Travel Approval

Got an email from my agency today that we have Travel Approval!
Next is the consulate appt. and then flight and hotel arrangements!
I am thankful that my agency does all this. One less thing (and a very big thing) that I don't have to worry about. Thanks CAWLI!
It's looking like travel will be May 22 - June 4th. Not official yet.
Now where are the visas???

I have been on the hunt for a hooded sweatshirt or sweater for Abigail. I know it will be hot and humid but wanted to bring something with me "just in case". Sometimes the air conditioning can be a little cold. Not that I would EVER complain!!
Try and find a sweater or sweatshirt! I looked in Walmart, Target, Macy's, Kohl's, Baby Depot, Old Navy, to name a few, and FINALLY found 1 in Baby Gap!!
While in the store Loren came up to me with a pair of flip flops for Abigail.
"Abigail needs these" I told Loren that I didn't think Abigail could walk yet but she was insistent.
Well...because I sometimes feel like I am betraying Loren with a little one coming into our family ( I know, I know. Loren will be fine) and I want Loren to be a part of preparing for Abigail I bought the flip flops.

Aren't they cute!!
They may be a little big but I will try to put these on her while we are in China. I'll make sure I take a picture of her cute little feet in these!

Care Package Delivered

Looks like Abigail's care package was delivered today April 25th at 5pm.
Now fingers crossed that it will be delivered to the SWI.

Next the Visas. My friend Karyn, who traveled the same time last year, told me she sent out for Visas Apr. 12th and received them May 2nd.
So hopefully next week I should hear something.

The Kitten and The Crow

This is why I love animals.
You have got to see this video on YouTube.
This is absolutely heartwarming.
Leave it up to animals to teach us how to treat one another.

Some Stuff

This part of the wait is very long. Everytime I look at "Miss Abby's" picture I just want her home! I constantly wonder what she is doing and hope she is happy.
The question has gone from "Did you get your referral yet?" "Have you heard anything?" to "Do you know when you are leaving?"

I have been doing some shopping. Clothes, crib bedding, baby toys, some summer clothes for Big Sister Loren and of course, a few new movies for the portable DVD player, music for CD player, games for her NINTENDO DS.
Loren hates to color. Doesn't mind arts and crafts too much but cannot be bothered with coloring and since we cannot bring scissors or glue on the plane we'll stick to electronics. Anything to keep her occupied during the long flight.
My friend AnnMarie traveled with her daughter in March and her daughter slept 7 1/2 hours on the flight!! Oh Joy!! I can only hope.

My friend Amy gave me some adorable baby clothes that she had bought for her daughter Maggie during this long wait. Amy was in my LID group but switched to the Waiting Child list and got her referral of a 21 month old BEAUTIFUL little girl in June 07 and traveled in Sept. 07. To Jiangxi no less!!
She is always happy to talk to anyone who has questions regarding the Waiting Child Program. So anyone with questions please ask away!
I had to give Maggie a picture of Abigail because she was carrying around a paper copy of her picture! Amy says Maggie is always looking at Abigail and carrys her picture around everywhere! Maggie is so darn cute and what a smile! Just perfect.

Loren's hair (bang area) has grown out enough (from her "do it yourself haircut") where I can easily put it all back in a ponytail. Which will be great in hot hot hot and humid Jiangxi...and I am sure, Guangzhou.



How do you spell S T R E S S ??

I sent Abigail's care package out last week. The "post office person" would not let me declare $0 on the form. She said that they (China) would not accept it. So I had to list what was in the box and give a $$ value. Now I am not sure if Abigail will get it.

Where are the Visas?? It will be 2 weeks since I sent them out.
I am starting to get a little nervous not hearing anything.
It just seems like everything is moving in S L O W. . . .M O T I O N

Abigail's Care Package

I finally got Abigail's care package together.
I am sending a blanket (the background), a soft cuddly doll, a teether/rattle, a disposable camera, a photo album and some tootsie rolls for the nannies!
The agency gave us preprinted pages of questions to ask the caregivers.
We just need to have the answers translated when we get home.
I have a friend Christina who will do that for me.
I hope that I get these back along with the camera. I don't care if they keep the blanket and toys.
Here are a few pics of her care package.


Christina was kind enough to write who was in the picture. Thanks so much Christina!
I know that Abigail is not going to understand any of it, but at least the nannies will.

Mother (Mama)and Big Sister


Big Sister and Grandmother


Big Sister and Grandfather


Family Dog Nick

Growth Update

I received an update on Abigail.
She is now 17.6 lbs. and 25.19 inches.
She is a good size! However I have been hearing that they weigh them with clothes on.
I figure I will bring 6-9 mo. clothes with me. Loren was 13 mos and 20 lbs. and she fit into a size 12 months.
I also got some information on her development and her daily schedule.
The care givers call her ShiShi.
It says she is a timid baby. She likes to listen to music and laugh! Sociable and bright. A playful and outgoing disposition.
Not sure where the timid comes into play.
She is fussy sometimes....aren't we all? : ) and feels closest to the caregivers.
They end the update by saying:
"Baby ShiShi, we truly wish you grow in the sun and grow up happily."

Now that brought tears.
Oh sweet ShiShi, Mommy can not wait to bring you home.

What a Day it Was!

I want to thank everyone for their kind and loving emails and comments!
I have read each and every one of them crying and laughing with you!

I have worked all weekend but wanted to post what my referral day was like.

First I have to say that I really thought I was going to hear on Monday.
I had no idea that a call would possibly come on Friday.
So.. I am off from work Friday and the Gas Co. had called to make an appt. to come and change my meter in the basement.
I made the appt. for the a.m between 8:30 and 11:30. I was told that they would call 15 min before they would come. I was carrying the phone around with me while making beds, washing clothes etc.
I looked at the time...9:30. I thought "I will vacuum really fast."
Put the phone down turned on the vacuum and away I went.
I am now in the living room. I happen to look up and see that there is a message in progress on my answering machine so I shut off the vacuum.
Just missed the message, now the 1 is flashing. Do I go over to the machine and press play? NO! I go get the phone because of course its the Gas Co. and I need to call them back and let them know that I am home.
I check the Caller ID for the number and I see China Adoption.
What? Oh God!! NO WAY!!
Do I play the message? NO! I run for my glasses to make sure that I actually saw the words China Adoption!
Oh God!! Oh No!! I am walking around the room repeating that! I even scared my Nickie Nick, he thought something was wrong!
FINALLY I run over to the answering machine and press Play.
"Hello Gail?" "This is S from China Adoption With Love" "Please call us when you can, we have a little one for you!" "Call us at ###-###-####"
I am crying, pacing, shaking. I had to play the message 3 times before I got the number right.
"Hello S?" "This is Gail"
"Oh, Hello Gail, can I call you back?" UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Sure!"
The longest 5 minutes in history. Finally the phone rings.
"Hi Gail, its L" "How are you?" (a total basket case)
"We have a little girl for you." "Her birthday is October 30 of last year"
I am writing this down not really paying attention to how old she is.
"When can you come in?" I tell L 4:30 because I want Loren to come.
After I hang up I realize that...I do not know her name or where she is from!
I now look at her birthdate and start counting on my fingers.
5 months. No. I count again. 5 months.
I call back CAWLI.
"Hi S, its Gail again. L said that her birthday was last year. Did she mean 2006?"
"Hang on let me check" "No, No it is 2007, you have a little one!"
Oh My God!!!!!

So much for the older parents getting the older children!
I still laugh about that morning. I must have looked like a total loon!

Now I carry her picture around with me, stare at her and so desperately want to have her home.
So worth the wait.

Introducing Abigail Mae Lu Shi

Chinese Name: Zhuang Lu Shi
Date of Birth 10/30/2007
Jiangxi Province
Yifeng SWI

Isn't she a cutie?
I cannot believe this day has arrived!
I am IN LOVE again!
I can't wait to scoop her up in my arms!

REFERRAL!!!!!!!!!!!

I just got a call from my agency.
I don't know too much.
She is from Jiangxi, Province
Her birthday is October 30, 2007!!
I have an appt at my agency at 4:30.
I will post later today!!!!!
Oh Praise God!!

FOR



EQUALS



Looks like Monday will be THE DAY!
The waiting never seems to end!! Unbelievable!!
Not really......VERY BELIEVABLE!
Waiting has been a big part of my life since June 2004 when I started this whole process! Why would I think anything would change now??