Day 3: Hanging out in Bogota & a visit to the hospital

It was another early morning for Cole and thus, his bunk buddy Nana Bev. They were up and out the door by 5:00 am. They played in the courtyard of our apartment complex, running around and chasing the birds. Once Owen and Shane awoke, the four of them walked down to the continental breakfast at our apartment and then ventured out to the streets for a stroll around the city. Today is Labor Day in Colombia so the main streets were closed to traffic and open for pedestrians and bicyclists to use. During all this time, Rose was sprawled out in bed fast asleep.

Taking a walk in Bogota

Sleeping the morning away

We've been trying to enjoy our stay in Bogota, although it's tough without Kate being with us. But we are taking it one day at a time and hopeful she will get well and be released from the hospital soon. We'd love to get her to La Mesa (the city we have our court proceedings in) where the pollution is minimal and the elevation only 2,250 feet (compared to Bogota's 8,381 feet) which will hopefully help her lungs breath a bit more easy.

After more running around the grounds of our apartment complex, we navigated the crazy busy intersection across the street to Unicentro (a large shopping center.)

Cole playing outside at our apartment - his favorite place to be!

Rose loves to be outside!

Owen and Jess in front of Plenitud (our apartment complex)

Rose, Nana Bev, Shane & Cole outside Plenitud

Our first stop was Exito (similar to a Super Target) to pick up some essentials. The kids wanted to check out the toy store next and then we made the trek to the Bogota Beer Company for lunch (and beer!)

Owen trying on a hat at Exito

Cole, Nana Bev and Rose on our way to the Bogota Beer Company

We crossed some "Owen Landmarks" on the way - the first church Owen attended with us and the hotel we stayed at on our first night together.

The church we took Owen to nearly 10 years ago

The hotel we stayed at with Owen 10 years ago

We finally reached our destination at noon, but they don't open until 12:30! So we walked across the street to Pepe Ganga (a toy store) to play with the merchandise before heading back to the restaurant.

We sat outside enjoying the beautiful Bogota weather. It's like perpetual spring here, not too hot and not too cold.

After lunch we walked back to our apartment to drop off Nana and the kids. While most of the rooms in our apartment complex could use a facelift, I'm always amazed by how beautiful the grounds are.

Then it was FINALLY time to head back to the hospital to see Kate!  Jorge's wife Patricia arrived at our apartment to transport us to the hospital. Once again, they would only allow one of us in at a time, so Patricia brought me in first. She made sure to talk to the doctor to get an update on Kate's health. Kate still has quite a cough, but the doctor said her condition is improving. She is off antibiotics and they have started to decrease her oxygen supply.  Once she is off oxygen and doing well, she will be released from the hospital. We are hopeful that it will only be a couple more days of her being admitted.

Kate was sleeping in the FANA caregiver's arms when I arrived. She hasn't been sleeping well since the hospital is quite loud with screaming babies and lots of other commotion. Only one other baby shares her room, but there is no door so all the noise from the surrounding rooms permeates Kate's room making it difficult for her to rest.  I brought a couple toys along for her to play with and read her a touch-and-feel book "That's Not My Teddy". She was very interested in feeling all the different textures in the book. Eventually Patricia went back to the front door of the hospital and brought Shane in too.

It's a strange feeling, wanting to connect with your brand new daughter and form a bond, but having someone watching you the entire time, often speaking to Kate in Spanish and distracting her attention away from us. I know they mean well, but it will be much easier once she's finally in our custody and we can do a bit of cocooning.

Kate seems to love getting her picture taken, especially the camera flash. She stares at it intently waiting for it to go off. A few other things we've learned about our daughter...she has her two bottom front teeth.  She likes to talk and sit up. She sucks her two fingers (her pointer and middle finger) when she's tired. She has the darkest most beautiful eyes. And she loves to be held.

Today was the first day she fell asleep in my arms, sucking away on those two little fingers of hers.

Once again our visit had come to an end. I gently put her in her bed and she kept on snoozing away (thankfully!) There would be no way I could leave if she had been upset.

As we were leaving, the FANA caregiver covered her up with a blanket, even though the room felt like a sauna. Shane, Kate and I were literally sweating. But that's the Bogota way. Everywhere you look, you'll see people walking around in winter coats. We even saw a little kid wearing a ski mask! And us Minnesotans are outside feeling completely comfortable with short sleeves. They sure love to stay warm and toasty here.

Patricia had left the hospital to move the car into the parking lot nearby and she was going to wait for us outside. When we got outside, we didn't see her so we walked to the parking lot and still no sight of her. We had no way of contacting her and weren't sure what to do so we started walking out to the main road and just then, I spotted her! Turns out the parking lot is only for hospital workers so she had to turn around and repark the car several blocks away. Luckily we found her and continued on our way back to the apartment.

Tomorrow we get to visit Kate again in the hospital. Please pray her breathing continues to improve and that she can soon be united with us. Owen, Cole and Rose are very eager to meet their baby sister. Owen keeps saying "I'm not leaving Colombia without Baby Sister!" Also pray that our adoption process starts moving forward and we can soon return home with Kate.