getting closer

For once, we seem to be in the fast lane with this adoption. We got our I800 approval last Monday, and were cabled yesterday! What this means is that we are two steps closer to Jayden!! Two more steps to go! Now we wait for Article 5, which takes two weeks, and then we wait for travel approval, which is taking anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. So June travel is looking pretty likely.

New pictures!

A family recently visited the Gaozhou orphanage and got to see our son, tickle his feet, and take some pictures of him! We are so thankful that they checked in on him, and especially thankful for the words they wrote about him and the new pictures.

The nannies said he is clever and even is pulling on and off his pants with his feet. He was attentive to the visitors, but didn't smile for them. He is most likely in his crib all the time, but has many other cribs that are close so the kids can reach through or over the rails to touch each other. There are probably only two nannies for the two baby rooms, with a total of about 30 babies. So not a lot of attention, but they said it looked like at least his basic needs are being met and he looked healthy. I can't wait to go get him and love him, hold him, hug him, tell him I love him. I want to see him smile!!

LOA!!!

Two months after sending our final documents to China, we got our LOA (letter of approval, or letter seeking confirmation) yesterday! This means we have been approved by the Chinese adoption authority to adopt Jayden.

Next steps are waiting for another approval from immigration, waiting for documents to be cabled to the US consulate in China, waiting for approval from the consulate (Article 5), and then waiting for Travel Approval from China. Each step takes approximately 2 weeks. Once we have travel approval, we can make a consulate appointment and buy plane tickets!! So, looks like June travel is still possible, at the latest beginning of July (assuming the government doesn't shut down and slow things down!!)