Raul's Arrival

Well they uploaded backwards in chronological order, but here are today's pictures!

Getting ready for nap time after the trip to the Embassy

Raul in his crib (don't worry about the onesie, it is HOT here)

Back at the hotel after the Embassy

Yogurt time before the Embassy

He ate two containers and then was mad that we had to leave and he couldn't have another. Coca said he prefers to eat by mouth now, instead of by bottle, which seems spot on so far!

Raul and TWO of his mamas

Me and Dorel

Coca brought a bunch of stuff for us for Raul from the hospital
*note: look at Raul's hand :)

First glimpse of them when the van door opened!

We Made It!

We made to Romania, and have been at our hotel for a couple hours now. Our first flight was a bit eventful, as we landed in a lightening storm, then got stuck on the runway in the storm because the ground crew was not allowed out in the storm. We could actually see the zig-zagging lighting while in the air! So we were late, but no other planes were allowed to leave, so we made our next plane okay. Then we ended up sitting on that plane on the ground for about two hours due to delays from the storm, and someone deplaned so they had to find her bag before we could go. It was about 7.5 hours to Frankfurt, where we were again running late from our plane delays, so we had to move quickly to get to the gate. After being bussed back out to a plane (apparently it's cheaper for the airlines to rent runway space than gates!), we had our last flight, which was nice and short. On the overnight flight there was some extra room, so I got 2/3 seats in the middle row to myself, and my dad got two seats (an aisle and a window). I was able to lie down the whole time, and actually slept an hour or two.

When we got here we got ripped off on a taxi as usual, though not too bad this time, and we DID end up stuck in traffic. We had only carry-ons, with the stroller gate checked the whole way. No one questioned my scissors for Raul's bandaging, and only one person questioned the baby food with no baby, but since it fit in my quart bag, I won! We made it to the hotel, exhausted, and were relieved to have internet and comfortable beds. The housekeepers brought up a nice wood crib for Raul to use, and it is right next to my bed :)

We had room service, watched two pretty lame movies, and tried to work out the details for tomrrow. As of now, the plan is for Coca and Dorel to bring Raul to the hotel tomorrow around noon. I am excited to see both of them, and of course to see Raul! Hopefully they will have all the proper paperwork, and then we will go at 3 to the Embassy (behind the hotel) to get his travel documents and talk to a man in Citizen Services about how to get through Boarder Control smoothly. I was able to talk to Raul's doctor here tonight through email, and she is very supportive and excited, she just said she hopes he doesn't cry on the flights :) . She was also able to update me on his immunizations and bloodwork (which is important as he is anemic). Perfect timing!

Right before we left I got word that Raul has been approved to go to the next multidisciplinary EB clinic at CO Children's, and they will be sending out the paperwork to us. He will see a dentist, PT, OT, pain management, nutrition, dermatology, GI, and possibly more. Then all those doctors will get together to formulate a comprehensive plan for Raul! It will also be nice to meet other families with EB children of similar ages, as the information about the clinic said families usually interact. It is only held once a month, and is the only of it's kind in that part of the country! Even though we have to travel to get it, I am glad Raul will be getting the best care!

Leaving Monday!

My dad and I are leaving Monday evening on our trip to get Raul! If all goes as planned, we will be home Thursday evening. Raul will be brought to Bucharest from Barlad, where we will then have to go to the Embassy to get his travel documents. Luckily we will be staying at a hotel right across the street from the U.S. Embassy, so that should be easy! I have spent the last couple days getting all Raul's stuff together for the trip (the normal baby stuff, as well as a whole set of bandages and extras for the flights). We are going to try to fly carry on only, but are still deciding about the stroller. Luckily I am not bringing much for myself, so I SHOULD be able to fit it all in a carry on (I was starting to get nervous about if my checked bag was lost with ALL the baby stuff in it!).

Ciprian was able to get our Romanian background checks from Vaslui last week (a step seemingly added by the Romanians after he was granted humanitarian parole), and will go Monday morning with the parents to the lawyer for one more POA document (more details are needed according to Boarder Police), and an official copy of Raul's birth certificate. Ciprian has been amazingly helpful through this whole process!!

We are hoping that Dorel and Coca will be the ones to bring Raul to Bucharest Wednesday, as we miss them, and I have a couple small gifts for Coca, but those plans are not confirmed quite yet! Please think about us this week as we brave more possible obstacles getting Raul out of Romania, and for a smooth transition for Raul!

**And if you are new to reading this blog (I just made it public), then welcome!

June/July Photos

Coca and Raul have a special bond, and I know they will miss each other while Raul is away. He loves her kisses on his tummy. I will feel better about him going back knowing that she will be waiting!

Sitting up like a big boy!

Supposedly he likes yogurt, but his face says otherwise...

Bath Time

Watching his toy TV... I think he will fit in well here!

Coca and Raul having some outside time

Walking in his walker!

Here He Comes!

Raul's humanitarian parole has been granted! I don't think I have ever been so happy (and relieved)! I will be going to get my boy soon! And as you can see in the bottom picture, Raul is actually EATING! And I don't just mean bottles (of which he was only eating 1-2 a day when I left) I mean mashed bannanas!!

My Starfish Raul

"Once upon a time there was a wise man

who used to go to the ocean

to do his writing.

He had a habit of walking

on the beach

before he began his work.

One day he was walking along

the shore.

As he looked down the beach,

he saw a human

figure moving like a dancer.

He smiled to himself to think

of someone who would

dance to the day.

So he began to walk faster

to catch up.

As he got closer, he saw

that it was a young man

and the young man wasn't dancing,

but instead he was reaching

down to the shore,

picking up something

and very gently throwing it

into the ocean.

As he got closer he called out,

"Good morning! What are you doing?"

The young man paused,

looked up and replied,

"Throwing starfish in the ocean."

"I guess I should have asked,

why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?"

"The sun is up and the tide is going out.

And if I don't throw them in they'll die."

"But, young man, don't you realize that

there are miles and miles of beach

and starfish all along it.

You can't possibly make a difference!"

The young man listened politely.

Then bent down, picked up another starfish

and threw it into the sea,

past the breaking waves and said-

"I made a difference for that one."

I-797C!

On Friday we received the I-797C for Raul's humanitarian parole application! This means that they have received it, processed it, and it is now being assigned to an officer to review! This step went quicker than it could have, which is great! It took one week instead of two! Tomorrow morning two senators will begin contacting USCIS to expedite the case! We're coming, Raul!