Mateo's Nebraska Adoption Day

Today, September 28, 2010, Mateo's adoption was made official in the state of Nebraska! This was our final step in finalizing the adoption process. Although Mateo has been officially ours by all international and national standards, today made him official in Nebraska and created a Nebraska birth certificate for him.

Our court appointment was at 11:00 am at the Douglas County Courthouse on 17th & Farnam. Evelyn Babcock, a friend of the family, was our attorney, and the Honorable Judge McDermott presided over our case. Mateo, Francesca and Mommy arrived first, then came Daddy, and shortly after Aunt Nelly. Aunt Nelly got the best reception with Mateo yelling through the lobby, "Aunt Nelly!" and running toward her. Once we were all there, we took the "alligator" (a.k.a. evelvator) up to the 3rd floor.

Evelyn met us on the 3rd floor and showed us to the courtroom. After walking into Courtroom 30, we sat at the front table and Evelyn completed some paperwork. While we waited, Mateo and Francesca made themselves at home running around and exploring the courtroom (attorney approved). When the Judge first came in, he explained that he had bandages on his fingers from working in the yard of his home (remember this for later). The actual proceedings were quite simple and consisted of a series of questions asked first to Jose and then to me. Of course, Mateo and Francesca had a very hard time being quiet throughout the proceedings. I'm sure it was quite comical from the onlooker's perspective. Waiting ...

Daddy's here!

Outside County Court No. 30

All smiles

Muah!

Aunt Nelly!

Awaiting Judge McDermott

We were so glad Aunt Nelly could be with us!

Handsome pair

Evelyn Babcock

Cesca, Cesca, Cesca la exploradora!

What do you see!?

Court Proceedings

All went well! Judge McDermott approved our adoption and signed the papers. Mateo told him "Thank you!" and even shook his hand. Judge McDermott suggested that Mateo ask his parents to take him to lunch to celebrate. As we were leaving, Mateo said quite matter-of-factly to the judge, "You should pray for Jesus to heal your fingers." When the judge didn't really respond, Mateo told him again, "You should pray for Jesus to heal your fingers!"

Signing the papers

Congratulations!

Thank you!

Outside the courthouse

We were originally going to eat at Jason's Deli (because they have ice cream), but ended up at Pitch in Dundee instead. It was a very nice lunch and Mateo and Francesca pulled out all the show-stoppers. Mateo used his black linen napkin as a cape and kept saying, "Have no fear, Mateo is here!" Francesca was very polite, and only tried standing up in her highchair a few times (yikes!). Pizza, pasta, soup and sandwich ... Mateo got raspberry sorbet to finish his meal. By the way, James Dobson knows what he's talking about when it comes to getting your child to sit at the table!

Lunch at Pitch

After lunch, we came home for afternoon naps (Francesca and Mommy took one; Mateo did not.) And then we went shopping at Village Point where Mommy took advantage of a super sale at Baby GAP. Mateo sported his newest shirt 'Rhythm & Beats" to his preschool 'Back to School Bash' at St. Andrew's. It was a carnival and dinner to celebrate the beginning of the year, and a spectacular way to end our celebratory day. Mateo won trinket prizes at every game station - his favorite a mini whistle that makes a huge sound! Of course, Ms. Mary was there, but the real highlight for Mateo and Francesca was Clifford!

Back to School Bash

Hi Clifford!

Fishing - go figure

Pick a duck

Popcorn!

Sucker Pull with Ms. Mary

When we got home, a special surprise was waiting for Mateo at the neighbor's house - an Edible Arrangement from Tia Jas and Tio Jose, complete with Spiderman vase. Mateo loved it and started enjoying his gift right away!

Gracias Tia Jas y Tio Jose!

Hey there, Spiderman!

There are three songs that come to mind that express the joy of our day: "This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it," and "Strawberry Swing" (Coldplay).

They were sitting

They were sitting on a strawberry swing

Every moment was so precious ...

It's such a perfect day. It's such a perfect day.

Lord, thank you for our son, Mateo - our gift of God. Although he has been our son since the first day we saw his picture, today was so special. May he grow into a young man who loves you with all his heart, Jesus. It was such a perfect day.