As for clothes, we're actually doing pretty good, I think. We could use more PJs for sure, as we've only got two pairs, and two fleece sleep sacks.
She's set for dresses: we have 4 long-sleeved dresses and 2 jumpers. We have three pants suits (long sleeves), one denim overall, four knit pants, four long-sleeved onsies, three short-sleeve onsies.
We also have three sets of coordinating separates in 18 month size for warm weather and a swimsuit. We have 7 bibs, a hat, three towels, two baby blankets, two sunglasses, a raincoat, a winter coat, and one pair of fleece booties.
The things we need the most, imo, are grooming/health products, bottles, and diapering supplies.
Oh, and nursery decor is completely done, except more crib sheets.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Planning packing
I went through the baby clothes yesterday and thanks to lucky guessing, I think we already have enough clothes to get us through China. The only thing I still lack are a pair of winter overpants and shoes. Since I don't know her shoe size I'm tempted to get some fleece slippers or something like that and take her shoe shopping in China.
I'm also wondering about travel toys -- I was planning on teething toys but she'll be past that. I'll need something without removable parts, easily portable/packable, interesting, and quiet (for the plane).
And my two big mystery areas: diapers and formula. My wonderful brother, Matthew, recommended Pull-Ups. Will those be available in China or should I pack plenty? As for formula, an American baby would be just about off of it, but I don't know about China. I suppose I'll ask the pediatrician.
I'm also wondering about travel toys -- I was planning on teething toys but she'll be past that. I'll need something without removable parts, easily portable/packable, interesting, and quiet (for the plane).
And my two big mystery areas: diapers and formula. My wonderful brother, Matthew, recommended Pull-Ups. Will those be available in China or should I pack plenty? As for formula, an American baby would be just about off of it, but I don't know about China. I suppose I'll ask the pediatrician.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
The stork has landed!
That wonderful phone call finally came this afternoon. Our beautiful baby girl was born on November 19, 2010.
She is in Gansu Province, which I'm told is in Central/Western China. She has spent part of her time in foster care and part at Wu Wei Social Welfare Institute. Her adorable pictures were taken on September 6th. Her measurement stats are 71 cm tall, 9 kg.
She is in Gansu Province, which I'm told is in Central/Western China. She has spent part of her time in foster care and part at Wu Wei Social Welfare Institute. Her adorable pictures were taken on September 6th. Her measurement stats are 71 cm tall, 9 kg.
Official
The official cutoff in the latest batch of referrals is August 7, 2006! That's our date!
However, there have been no phone calls reported. Either the packages have been mailed late or delayed by the Thanksgiving holiday. Hopefully I'll hear something soon. We've known since Thanksgiving morning that we should be in this group and for once the long holiday weekend was agonizing.
In a worst case scenario our paperwork was misfiled in China and our dossier will have to be relocated. Bad scenario, it was lost in the mail and we'll have to wait for China to resend it. Best case scenario, the folks at Gladney are translating for us and we'll hear from them as soon as they're done.
However, there have been no phone calls reported. Either the packages have been mailed late or delayed by the Thanksgiving holiday. Hopefully I'll hear something soon. We've known since Thanksgiving morning that we should be in this group and for once the long holiday weekend was agonizing.
In a worst case scenario our paperwork was misfiled in China and our dossier will have to be relocated. Bad scenario, it was lost in the mail and we'll have to wait for China to resend it. Best case scenario, the folks at Gladney are translating for us and we'll hear from them as soon as they're done.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
I heard a rumor ...
This has been a totally wild week for referral rumors. My hopes and emotions have been up high and down low. I'm sure that will continue. However, since today is a holiday, I'm going to let myself have faith in the dream if only for a little while.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Come on, rumors!
Several days ago a rumor surfaced that CCWA was preparing paperwork which usually signals the arrival of referrals about two weeks later. Today Rumor Queen confirmed we should see cut-off date rumors by the middle or end of next week. This puts matters on pace for a quick referral batch, which can, unfortunately mean a small number of days referred. But, if the batch is the same size as the last (which was punctual) then we should be in!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
NaNoWriMo
NaNoWriMo is short for National November Writing Month. This refers to a challenge for aspiring writers to begin and finish a novel within the month of November. The challenge has been around for quite some time, but this year I figured I'd give it a try. For one reason, I figured the challenge would give me something to focus on besides the adoption.
The other reason is also related to the adoption. My beloved publisher, Storm Constantine has said that we should each write the story that we always wanted to read but couldn't never find. This is excellent advice, but it has taken me years to think of a story that I haven't already read. The inspiration came from discussions on Rumor Queen's blog about how badly adoption and/or being an orphan is so prevalent in children's literature and also so badly handled. I decided to remedy that. I have undertaken to modernize a traditional fairy tale type story and treat adoption with the dignity it deserves. I also modified the basic plot of the first novel I imagined writing as an angsty tween.
The challenge dictates that writers pound out 50,000 words in November. Since my story is aimed at young adults, I suspect I can get it told in fewer. I also don't have any sincere expectation of finishing the project before my real life adoption comes through. But I am dedicated to starting the book and finishing it eventually because for the first time in years, the story is something I feel passionate about.
The other reason is also related to the adoption. My beloved publisher, Storm Constantine has said that we should each write the story that we always wanted to read but couldn't never find. This is excellent advice, but it has taken me years to think of a story that I haven't already read. The inspiration came from discussions on Rumor Queen's blog about how badly adoption and/or being an orphan is so prevalent in children's literature and also so badly handled. I decided to remedy that. I have undertaken to modernize a traditional fairy tale type story and treat adoption with the dignity it deserves. I also modified the basic plot of the first novel I imagined writing as an angsty tween.
The challenge dictates that writers pound out 50,000 words in November. Since my story is aimed at young adults, I suspect I can get it told in fewer. I also don't have any sincere expectation of finishing the project before my real life adoption comes through. But I am dedicated to starting the book and finishing it eventually because for the first time in years, the story is something I feel passionate about.
Referral Predictions
We are now approaching the climax of the roller coaster for waiting adoptive parents. The last batch of referrals arrived earlier than expected and included up to LiD Aug. 2nd. As always, the brilliant Rumor Queen looked at her poll data, statistics, and crunched the numbers. I am going to copy and paste some of the text directly below.
"My formula spit out August 7th [as the LiD the next batch will include up to] ...., but I came close to .... making it the 4th. That’s the difference between a Friday cut off and a Monday cut off, so not as big as it may sound. Last month I put the formula’s response of the 4th but said I came close to changing it to the 3rd. As it turns out, the cut off was the 2nd.
"The small window this month would have referrals arriving on or between Wednesday, November 23 and Monday, November 28. The big window is between Friday, November 18 and Friday, December 9."
The more conservative China Adoption Forecast predicts we will get our referral on December 2nd.
Either way my hopes are high for seeing our baby's face (in a photo) before Christmas. I can't wait to post her picture and share her information with everyone.
"My formula spit out August 7th [as the LiD the next batch will include up to] ...., but I came close to .... making it the 4th. That’s the difference between a Friday cut off and a Monday cut off, so not as big as it may sound. Last month I put the formula’s response of the 4th but said I came close to changing it to the 3rd. As it turns out, the cut off was the 2nd.
"The small window this month would have referrals arriving on or between Wednesday, November 23 and Monday, November 28. The big window is between Friday, November 18 and Friday, December 9."
The more conservative China Adoption Forecast predicts we will get our referral on December 2nd.
Either way my hopes are high for seeing our baby's face (in a photo) before Christmas. I can't wait to post her picture and share her information with everyone.
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