Hello my son -- happy birthday.

Mirian, Marilena, and Carlos came over around 10:30 on Tuesday about an hour after Natalie moved into her new room. The staff was very accommodating as they cleaned the room early to make this happen. Alexander was a little nervous at first, but the toys we brought along started to earn their keep. He really enjoys his Mega blocks, his little beach ball, and his little pink goat. They all stayed most of the day and since I was still incapacitated, Mirian decided to stay the night with Natalie and Alexander. Natalie and I think this actually worked for the best because it helped Alexander (and Mirian and Natalie) be eased into the transition. Natalie did have a few hours alone with Alexander that first day and as long as she kept him distracted he seemed OK. Another activity that Alexander seems to enjoy is looking out the window at all the foot and auto traffic that goes by the hotel. He is a very curious fellow. Natalie had some success getting him to sleep in her sling but was unsuccessful in getting him to stay asleep during the transition from sling to crib. He seems to prefer to sleep on top of Natalie for now, and mom is more than willing to oblige.

On Wednesday (10/18) we celebrate Alexander´s first birthday. We also have our first embassy appointment to finalize the adoption. This will be followed by a single appointment on Thursday to get his Visa and then we are done. After all the long arduous paper trail, the actual appointment with the US embassy takes about a hour, 90% of which is us sitting in chairs waiting for our number to be called. Honestly I have waited longer to get a driver license renewed at the DMV. I make a brief reappearance for the embassy appointment but then was shooed away by Natalie and Mirian both to ensure that everyone else stays healthy. By this point I am feeling better but I stay away for another 12 hours. By then I am dying to know what is going on and completely frustrated by the Spanish translation of HBO, so I check out of the Case Grande and rejoin my family.

Our adoption attorney, Marilena, brought over a cake and had a small party for Alexander´s first birthday. Although there is still a language barrier it is very apparent to all that Alexander LIKES cake!!! Big fan of it. He was not shy about getting that cake in his mouth whether with his hands or just dropping his whole head on his plate. Already he takes after his new Daddy.

After the party breaks up, we enjoy the evening with a little rain and a little candle light. Actually the little rain has knocked out the power to the hotel, so the candle light is more for necessity than ambiance. With me back in the room Mirian decides to go home and we all agree to meet tomorrow for one last visit. Natalie, Alexander, and I all sack out around 10:00 with Alexander once again preferring Natalie to the cold crib. We are all OK with this. Happy Birthday my son.