Saturday, February 25, 2012

We are in Guangzhou.....

Well we arrived safe and sound to Guangzhou Friday night!

The plane ride was a bit (OK very) rocky....

but...

we made it (very late I might add too).

We hit the Island yesterday after Alex's visa photos and medical exam....

and...

did a bit of shopping too.

Today we ~ I ~ am doing more paper work for Alex's adoption....

with our group & guide, Jocelyn (who we had when we traveled back in 2008 for Annabelle)...

and...

seeing how we are staying on the mainland this time...

at a Marriott....

we figure we do a bit exploring around the streets of the hotel.

Only one photo to share with you all today.

It was taken on our last day in Zhengzhou...

with our dear, sweet friend, Dawn (who we originally meet when we traveled for Benjamin back in 2010)...

and our guide (which we had for the past three adoptions), Yisha.

We told Yisha last time we were leaving Zhengzhou (back in June of 2010)....

this was the last time she would be seeing us in an adoption travel group.

Well you all can just imagine what Yisha did when we said it to her again ~ this time....

"We truly adore you & love you, Yisha and we seriously could not have taken this amazing journey through Zhengzhou...not once...not twice...but THREE times without you!  You totally rock and we will miss you the most.  Can't wait until you come and visit us in the states!  Between, the Fisher family, the Waite family and the Leonard family ~ you are sure to have a great time!"



Thursday, February 23, 2012

last day in Zhengzhou....

Around 2:30PM (China time) we will be leaving our hotel for the airport ~ headed to Guangzhou!

Less than a week left!

While I do have a ton of photos to share with you all....

 {our visit to the city of Jiaozuo ~ photo of old Jiaozuo City SWI where we visited back in 2008 during our adoption trip to Annabelle}


 {front door to new Jiaozuo City SWI which  was where Alex was living for the past 2 1/2 months}



 {Alex reunited with his Nannies on Hope's Floor at the new SWI}




 {Alex enjoying the marine animal show at Zhengzhou's Aquarium}






 {Annabelle getting to feed the fish at the aquarium}





{Benjamin trying to catch some of fish}


I haven't downloaded all of them to my computer.

We have been having lots of fun!

Alex is doing amazing!

And....

Ever since visiting his orphanage this past Wednesday (he had a very hard time there)....

He has truly become the "Zhe-Zhe" we were told about!!!! {and yes still very all boy!}

We miss Francesca and Benjamin something terrible....

And...

As I stated earlier, even though we are having tons of fun...

It is not the same without those two tagging along.

Just waiting on Alex's Chinese passport...

Than soon...

We'll be on our way.

{and Mom if you happened to be reading this any time soon ~ please let me know when you reach MD and with the other two....We so need to do some skyping....}

Love you all...

And...

More to come from.....

Guangzhou.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

this little boy knows more than what he is letting onto.....

It is truly amazing what a some English speaking interaction can do for one little Chinese boy ~ who is waiting for his Forever Family....

Our little bugger here knows a lot more English than he is letting onto....

He knows the words...

"No!"

"Come Here"

"Go"

"Cars"

"Mama"

"Daddy" (not Baba)

"Cookie"

"Candy"

"Drink"

"Truck"

"Book"

(I could go on forever here but you get the idea...)

He also knew the answer to this question when asked this morning as he was laying awake in his crib...

"Do you want to come into bed with Mama?"  Without any hesitation, he shook his head "Yes" and reached out his arms to me to be picked up.  He has also started to answer when called by his newly given name "Alex"! 

Yes my friends ~ this little boy knows a lot more English that he let onto in the beginning.

{here are a few photos that were taken last night while Annabelle & Benjamin were settling down for bed...I did not edit them so as you will see, Annabelle had another bloody nose ~ seeing how the air is so dry over here & Alex's face is not cleaned off from enjoying some pizza!}

{And in the next few photos it will probably look like our Miss Annabelle is not too happy to have Alexander right in her face  - but - she is actually puckering up her lips so he comes over to give her kisses}










As I mention in my last post, we are headed to Jiaozou today to get some paper work notarized and to see Jiaozou City Orphanage where Alex and Annabelle lived the first few months of their life.  Annabelle is very excited!  For we have told her {a zillion times over} the story about the last time we traveled to her orphanage.  It was one very special little boy they called "David" that captured my heart and lead me down the road to wanting a little boy.....

an afternoon at the park.....

After returning from the Civil Affairs office this morning, we decided to spend the day at the local park not far from our hotel in Zhengzhou with our friends (and fellow travel mates) the Fisher family! All the kiddos had a blast and we (the parents) had a ton of laughs! It seriously was one of the most funniest days I had ever spent in China! Here are a few photos that were taken this afternooon...

Both Alex and Annabelle LOVED riding in the cars!!!!!

Here are a few other photos that were taken by Daddy yesterday afternoon while I was with the group doing some paper work. 




He truly is a ham and I must admit ~ another special little boy has stolen my heart!

Tomorrow, we head into the city of Jiaozuo to get some paper work notarized adn we are hoping to be able to visit his (and our Annabelle's) orphanage (once again). 

All is well here in China!  I am finally feeling better andthe weather has been great!  The kiddos are doing wonderfully well too! 

And as I mention before - we truly have an "all boy" on our hands this time!  He tries to get into everything & anything - he just smiles at the word "No" - he loves to be chased - he is going to be the little bugger that truly keeps me on my toes!

Monday, February 20, 2012

Welcome Alexander David Zhe Leonard!

Well, here he is! 

Isn't he just the most precious tiny toodler you have ever seen! 

And trust me ~ he is all boy

He was one of the first babies at the civil affairs office this morning (we actually walked into the civil affairs office with him & his care taker at the same time). ..

I was just about to jump out of my skin when I saw him....

We were also the first family to be united with our child this morning....

And he did great!

So far ~ so good!

We just had lunch at at the hotel....

And I am getting ready to do some paper work with our travel group!

So without making you wait any longer....

Here are some photos from our "Forever Family Day"




Sunday, February 19, 2012

We are here in Zhengzhou!

After what seems like forever, we are finally in Zhengzhou, China!

Not only am I very tired ~ but as you can guess it ~ I am sick...

and having issues with connecting to the internet...

But ~

TOMORROW we will FINALLY be united with Alexnader!

Yes the time has finally come....

As for our spicy Annabelle....

She is having a blast!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Heading out....

Well, it looks like we finally made it to this point ~ we will be leaving for the airport at 8:30AM for that 16 hours flight to Beijing!  After a year of paper chasing - stressing - more paper stressing - and a lot more stressing - we are finally here!   Not sure if I'll post our first night (and only night) in Beijing but you can be sure I'll be posting once we arrive in Zhengzhou. 

And mark your calenders for February 20th ~ is the day we finally come face-to-face with our newest addition!  I seriously can NOT wait.....

Thursday, February 9, 2012

China Travel Details

Daily CHINA TRAVEL Schedule

February 17th ~ Leave For China!

February 18th ~ Arrive in Beijing

February 19th ~ Fly to Zhengzhou

February 20th ~ ALEXANDER'S DAY!!!!!

February 21st ~ Adoption Registration

February 22nd ~ Travel to Jiaozuo to finish paper work & notary

February 23rd ~ Free Day!

February 24th ~ Leave Zhengzhou and fly to Guangzhou

February 25th ~ Alexnader's Physical & Visa Photo

February 26th ~ Free Day!

February 27th ~ Free Day!

February 28th ~ Consulate Appointment

February 29th ~ Received Alexnader's Visa Packet {so we can come home}

March 1st ~ HOME BOUND!!!!!

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{CA}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{this just in...}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

as of 10:15 this morning, we have a confirmed Consulate Appointment with the US Embassy in Guangzhou, PR China!

flights to & from Beijing have been booked....

we leave here on February 17th and return home on March 1st...

looks like we will be united with Alexander David Zhe on February 20th in Zhenghzou, PR China...

our consulate date is February 28th...

details on travel soon to follow....

~ stayed tuned ~

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

~~~~~~~~~~TA~~~~~~~~~~


That's right ~ late last night we received our Travel Approval! 

We will not have confirmed travel dates until the US Consulate reopens on January 30th (from being closed because of Chinese New Year) but it is looking like we could be leaving as soon as February 15th!  Only time will tell...

I am once again packing ~ shopping ~ and cooking in order to prepare for our almost three weeks stay in China! 

I still can't believe it ~ WE ARE GOING TO CHINA TO BRING HOME OUR SWEET ALEXANDER!  After a year of working on this miracle to happen ~ it finally is!!!!!

While I do at times find that this chapter in our book of life in coming to an end (adoption/children), I am so looking forward to living our life as a family of six!!!!!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

So I have been going back & forth on whether I will be posting when in China...

There are many factors on why I do not want to post - internet connections, free time, being tired, probably being sick, internet connections...{well you get the idea}

~ but ~

I have recorded all of our journeys - since traveling for Francesca back in November 2005 - so it just won't be fair if I didn't do it for our sweet Alexander!

I can NOT promise that a post will happen every.single.day but I will try...

My dear friend, Sara, has volunteer once again to post both on the blog and maybe even on my facebook page - so only time will tell (or should I say interent connection, finding free time, not being tired,  and not being too sick)...

I can promise you this ~ I will try my best to get a post (or two) on here and if not when in China, I will be doing some form of recording (our daily events) and I will be posting them once we arrive home.

Until than -

Here are a few photos that we received from our agency...

While they are dated, November, 2011....

I'll take them!




Sunday, January 15, 2012

So Much Has Happen...

OK ~ So I need to do a bit of a catch up here...

Life has been crazy and this process to our precious Alexander hasn't been any exception!

Here are a few VERY important dates that NEED to be recorded....

December 8, 2011 ~ I-800 PA

December 19, 2011 ~ NVC

January 5, 2012 ~ Article 5

As of today we have been waiting for TA {our Travel Approval} for 11 days!

Now if we receive our TA by the end of next week (before the Chinese New Year begins), we could be traveling as soon as February 6th...if not and we receive our TA after the Chinese New Year, than it is looking like we will travel February 15th. 

As we sit here and wait, I have decided to start organizing some of the items that we will be taking for our Master Alexander...

I soon came to realize that we are in need of some new toys & a few new books (ones he can call all is own),  some much needed over-the-counter medicines (just in case one of us gets sick - which most likely will be me), a few new toddler accessories (a few new bottles and binks) and a cozy pair of matching winter hat & gloves set. 

Annabelle is the only one coming with us.  Seeing how she told me (over & over again after we left her last time we traveled for Benjamin) "you are never leaving me again", when we asked her if she wanted to come with us to bring home Alex, she immediately said YES!  When we asked Francesca, she immediately said "No way - that plane ride is a killer" so she is perfectly fine to stay with our dear friends, Lisa (a few days), Kelli & Dale (a few more days) and than my mom.  We didn't even ask poor Benjamin seeing how he is still having some major issues with his bowels, but he seems perfectly fine as well staying with our amazing friends and Grandma too!   As for me, I am OK with leaving them.  I know they'll be in wonderful hands and it's only for a few weeks that we will be apart. 

Since discovering we have been officially waiting on TA, I have been cooking & freezing up a storm!  The one thing I have learned is after those almost three weeks away - living out of hotel rooms - in a country that is 12 hours ahead of our time zone - I do NOT want to eat out and I do NOT want to cook.  So far I have made, an Alfredo Tortellini Casserole, Ravioli Lasagna, {my sister's famous} Egg Bake, a huge pan of Baked Ziti & Pieories with Butter & Onions, and finally a nice serving of homemade wimpees {aka sloppy joes}.  I am also planning on getting a Honey Baked Ham - and separating into meal size portions, for quick defrosting.  As I stated, I have learned that this part of the waiting is necessary - at least for us!

And finally ~ last but not least ~ we got an updated report on our little boy and a very recent photo!  Again, we have a very tiny boy on our hand - but tiny is how I like them! 


So there you have it...

Come on TA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Moving Along....

Since receiving our LOA, things have been crazy and moving a lot faster... As of today, our I-800 has been approved and was mailed off to us... Once received, we submitted a copy of our approval to our agency along with our DS-230 form. And we wait again... Almost there... We also "discovered" that Alexander has been moved from Hope in Beijing to Show Hope at his SWI in Jiaozuo City. While I am sure this must be so hard for him to understand, it just goes to show that they know we are coming ~ and soon...

Thursday, November 17, 2011

LOA!!!!

We just received noticed that our agency has received our LOA ~ Letter Of Acceptance!!!!! If things keep moving like they are ~ we should be traveling for Alexander soon after Chinese New Year!

Monday, October 3, 2011

waiting....

Well things got a little exciting around here last week ~ but ~ that slowly faded....



We received an email from our agency informing us that we can start preparing our I800 and I864W forms - for as soon as our LOA is received, we will be needing to send in these two completed forms along with our signed LOA back to our agency so they can be submitted to USCIS...



Seeing how it was only 10 day into waiting for our LOA that we received this email, my stomach was doing flip flops thinking maybe ~ just maybe ~ we'll get our LOA next week....



Well as I stated before, that excitement slowly faded ~ for the CCCWA is closed this week due to China's National Day {holiday} so nothing will be coming from their office to our agency.

~ but ~

We are moving forward and counting down the days until we DO receive our LOA (which I am hearing can take up to 60 days).....

Saturday, September 24, 2011

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ ~ LID ~ }}}}}}}}}}}}}}

LID!!!!!

We are LID as of September 21st!

Received noticed from our agency of our LID yesterday evening...Now we wait for LOA which I am hearing can take up to two months...

Hang on Alexander ~ we are coming!!!!!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

~ DTC ~



After what seems like ~ forever ~ we are finally DTC on September 16th!

Now we wait for ~ LID!!!!!!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

After what seems like a life time....

We finally completed our home study with our social worker & sent it in along with our application to USCIS on July 1st!

We received notice that USCIS received it on July 5th which is a very good thing ~

but ~

now we wait for our fingerprint appointments and than approval...

{which could take up to 90 days}

Sunday, May 22, 2011

{another new photo and adoption update}



Here is a new photo of our precious son, Alexander {who is currently waiting for us in China}!

We also received a few updated medical reports on him and while what they are all stating is a bit scary {and trust me this is not our first scary diagnoses we have received over the past two months} ~ we knew what to expect. And we are moving forward....

~ but ~

at a very slow pace...

Looks like we hit a big bump on the road to Alexander...

Seeing how Alexander will be adopted through China's new "Special Focus" program, we are able to use a lot of our Dossier paperwork from Benjamin's adoption for Alexander. One thing we did need to do again was a complete home study and it was during this home study review where we hit this big bump.

While Keith was at the doctor's office for his medical exam, our doctor found "something" not right with his heart {later tests showed that only 40% of his heart is working}. So because of that scary {there it is again} diagnoses, Keith has been subjected to several additional heart tests. Thinking there might be a blockage or he had a heart attack in the past ~ we were so very worried and while we knew KNEW IN OUR HEARTS that Alexander was ours ~ we also knew this would be another delay in our process of bringing Alexander home...

So after two months of tests....more tests...and several doctor's appointments, we {and our team of doctors} found out that there is NO blockage or NO damage to Keith's heart! And while we still do not know why his heart is only 40% working, his team of doctors know exactly what he ~ we ~ need to do to live a healthy heart life! So with several changes made within his every day living and a few medications, we are able to move forward ~ not only with our lives as a family of five but soon as a family of SIX!

Two months later we get the approval we need from our doctor that we have been praying for. So all we need to do now is...

make sure our doctor gets that report in to our social worker....

our social worker gets the report written up and submitted for approval from our agency...

once we received the approved copy from our social worker, we than can submit it into USCIS {along with our application} and wait once again...

a little bit of LOVE from half way around the world...

{these a just a few of the photos I received from my dear friend Jen when she visited Hope in early May}


Seriously what can be better than getting a few photos of your precious little man who is waiting for his mommy, daddy, two sisters and brother half way around the world!





{just look at that face!}





THANK YOU Jen for making this Mother's Day extra special!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

{and soon there will be SIX}

Yep, you are reading that correctly SIX!!!!


6!!!!!


SIX of us!


One Daddy...


One Mommy...


One six-year old little girl....


One three-year old little girl...


One three-year old little boy...


AND


One 15 month old little boy!!!!


YEP you guessed it ~ we are doing it again!


You know, I truly thought we were done. Even had family portraits taken this past Holiday because I just thought we were. Well, as my good friend Sara keeps telling me, "You may have made those plans but God just laughed at them!" And boy how right she is!


{I know I mention before about signing on for China's new Special Focus program that has become available to returning families (within the past year of a completed adoption) this past September}


Keith and I did talk about "doing it one more time" but with our agency telling us, it just might not happen, we figured it would just be the five of us. Now fast-forward to January 20, 2011 {while we were at Disney celebrating Francesca's 6th birthday}, our agency was trying to get in touch with us. While I hardly had my cell phone on let alone with me...I never got that call and once we arrived home, we were left with no power for 4 days (because of that snow/ice storm that hit on the 26th)!!!!


Saving every bit of cell phone & notebook battery I had, I was *trying* not going on the Internet at all. Half way through Day 2 with still no power, something told me to check my emails...so I did and there it was ~ an email from our agency. I knew even before I clicked on it that it was a referral. I quickly opened the email and called our agency.

I knew at first glance, this precious little boy would be better off with a family who could care for him like he needed to be cared for. With currently having two {of our three} children under going serious bowel surgeries and procedures, I knew what I needed to do to help this little boy (all the while being heartbroken & sick over it). I did have our team of doctors at Children's National review the file and within a few days (and our power restored), they confirmed my worst fears and after spending several sleepless nights, endless phone calls to my dear friend Sara and my mom, and endless talks with Keith, I called our agency.


Within one hour of making that phone call, my girlfriend (or as Keith calls her "my twin") Lori called asking me if I saw the little boy on our agency's web site that is post surgery bowel repair? I told her no and before I could get another word out (and explained to her what we just had to heartbreakingly do), she told me I must stop what I was doing and GO SEE HIM! So I logged onto our agency's site and there he was ~ our son! I felt it the moment I saw his face on my screen. I rushed Lori off the phone and called our agency to see if I could review this little boy's file. Within minutes, I had his file sitting in my mail box. I sat there on our couch just looking at the "inbox" page on my computer screen for I could not opened it. After getting a little {OK a lot} of emotional support from my good friends Sara & Lori, I opened it and I knew exactly why he is meant to be with us!


As the photos jumped across my screen, I noticed the paintings on the wall, he is currently being care for at Hope in Beijing (same place Annabelle was cared for too after her surgery) and this little boy is also from the same province (Henan) & same orphanage (Jiaozuo) as our Annabelle as well. I knew, just knew he is the one! I called our agency immediately and ask what do we do next. Than I called Keith and we waited...


{{{for you see he was not listed as a "special focus child" {even though he had several surgeries on his bowels already and is currently using a colostomy bag} so that would mean our agency would have to request the CCAA to make him a "special focus" ~ plus ~ it was the beginning of China's New Year Celebration so the CCAA would be closing for at least the following week}}}


...and waiting is what we did until 9 days later when our agency called and said that the CCAA has changed him to "special focus"! We than waited another 4 days for our pre-approval! It arrived on the 17th and while we were celebrating, our to-do lists came rolling in from our agency and social worker.


So this is where we are currently at...doing another home study, another I800A, and few other things to bring our fourth child home! Not sure when we will be traveling...my agency thinks it could be as soon as September, but after everything that happen during Benjamin's adoption, I am thinking next February. Only time will tell...


In the meantime, here are a few photos of our little boy...


ALEXANDER DAVID ZHE LEONARD (date of birth 11/30/09)