Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Windy pretty day
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Asleep without a peep
Jay got pretty good sleep lastnight so I woke him this morning at 8am. He went down for a nap at 12:30p without crying, just a little fussiness. Then we went to the mall with Emmie this afternoon. Dinner for him was late so daddy fed him as soon as we got home. Daddy also gave Jay a bath, I gave him a bottle and then tried to hold him on the sofa. He was not happy about being held so I took him to his room, plopped him in the bed and stood by him for a few minuets. My screaming banshee didn't have anything to say. He fussed a bit, face planted and went to sleep. WOW!!! That's a first. Hopefully this means he's on Central Standard Time now and back on a schedule. Only tomorrow will tell, in the meantime I'm going to watch the Trek movie with his daddy. Awesome.
Followup: He slept all night! Until 8am! Sweet.
Followup: He slept all night! Until 8am! Sweet.
My Aunt Mitzi Luvs Me
Gonna go out again today, this morning to Target and this afternoon with the realtor to see 3 homes. Busy day!!!
Nana and Grandpops (Manza) purchased a 5 drawer chest for Jay and it came yesterday. Now I have somewhere to put all his clothes. Thanks!
Later!
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Car ride happy
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
We're home and sooo glad
Jay slept on the plane a little bit. He only screamed a little!
Both our parents met us at the airport along with friends Kristi & Craig (Anna Mei & Alex). My sister's family from San Antonio and Pete's sister and husband from Phoenix came to town. My mom threw a little party at our apartment. Roast beef, beans, taters, rolls, birthday cake for Pete and a champagne toast in paper cups. Jay took it all in with smiles and genuine wonder of what was going on. Right after everyone left Jay crashed on the sofa in my arms. He's a sweet boy. He's in his new bed and sleeping good, we've got the monitor set up. We're going to bed soon too. We're about 14 hrs behind, or ahead, its already Saturday in China. I hope we all sleep good.
We'll see out of town Manza family tomorrow afternoon.
Its chilly in Austin now! Can't wait to take Jay for a walk on Town Lake though. :)
Thanks to our folks, family & friends! We love you all bunches. More pics will be added in a few days.
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Both our parents met us at the airport along with friends Kristi & Craig (Anna Mei & Alex). My sister's family from San Antonio and Pete's sister and husband from Phoenix came to town. My mom threw a little party at our apartment. Roast beef, beans, taters, rolls, birthday cake for Pete and a champagne toast in paper cups. Jay took it all in with smiles and genuine wonder of what was going on. Right after everyone left Jay crashed on the sofa in my arms. He's a sweet boy. He's in his new bed and sleeping good, we've got the monitor set up. We're going to bed soon too. We're about 14 hrs behind, or ahead, its already Saturday in China. I hope we all sleep good.
We'll see out of town Manza family tomorrow afternoon.
Its chilly in Austin now! Can't wait to take Jay for a walk on Town Lake though. :)
Thanks to our folks, family & friends! We love you all bunches. More pics will be added in a few days.
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Drool monster
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Just landed in San Fran
The flight went real good. Jay didn't sleep but maybe 2 hours. He only cried (read scream) when we tried to lay him down to sleep. He busied himself but it also meant daddy & I didn't sleep either.
Off-load then immigration. :) yeah!!!!! Thank you Lord for a good flight. We're guessing he'll sleep thru the next one, we'll see in about 4 hours. Lex
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Off-load then immigration. :) yeah!!!!! Thank you Lord for a good flight. We're guessing he'll sleep thru the next one, we'll see in about 4 hours. Lex
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Wheels up HK
We're in Hong Kong on the flight to San Fran. Leaving in about 30 mins. Be home soon!
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Feels like "Groundhog Day"
The days are starting to feel the same. Its Thursday and our last full day and night in China. There is no scheduled activity. The agency rep picks up Jay's passport today, that's it.
We fly out of GZ to HK tomorrow (Fri) at 9:35a, transfer planes then straight to San Fran then on to Austin.
Have to get everything back in the suitcases this evening. It'll be a challenge! :). The hotel room looks like a tornado hit it.
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
We fly out of GZ to HK tomorrow (Fri) at 9:35a, transfer planes then straight to San Fran then on to Austin.
Have to get everything back in the suitcases this evening. It'll be a challenge! :). The hotel room looks like a tornado hit it.
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Oath appointment
We have the oath appointment with all the families today.
Right now I'm in a taxi by myself going back to that da*#d Carrefore store again. Need formula and jar food for Jay. Enough for the next few days and for the plane.
We're sooooo ready to come home. Two more nights!!!
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Right now I'm in a taxi by myself going back to that da*#d Carrefore store again. Need formula and jar food for Jay. Enough for the next few days and for the plane.
We're sooooo ready to come home. Two more nights!!!
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Pics added
Cute pic of my boys.
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Just hanging out
After a nap we went to the Carrafore (like a Wal-mart but much, much worse and crazy w/ a floor plan like Ikea). Wipes and powder were needed. And there is a mall like place right there too so Jay got another shirt and pants. Little dude likes to drool, spread food every place and sneeze dinner thru his nose. Will NOT leave his socks on.
I hope to get to the business center tomorrow (Mon) and upload some more to the website.
As you can imagine Jay requires a lot of supervision and there isn't anywhere we want him to roll around except the bed. So we hang out in the room.
Room service tonight, it's actually cheaper then the huge dinner buffet. Last night we went to a Japanese place here inside the hotel property. Its was good.
Its fun, we love him bunches.
The photo shows Jay in new PJs we got today. He only had one pair that fit and they needed to be washed.
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Sacked out again
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
GZ Starbucks
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Guangzhou
We're here. Staying at a really, really nice Marriott called China Hotel. This room is snazzy. The city looks nice but it was dark when we arrived. The hotel was having a Christmas party with a tree lighting celebration. They had a small orchestra (15 pcs??), buffet lines, santa and place was packed with people and kids. Funny huh? We thought they were just happy to have us. Well the buffet was over at 8 so we ordered room service. :).
Jay likes this room better. He did pretty good on the plane. They had a 1 hour delay on the tarmac, eck! He did some crying but everyone survived and he's happy now. :) Blessings!
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Jay likes this room better. He did pretty good on the plane. They had a 1 hour delay on the tarmac, eck! He did some crying but everyone survived and he's happy now. :) Blessings!
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Pics added
www.jfmanza.com
I can get your comments from that site too (fyi).
We're going this afternoon to see some "famous" elephant statues that Nanjing is known for. We're also getting Jay's name done in calligraphy chinese characters. Tomorrow we pickup Jay's birth certificate and Chinese passport. Then the afternoon we fly south to Guangzhou. There we'll meet all the other CHSFS agency families. More shopping, medical check, visa, oath etc... We're staying busy.
We've eaten Chinese food from the Red Lantern, tea from a tea shop, had breakfastses at the hotel and lunch at Burger King. We're trying lots of stuff and hoping not to get sick. We want to be adventurous but not too much so
I can get your comments from that site too (fyi).
We're going this afternoon to see some "famous" elephant statues that Nanjing is known for. We're also getting Jay's name done in calligraphy chinese characters. Tomorrow we pickup Jay's birth certificate and Chinese passport. Then the afternoon we fly south to Guangzhou. There we'll meet all the other CHSFS agency families. More shopping, medical check, visa, oath etc... We're staying busy.
We've eaten Chinese food from the Red Lantern, tea from a tea shop, had breakfastses at the hotel and lunch at Burger King. We're trying lots of stuff and hoping not to get sick. We want to be adventurous but not too much so
Luv u all! Thanks for the prayers!
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Chinese take out - old school
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
New photos added!
www.jfmanza.com
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Father & son
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Jay!
Back in the room now. He's VERY active and curious. He likes my phone, I have to hide it from him.
Move pics to come. ;)
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Frito Lay Stax
So moral of the story for me is only buy Stax in the good ol U.S. Of A. ;)
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
View from room
The baby crib in the room!! Ready for tomorrow!!
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Nanjing
Pete & I left Beijing at 1pm and arrived in Nanjing at 3p. We're on our way to the hotel. Our agency rep just told us we'll meet Jay around 1p or 2p tomorrow afternoon. Hugs....
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Landed in China!
We are here & going thru immigration. Wow China is different.
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Garrett's Popcorn
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Wheels up
6:00a flight on time heading to Chicago.
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Friday we travel
All the airfare has been purchased (plus Jay's one way seat), hotels procured, coordination with agency reps made, one bag packed (2 to go) and arrangements for our dogs, plants and mail have been done.
I will have unlimited email (send/receive) with my Blackberry. I will not make or accept phone calls and please don't leave me voice-mail. My phone will actually be in BB profile "Phone Off". I can receive text messages at no charge but sending a message will cost me. So I probably won't reply.
You can leave comments to these posting which we'll be able to see. So have it!
I'll be sending post updates from my phone email to this blog. So check it!
We arrive back into Austin (airport link) on Friday, Dec 11 at 6:10PM on United Airlines flight #0374.
Please pray for safe travels, a healthy and happy boy, an easy transition/adjustment, patience for all of us and that we'll somehow know what we're supposed to be doing!
I will have unlimited email (send/receive) with my Blackberry. I will not make or accept phone calls and please don't leave me voice-mail. My phone will actually be in BB profile "Phone Off". I can receive text messages at no charge but sending a message will cost me. So I probably won't reply.
You can leave comments to these posting which we'll be able to see. So have it!
I'll be sending post updates from my phone email to this blog. So check it!
We arrive back into Austin (airport link) on Friday, Dec 11 at 6:10PM on United Airlines flight #0374.
Please pray for safe travels, a healthy and happy boy, an easy transition/adjustment, patience for all of us and that we'll somehow know what we're supposed to be doing!
Travel Confirmation
We received travel confirmation today. We leave Austin, TX on Friday, November 27 for Beijing, we'll be in Nanjing on Sunday, November 29. We'll be united with Jay in Nanjing. On December 4 we leave for Guangzhou for the US consulate appointment and more paperwork. On Friday, December 11 we'll fly out of Hong Kong and back to Austin. We're working with a travel agent now to secure flights.
We had flights and tickets to the Army vs Navy game in Philly! We'll miss seeing our friends but I know they understand. BEAT NAVY!
We had flights and tickets to the Army vs Navy game in Philly! We'll miss seeing our friends but I know they understand. BEAT NAVY!
TA is here
We were just notified that our TA is at our agency. With confirmation of the consulate appointment in Guangzhou on Dec 8th we'll travel on Friday, Nov 27th for Beijing. Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Met with agency and started filling out paperwork Nov 2007.
LID - 4/22/08 (Log In Date) Paperwork complete and rec'd by China
Updated homestudy 7/31/09 (new address and Form I-171H extension)
WIC - 8/3/09 Waiting International Child form submitted
Referral 8/12/09 - Fu Jia Min's referral (Locked in 8/13/2009)
PA - 8/18/09 (Pre-Approval from China to adopt Fu Jia Min)
USCIS extension approval rec'd - 8/27/2009
LOA - 10/12/09 (Letter of Acceptance)
TA - 11/11/09 (Travel Approval)
Travel - tentatively 11/27/09
It's on!
EDIT:
Travel 11/27/09
Adoption - 11/30/09
Home - 12/11/09
BAM!
Met with agency and started filling out paperwork Nov 2007.
LID - 4/22/08 (Log In Date) Paperwork complete and rec'd by China
Updated homestudy 7/31/09 (new address and Form I-171H extension)
WIC - 8/3/09 Waiting International Child form submitted
Referral 8/12/09 - Fu Jia Min's referral (Locked in 8/13/2009)
PA - 8/18/09 (Pre-Approval from China to adopt Fu Jia Min)
USCIS extension approval rec'd - 8/27/2009
LOA - 10/12/09 (Letter of Acceptance)
TA - 11/11/09 (Travel Approval)
Travel - tentatively 11/27/09
It's on!
EDIT:
Travel 11/27/09
Adoption - 11/30/09
Home - 12/11/09
BAM!
Jay's 15 month bday
Today Jay turned 15 months old.
I emailed the agency today regarding the travel approval and the following is the reply:
"I asked our liaison to check on your case status last week and was told your TA was pending for the director's signature. I was hoping it would have come by now. *sigh*** I probably have to ask you to be patient for another week ☹ I'll keep my fingers crossed for receiving your TA this week or next. Please join me….."
So we wait while he gets older...but maybe it won't be much longer.
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
I emailed the agency today regarding the travel approval and the following is the reply:
"I asked our liaison to check on your case status last week and was told your TA was pending for the director's signature. I was hoping it would have come by now. *sigh*** I probably have to ask you to be patient for another week ☹ I'll keep my fingers crossed for receiving your TA this week or next. Please join me….."
So we wait while he gets older...but maybe it won't be much longer.
Alexa
...if the world decides to catch up with me, it's a little victory. Sent via BlackBerry.
Orphanage Update 28Oct2009
I added 3 new pics to Jay's album, that we just received! http://www.vivamanza.com/zenphoto/jay/
I sent the care package first thing this morning. Just a few things in there, a small toy like photo album where I put a photo of us together, then one of us separately, a disposable camera, and a security blanket that my friend sewed for me last night (she called it a wobby). Tara was so sweet to spend her evening cutting up old t-shirts and sewing it back together for me.
We put the crib together last weekend and rearranged his room. I think we're getting close to being ready! :)
As of Oct 27, 2009 he is 29 inches tall, weights 22 lbs and his foot is 4.7 inches in length.
The orphanage said that "He smiles and claps his hands when he is happy. He cries loudly when he is sad or mad." He likes toys that make sounds. His nickname in Min Min.
I sent the care package first thing this morning. Just a few things in there, a small toy like photo album where I put a photo of us together, then one of us separately, a disposable camera, and a security blanket that my friend sewed for me last night (she called it a wobby). Tara was so sweet to spend her evening cutting up old t-shirts and sewing it back together for me.
As of Oct 27, 2009 he is 29 inches tall, weights 22 lbs and his foot is 4.7 inches in length.
The orphanage said that "He smiles and claps his hands when he is happy. He cries loudly when he is sad or mad." He likes toys that make sounds. His nickname in Min Min.
Inconceivable: Our road to Jay
After 6 years of trying to conceive, in every which way, we finally and defeatedly said enough. Over the years we talked about adoption and it was always an option.
In November of 2007, after meetings with an agency in The Woodlands, TX and prayers we asked for the information packet for China. We (read: Alexa) began completing the paperwork and it was a horrendous amount. Everything from tax filings to getting an "original" stamped birth certificate and then having it authenticated in Washington, DC. (Thanks to Laura Morrison of Assistant Stork for physically walking this paperwork through for me http://www.asststork.com/). It's not fun and such an invasion. You do it though.
By January we had our home study completed by the social worker, Bernadette. We submitted our USCIS paperwork in Jan 2008 and we received approval of I-171H on 27 Feb 2008 (per-Hague grandfathered process). Our dossier was logged into China on 22 Apr 2008. This process, when started, was supposed join us with a child in 1 1/2 years. By the time the dossier was logged the wait time changed to at least 4 years. We were devastated that after all the hard work and money put into this process we would now wait, pretty much indefinitely. So we got back to living and just waited.
In July 2008 Pete accepted a new job that would take us to Austin, TX. A change of address is a big deal in regards to all the paperwork with USCIS and updating the homestudy. Additionally the USCIS I-171H approval expires after 18 mos (sooo dumb). So when we sold our house in January 2009 the new agency, Children's Home Servies and Family Services, CHSFS (long story), advised us to wait and update the address and renewal at the same time for one cost (though the USCIS extension was a free). In July/Aug of 2009 we did that.
At the same time Pete and I had discussions about adopting what China calls a "Waiting International Child" (WIC) and is seen as a special needs child. We participated in our agency's online teleconferences about the WIC program and decided to go this route. After researching and talking with other families we marked on a list of special needs which we would be comfortable with managing. That process may sound easier than it actually is. It's quite something to say which child with these ailments or conditions you're NOT willing to accept. WOW that's mighty high of us! But you have to be honest with yourself and know and understand your own limits. Children with no perceivable conditions upon being born or adopted can show up with them later. With that understanding you have to be comfortable with what you know and what you don't know. Ack. Enough of that.
Our paperwork for WIC was completed on Aug 1, 2009 and the updated home study included our desire to adopt a child up to three years old with the list of conditions we agreed upon, whether it be a girl or boy. We had to complete another online course but that was easy after everything else. On August 10, 2009 we coordinated with Houston's Texas Children's Hospital (Texas Children's Health Center for International Adoption) to have them ready to review any referral and medical information we received about a child. When you receive a referral from the WIC list you have only 48 hours to decide or it becomes "unlocked". We had to have in place someone to review it with the understanding it had to be done quickly. We figured we had a few months before a referral came and we felt good that we had things in place for it.
On Aug 12, 2009 CHSFS sent us the referral for Fu Jia Min (boy, 1 yoa). Well, that was fast!! Pete and I reviewed the information and liked what we saw so I forwarded the entire packet to TCH. They scheduled a time for a phone consultation on the morning of Friday, August 14, 2009. Jia Min (Jay) has a stage III cleft palate only. This was good and bad because the cleft palate/cleft lip usually come paired together. So the question was where was the other half of that pair? Dr. Awesome said that it does not always have to have been paired but the high percentage of them are and IF it was paired and not in the lip then it tends to be in the heart. She asked us to ask our agency to ask CCAA (China Center for Adoption Affairs) for an echo-cardiogram of Jay. She said it was actually unlikely that CCAA would get that to us and even if they did it would be so long that it wouldn't impact our decision. Based on our long consultation with Dr. Awesome (yea, not her real name) we decided to "lock-in" on Jay. We informed the agency as well as requested the echo. Dr. Awesome said that when we return to Texas with Jay that we'll bring him to TCH and she'll do a full international pediatric checkup on him. He'll meet and be evaluated by the TCH cranio-facial team for c/p surgery. She suggested a surgery in 2-3 months after he's home for c/p and a lazy left eye lid. Later we learned that Dell Children's, right here in Austin, has a fabulous cranio-facial team that works through-out the years with young patients from surgery to speech therapy to any additional surgeries needed when they're older. He'll be evaluated by both and then we'll decide.
So we wait for the TA but we are encouraged. Thank you to our friends and family for their support, advise and hand-me-downs. We love you.
On Aug 18, 2009 we received from CCAA our Pre-Approval to adopted Jay. This meant that our dossier that was still in the regular long wait line would now be pulled, matched with Jay's file and moved to an expediated line. This was fabulous news. The agency advised that we would receive a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) in 2-3 months then following that a Travel Authorization (TA). So we began to wait again.
On Aug 21, 2009 we received an updated on Jay. The sent back an echo of Jay!! Can you believe that? Dr. Awesome reviewed the echo as well as my friend's husband, who is a pediatric heart specialist, yeah, that's cool. They both said a-ok on the echo and we were relieved but it wouldn't have changed anything. The update also contained new photos of Jay taken at the orphanage (Danyang Social Welfare Center). These were great and one showed him with who we guess is a primary caregiver. He was grinning and is so cute.
On Oct 16, 2009 were received the LOA!! Oh boy...it's really gonna happen. Now we're waiting for the TA which will tell us when we are allowed to travel. It usually says you can travel in 2-3 weeks from receipt of the TA. That would put us right at Thanksgiving 2009. We currently have plane tickets to see Pete's sister/brother-in-law and the family in Phoenix for Thanksgiving. So we're not sure now where we'll be. The U.S. consulate appointments in Guangzhou is where they back track travel dates. It's a busy place and no sense in traveling just to wait days or weeks for that appointment. So based on that information we may not travel until in Dec or Jan 2010, Jay will be 16-17mos then.
More to follow as we get more information.
In November of 2007, after meetings with an agency in The Woodlands, TX and prayers we asked for the information packet for China. We (read: Alexa) began completing the paperwork and it was a horrendous amount. Everything from tax filings to getting an "original" stamped birth certificate and then having it authenticated in Washington, DC. (Thanks to Laura Morrison of Assistant Stork for physically walking this paperwork through for me http://www.asststork.com/). It's not fun and such an invasion. You do it though.
By January we had our home study completed by the social worker, Bernadette. We submitted our USCIS paperwork in Jan 2008 and we received approval of I-171H on 27 Feb 2008 (per-Hague grandfathered process). Our dossier was logged into China on 22 Apr 2008. This process, when started, was supposed join us with a child in 1 1/2 years. By the time the dossier was logged the wait time changed to at least 4 years. We were devastated that after all the hard work and money put into this process we would now wait, pretty much indefinitely. So we got back to living and just waited.
In July 2008 Pete accepted a new job that would take us to Austin, TX. A change of address is a big deal in regards to all the paperwork with USCIS and updating the homestudy. Additionally the USCIS I-171H approval expires after 18 mos (sooo dumb). So when we sold our house in January 2009 the new agency, Children's Home Servies and Family Services, CHSFS (long story), advised us to wait and update the address and renewal at the same time for one cost (though the USCIS extension was a free). In July/Aug of 2009 we did that.
At the same time Pete and I had discussions about adopting what China calls a "Waiting International Child" (WIC) and is seen as a special needs child. We participated in our agency's online teleconferences about the WIC program and decided to go this route. After researching and talking with other families we marked on a list of special needs which we would be comfortable with managing. That process may sound easier than it actually is. It's quite something to say which child with these ailments or conditions you're NOT willing to accept. WOW that's mighty high of us! But you have to be honest with yourself and know and understand your own limits. Children with no perceivable conditions upon being born or adopted can show up with them later. With that understanding you have to be comfortable with what you know and what you don't know. Ack. Enough of that.
Our paperwork for WIC was completed on Aug 1, 2009 and the updated home study included our desire to adopt a child up to three years old with the list of conditions we agreed upon, whether it be a girl or boy. We had to complete another online course but that was easy after everything else. On August 10, 2009 we coordinated with Houston's Texas Children's Hospital (Texas Children's Health Center for International Adoption) to have them ready to review any referral and medical information we received about a child. When you receive a referral from the WIC list you have only 48 hours to decide or it becomes "unlocked". We had to have in place someone to review it with the understanding it had to be done quickly. We figured we had a few months before a referral came and we felt good that we had things in place for it.
On Aug 12, 2009 CHSFS sent us the referral for Fu Jia Min (boy, 1 yoa). Well, that was fast!! Pete and I reviewed the information and liked what we saw so I forwarded the entire packet to TCH. They scheduled a time for a phone consultation on the morning of Friday, August 14, 2009. Jia Min (Jay) has a stage III cleft palate only. This was good and bad because the cleft palate/cleft lip usually come paired together. So the question was where was the other half of that pair? Dr. Awesome said that it does not always have to have been paired but the high percentage of them are and IF it was paired and not in the lip then it tends to be in the heart. She asked us to ask our agency to ask CCAA (China Center for Adoption Affairs) for an echo-cardiogram of Jay. She said it was actually unlikely that CCAA would get that to us and even if they did it would be so long that it wouldn't impact our decision. Based on our long consultation with Dr. Awesome (yea, not her real name) we decided to "lock-in" on Jay. We informed the agency as well as requested the echo. Dr. Awesome said that when we return to Texas with Jay that we'll bring him to TCH and she'll do a full international pediatric checkup on him. He'll meet and be evaluated by the TCH cranio-facial team for c/p surgery. She suggested a surgery in 2-3 months after he's home for c/p and a lazy left eye lid. Later we learned that Dell Children's, right here in Austin, has a fabulous cranio-facial team that works through-out the years with young patients from surgery to speech therapy to any additional surgeries needed when they're older. He'll be evaluated by both and then we'll decide.
So we wait for the TA but we are encouraged. Thank you to our friends and family for their support, advise and hand-me-downs. We love you.
On Aug 18, 2009 we received from CCAA our Pre-Approval to adopted Jay. This meant that our dossier that was still in the regular long wait line would now be pulled, matched with Jay's file and moved to an expediated line. This was fabulous news. The agency advised that we would receive a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) in 2-3 months then following that a Travel Authorization (TA). So we began to wait again.
On Aug 21, 2009 we received an updated on Jay. The sent back an echo of Jay!! Can you believe that? Dr. Awesome reviewed the echo as well as my friend's husband, who is a pediatric heart specialist, yeah, that's cool. They both said a-ok on the echo and we were relieved but it wouldn't have changed anything. The update also contained new photos of Jay taken at the orphanage (Danyang Social Welfare Center). These were great and one showed him with who we guess is a primary caregiver. He was grinning and is so cute.
On Oct 16, 2009 were received the LOA!! Oh boy...it's really gonna happen. Now we're waiting for the TA which will tell us when we are allowed to travel. It usually says you can travel in 2-3 weeks from receipt of the TA. That would put us right at Thanksgiving 2009. We currently have plane tickets to see Pete's sister/brother-in-law and the family in Phoenix for Thanksgiving. So we're not sure now where we'll be. The U.S. consulate appointments in Guangzhou is where they back track travel dates. It's a busy place and no sense in traveling just to wait days or weeks for that appointment. So based on that information we may not travel until in Dec or Jan 2010, Jay will be 16-17mos then.
More to follow as we get more information.