Madge To Be Mum?

Madonna must be walking with a skip in her step today.

She's had some grand news.

Madge is one step closer to being the momma...

MadonnaYep, things are seeming to go her way in the adoption of baby David Banda, the two-year-old boy she met at an orphanage a year and a half ago.

Madge and her hubby Guy Ritchie have been given the nod by government officials in Malawi. 

They've given their blessing to the couple to adopt the kiddiewink,  urging the High Court to grant its final approval for Madonna to take permanent custody.

Huzzah...David Banda

According to Reuters, a confidential report filed by a probation officer at the Ministry of Women and Child Development reads:

"In the best interest of the child, I do recommend the petitioners to your Lordship for your consideration that they be granted an adoption order having proved that they are suitable parents and satisfied the conditions in the Interim Adoption Order."

Ever since the couple initiated adoption proceedings in autumn 2006, child welfare groups have raised a ruckus and claimed Madge was using her fame to work round foreign adoption rules.

But Madge has done her best to hush her critics - and has built an orphanage in the impoverished country, hosted an all-star fundraiser benefiting Unicef and started her own Raising Malawi charity.

So what next?

Well, Madge's attorneys have requested the High Court postpone a hearing scheduled in which she's required to appear - which was planned for next week - until the end of the month, due to a scheduling conflict.

We'll keep you posted of any further updates.