Doin' the happy dance ...

We're doin' the happy dance here! We have our travel dates and are ready to roll! Stay tuned ...

Still waiting ...

Still no word from our agency on definite travel dates. It makes no sense - unless it's the "Less You Have To Do, The Less You Do" theory. Referrals are way down - so what the heck is everybody doing??

It's now more than 7 weeks since our referral. I'm following blogs of folks who received their referral the same day we did and are in China with their babies right now! When we traveled the first time, we were there and back 7 weeks after our referral. Is it China? Is it our agency? Is it the US Consulate?

I don't even know where to target my frustration, and it doesn't really matter. Right now, we're powerless to do anything about it. But watch out - I can't imagine it's good Karma keeping a baby from her mama!

New Birthday Pictures!

Happy Birthday, Yun Yi!

Today was Yun Yi's 1st birthday and this was the cake that we arranged to be sent to her through Ann at Red Thread China. The orphanage was kind enough to send a couple of pictures, including 1 of Yun Yi and her friends waiting for their share of cake. What a happy girl! She grows more beautiful with each passing day, don't you think?

Not much happening ...

There's not much going on right now. We have our Visas. Our I-600A extension was approved last week and an updated I-171H is on the way (ours expired 1/31/09). We're just waiting for our TA (Travel Approval). I'm not sure why it's taking so long. I know that a few of the families that received their referrals on the same day we received ours are leaving for China in 2 days. I'm happy for them, but feeling a bit sorry for myself.

Yun Yi's 1st birthday is tomorrow. I'm hoping her nannies will take lots of pictures of her with the birthday cake we've sent. Elizabeth came up with the idea of making "Fairy Cakes" tomorrow to celebrate her baby sister's birthday. Fairy cakes are pink cupcakes sprinkled with fairy-dust (or candy sprinkles, whichever you happen to have in your cupboard). She got the idea from Charlie & Lola and tells me Fairy Cakes are a must for a successful birthday party. So, she and Dada will be busy baking while Mama works. She's going to be a great big sister ...

Once there were two women ...

From the book: Motherbridge of Love
(Illustrated by Josee Masse)

Once there were two women
Who hardly knew each other
One you do not remember
The other you call mother
Two different lives shaped to make yours one
One becoming your guiding star
The other became your sun
The first gave you life
And the second taught you to live in it
The first gave you a need for love
And the second was there to give it
One gave you nationality
The other gave you a name
One gave you the seed of talent
The other gave you an aim
One gave you emotions
The other calmed your fears
One saw your first sweet smile
The other dried your tears
The age old questions through the years;
Heredity or environment -
which are you the product of?
Both my darling - both
And two different kinds of love!

New photos!

Just look at our beautiful girl! Ann (from Red Thread China) contacted Yun Yi's orphanage and was able to get us an update - pictures and all! She's now over 28 inches tall, weighs 16.5 lbs, and has 4 teeth. You can see her standing tall, something her sister was unable to do at that age. What wonderful caregivers she must have and what a difference it makes being at a Half-The-Sky Center!


We arranged for a care package to be sent to Yun Yi through Red Thread China (http://redthreadchina.com/). We sent her a soft pink musical teddy bear and a warm cuddly blanket, so that when we go to meet her next month she will have something familiar to bring with her and hold on to. We understand how stressful this will be for her and want to make the transition as smooth as possible. We also included some fine tea as well as candy and a cake for all of the staff and children to celebrate the New Year and Yun Yi's upcoming 1st birthday. We deeply appreciate all the love and care they've given Yun Yi this last year and are more grateful than can ever be expressed.


I have to say it again ... isn't she just the cutest little thing?!! Just love that Mohawk - Elizabeth thinks "it kind of looks like Mama's hair in the morning." And dang, if she isn't right!

Where is Mei Mei?

Mei Mei is waiting for us in Maoming, Guangdong, China. Coincidentally (if you believe in coincidence), it is right "next door" to Huazhou where her big sister spent the 1st year of her life. The two locations can easily be seen on the lower map (click to enlarge). It is about a "4-6 hour train ride" to Guangzhou, where we will likely be based. (Guangzhou is where the US Consulate is located.)

Introducing Mei Mei ...

Oh, so worth the wait ...

A stork sighting ... ?

Rumor has it that referrals are on their way for those with LIDs (log-in-dates) through 2/28/06. Our LID is 2/27/06. I probably shouldn't get my hopes up, but I just can't help it!

Fly stork fly!

We need your help ... NOW!

As most of you know, there are many hoops to jump through when you decide to adopt a child. Even more so, when you try to adopt internationally. Throw new rules and governmental bureaucracy into that process midstream, and you have a real mess.

We are now what is called a "transition" family. The process to adopt has taken so long that our I-171H may expire before we can complete the adoption. Up until now, all we would have had to do was refile an I-600A form with an updated homestudy - but things have changed with the Hague Convention rules. Although we should be "grandfathered" in, there is some question as to whether or not we can request another extension of the I-600A or if we have to file the new I-800A, which is a bit more complicated and taking 6 months for approval (and many are being denied).

It's even worse for other families who have just found out that their adoption agencies are not Hague-accredited (ours is - yea, New Life!). Those folks may actually have to start all over with a new agency, which essentially means they lose their place in line. Some may have already been waiting more than 2 years! They would also have to file under China's new restrictions, which came into effect in 2007 - we would no longer qualify on the basis of age. It's a complicated mess, but if you want to read more you can check out the JCICS's position at http://www.jcics.org/I600APosition.htm.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE! TAKE A MOMENT NOW TO SIGN THIS PETITION - Adoption for All: The Fairness for Families Petition
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/adoption-for-all.html

You will be helping not only adoptive parents but the waiting children as well. If you find you have the time and inclination to do more, try these 5 suggestions (http://www.jcics.org/5WaystoHelp.htm). BTW - in case we haven't told you lately, we are so grateful for (and appreciative of) all the love and support our family and friends have given us since we began our adoption journey over 5 years ago. We never could have imagined the rewards it would bring and I thank God everyday not only for Elizabeth, but for all of you who made it possible for us to become a family. You're the best!