Wheeeeeew!!!

The Department of Homeland Security just sent us our appointment letter to go in for fingerprinting. This is the third time we will have done so and we feel lucky the appointment was made since our fingerprints expire about the same time we leave for China. It is important that they remain current while we are over there.

Also had some extra passport photos done to take along with us. We are also debating whether to get the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine. After reading a few articles on the subject I think we will. Nothing like a swollen brain to turn your trip into a downer. We will also bring some long sleeve shirts and Military Issue DDT skin rub to protect us from the mosquitoes. Hopefully in another six weeks we will be in China.

Say Hello To Leia Xiang Bellavance

We are so happy! What we know about her.

Name: Gan Dong Xiang

Date of Birth: February 26th 2007

From: Guangdong Province

Today May Be The Day

I am excited. The rumor queen thinks we will get our referrals today. Fingers crossed.

Waiting for the "Call".

We are slowly getting closer to what we hope will be the day. Yesterday, Nina and I went out and did some baby shopping. We bought a new crib, bedding, chew toys (teething rings), and a few safety items that we need to place around the house. The key will be shopping for the right items once we get the referral. For that we need some information about Leia's size. We will just have to wait. In other news we have been shopping around for medical insurance. Currently I am under Anthem's Blue Cross/Shield through my company. If I decide I need to leave them to help Nina at home we will need equivalent coverage. We will probably continue with Blue Cross since they seem to have the most reliable service. It is expensive though.

Nina and I have also been reading several books on post-adoption issues. One of the key issues with adopting children is attachment. In general it seems that most of these children will have issues with attachment. Some more severe than others. One suggestion emphasized in most of the other books is a lot of one on one contact between parent and child. More so than what might be seen in other families. To others this may seem like over parenting. But for children coming from adoption this is what they need. Sort of like helping make up for what they missed out on earlier.

Other than that we are just waiting for the "call". As soon as we get it we will post pictures and some information on the blog.

Rumor Festival

The rumor mill is grinding away. It looks like they may get up to December 27. That would likely mean our referral will come next in late February or early March. Please oh please oh please. I will be sure to sacrafice a few chickens so the sweet savory smell may pleaseth the adoptions gods.

New Rumor.

I just read on the rumor queen of the new rumor about the next date. She qualifies this with a low rumor rating of R1 or R2. According to a Spanish adoption agency in Europe the next batch may go all the way to the end of December 30, 2005. That would mean we could then be on the next batch of referrals to be released in early March. Ever being the optimist I will hope for the best. In all likelihood, the date will probably be something horrific like December 22, or two days beyond the last set of referrals. I will keep my fingers, toes, and eyes crossed that we will get some good news next week and even better news in March.

Blaaaaaaaaaah

Another disappointing month of referrals. I am no longer going to make estimates. It should happen this year though? Meanwhile we are reading more books on the subject of adoption and baby care. Amazon.Com should give us an award for using its website so much this month. I modified the blog to look a little bit more cheery. I cannot wait to be able to put up some pictures of our baby.

On another note we found an office at the Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond that specializes in international adoptions. They will be able to give us an idea of the general health of our daughter based on a few pictures and the cursory medical report that comes with the referral. They also provide advice on what to bring to China, prescribe prescriptions for the travelers and baby, and are on call 24 hours a day while we are in China. In addition they can conduct a post-evaluation to more quickly address any medical issues our daughter may have when we come back. It is a little bit of security of mind for us. If I could pay a doctor to come along I would.

On the Rumor Queen website, rumors are looking to give us a March/April referral. I think it would be funny if it happened on April 1st. I will keep you posted.

J.Bellavance