and not able to do much of anything last night and yesterday evening. We just let him sleep all day and rest. It didn't help a lot as he is in quite a bit of pain from his joints and yes, of course Gout again. Bad timing for a Gout flare-up but, we're trying to manage it the best we can until we're home. Bless his heart we had to walk about 4 blocks from the parking lot to the Embassy and then waited in line forever before he ever got to sit down. He was about to die but, never complained once and carried Levi all the way. I could tell he was miserable but, knew he would do whatever it took to get that part over and have Levi's visa approved so we can bring him home. I saw this as a prime example of how people say.. you'll go through anything for your kids.
Anyway, Levi woke up smiling and happy after he slept all night (thank God for Benedryl, we rode out the crying for about an hour before we gave him half a dose.. we knew it was important that we all sleep well before having to be up and ready by 6:30am). The only person who got breakfast was Levi but, we survived. I thought for my first day being a full time mom we managed well. I had to wake him up and thought it would be a disaster but, he woke up happy like he did on our visits. He and Steve fell asleep in the waiting room at the US Embassy. Boy I wish they allowed cameras because that would have been a good picture moment. Levi was officially approved for his visa and they said our attorney could pick it up Monday afternoon after 3:30pm. We can't fly out until Tuesday. We met my mom and dad for breakfast after we returned to the hotel and changed clothes. Levi looked adorable in his little dress clothes. I however, forgot my dress shoes and had to wear casual clothes and that was embarrasing but, it worked all the same. Nancy, Eric and Isaac were there and all dressed up... what a cute family they make. Isaac is soooo attached to Eric. In the early afternoon, Eric decided to give Nancy and Isaac some bonding time alone by the pool. The weather was awesome! Nancy and Eric are going to return with a Guatemalan tan like they've been to the beach! Eric hung out with my mom and dad, Levi and I as we talked to them from the upper sundeck. As she pushed Isaac around in his stroller and had some one on one time with him it was the most I've seen her smile since I met her, she is so happy to have her son with her forever. We let Steve rest and sleep because he was done like I said earlier.
Levi bonded with my dad some which made for a priceless birthday present for him. It was a priceless moment for us all when he reached for dad on his own. He would smile and play with my mom but, not letting her get ahold of him just yet, not that she hasn't tried to bribe him with toys and food but, so far not yet. I think by the time they are around him today again, he'll give in and let her hold him. He wants to but, just is a little hesitant for some reason. My mom and dad have both done great to just let Levi take things slow and call the shots with that part. They haven't forced the issue at all and don't like to see him upset so, they are taking things slow too.
Dad has a terrible cough so keep him in your prayers. Levi is having some constipation issues and cried for about an hour last night with that (which we will be addressing full force once we're home) and Steve is hardly able to move from pain so, please remember them all in your prayers and hope these issues resolve and we're able to enjoy our last few days in Guatemala bonding and making some ground with Levi. Every bit of time that passes you can see a difference in him in that he's becoming more and more comfortable around us both so, we are pleased with the progress he's made. Oh, and blew my mind but, he stayed in a highchair for the first time last night at supper and was great!!! He didn't like it at first but, once we gave him some spoons to bang on the table and toys he was ok with it for the longest time. Today we tackle a stroller again and I am letting him feed himself breakfast from the high chair. Should make for some good video of the mess I know he's going to make. Hopefully, Steve will feel like going down to eat with us and get to see it too. He missed all his progress yesterday but, hopefully today will be a better day for him. Levi slept all night long without medication and is just started to toss and turn, he gets a bottle and goes back to sleep around 6am. He has so far been right on schedule with what the foster mom wrote down for us. His sleeping issue is that he won't let you lay him down at all for hours after he's asleep. We tried about 10 times (literally) before he finally whined until he gave up and stayed there on his back. He has to be touching you or he wakes up everytime. All through the night he will reach his hand or foot one out to see that your still there and no, a pillow doesn't work... tried that too. He decided that if he slept long ways in the bed last night that he could touch Steve with his feet and have me at his head and he's been that way aside from rolling back and forth from back to side all night. He finally stayed down at 11pm. I thought my body would shut down getting to bed so early, that is why I am wide awake this early online. Thanks for all your prayers, posts, and emails. Love you all- tracy (Levi's mom)