My favorite update to write....so far

I haven't done any updates this summer.  Partly because we haven't really had any news to share.  Partly because I decided we would never hear an update again.  (Rational, that is me).  We did get an update that didn't end up being true.  And it hurt.  And it was hard but we let it go and moved on.  And waited.

Then one glorious Friday, I was sitting on the couch actually looking at Fantasy Football stats and I got an email that said, "Congratulations on getting your decree."  I immediately freaked and asked if that was for reals (I am an English teacher's worst nightmare).   Then 5 minutes later I received an attachment on an email that was the most beautiful paper I have ever seen.

It was our ADOPTION DECREE!!!!!!!  Hugo is now officially, Huguenson Etchepare.  

I am fairly sure I jumped around for the rest of the day.  I made a lot of calls.  Sent emails.  Cried.  Laughed and felt like a great weight that I had been carrying around all summer had been lifted.   We had a long and somewhat crappy summer.  Rob and I have been pretty happy to put this summer behind us.  But it ended with Hugo officially becoming our son.  The absolute sweetest and happiest moment in this journey.  

We still have a few steps before we get him home.  And we know that it will be long and most likely get frustrated a few times again.  

But for now we are happy.  We leave to see Hugo in 19 days and we cannot wait to hug him!  

Below are pics from the August Birthday celebration where Hugo got cake and was able to celebrate turning 2!!!!

Chicken Pox

So a couple weeks ago I got the dreaded email, Hugo has chicken pox.  Attached was a cute picture of him head to toe covered in baby powder.  And a note that it doesn't seem to be getting him down.  Just a tad bit itchy.

He is young and his case was mild.  And well, now the chicken pox are over and he will never worry about having them again.   But the mom part of my heart had a really hard time with this.  I know he did ok, and had many people loving on him and taking care of him.  And I am so thankful and grateful for the beautiful women that love on my boy every day and make sure he is cared for.  But the selfish part of me wanted to be there to hold him and help him through each itch and love on him to take it away.

But as you can see, he seems to be doing ok.  They had a special birthday celebration for Naika and the kids with chicken pox got a special treat.  And there is nothing Hugo loves more than cake!  

Surprise May trip to Haiti

Here are some pics from my most recent, and very last minute, trip to Haiti in May.

I was asked on a Thursday if I wanted to go on Sunday, and after 2 days of planning, babysitting set up, emotional breakdowns and guilt, I booked on Friday and left Sunday.  It was so last minute and 100% of out character for me but I am so glad I did it and had such an amazing time.  Thanks to the wonderful and amazing Kelly, my most loving and awesome friend.

Story to come with all the details but right now, here are some of my favorite moments that Kelly so beautifully captured.

 Together again

Kelly and I 

Say aaahhhhhh 

 I love this boy!!

 Dude, get my ball

Mommy pick me up!!!

Our April Trip

Here it is!  The slide show for our recent trip.

Customize a picture slideshow

Coming out on the other side

Since June of 2011, we have been waiting to get out of IBESR, aka the black hole of Haitian adoption. In the beginning, we were told this part of the process could take anywhere from 4 months to 24. It is quite a range and a little intimidating. It also earned its name as once you are in IBESR, there is no update on your file until you are approved. So you can virtually be sitting with radio silence for a really long amount of time.

I have posted a few times about it. Many people that went through this process right after the earthquake were out in 4 months or less. Pretty amazing. So in my head, I automatically thought this would go fast for us too. 4 months came and went. 5 months....6 months....you get the picture.

March 6th we hit 9 months of waiting. Which if you look at the timeline, isn't truly that long. But when your heart aches for your child, it seems like an eternity.

Last Friday we got amazing news, we got an email with our IBESR receipt and the most lovely words "The Etchepare's are out of IBESR and en route to Parquet!" To say that Rob and I were excited is an understatement. I may have screamed and cried a lot of happy tears in Target (and scared some people around me). It was truly a great day!!!!!!!!

So we have 1 step down and a few more to go. Unfortunately this doesn't mean Hugo will be home in the next couple months. But it is a big step to getting us closer to getting him home. I feel like we have come out on the other side with this step and that is progress. It has done a lot for our hearts, our minds and helping in keeping us going in a positive direction.

We still will have frustrations and have to remember to have patience a lot in the upcoming months, but our file is on the move and right now that is all we can ask for. We are so thankful for this little boy and he is worth the wait.

While my Hugo gently sleeps

I get a lot of photos of Hugo sleeping. The boy likes to sleep. This photo is from this week. My dear friend Jen is at the orphanage working with the kids and she took this for me. Her goal is to get a picture of him awake and not on the move. Good luck Jen. He has 2 modes. Asleep or wild man. :) Love that boy!

Rubble Wear

When I first went to Haiti in July, I bought this necklace that was made by the nannies at the orphanage out of the rubble from the earthquake. It is one of my most favorite possessions. Not only because it is beautiful, but because it is made by the nannies that love on my boy and the proceeds go back to the nannies to help support their families.

When I went to Haiti in January, I met the awesome lady, Kelly, that works for the Oak Project, the organization that created the idea of these necklaces and learned the story of how they came to be. It just made me love my necklace even more. I also got to meet Glorieuse, who is the creative mind behind the necklaces that you see above. They are called Rubble Wear and I brought some home to see if my friends and family would like to buy some and support these amazing woman. I sold the original batch I bought immediately and received some more last week. I am very grateful to all my friends and family that have supported this project. Click here for the story of how this all came to be.

http://www.theoakproject.com/theoakproject/rubble-wear.html

One thing that stands out about Maison is that the care that the children receive. I could tell when I first went there in July and when I saw how Hugo lit up when he saw his caretakers. They love our children and I could not ask for anything more for him. He is loved and he loves.

I still have some necklaces left. If you are interested in purchsing one, please send me an email at valetchepare@gmail.com and I will send you pictures of the necklaces I have left. They are $25 and all money received goes back to the Oak Project and the nannies.