Daddy's Tears

We're doing much better today. Ian had a great nights sleep and so did Mommy and Daddy.

Today was a big day. We started early, early this morning at the US Embassy. There we filed his paperwork to make him an immediate relative. Then we went over to the American Services Center in the Embassy and got the information about filing for his Visa. From there, we found that the visa photos we had taken yesterday were incorrect, so we had to get new ones. The official gave us an address to get the new photos and the address of the Embassy doctor. We left the Embassy and headed on our way to get new photos and the doctors visit. Ian did great. He took a little power nap and was fine. Daddy carried him in the sling today and it worked out great. Both for Ian and for Daddy.

It almost took longer to get the photos taken than it did at the doctors office. The doctors visit was simple. She reviewed his immunization record, listened to his heart and lungs, weighed and measured him...and that was it. Of course Mommy let him hit his head against the wall, but he didn't even cry. Tough boy. He weight 8.8 kg when we picked him up on Friday. Today he weighs 9kg. Considering he's really only eating cereal and milk right now, he's doing good. We waited a little longer to get the medical report and then we headed back to pick up the photos.

We arrived back at the embassy and went straight to the American Services Center. They are great there. So very, very helpful. We completed his Visa application, paid the fee and then waited for the "interview". We we called to the window for the interview. The lady behind the window asked Charlie to raise his hand to take an oath. Charlie lost it. He just couldn't hold back the tears any longer. It was a simple oath. Basically just swearing that all of the statements he ws about to give and all of the information we completed in the documents was true. It was really just the final step to making all of this official here in India. We go back tomorrow after 2:00pm and pick up his Visa. Then...we're ready to head home. Ian and I probably won't go. Daddy can just do it by himself.

Our driver was great today. He waited for us at every stop and we didn't have to worry about a thing.

It's really hot here. Not as hot as it was in Kolkata, but very, very hot and humid. Other than the first little mishap with our luggage and the flight from Kolkata to New Delhi, we really have had a wonderful trip so far. We're still just hoping and praying that he does OK on the flight home.

Ian is a personable little guy. He's a little shy at first, but he smiles very quickly. He is getting stronger and stronger. We have noticed that he's starting to grasp and reach for more things. He loves to grab the cereal bowl. It's pretty funny to watch me trying to feed him and keep the bowl from spilling all at the same time. We manage though. He has a sweet little personality. He does, however, have a temper. When he gets mad, he gets mad and everyone knows it.

Daddy and Ian are having biscuits and milk right now and then a nap. Tomorrow, we simply pick up the Visa and then we're done. We may try to do a little sight seeing, but I doubt it. We truly have the best sight possible in our room.

Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers. It means a lot to read these comments every day. We're looking forward to coming home.

Oh, another little "coincidence". When we were in the American Consular's office today filing the I600 paperwork we saw the original copy of the pre-file (I600A) that we did. We completed it on 9/7/04. Exactly one year prior to the date we received Ian's referral (9/7/05). That was another teary moment for Mommy and Daddy. The Consular thought we'd lost our minds.

We've been here with two other families. We're not in the same hotel now. We ran into them at the Embassy and the doctors office today. Seems like everything is going well for all of us. I think we're all tired, but other than that our kids are doing great.

Please continue to pray for us as we get closer and closer to the journey back to the US.

Hopefully I can post more tomorrow during nap time.

Love to all of you.