Levi Douglas Bradley: Settling in at home~

Our Adoption Story

Levi was born on April 21, 2007 in Chinautla, Guatemala, a small town known for pottery. He weighed 6.7 pounds and was 19.7 inches long. He was in private foster care in Guatemala City where he lived for 10 1/2 months with his foster mom, her son and daughter and Isaac, his foster brother. Throughout our difficult adoption journey, Isaac's mom, Nancy and I became very good friends. God placed our boys together and had the perfect plan in place long before we ever realized it. When I was undecided on an adoption agency, I joined an online forum where Nancy provided me with information about her agency and recommended them to us. We decided to sign with the same agency and I emailed Nancy back to let her know. Over a few months we emailed back and forth to learn we were both from TN and lived only 30 minutes apart... we thought wow, it's a small world. Little did we know a few months later we'd both get referrals, earlier than we expected, of 2 beautiful Guatemalan angels. When they turned 2 months old our agency called and decided it was time to tell us that they were in the same foster home together and had been since they were 1 day old. We were amazed they were together. Even more so, God amazed us once again when we learned shortly after that they were born on the same day and were from the same town... no longer a coincidence that was for sure. We were being told by the foster mom how attached they were and acted like brothers. But, Nancy and I got the chance in January '08 to go to visit them and see it for ourselves. It was an amazing time of bonding with our boys that we will never forget. After that trip it seemed when one of us would reach a roadblock in the crazy process of international adoption the other would be delayed with something else. We stayed right together until the very day we picked them both up. We had our US Embassy appts the same day and we flew home through Atlanta on the same flight on March 11, 2008 when they both entered the US as citizens! It was an awesome time for us in the Atlanta Airport when we rec'd the congrats they were official! We've made friends for life with Nancy, Eric, and with Isaac's extended families. We look forward to many years of watching them both grow up so close together. Over the past year, as we went through battle after battle to bring our boys home, Nancy and I both would never think of one without the other in our endless prayers to keep them safe, happy and healthy until they could be home with their forever families. We're finally parents and it's what we've both waited for, for so many years.. our families are finally complete!!!

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Settling in at home~

Hey- just wanted to post an update and let everyone know that Levi is adjusting well and has bonded well with both Steve and I. He's had some family come by for two days to visit and done so well with them too. He's so loving it doesn't seem to be taking him long to warm up. He's just the sweetest thing and he amazes us everyday with new things that he's learning to do. He is certainly a daddy's boy that is for sure. It is so sweet to see him love on Steve especially in the mornings when he wakes up. He is happy most of the time unless he's sleepy and fighting it or needing to "poo". He is having a little trouble in that area so keep him in your prayers. He was seen today by the pediatrician for the first time and he was checked from head to toe. We were planning to wait until next week but, since he was having a real hard time with his bowels yesterday we went ahead and went in today. He had to have blood work and they did some more tests to make sure he is free from any parasite he may have picked up in Guatemala. She felt like he was well taken care of by his foster mom and a very healthy, happy baby. The doctor felt he should just go ahead and repeat his vaccinations so, he got 3 and another stick for the TB skin test. Needless to say he hated that place. He clapped and clapped when we were walking out the door. They changed his diet some too so we'll see if that helps too. So.. all in all we're good! Pray for Isaac as he gets put through all the same tests tomorrow afternoon for his first visit to the pediatrician. Until next time.. Blessings and thanks for all the emails and phone calls to welcome us home. - Tracy (Levi's mom)

2 comments:

Nancy and Isaac McGee said...: I love the new pics ya'll posted. I hope I get to see them all since the ones from mine aqnd Tracy's trip in Jan.have never made to me (Steve). We have some pretty cute kids don't we?; March 14, 2008 at 10:48:00 PM EDT
memawk said...: Hey Levi, Tracy, and Steve
Glad to hear that you all are doing well. It is so good to see the boys have adjusted so well, and so loving. I haven't seen Isaac since Sun. Poppy Doug and myself have been sick, and I didn't want to carry anything to him.It is so hard to believe that they are finally here, and I am glad that the foster mom knows they are doing well. Hope to see you all soon. Give Hugs and Kisses from Mamaw Kay, and Papaw Doug. I don't know what number we are, but we will take any number. Love Ya; March 19, 2008 at 10:01:00 PM EDT