Back in the U.S.A

After almost six weeks in Bogota, Colombia, we are back and seeing the benefits of being in our home with Daniel the first week.

Daniel did amazingly well during the five hour flight from Bogota to Houston, and the three hour flight from Houston to Nashville on July 3. While going through Customs and Immigration in Houston, Daniel became a U.S. citizen.

Claudia and Daniel disappeared into one of the Immigration and Customs offices for about 15 minutes. When their meeting ended with the Immigration officer, he extended his hand to Daniel for a shake and said, "Welcome to the United States of America."

Daniel eyed the gentleman with a skeptical expression.

Both sets of grandparents and Claudia's sister and brother-in-law were waiting for us at the airport. Daniel wore a red Colombian t-shirt and Claudia and I wore shirts made by her sister Ana Maria and niece. The shirts were great and proudly said, "Daniel, we are a forever family!"

Naturally, he received a lot of love and attention from his new family. It was a little much for him at one point because he broke down and cried. That said, he was comfortable in my arms. I guess we're attached now.

Adoption experts say to expect continued improvements when a child arrives home. We've been home for four days. Daniel is sleeping and eating great. He is fascinated with his two new doggies, Missy (Cocker Spaniel) and Pebbles (Pomeranian). The doggies are interested in him but with somewhat less enthusiasm.

All indications say he feels at home. Claudia's cousin postulated that in Colombia nothing smelled like his parents, but at home everything smells like us. Naturally, if everything feels like his parents then he must feel more comfortable.

Everything Daniel sees, smells and hears is completely new to him. I took him for a morning walk the other day through our neighborhood. First, it was 90 degrees. That's about 40 degrees hotter than he is used to in Bogota. Second, without buses, taxis, pedestrians, dogs, various stores, street vendors, and constant bumps and jumping curbs, our neighborhood must be incredibly boring to Daniel. We may need to jump the sidewalk curbs every other house just to keep things interesting for the little guy.

Daniel spent about thirty minutes at our neighborhood swimming pool yesterday. He loves the pool! The little guy was kicking with his feet and waving his hands to make as many splashes as possible. The grin on his face was so large he could have swallowed all the water in the pool.

"We'll need to make sure he get swimming lessons," said Claudia after watching him joyfully play in the pool.

Claudia and I are committed to speak Spanish at home with Daniel. We have been married for about seven years and have never implemented this as a house rule, but now it is very important if Daniel is to be bilingual.
Case-in-point, after being home for two days he was already saying bye-bye and waving his hands bye.

We will forever cherish our experiences in Bogota with Daniel. They are part of our journey to parenthood. Now we are establishing our routines at home and providing Daniel the stability and security he needs.