handsful

Another picture of Dylan that my friend Denise took when she visited the orphanage. Her new son, Seth and Dylan were obviously good friends and we’re hopeful that we’ll be able to get them together as often as possible - they live in NY.

Just thought I’d update quickly on where we are in our journey to Dang Yu Hai. This wait has been very different than our wait for Lainey.

Once we saw Lainey’s picture, in November 2007, we only had 3 months to wait before holding her in our arms in February 2008.

I saw Dylan on our agency’s website, in December 2009. We’re now in September 2010. So, we’re “full term” in our adoption pregnancy :)

Where are we now? Waiting on the US immigration dept to approve our file to adopt Dylan. Our paperwork was received on August 25th. Once we are approved, there are other hurdles of paperwork to jump through. Our file is sent to the US consulate in Guangzhou, China and they approve us. After that, they send an invitation for us to travel, and then we scramble around to get ready!

The travel dept at our agency is estimating we’ll travel in November. WHEN in November will depend on how long the rest of the process takes AND how our travel will work around any China holidays and events…there is a national holiday in October, and games held in Guangzhou in November.

So, there you go. We’ll keep you informed ;)

Before today, there were maybe 5 shirts and 2 pairs of pants in his closet. And, some of those he’ll have to grow into.

I rose with the birds today, and headed to a Mothers of Multiples sale in the area that I happened to see an ad for. In line before 7am meant I was the first and ONLY person perusing his size racks.

Oh, the adrenaline rush.

An hour later, I had 31 items including shirts, pants, jackets (went a bit overboard there), PJs, shoes, and a couple of books. Got Lainey a few shirts, a dress, and some play food.

Spent less than $2 per item. Yeah, baby. Great start to my weekend!

Another birthday party with cake, and where’s Dylan? Right there in the middle of it. Either he loves cake, cameras, or he’s got loads of friends. I’m hoping it’s all 3 :)

Ya’ think smearing icing on someone is a sign of endearment in China? Hope doesn’t seem to mind! Her mama, Amy, sent me this photo. Thanks, Amy!!

We are a little closer to getting Dylan…received our LOA on Monday. Basically, it’s China’s response to our dossier/letter of intent asking us if we REALLY want to adopt him. Uh, yeah.

So, we signed it, filled out more paperwork, and sent it on to our agency. Our social worker should have our home study update (required since we moved) to CCAI early next week. Then, they send it all on to USCIS (US immigration) and the approval process with them begins. We’re guesstimating travel in October or November. I think I mentioned that already, and it seems we’re still on track.

It’s nice seeing a new picture of his sweet face while we’re in the waiting phase.

I hate to blog out of order.  Call me a control freak…unfortunately, the title fits more than I’d like it to.  For instance, I was nearly twitching in my seat watching the kids fold the clean towels.  They were doing it all wrong.  But, I think I’m getting off topic. 

I must back up to birthdays again.  Back on the 11th, we had a family birthday party for M, P, E, and L.  I made 3 cakes (with lots of help decorating) and bought one (Ethan wanted an ice cream cake).

Marley requested chocolate cake, buttercream frosting.

it says Tater (Payton’s preferred nickname)…he chose strawberry cake, buttercream frosting.

Cookies and cream, Ethan’s favorite flavor hands down. 

Lainey wanted a cookie cake.  Abbey designed and decorated it with L’s help.  The characters say “Lainey”. 

Time to sing…

She enjoyed the attention!

Make a wish and blow!

harder!

she did eventually get them blown out :)

It was a great party. 

Guess who else had a party? 

These characters say “Happy Birthday Dang Yu Hai”.

The birthday boy with some friends :)

I love seeing him have his own special day. 

A pink flower just for Dylan.  I wonder how wired up all that sugar made him? 

Oooh, I think he’s gonna try it. 

Can my friends have some, too?

Awww…she’s letting him help cut the cake. 

We were so happy to get these pictures.  I was told that the party was held on the 7th, since the 4th was on a Sunday and adoption related matters aren’t held on Sundays.  I hope he was told that his mama and dada sent him his birthday treat. 

So, 5 cakes later and we have 12 year olds, a 4 year old, and a 3 year old.  Last post about July birthdays.  I promise!  ;)

Oh, how we love this little guy already! 

My friend Denise (see sidebar…Denise-Seth) is in China right now, adopting her 2nd child from China, Seth.  You may remember Dylan being in his birthday pictures back in March.  She graciously offered to try and meet Dylan, and take pictures of him if they were allowed to visit the orphanage. 

I was so excited to see these…I mean, he’s SMILING!  He was cute in those other pictures, but seriously??  I can barely stand the cuteness now! 

Seeing the pictures makes me so happy, but it also makes the waiting time seem that much longer until we can get there. 

Denise not only took the time to get all these pictures for us.  She also talked to him, spoke to the orphanage workers for us, gave him a hug for us.  It brings tears to my eyes.  I mean, she’s there adopting her own child and she went to such lengths to give us these precious gifts.  I’m so thankful. 

I’ll share more detail in another blog…for now, more cuteness. 

He’s happy.  The nannies he’s with seem to care for him. 

I think our next care package should include a shirt that fits better?  I guess pants are optional.  :)

The night before Lainey turned 4, I was joking with her that I wanted her to stay 3.  She laughed her “oh, you’re so silly, mommy” laugh and said “no!”.  I asked why she couldn’t stay 3, and she said “Lainey wants to be a big girl!” 

Well, Lainey girl, you are…

Good morning, sunshine!  So, how old are you today?? 

Oh!!!!  FOUR!!

Dressed up for July 4th…I mean, her birthday!  Same thing.  She’s ready for church!  (She looks so OLD here!)

sometimes those eyes do disappear when she smiles!

A birthday-girl sandwich.  heh heh

Middle and little sister share a hug

More posing with the birthday girl.  (ignore my goofy grin)  There’s no shot of Abbey with Lainey because most of us were already out the door when Abbey came downstairs.  She’s got her daddy’s “late” gene.  :)

After church, we headed out to lunch.  Fast forward to dessert.  Before the other kids got theirs, a bunch of waitresses came over and sang a VERY LOUD birthday song to Lainey.  She got very serious and tried hard to ignore it.  Then, they planted this in front of her and she wasn’t as serious anymore…

must. get. every. last. drop. 

Back home and time for presents…one from mommy and daddy, and one from big sister Abbey.

A blow up pool with sprinkler!  Awesome!

It’s all she asked for…

A little mechanical hamster.  She named it Tashu, same as one of Marley’s hamsters.  She made it a little bed in her wardrobe :)

Time to try out the pool.  The big kids do the hard work. 

Lainey had the easy part!  She loved it. 

Yes, that IS a taco with 4 candles in it.  Lainey requested her birthday dinner be from TB.  She absolutely adores the place, wants to eat there EVERY time we suggest going out.  So, we sang to her and she blew those candles out!  It took a few tries, but she did it.  In fact, for each taco she had (3), she put the candles in again, we sang again (in triple time!), and she blew ‘em out again! 

It’s hard to believe that she’s 4 years old.  I look back at the pics of her when we first received her at 19 months old and think how little bitty she looks.  She’s so growny and independent, loves helping me out with whatever I’m doing (I know, that eventually wanes a bit…), and simply can’t wait for her brother to join us.  Oh…Dylan.  That’s right!

He turned THREE on July 4th.  We sent a cake to him using the in-China organization called www.ladybugsnlove.com  We’re waiting for pics of his celebration (the company takes the money we send and gives it to the orphanage with the instructions to buy the cake and provide digital pictures proving that the money was used for that purpose)  We’ve seen many birthday celebration pics, and were fortunate that Dylan was in a few of them!  I hope he enjoys having his own party :) 

In the meantime, Abbey bought a birthday present for him, too.  We’ll have it here, waiting for him. 

Thanks, Abbey…he’ll love it. 

Next stop…Marley, Payton, and Ethan’s birthday on the 7th! 

Stands for “Dossier to China”…three little letters that I’ve been waiting to hear for a while now!  Our agency told us today that our dossier - the mounds of paperwork that we’ve been working on since mid February - was sent to China last Friday.  They should get it within 3-5 days.  A couple of weeks or so after that, we will be LID - which means China will have logged us into their system and will begin processing/reviewing our information.  

Our agency estimates travel within 4-6 months after LID.  We’re praying for the “4″ side of that estimate.  While we wait, we’ll be doing MORE papework involving US immigration and an update to our home study (since we’ve had a move and job change since our last one).   

One milestone down, several more to go.  We’re coming, Dylan.

The first thing we’ve bought for Dylan!  Couldn’t resist the sale rack at Old N*avy the other day :)  Size 2T, 27-30lbs. 

With our update last week, we received current measurements for Dylan.  Here are his stats:

24 1/4 lbs.

33.5 inches tall

18.5 inches head circum.

I looked at an online percentile calculator to see how he compares to other kids his age.  For his height and weight, Dylan is in the 3rd percentile for both weight and height…so, 97% of other kids his age are bigger than he is. 

For fun, I checked Lainey’s percentile stats.  Right now, she weighs about 38lbs and she’s 39 inches tall.  So, she’s at the 75th percentile for weight, and 37% for height.  I also looked back to see how old Lainey was, when she weighed what Dylan weighs now (at age 2 years 10 months).  She was 1 year 8 months old.  :)

I’d love to find some way to predict, based on a normal growth curve, what Dylan might weigh when we travel to get him.  Anyone know how to do that?

I knew our agency requested an update on Dylan last week…they routinely ask the orphanage for new pictures/measurements 3 months after the Letter of Intent is sent in.  Orphanages aren’t required to send anything - some do and some don’t.  I was so happy to see these pictures and info in my inbox today! 

Notice the concentration and that amazing stack of blocks!  Love the split pants and this is also another shot of him using his small leg (knee?)  for support.  Randy isn’t thrilled with his choice of football team, though :)

This one melts me…I think I see a dimple?! 

There were current measurements included, which I still have to convert from metric.  Here’s the info they gave us:

health is good - can express his wish and request - potty trained, but needs diaper at night - knows red (this makes me laugh…he’s a NC State fan already!)

They call him Yu Hai - He is outgoing (Abbey loved that) - He is in the orphanage (he could have been transferred to foster care, I’m glad they confirmed where he was) - He received our care package - he eats noodle, rice, and drinks juice.

We are thrilled to have this new information on our son!  We seem to be on schedule to have our dossier go to China next week, and families “usually” travel about 4-6 months after that.  We’re still guessing November…we’ll see!

This time around, we decided to use an in-China organization to put together our care package.  Ladybugs N Love (www.ladybugsnlove.com) was begun by Angela (a former adoption guide who lives in China) and Kelly (a mom to 3 adopted children from China - and Angela was her guide for all 3).  They offer care packages, birthday cakes, orphanage calls, photos, etc.  All I had to do was go to their site, choose the items I wanted to include in the package, and Angela shopped for them and will mail them to the orphanage (with confirmation of delivery!). 

She took the above picture so I could see what she chose based on my requests…treats for the nannies and children, a disposable camera (hoping they fill it up with pictures taken of Dylan that we’ll pick up on Gotcha day), a photo album (I emailed her pictures of us to label and put in the album), and a toy car. 

Quick update on where we are in Dylan’s adoption…we received our fingerprint appointment letter, telling us to come in next Thursday at 10:00 to be fingerprinted.  After that, we wait for the immigration clearance form I-797C to come and we quickly send it (and our completed home study) to be certified at the state level and then authenticated at the consulate level.  When those are complete and returned to us, our complete dossier heads to China!  I’m thinking, based on others timelines ahead of us, that we *should* be able to send our dossier in June.  Which puts us around November maybe for travel.  At this point, it’s a TOTAL guess and anything could happen to speed that up or (more likely the case) to delay it.  We’re trusting in the timing.  Plus, with all that’s going on right now with our upcoming move (May 14th), we do have a diversion to keep us from dwelling on “the wait”.  Thankfully.  But, the truth is he’s waiting and everyday without us (and without him) is just plain wrong. 

Until then, we send him presents and hope he’s being told who the people in those pictures are.  Our next package will be sent in July, including one of those collosal birthday cakes!!