Yes, it came early this morning, the email stating our Article 5 has been picked up and we are now officially waiting for Travel Approval in 2-4 weeks! That means travel in 4-6 weeks. I cannot wait to hold my baby girl. Please keep her in your prayers as she has some BIG changes coming in her life that can appear really scary and hard for a little 2 year old's heart and mind.
Now, I feel like I can begin packing! I've been working on my list. I'll post the "official list" later!
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Interesting Article on Adoption
Adoption Article
I agree with a great deal of it, but still am not 100% sold on HAGUE. It is much more expensive, which makes it more financially difficult. In addition, in Utah they only allow 1 company to do home studies. The cost was more than 3 times as high and the person doing them, though we adore her, was not near as knowledgeable and I felt like many times I was teaching her how to do them. It was very frustrating, and I would never recommend the company she works for as an adoption agency because of it. Sadly, it was the only choice, though someone much more qualified with much more experience was told she could no longer do them. But, that's government regulation for you. I am grateful they are trying to keep the children as the center of focus!
I agree with a great deal of it, but still am not 100% sold on HAGUE. It is much more expensive, which makes it more financially difficult. In addition, in Utah they only allow 1 company to do home studies. The cost was more than 3 times as high and the person doing them, though we adore her, was not near as knowledgeable and I felt like many times I was teaching her how to do them. It was very frustrating, and I would never recommend the company she works for as an adoption agency because of it. Sadly, it was the only choice, though someone much more qualified with much more experience was told she could no longer do them. But, that's government regulation for you. I am grateful they are trying to keep the children as the center of focus!
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Tips and Tricks for Chinese Travel
As we are preparing for travel for our second little girl from China (from the same province!), I wanted to try to write down the tips and tricks that I remember so I don't forget during this crazy time.
First, don't forget to download a VPN (Virtual Private Network) BEFORE you go on your ipad, iphone, or pc (our favorite is Express VPN). This allows you to access your blog and the internet in China. You'll log into the VPN before logging into your browser. Thank you to those who blogged about it before we went to pick up our daughter 2 years ago....it was a life-saver and we were helping others try to download it while in China (what a pain).
Pack Light!!!! It is OK to wear the same clothes, their are laundry services, and it is easy to wash out a few light-weight things in the sink and hang them to dry. Makes it so much easier. Remember, you'll be hauling those suitcases and your little one around the airport. Bring coats that are compact and light if needed.
Bring some snacks for you and baby that are easily portable. You're on the go as well as you can get tired of all the "authentic" food, and just want something familiar (like dark chocolate). It is also good for baby and bonding.
Baby Einstein videos are great simple entertainment for any age with little or no words. Also, a few stack-able toys, balloons or beach balls that can be blown up to play with, etc. The halls of the hotel are excellent play areas as well!
Strollers are sold in China for about $20. Easier than lugging one around before you have your baby.
Go shopping in China...and not just where they take you on your tours. It is fun! A great experience! Even though they no longer have you stay at the White Swan, go to that island and shop. It is fun to heckle on prices! If you are getting a little girl, buy her a fresh water pearl necklace and earrings in Guangzhou to give her when she turns 16. Thank you, Flarey family, for that advice!
Tours can be crazy....don't feel like you have to do them all. They can be fun, but so can taking a nap with your new little miracle, or swimming at the hotel pool.
If you're flying out of Hong Kong, take the train from Guangzhou. We haven't tried it, but those who did loved it! If you can, spend an extra day in Hong Kong so the flight isn't so miserable home. Sleeping in the airport in Hong Kong is awful!
Sleeping pills are an excellent way to get some sleep the first two nights! What a lifesaver those were! Helps you more quickly adjust before gotcha day.
Disposable bibs are AWESOME! Don't need washing, can toss if they're dirty or re-use if clean. Highly recommend! As well as wet wipes in the bags and not the container. They're easier to pack and toss when empty.
I'm sure I'll be adding to the list as more comes to mind! I am so excited to be going back to China!
First, don't forget to download a VPN (Virtual Private Network) BEFORE you go on your ipad, iphone, or pc (our favorite is Express VPN). This allows you to access your blog and the internet in China. You'll log into the VPN before logging into your browser. Thank you to those who blogged about it before we went to pick up our daughter 2 years ago....it was a life-saver and we were helping others try to download it while in China (what a pain).
Pack Light!!!! It is OK to wear the same clothes, their are laundry services, and it is easy to wash out a few light-weight things in the sink and hang them to dry. Makes it so much easier. Remember, you'll be hauling those suitcases and your little one around the airport. Bring coats that are compact and light if needed.
Bring some snacks for you and baby that are easily portable. You're on the go as well as you can get tired of all the "authentic" food, and just want something familiar (like dark chocolate). It is also good for baby and bonding.
Baby Einstein videos are great simple entertainment for any age with little or no words. Also, a few stack-able toys, balloons or beach balls that can be blown up to play with, etc. The halls of the hotel are excellent play areas as well!
Strollers are sold in China for about $20. Easier than lugging one around before you have your baby.
Go shopping in China...and not just where they take you on your tours. It is fun! A great experience! Even though they no longer have you stay at the White Swan, go to that island and shop. It is fun to heckle on prices! If you are getting a little girl, buy her a fresh water pearl necklace and earrings in Guangzhou to give her when she turns 16. Thank you, Flarey family, for that advice!
Tours can be crazy....don't feel like you have to do them all. They can be fun, but so can taking a nap with your new little miracle, or swimming at the hotel pool.
If you're flying out of Hong Kong, take the train from Guangzhou. We haven't tried it, but those who did loved it! If you can, spend an extra day in Hong Kong so the flight isn't so miserable home. Sleeping in the airport in Hong Kong is awful!
Sleeping pills are an excellent way to get some sleep the first two nights! What a lifesaver those were! Helps you more quickly adjust before gotcha day.
Disposable bibs are AWESOME! Don't need washing, can toss if they're dirty or re-use if clean. Highly recommend! As well as wet wipes in the bags and not the container. They're easier to pack and toss when empty.
I'm sure I'll be adding to the list as more comes to mind! I am so excited to be going back to China!
NVC Letter Arrived
We are now into the 4-6 week wait for Travel Approval (or more, who knows). I am so excited to meet my little angel!!!! I pray for her daily, that her little heart and mind will be prepared for the scary day when she is given to us, the day we find joyful, and she will be comforted, and that God will be with her.
Friday, August 9, 2013
Update!!!!
We received a little miracle for Lizzie's birthday....an update on Ellie. She is absolutely beautiful! So excited to hold her! (If she'll let me) She's had a haircut, not my favorite, and a dress that is a little too small and shoes a little too big...so cute! She looks really good! Look at those big eyes and that perfect mouth. She is 30.86 lbs and 3 feet tall now. Yes, she is perfect!
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
LOA!!!!
Hurray! LOA, (Letter Seeking Confirmation of Adoption), has come from China and we, of course, checked that "YES, WE WILL ACCEPT THIS CHILD!" We signed it, sent it off with our I800, and now the 10-14 week wait begins. In the mean-time, we're frantically trying to raise the remainder of the money, fill out more paperwork, apply for our visas, make sure we are set on the name, and begin to prepare to travel to China. Her room is ready (she'll share with little sister Lizzie) and we have clothes, shoes, and most the other things to take with us for Ellie. I'm feeling overwhelmed, excited, anxious, and peace. I don't know how they exist together, but somehow they do!
Friday, April 5, 2013
Update from China
We received an update on April 2, 2013! Ellie (Sun Xin Jie) is growing so fast. She is beautiful! She is listed as healthy, which is a miracle after seeing her CT scans with hydrocephalus and a hematoma in the lower part of her occipital lobe. We'll still need to have an MRI done when she comes home, but it is a true miracle. Isn't she beautiful? We are excited to meet her!
Sun Xin Jie
3/28/2013
Update
| Age | Weight(kg) | Head(cm) | Chest(cm) | Height(cm) | Feet(cm) | Teeth | Health Status | |
| 2y2m | 14 | 52 | 51 | 88 | 13 | 16 | Healthy |
Medical/Development:
Her current health is good.
She can walk, run, jump and go up/down stairs.
She can say mama and baba.
She can use potty during the day time, but still
uses diaper at night.
She knows red.
Personality:
They call her Xin Jie.
She is shy, but smiles easily.
She likes rolling over when sleeping and sometimes
she likes lying on stomach.
General:
Her sleeping and diet schedule:
Sleeping time:
8:30pm-6:00am
Eating time: 7:30am,
12:00pm, 6:30pm
Nap time: 1:00-2:30pm
She eats congee, steamed bread, noodle.
She is in the orphanage
now.
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