Don't cry for me RMI....

It is the rainy season in RMI and we have had rain almost every other day. Unlike other days when the sun comes out to play, it rained and poured most of the day. There were no outside excursions for us. 

Poor Baby B was having an emotional day with  off and on crying, arching of the back, reaching her arms out, pushing away when I was trying to hold her, and crying if I tried to sit while holding her. The grieving is all part of this and it is "healthy" for her to grieve. I understand this but feel helpless at the same time and have cried with her too.

Baby B did have happy moments today. I am always carrying her in these moments or I am always in her field of vision. If I try to set her down, she cries or if she can not see me, like when I go to the bathroom, she cries. Carried Baby B with me - even in the bathroom. 

Here are some pics of the happy moments..

Pillow cracker snack while watching Strawberry Shortcake cartoon

Muah joined us for dinner at the Tide Table.

A night out on the town

There are 5 families, including us, that are here together in the RMI. As the days meld into one, we share the joys of motherhood and support one another as issues arise. Four families are at the RRE and one family opted to stay in a 2 bedroom house in Long Island. Hotel living versus house living are 2 different experiences.

Here is a pic of the 5 kids- 2 girls and 3 boys.

We went over for dinner at our friend's house. They have a fenced in yard with chickens, roosters and pigs next door to them. Living la vida local- so to speak. It was great to have a home cooked meal. I made home made Tide Table banana creme pie for dessert.

At night, there are no lights on the road. There we stood in the dark, searching for a cab back to the hotel.  Yay, one came in about 5 minutes and there was room for us. On the way back to the hotel, we picked up and dropped off about 6 other passengers. It is cooler at night and there were many locals hanging out on the side of the road or in front of their homes or a store.

The Daddy could attest to how tough it was driving at night in Majuro. No lights on the road. There are very limited number of sidewalks- so locals walking in the street. Want to cross the street- no problem- just step in front of the car moving at 25 mph. There are many dogs wandering the street- hard to see them at night too.

Okay, so I admit that it was the first time that I was out at night without the Daddy. Maybe I've seen too many scary movies about bad things happening on dark isolated country roads. Maybe I'm a smart city girl who felt uncomfortable in an unknown environment. Maybe because I am a now a Ma Ma who is getting her child ready for bed at 7pm.





 

Manila update

The good news is that our papers arrived yesterday, Manila reviewed our files!

The bad news is that they were missing a receipt and a form for our file. Also, there was a fee change and we had to pay the difference- $29.00.

The good news is that we went to the US embassy in RMI at 8:30 am to resolve the above issue. Got up at 6:15 am. Usually Baby B is good about standing next to me in the shower but today, she wanted to be held in the shower. You try washing  your hair with a 25 lb toddler in your arms lol.

We had breakfast at 7am and took the $1.50 cab ride to the US embassy. Because we went over the bridge, it cost 75 cents more. After going through armed security and having our personal belongings scanned, we were given an "official" embassy badge. Our cell phones and camera were also left with security in one building and then you walk to the actual US embassy office.

Paid the fees, signed the missing paperwork- staff said that they would scan and send today. Manila is 4 hours behind us - so it was 4:30 am in the Philippines. Good - so when they open at 9am, they will already have our papers and fees. Say a prayer that they process it today and courier our via DHL today- I know I did.

Typical day

Each day, we try to find something different to do to break up the day. Here are some examples of things to do to break up the day:  go to Payless Store for groceries, drop off laundry, walk around the hotel grounds, go shopping at the local craft stores, walk a few blocks to the DAR, go to the Formosa. Insert nap time and meals- the typical day. We go to our room after dinner for washing up and then nite nite time.

The highlight of my day is skyping with the Daddy.

Baby B at breakfast

This is us at the bus stop posing for a picture.

Baby B

Island life is slow and easy. The time in Majuro has allowed Baby B and I to bond and attach. The only time that we were apart was when I toured the hospital with my friend. Otherwise, we have been together.

Yesterday at dinner, I needed to go back to the room for a sippy cup. The 3 families plus us were having dinner at together at the Tide Table. Baby B was happy in her booster seat. I was about 4 tables away and she started to cry with her arms reaching toward me. ( Ok, so I wanted to cry too). Needless to say that I picked her up and we went to the room for the sippy cup.

Baby B is shy at times and will hold on to me. Other times, she is racing down the hall or running on the sidewalk on the hotel grounds. She now has a sturdy walk. If she loses her balance and falls, she will get right up and keep on going without crying. If she discovers a slight decline in the sidewalk, she will repeatedly run down it laughing at a toddler run. She has fallen prone on the sidewalk, lays there for about a second or two ( I wait for the cry). There is no cry except a get up, dust off her hands and back to the fun.

Baby B can climb up the RRE flight of stairs. Mommy does not let her go down those concrete stairs. I will let her climb down 1 step of the bungalows.

Peek a boo

Wedding anniversary

We are across the international timeline and one day ahead of you all. Today, July 28th is our 3 year wedding anniversary. We have been together for 6 years now. I love you so much the Daddy!!

Walked around town and did some shopping. We went to the Momataro and the Dollar Store. Baby B loves this toy piano that plays children's songs. I had to get a few more since the Mommy broke it when trying to replace the batteries.

Manila

Our papers have arrived in Manila - just needs to be delivered to the US embassy!! YAY!

Paperwork

On Tuesday, July 13th, we shipped via DHL our paperwork to the US embassy in Honolulu. It first stopped in Guam and then to Honolulu where it sat for over a week.

Yesterday, July 26th ( we are one day ahead of you), we received an email that our paperwork is on it's way to the Philippines. It stopped in Hong Kong and  then China and now is in Pampanga, Philippines- YAY. At least it is in the right country and on the way to Manila. It is expected to arrive their by tomorrow.

We need this paperwork so that Baby B can enter the US as a citizen. Technically, she is a citizen as soon as we processed the papers in the Majuro US embassy but I like the idea of actually standing on US turf. 

Let's pray for a speedy turn around time in the PI. We would love to be home in time to celebrate Grandma's 100th birthday on August 7th.

Dressing like the locals

We went shopping at the New Hope Store and bought guam style dresses. Today, we are dressed like the local women- note that we have matching dresses.

One of the planned excursions for the day was the Post Office to open a PO box for our birth mom. We crossed the street and ta da- we are at the post office.

In honor of the local food fare, we cooked ramen soup in our hot pot and ate it in our table in the hotel room. Baby B loved it.

Visit with the birth family

Baby B is 19 months and the visits with the birth mom is very hard on her. We wish that we could spend more time with them but after each visit, she cries for about 2 hours and then also at night before bed  time for another hour. It is all part of the grieving process for our little girl and I wish that I could wave a wand and get rid of her grief. It is important that she spends time with the birth mom while we are here but it is also important that she grieves this loss too. Both of us were crying this afternoon..

Here are a few pics of our birth family. Some were taken today and others were taken at another time.

Birth mom and her brother

Baby B and her brother at the MIR

Birth mom, Baby B's aunt and us at Laura Beach

Birth mom at Laura Beach

Jabbath or Sunday in Majol

Another much needed rainy day in Majuro. Today, another family's daddy is flying home. One last Daddy here and he leaves on Wednesday

We spent the morning with them driving around the car. Bought matching guam dresses at the New Hope Store. I think there is a tailor who can alter Baby B's guam dress to fit her now and allow her to grow into it.

I had them drive by the hospital to add a few more pics.

Hospital

Note the flat tire!!

Camera

I found an inexpensive Polaroid camera from the computer store above the gas station. The Daddy would have had to overnight a camera and the overnite time frame was 6 days.

Here is a pic of Baby B in her pjs. B also think that turning the TV off/on, changing the channels is also entertaining.

It's a small world after all..

Baby B's future pediatrician back home has a physician friend who lives in Majuro. She told him that we were coming and he offered to help one of our own Filipinas.  We went out for dinner at the Chinese restaurant on Thursday night. With his help, I was able to get Baby B's vaccination records as well as another US family's vaccination records for their toddler. It is a good thing to have.

I also asked for a tour of the 70 bed hospital.. and today was the tour. It was very interesting for me to see the hospital. It seemed relatively clean- if you overlooked the ants,flies, roaches and dirt on the floor. There was only one CT scan and it was not working. The mammogram machine not working. One EKG machine and a 4 suite OR. The ambulance had 2 flat tires. There were mostly semi private rooms with 4 beds per room. There is a 17 dollar co pay per day but no one pays it. No concerns about LOS- it is all government funded. I actually met one of the flight nurse at the Tide Table - who is a yachtie. I met a few nurses and the ortho doc. I tried to see PT/OT but it was closed.

Here is a sample of medical waste security.

Copra factory tour

We toured the copra factory today. Copra is the major source of export here in Majuro. Copra is simply defined as processing of the coconut meat to turn it into oil, soap and fertilizer. Most of the copra products are sent to Australia and the soap and oil products are sent to Springdale, Arkansas. Yep, there is a Marshallese community in Springdale. Very cool to see that the soap was hand cut.

Also, went in search of a digital camera and it is twice the cost of a camera in the US. The Daddy in the States will be sending us a TLC package. BTW- overnight takes 6 days .

Went to the DAR for lunch with 2 other families. One family's parents are leaving today. We went back to the Tide Table for the delicious banana creme pie.

Baby B is napping and I think I am gonna join her.

YIKES

I thought... how cute Baby B looks in an outfit that Grandma C bought for her. Maybe I'll go get the camera..oops, I tripped on a toy ( where is Mrs. Brady to tell me -don't play ball in the house), drop the camera and the lens is broken.

Hopefully, I will be able to find a cheap digital camera package on Majuro. That is my goal today along with touring a copra factory at the bridge.

It's 1 am in Majuro and I am having a restless night. Baby B is sound asleep. Time to try and go back to sleep.

Some more sights to see

A roadside grill where the chicken marinades in an unrefrigerator container.

The ultimate tourists taking a pic with the locals

Walking around town

Not sure if I mentioned this but we moved last week from the 2.5 bungalow to a room with a balcony. It's in the main hotel and much better and there are no bugs in contrast to the Mothman Prophecy aka Birds ( Hitchcock movie) bungalow. I need to mention that one night the floor of the bungalow shimmered from the wings of the moth/bugs that covered the floor. Yep- all 500 of them. We are happy in our room and we have internet access in our room.

Our docs still sit in Hawaii and have not yet been processed. From Hi, the docs go to the PI.

Baby B and I walked around the town. Another US family walked along with us. Bina loves her stroller. There are very few sidewalks and we walked on the side of the road- just like the locals. Bought local cultural items and took a few pics.

The camera shy baby girl lol

We walked along the side of the street.

Rainy day in Majuro

There is much needed rain in Majuro. Many families, like our birth family, does not have running water and catch the rain for water for drinking, cooking and bathing. We are hanging out in the hotel room on this rainy day. Our only excursion was to Payless Grocery Store. I'm going to cook pasta in a hot pot for dinner.

Cabbing is the way to travel with 50 cents to 75 cents per ride. Flag one down, get in and wait.. there is more room in the taxi...pull over and share the ride. Baby B and I have shared a few cabs with locals. Your try a big laundry bag and a 25 lb girl - both in  your lap, smashed in the middle of 2 Marshallese women. Ir's all part of the fun.

Yesterday, we went to the RMI court house to pick up some more documents to bring home.

Laura and the birth family

The inside

This is the outside of their home

Mondre in the RMI

Daddy got home safe and sound! Baby B and I are doing well. You can tell that we've been at the restaurant by the trail of milk, eggs, rice or whatever we are eating.

The dads from the families went fishing and caught fresh tuna. One was about 35 lbs and growing larger by the minute lol. We had a BBQ with fresh tuna at the gardens of the RRE.

It's been a week

We have been in RMI for 8 days now and we want to come home. Our papers stopped in Guam before Hawaii. Daddy went home yesterday and we miss him so much.

Our birth famiily came to say good bye

Breakfast fun

Soaking in R and R

Had breakfast at the Tide Table restaurant in the RRE.  Found the Green Earth laundry and are having them launder and dry our clothes. We'll pick it up in about 4 hours and then shop.

Daddy and Baby B are napping in our bungalow.

It's a R and R kind of day. I'm relaxing with a Mango juice and using a  free "hot spot" internet at the RRE but we pay for minutes.

This is a pic of our bungalow. It's 2.5 rooms right along the lagoon.

 This is the view from our bungalow

A life ends and a new one begins

Some one once said that a life ends and a new one begins- I now fully believe it. Today is the one year anniversary of my Mom's death and we have a new daughter. Maybe my Mom helped choose her new grand daughter and in her gentle way, told us it was time for a new life. We are going to Assumption Catholic Church for a 5:30 PM mass to celebrate the life of Baby B's Bubu.

Like daughter like Mother- Baby B has fallen under the spell of her blue eyed father.

Yesterday, we obtained her birth certificates- old and new; obtained her Marshallese passport. There were 5 families at the US embassy completing US visa and immigration paperwork. As we were at the DHL office and dropping off the package of paperwork to Honolulu, I prayed for a speedy trip to HI. From there, it goes to Guam and then to the Philippines then back to Majuro.

Finally!!!

Please meet the newest member of our family - Bina Cielita.

Meeting the family in Laura

On Sunday, we met the birth family in their home in Laura. It was an hour ride at 25 mph. I was back seat driving as dogs, chickens and Marshallese crossed the street and walked along the side of the one lan road. There are no lights along the way- just the towering palm trees. We turned along a dirt road with a 2 foot pot hole on the right and then anothe 2 footer on the left. In Marshallese custom, we took off our shoes before we entered our birth mom's home.

We were humbled as we looked around the 2 room house with an old computer chair as the only furniture. We were honored that we were asked to sit on the chair. We declined and sat on the floor- that was filled with scurrying bugs of a variety of species. I soon realized that I was the only one slapping the bugs that crawled on my legs and dress-so I stopped and decided that flicking bugs was good enough.

We met our daughter's grand parents, brother and cousins. Our birth mom helped us pick out the Chicago logoed gifts for her family - or should I say ours?

It was an hour back home to the hotel.  

RMI

Yokwe (hello) from Majuro, RMI.

It is about 85 degrees, sunny with about 90% humidity and we are surrounded by blue clear ocean water. Just a few glitches.. our apt is not ready and we are unsure of when it will be ready. Happily,we are in a suite bungalow at the RRE. Our hut, for lack of a better word, is right on the ocean.

We met our daughter and our birth mom. Feisty little girl who will be a challenge for us in the beginning. She cried and I cried as I tried to hold her for the first time. She has a strong attachment with her birth mom and she as well as we will have to grieve her loss.

We are at the Tide Table having breakfast. We will be spending the day with the birth mom and our daughter's bubu and jemma ( grandma and grand dad). Take the main road and turn right on the dirt road until you see the post and the go right..

Waikiki Beach

Aloha from Waikiki, Hawaii

Our flight was about 9 hours to Honolulu. We cabbed it to our hotel in Waikiki, changed and off we went exploring the sites. Happy hour at the poolside cabana bar. Romantic dinner at a restaurant overlooking Waikiki Beach and the Pacific Ocean. Shopped at the International Market Place. Evening stroll along the beach.

Early tomorrow morning we leave for Majuro, RMI. The flight is about 6 hours and we cross the international timeline and lose a day. I am thinking that the next couple days may be very hectic and we may not be able to post for a few days.

Our bags are packed and we are ready to go!

For those of you who know me, I kind of traded in my Coach purse for a diaper bag lol. There was some last minute drama with a few tears as I tried to cram a lap top and dossier into the diaper bag. There was no room for anything else. I thought for a moment - who needs personal hygiene items anyway.. ha ha. So what does this resourceful Mom to be do? She frantically shops and in 5 minutes, buys a bigger hot leopard print (roar) designer bag. Ta da- problem solved.

I would be remiss without mentioning that my loving patient husband looked at me with an amused look and grunted as I ranted and raved.

The best thing today is that we have an actual court date of July 12th in which our daughter "legally" becomes part of our family!

Our next post- Honolulu, Hawaii!!!!

One more day

It's official- I'm on  leave. Who ever knew that labor pains would last about 3 years?

There are a few last minute papers to get notarized and our dossier will be ready. A dossier contains all our  original paperwork that we will be submitting to court and immigration. It also contains a few pics of us. I am thinking that these are shown to our daughter and our birth mother.

Just to get an idea of what we are traveling with... 2 big suitcases and 2 boxes, 2 carry on suitcases, 1 diaper bag, a duffle bag and stroller. What we will be returning with: 1 beautiful daughter and  what was the rest?Oh yeah, 1 suitcase,carry on and diaper bag.

T minus 3 and counting

I  learned that we can actually check 2 bags a piece and my anxiety about packing has somewhat subsided. In lieu of 2 suitcases, we are going to use boxes to pack the apt stuff. We will be giving the household items to our birth mom so there will be less to bring home.

Went to work today for a few hours. Anyway, I work at a hospital and happily, I get 2 free sturdy boxes and lug it to the car. Much to my dismay, I realize that the box has "medical equipment" signs all over it as well as the name of my hospital. Hmm... what are the odds that our boxes may be inspected or opened ..lol. Looks as if I need to get more discrete boxes?

Getting ready

Spent the day running errands and shopping in preparation for our journey. Just thought that I would mention that we will be in the RMI for up to about 6-7 weeks. One of us is heading back to the States after a 2 week stay. I think it's cool to live and learn about our daughter's culture! We hope to spend time with the birth mom and family. One day in the future, our daughter will ask us about the RMI and her birth family. We will be well prepared to answer those questions with first hand experience and I'm sure a ton of pictures.

As I look at the mound of plastic bags filled with gifts, books, diapers, cloth wipes, baby supplies, ointments, etc, I am optimistic that it will all fit into luggage X 2  at the 50 lb weight limit. Add our clothes, linens, towels, dishes, utensils, maybe a pot and a pan to the mix too. I begin to wonder if  can cram it all into the luggage. We have will have carry on luggage too. Ooops, I forgot the diaper bag big enough to fit a lap top, 1.5 inch thick dossier and a few personal items. Yikes... an umbrella stroller too!

Travel date

YAY! We have a travel date and are leaving on Wednesday! This weekend will be filled with last minute shopping and packing. We love you already our daughter and we will be there soon with you.