I have posted before that our family is adopting a son from China. This is the second adoption for our family (5th child) and with our first it took a six months from the time we got our referral (information and match with our daughter) until she came home. The wait this time will probably be about as long maybe a little longer BUT I found out today that we mostly likely will NOT be receiving any updates on him during this time. With Holly we received pictures and updates on her health, immunizations, development etc. We received 4 pictures of Simon that are all from 6/03 and they will probably be the last until we actually get to travel to bring him home. I am so bummed I have been anxiously awaiting the mail daily hoping for that little package that would bring me a glimps of what my son's doing. :-(

By Bobbie on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 11:54 pm:

Oh that is too bad. Why the difference? I hope the time goes quickly for you both. Big hugs...

By Karen~moderator on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 07:43 am:

{{{{{hugs}}}}} That really is a bummer! If I were you I'd want to receive updates and pics often. And, like Bobbie, I'm wondering why it's being handled differently this time?

By Melanie on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 10:36 am:

What a huge disappointment!!!! I'm sorry. I'll keep my fingers crossed you get a pleasant surprise in the mail between now and then. (((HUGS)))

By Mommyathome on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 12:16 pm:

(((hugs))) I would want updates too. Just think of this as the "last leg of the race" and after this you will have your little guy

By Newbabysarah on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 01:01 pm:

(((((hugs))))))

By Babysitbarb on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 02:52 pm:

I hope you hear something soon. This is why my DB and DSIL was thinking of starting their papers again soon, knowing how long it could take.

By Feona on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 02:58 pm:

Sorry to hear you are down. When are you going to pick him up?

By Mommyof4 on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 09:25 pm:

We will hopefully be traveling to pick him up this summer. We are currently waiting for U.S. INS approval a wonderful process that can take over 3 months (and you CAN NOT even contact INS to inquire about where your app is in the process until 75 after the date that they opened your file). Once that is done we then have to send our dossier to be state certified and THEN to his country's Embassy to authenticated and THEN on to our agency to review to make sure we have done everything correctly and if we have THEN it will finally be on its way to his country for them to review and begin the process of paperwork on their side for our son. At least half of the hold up is here with our own government red tape. Those updates would have really kept me going while we wait and wait and wait.....
Our first adoption was from Vietnam and this time we are going to China so different countries have different procedures and rules

By Kathym on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 04:33 pm:

What made you decide to adopt internationally? DH and I are discusssing adoption (we have 3) because we really feel like we have room for one more. How did you start the process?
Positive thoughts and hugs as you await the arrival of your son!!!