We leave in less than two days! And here's the basics of what we will be up to:
June 29: Leave United States; only about 16 hours of travel time
June 30: Arrive Beijing, China in afternoon
July 1: Great Wall at Ju Yong Guan and Summer Palace
July 2: Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, and Hutongs; Overnight train to Xi'an
July 3: Xi'an City Walls, Wild Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi History Museum
July 4: Terra Cotta Warriors and Muslim Quarter (shooping & food); fly to Chengdu in evening
July 5: GOTCHA DAY in Chengdu!! (Jack Yiyun joins us!)
July 6-9: Spend time together as a new family, adoption appointments, visit Chengdu Panda Base
July 9: Fly to Guangzhou late afternoon
July 10-14: Spend time together as a new family, adoption appointments, visit Chan Clan Academy and Five Rams Park; evening cruise on Pearl River
July 15: Fly home to United States
Showing posts with label Adoption Status. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adoption Status. Show all posts
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Consulate Appointment and Travel Dates!
Our U.S. Consulate appointment is confirmed for July 12!
We will begin our travel to China on June 29!
Expecting to return on July 15!
-- with our son in our arms!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
We got our USCIS updated approval today!
What more can I say? How about we expect to travel by the end of the month. I should have confirmation by the end of this week.
Hurray!!!
Hurray!!!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Travel Approval received!
Margaret was right on with her comment on the last posting: we received travel approval ("TA") from China today!
We are still waiting on the updated approval from the USCIS.
Our agency said that IF we had the USCIS approval at this time, we would have probably traveled around June 8 - DH's birthday! We are hoping to travel mid-June... stay tuned!
We are still waiting on the updated approval from the USCIS.
Our agency said that IF we had the USCIS approval at this time, we would have probably traveled around June 8 - DH's birthday! We are hoping to travel mid-June... stay tuned!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Still no news
There is still no news on when we might travel. The Norfolk USCIS office said today that our case is currently with the Adjudications Officers for final review.
Yesterday we mailed a package to Yiyun at the Chengdu Children's Welfare Institute. We enclosed two photo albums with pictures of Chris and me, the dogs, and some rooms in the house; two stuffed animals; and disposable cameras so that hopefully they will take pictures of him and then give the cameras to us for developing.
Yesterday we mailed a package to Yiyun at the Chengdu Children's Welfare Institute. We enclosed two photo albums with pictures of Chris and me, the dogs, and some rooms in the house; two stuffed animals; and disposable cameras so that hopefully they will take pictures of him and then give the cameras to us for developing.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
We have a crib!!
Zoinks!
When I came home last night, one of Chris's coworkers was here. I was told that he helped Chris take the futon out of the room to be Yiyun's and bring it downstairs -- which they did. But after 5 minutes of being home and not going upstairs like I usually do, Chris had to yell at me (sailor expletives have been edited out), "Oh fer crying out loud! Would you just go upstairs and look in his room!"
We have a crib in our house!
When I came home last night, one of Chris's coworkers was here. I was told that he helped Chris take the futon out of the room to be Yiyun's and bring it downstairs -- which they did. But after 5 minutes of being home and not going upstairs like I usually do, Chris had to yell at me (sailor expletives have been edited out), "Oh fer crying out loud! Would you just go upstairs and look in his room!"
We have a crib in our house!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Letter of Approval and Visa applications
My DH took our home study update materials, our signed letter that we are seeking to adopt Yiyun and our visa applications to FedEx on Saturday (yep, I'm worthless at filling out mailing labels), and our adoption agency received them today!
Now we wait for our agency to update the home study report based on all the information we sent them. They tell us they are going to make it a priority! They will send the report to us and then... well, I'll tell you what the next step is when it's time!
Here's black and white copy of the red seal on the letter sent to us by China!
Now we wait for our agency to update the home study report based on all the information we sent them. They tell us they are going to make it a priority! They will send the report to us and then... well, I'll tell you what the next step is when it's time!
Here's black and white copy of the red seal on the letter sent to us by China!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Ladybug
Ladybugs are apparently the unofficial symbol of adopting from China. When you sight a ladybug, it's supposedly indicates the referral of your child is close at hand.
Well...
When in PA this weekend, and transferring a bunch of baby/kiddo stuff from my niece's and nephew's truck to DH's truck, a ladybug landed on my sunglasses. So putting aside that I'm absolutely THRILLED that finally I am getting hand-me-downs, here's this sign.
And...
Voila! Today we were notified that the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) has sent our adoption agency the "Letter of Seeking Confirmation from Adopter" (aka the Letter of Approval). I'll write more once we have the letter in hand.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Another step completed
Home study update interview with our lovely social worker: Done!
Estimates are that it will take somewhere around a month for our agency to update the home study, send it to the USCIS office, and to have it go through USCIS approval. After that, China will be notified that we are re-approved to adopt.
I have taped a picture of Yiyun to my computer monitor. Is he talking to me? Is he saying, "Mama, Baba, come get me!"?
Estimates are that it will take somewhere around a month for our agency to update the home study, send it to the USCIS office, and to have it go through USCIS approval. After that, China will be notified that we are re-approved to adopt.
I have taped a picture of Yiyun to my computer monitor. Is he talking to me? Is he saying, "Mama, Baba, come get me!"?
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Surprise!
It's a Boy!
Our sweet little boy, Yiyun, is currently 17 months old. His birthday is October 11, 2008 - the date in between my dad's and mom's birthdays!
A local pediatrician who specializes in international adoption reviewed all of Yiyun's files from China and gave him a quite glowing evaluation. At nine months of age, he was crawling fast - particularly towards food - and knew his name when called. He was described as active, having a ready smile, and -- shocking! -- fond of playing with toys (just like his daddy).
He is living in Chengdu which is the capital of Sichuan province. Sichuan is located in south central China at about the same latitude as Savannah, GA. Ahhh, Sichuan... spicy food! And the Wolong Nature Reserve, home to the China Research and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda is nearby.
At nine months old, Yiyun weighed 19 lbs and was nearly 28 inches tall. We are super-duper anxious to receive updated information, such as his height, weight, pictures of him, and what he's doing. Often the adoptive parents will receive updated information once they start the process of adopting.
So where are we now in the adoption process? On March 16, our pre-application to adopt Yiyun was emailed to the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA). On March 18, the CCAA emailed our agency stating our application (sent in June of 2006) was being sent into the waiting children adoption process. Now we need to update our study because (1) we had moved since the last home study and (2) we need to have our agency state we are approved to adopt a child with a special need.
The home study update - which is required in order to update our US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) paperwork to bring Yiyun home as our son, as a US citizen - requires updated background checks, a meeting with our adoption agency social worker, and updated medicals. I got six needles yesterday for a total of 10 vaccinations and two tests; some were for the home study update and some were in preparation to travel to China. Chris only needed two shots! Our social worker comes on Wednesday. I estimate our updated home study would be on file with the USCIS no later than the end of April giving the thumb's up to China that we are good to go on the US side of things.
When would we travel? Not sure, but I would guess within four months!
And here's our sweetie at 9 months!
Our sweet little boy, Yiyun, is currently 17 months old. His birthday is October 11, 2008 - the date in between my dad's and mom's birthdays!
A local pediatrician who specializes in international adoption reviewed all of Yiyun's files from China and gave him a quite glowing evaluation. At nine months of age, he was crawling fast - particularly towards food - and knew his name when called. He was described as active, having a ready smile, and -- shocking! -- fond of playing with toys (just like his daddy).
He is living in Chengdu which is the capital of Sichuan province. Sichuan is located in south central China at about the same latitude as Savannah, GA. Ahhh, Sichuan... spicy food! And the Wolong Nature Reserve, home to the China Research and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda is nearby.
At nine months old, Yiyun weighed 19 lbs and was nearly 28 inches tall. We are super-duper anxious to receive updated information, such as his height, weight, pictures of him, and what he's doing. Often the adoptive parents will receive updated information once they start the process of adopting.
So where are we now in the adoption process? On March 16, our pre-application to adopt Yiyun was emailed to the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA). On March 18, the CCAA emailed our agency stating our application (sent in June of 2006) was being sent into the waiting children adoption process. Now we need to update our study because (1) we had moved since the last home study and (2) we need to have our agency state we are approved to adopt a child with a special need.
The home study update - which is required in order to update our US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) paperwork to bring Yiyun home as our son, as a US citizen - requires updated background checks, a meeting with our adoption agency social worker, and updated medicals. I got six needles yesterday for a total of 10 vaccinations and two tests; some were for the home study update and some were in preparation to travel to China. Chris only needed two shots! Our social worker comes on Wednesday. I estimate our updated home study would be on file with the USCIS no later than the end of April giving the thumb's up to China that we are good to go on the US side of things.
When would we travel? Not sure, but I would guess within four months!
And here's our sweetie at 9 months!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Adoption Status Update
The latest batch of referrals from the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) was for families whose applications were received April 6 through 11, 2006 (8th and 9th were weekend days). I estimate the next batch to cover up through April 17.
Friday, February 26, 2010
With Much Sadness
DH's father passed away unexpectedly the day I wrote the last post. We thank everyone for all their kind words and thoughts at such a very, very sad time.
Two days ago, our agency called us to tell us that CCAA had pulled the files of those two boys off of our agency's list. They pulled the files because they had been with our agency for over 5 months without official word of any interest in them from any families. It's a new thing the CCAA is doing, probably with the intent to get those children exposed to other families looking to adopt.
China's adoption system is government-run. We have no idea where the boys are in the system now. Maybe their files will be sent to some other agency, or maybe they will show up on the next release of the "Shared" list (vs. agency list). Either way, we are thinking about what our next steps might be.
Two days ago, our agency called us to tell us that CCAA had pulled the files of those two boys off of our agency's list. They pulled the files because they had been with our agency for over 5 months without official word of any interest in them from any families. It's a new thing the CCAA is doing, probably with the intent to get those children exposed to other families looking to adopt.
China's adoption system is government-run. We have no idea where the boys are in the system now. Maybe their files will be sent to some other agency, or maybe they will show up on the next release of the "Shared" list (vs. agency list). Either way, we are thinking about what our next steps might be.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
We are having files on two boys reviewed
There are two boys on our agency's Waiting Children (in China) list that we are interested in learning more about. Tomorrow we are going to a pediatrician that specializes in international adoption. The doctor will evaluate the medical and developmental files and 3 photos of each child.
This is exciting. And, of course, a bit scary. But mostly exciting.
This is exciting. And, of course, a bit scary. But mostly exciting.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Adoption Status Update
The latest batch of referrals from the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) was for families whose applications were received April 4 and 5, 2006. Another small batch. NO, WAIT - another small batch in terms of number of days, but apparently a relatively large amount of children and parents were matched within this batch. Estimates are for for the next batch to cover up to near April 11.
We are looking into China's special needs/waiting children program. Maybe a little boy is in our future?!?
We are looking into China's special needs/waiting children program. Maybe a little boy is in our future?!?
Monday, December 28, 2009
Adoption Status Update
The latest batch of referrals from the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) was for families whose applications were received April 1 through 3, 2006. That's a smaller than predicted batch. :(
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Number of China Adoptions Continue to Decrease
According the US Department of State's newly released numbers on adoptions to the United States, the number of adoptions from China decreased from 3,911 in FY 2008 to 3,001 in FY 2009; that's a decrease of about 23%. There's been a 62% decrease in the number of adoptions from China to the United States since FY 2005. I posted about previous numbers in this post.
What the State Department's numbers don't show is that the number of "special needs" (SN) children being adopted has significantly increased. Many SN children have very correctable and minor needs that can easily be corrected or or have already been corrected through surgery or treatment like cleft lip and/or palate, heart defects, birthmarks, missing fingers or toes, limb differences, droopy eyelids, etc. There's a chance we may see how we fit into SN program in the new year... the wait is potentially shorter.
Still waiting on the next batch of referrals...hopefully some info surfaces during the first week of January.
What the State Department's numbers don't show is that the number of "special needs" (SN) children being adopted has significantly increased. Many SN children have very correctable and minor needs that can easily be corrected or or have already been corrected through surgery or treatment like cleft lip and/or palate, heart defects, birthmarks, missing fingers or toes, limb differences, droopy eyelids, etc. There's a chance we may see how we fit into SN program in the new year... the wait is potentially shorter.
Still waiting on the next batch of referrals...hopefully some info surfaces during the first week of January.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Adoption Status Update
The latest batch of referrals from the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) appears to have matched babies with families whose applications were received March 29 through 31, 2006. It took 10 months to provide referrals for applications received in March of 2006. Now... onto April of 2006, which I hope will not take more than six months to get through.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Adoption Status Update
The latest batch of referrals from the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) appears to have matched babies with families whose applications were received March 25 through 28, 2006; March 25 and 26 were weekend days. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, there were apparently a lot of applications logged in on the 27 and 28, so I am not too discouraged. I am predicting the next batch will match through April 1... and wishing it would cover through April 3. We'll see!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Adoption Status Update
The latest batch of referrals (processed during August) from the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) appears to have matched babies with families whose applications were received March 23 and 24, 2006. As I mentioned earlier, there were apparently a lot of applications logged in those days, so I am not discouraged.
There appears to be a lot of applications logged in on March 27, 28, and 29, so next month I am expecting (really hoping that) the batch will cover 4 days -- the 25th through the 28th. After all, March 25 and 26 were weekend days!
There appears to be a lot of applications logged in on March 27, 28, and 29, so next month I am expecting (really hoping that) the batch will cover 4 days -- the 25th through the 28th. After all, March 25 and 26 were weekend days!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Adoption Status Update
The latest batch of referrals (processed during June/July) from the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) appears to have matched babies with families whose applications were received March 21 and 22, 2006. There were apparently a lot of applications logged in those days.
I've been eyeballing some polls on prospective adoptive parents' log-in-dates (PAP LIDs), and I'm going to venture to guess that the next batch of referrals will cover 3 days, and that the third batch from now (in October or November) will finally close out the March 2006 dates. Once they get to the April applications, I expect the days should pass a little more quickly.
I've been eyeballing some polls on prospective adoptive parents' log-in-dates (PAP LIDs), and I'm going to venture to guess that the next batch of referrals will cover 3 days, and that the third batch from now (in October or November) will finally close out the March 2006 dates. Once they get to the April applications, I expect the days should pass a little more quickly.
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