Easter was a big day!

Hey, I hadn't posted in a little bit so thought I would while Levi is down for his afternoon nap. He's been getting out a lot since last week. It seems we've been somewhere new about everyday and he's not minded it at all. He loves getting out of the house and doesn't mind the car seat unless he's so sleepy he is fighting it. We took him to church his 1st time on Easter Sunday and he did great! Everyone at church was so glad to meet him and just happy he's finally home. After church we went to his Nana and Poppy's house (Steve's mom and step father) for dinner where he got to be with all Steve's family at one time. He had a blast playing and when we left there he was worn out. He took about a 3 hour nap after playing hard all afternoon. The bigger picture I posted is Levi in his Easter outfit. He looked gorgeous. We took a family picture on the church steps after church since it was his first church service and Easter. We've just enjoyed every minute of our sweet boy since he's been home. It seems like he's been with us forever. Like I said before, he's a perfect fit for our family.
Last week we met Isaac and Nancy for breakfast at IHOP. We enjoyed our visit together and we're planning for them to come over to our house tomorrow for a play date. Isaac will be glad to see his daddy tomorrow afternoon who will be returning from a work trip to Mexico for the past week. Pray for his safe return where his boy and mommy will be waiting for him at the airport. We thought that would be a good time for Levi and Isaac to play a little before they head to pick Eric up. It'll be interesting to see how they act aside from a restaurant setting together since they've not been together since Atlanta when we were waiting for immigration clearance. Nancy and I cannot wait until it's warm enough to take them to the park and get them outside to play. Levi is considering crawling but, hasn't made that last move to figure it out just yet. He is so close but, just not mastered it yet. Maybe seeing Isaac crawling tomorrow will help him figure it out. Steve is working on a picture site for our pictures of Levi to be posted all in one place. I will let everyone know when that is up and running and send you the invitation to visit the site. Until next time... Tracy (Levi's mom)

Update from the Bradley home

Hey all- just wanted to let everyone know all is well at home with Levi. If we could break him from biting we'd be great. His constipation has improved greatly since his meds have kicked in. I think we have everything flowing well (possibly a little too well) right now. But, better than the alternative and all that he had to go through a few days ago. He seems to be happy all the time now. His foster mom called tonight to talk to him on the phone. I couldn't understand her o course because she speaks no English. I put the phone to Levi's ear and he just listened and laughed. I am glad she could hear him playing and laughing and know he's happy. After she hung up, I called her back with our translator. She was relieved to know that both boys are adjusting well and happy with their new family and in their new home. I reassured her that all is well with them both. I haven't talked to Nancy much since we've been home but, we've both been so busy juggling everything around Levi and Isaac. Levi appears to have at least one more maybe two more teeth trying to come in and he's been wanting to chew on everything (including us as I already mentioned). We plan to go out tomorrow for several errands so... we''ll see how that goes. Although he's not minded the car seat much at all; as long as your moving. When you stop the car, he's ready to get out. We have no complains with how he's done though so far... he's been great. He is such a good, happy baby, we are blessed! Until next time, for those who are close enough, come see us. - Tracy (aka Levi's mommy)

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)

Heading home from Guatemala!!

Hey all- just wanted to post and let you all know that we're headed home from Guatemala later today. I should already be in bed but, I have been busy packing our things and making sure I have everything I may need for Levi during our forst part of the flight which is 4 long hours from Guatemala to Atlanta. I am praying Levi will be ok on the flight and not get too upset about it.

Yesterday, we were able to take a tour to Antigua. We visited the Jade Factory, coffee plantation and old church and the market. It was great! We were able to see so much of the country just from the drive that we were so glad we went. Levi did great and was happy and playful all day. He's still doing great with the bonding and not had any troubles there so far.

After we returned from the tour, Levi and Isaac's foster mom came back by the hotel to drop off some documents. She was waiting to see them both but, Isaac had gone with Nancy and Eric to spend a few days in Antigua and then they came back to a different hotel. It was a hard decision to make and I said a prayer about it on the way back from Antigua that if we ran into her and she saw Levi then whatever happened would just have to be and we would deal with that. Well, that is what happened, she saw Steve carrying him in and was actually waiting there for us to return. She knew our tour returned at 3:30pm but, we were actually almost an hour late. She cried some and her son was with her and of course he was a little upset but, they seemed to be adjusting well as we are. Levi cried initially as if he was confused and a little scared. Steve calmed him quickly, I took him and handed him to her. It's like he hugged her, kissed her, she kissed him and then he turned to reach back for me, clinging as I got him hiding his face on my shoulder. It was like that was his goodbye... it broke my heart all over again but, I managed to hold it together and let it be at that. She brought us some Guatemalan gifts and things for the boys and was so happy to be able to give us some things to remember Guatemala by. Through the translator we told her we would call her and let her know how they were once we're home and we would send her some pictures over time. She said it was her prayer that when she saw him to say giidbye forever that her last memories of him would be that he was happy with his new family. She had total peace leaving knowing he would have a better life in the US.
Well, keep us in your prayers as we fly home today and we can't wait for you all to meet our sweet Guatemalan angel! He is awesome and we have enjoyed every minute of this pick up trip and this part of the adoption process as it has come to an end. Life is just beginning in the Bradley house I do believe. He has already brought us so much joy I know we can't even imagine what all he will bring us in the coming months/years. Love you all and thanks in advance for your prayers. Blessings- Tracy and Steve.... official parents in Guatemala

Update from Guatemala

Hey all- I had a minute and thoughtI would post an update. Levi had had a great day playing and been so happy. He has had us laughing all day. He finally has bonded with my mom and dad and is playing right along with them now too. He still wants us when he's sleepy but, that is ok. He had a bath again tonight and it went much better than last night. He splashed water all over the bathroom. He didn't get to get in the pool today because it has been warm out but so windy. He did pretty good in a stroller this evening but, being he's not been in one since I was here in January, he did well it just took him a minute. He's not used to going to bed early but, he played so hard for hours and he is just exhausted. we're not sure if he's down for the night or not but, hoping so. I am headed to bed just in case this turns out to be just a nap. I wanted to let everyone know though that he's been great today and been just like he's been with us all along. Dad is going a little stir crazy sitting here at the hotel all day everyday but, he's enjoying his bonding time all the same. He and my mom ventured out on the street today for a walk. Of course, his idea she was like me a little hesitant. Nancy, Eric and Isaac left this morning around 11am headed to Antigua for a few days. She called and said Isaac was fighting sleep really bad and cranky. hoping by now they are all snoozing! We won't see them again until we get to the airport on Tuesday. We are flying back to Atlanta on the same plane. It seems Levi and Isaac are possibly a little confused when they are around each other. It was almost like they didn't understand why we are all here together, I don't know just can't explain it. Anyway, hoping to continue to post about how well they are both doing until we head home in a few days. My concern is that thier foster mom wants to see them (she doesn't know Isaac is going to be at another hotel until we leave anyway) but, wants to come Monday afternoon to see Levi one more time before we leave for good. Initially we said ok but, now that he's done so well and our attorney's facilitator told us yesterday she didn't think it was best for Levi... I don't know what is the right thing to do. I so hate to do her that way after we agreed it was ok but, know that it truly probably isn't best. I feel so guilty denying her that one last look at him before we leave forever. However, I do have to think about what is best for Levi. Please pray about this with us as we have to be deciding what to tell her. She has to come back to the hotel either way to bring some documents I accidentally left in the duffle bag she brought his things in. The facilitator said she would tell her to leave those things at the front desk with the receptionist and all but, I don't know how well she took that or if she has already called to tell her that. I hate doing things through someone else too because you never know what she was told or how she took it. I guess the only thing I can do is have the hotel translator to call her myself tomorrow and tell her what we think is best. We are going on a tour Monday anyway but, she knew that and knew we wouldn't be back until the afternoon. I am not going to have to hide out from her but, just be honest with her what the agency thinks we should do. Until tomorrow.... - Tracy (Levi's mom)