2nd DNA!!!

We're moving right along with all of our baby steps towards coming home. Today we took Bella into Guatemala City to have DNA samples taken. The samples are sent to a lab in the United States, where they will compare them to the samples taken of Bella over a year ago. This to make certain that this baby is the same one that matched with the birthmother at the beginning. Once the sample is matched, it is overnighted back to the US Embassy in Guatemala City. At that point, the Embassy will issue our pink slip, which will tell us the date and time of our Embassy appointment.

Bella was pretty easy going in the waiting room at the DNA office. She emptied out the diaper bag, tore several magazines, tried to take bottles from other diaper bags, talked to anyone and everyone, and climbed into and out of the chairs many times! Once it was our turn and we went into the back exam room, she got a little nervous. First, they had me sit her on an exam table so they could take her picture. She kept looking at me and reaching for me, so I knew she was scared. Then we had to lay her down on the table and I had to hold her arms down and hold her head still while they swabbed the inside of her cheeks. She screamed and struggled the entire time. You would have thought it was really painful! As soon as it was over, I picked her up and she was absolutely fine. She even smiled at the doctors and nurses!

We stopped by Pollo Campero on the way home to get some lunch to go, which helped cheer her up. And we got her a big red balloon which, as we all know, will make everything better. :)

Pics from our day:
This morning at home

Chillin (for one half of a second) in the waiting area

Getting nervous

During sample taking


Balloon happy face