We Got a Camera...and "Climbed Out of Our Cave"!!

Meggie and I went shopping this evening...unfortunately, I missed choir practice because of it...and purchased (among other things) a Canon digital camera! Also, since our printer is slowly dying -- and based on my friend Gina's recommendation -- we ended up getting an All-In-One printer/copier/scanner. We are so high-tech, I can't even stand it!! We also found the power cord adapters required for the power ports on the airplane. Figuring that a 19+ hour flight is gonna challenge even the calmest person, we're hoping the laptop and DVD players will help keep all of us occupied for the international portions of our travels! (One more thing to check off the to-do list...)

Meggie is so proud of us, claiming it was about time we "climbed out of our cave"!! Kids...

We Have a Travel Group!

We have been assigned a Travel Group Number...1261! While we're still a group of just us at this point, that very well could change over the next 27 days if more TAs are issued by China. On CCAI's website, there is a section called the Parent Access page, which shows all of the official dates and information regarding the adoption. It is so WEIRD to see our Parent Access page almost completely filled in!! Weird, but great.

Monday we'll be sending our travel prepayment fee to CCAI. This will cover our in-China lodging and flights and is really VERY reasonable for two weeks in hotels and three separate flights! Thursday morning we'll be having our final travel call with CCAI...I hear Josh (the founder of CCAI) is often part of this phone call. The purpose of the final travel call is to answer any of our last minute questions and make sure all our finalized plans are complete and error-free. Looking forward to that call, lemme tell ya!!

This is Travel Group 1261, signing off for now...

Checking Things Off the List...

Last night, we got the final Travel Packet from CCAI. In it, we received our complete itinerary, finalized in-China costs (for hotels and flights within China), and TONS of great advice!

Since we're down to 28 days 'til travel (YIKES!), we're getting serious about accomplishing goals. In the past two days...

...Kevin installed Carson's closet organizer and is in the process of painting the new closet doors. (Now to wash and organize all the clothes...)
...We got confirmation that our brand new money has been ordered and should arrive in 10 business days.
...We scheduled Carson's first appointment with the pediatrician for November 13th, where he'll have a complete physical. At that appointment, he'll have blood drawn to be sure the immunizations he's received in China have adequately protected him. (Then we'll probably need to schedule ANOTHER appointment to give him boosters where he's deficient...)
...We scheduled Carson's first appointment with the Orthopedic Clinic at Children's Hospital for November 23rd, where he will get a full evaluation of the extent of his orthopedic issues. (After that, we'll be able to set him up with whatever interventions -- surgery, physical therapy, occupational therapy -- he'll need to achieve maximum function.)
...Kevin and I are going shopping tomorrow night to look for a digital camera! (And it wasn't as difficult to convince him as I thought it would be!)Many, many, many thanks to Chelsie for the advice that I should get Carson's appointments scheduled early and not wait 'til we get back. The Orthopedic Clinic initially told me the first appointment they had was December 7th! When I called back and told them I was open to any location (the Ortho Clinic has multiple satellite locations) and a different doctor than I had originally requested, they found the November 23rd appointment. And today is September 28th!!!!

I've said it before and I'll say it again...I don't know HOW people maneuver through international adoption without the support of Yahoo groups! The ONLY reason I feel even remotely prepared for this adventure is due to the awesome advice I've gotten through these wonderful online support groups!!

Twenty-eight days and counting...

Guess What I'm Doing...

Blogging (of course)...from our new laptop!! The combination of Meggie being in high school while I'm pursuing my Bachelor's degree created a constant fight for the computer. Now we can split up and both get our homework done. Plus, now I can blog while we're in China...assuming we can hide and get through the firewalls. (Did you know blogging is ILLEGAL in China?!)

I've done a little shopping for the trip...trying to spread it out so it doesn't financially overwhelm me. I bought little things like pocket-sized Kleenex packs, small bottles of hand sanitizer, small rolls of toilet tissue, and drink bottles with lids...I hear it's better to transfer drinks into these kind of containers on the plane rather than wearing a cold and sticky soft drink in your lap for 17+ hours!! The packing list I've compiled (thanks, Kelly, you're the BEST!!) really makes me feel like we're packing for a camping trip! Too funny, since we'll be staying in China's equivalent of five-star hotels!! Can never be too prepared, huh?! And I was NEVER a Girl Scout!!

Now I just need to convince Kevin of our need to replace his old 35 mm camera with a new digital version...

Feels Like Time to Celebrate!

After hours online last night and a few e-mails from my friend, Katie (not the Underwear Cake Lady) giving me travel advice...never knew she was a travel agent!...the flights are booked. This was the part of the process I was actually dreading, to tell you the truth. Not so much the money it is costing, but maneuvering through the complicated world of international travel. Since I have NO experience in this area, it was a little intimidating. Katie feels I got a good deal, so I'm done researching and second-guessing...it is DONE!! We will be leaving bright and early on October 26th (flight leaves at 6:30 a.m. -- sorry, Meggie!) and return back home November 8th around 9:30 p.m. Very exciting!!!

Katie e-mailed me after I had booked the flights and told me that "fares to and from China significantly dropped in price beginning last Monday and are expected to go back up in the next week or two." All of my fretting about the timing of travel and worrying about the wait...and there is yet another reminder of God's perfect timing!!

While there are a MILLION things still to be done in preparation for the trip, I'm going to briefly enjoy the feeling of accomplishment and breathe a sigh of relief. Then, after cleaning the house, going to the grocery, making dinner, and running errands tonight while Meggie's at ballet class...well, of course, I'll start panicking again. After all, there are a MILLION things still to be done...

Working on Travel Plans...

Sherri from CCAI called me again today. Our Consulate appointment is scheduled for November 6th, so our tentative itinerary can now become official...with one change. Instead of traveling through Hong Kong, we are now going to travel through Beijing! For those who don't know their China geography (I was one of you once...), Beijing is the city you want to see if you go to China. After all, that's where they keep...

...the Great Wall of China! Since Hefei is in Southern China (much closer to Hong Kong than it is to Beijing), we figured we'd be traveling through Hong Kong. However, we are THRILLED to be able to spend one day sightseeing in Beijing!! Typically, CCAI families leave home on Thursday and arrive in China on Friday, giving them Friday evening and all day Saturday to sightsee and adjust to the difference in time zone before heading to their child's home city. However, since we can't leave until Friday due to my school schedule, we won't arrive in Beijing 'til Saturday afternoon...only giving us Saturday evening before we leave Sunday to fly to Hefei. We don't care...we realize the purpose of our trip isn't about shopping (sorry, Meggie), sightseeing, or our comfort. It is about meeting our Little Man and making him part of our family! So, we'll view any adventure we're offered as a bonus!

As I spent some time looking at flights...we're booking tomorrow!!...I started getting flustered and aggravated. Planning international travel is COMPLICATED!! However, we're determined not to involve a travel agent...we CAN do this ourselves!! After about two hours of comparing and contrasting different airlines, flight patterns, arrival times, blah, blah, blah, I started to look like this...

...however, I have found reasonable fares on flights with decent departure and arrival times. Kevin is going to look over what I've found later tonight -- he is, after all, the one who travels all the time, so he knows more about all this than I do. In the morning, I'll need to discuss our tentative flights with Sherri at CCAI and, if all goes well with coordinating that, we can get the flights BOOKED!! We need to coordinate all this with Sherri because CCAI needs to be sure they can provide us a guide for the whole time we are in China. (We're adventurous and all, but not up for navigating independently in a country where we don't speak the language!!)

AAAACCCKKK!!! This is so stinkin' EXCITING!!! Still pinching myself to be sure this isn't just a dream...

Celebrating our Great News...with Virtual Hugs!!

Can I just tell you that our support system is simply INCREDIBLE?!?! Our family and friends are thrilled for us...inquiring about our progress, giving Carson wonderful gifts, praying for the whole process. Every adoptive parent no doubt wonders, "Will my child be embraced and accepted as a member of our family??" Our family and friends have proven they love Carson already...he IS part of our family and I'm pretty sure the embraces he's in for may just smother him!! No question, we are blessed beyond words!!

Last night, I e-mailed all my Yahoo groups to spread the word about our TA. After that, I turned to the blog and started working on that. The phone rang while I was working...of course, Meggie grabbed it WAY before I could. She said it was for me...it was Chelsie. Remember Chelsie?? Max's mommy?? We had lunch last Tuesday. Before Tuesday, we had never met. She was calling because she had just seen the Yahoo e-mail and wanted to congratulate us! (And, no, Chelsie is NOT a stalker...I gave her our phone number when we were setting up our lunch date, in case she and Max were running late and she would need to let me know.) I was rendered nearly speechless by her phone call...and, if you know me at all, you know that is a FEAT!!!!! Not only is this perfect stranger willing to share her wisdom and experiences from her China trip, but she has stayed invested in the international adoption community to "pay it forward" for us and share in our joy! Wow.

As people have read my e-mail from last night, we have gotten TONS of congratulatory e-mails throughout the day today...from close friends and family as well as from perfect strangers (from the Yahoo groups). The "virtual hugs" have been so sweet, so heartfelt, so supportive...I truly appreciate all of you!!

While I am beyond thrilled to finally get to meet our son, the thought of getting on that airplane for this trip of a lifetime causes a little twinge in my stomach. However, I will focus on the support systems that got us this far whenever this whole experience overwhelms me...and I expect that it will many times over...and know that there are so many of you out there who will do everything you can to get us over whatever challenges may come. Thank you all...for being you!!!!

WE GOT OUR TA TODAY!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, I know that is a little large and obnoxious...but WE GOT OUR TA TODAY!!!!!! Guess I should tell the whole story...

I was at work and got a page from Kevin with "911" at the end. In my mind, "911" is reserved for things like serious deforming injuries, large fires, deaths, that sort of thing. I got a lump in my throat, hoping that it didn't mean Kevin had gotten hurt at work. (He does, after all, work with large electrically-powered robots!!) No, he wasn't hurt. BUT he said CCAI had been trying to get ahold of me all day...our TA had come in!!

I had to call Sherri back in the next 45 minutes...and the patient I had to take care of was finished with her MRI and I had to take her to the Recovery Room RIGHT THEN!! I got her settled in and, while she slept off her anesthesia, I called Sherri back. We talked for maybe 10 minutes about dates and details. I then called Meggie...who was appropriately ecstatic!!! Thankfully, my patient stayed sleeping and I was able to get the tentative details...I would have DIED having to wait all weekend to catch Sherri on Monday!!

Getting TA means we are approved to travel to bring Carson home! Tentatively, we will...
...leave on October 26th...
...arrive in Hong Kong on October 27th...
...fly to Hefei on October 28th...
...finally meet Carson on October 29th (aka Gotcha Day)...
...finalize the adoption on October 30th...
...fly to Guangzhou on November 3rd...
...have our Consulate Appointment on November 5th, 6th, or 7th...
...and fly back home on November 8th!!

Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, oh my goodness!! While it felt official when we got our LOA, lemme tell ya -- it REALLY felt real when Sherri told me we can book our flights as early as next Monday!! NEXT MONDAY!!!! Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, oh my goodness!!

I never did send a birthday cake to Carson in China. I decided we weren't going to miss his 4th birthday...we're just gonna celebrate it two months late. So, on November 4th, we will be together as a family (of FOUR!!!) and celebrate his birthday...in Guangzhou!!!

Hang on, Little Man...your Mommy, Daddy, and Big Sister are on their way!!

More Preparations...

Apparently, there is a huge fear in China when dealing with American currency that we will pass them counterfeit bills. To lessen that risk, we are required to provide brand new bills. Today, I called my friendly neighborhood bank manager and ordered the required amount of money in brand new, never-been-folded, never-been-creased, never-been-written-upon $100 bills. (This money is required for certain fees and expenses in China that cannot be paid via credit card or wire transfer.) The bank manager had previously told me they needed about six weeks' notice to get the bills ordered...we're HOPING to travel in about six weeks, so today was the day!

The bank will store the bills for us in their safe until we need them, which makes me feel better than having that kind of cash just sitting around the house! I just wish they would carry all that money over to China for us!!

Our First Family (of Four) Vacation...

Meggie is on a competitive dance team and we found out this week that they will be competing at nationals next summer in Destin, Florida! I had to call today to book our reservations (talk about planning ahead...) and it was so WEIRD to tell the woman in the reservation department, "Two adults, two kids." Wow!!

I have been the mother of one child for so long, it feels bizarre to say that out loud!!

Lunch...and Shopping...with Chelsie and Max!

Today, I had lunch with Chelsie -- a "cyberfriend" from the Yahoo groups -- and her ADORABLE son Max. The plan was for Chelsie to share her tips and wisdom from their recent trip to China to bring Max home...and I had my notebook ready. The reality was I couldn't stop staring at Max...so CUTE!!...and I kept imagining if Carson would be the same size, have the same mannerisms, etc., etc. (I hope I wasn't too rude to Chelsie, ignoring her like that!) It was also very weird to meet them in person. I have followed their blog for a while, so seeing them in person felt like having lunch with celebrities! I was hoping Max would be a talker -- hearing him speak Chinese would have been a real treat -- but he's more of an introspective observer.

After lunch, we decided to go shopping at Target and Chelsie gave me lots of good advice on things we needed for travel (money pouches that can be hidden under clothing and electrical plug converters -- very important!). We then spent a little while shopping in the boys' clothing section. As I peppered Chelsie with questions about Max, we discovered he is just about the same size as Carson (based on the updates we've gotten). Unfortunately, Max is in 18-24 month clothes -- I have all 2T and 3T!!! Yikes!! We may need to do some more shopping! (Chelsie -- are you available??!!)

I visited another day care center this afternoon...another dead end. There must have been a baby boom around here four years ago 'cause every place I go, the four year old rooms are full!! The search continues...

This is my first day off in my first week of working part-time and I have made the most of it! I really have a TON to do to prepare for travel...purchasing the money pouch and electrical converters was a start. I have started a small packing pile in Carson's room and am looking forward to watching it grow over the next five or so weeks until we travel.

No, by the way, we didn't get our TA today. Still (im)patiently waiting...

ANOTHER Shower!!

Last night at school (where I'm midway through pursuing my Bachelor's Degree), we had a small baby shower for Shannon, our instructor the past two quarters, who is due to have her baby girl in a couple of weeks. The baby shower was actually our classmate Amy's idea, but (at her urging, I might add) I coordinated the food and drinks and collected for Shannon's gift card.

When I arrived at school last night, everybody was acting a little weird...well, weirder than normal. I shrugged it off and started setting up the food table. When our classmate Karen brought in the cake, I noticed it had words on it. I leaned over to read what it said and saw, "Special Delivery for Teresa..." My first thought was that Karen had accidentally picked up somebody else's cake...our instructor's name is Shannon, after all! Then I read the REST of the writing..."Special Delivery for Teresa and Shannon." The shower was for BOTH of us!! (I really can be quite dense at times, sad to admit.)

Besides giving for a gift card for Shannon, my classmates also gave money for a gift card for us! (To Target...a family favorite!!) My friend, Gina, made me a card on her computer...so cute, funny, sweet. For the card to make sense, the following things need to be pre-explained:

1. Carson currently lives in Hefei. (You probably already knew that.)
2. Meggie calls our minivan the "hoopty"...a term she believes perfectly describes our very basic, no-frills van that she feels should be replaced by a new "rocket ship" minivan with all the bells and whistles. (By the way, Gina has a "rocket ship" minivan.)
3. I call Carson my Little Man. (You probably already knew that, too.)
   

Inside the card, Gina wrote the following poem:

From Hefei to America, the journey's drawing near.
It won't be long 'til you and yours will meet your Carson-dear!
The plane will land, you'll drive with him inside the hoopty van...
Walk through the door, hug him and say..."You're home, My Little Man."

Isn't that the sweetest, most clever thing you've ever read?? Gina was hoping I'd cry when I read it...but when I saw the "hoopty van" part, I couldn't stop laughing! (Sorry, Gina...the card WAS sweet but I'm not as tender-hearted as you...hence the absence of tears.)

At our other showers, Meggie has badgered me for wanting to wear pink (my favorite color), reminding me, "We're adopting a BOY, Mom!" I almost wore a pink t-shirt last night (since Shannon's having a girl), but at the last minute -- for no real reason -- I chose a light blue one. Ended up being quite appropriate, don't you think?!!

It was so sweet to go to class expecting to be giving a baby shower and end up getting a great surprise and a wonderfully generous gift! Too bad my classmates made me plan the whole thing, though...

Last Week in Review...

We had cake in honor of Carson's 4th birthday...

...our Passports and Travel Visas arrived...

...Meggie and her cousin, Brooke, put together the bookcase...


...Carson's new bedspread arrived...


...and his room is finally ready, just waiting for him!

As you can see, we are SO ready for our Little Man to get here!! (Isn't his room too cute??) Meggie got tired of being the official photographer, so no pictures of his toys -- trust me, the pile seems to grow bigger by the day!

Next week, we are going to start seriously planning and packing for the trip. I have a great packing list thanks to Kelly -- an awesome "cyberfriend" from the Yahoo groups who is willing to spend hours on the phone giving me the BEST advice! And on Tuesday I'm hoping to have lunch with Chelsie to pick her brain. I also "met" Chelsie on the Yahoo groups -- she lives near us and she and her husband got back from Hefei about a month ago with their adorable little guy, Max. She has offered to give me some helpful hints and I am thrilled to benefit from her experience!! (Just so you know, Chelsie, I'm bringing a notebook to our lunch!!) I honestly don't know how anyone survives an international adoption without the knowledge and support of the Yahoo groups -- they have truly been heaven sent to me!!

Here's hoping we get our TA next week so we can book our flights!! I have never been so excited to spend money...

Who Is That Serious(ly) Good-Looking Kid??

Of course, it's our Little Man! Got an e-mail today from Pam at CCAI with this picture and Carson's updated height (94 cm or 3 feet 1 inch) and foot length (15 cm). I e-mailed Pam back to see if we are getting updates because Carson knows about us, or if they are just random. She said CCAI requested the update (probably since we've been waiting so long to travel) and she's fairly certain the orphanage knows he's being adopted, but we're not sure if he knows or comprehends what it means.

I had a pretty bad day at work, so this update was a pleasant surprise on a pretty unpleasant Monday!!

This Picture Sums Up My Week!!

While my goal this weekend was to post pictures of the MANY developments in our house this week, I decided to just tell you about them...Meggie is so busy with adjusting to high school, keeping up with dance team rehearsals, and wanting to have some teenage fun and I hated to keep her home tonight helping me download photos. I'm also mentally and physically exhausted...what a week!

Monday, Meggie and her cousin Brooke spent their Labor Day putting together the bookcase we purchased -- yes, they used TOOLS! -- and organizing all the books we got from Donna a while back. (See photo of the over 200 books in an earlier post.) We put the bookcase upstairs in the hallway outside Carson's room. The bookcase looked kinda empty on top, so we lined it with stuffed animals. It is SO weird to come out of my bedroom and see this immediate reminder that our house will soon be home for a pre-schooler! (Weird, but totally awesome!!) And thanks, Meggie and Brooke, for your hard work!!!

A lot of the things we ordered with our gift cards arrived this week...Carson's bedding and curtains, the car seat, the toy storage unit. Since Meggie's a teenager now, we're used to our house showing no signs of children...she keeps her stuff in her bedroom. It is SUCH a shock to see match box cars, plastic bugs and rubber reptiles, sports equipment, Legos, and Play-Doh all over the house! (And, yes, by "shock" I mean "utter, indescribable joy"!!)

Another development...next week is my last week working full-time!! Starting Monday, September 17th, I am permanently cutting my hours to part-time so I can have a less hectic schedule once Carson arrives. I worked part-time after Meggie was born up until three years ago (when she was 11 years old and I started my nursing career) and I'm so happy I will be able to give Carson the same one-on-one Mommy time that Meggie got when she was little. My reduced schedule is yet another VIVID reminder that our Little Man will be here very soon!!

We might get our TA this week...which means it will be time to book our flights to China! It is hard to believe that after waiting this long, our journey is suddenly moving along very quickly! Our dream of adding to our family will very soon be our new reality!!

A Reason to Smile!

We have lots to post this week...pictures and such...but Meggie's dance team started rehearsals this week, along with school getting in full swing, so we're a little behind. Promise, we'll post this weekend.

I'm having a rough week...very emotional for many stressed-out reasons. Today, out of the blue, we got an update e-mail on Carson from CCAI. No pictures or updated height and weight information. However, we did get this (dated September 6, 2007 -- yesterday!!)...

Medical/Development:
His current health is good.
He can run, but can not jump.
He has a bath every day in summer, once a week in winter, every two or three days in spring and summer.
He can eat all kinds of table food, but the food needs to be a bit soft. He is a good eater.

Personality:
He is talkative.
He likes toy cars.
He likes to look at books and or be read to.
He likes to watch Cartoon.
He is affectionate.
He does not music and singing like very much.

Foster Family:
There are foster parents, older sister, older brother and younger sister. He sleeps on lower bed of bunk bed.
He is closest to older sister.

Can I tell you how much this made me smile?? As much as I love to see pictures of Carson (and, trust me, I LOVE to see pictures of him!), this is a nice insight into his personality. I am thrilled to see that he still likes toy cars (since his room has a transportation theme), that he's affectionate (he won't mind my kisses so much!), and that he is closest to his older foster sister (yeah for Big Sister Meggie!).

Yet another reason why I love and appreciate CCAI...every tidbit (no matter how minor it may seem) gets passed on to us. What a lifeline during this wait!!

Are You KIDDING Me??!!!

So, this morning I'm still in the dumps. As I pushed the button to open the garage door to leave for work....AAAAACCCKKK!!! The main spring had broken and the garage door actually BUCKLED in the middle when I tried to open it!!! My minivan was stuck in the garage and I had to find a repair guy...QUICK! (Needless to say, I didn't make it to work on time!) I found a company in the phone book and the repair guy actually showed up about an hour and a half later. His diagnosis?? We need a new garage door...at the low, low price of $1,300!!! Just what we need as we are planning and saving every dollar in preparation for our trip to China! So, besides the care package and the cake we're sending to the orphanage, Carson gets a brand new, steel garage door for his birthday!! What a lucky kid, huh?!

Good thing we planted that money tree when we bought this house...

A Birthday Dinner...Sorta...

We tried to celebrate. I mailed the birthday care package on my way home from work. We ordered Chinese takeout. I bought a cake decorated with an alligator holding a bunch of balloons in his mouth (we'll post a picture tomorrow...Meggie had to rush to ballet right after dinner). But it just wasn't a celebration. We all ate quietly and secretly wished Carson could have seen that silly, colorful cake and made a huge mess with it. I actually fought back tears for most of the meal. I'm going to order the cake that will be delivered to him in China...then I'm gonna head to bed and hope I feel better tomorrow.

I hate being sad on Carson's birthday. I just want HIM to be here to celebrate with us...

Happy 4th Birthday, Carson!!

Today is Carson's birthday! Since we are still a good six to eight weeks from travel, we did the best we could to celebrate. I have a care package ready to mail after work today with a football for him, a baseball hat for his foster father, lotions and candy for foster mom and the nannies, and a dozen pairs of sunglasses and a bag of candy as "party favors" for him to share with his foster siblings and friends. Tonight, I'm going to try to order a birthday cake from Blessed Kids, an organization run by a woman with connections in China -- it will arrive about a week late, but at least he'll know we're thinking of him. While it is sorta sad that we're missing his birthday, I choose to look at the silver lining to this black cloud...this is the last birthday he will have without a Forever Family.

Happy Birthday, my Little Man!!

Another Sneak Peek Into Carson's Life...

Another angel from the Yahoo Groups, Lisa, was at the Hefei orphanage on August 8th and took photos of the 3- and 4-year-olds...Carson was in a bunch of them! There is a slide show below...Carson is wearing a white sleeveless t-shirt and light gray shorts. See if you can find him...hints are provided in the captions...

As we anxiously wait for our travel dates, these random peeks into Carson's life in Hefei are such an awesome gift...made even more amazing by the fact that they are a gift to us from a perfect stranger! We are so indebted to Lisa for taking the time to take these photos...and then to go through the trouble to e-mail me all the shots with Carson in them!!

Thanks, Lisa...you really helped us endure another month of waiting to get our Little Man!!

Spending Those Gift Cards!

Meggie and I just spent about an hour deciding what we wanted to buy online from our registry with all the awesome, generous gift cards we got at our two showers. FUN!!!! By only adding a little bit of our own money, we were able to purchase the car seat, the curtains and bedding for Carson's bedroom, and a very cute (and much-needed) toy storage unit!! Now that Carson is officially going to be part of our family -- and SOON -- we REALLY need to get serious about getting ready for him!!

Thanks again to everyone for their generosity, prayers, and support! Feeling especially grateful and lucky tonight...