We thought we would take a moment and share the process of verifying Lydia's citizenship over the past week. Because Lydia was born on Bolivian soil she will always have duel citizenship. However, the process of officializing a new born baby in Bolivian is not exactly a simple, smooth, seamless process.
It is important to mention that we wanted to expedite this process as much as possible. Most parents would not try to do all this in one week, but we did. The political situation in Bolivia is always changing and we wanted to be sure that if things suddenly took a turn for the worse we could leave the country and legally take Lydia with us!! So, we embarked on the following process to legalize Lydia as our child.
Lydia was born on Jan 10, 2011 at 1:53am. When we prepared to leave the hospital the medical workers gave us a certificate of live birth that we could then use to receive her official birth certificate. Unlike the USA where you assign a name to your child and call it a day, Bolivia insists on having your child take on the last names of their parents. After explaining and verifying her name over and over we finally got a certificate of live birth that said Lydia Belén Warden Mach. (they had problems understanding that in the US when a women gets married they often drop their last name and accept the name of their new spouse.) The folks at hospital insisted that Lydia would be called Lydia Belén Warden Warden. After all Jennie was Jennie Warden right? That is what her documents say. So wouldn't Lydia take on the name of her mother??? Yeah, not easy to explain the cultural differences in Spanish.
After we left the hospital we called our friend and lawyer at the church and asked him to help us navigate the citizenship process. He mentioned the first step in the process would be to get the official birth certificate. In order to do that we would need the signature of the OBGYN who delivered Lydia on the certificate of live birth form. We went to the office of the OBGYN, got the signature and were all set.
Step 1: Birth Certificate
- In order to get a birth certificate you have to have copies of every document you can imagine as well as copies of the certificate of live birth. Any errors or missing paperwork and you are not eligible for the birth certificate. After making all the copies we needed and setting up a time to meet Grover (our lawyer) John sat down to review one last time that we had everything. To his shock he realized that the certificate of live birth had Lydia being born on Jan 10, 2010. Yes, that would make her a year old!
- Back to the hospital to talk to the doctors about a new certificate of live birth. After 30 minutes of waiting we got a doctor to copy the information down on a new certificate with the proper dates etc.
- After the certificate was completed and signed by the doctor a special pharmaceutical seal was needed. To the pharmacy for the special seal.
- After the seal, the OBGYN signature was needed. Into a taxi and to the doctors office. Wait in line again, for the second time. Got the signature.
- Once the documents were prepared (a second time) we scheduled a time for Grover to take us to the government office. After waiting 20 minutes we got to the desk and the lady asked for copies of our marriage certificate. Well, we had every document but our marriage certificate. (Grover never told us we needed our marriage certificate) Off to make copies.
- Copies made and now ready to restart certificate process. After 20 more minutes and another explanation of the last name issue we were issued a birth certificate and on our way. Oh, wait we needed to run and make 5 more copies of something else while we waited for the certificates to be printed. 1 hour, birth certificate in hand.
Step 2: Identification card, "carnit." (Can't get a passport without it.)
- Grover warned us, make sure you come with lots of patience for this part of the process. Luckily we thought ahead and scheduled a babysitter for Ella. (Ingenious move!!) Grover picked us up and off we went to the government office. 8:30am the next day.
- We arrived and to our dismay there was a line of probably 100 Bolivians standing outside the office. Grover talked to a few people and we went ahead inside. Once inside there were probably 400 to 500 Bolivians herded in groups pushing, shoving and barking orders at the "police" who were "organizing" the crowds. (This is inside some small court yard that is probably 30 yards by 30 yards wide.)
Grovers quote, "This isn't bad at all. We are lucky the lines are short. Normally there are twice as many people here." Huh? What lines are you talking about? I see no lines. All I see is a mass of indigenous people pushing and shoving shouting numbers at some security cops. Well, good thing we choose the right day to come....
- Grover, cut to the front of a "line" pulled John along with him and started bartering with some security cop. 5 minutes later he had some number and we moved along to the next "line." The crowds were so dense that Jennie was actually being bumped and plowed into so we removed her from the "line" and she waited with Lydia at a more "tranquil" area of the court yard.
- Back in a new line. Jennie (because she had a baby) was escorted inside another office area and was able to find a seat and wait for us. Grover and John waited outside and jockyed for position in a new "line." Every 3 or 4 minutes security cops would come and shout names out to the crowd and people would raise there hands and grab another ticket. Keep in mind this is all happening with people jamming up to the entrance way to the office. After all, the closer to the entrance you can get the quicker your number will be called...... (myth) ..... and we learned that if you shout your name to the security cops maybe they will call your name quicker.... (another myth). After an hour Lydia Belén Warden Mach was called. We grabbed the number and went to another "line."
- In "line" again, we waited to pay around $2 for something. From there we were shown another "line."
- In "line" again, we waited to have our ticket stamped. From there we were shown another "line."
- In "line" again, we waited to get a new document signed and stamped that said we could enter into the office. (Same office where Jennie was sitting and the crowd was gathered outside.)
- Once in the office we joined the other 75 Bolivians who were called before us. We found a corner and waited for our new number to be called. (Grover waited in "line" for our number this time.) Yes, you wait in a "line" for your number to be called.....
- Once into the final office we sat at a desk and began the identification card process. Finally after 20 minutes of spelling and respelling out Lydia's name we got to the picture taking part. Well, according to Bolivian law the person must have their eyes open for the picture. Well, great, but it isn't easy to get a newborn (4 days old at this point) to open their eyes for a picture. Here are some suggestions from the Bolivian police. "If we throw some cold water on her face she will probably wake up and open her eyes." "Maybe if we snap 20 pictures in a row and the flash goes off she will wake up and we will get our picture." Or perhaps, maybe if 20 Bolivian security cops all gather around and confirm that her eyes are in fact closed that, that will somehow open her eyes. After 20 minutes and 50 snapped photos the eyes finally opened and Lydia got her picture. Signed a few more papers, made some more photo copies, received another ticket and we were done. We left the office and were told to come back the next morning to pick up the carnit.
- John arrived the next morning waited in another "line," and finally got the carnit in hand. DONE! Next step Bolivian Passport.
Step 3: Bolivian Passport.
- The next day Grover picked us up and we headed to the immigration office. (different office) Upon arriving we found a much more tranquil atmosphere. We waited in line to talk to a security cop about our documents. Again, John was all prepared and had made copies of everything we needed.
- Once our turn came we sat down with the security cop and he asked for special copies of our birth certificate. Well, we didn't have those, so off we went to the photocopy place. Copies made, returned to the office.
- Back to the desk, sat down again, and the cop asked to see our passports. No problems, but he decided that the office would like a copy of our visa stamps inside of passports for their records. Off to the photo copy place again.
- Back to the office, sat down and finish up paper work. Once completed the security cop said, "OK, now you need to go to the bank to pay for the passport and then return back here to this office to complete the documentation." Well, great. It was 4:30 and the banks were closed. So, we went home for the night. Grovers quote, "The bank is easy. Just go tomorrow over lunch, you won't have to wait in any lines and you should be able to go right up to the front and pay without hassle."
- Next day John ran to the bank to pay for passport. Upon arrival there was a "line" of 30 people outside waiting to enter. John talked to the security cop and he said, "NO. YUU MOOST WHEAT N LINE." Back outside in line.
- Upon entering the bank, 20 minutes later, John was given a number to wait. There were probably 75 people waiting in the bank. John was #473. On the screen was #423. Yes, there were 50 people waiting in front of John to talk to the tellers! Luckily the lines went pretty quick. 40 minutes later John paid for the passport, received 8 receipts (no kidding) and headed off to meet the girls for another trip to the immigration office.
- Back to the immigration office. After waiting a few minutes, we got to the desk, fill out more papers, and the security cop said "Go to that lady over there. She will take Lydia's picture......."
- Over to the new desk we go. "According to Bolivian law, your eyes have to be open on all official government documentation." Yes, we know...... 20 minutes, 30 pictures, 2 Ella meltdowns, and a phone call to the boss to verify that eyes have to be completely open on the passport, we FINALLY got a picture with Lydia's eyes open. Signed a few more papers, explained a few more last name differences, and we were done. "Come back Friday and pick up the passport," the security cop said. Whew!
That brings us to today. We do not have the passport in hand yet (tomorrow is Friday) but hopefully in less than 24 hours Lydia will be able to leave the country (if need be) legally.
It was quite a ride, and surely we will have stories to tell in the future, but Lydia is officially Bolivian!
Sorry this has been such a long blog, but there is nothing short about working with the Bolivian government. Now, we just need to go through the process of making her American. That will probably be another blog for the future.
FYI, now that we are done with this whole process, we have had time to update Ella and Lydia's blog with some new pictures of the sisters. Take a moment to check them out.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Photos
A few pictures of our newest family member.
Awake and happy!
Sleeping and content!
Lydia came two weeks early and we didn't have time to buy a bouncy seat. Oh well, pillows will do.
Snuggled up for a nap.
Some of Lydia's first visitors. The FH team from Horna C'Kasa.
Our good friends Jan and Phil. We are so thankful for their help and support. Jan also watched after Ella for two days as we recovered in the hospital.
Phil our translation help!
On the way home!
Lydia's first nap at home.
Our new little helper.
We could probably post many, many more pictures! But we know that outside of a few proud grandparents, aunts and uncles, these pictures may get old. From now on Ella has offered to share her blog with Lydia. So, if you are interested in keeping up with our girls, you can find more fun pics and stories at Growin' up in Bolivia
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Lydia Belén Warden
It seems like each experience we face here in Bolivia is accompanied by an interesting story. We would love to share with you the story of Lydia Belén Warden.
As many of you know Jennie was pregnant and due to deliver on Jan 23rd. After several check ups and appointments we realized that our precious baby (Lydia) was sitting head up (breech position) in the womb. We realized very quickly that this could provide a challenge for the Bolivian doctors as they avoid breech babies at all cost and have little to no experience delivering them. This past week we scheduled an ecographia to happen for Friday Jan 14 and another doctors appointment for the same day. Depending on the results of the ecographia, we would then schedule a C-section if Lydia was still breech, or follow through with the natural birth as expected. That was the plan....
On Sunday evening Jan 9, we were skyping with our good friends over the computer and Jennie realized that her water sac had just broken. Realizing that Jennie was still only 38 weeks, the baby was breech, and we weren't remotely prepared to head to the hospital, we said a prayer, packed our bags, called our friends Phil and Jan for help and left for the hospital.
10:03pm: Water breaks
10:52pm: Left for Hospital
In the car on the way to the hospital we discussed the situation and mentally prepared for an emergency C-section believing Lydia was still breech. (2 weeks early, breech baby, and labor contractions was not a good combination.) Interestingly enough, we also commented on the fact that John had just finished a devotional at the church that evening about "trusting God through difficulty." It was our turn to walk the line.
11:09pm: Arrived at Hospital Cristo De Las Americas
11:33pm: First consultation with the OBGYN
When we arrived at the hospital we checked into a room and waited for an update from our OBGYN. Within 10 minutes the OBGYN had arrived and done a preliminary check on Jennie. To our surprise Jennie was already dilated 6cm with no pain. The doctor also confirmed with us at that point that Lydia had summersaulted in the womb and was now head down! No need for a C-section, let's do this thing naturally.
12:30am: Second consultation with the OBGYN
An hour had passed and the OBGYN came into the room for a second consultation. At this point Jennie was 7cm dilated having minor contractions (every 4 minutes) and yet still no pain!!!
1:15am: Third consultation with the OBGYN
After another 45 minutes the OBGYN once again checked on the progress and decided since there were still no major contractions and very little to no pain, that she would zip back to her house for a few minutes and return in an hour to check the progress.
1:35am: First major contraction starts
After 2 hours in the hospital the first major contraction (accompanied by pain) had started. On our own in the room we prepared for more contractions and the labor process.
1:51am: Lydia's coming.
4 or 5 major contractions had passed and Jennie was in the bathroom when all the sudden she felt the pressure of the baby coming out. She immediately rushed back to the bed and said to John get the doctor, the baby is coming.
1:52am: SOS to the doctors
John ran done the hallway, yelled for a doctor, and came rushing back to the room. Jennie was in the bed, and the baby was crowing. Within seconds a nurse appeared, gasped, and left the room shouting for the doctor to hurry.
1:52.45am: The preparation
With no doctors, nurses or anyone with basic medical experience left in the room, John grabbed the hand sanitizer and prepared to catch the baby.
1:52.55am: Help arrives
The on-call doctor ran into the room placing on his rubber gloves in the process.
1:53am: She's here!!
As he snapped the second glove into place he literally in the same motion, without breaking stride, leaned over the side of the bed and grasped the baby which was already half of the way out. He broke the yoke sac, revealing feet..... (yes she came out feet first in breech position) and within seconds maneuvered Lydia's head and full body out into this world.
If the story seems pretty crazy.... it was. Through the unknowns, fears, surprises, and unexpecteds Lydia came bursting into the world a healthy strong little girl.
What is it that makes us so thankful this evening?
- Maybe it was the fact that Lydia came 2 weeks early and totally heathy, that we marvel at God's grace.
- Possibly the incredible timing of the doctor arriving at the moment of departure with not even a second to spare that we realize God always has it timed out just as he plans.
- Or possibly the fact that breech babies in Bolivia provide huge risk of complication and yet she arrived so smoothly that we almost missed her.
- Was it the total peace of mind and understanding amidst the language barriers and cultural differences that remind us of God's provisions?
- I imagine it was the fact that Jennie was supernaturally blessed with a pregnancy that basically consisted of 20 minutes of pain
However as we reflect this evening, we realize that our gratefulness includes everything mentioned and much more. God, the author and sustainer of life, chose to bless us with a special gift that was created from and for His glory. To God our father and redeemer we give praise tonight.
Lydia. May you walk in the way of truth, pursuing after God and his never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love. May you follow in the footsteps of the women from whom you were named, (Lydia in Acts 16) and be a willing servant and vibrant worshiper of our God.
* More pictures to come!
As many of you know Jennie was pregnant and due to deliver on Jan 23rd. After several check ups and appointments we realized that our precious baby (Lydia) was sitting head up (breech position) in the womb. We realized very quickly that this could provide a challenge for the Bolivian doctors as they avoid breech babies at all cost and have little to no experience delivering them. This past week we scheduled an ecographia to happen for Friday Jan 14 and another doctors appointment for the same day. Depending on the results of the ecographia, we would then schedule a C-section if Lydia was still breech, or follow through with the natural birth as expected. That was the plan....
On Sunday evening Jan 9, we were skyping with our good friends over the computer and Jennie realized that her water sac had just broken. Realizing that Jennie was still only 38 weeks, the baby was breech, and we weren't remotely prepared to head to the hospital, we said a prayer, packed our bags, called our friends Phil and Jan for help and left for the hospital.
10:03pm: Water breaks
10:52pm: Left for Hospital
In the car on the way to the hospital we discussed the situation and mentally prepared for an emergency C-section believing Lydia was still breech. (2 weeks early, breech baby, and labor contractions was not a good combination.) Interestingly enough, we also commented on the fact that John had just finished a devotional at the church that evening about "trusting God through difficulty." It was our turn to walk the line.
11:09pm: Arrived at Hospital Cristo De Las Americas
11:33pm: First consultation with the OBGYN
When we arrived at the hospital we checked into a room and waited for an update from our OBGYN. Within 10 minutes the OBGYN had arrived and done a preliminary check on Jennie. To our surprise Jennie was already dilated 6cm with no pain. The doctor also confirmed with us at that point that Lydia had summersaulted in the womb and was now head down! No need for a C-section, let's do this thing naturally.
12:30am: Second consultation with the OBGYN
An hour had passed and the OBGYN came into the room for a second consultation. At this point Jennie was 7cm dilated having minor contractions (every 4 minutes) and yet still no pain!!!
1:15am: Third consultation with the OBGYN
After another 45 minutes the OBGYN once again checked on the progress and decided since there were still no major contractions and very little to no pain, that she would zip back to her house for a few minutes and return in an hour to check the progress.
1:35am: First major contraction starts
After 2 hours in the hospital the first major contraction (accompanied by pain) had started. On our own in the room we prepared for more contractions and the labor process.
1:51am: Lydia's coming.
4 or 5 major contractions had passed and Jennie was in the bathroom when all the sudden she felt the pressure of the baby coming out. She immediately rushed back to the bed and said to John get the doctor, the baby is coming.
1:52am: SOS to the doctors
John ran done the hallway, yelled for a doctor, and came rushing back to the room. Jennie was in the bed, and the baby was crowing. Within seconds a nurse appeared, gasped, and left the room shouting for the doctor to hurry.
1:52.45am: The preparation
With no doctors, nurses or anyone with basic medical experience left in the room, John grabbed the hand sanitizer and prepared to catch the baby.
1:52.55am: Help arrives
The on-call doctor ran into the room placing on his rubber gloves in the process.
1:53am: She's here!!
As he snapped the second glove into place he literally in the same motion, without breaking stride, leaned over the side of the bed and grasped the baby which was already half of the way out. He broke the yoke sac, revealing feet..... (yes she came out feet first in breech position) and within seconds maneuvered Lydia's head and full body out into this world.
Lydia Belén Warden!!
Monday January 10, 2011, 1:53am.
5lbs 7oz
18 inches long
If the story seems pretty crazy.... it was. Through the unknowns, fears, surprises, and unexpecteds Lydia came bursting into the world a healthy strong little girl.
What is it that makes us so thankful this evening?
- Maybe it was the fact that Lydia came 2 weeks early and totally heathy, that we marvel at God's grace.
- Possibly the incredible timing of the doctor arriving at the moment of departure with not even a second to spare that we realize God always has it timed out just as he plans.
- Or possibly the fact that breech babies in Bolivia provide huge risk of complication and yet she arrived so smoothly that we almost missed her.
- Was it the total peace of mind and understanding amidst the language barriers and cultural differences that remind us of God's provisions?
- I imagine it was the fact that Jennie was supernaturally blessed with a pregnancy that basically consisted of 20 minutes of pain
However as we reflect this evening, we realize that our gratefulness includes everything mentioned and much more. God, the author and sustainer of life, chose to bless us with a special gift that was created from and for His glory. To God our father and redeemer we give praise tonight.
Lydia. May you walk in the way of truth, pursuing after God and his never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love. May you follow in the footsteps of the women from whom you were named, (Lydia in Acts 16) and be a willing servant and vibrant worshiper of our God.
* More pictures to come!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Christmas Fun
We did our best to get ourselves in the Christmas spirit this season, despite being far away from family and enduring temps in the high 70's low 80's. :) We enjoyed a nice Christmas lunch with our good friends Phil and Jan Train...and then Ella enjoyed a dip in the pool. I must say that would be one tradition that I could get used to!
We purchased a Christmas tree last year, so it was fun to get all the decorations out again this year. It was amazing to look at pictures of Ella decorating the tree last year compared to this year. She has changed so much!
We were also invited to a Christmas party for all the foreign missionaries living here in Sucre. We were surprised to see many new faces. You would think, after being here for over a year, we would have already run into all the other "white" people in town. But we were happy to meet some new people and make new friends. We had an enjoyable evening doing all things American...potluck, singing Christmas carols and playing games. It was wonderful to participate in some of these familiar traditions and get to meet some new friends at the same time. (And not have to speak any Spanish the whole night!)
On Christmas day we had an enjoyable, lazy day. Just the 3 of us at home. We had cinnamon rolls, opened up presents, and watched Christmas movies. And of course we were able to skype with many of our family members which was special. Amazing to believe that it's all over and we need to start taking down the decorations already!
Hoping your holidays were wonderful!
We purchased a Christmas tree last year, so it was fun to get all the decorations out again this year. It was amazing to look at pictures of Ella decorating the tree last year compared to this year. She has changed so much!
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| Christmas 2010 |
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| Christmas 2010 |
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| Christmas 2009 |
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| Christmas 2009 |
We were also invited to a Christmas party for all the foreign missionaries living here in Sucre. We were surprised to see many new faces. You would think, after being here for over a year, we would have already run into all the other "white" people in town. But we were happy to meet some new people and make new friends. We had an enjoyable evening doing all things American...potluck, singing Christmas carols and playing games. It was wonderful to participate in some of these familiar traditions and get to meet some new friends at the same time. (And not have to speak any Spanish the whole night!)
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| We had quite the set of musicians and instruments for caroling...piano, violin, guitar, and harmonica! |
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| Ella feeding a rabbit before the Christmas party started. |
On Christmas day we had an enjoyable, lazy day. Just the 3 of us at home. We had cinnamon rolls, opened up presents, and watched Christmas movies. And of course we were able to skype with many of our family members which was special. Amazing to believe that it's all over and we need to start taking down the decorations already!
Hoping your holidays were wonderful!
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