November 9, 2011

This Wednesday morning, we all got a move on bright and early for our appointment with ICBF at 9:00 a.m. Maria Elena picked us up and we traveled about 30 minutes into downtown Cali to the ICBF office.

We met our attorney, Fabiola. She studied in Paris and lives in New York. I told her I was an attorney too and studied in Louisiana under the only public, civil law school in the United States - she was impressed. ;) We all went in to the minor defender's office and discussed how Michael has attached to us, what he has eaten, his routine, and behavior over the past week. They were so taken with him. ;) Maria Elena told them he was already saying the English word "Dada" and the minor defender was very impressed! They goo-goo'd and ga-ga'd him, and he put on a show just a smiling. After about 15 minutes of talking, Maria Elena told us that she, the minor defender, had no problems to report and that she would issue the official report signing off on Michael's adoption. She said, "it is perfect!"

I wrote down Michael's new, full name for Fabiola to insert in the documents for court - Michael Bradley Stinson. It will actually be Michael Bradley Stinson Orman on his birth certificate and adoption decree. Colombia and a lot of other Spanish countries take the mother's maiden name also for the official records. If you know me at all, I like this. ;) Haha. This is a picture of us with the minor defender and Fabiola after they approved our adoption.

We left with Maria Elena to go downstairs and notarize a portion of the document we had signed. I guess notarizing here is more than just witnessing a signature; they took a fingerprint and photo of each of us too. Fabiola took our documents to the courts today, and we should hear an update from Maria Elena soon. She took us all back to the hotel, and on the way back, Michael would laugh and talk to the driver of the car next to us at red lights. They all smiled at him. ;) Remember, no carseats - so we had the window down halfway and he could see everything. He couldn't figure out what the wind was in his face; he kept brushing at his eyes and face. It was pretty funny.

We ate lunch at the place where we had ice cream yesterday, Ventolini. The waitress remembered us and even remembered what flavors of ice cream we got. They have the best traditional pasta dishes, so I'm sure we'll be back. Michael sat in his first high chair and had some fresh bread with us. We then stopped by the Adidas store and bought 2 dry-fit official Colombian soccer team shirts. I think I might wear mine in the Mardi Gras half marathon in March!

It was also laundry day for us. Only bringing about a week's worth of clothes, we were running low! The hotel gives us a discount - they charge by the kilogram - so we sent it to the hotel laundry service when we got back after lunch and afternoon walk. Much easier!

Here are some other pictures from the past two days.

Our little Derek Jeter. ;)

We are into our second week! Maria Elena told us today she would let us know which court we got assigned as soon as she heard. Apparently, some take longer than others, so we are hoping for a fast one! We are so ready to come home! Thank you to all of you for your sweet thoughts, concern and advice. We read and listen to it all!