Nearly a Year!

I am amazed that we're approaching a year since Rylan came home! I thought it was time for me to share some pictures from his life while he was living in Guatemala. On my visits in both May and December 2007 I left several disposable cameras, along with some that I sent in packages with friends who were visting their children. I realize how lucky I am to have some pictures during the time we missed with him, but in another way... it makes me pretty sad to look back on how they live their every day lives. It almost makes me feel ashamed of complaining about the small things in life here. March 20th we entered the USA with our son, a day I will never forget! But the journey didn't end there... it has only begun.
The above picture is Rylan in the bath/shower. Notice the mold growth surrounding him. When I saw this picture I was sickened. I wanted to seriously go and scrub and disinfect it! I felt sad. Sad that this is their normal. Not only is this not healthy for a growing baby, it's not healthy for anyone.

Here they took photos of Rylan playing with some of the toys we sent over. His foster mom worked at a school, which I think was more of a daycare, so we sent several boxes over for all the children to share. That felt SO incredibly good to do!
And here they were showing us in the clothes and footie pajamas we sent over. We appreciated their effort knowing they were using all we gave them!!! Even as much as I notice Rylan, I notice the backgrounds in these pictures. Not good living conditions most of the time.
This is the bed Rylan slept in, which was a playpen in foster mom's bedroom. It was extremely dirty and falling apart....And in the playpen with Rylan was the lawn mover he LOVED! I took this over on my visit in December 2007 and he pushed it everywhere! We never saw it again, same as all the clothes and toys we sent... but I don't care, I'm sure they got put to use somewhere! I left happy knowing some other children out there were using everything we brought over.Happy boy no matter what the circumstances! Looking back I see major malnourishment and a child who was also in desperate need of a cleaner environment. I had noticed no use of his legs at 10 months old on my first visit and that his color was pale. He would eat, and eat, and eat 24/7 while I was there! After just a day or two together you could see him improving. I'm not by any means saying the foster mom was neglectful. Unfortunately she did the best she could with what she had. Thus explaining why I left a suitcase (literally) full of stuff during both visits in May 2007 and December 2007 and sent other packages and money as I could! It is a 3rd world country and standards of which they live their every day lives are way different than ours. Our foster mom was considered to have average wealth there, here she would have been well below poverty limits. Babies for the most part can't be put down on floors to crawl because they are dirty or made of dirt. They don't brush their teeth or have dental care. The doctor is only used in a near death situation. And food doesn't come easily. Babies are fed beans and coffee leaving their growth stunted. None of it intentional, that's just how it is. An d this is for the average family. Imagine the families living outside in the mountain areas! You couldn't even begin to dream of how difficult life is for the majority of people there. You have to see it. And when you do, it forever changes your life. I'm thankful to have changed the life of one child, and seen the lives change for many more. I don't believe one bit that this is where it ends.... I can feel it just starting!

Our first photo together in May 2007 during my incredible visit! I still can't describe the pain that was left in my heart the day I had to leave him. It was horrible... yet I left so happy! Doesn't he look a million times better on this last day of our visit together!?

All cleaned up after being dropped off by foster mom and the attorney's assistant during my first visit in May 2007. Already he looked at me with those big dark eyes begging me to take him home! I kept wondering how I could get away with smuggling him back!

Rylan enjoying the jumper in the baby room at the Marriott Guatemala City during our first visit in May 2007. His little legs at 10 months old had barely any muscle tone at all. It was obvious he hadn't been given the chance to use them.

December 2007 visit out by the pool enjoying some much needed and nutricious food... french fries! Yum Yum!!!!Rylan during my December 2007 visit just before Christmas. He was such a happy little boy. even then! By this time, he was walking when I came...
Some of you may remember that I traveled with Sonja, who lives near me and I was able to meet before we even considered International Adoption. We also met up with Anna, another family sharing the same agency as both of us. We met her in Dallas, and flew onto Guatemala together. All of us meeting our children for the very first time! May 2007, Kayla (Sonja's daughter) on the left, Rylan in the middle, and Libby (Anna's daughter) on the right. I adore this picture....

This is Anna is with Libby on our first visit! Look how tiny Libby was. As you can see from the picture below, being home with her momma has made all the difference in the world! What a cutie pie! I think I will be shocked going from seeing her as a baby to seeing her for only the 2nd time in person as a toddler! I can't wait Anna!!!!

And above is Sonja with Kayla on our first visit, the first time mother and daughter met! Kayla's a gorgeous little girl with a spunky personality that we love! She's now home and a thriving, happy, well-adjusted little girl, as you can see from the photo below! We get the pleasure of making plans to see one another on a regular basis!
And here is my cyber friend Michelle! We've never met, but have known each other for 2 years! What we thought was the worst news of our live,s our agency collapsing and being exposed for fraud, ended up being just the start of some of the best days of our lives! Little Lexie is gorgeous and I can't wait to meet them both in person! From the photo below, you can see how she has blossomed as well.

And above is a referral picture of the newest member of our "family" to make it home, Abbie! Her family started the adoption process just 3 months before us, and this sweet little girl just came home..... yea!!!!!
Here is Abbie and her momma just last week on the plane coming home. I think Terri is going to have a Diva on her hands! She is such a doll!
I had to put in a picture of Abbie once home, as she joined her little brother Isaiah who was also born in Guatemala! I think these two are going to have some fun together! Congratulations again Terri and family!!!

There were several other families from our agency that we met over the course of our adoptions. Lisa, Wendy, Paula, Dixie, and so many others! All incredible, all courageous, all determined. I didn't want to post pics of them without permisssion. I knew the other above were fine with me doing it ; )

What an amazing past couple of years for all of us! Thanks ladies for always being there for me, especially on the not so good days. You all are incredible mothers and friends!