The wait continues

So, if anyone out there is keeping track, we are now at 11 weeks since our match, and 9 weeks waiting for US immigration approval. Do I need to say we're getting tired of waiting? (we won't even start on how long we've been waiting to have a child...) Everyday we're getting increasingly frustrated. For the last 18 months, I think I've been pretty good at just sitting back and letting everything work itself out, but I've decided it's time to "make waves". OK, don't think I'm going to do anything drastic, I've just decided it's time to start making more calls, more inquiries, and maybe having our name floating around the office will spark some interest in approving our request. I really don't know if this will do any good, but at least we'll feel like we're doing something. I realize that we really have NO control over this, and we're at the total mercy of our government-how scary is that??
As always, thanks for checking in- sorry I didn't have any good news to share...
RA

Perfectly said

This article was published today in the Boston Globe. It is about a family that was recently united through adoption. I know the Mom from the Korea family web forum, and have followed their journey since I joined the forum in May. Their home study went to Korea 4 days before ours, and they received their referral about 2 weeks before we did. A few weeks ago, their son came home. The writer of the article is a long time family friend, and very beautifully put into words the feelings behind stories like ours. It is so true and in fact, after reading it, I realized it could very easily be about us (with the exception, of course, that our miracle is not yet home). I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
A free fall than a soft landing
RA

Straight to the source

Today was a BAD day! Today was probably one of the hardest days I've had on our adoption journey. Nothing really happened to make it that way (well, that in itself is the problem), it was just a rough emotional day. I think the only other day I've felt this low was the day (in early Aug.) when our social worker told us it might be another few months before getting our match. So, like any woman having a bad day, I tried all the normal "pick-me-ups": working out, talking to people who would make me laugh, retail therapy, treating myself to my favorite treat (carmel apple with M&M's from Rockie Mountain Chocolate Factory), and out to lunch with my hubby.
I am just so frustrated that we are still waiting for our USCIS approval...it's been over 8 weeks now! They keep saying we should get it "any day". I feel so out of control, there is nothing I can do to make this happen any faster! Or is there? I've seen on the board several families who have requested appointments with CIS in attempt to get resolution to their case. So, that's what I did, I made an appointment with CIS. Unfortunately, it's not for a few more weeks, and I don't really know if it will do any good, but for now it's made me feel a little better and like I've "done something about it". So, now we are still praying like crazy that we'll get this approval soon, and have to cancel our CIS appointment, but at least we have that to fall back on.
For now, I am feeling better, and looking forward to a beautiful fall weekend! Enjoy!
RA

Double Digits

Today marks the start of our 10th week of waiting for Kai to come home. It's starting to get a little old...Don't get me wrong, I'm much happier being 10 weeks into our 3-5 month wait, than just 1 or 2 weeks. But, at 1 or 2 weeks, it was still so new and exciting. Now we're just tired of waiting and want our little boy home! We're still waiting for our USCIS approval, so until we have that we're pretty much in a holding pattern.
RA

Baby Shower!!

Last Sunday, my sister-in-law, Joanna, and Joe's Aunt Linda hosted a wonderful baby shower for me (at Grandma Sue's house)!! It was such a fun time, getting together with family and friends, to celebrate our new son. Once again, we feel tremendously blessed by the generosity that was shown towards us, and were quite overwhelmed by it all. Please enjoy the pictures below, and to all who were there: "Thank you so much for making it such a fun and memorable day!!" And a special thanks to Joanna and Aunt Linda for making it possible! Love you guys!!

How WE Remember...

As most of you are aware, our journey to a family has included many pregnancy losses. This past Monday, October 15, was International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. This is a subject that is not openly discussed in our society, but should be because it so deeply affects those who experience it. After losing my third pregnancy (which happened to be twins), I was having a discussion with a co-worker (who I did not know very well at the time), and felt compelled to share with her what I had gone through. By opening this door, I learned that she had also gone through infertility, and had a son from Korea. She reminded me that my miscarriages, and infertility, were part of "my story", and I should not feel ashamed to talk about it. By realizing this, and talking more about this "personal" subject, I have met (or rather, realized), that so many other people go through these same things, and I have gained so much support. If I had not been open to sharing my experiences, I may have never found out that my (now) close friend, Kim, was also going through this, and we have been able to lean on each other for support on multiple occasions during our journeys to our families. (By the way, Kim is now the proud mother of adorable boy/girl twins!) After that third miscarriage (which was not my last), I decided I needed to do something in remembrance of all our little angel babies. So, I started this cross stitch (only two and a half years ago), and when we were matched with Kai this summer, I made a goal of finishing it before he came home. Well, I did it! Take a look (just needs a frame now):

So, for any of you reading this that have gone through a pregnancy or infant loss, my heart and prayers are with you. I know it is one of the most painful losses to endure. God Bless You...
RA

NOW we're ready...

Since we got our match with Kai, whenever I talk to our social worker and mention how "unready" I feel, she always reminds me that all we really need is a car seat to bring him home from the airport. Now, thanks to Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Dave, we are ready! Even panda thinks it's pretty cozy ride! We got the seat while in Portland this past weekend for a baby shower (stay tuned for details from that wonderful event)!



On another note, after a pretty good Monday at work, we came home to a not so good situation. Three phrases describe it all...Willie...our bathroom...big mess. Not exactly what I was expecting. After dealing with that, I was thrilled to find a mailbox (and porch) full of surprises! (Sorry, no new pictures). I received a truly thoughtful birthday gift from one of my dearest friends, Kim (see Crocheron family blog); a jar of 100 wishes for Kai (I made it through about 10 before I was bawling), and a first year (at home) scrap booking calendar- can't wait to get started on that one!! We also received a shower gift from Uncle Josh and Aunt Candy, and my order from Cafe Press:


It was already dark outside, so I guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow to put it on my car. It's beginning to look like a real "mom-mobile"!
RA

Happy 8 months, Kai!!

Today our sweet little Kai is 8 months old! I was really hoping to come home from work to find a new picture as our gift, but alas, it did not happen. Well, I guess there's always tomorrow. I am starting to fear I may not recognize him when we meet. (Luckily, there will be someone to connect us!) How we wish he was home with us...

Baby steps

We're still waiting *patiently* for our USCIS approval. (Patiently is used very loosely here)
We did get a few tidbits of info today, and are hoping and praying this will be coming very soon! Stay tuned for further updates!!

The BIG 3-0!

Yesterday I did it- I became a full-fledged member of the "30's Club". It wasn't nearly as dreadful as I was expecting, and in fact I am now at peace with the whole thing. In talking with people at work yesterday, I realized that my 20's were not all that great- except, of course, for the wonderful, life changing events of becoming a wife and an aunt; and all the wonderful friends I made. My 20's were otherwise filled with heartbreak and questions, as we were struggling to start our family. So, now I'm ready for my third decade, and (almost) ready for all the changes, challenges, and amazement that it will bring! Here are some pictures of my birthday gathering with our family this past weekend. Hope you enjoy!

Dinner at Chang's- Yumm-o!

That's Grandma Anne- can you believe she's 95??

Bea's mesmerized by the fire- there were really 30 candles on it!!

Joe had me made into a bobble head!!

Now the whole world can know!

Kai has 2 teeth!!

You might be wondering how I know this- we got an updated well baby report (WBR) today!! We are so excited to get this update that we've been waiting sooo patiently for. After spending a fun weekend away in Portland, with lots of fun activities and family time, the mailman brought us this blessed gift! I'm sure he had no idea how much happiness this little envelope would bring us. OK, I know you're all anxious to hear the details, so without further ado... (his visit was done in early Sept., so he was nearly 7 months at the time) He weighed almost 21 lbs, and was almost 28 inches long. Yep, I better keep lifting those weights!! He was not yet sitting on his own, but has mastered creeping on the floor. And of course, has two bottom teeth!! The down side- no new picture, but we are thankful to have gotten the update on his growth and development. Also, it is much needed affirmation that he really is ours, and they are working to get him home to us.


As I mentioned, we were away for the weekend, it was such a fun time. I took Ryan, Bea and Peter (Kai's cousins), with their Mom's (Joanna) help, to Build-a-Bear. The three of them, together, made a bear for Kai. It was so sweet how they each got to put a heart in (yes- he has 3 hearts), after they had kissed it. We also ran into one of my friends from middle/high school, so that was a nice unexpected surprise. Saturday I had the pleasure of meeting another expecting (adoptive) Mom from the Holt board and we had a great time exchanging stories and having coffee- hoping to have many more get togethers with them (our sons were born 11 days apart!).
Then, Saturday night was my birthday party (I'm desperately hanging on to my last few days of my 20's). And Sunday, I took Bea to see Pollyanna, the play. It was our first auntie/niece outing and we both had a great time.

As always, thanks for checking in on us. Here's to more good news this week!!