Saturday, What a day...

Hangin' out with my Kansas City friends

Nicholas wants SOOOO badly to be outside. No, No. Dr's orders. With the off and on rain today the air is thick with pollution :(.

Reading with Daddy

It is so difficult to capture the beauty of this city, Bogota. This particular AM (Friday) was clear and sunny, but not for long...

Street Sweepers --literally.

Nicholas and Mommy's favorite fruit --Granadilla. Otherwise known of by us as "spiderballs".

Colombian scafolding. Yup, that's floor #6!!!!! Competition for Dean and Doug?????

Nothing new to report here. We've had a quiet day today. Tomorrow Chris and I plan to tour the Salt Cathedral. Nicholas will stay here with Rosita. All of the maids here love him --especially Rosita, so she is especially excited. She has been instrumental in helping him learn to walk. We are fairly certain he will leave El Refugio close to walking if not walking.

Thanks everyone for your notes of humor and encouragement. We enjoy reading them both here on the blog and Nikkie's email.

Have a great night!

Bienestar went well this AM. The social worker was impressed with how well Nicholas has bonded with us. She wished us well and told us to see the city.

Next step? Wait for Sentencia!!!! PLEASE come quickly. But we will wait :)

Chris and I are trying to figure out the best way to see the sites. We are unable to to bring Nicholas out of the house more than necessary and hate to leave him here. Fortunately, we really only want to see 2 things --the Salt Cathedral and Monte (ugh! I can´t remember how to spell it). Anyway, we´re told the maids are willing to watch the children, so maybe we´ll do that. It´s just so hard to leave him again. The whole separation anxiety thing is magnified 10 times because of returning to FANA for his health care.

For Chris and I it has been fun seeing the city through the eyes of the residents rather than as tourists. We were downtown this morning and have seen many different neighborhoods on our trips to FANA (each Taxi driver took a different way). We were a bit disappointed this AM, though. Our legal secretary, Maria Theresa, is a much more cautious than the Taxi drivers :). We had hoped to video it for yáll, but it was not to be. Perhaps on our way to FANA for Nicholas´check-up Tuesday.

Boys, have fun at Rick and Abby´s house. BE GOOD !!!! :). I bet if you´re good she´ll take you to Melinda´s to Blog :) We love you!!!!

SOOOOO Happy to be "home"

Hola everyone!!!

Peek-a-

Boo!!!!!

Helpin' Mom make her coffee. Jeni, you would LOVE it. Robin, I don't even miss STARBUCKS!!!

Can I have some, Papa?

We have had so much fun today. Nicholas took only minutes to warm up to all of us and has been smilin' ever since. It's funny. Chris and I hadn't realized how stressed out we were until we were able to relax in the living room this afternoon. It was nice.

A couple from Kansas City moved in on Tuesday night. THEY SPEAK ENGLISH!!! It has been fun sharing spanish lessons. Presentation of their 4 children was today (first time parents). They are precious --John (9 yrs), Nelson (8 yrs), Diana (6 yrs) and Stephanie (5 yrs) --siblings. I am so glad to have friends when Chris leaves on Tuesday. It will make the rest of my time here in Bogota much easier.

Well, I'm off. Good night boys. Sleep well! We love you!!!!!

He's Home!!!!!!

Chris and I packed for the day --book, computer, movies, CM Stuff. We didn't want to get bored today :).

Poor Nicholas! When we got to his room, we realized the oxygen and IV had both been removed. He looked happy to see us and waved, but then immediately started his tantrums --crying with no tears. He was upset when the nurse left. He was upset when we went to the play room. He was upset when we walked in the hall. He was upset when we returned to his room. He was upset when the nurse came back. Get the theme???? He was just generally upset.

After lunch the nurses joined us in the room. They had been talking to the staff Psychologist and together decided that if Nicholas' SAT's were OK we should go home. They felt that he was just angry, was experiencing being abandoned again and simply wasn't coping well. They were also worried about him throwing a tantrum through our Bienestar appointment. His SAT's were OK, so we were discharged. Yippee!!!!!!

He started to cry in the van, but settled down to enjoy the wild ride home. No car seat --ugh! He immediately relaxed when we got inside El Refugio, and within minutes was smiling at the maids, other guests and especially Mommy and Daddy. We celebrated with Mc Donalds --mmmmmmmm!

It's good to be home!!!!

Plan? What plan?

Birds on a nest outside Nicholas' window. It's difficult to see the 2nd bird, but we think there are 3 eggs in the nest.

OK, we got to FANA today and the staff was a bit confused that we were not going to be staying with Nicholas all day. It was a bit strange to us because yesterday they didn't seem to want us around much. This language thing is killing us --even with English being spoken!!!! Something about the body language maybe?

Nicholas is doing well. He is on oxygen now, but only a small amount. We had a tough time with him bonding today :(. It is amazing how quickly he slipped back into the familiarity of FANA. It was a bit frustrating to get him settled with us in the room only to have the nurse return/leave and the tantrum start again. After lunch though she was able to stay away and Nicholas settled in to play with Chris and I. We had a WONDERFUL two of the 7 hours with him. Tomorrow we try again.

PRAISE: We were able to schedule the Bienestar appointment today!!!! Once they realized that Chris was leaving on Tuesday, things came together. We will be taking Nicholas with a portable oxygen tank and a nurse along, but at least we're going. Thank you, Jesus!!!

The traffic here is CRAZY!!!! There are 2 marked lanes on the streets, but at any time there may be cars 4 across --not to mention the motorcycles. Lane? What lane? They seem to be mearly guidelines for successful driving. And stop signs? Just a suggestion. You hear horns honking constantly. Today Chris and I realized that that was how one alerted other drivers to your presence as you whipped in and out of traffic. Definately every man for himself!!

We rode home from FANA today in a Taxi the size of a Festiva. Chris got into the back seat and started putting on his seat belt. The driver calmly turned around and said, "Not necessary". Are you serious????

Now to get this posted. Sorry it's so late. Sleep good boys. We love you Sam, Alex and Nate!!!!

Some news

We talked to Maria Theresa (our legal secretary) this AM. Fana is going to see how Nicholas is tomorrow AM and then call Bienestar to schedule our appointment. We don't know what God's plan is, but our hope is that our appointment will be Friday so that Chris' tickets home can stay as they are.

We are heading over to FANA for a visit and then off to tour the salt mine cathedral.

Have a great day!

Hangin' out

Dancin' with Rosita

Watching Nemo with my housemates (in spanish w/english subtitles --great compromise)

Balloon fun with Laura. This really brought me out of my shell. I was a WILD MAN!!!!

Bogata from the car on the way to FANA

Hangin' out before being admitted

I'm a nebbin' pro. Like my new shoes????

Nicholas' favorite nurse at FANA

Who says I don't look like my son???? Ah...Columbian Hair Care for Men is Muy Beuno!!!!

Have a great night!!!!!

For all my stalker friends...you guys are the best!!!

I had planned on blogging more today as there seems to be too much info to share in one sitting, but again, God had other plans. We took Nicholas to the FANA doctor today. They were so happy to see him that they decided to keep him. Yeah, he had to be admitted into the hospital. He had a low grade temperature so they want to watch that it doesn´t turn into pneumonia. What is it with Thayer babies and having to give them back? Anyway, while it was SOOOOO hard to leave him, he is in the best possible place. He is familiar with them and they he. They will provide 24 hour care while Chris and I catch up on sleep.

My heart is so sad right now, but more than anything, I know that Nicholas is God´s child and He can care for him better than I. Chris and I are relying on His strength right now and honestly aren´t worried about all of the government stuff. GOD has all of us in His hands. He loves us and we will leave Colombia when the time is right. I´d love to be able to ¨fix it¨, but I can´t, so we sit and wait and enjoy our adventure. It is strange to have such a peace, but I know it is only possible through Christ.

Thanks all of you for your prayers and verses. What I find amazing is that none of you, when you shared them, knew we were at the hospital. And yet they were shared and so applicable to today. The other cool thing is that they can be an encouragement to another reader. YEAH GOD!!!!

Well, I need to run. It´s time for supper. We eat at strange times --8:00 AM (not so strange), 1:00 PM (a little late for me) and 7:00 PM (way too late for me). It´s also the same time here as home, so that helps in the ¨calling the kids¨ area and jet lag :).

Gotta run, but I will blog again tonight and download those picture you´re so craving :). It gives you stalkers a legitimate reason to check back :)

God's got other plans...

We had hoped to post a funny post tonight, but we need to do a prayer request instead. One step forward, two steps back.

Nicholas has been coughing a lot for the past 2 days and it's that really tight cough without producing phlem --yeah, that one. Tonight as I was rocking him, I noticed he was breathing really rapidly. That combined with the lack of sleeping caused a bit of alarm. The maid (they are so awesome!!!!) agreed and immediately called the doctor from FANA. She arrived withing 15 minutes (gotta love house calls) -Nicholas lit up when he saw her. Anyway, she diagnosed him as in respiratory distress, prescribed an albuterol type inhaler and a steroid --sound familiar Alex and Nate???? I am so glad we are so familiar with this type of illness --THANK YOU, GOD!!!!!! The meds arrived half an hour later -again, a house call. Chris and I are in for a long night of inhalers. The good news is that after 1 dose he already sounds more loose.

The bad news? The doctor forbid us to bring Nick to our Bienestar appointment tomorrow AM, so that had to be cancelled. The air here in Bogota is TERRIBLE!!!! so respiratory issues are common. And the unseasonable humidity/rain showers (the rainy season officially ended in May) has only trapped all of the pollution form the cars and such. It hasn't been said --even when we specifically asked at presentation, but Nicholas' Preemie lungs are just not strong enough for this type of air. All the more reason to come home quickly...

Prayer requests:

• That Nicholas will respond quickly to the meds
• That our Bienestar appointment can be rescheduled for later this week. Chris leaves next Tuesday and Monday is a Colombian Holiday (government is shut down). If it can't be re-scheduled for this week, we need to change Chris' flight.
• Continued patience for Chris and I
• Unfortunately, this is an unplanned expense, so that God would provide all we need while we are here.

What I love is that we have FULL assurance that God is in control. He knew that Nicholas was going to get sick. Better yet, He gave Nicholas parents that understand this type of illness and can handle it even in a foreign country :). I don't know what this means for our court date and return home. I just know that my mighty God has all of us in his hands. We are going to go with the flow hoping everything will go fast, but understanding it may not.

Good news: Thank you for your prayers everyone. In spite of being sick, Nicholas had a wonderful day. He really came out of his shell today. Our housemates' children brought out a balloon and that changed everything. He was smiling and laughing, chasing them around... It was wonderful!!!! What a difference a day of prayer makes. I'll post pictures tomorrow :).

FBC, you rock! Thanks for checkin' in with us and all of your notes of silliness, advice and encouragement. I think it's hard to admit when the day is tough --Pride. We tend to want to focus on all of the good stuff and sugar coat things, but the reality is that that doesn't help us or let you know how to pray. So, I need to be honest.

Day 4 with Nicholas, 5 in Bogota, 7 away from the boys...It's tough to be in a strange country TRY to speak/understand a strange language, know that your friends and kids are gathered in one place without you... We miss you!

Nicholas is doing a wonderful job of adjusting to everything new, it's just hard on Mommy and Daddy trying to figure out what he needs to make the adjustment easier. He hasn't slept much. I wonder if he's afraid his new surroundings and Mom and Dad will disappear while he's sleeping. And I think everything gets magnified because we are tired. Tears and frustration come easily on both sides. The similarities to a newborn are so unbelieveable. I forget that just because he's 2 doesn't mean change for all of us will be easy. Post partum depression????

OK, change of focus... It's funny how much Chris and I crave things from home, sometimes without even realizing it. Yesterday all Chris could talk about was pizza :). So for lunch, we went out for pizza :). And then we laughed when we sat down for supper and pizza was being served --Dominoes even. Can you really get too much of a good thing????

And God blessed us today. Last night we were surprised by the arrival of a couple (Jeremy and Kari) from Wisconsin. WOO HOO!!! THEY SPOKE ENGLISH!!!!!! They are being presented with their daughter tomorrow. Because she is in a different city, they left at 1:00 PM. It was so sad to see them go, but the 5 + hours we were together was anything but quiet. We walked and talked and talked and talked. I LOVED not having to think so hard during a conversation (stop laughing at the thinking thing, guys). Anyway...

Jeremy and Kari, good luck tomorrow we will be thinking of you and praying all goes well and hoping our paths will cross again soon. Can't wait to hear your news!!!!

So, tomorrow is a new day. It is so nice to know that with a new day comes a new, renewed spirit. Thanks for praying us through, everyone. Please continue to pray for Nicholas as he adjusts and for patience and wisdom for Chris and I as we try to be the parents Nicholas needs. And for less homesickness :).

We love you all!

What language barrier?

As most of you know, we came to Columbia knowing no Spanish. Nikkie has some advantage with the 2 years of French she took in High School, but still...And Chris? Ugh!

We have enjoyed the laughter and blank stares as we try to communicate in the mall and grocery store. We think that the employees count the hours 'til our return so they can be amused yet again :).

Here at El Refugio, the maids are doing a great job of helping us communicate --well, forcing us to speak Spanish. Their greatest pleasure is teasing Chris. They get such a kick out of his "trying" to speak/understand Spanish.

Story #1
Our first full day here in Colombia (after picking up Nicholas), we decided to go to the grocery store. First mistake? Telling the maids...

One of the maids decided to take advantage of our trip to the store. She gave us a credit card and said "puntas". We, of course, had no idea what they were, but being friendly Americans said we would get them. Spanish-speaking friends, are you laughing yet? No Barbara, we didn't have the yellow book in hand. Anyway, thinking "puntas" are native fruit, pasta, bean or something in a can, Chris began asking the best he could with gestures (picture her face those of you who know what “puntas” are) is it large, small, heavy or light? Finally, we gave up and simply said that we would try to get "puntas" for her. The three of us went cheerfully off to the store to buy "putas" for the maid, hoping we had enough room in the stroller to bring it home.

Scene II --The grocery store where we hand our piece of paper on which "puntas" is written to several very nice employees who direct us to person after person. After about 10 minutes, a customer whose child speaks English comes to our rescue. We're standing in front of new towels and have been told (we think) that we don't have enough to buy them. So off we go back to the residence to tell the maid we couldn't get the towels because there wasn't enough credit available.

When we got back, the maid rolled her eyes as we tried to explain the problem. Suddenly, as we reached our room, it dawned on us. "Puntas" are not towels, they are points and what the maid wanted us to do is use her card so she could get the points off what we purchased. UGH!!!

Story #2
Soup is serve with every lunch. Apparently, Thursday at lunch Chris made face as his soup was served. The maids have not let him forget it, each day making some comment about "sopa". Today they laughingly asked if he wanted "dos sopa". Chris adamantly replied "No mas. Uno Sopa!" to their amusement and fits of laughter in the kitchen. Tonight they threatened to bring "GRANDE sopa" to him. Of course, that joke was capped off by our trying to ask if there was popcorn in the kitchen. At one point the maid even brought out toilet paper!!!! And our french-speaking house mates, much to our dismay, are no help. This time we brought out the yellow book and the case was solved. Phew!

Anyway, we are so glad they enjoy us. It makes our stay here so much fun. And we hope you have enjoyed our stories as much as we continue to do. Ahhh! Laughter is good :)

And, Nicholas is sleeping!!!! SHHHHH!

Have a great night!

Together...At last!!!

Bath Time!!!! Nicholas loved the bubbles!!!

Out with Daddy...still not too keen on being away from Mama, BUT Nicholas will say "Papa" (still no "mama") and enjoys playing cars with Daddy. Car sounds and crashes bring a smile to his face :)

Nicholas and Mommy

Just a Swingin'...

WEEEEEE!!!!

Playing soccer with Daddy. We've spent much of the day letting Daddy bond with Nicholas. This tends to be traumatic, but he's starting to warm up. He still HATES it when Mommy leaves. Daddy is doing a great job of being patient and loving.

Nicholas napped for about an hour today. He's still sluggish right now, cudddling in our room with Mommy and Daddy. Oops, new activity. Now we're blowing kisses to Papa and Mama --very cute and making faces at Mamma. I LOVE to see him smile!!! We're experimenting with the noise level in the room at nap time as we're sure FANA wasn't completely silent. I'd like to find a fan or something. We'll let you know how it works...

Welcome home Baergs!!!!! Hope your trip went well!!!! Can't wait to hear more!!!!

Good News!!!

We found out today that our appointment with Bienestar (Defender of Minors) is scheduled for Tuesday AM @ 7:30. After that our case gets put into the lottery for a court. And we wait... Our prayer is that the court date will come quickly, but we know that patience is the key. If the last few months of waiting are any indication of what's to come, we're in for a long haul :(.

More pics of us with Nicholas are coming. We promise!!!! We just needed to get him comfortable with us today (and he seems to have an aversion to the camera). It took a long time for him to go to sleep last night and when he woke seeing Chris and I this AM, the tears started again. He's has become very attached to Mama --SCREAMS when I leave or Chris takes him out of the room-- and wasn't about to take a nap --2 1/2 hours of straight tantrum. I'm so glad we aren't first time parents. Today would have been one of giving up quickly. While he's bonded in a lot of ways, we're realizing how new and scary this must be for him and a TON of patience on Chris and my part is required. Nicholas is most secure in our little room with just Papa and Mama, but is getting used to the other guests and common areas. He was wide eyed on the trips to the mall/grocery store. Overall though, we feel that our first full day with him was a success.

More good news... he's taken some steps by himself. One of the maids and I had him walking from one to the other and then later we showed Papa by having him walk from the bed to Mama. He is doing great and is so proud of himself :)

Please continue to pray for us as we get used to each other. Nicholas smiles are becoming more frequent which warms our hearts. Baby steps :)

We're off to bed :).

El Refugio --our home away from home

The front of the house

The dining room. The food is muy bueno!!!!

Our Room...

The back of the house

The playset in the back yard

The view to the right out the front door

We are enjoying our stay. We've walked to the grocery store 2 x's and also the mall. It's fun to see all of the American influence in the stores. We'll have to analyze the traffic for you and share our funny "puntos" story later. It's time to eat supper :).

He's here!!!!!!

Waiting...Chris kept teasing me saying it was about time I knew how he felt as he waited for Sam, Alex and Nate to be born. Whatever!!! But the anticipation was almost unbearable.

Nicholas, your Papa and Mama are here.

It's so hard to say good bye to your favorite nurse. We all cried as you were separated from the only home you've ever known. You are so fortunate to have had such wonderful, caring people caring for you these past 2 years.

We just kept telling him we loved him over and over. His tears finally stopped as we got into the car and left. I can't imagine how Nicholas felt leaving all of the people he loved with strangers. He sat on Daddy's lap during the trip to El Refugio (our residence) and as we got closer he relaxed and snuggled in. What a precious sight of Daddy with another son!!!

Nicholas and his new Daddy and Mommy, a former FANA child come back for a visit and Mercedes (founder of FANA).

"Congrats on your new son" bouquet from Daddy to Mommy.

Just like his daddy --saying Hi to his new brothers

Isn't this the cutest sad face ever???? We saw a lot of this pout today :(

Finally! A smile!!

Nicholas has finally gone to sleep (no napping for him today --everything was too new) and we are watching Sponge Bob in Spanish --quality!!!.

What a precious child God has given us. We are so blessed to have him in our family. We know that the bonding will have its ups and downs, but God is big and completely in control.

Sam, Alex and Nate, we can't wait for you to meet your new little brother. He's wonderful! And he's going to love you!!!!!

Waiting for the call....

Chris and I waiting at the Bogota Airport. WOO HOO!!! We made it!!!! Colombia from the air. The plane window was a bit foggy...

It's amazing what 10 hours of sleep and a 4 hour nap will do for you. We're about to go out for breakfast, but thought we'd upload a few pictures. Chris wanted me to download a beautiful one of me napping in Miami, but I thought I'd spare you. And, since I have control of the blog...

The diaper bag is packed and ready to go, now for the call. It really is like waiting to go into labor...

Have a great day! We'll update you as soon as we have news :)