Day 3

Time is flying…Jeff and the kids visited the Artisans Market today and came back with lots of treasures. The kids want me to visit with them tomorrow morning. There is also a Central Market which we might visit. Hopefully Jeff and the kids will go to Antigua (colonial city) on Tuesday. By all reports, it’s a must see.

There are mixed views about taking the baby out of the hotel. Sometimes the police question Americans with Guatemalan babies and could take the baby away since our adoption is not final. I didn’t think it was that big of an issue until I saw two armed guards in our hotel AFTER we had AnnaMaria. My heart sank thinking how upsetting it would be if anyone gave us trouble. At that point we decided to keep her on the property.

We are staying at the Crowne Plaza. It’s a little out of the way from the main Guatemala City hotels, so we will likely stay somewhere else next time. We initially booked at the Marriott, but their pool was out of service and we thought that would be a problem with the kids. This hotel is very nice, but there are not a lot of public areas. So…we are in the room, in the lobby, by the pool or at the restaurant. AnnaMaria doesn’t seem to mind. And…although the website said there was a self laundry….we have yet to find it. The “self” has become Sharon and the bathroom sink. Apparently the rest of the family packed more than instructed and are fine. But, honestly, it’s all good.

We did get a crib. We were up a couple of times last night, but we think tonight will be better. I think AnnaMaria was getting too much air in her bottles and was battling the hiccups and gas. OK – it’s too much info, but when she finally got the poop thing lined out again, even Ollie was amazed!

At this point everyone is in bed. It’s so peaceful to look out the window at the city lights. During the day, we can see the volcanoes in the distance. They look close, but I’m sure they are not. Monday should be interesting. We’ve mostly experience “the weekend,” but I suspect it will be back to business tomorrow.

We all really love it here. Claire and I can get by with a few Spanish nouns. Jeff is quite serious with getting the whole conversation in Spanish. Unfortunately sometimes that backfires. The waitress this evening asked if he wanted apple or cherry when he requested the check. Apparently she thought he asked for pie. It was really a great wholesome family laugh. We are so blessed to have a family who laughs together!

I know it’s going to be hard to leave on Thursday, but it’s all relative. This hotel is not one of the main “adoption” hotels, but we have met three other adopting families. One has a one yr old boy who can’t “come home” yet and another family is adopting a boy and girl. The second family is on their pick up trip for the 7 mo old daughter, but the older boy can’t go home with them yet. We see him at dinner and he is a doll! He talks and interacts with them. I don’t know how old he is (2-3?), but he will know when they leave and THAT is tough!