I do think the same amount of planning goes into a shuttle launch as it takes for adoption. I'm sure their view from space is spectacular, but it can't even compare remotely to when we actually lay eyes on Will for the first time.
Here's what our trip will look like per our Travel Advisor, Nancy:
09/11 - Depart U.S.
09/12 - Arrive in Beijing
09/13 - Gotcha Day!
09/25 - Fly to Guangzhou in the morning
09/28 - Consulate appointment
09/29 - Pick up Will's visa
10/01 – Depart from Hong Kong
We'll be jet setting (with jet lag) through China for 20 days.
This is so exciting and scary all at the same time. Talk about an adventure!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
It's finally here...
What you ask - the TA!!! Got the call this afternoon that the TA for Will had arrived in today's package to GWCA and we are going to travel in September vs. October. On Sept. 11 to be specific and will have William on Sept. 13. Can you believe it? (Not only did we get our TA call but about two minutes after that my mom called to let us know that our two newest nieces - Kendall and Brooke just made their way into the world kicking and screaming - so congrats to my baby brother and sister-in-law, Eric and Jenn).
We are more than thrilled. We really thought we weren't going to be able to be with our son until October at the earliest and more than likely November so this is fantastic.
I was pretty calm when the call came in as I was in Lens Crafter's with Griffin getting his new glasses (yes another new pair - I can't even tell you how many he's had since he was one - 20, 25 maybe) and didn't want to seem like some crazy lady on the phone. We had just come back from picking Len up at the airport from his trip to TX so he got to hear the GREAT NEWS first hand.
It's been a great day. Now we wait to hear that our appt. with the US Consulate was approved for Sept. 29 and then we are firm and can book our flight out of Newark.
Once I know the specifics of the trip, I'll throw that up here so everyone can get an ideas of the what and when.
Thanks to everyone for the good wishes for a speedy TA and quick travel - think it worked. Now happy thoughts for our Consulate appointment.
We are more than thrilled. We really thought we weren't going to be able to be with our son until October at the earliest and more than likely November so this is fantastic.
I was pretty calm when the call came in as I was in Lens Crafter's with Griffin getting his new glasses (yes another new pair - I can't even tell you how many he's had since he was one - 20, 25 maybe) and didn't want to seem like some crazy lady on the phone. We had just come back from picking Len up at the airport from his trip to TX so he got to hear the GREAT NEWS first hand.
It's been a great day. Now we wait to hear that our appt. with the US Consulate was approved for Sept. 29 and then we are firm and can book our flight out of Newark.
Once I know the specifics of the trip, I'll throw that up here so everyone can get an ideas of the what and when.
Thanks to everyone for the good wishes for a speedy TA and quick travel - think it worked. Now happy thoughts for our Consulate appointment.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Travel Scenario...
Since we don't have our TA as of yet (day 22 on the TA count down) September travel is not likely. We we would have to have our Consulate appt. no later than 9/29 which at this time would leave only about a three week window before we would need to travel.
You see, October is a difficult month to travel to China for a variety of reasons that impact adoptions. So we've been advised that a November departure seems to be in our future. We were really hoping to have him home before his 2nd birthday so he and his dad can celebrate their big day together (Will and Len's birthday-11/13).
Why not October:
Reason One: National Holiday - the first week of October is the National Holiday - just about everything is closed in celebration, including government offices. Strike One.
Reason Two: Guangzhou Trade Fair (yep a tradeshow stands in my way - of all things. The tradeshow industry has been good to me for the past 17 years but now...). The trade fair, with an influx of tens of thousands of additional people into the city, takes place the last two weeks of October so flights, hotels, ground transportation, etc. is next to impossible to secure during this time. Guangzhou is where the US Consulate is and we can't take Will home without a stop there for the formalities. Strike Two
However, there is the possibility (and I emphasise possibility) that if our TA comes in within the next four weeks or less, that we could do the Beijing portion of our trip the last two weeks of Oct. (ex. depart 10/17 for Beijing) while the trade fair is running in Guangzhou and then fly there for our Consulate appt. on 11/3 and back home on 11/5. Now this possibility would require that all the stars aligned, everyone sang in harmony, pig's flying, etc. to make it happen, but... Wait, did I just see a flying pig whiz by my window :)? Here's hoping so!!
Hopefully our next post will be the BIG TA arrival announcement.
So...happy thoughts and fingers crossed from everyone for the TA to get here S~O~O~N.
You see, October is a difficult month to travel to China for a variety of reasons that impact adoptions. So we've been advised that a November departure seems to be in our future. We were really hoping to have him home before his 2nd birthday so he and his dad can celebrate their big day together (Will and Len's birthday-11/13).
Why not October:
Reason One: National Holiday - the first week of October is the National Holiday - just about everything is closed in celebration, including government offices. Strike One.
Reason Two: Guangzhou Trade Fair (yep a tradeshow stands in my way - of all things. The tradeshow industry has been good to me for the past 17 years but now...). The trade fair, with an influx of tens of thousands of additional people into the city, takes place the last two weeks of October so flights, hotels, ground transportation, etc. is next to impossible to secure during this time. Guangzhou is where the US Consulate is and we can't take Will home without a stop there for the formalities. Strike Two
However, there is the possibility (and I emphasise possibility) that if our TA comes in within the next four weeks or less, that we could do the Beijing portion of our trip the last two weeks of Oct. (ex. depart 10/17 for Beijing) while the trade fair is running in Guangzhou and then fly there for our Consulate appt. on 11/3 and back home on 11/5. Now this possibility would require that all the stars aligned, everyone sang in harmony, pig's flying, etc. to make it happen, but... Wait, did I just see a flying pig whiz by my window :)? Here's hoping so!!
Hopefully our next post will be the BIG TA arrival announcement.
So...happy thoughts and fingers crossed from everyone for the TA to get here S~O~O~N.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Updated I171 Received
We are happy to report that when we got home Sunday from the camper, our amended I171H from USCIS was waiting for us. We are now cleared by our Government to adopt a child that is classified special needs.
USCIS has already sent the Visa cable 37 to the American Consulate in Guangzhou with our SN inclusion so we shouldn't run into any issues when we get there to get Will through Immigration.
Need everyone to think good thoughts for the TA to get here soon!
USCIS has already sent the Visa cable 37 to the American Consulate in Guangzhou with our SN inclusion so we shouldn't run into any issues when we get there to get Will through Immigration.
Need everyone to think good thoughts for the TA to get here soon!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
A Special Group
We found that there is a Yahoo group out there specific to adopted children with limb differences and joined last night.
We've already "met" one family and they have given us some pointers and even a suggestion for a physician in Philadelphia (apparently this guy is the supreme limb Dr. out there and happens to be in our backyard). It turns out that this family used our same adoption agency to bring their daughter home.
At one point (In May before we asked to see his file!), they even put out the word to advocate for Will to other families in the group to adopt him before we found him. Thankfully no one beat us to him because he's our so everyone else step away from the baby ;)
I think this group will be a tremendous help to us since Will's special need is new to us and there are so many families who have been in our shoes before.
We've already "met" one family and they have given us some pointers and even a suggestion for a physician in Philadelphia (apparently this guy is the supreme limb Dr. out there and happens to be in our backyard). It turns out that this family used our same adoption agency to bring their daughter home.
At one point (In May before we asked to see his file!), they even put out the word to advocate for Will to other families in the group to adopt him before we found him. Thankfully no one beat us to him because he's our so everyone else step away from the baby ;)
I think this group will be a tremendous help to us since Will's special need is new to us and there are so many families who have been in our shoes before.
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