Love at first sight!

May 10, 2011

When we arrived at the airport in Port-au-Prince, I was quite surprised how normal it felt. It was nothing compared to when I went last year after the earthquake. While we were driving, you could still see all the tent cities. It’s really sad to see the tents after a year has gone by.

We had all planned to get ready downstairs before we would be introduced to Berline and Brandon had called Melissa ahead and she was waiting for us downstairs when we got in. She was there with her smiley face. I just went in shock!!! Tried to get the camera out but had to go get her first. It felt so wonderful to have her in our arms...it felt comfortable and perfect!

We immediately fell in love. I don’t know how it is to give birth, but this feeling that I had when we first laid eyes on her, was the beginning of the rest of our lives together.

We stayed on the balcony all day playing, hugging and kissing her. She’s such a pleasant girl. We had Théo (Djeff) out on the balcony with us as well. Théo is Liette’s son. They will be friend when we bring them home. He is such a wonderful little guy. He is calm and he likes to cuddle. On the other hand, Berline is quite the active little one. I’m not sure if daddy is going to be able to keep up with her. He was quite tiered when we arrived at the guesthouse.

I am extremely happy to see the Jordan family (guesthouse). I missed them so much. Nikki got us to stay in Bailee and Kylee’s room aka ‘Princess Room’ I am so thankful that we got to stay with them.

Nothing is ever easy when it comes to Sylvie and Planning!!!

So I finished by having a 1 1\2h hr of sleep. We had came back from Dinner early because we wanted to go to bed early so we would be all rested up for today. Guess that did not happen.

I booked another one way ticket with American Airlines. By the time I got off the phone with Red Tag, she could not guarantee that we would be reimbursed for our original flight. Lets just say I was not sleeping. While all of this is going on, Victor was sleeping, when I woke him up to let him know that we were only leaving at 3:30 and then at 7 am, he was a bit confused. I said, worry pas... we’re getting there in the morning to see our little Kyanne Berline. After Nicole told me that we were passing court in the afternoon, I did not want to screw things up. When I tried to go to bed, I was thinking of my friend Liette who is also adopting from GLA. She is waiting for her dossier to get out of IBESR... hopefully it will be soon... anyways, to get back to what I wanted to say... Liette is the total opposite from me. I always make mountains out of little pumps. If it would have been her in this situation, she would have simply emailed GAL this morning explaining of the flight change and would have assumed that they would change the court date for her. Sylvie on the other hand, had to make this all dramatic and pay an extra flight to get there in the AM. Sometimes I should sit back and let things flow but I dont have it in me. I had it in my heart that I was going to see Kyanne in the morning and I am going to see her. I will actually be there 1 1\2 hr earlier than scheduled previously.

We woke up at 3:30 to get to the airport early enough so I could try to see what I can do with our flight with Insel Air. Like the other time I flew to PAP, we were all over weight and had to stuff our carry-on bags so we would not get charged extra fee for our checked luggages.

When we got to the Insel Air ticketing booth, there were 2 guys waiting for their flight. We asked them where they were going and they said PAP!!! I was freaking. We waiting 10 minutes for the agent to arrive and he said it was scheduled for 8:30 am, however it would only leave at 2pm WTF!!!! Anyways, all that to say that we confirmed that we would still have our return flight with them on Saturday.

So right now, I am sitting at the airport writing this post so I don’t forget any of the details. I guess life would be boring if everything would go according to plan.

Oh and one more thing, poor Nicole was home talking to me till 2 am on FB. She wanted to make sure that we would be there in the morning. Thank God for her and her connections with GLA LOL!

Next post, I’ll have met my little Kyanne!!!! I guess part of mother hood is having no sleep so my first time seeing her will be with no sleep... just like giving birth for some mothers I guess!!!

Trying to get to Haiti

We managed to get to Miami today. We saw all kind of signs of our little girl today. On the plane, we were watching a travel shows and they were in Berlin. As well, when we landed we passed by a plane that had big letters on it... ‘ Berlin’.


We spend the afternoon at the beach today. The water was so warm; it felt we were in a hot tub. We then took a stroll down Lincoln Ave and had a nice supper. We came back to the hotel to pack because we thought we had to leave bright and early in the AM but for some reason they changes the flights and now we might only be leaving at 3:30 pm. I called Red Tag and they had no idea what was going on so they said they will call us back. Do we leave in the AM or PM... I don’t have enough on my mind right now that I had to add this little stress LOL! Oh well, one way or another, we will see our baby girl tomorrow. We can’t wait.

So a few hours passed and Nicole found out by James that Brandon is picking us up at the airport in PAP in the AM and we go in front of the Judge at 1pm. I’ve been on the phone with Red Tag all night and I think I might just have to book another flight to get us there in the morning. American Airlines leaves at 7am (in 6 hrs.) No sleep, meet my girl in the morning and court in the afternoon. Sounds like a lovely day ahead of me. :O)

Best Mothers Day Gift!

Melissa emailed me right after lunch today to let me know Victor and I could travel as soon as next week! Unfortunately, if Nicole and Renée would be coming, we would have to wait at the end of the month to go for availability at the guesthouse. She also pointed out that if we wait at the end of the month, our dossier will not be moving until then. So we decided to go next week just the 2 of us and get the ball rolling and get her home sooner rather than later. Hopefully when we travel for the second time to bring her home, we’ll be able to bring Nicole and Renée with us.

So this is it. After almost 3 years of dreaming of this moment, it’s really happening Tuesday, May 10th. We will be flying to Miami on Monday May 9th and will be going to Haiti the next day. We are extremely happy but a little nervous at the same time. I only have a few days to pack, so I won’t have time to sit and rehearse what I am going to do LOL! I guess it will all come out naturally... hopefully.

Waiting for potential dates to travel to Haiti.

I went shopping on the weekend to get her a cute white outfit to take pictures when we meet her. I can already picture her all cute and smiley! I downloaded all the videos I had on my video camera and digital camera so it’s all ready for when we leave. I will have so many videos of her for souvenirs when she grows up.


I don’t know what happened to my brain but since I found out that our dossier is out of IBESR and that we are finally ready to plan our first trip to meet her... I completely lost my train of thoughts. I am no longer able to concentrate. People talk to me, I hear them but I don’t have a clue what they are saying...

Melissa from GLA emailed me this evening to let me know she got my email. As soon as she can give me dates, I will be booking the flights right away. We are hoping that Nicole and Renée can come with us to Haiti so we can meet Berline (Kyanne) for the first time as a family. Lets cross our fingers that they can come!

Here’s Melissa’s email:

From: GLA Adoptions

Date: Tue, 3 May 2011 15:39:24 -0500
Subject: Re: CORMIER Family - OUT OF IBESR
To: Sylvie Cormier


Hi Sylvie!
Needless to say, it's been a little bit crazy for me since I've been back from my holidays, but I just wanted to let you know that I've read your e-mail and as soon as I get a chance to take a good look at the calendar, Iwill let you know about possible dates to come.


I haven't had a chance to talk to Dixie, but I will run the idea by her about Nicole and her sister coming as well and I will let you know what she says.
I'm so excited to see you soon and be able to witness this precious milestone for you!


Talk to you soon...
Melissa Friesen
Acting Adoptions Coordinator
God's Littlest Angels, Haiti

My own fairy tale story!

When I got up yesterday morning, April 29th, I knew it was a special day... it was The day of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s Wedding. Never in a million years would I have imagined that I would receive an email from Elaine saying our Dossier was OUT OF IBESR!!!! What a feeling that was. I was on the side of the highway with my blinker reading the email:

From: Dixie at GLA [mailto:dixie@glahaiti.org]
Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 12:07 PM
To: Babineau, Elaine (SD/DS)
Subject: OUT OF IBESR
Dear Elaine,
The Cormier dossier is out of IBESR and needs to be put into Parquet and the courts. We need the family to make arrangements to come to Haiti and appear in front of the local judge and also the civil court judge. They will need to be here about 3 days. Melissa, the adoption coordinator, is in Canada visiting family and will return to GLA tomorrow.

I my knee caps were shaking so bad I was not able to get back on the highway right away. I got that same feeling once before. It was when my friend Renelle called me that she was in labor and I had to drive her to the hospital… I had a standard car at the time and she almost had to drive LOL! So then the phone calls started… Called Victor, Nicole and Renée. Try to get my mom on the phone during the day is like trying to find a needle in a stack of hay! 

I really felt like I was in a fairy tale… I am finally going to meet MY PRINCESS!

I’ll blog again soon with the trip details!!!! When and who is coming with us.  Renée really wants to come and Nicole was there at Christmas so not sure what she is going to do... and if there is room at GLA for 4 of us.

Happy Easter all the way from Haiti!

I guess getting my Happy Easter update today is better than not getting any update all… If our Province would let us get our updates directly from our orphanage, I would of got it on Good Thursday, but when we have to deal with people who like to control... you get the updates later. Ah well, I am a very happy Mama!

She is growing so fast. I had tears in my eyes when I opened the email and saw her beautiful smile.
Here is the update enjoy!

This was in her update for April 2011. Berline loves to go for walks with her volunteer. She is very observant and will watch everything that is going on around her. Another of Berline’s favorite things is the swings. Whenever she is grumpy, needs a nap, or is not feeling well the best way to sooth her is putting her in the swing.

Her smile lights up whenever you call her name. It is really amazing how well she focuses on faces and respond to her name. She is truly adored by her nannies and volunteers because of her incredible smile and giggle.

Berline has begun to cry when she is taken back to the nursery or not picked up when she wants to be. She definitely knows how to make her voice heard and is learning very quickly how to get what she wants. She is a very bright girl! She is also started to thin down. She has lost a lot of her baby fat and is beginning to look more and more like a little Toddler. I will be sure to keep you updated on her crawling and walking progression. Right now she is taking steps with assistance and is very good at holding herself up against furniture. She loves to bounce in the Johnny jumper chairs to strengthen her legs.
It has been fun to see Berline grow and thrive here at GLA and we are even more excited for the day she is at home with you!

Berline is healthy and growing:

Height: 69 cm
Weight: 20 lb 7 oz


I hope you enjoy these fun Spring/Easter photos of Berline.