Travel package received

Yesterday we received our travel package from our adoption agency. In the package we received our passports back safe and sound. It was a little nerve racking sending off our passports a couple of weeks ago. Your travel visa to China is actually afixed on one of the pages of your passports. So two weeks from now we will be in Beijing!

She's got mail...

Lily received her first piece of mail today! It was a box full of lovely gifts, two Asian dolls and three books. The inscriptions in the books made us cry. Thank you very much to brother J and his lovely wife S for the presents for Lily - so beautiful. Also a big thanks to the Abrahamson family, how kind of you to think of Lily, that book is so touching.

Today was a great day, we went to the airport and were part of a group welcoming home a couple from our city who adopted twin boys. What a sight to see the four of them together.

Before and After...

Can you believe it is the same chair? My beyond talented friend L re-upholstered my yard sale treasure. It is so beautiful. Check out the cute little monongrammed pillow. Sigh, I just love it. Now for those of you reading this blog that might not know me I have done more preparing for Lily than simply decorating her room, I just have to put that out there...we have researched bonding and attachment issues, a year or two of Mandarin classes, etc.

Last evening my co-workers threw me a surprise baby shower. I do feel very blessed to have such generous and kind friends. It actually is overwhelming to know so many people care and are so excited that Lily will be joining our family. She received some wonderful gifts and the cash will go towards the items we do not have yet such as an Ergo baby carrier and a car seat. I am so glad that I have gotten to share this adoption journey with such great folks. Lots of Love, N

Typical itinerary for adoption trip to China

I have had alot of folks ask about the trip to China. I love talking about it - here is what a typical trip to China for an adoption looks like:

Day 1
Arrive Beijing

Day 2
Depart Beijing en route to Nanchang, Jiangxi province. Receive Lily. :)

Day 3
Process adoption registration at Justice and Civil Affairs departments. Notarization of adoption documents - papers for Lily's passport to be processed.

Day 4
Official paperwork and sightseeing

Day 5
Free day to relax and sightsee

Day 6
Free day to relax and sightsee

Day 7
Receive Lily's passport. Return to Beijing

Day 8
Canadian Embassy for medicals

Day 9
Sightseeing and shopping (Great Wall, Tianenmen Square, Summer Palace) This day should be amazing!

Day 10
Apply for child's Visa at Canadian Embassy

Day 11
Sightseeing and shopping

Day 12
Canadian Embassy - pick up child's Visa

Day 13
Return to Canada. Overnight in Toronto.

Day 14 - Fly home

Here she is...

Introducing Lily. Seriously, what a sweetie. She is 14 months old. We received the call from the province at 9:00 a.m. on July 8th. My feet did not touch the floor for about 4 days.

We will travel to China on Friday, August 28th. We have already forgotten that it was such a long wait, our dearest wishes have come true. We are busy having fun finishing her room and dreaming of the day when we meet.

No update yet.

OK the waiting is sooo hard. We hope to hear about a referral soon.

I read this article a while back and someone had the link on their blog and thought what a great idea to post it, gives an interesting perspective on what an adopted child might be feeling when they meet their new families.

http://www.rainbowkids.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=418