We got the call! Two weeks early even! Our agency said this is the fastest any client in the agency has received their Letter Seeking Confirmation. Which also means we could be travelling in the middle of September!
At this very moment, we are taking turns calling family and sending out emails.
I will post our LSC tomorrow as it is expected to arrive via Purolator in the morning.
I just wanted to shout from my virtual roof top to everyone!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Prediction for October Gottcha Day
Let me begin this post with a little side note. In March of this year, China has changed the way it processes adoption through the Waiting Children Program. In short, this method is supposed to be faster with quicker process times. Having said that, and because we are the among the first three families to matched using this new system, the exact time lines were still unknown when we received Nevin's referral. The other two families were matched the month previous to us.
With all that being said, it looks like we will be going to China in October (missing the first week as China basically closes up for Moon and Harvest Festival for a week). Even though its only two and a half months away, it means that Nevin has to stay in an institutional setting for another two and a half months. HUFF! My fellow adoptive parents can certainly identify with the excruciating wait.
So in the meantime, I've been slowly crossing things off the list. Shopping for the things we will need, appointments with the travel clinic so that David and I are vaccinated, researching Baotou and Hohhot (which are hardly Westernized like Beijing), finding out where the pearl and silk markets are.... Which leads me to ask if anyone knows where I can buy those individual coffee bags-- they're like tea bags but have coffee in them. I've searched the grocers here in Midland, Ontario and no one is carrying them anymore. I know there is a Starbucks in Beijing, but I think I'm the only person in the world who doesn't like Starbucks. Worst case scenario, I can pack some instant coffee, but would prefer the bag idea, just for packing sake.
And of coarse my weird dreams are still happening. I dreamed we were boarding the plane to head to China and I realized I left EVERYTHING I packed for Nevin at home on my bed. (again, cue the twitch and wake up panicked). I guess it will be here soon enough.....packing the week before, saying goodbye to the kids (oh god), and driving down to the airport with my heart in my throat.
So hopefully, in the next few weeks, I can post that we have indeed received our Letter Seeking Confirmation, after which our agency will book our travel. Any families to travel in October, I'd love to hear from you.
With all that being said, it looks like we will be going to China in October (missing the first week as China basically closes up for Moon and Harvest Festival for a week). Even though its only two and a half months away, it means that Nevin has to stay in an institutional setting for another two and a half months. HUFF! My fellow adoptive parents can certainly identify with the excruciating wait.
So in the meantime, I've been slowly crossing things off the list. Shopping for the things we will need, appointments with the travel clinic so that David and I are vaccinated, researching Baotou and Hohhot (which are hardly Westernized like Beijing), finding out where the pearl and silk markets are.... Which leads me to ask if anyone knows where I can buy those individual coffee bags-- they're like tea bags but have coffee in them. I've searched the grocers here in Midland, Ontario and no one is carrying them anymore. I know there is a Starbucks in Beijing, but I think I'm the only person in the world who doesn't like Starbucks. Worst case scenario, I can pack some instant coffee, but would prefer the bag idea, just for packing sake.
And of coarse my weird dreams are still happening. I dreamed we were boarding the plane to head to China and I realized I left EVERYTHING I packed for Nevin at home on my bed. (again, cue the twitch and wake up panicked). I guess it will be here soon enough.....packing the week before, saying goodbye to the kids (oh god), and driving down to the airport with my heart in my throat.
So hopefully, in the next few weeks, I can post that we have indeed received our Letter Seeking Confirmation, after which our agency will book our travel. Any families to travel in October, I'd love to hear from you.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Fireworks and Family
Despite the children completely avoiding their naps, we managed to avoid any remarkable melt downs our tantrums. After a quick bite to eat, I bathed the kids and dressed them in their pjs, with warm jackets and hats, as it was supposed to be very cool evening. Equipped with blankets, flashlights, bug spray for just in case, iPhone that I'm still learning to use, we headed back to Little Lake at just about the time the kids normally head to bed. I was pleasantly surprised they did not fall asleep on the way into town.
We met my brother, sister in law and niece, and parked our blankets in the perfect spot-- near the slides and perfect view for fireworks. My brother bought the kids glow sticks, which they loved, and my children entertained every child for a 20 meter radius with their battery operated, light up the night, laser bubble stun guns. These were awesome and made at least 100 bubbles every time the trigger was pulled.
When the sun went down, it was iffy there for a minute whether the kids would be awake, or have a melt down from the noise. This was their FIRST fireworks show.
I think I missed nearly the entire beginning, as I watched their beautiful little faces light up from the fireworks, and watched their smiles grow, and hands over their ears. It was a little long for them, and Heather struggled to stay awake.
At the end, droves of people emptied the park like cattle, and Dylan cried the entire walk back to the car, wanting to stay at the park and play in the dark and watch more fireworks. Needless to say, they both fell fast asleep about five minutes down the road.
It was indeed an exhausting day, and only when I collapsed on my bed that night, did I realize I hurt from my shoulders down to the ends of all my toes. But it was a great family day, one I'm unsure the kids will remember, except through pictures. But it is one of many Canada Days that will be locked away in the memory books for years to come.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Happy Canada Day!
It has become tradition for the Campbell Family to head for Little Lake in Midland, Ontario for Canada Day. It is my hometown, a beautiful place that I hold dear to my heart. A place where I gigged at many times in my "younger" years, and now a place my children love to be carefree, swing, slide, run, and burn all their energy.
Today could have only been more perfect if Nevin was home. I thought about him a lot today. Watching my kids have the time of their lives--fearless on air inflated amusement apparatuses- or apparati if you will....the paddle boats, spinning swings, etc.
The weather was just a little cool at times, but the sun was out all day, and it was perfect.
I thoroughly enjoyed my daughter dancing like a little mad fool by the stage while some young rock band belted out some fairly good covers. There is no doubt in my mind my little girl will be drawn to the arts as she grows up, as she loves music and dance at two years of age. Dylan, he loves music as well, but I think that boy will be a talented jock of some sort. Boundless energy, pacey and daring, and naturally talented at most sports type activities. Made me wonder what Nevin's interests will be, what he will love and things he will be drawn to.
The idea this afternoon was to come home, let the kids have a nap, have dinner and head back into town for fireworks. HOWEVER, Dylan was very adamant he would not try to yawn while resting on the couch, and Heather is in her room rearranging furniture and emptying her toy box. So at this point, we aren't certain how this evening will pan out. Other than that, Canada Day has always been about being with the kids, and enjoying our beautiful town and country. Next year, there will be five of us on Canada Day, with even more to celebrate.
A delightful surprise today was bumping into Janet and her two girls from China. She is the friend I mentioned in an earlier post who talked to us about her adoption journey, so it was really special seeing her today. Her girls have grown quite a bit, and her oldest was demonstrating how to make her armpit squeak...talents of a perfectly balanced adopted child! It was delightfully entertaining, to say the least! She was pleased and surprised to learn we are receiving a boy.
Tomorrow I will post about the fireworks. Lets hope it all goes well. As long as there are swings and a slide, these little critters of mine always stymie up the energy to play. I don't know who will sleep more sound tonight-- David and I, or the kids.
Today could have only been more perfect if Nevin was home. I thought about him a lot today. Watching my kids have the time of their lives--fearless on air inflated amusement apparatuses- or apparati if you will....the paddle boats, spinning swings, etc.
The weather was just a little cool at times, but the sun was out all day, and it was perfect.
I thoroughly enjoyed my daughter dancing like a little mad fool by the stage while some young rock band belted out some fairly good covers. There is no doubt in my mind my little girl will be drawn to the arts as she grows up, as she loves music and dance at two years of age. Dylan, he loves music as well, but I think that boy will be a talented jock of some sort. Boundless energy, pacey and daring, and naturally talented at most sports type activities. Made me wonder what Nevin's interests will be, what he will love and things he will be drawn to.
The idea this afternoon was to come home, let the kids have a nap, have dinner and head back into town for fireworks. HOWEVER, Dylan was very adamant he would not try to yawn while resting on the couch, and Heather is in her room rearranging furniture and emptying her toy box. So at this point, we aren't certain how this evening will pan out. Other than that, Canada Day has always been about being with the kids, and enjoying our beautiful town and country. Next year, there will be five of us on Canada Day, with even more to celebrate.
A delightful surprise today was bumping into Janet and her two girls from China. She is the friend I mentioned in an earlier post who talked to us about her adoption journey, so it was really special seeing her today. Her girls have grown quite a bit, and her oldest was demonstrating how to make her armpit squeak...talents of a perfectly balanced adopted child! It was delightfully entertaining, to say the least! She was pleased and surprised to learn we are receiving a boy.
Tomorrow I will post about the fireworks. Lets hope it all goes well. As long as there are swings and a slide, these little critters of mine always stymie up the energy to play. I don't know who will sleep more sound tonight-- David and I, or the kids.
Enjoying the paddle boats!!!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Dreaming of China
So I dreamt last night that we get on a plane headed for China. We are met by some Chinese officials and the nannies, speaking in Chinese with smiles on their faces, whisking us into a building. It is here we are to receive Nevin. They are happy and giggling and so pleased we will be the parents of this beautiful Chinese child. Then a nanny reaches into the crib, and gently picks up a bundle wrapped in a blanket, and with a smile says "ta she Mama" "this is Mama" and hands me Nevin. I open the blanket to see his face and its a fat little black monkey with a white face, smiling at me. (Cue the twitch and wake up.)
I've had dreams like this before. When I was hugely pregnant with Heather in my ninth month, I dreamt I gave birth and when the nurse handed my sweet bundle to me, it was a giant, fat grey tabby cat tightly swaddled in a blanket.
Maybe its the crazy cosmic energy around here lately....tornado and earthquake the same day...recovering from my surprise after surprise 40th birthday weekend....Not sure, but after seeing a frog on my roof the morning after the earthquake and tornado, I believe sitting on the waiting list for a precautionary MRI maybe worth looking into.
I've had dreams like this before. When I was hugely pregnant with Heather in my ninth month, I dreamt I gave birth and when the nurse handed my sweet bundle to me, it was a giant, fat grey tabby cat tightly swaddled in a blanket.
Maybe its the crazy cosmic energy around here lately....tornado and earthquake the same day...recovering from my surprise after surprise 40th birthday weekend....Not sure, but after seeing a frog on my roof the morning after the earthquake and tornado, I believe sitting on the waiting list for a precautionary MRI maybe worth looking into.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
First Darkness, Then Light.
Every evening, I'm finding myself scouring the Internet for fellow bloggers-- more specifically, those that are adopting from Baotou. At this moment, there is a family in Baotou with only four more days before returning to the USA. I had sent them a message a few days before they departed on their journey, in the hopes if they had seen Nevin, maybe they could take a picture for us. Unfortunately, and understandably, the orphanage is not allowing pictures to be taken of the other children. I'm uncertain at this point if they even met Nevin. Sigh.
Now, my children have become very aware of Nevin "coming from China". Even my two year old on the phone with her Nana this morning asked, "Nana, are you in China?"
Often enough, the question is asked from the kids, "When is Nevin coming home?" I've resorted to answering with an explanation that involves a very special letter being mailed from China. So now, every time I bring in the mail, it becomes the Spanish Inquisition.
This leads my blog to a few pictures I saw in the post I read this morning. But first, let me make it clear that our entire family is making preparations for Nevin's arrival-- just like bringing home a newborn. His room is nearly ready, we are buying things for the trip, we sent him care pack, and we are talking about Nevin with the kids like he's already a part of our family. However, Nevin has no idea we are coming. He has no idea that in a few short months, he will be taken from his homeland, his caretakers and playmates, his culture and language, foods, smells...EVERYTHING he has ever known. Now back to pictures I saw this morning....the new daughter was obviously scared, confused, crying, hiding and evidently- grieving. As the trip moves through the blog, I begin to see some smiles, laughs and cuddles with Mommy and Daddy.
Which leads me to say, although the excitement at home is beyond belief for Nevin's arrival, I still have a great sadness for him. Not only has he lost his connection to his birth mother, we will be the bridge that takes him away from very early life in China, to his new life with his forever family in Canada. This is a guilt, if you will, that many adoptive families experience. And I have a feeling I too will be grieving and sobbing for him when we board the plane in Beijing, to head back to Toronto.
Before the light at the end of the tunnel begins, we will have to travel through the shadows before we get there.
Now, my children have become very aware of Nevin "coming from China". Even my two year old on the phone with her Nana this morning asked, "Nana, are you in China?"
Often enough, the question is asked from the kids, "When is Nevin coming home?" I've resorted to answering with an explanation that involves a very special letter being mailed from China. So now, every time I bring in the mail, it becomes the Spanish Inquisition.
This leads my blog to a few pictures I saw in the post I read this morning. But first, let me make it clear that our entire family is making preparations for Nevin's arrival-- just like bringing home a newborn. His room is nearly ready, we are buying things for the trip, we sent him care pack, and we are talking about Nevin with the kids like he's already a part of our family. However, Nevin has no idea we are coming. He has no idea that in a few short months, he will be taken from his homeland, his caretakers and playmates, his culture and language, foods, smells...EVERYTHING he has ever known. Now back to pictures I saw this morning....the new daughter was obviously scared, confused, crying, hiding and evidently- grieving. As the trip moves through the blog, I begin to see some smiles, laughs and cuddles with Mommy and Daddy.
Which leads me to say, although the excitement at home is beyond belief for Nevin's arrival, I still have a great sadness for him. Not only has he lost his connection to his birth mother, we will be the bridge that takes him away from very early life in China, to his new life with his forever family in Canada. This is a guilt, if you will, that many adoptive families experience. And I have a feeling I too will be grieving and sobbing for him when we board the plane in Beijing, to head back to Toronto.
Before the light at the end of the tunnel begins, we will have to travel through the shadows before we get there.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
The Red Thread Connection Is Extending
A fellow soon-to-be adoptive parent sent me an email through a yahoo group I belong to. Low and behold, she got her referral for an 18 month old girl the very same day we got Nevin's AND from the same orphanage! A lovely discovery indeed! Especially with the notion we may end up meeting each other in Baotou! It means that Nevin and this little girl maybe playmates. I sense I may have a lifetime connection with this family. They are in Florida, so its just a short plane ride...and a wonderful excuse to head south for a vacation in the future! We are connected by the Red Thread...more about that in a later post.
For now, I am diligently organizing my "care pack" to send to Nevin in China, while we wait for our travel date. Its a shoe box filled with a Fisher Price dump truck Dylan picked out, a cute little blue puppy (that I'm sleeping with for a week in the hopes my smell will be attached to it) a plush veterinarian play set complete with dog, cat and vet--all soft rattles, two outfits (that are under my pillow-- again with the scent thing) and a soft photo album with pictures of his family, house, pets, etc. With the limited Mandarin I have learned, I was able to label everything with heart stickers in Mandarin so that his caretakers can read them to him. Mama, baba, gege, jiejie, nainai, jai, etc.... Its given me extra practice...boy I need it! I'll send it off to our Agency on Monday, and they will courier the package to China.
For now, I am diligently organizing my "care pack" to send to Nevin in China, while we wait for our travel date. Its a shoe box filled with a Fisher Price dump truck Dylan picked out, a cute little blue puppy (that I'm sleeping with for a week in the hopes my smell will be attached to it) a plush veterinarian play set complete with dog, cat and vet--all soft rattles, two outfits (that are under my pillow-- again with the scent thing) and a soft photo album with pictures of his family, house, pets, etc. With the limited Mandarin I have learned, I was able to label everything with heart stickers in Mandarin so that his caretakers can read them to him. Mama, baba, gege, jiejie, nainai, jai, etc.... Its given me extra practice...boy I need it! I'll send it off to our Agency on Monday, and they will courier the package to China.
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