Finally!

Our email is down this afternoon, so we haven't been able to check it. So, I decided to go ahead and log into our agency website - we all get individual pages on which to check our status - and guess what?! We received DNA authorization today! Now, the birthmother and Adan will have to be scheduled for an appt to provide a DNA sample (swab of the cheek). The test requires that they be tested together, so she'll get to see him for the first time since placing him. After they are able to get the appt done, it usually only takes a couple weeks for the results. I feel like things are starting to move along!

Still no news on DNA

We are hoping we will finally hear some good news on the DNA front this week. It has been far longer than the 2-4 weeks they told us to anticipate. We turned in our paperwork on May 15th, so it has now been more than 8 weeks. I'm trying to remain patient, but I'm not finding myself very good at it.

In the meantime, we received new pictures a couple days ago. He is getting so big! He was holding a toy we had sent down to him and seemed like he was enjoying it. It was nice to see he had received our package. I will be working on another package to send to him soon. I was hoping to hear about the DNA first; however, since the birthmother completed the interview without changing her mind, I may just go ahead and get it going.

Birthmother interview complete!

We received the news yesterday that the birthmother interview has been completed. The social worker will be writing up a report in the next few weeks and making a recommendation to the family court. We haven't heard that anything drastic such as a change of mind has occurred, so we should hopefully be getting family court approval very soon!

Unfortunately, there still has been no further news about our DNA authorization. I really wish I could pop in to the US Embassy down in Guatemala and give them a little nudge, but unfortunately I'm thousands of miles away. I'm hoping we hear good news on that front later this week. Apparently, the attorney was going to be trying again yesterday.

Some good news!

No, we didn't find out anything about our DNA authorization, so as far as I know they're still trying. But, we found out that our dossier has been submitted to Family Court! Here is the description from my agency that describes the Family Court process.

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When your file is submitted to one of the Family Courts in Guatemala City, it will be randomly assigned to a court appointed social worker who will review your home study in detail as well as other supporting documents from your dossier. The social worker is also responsible for interviewing the birth mother to confirm that her adoption plan is voluntary and that she understands the permanence of her decision. The birth mother interview can take place within a couple of weeks of your file being submitted to the Family Court, or it could be a couple of months or more depending on the social worker's case load, work habits, and the birth mother's availability. After interviewing the birth mother and reviewing your documents, the social worker will prepare a recommendation on the adoption proceedings which will be submitted to the Family Court judge for his approval. The time from the birth mother's interview to approval can be anywhere from 2-6 weeks, and on rare circumstances can be longer.
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So, finally we have heard that at least one milestone in the process has been reached. I'll keep you posted as we reach more!