Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Sophie is an American Citizen!

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew! I think that clearly expresses the sentiment we are feeling today following our appointment at the American consulate. Those of you who have known us for some time know that we have not had the best experience up until now with the American Consulate and its many rules, regulations, restrictions, etc. My dogs can get into the country, however, my husband has yet to receive his visa. But I digress . . .

I was panicking a bit last night as I put the finishing touches on loads of paperwork to turn in today at Soph’s noon appointment at the Consular Offices. I had to list by month, day and year every single time I left the United States and entered the United States. Well who knows! I mean, seriously, who keeps track of every travel date in their entire life!!! If passports were actually stamped as they should be, perhaps it would have been a ton easier, but for the dozens of times I have gone back and forth in the past eight years, I have five stamps in my passport. (One of which makes me laugh every time I see it as it reminds me of the naivety of Rachel and I upon our return from Europe in 2000. Maybe it was the Italian olive oil that had leaked in and caused damage to our brains or the confusion from riding the German U-Bahn or maybe, just maybe, it was the gigantic drink at the vampire bar . . . anyway instead of re-entering the US as American citizens, we passed through immigration as foreigners. I thought it was odd when they asked what our backgrounds were, but I just said German and Rach said Scandinavian, they stamped us and we were allowed to enter the US!) Anyway, again I digress. . .

I passed our paperwork in two bunches through the glass window (it didn’t all fit at the same time! If they are going to require paperwork inches thick maybe they should consider wider window spaces!) We sat at the office as the tall skinny man behind the glass window reviewed our paperwork, did a lot of groaning, frowning and shuffling and then told us the Consular Agent was on her way and she would speak with us when she arrived. Sophie couldn’t help but think, “Will I get my visa?”


Oh man. . . my palms began to sweat! I felt like I was trying to prove that I am an American – you’d think that income tax filings, receipts, an American passport, high school and college transcripts, a birth certificate among other things would convince them . . . and yet my palms were sweating! Not to mention that Soph decided to be very whiny and fussy! I figure, I’m pretty sure they turned Pablo’s visa down once because he had the wrong haircut! What if they turn my baby down because she won't stop crying! Aaaah! I had even dressed my daughter in her red, white and blue hoping it would score us extra points! Why couldn’t she just cooperate and hum a version of “I’m Proud to Be an American"!!!

The Consular Agent arrived, reviewed, grunted, groaned and shuffled, then called through the glass window “Ms. Crawford.” I nearly pooped my pants. I was so nervous. What are the chances that the paperwork was all there? She looked up and smiled, “Excellent Job,” she said. Again, I nearly pooped my pants. (I think Soph actually did!) Pablo and I raised our right hands and swore that Sophie is 50% American. She stamped and sealed our papers. And we were done.

Sophie is an American Citizen. And a great one at that! She even smiled for her passport photo. Patriotic little stinker. I think I even heard her hum “This Land is My Land” from her car seat on the way home.

3 comments:

Rachel said...

Funny how easy it was for us to "immigrate" to the U.S. Congrats to Soph!!

Rachel

Nosduh said...

Congrats Sophia. Does that mean you get to come visit America soon? Berit and Gus will light some sparklers on your behalf.

Stacey said...

Congrats on your citizenship Sophie! Good job, too, on those chubby baby thighs & cheeks. Can't wait for mom to bring you to MN so that I can squeeze them and gush over how adorable you are!