on finalizing & on becoming truly mexican
Back in June, we had filed the appropriate paperwork to be able to finalize Isabel’s adoption, hoping to get a date at Los Angeles County’s Edmund Edelman Children’s Court, right across the freeway from Cal. State Los Angeles.
When everything was discovered about her health in July, we had to put all that on hold in order to qualify for the Adoption Assistance Program (AAP), which can only happen before an adoption is finalized. We’ve sent in all of the appropriate forms and reports - thanks in great part to the help of our adoption agency Bethany Christian Services - and are just waiting to be contacted by public health nurse.
In the meantime, our fost/adopt status with the state needs to be renewed, and so we are trying to each complete our required 10 hours of education/learning. Yesterday, I watched two very informative (really) lessons provided by the Adoption Learning Partners, a free on-line resource. The first one was about the adoption tax credit, and the second was titled - “Conspicious Families” - and was about cross-ethnic adoptions. Even if you aren’t adopting, that one is really worth taking in.
Also, we’re trying to finish reading “The Out-of-Sync Child” which was recommended to us by several occupational therapists to read about the “sensory integration” or “sensory processing” issues that Isabel has (aka “tactile defensiveness”), as well as a shorter article, appropriately titled “A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Sensory Integration.” If you’re interested in hearing more, let me know.
Lastly, while the quincenera is arguably ultimate cultural marker of a Mexican girl’s identity development, for the baby girl, it has to be getting her ears pierced. So, in honor of Isabel’s Mexican heritage, we took her to get her ears pierced yesterday.
September 27th, 2006 at 3:13 pm
She looks very cute, but those pictures of yours are pretty ‘graphic’ (lack of a better word). As I was scrolling down, I began pinching my own ears as I empathized with Isa’s pain.
September 27th, 2006 at 11:19 pm
she looks fantastic. I am so proud of her. The last picture shows the model in her. She is gorgeous.
kisses from me,
Lizbeth
September 28th, 2006 at 9:54 am
I got my first ear piercing at 6 months. Cheers to Isa!
September 28th, 2006 at 11:20 am
In Brazil it is very common for us to pierce our grils´ ears. I love it. My mom says the 1st time she saw me I was wearing earrings…..
September 29th, 2006 at 1:15 am
As they say, “What price beauty.” Or something like that. She looks as lovely as ever, just a little shinier! Besos.