Tuesday, June 7, 2011
LID
I was so happy to wake up with an email from our coordinator informing us that we finally have an LID of 6/7/11. This is about a month later than I expected it, but at this point I'm just happy to be logged into the system. We now wait for our LOA, which is the official paperwork from China saying they have approved us to be Sprout's parents. The average wait for LOA right now is 30-60 days. The program allowing us to reuse our dossier seems like a total mess at this point so I'm going to go ahead and expect a 60+ day wait. I was praying for September travel, but now I'll be happy to have her home by Thanksgiving. No worries though; it is what it is and it is out of our hands. We will be thrilled whenever it is she joins our family. In the meantime, tomorrow is the last day of school for Chipmunk and Monkey so our summer fun can officially begin!!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
A Bittersweet Surprise
While the wait for LID is still dragging on, I was thrilled to see a new message in my inbox. There is a family in Shanghai this week that is adopting a little boy from Sprout's orphanage. They were able to visit the orphanage and check on some of the children with families that are waiting. Sprout is in a different room than their new son, so I was just hoping that they were able to catch a quick glimpse of her and let me know how she looks. Imagine my surprise when I found four new pictures of our little sweetheart, along with two quick video clips!! I always love getting updated pictures of our little girl but the video brought an entirely new level of happiness. Seeing her waving at the camera and saying Mama brought tears to my eyes. After struggling during this looooong wait for an LID, the video was a great reminder that there is a beautiful little girl waiting for her mom and dad. However, it is a little bittersweet to receive new updates on her, as we can see her growing up without us there. Everyday we miss new milestones; everyday she becomes more of toddler and less of a baby; everyday she misses the love and attention that her family is anxious to share with her. The wait is so hard but so worth it. 
Monday, May 23, 2011
Pity Party
I just heard from our coordinator that we still haven't been assigned an LID (our documents logged into the system). We were DTC (the date we sent all of our documents to China) on 4/29 and it usually takes about two weeks to get an LID. Not in our case. Evidently it is taking longer since they have to copy all of the documents from our previous dossier. Sigh...
This isn't a huge deal but it is disappointing. It seems as though everything in this adoption is taking a few weeks longer than it should. This is the part of the adoption process that drives me crazy. We have done everything required and now we have to wait for the various governments to do their part. I can't stand the fact that Sprout is halfway across the world waiting for us and there isn't a single thing we can do to make it go any quicker.
We still have no idea when we'll be traveling; that is all dependent on how longs it takes to get our LOA. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for September travel but it might be late September at this point. My head knows that would be great as we are leaning towards taking Chipmunk with us and that timeframe would fall during his fall break. But my heart just wants to hop on the next plane and hold Sprout in my arms as soon as possible.
And the adoption roller-coaster continues...
This isn't a huge deal but it is disappointing. It seems as though everything in this adoption is taking a few weeks longer than it should. This is the part of the adoption process that drives me crazy. We have done everything required and now we have to wait for the various governments to do their part. I can't stand the fact that Sprout is halfway across the world waiting for us and there isn't a single thing we can do to make it go any quicker.
We still have no idea when we'll be traveling; that is all dependent on how longs it takes to get our LOA. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for September travel but it might be late September at this point. My head knows that would be great as we are leaning towards taking Chipmunk with us and that timeframe would fall during his fall break. But my heart just wants to hop on the next plane and hold Sprout in my arms as soon as possible.
And the adoption roller-coaster continues...
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Progress!
I am SO happy to say that we received our I800a approval (US immigration approval) last Saturday and that, as of tomorrow, the last piece of our paperwork will be on its way to China! Woohoo! I am so relieved that our portion of paperwork is finished. Now we begin the wait for LOA. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the rest of the process moves quickly and we will be traveling to pick up our little Sprout sometime in September.
I can't think of a better way to celebrate this little milestone than heading to sunny Key West for a week. After non-stop rain/thunderstorms/tornadoes over the past week, a little fun in the sun will be paradise. Did I mention that the kids aren't going?!?! Yes, Stu and I will on our first kid-free vacation since 2003! I know I'll miss the kids but lounging by the pool, napping, reading and having grown-up conversations and beverages sounds like a little piece of heaven.
I can't think of a better way to celebrate this little milestone than heading to sunny Key West for a week. After non-stop rain/thunderstorms/tornadoes over the past week, a little fun in the sun will be paradise. Did I mention that the kids aren't going?!?! Yes, Stu and I will on our first kid-free vacation since 2003! I know I'll miss the kids but lounging by the pool, napping, reading and having grown-up conversations and beverages sounds like a little piece of heaven.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
The Tooth Fairy
Our household has had a couple of visits by the Tooth Fairy this week. I expected one visit as Monkey has had a loose tooth for the past several weeks; but I never thought that the Tooth Fairy would be visiting my three-year-old!
Last Tuesday Pudding woke up from nap crying and pointing at his mouth. For him to wake up upset is unusual but once he refused to eat/drink I knew there was something really wrong with him. He managed to eat a little bit of rice later in the evening but I could tell he was still uncomfortable and his bottom teeth were bothering him. Bright and early the next morning we made a stop at our regular dentist. Pudding is still terrified of doctors (not that I blame him after his past experiences with heart surgery/tonsillectomy) but I was hoping that Pudding would feel comfortable since Stu's Crazy Aunt Carolyn works there. No surprise, however, that he wouldn't let them anywhere near his mouth. So off to a specialized pediatric dentist we went. I was keeping my fingers crossed that this appointment would be a little easier since they are geared towards working with children. No such luck. He flipped out the second we walked and I could see the terror in his little eyes. I had to hold him down while they took x-rays and the dentist took a quick peek at his teeth. Pudding kept reaching for me to rescue him and I felt so guilty that I couldn't help. I was shocked when the dentist told me that both of his bottom middle teeth needed to come out. I decided to go ahead and have it done then and there since I couldn't imagine bringing him back and putting him through this experience again. Luckily they gave him some medicine that made him groggy and he didn't seem too upset when they took him from my arms to perform the extractions. When they brought him back to me, he was hysterical. He kept pulling at his mouth (the numbness was really bothering him) and blood was everywhere. I was holding back tears as I tried to comfort him; I was literally sick to my stomach with guilt...not that I could have changed anything but it was just another traumatic experience at a doctor's office for him. My poor baby. Thankfully he feel asleep on the way home and woke up in a great mood with no problems at all with the teeth (or lack thereof). Since then he comes up about 5 or 6 times a day and asks "Where's the teeth? Bye bye teeth!" And while he has a big gaping hole in his smile, he is still as cute as ever.
Not to be outdone by his little brother, Monkey immediately started wiggling his loose teeth every second he could. He tried eating apples and even asked for string so he could wrap it around his tooth and a doorknob. I jokingly told him I would use the pliers to pull it and he actually considered it for a minute. After countless tries and wiggles, his grandmother was able to yank it out on Saturday. He was so proud! But then came his big dilemma: He was spending the night with his grandparents and was concerned that the Tooth Fairy wouldn't know where to find him. We were quick to reassure him that the Tooth Fairy is magical and she would know exactly where he was. Chipmunk was still worried that the Tooth Fairy would get confused so he wrote the sweetest note letting the Tooth Fairy know that Monkey wasn't there and providing her with the address where he (and his tooth) was. He made sure to leave it on Monkey's pillow just to be safe. So sweet. I love it that they have each other's back and look out for their siblings. I need to keep reminding myself of that amongst all of the chaos and noise. Despite all of the yelling and fighting, they really do love each other.
Last Tuesday Pudding woke up from nap crying and pointing at his mouth. For him to wake up upset is unusual but once he refused to eat/drink I knew there was something really wrong with him. He managed to eat a little bit of rice later in the evening but I could tell he was still uncomfortable and his bottom teeth were bothering him. Bright and early the next morning we made a stop at our regular dentist. Pudding is still terrified of doctors (not that I blame him after his past experiences with heart surgery/tonsillectomy) but I was hoping that Pudding would feel comfortable since Stu's Crazy Aunt Carolyn works there. No surprise, however, that he wouldn't let them anywhere near his mouth. So off to a specialized pediatric dentist we went. I was keeping my fingers crossed that this appointment would be a little easier since they are geared towards working with children. No such luck. He flipped out the second we walked and I could see the terror in his little eyes. I had to hold him down while they took x-rays and the dentist took a quick peek at his teeth. Pudding kept reaching for me to rescue him and I felt so guilty that I couldn't help. I was shocked when the dentist told me that both of his bottom middle teeth needed to come out. I decided to go ahead and have it done then and there since I couldn't imagine bringing him back and putting him through this experience again. Luckily they gave him some medicine that made him groggy and he didn't seem too upset when they took him from my arms to perform the extractions. When they brought him back to me, he was hysterical. He kept pulling at his mouth (the numbness was really bothering him) and blood was everywhere. I was holding back tears as I tried to comfort him; I was literally sick to my stomach with guilt...not that I could have changed anything but it was just another traumatic experience at a doctor's office for him. My poor baby. Thankfully he feel asleep on the way home and woke up in a great mood with no problems at all with the teeth (or lack thereof). Since then he comes up about 5 or 6 times a day and asks "Where's the teeth? Bye bye teeth!" And while he has a big gaping hole in his smile, he is still as cute as ever.
Not to be outdone by his little brother, Monkey immediately started wiggling his loose teeth every second he could. He tried eating apples and even asked for string so he could wrap it around his tooth and a doorknob. I jokingly told him I would use the pliers to pull it and he actually considered it for a minute. After countless tries and wiggles, his grandmother was able to yank it out on Saturday. He was so proud! But then came his big dilemma: He was spending the night with his grandparents and was concerned that the Tooth Fairy wouldn't know where to find him. We were quick to reassure him that the Tooth Fairy is magical and she would know exactly where he was. Chipmunk was still worried that the Tooth Fairy would get confused so he wrote the sweetest note letting the Tooth Fairy know that Monkey wasn't there and providing her with the address where he (and his tooth) was. He made sure to leave it on Monkey's pillow just to be safe. So sweet. I love it that they have each other's back and look out for their siblings. I need to keep reminding myself of that amongst all of the chaos and noise. Despite all of the yelling and fighting, they really do love each other.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Sprout Update!
The week just keeps getting better. Birthday celebrations, gorgeous weather and now an update on our little Sprout!
I sent a small care package to Sprout last week through Sheri and Katherine at Gifts to China With Love. I tried not to get my hopes up that we would receive any new information on Sprout, as I know her orphanage tends to be a bit closed-mouth. But Katherine worked her magic and yesterday I had new pictures and an update in my inbox!! I was thrilled to see new pictures of our little sweetheart but I was even happier to get new information on her since the referral information is more than six months old. I'm relieved that it sounds like she is doing fantastic. According to the report she is very smart, can say some words but prefers not to talk, is not introverted but not very outgoing, prefers to help the nannies take care of the other children, and is a very good eater. her personality sounds identical to HD - I have a feeling they are either going to be best friends or are going despise each other. I suppose time will tell. Sprout is still a little peanut (probably due her thyroid issue along with orphanage living); at just a little bit over 2-years-old, she is a tiny 22 pounds. Looks like she'll have some catching up to do when she gets home. Speaking of which, while I was keeping my fingers crossed for August travel it is looking more and more like it will be September. We are still waiting for US immigration approval; while it looks like they are speeding up a little bit, it is still much slower than it was during Pudding's adoption. Of course I would be on the next plane out to get her if possible, but I know this is out of my hands. In the meantime we are taking advantage of the spring weather and hitting up the zoo and parks, taking long bike/stroller rides and beginning soccer season. Next week the Bigs and I are heading to Florida for a spring break trip. We will miss Pudding and HD (and Stu too) but I think Monkey and Chipmunk deserve a little one-on-two time with Mommy. They are so good and patient with the Littles; I can't wait to focus all of my attention on them for a change. Honestly, not changing a diaper for more than a week and not having my schedule revolve around the naptimes of toddlers sounds like a little bit of heaven.
Without further ado, here is our newest little love...she is absolutely adorable (despite the horrible haircut). I can't wait to get her in my arms!
I sent a small care package to Sprout last week through Sheri and Katherine at Gifts to China With Love. I tried not to get my hopes up that we would receive any new information on Sprout, as I know her orphanage tends to be a bit closed-mouth. But Katherine worked her magic and yesterday I had new pictures and an update in my inbox!! I was thrilled to see new pictures of our little sweetheart but I was even happier to get new information on her since the referral information is more than six months old. I'm relieved that it sounds like she is doing fantastic. According to the report she is very smart, can say some words but prefers not to talk, is not introverted but not very outgoing, prefers to help the nannies take care of the other children, and is a very good eater. her personality sounds identical to HD - I have a feeling they are either going to be best friends or are going despise each other. I suppose time will tell. Sprout is still a little peanut (probably due her thyroid issue along with orphanage living); at just a little bit over 2-years-old, she is a tiny 22 pounds. Looks like she'll have some catching up to do when she gets home. Speaking of which, while I was keeping my fingers crossed for August travel it is looking more and more like it will be September. We are still waiting for US immigration approval; while it looks like they are speeding up a little bit, it is still much slower than it was during Pudding's adoption. Of course I would be on the next plane out to get her if possible, but I know this is out of my hands. In the meantime we are taking advantage of the spring weather and hitting up the zoo and parks, taking long bike/stroller rides and beginning soccer season. Next week the Bigs and I are heading to Florida for a spring break trip. We will miss Pudding and HD (and Stu too) but I think Monkey and Chipmunk deserve a little one-on-two time with Mommy. They are so good and patient with the Littles; I can't wait to focus all of my attention on them for a change. Honestly, not changing a diaper for more than a week and not having my schedule revolve around the naptimes of toddlers sounds like a little bit of heaven.
Without further ado, here is our newest little love...she is absolutely adorable (despite the horrible haircut). I can't wait to get her in my arms!
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