The US Consulate in Guangzhou denied my application for a Consulate Appointment (CA) because my fingerprints "expire" this week. I sent in my application for my free renewal of my I-600a on the 17th, but I haven't gotten my invitation to get fingerprinted (again, for the 4th time this adoption!).
My homestudy agency gave me a phone number to call which I did today. So now I have my SIM number and she said tomorrow it would be in the system with a date to get fingerprinted. Someone else using my agency got my travel date of March 10th, so I don't know if I've missed out or if I can still travel then if my fingerprints get taken in the next week or so. If I did, then I have to get a new or extend my travel approval (TA) because March 10th was the latest date I could travel under my current TA. There's always something! I wouldn't mind waiting 2 more weeks because it would be my girls' spring break and they wouldn't miss as much school. They wouldn't be thrilled about that though. So stay tuned...
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Questions Answered!!
1. Who chose her name and why?
Qian is the name given to all children that entered the orphanage in 2006
Yu = Universe
Xi = West or Western
They gave her the name because they wanted her to have a world view
2. Has she had any health problems or allergies?
Only her eye issues (lazy eye, needs glasses)
3. What medical treatments has she received?
They had her doing eye therapy such as stringing beads. But she wasn't cooperative perhaps because of her age, so now they just have her rest when she needs to.
4. What are her favorite foods and activities?
She likes hamburgers and french fries.
She likes to play with cars/trucks and dolls.
5. How would you describe her personality?
She's an active and outgoing child. Her's was a successful case for the fostered child. She came back to the orphanage last November, and it took her awhile to get used to it here. So far, the teacher thinks that she tends to be quiet when she's in a new environment but becomes more active when she gets used to it with friends. She gets along with the group and also would lead other children in playing.
6. Does she have likes/dislikes/sensitivities?
There's nothing that she doesn't like. But she did mention that she doesn't like vegetables. It could be the way that the veggies are prepared wasn't as the way it was cooked in her foster family.
7. What makes her happy?
She loves to play with her friends.
8. Is she close to a particular nanny? What is the nanny's name?
She likes her foster mom the most.
9. Was a note or any other memento found with her?
There was a note on her when she was found.
10. Do you have her finding ad? Can we have a copy?
All the children will receive a copy of their "Note of finding parents" and also we'll provide the copy of the note that was with her when she was found.
11. What else would you like to tell us about her?
There's nothing particular that jumps out.
12. Does the orphanage need anything in particular?
There's nothing special that we need but we do welcome all sorts of baby/toddler items.
Qian is the name given to all children that entered the orphanage in 2006
Yu = Universe
Xi = West or Western
They gave her the name because they wanted her to have a world view
2. Has she had any health problems or allergies?
Only her eye issues (lazy eye, needs glasses)
3. What medical treatments has she received?
They had her doing eye therapy such as stringing beads. But she wasn't cooperative perhaps because of her age, so now they just have her rest when she needs to.
4. What are her favorite foods and activities?
She likes hamburgers and french fries.
She likes to play with cars/trucks and dolls.
5. How would you describe her personality?
She's an active and outgoing child. Her's was a successful case for the fostered child. She came back to the orphanage last November, and it took her awhile to get used to it here. So far, the teacher thinks that she tends to be quiet when she's in a new environment but becomes more active when she gets used to it with friends. She gets along with the group and also would lead other children in playing.
6. Does she have likes/dislikes/sensitivities?
There's nothing that she doesn't like. But she did mention that she doesn't like vegetables. It could be the way that the veggies are prepared wasn't as the way it was cooked in her foster family.
7. What makes her happy?
She loves to play with her friends.
8. Is she close to a particular nanny? What is the nanny's name?
She likes her foster mom the most.
9. Was a note or any other memento found with her?
There was a note on her when she was found.
10. Do you have her finding ad? Can we have a copy?
All the children will receive a copy of their "Note of finding parents" and also we'll provide the copy of the note that was with her when she was found.
11. What else would you like to tell us about her?
There's nothing particular that jumps out.
12. Does the orphanage need anything in particular?
There's nothing special that we need but we do welcome all sorts of baby/toddler items.
Friday, January 21, 2011
New Information!!!
She's 44" tall and weighs 39.7 lbs.
Other measurements:
Head - 20.1"
Head - 20.1"
Chest - 21.7"
Foot - 6.69"
She's on the upper limit of size 4 clothes, so I'll bring size 5.
Looks like size 11 shoes.
More Progress
The girls' passports came back and my updated homestudy has been sent off to CIS. So now I wait for my updated I-171H. Once that comes back, I can get my consulate appointment and travel can fall into place.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Another Update
The girls passports came yesterday - whoohoo!! I'll try to get the Visa applications filled out this weekend and send them to a courier to get completed.
I think I'm getting closer to the I171-H renewal as my homestudy agency sent me an email with a form to complete to request the renewal.
I also heard from Blessed Kids. The orphanage wants to give me the camera when I pick up Amanda, but they sent them 2 recent photos, updated measurements, and the answers to the basic questions. I'm waiting to hear back from them on the cost to get these from them. I'm on pins and needles, but it looks like I won't get it until next week.
So I'm slowly progressing here. I need to start finding luggage and start planning what to bring pretty soon so it isn't a last minute panick.
I think I'm getting closer to the I171-H renewal as my homestudy agency sent me an email with a form to complete to request the renewal.
I also heard from Blessed Kids. The orphanage wants to give me the camera when I pick up Amanda, but they sent them 2 recent photos, updated measurements, and the answers to the basic questions. I'm waiting to hear back from them on the cost to get these from them. I'm on pins and needles, but it looks like I won't get it until next week.
So I'm slowly progressing here. I need to start finding luggage and start planning what to bring pretty soon so it isn't a last minute panick.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Package delivered to Shanghai!
I got an email this morning from Adele at Blessed Kids saying my package got delivered to Amanda's orphanage last Thursday, December 30! I have no idea whether Amanda is still in foster care or if they sent her back to the orphanage pending our arrival, but at least the package got delivered to someone who can get it to her. They will call later this week to see if they can get the camera with pictures. Exciting!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Thinking about Amanda and Starting to get excited!
Today I've been looking through my links to other families blogs. I really need to delete the links that no longer work and update others. It's sad that so many people we started with and have not gone another route have pretty much given up hope. No one is posting on our yahoo groups. Very few are updating blogs on a regular basis. Many of us are on Facebook, but only make fleeting references to still waiting. I know in another year, those still waiting will be just a small fraction of those who started out. Who would have thought...
Also, I watched a gotcha video from someone who just met their daughter in Shanghai. I need my girls to watch it, too. That time will be difficult for Amanda. The little girl in the video reminded me of the moment I had to leave Jessica (with my mom) when I left for the airport to get Anna. She came in waving, but was also waving goodbye, like nice to meet you, but I'm going back home now. I need to try to remain calm at that moment. And I need to remember to bring a toy or two and food. I also need to try to remember to sit down so we're on the same level.
I ordered a camera, panda bear, and pillow with our photos on it package from Blessed Kids. I think it is supposed to be sent out this week. I also asked them to see if they could get them to take pictures and send them back to us now so we can get updated photos. I sure hope they can do that. I'll keep you posted.
So much to do, so little time. One family posted that they got their TA today and are traveling next week! Same agency as me. I hope we travel at least the Beijing and Guangzhou portion with a group. If we do, that group hasn't even received TA yet.
Anyway, just thinking about Amanda a lot today. I'm starting to get excited although I still have so much to do between now and then. The girls are in a dance production in 3 weeks which will take up our next 3 weekends. Girl Scout cookie season is starting - as "Cookie Mom" to Anna's troop, I have cookie training tonight, and our mandatory 48 hour work week starts on Sunday until the week I leave for China. I'll crash on the plane I think. Maybe once the dance production is done, we can start getting our luggage and packing started. It'll come fast I'm sure. In the meantime, I'm waiting for the girl's updated passports, and my Adam Walsh clearance so I can get my I171H updated. I also need to figure out what to do with my pets while we're gone. Maybe I can get a couple of friends to alternate coming over. That'll wait though. I'm still worrying about finances although I'm up to about $14k available in my 401k - enough to get me there and back, but not necessarily both my girls as well.
Also, I watched a gotcha video from someone who just met their daughter in Shanghai. I need my girls to watch it, too. That time will be difficult for Amanda. The little girl in the video reminded me of the moment I had to leave Jessica (with my mom) when I left for the airport to get Anna. She came in waving, but was also waving goodbye, like nice to meet you, but I'm going back home now. I need to try to remain calm at that moment. And I need to remember to bring a toy or two and food. I also need to try to remember to sit down so we're on the same level.
I ordered a camera, panda bear, and pillow with our photos on it package from Blessed Kids. I think it is supposed to be sent out this week. I also asked them to see if they could get them to take pictures and send them back to us now so we can get updated photos. I sure hope they can do that. I'll keep you posted.
So much to do, so little time. One family posted that they got their TA today and are traveling next week! Same agency as me. I hope we travel at least the Beijing and Guangzhou portion with a group. If we do, that group hasn't even received TA yet.
Anyway, just thinking about Amanda a lot today. I'm starting to get excited although I still have so much to do between now and then. The girls are in a dance production in 3 weeks which will take up our next 3 weekends. Girl Scout cookie season is starting - as "Cookie Mom" to Anna's troop, I have cookie training tonight, and our mandatory 48 hour work week starts on Sunday until the week I leave for China. I'll crash on the plane I think. Maybe once the dance production is done, we can start getting our luggage and packing started. It'll come fast I'm sure. In the meantime, I'm waiting for the girl's updated passports, and my Adam Walsh clearance so I can get my I171H updated. I also need to figure out what to do with my pets while we're gone. Maybe I can get a couple of friends to alternate coming over. That'll wait though. I'm still worrying about finances although I'm up to about $14k available in my 401k - enough to get me there and back, but not necessarily both my girls as well.
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