Living In Babyville

Dateline: Guatemala City - February 18

Life with Cole is pretty incredible. We've found ourselves pinching each other and asking if this is really happening and how incredibly lucky we are to have Cole now in our lives.

The decision to spend a week with him while awaiting the paperwork to be readied was well worth it. We've had time to learn a little about parenting and about each others strengths, while building up his trust in us as his Mommy & Daddy. Probably the best part is chance to smother him in love and kisses.

We've been passing the time visiting some of the other hotels in the area. We've been dining out and visiting some of the other hotel pools to take advantage of the beautiful 75 degree weather. Cole just loves the water...he has this great little "froggy" kick when we hold him in the water. He's such a little powerhouse!

Probably the only freaky thing about staying in the hotels is seeing so many other parents adopting children there. All have a similar story...they want to love and care for a child. I can tell you it is a little weird sitting around the Marriott pool and seeing a dozen other couples and their soon-to-be Guatemalan children. On our first visit, Merry and I took to calling out "stroller alerts" everytime we'd pass through the lobby. I believe all the parents we've met will love an cherish their little ones--there is an incredible amount of work that goes into making it happen. Someone told me today that 40% of perspective adoptees drop out of the process.

That's life in Babyville.