Levi Douglas Bradley: July 2008

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!!!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Bottle free!!

Well, Levi is doing great now without hos bottle. I cannot believe that things went so smooth coming off it all at once and just not bringing it out again. I am so proud of him. Now if potty training comes as easy we'll be doing good. We went and bought a potty just to sit him on it off and on and let him get used to the whole idea of it. When he's ready we'll do that but, I personally think he's still too young to get the whole idea of it even if he hates being wet and pulls at his diaper when he is. He does grab his diaper when you ask if he's wet and sometimes goes to get one when he is but, I think it'll still be a little bit before he's ready for the potty... we'll see. Nancy, Eric and Isaac are still at the beach and although Eric has swimmers' ear and has been to the doctor twice I think they are having a good first vacation as a family. The new picture of Isaac here is one she posted on his blog from the beach. I miss them and can't wait till they are home and we can get together and I can see him walking! He finally turned loose and took off by himself walking now!! I am excited for them and can't wait to see him walk. I know his mamaw Kay can't wait either. I bet this has been a long 2 weeks for her and Doug with Isaac being gone. Headed to bed soon. I have been on a cleaning spree while Steve and Levi are snoring! I have to do this while Levi is asleep but, I am getting tired being that it's 5:30am! I took a nap and got back up to clean while he is asleep. I get more done that way. - Tracy

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Coming off the bottle!

Hey all, it's been a little while since I last posted but, we've been so busy with Steve being in the hospital and work that I haven't found the time to update the blog. Anyway, the only thing that is really new is that a week ago today Levi had only taken a few ounces of milk for the whole day from his bottle. He pretty much had his sippy cup all day instead. When I realized that last Sunday afternoon, I thought I would try just the sippy only on Monday, even for naps. He did fine. Therefore, I decided we would just take it all together and see how things went. If they got too bad I would give it back and try again later. However, he didn't really do that bad just at naptime and bedtime mainly. We just had to start wearing him down so he would go to sleep easier since he wouldn't have the security of his bottle at bedtime. He has been almost a full week bottle free today. We are so proud of him that he's done this well. In this past week there has been a few times where I know he was wanting it bad and I felt so sorry for him but, I think if he's come this far it's too late to give it back now.We went and bought a potty so we're ready when he is for that one. He will pull at the front of his diaper if you ask him if he's wet so, maybe soon he'll be ready. Until then... Tracy , aka "Levi's mom"

Levi's Timeline