I stumbled upon "Susy's" information when we were in process with Isaac. I felt an instant connection and began advocating for her. I continued to advocate for her for nearly two years. We finally came to the realization that WE are her family! If you'd like to hear more about how we "found" Susy, you can read her story HERE.
12-04-2015 Submitted LOI (Letter of Intent to adopt)
12-11-2015 PA received (Pre-Approval from China)
02-12-2016 Rough draft of home study received by placement agency
02-25-2016 Placement agency sent requested edits to home study agency
03-03-2016 Certified home study received. NOTE: at this point one would normally need to send in the i800a form to USCIS. Because we were approved for two children on our prior one (which had not expired) we were able to use an authenticated copy of it and move on to our dossier prep step.
03-03-2016 Dossier state sealed
03-04-2016 Discovered staple issues with state seal papers. Decided two must be redone.
03-07-2016 State seal retry
03-07-2016 Dossier sent to courier
03-10-2016 Document rejected by Chinese embassy. Redone, sealed at state, resent to courier. Read the story HERE.
03-22-2016 Authenticated dossier on its way to our agency
03-23-2016 DTC - Dossier has been sent To China
03-25-2016 Fingerprinted for a new i800a approval - the one sent with our dossier will expire before adoption is completed
04-13-2016 Log In Date - our dossier has been logged into the system in China
04-19-2016 Dossier "in the process of translation" Meaning it is now being translated from English to Chinese
04-20-2016 new i800a approved
04-25-2016 i800a written approval received
05-11-2016 Out of Translation, in the process of review
05-12-2016 Matched
05-13-2016 LOA issued
05-16-2016 Hard copy LOA arrived
05-17-2016 i800 sent overnight service
05-18-2016 i800 receipt date
05-18-2016 i800 receipt date
05-23-2016 i800 confirmation text received
06-02-2016 i800 provisional approval
06-09-2016 GUZ this means the National Visa Center has received our information from USCIS and entered it into their computer system. Our GUZ# is our new case number representing Guangzhou where our file will be presented.
06-09-2016 Submitted DS-260, this is the online immigrant visa form. It establishes the new name, who the adoptive parents are, where she will live, and other legalities for admission into the country.
06-10-2016 RTF This is an emailed copy of the notification letter (in rich text format) showing our case was sent on the the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou, China.
06-13-2016 Article 5 paperwork dropped off
06-14-2016 A5 ready! (medical expedite approved)
06-16-2016 TA! (travel approval received)
06-27-2016 Met Sonnet and completed adoption!
June 26, 2016
Ni hao from Changsha in Hunan Province! We arrived very early this morning. Just one more sleep then we'll be able to take custody of Sonnet! We are staying at the Huatian Hotel in Changsha.
We have a lovely room here. We're thinking to maybe move the little couch up against our bed tomorrow to keep Sonnet really close. If that doesn't seem to work so well we may request a crib.
We also have a living room area and the couch works great for Tikvah's sleeping arrangements.
Tomorrow morning we get Sonnet! Here are the gifts for the nannies and provincial officials, and Sonnet's little backpack just waiting for her!
The usual practice in China adoptions is to receive the child then have a twenty-four hour "harmonious" period before the actual legal proceedings to finalize the adoption. Because of some meetings happening in the province on Tuesday we will be able to also legally complete the adoption on Monday. Our Tuesday just opened wide up for a free day of getting to know our little girl.
June 27, 2016
We met Sonnet nearly twenty-four hours ago.
She is an active, happy little girl who took to us right away.
We are so happy she is ours at last!
June 29, 2016 We basically have to hang around in Sonnet's province all week waiting for her passport. The legal adoption is done, now we wait. To pass some time today we went to one of the parks, I think this was maybe called Martyr Park. Our guide told us a lot of history, which I have sadly already forgotten, but the jist of it was that Hunan Province has the brave warriors, and they lost a lot of people in the wars.
We wondered if investing in a carrier and it taking up the space in our luggage would be worth it. It has been! Sonnet has L-O-N-G arms that grab at everything when she is in a stroller. She also has L-O-N-G legs that tend to touch the ground because really, she is too old for a regular stroller. Our carrier is a Kinderpack Pre-school and it has been perfect for her!
I love the sense of community and the activities in China' parks!
June 30, 2016
Orange Island and the Mao statue. This statue was AMAZING. The eyes especially were so REAL looking!
After riding the train to a different area in the park we did a little shopping for the folks back home.
July 1, 2016
On Friday we traveled via the high speed bullet train from Changsha to Guangzhou. What beautiful country we were able to see! Our adoption trips have been spent in cities, so this was a part of China that we hadn't seen before.
In the train station in Changsha we were able to hire someone to take our luggage on a cart onto the train car for us. Once we arrived in Guangzhou it was just us. We had to get our three large suitcases, our backpacks, purses, diaper bag, camera bag, snack bag, etc. plus a stroller and a child who can't stand up on their own OFF the train (lift it over the rather large crack between the train and the platform first!) then down the escalator to get out of the station. I got my suitcase onto the step wrong and was so afraid I was going to just lose the whole thing and wipe out Ethan, Tikvah and Sonnet who were in front of me!
IF you get the chance to take the train I do recommend it. It was a very comfortable ride with beautiful views! But be aware that you have to carry off everything you take on, all by yourself! Travel as lightly as you are able!
When we arrived in Guangzhou we were met by the same guide (Sarah) who helped us when we adopted Isaac. It was wonderful to see a familiar face and to be in a part of China where many of the staff at businesses know at least a little English.
We had points to get a suite in the Marriott FREE for our stay in Guangzhou. It is the first time we've stayed in this hotel, and we're so very happy with it. It has been terribly hot and steamy, but our room in nice and cool. Here are some pictures of our suite in the Marriott. These are real and unedited and I didn't even clean up the room.... sorry! I decided if I waited for a clean room just wouldn't have any pictures!
The view from just inside the door. NOTE- they had an actual COFFEE MAKER in the room. This made them my favorite place right away!
Half bath just inside the suite.
Pass through the hall outside the half bath and you come to the closet. This has a safe, iron and ironing board.
Go past the closet and you enter the main bathroom. It was huge with a separate toileting, shower, and bathtub area. One nice touch was the little drying rods. There were usually several of Sonnet's bibs drying there.
Go through the main bathroom and you come to the bedroom area.
Keep going through the bedroom and there was a nice sized living room. There was a door to close it off so the bedroom could stay quiet even if people were up and about in the living room.
The suite had a great desk area also.
We paid to upgrade our suite to the executive level. This got us lounge privileges. And wow! The breakfast was amazing, certainly as good or better than any we'd had at The Garden. But the REAL bonus was light snacks and drinks available all day, and "appetizers" in the evening which actually made for a wonderful dinner! How amazing it was to not have to go out in search of food in the evening when Sonnet was just ready to be DONE for the day. I wish I had gotten photos of the food areas. They had a fantastic array of both Asian and Western foods.
On Saturday (July 2) Sonnet had to have her health exam in the morning, then in the afternoon we had (MORE!) paperwork to do with our guide to prepare for the Consulate appointment. Saturday evening we went out with the rest of the families who are here and with WACAP. It has been fun meeting online friends. Poor Sonnet was so tired out from the day that she didn't eat any of her dinner and Ethan and I took turns walking her out in the lobby area so everyone else could eat and not listen to her howl. Adoption trips are probably even harder on the kids then they are on the parents!
July 3, 2016
We went to Shamian Island to meet up with Shannon Gill. She is a photographer who is currently living in China.
Look at the other side of that photo....
She captured some really great photos for us. Here is another of my favorites:
After our photo shoot we went to the Christian Church on the Island. It was our third time to go there and is always a highlight of our trip. We went to Lucy's for lunch afterwards, then the dads hung out on the sidewalk with the kids while us moms got some shopping done.
July 4, 2016
It was business as usual in most places today. China doesn't celebrate America's Independence Day! On our trip in 2015 we stayed in an apartment just behind the big bookstore. Of course we had to go back this time to let Tikvah pick out some books. This was the first time we didn't have anyone in a wheelchair and we found it was pretty easy (and cheap too) to catch a cab there and back.
July 5, 2016
The entire adoption trip hinges on this end of the process appointment at the American Consulate. This is a big deal because this is where the process is done to get the immigrant visa for your child, though the appointment itself is often likened to going to the Department of Motor Vehicles in terms of excitement! Basically there is a lot of checking over papers, another fingerprinting, answering questions, swearing that you've told the truth, etc. You aren't allowed to take any photos (or indeed even bring a phone or camera into the building) so we don't have any pictures.
For some goofy reason I thought going shopping with Ann of Red Thread was a good idea after the appointment, and THEN following it up with the Pearl River Cruise. Hint..... it was TOO MUCH for one day.
One of the funniest things to happen on this trip was ordering pizza (with several other WACAP families) from Papa John's, and having it delivered to the waiting area outside the cruise ship.
The Pearl River cruise was beautiful, for sure. But Sonnet was so, so tired that all she wanted was to get OFF that boat and INTO her bed.
July 6, 2016 was spent packing up and we left China on July 7. Our airline this time was DELTA. It was the first time we had traveled internationally on a USA airline. I had heard that the Asian airlines were so much better (and we experienced travel on three of them in previous trips) but honestly, Delta was great. Their customer service was very helpful via the telephone in helping me to get our seats together when possible, and in upgrading to the "Comfort Plus" status. This gave us priority boarding and more seat space on the flights that we chose to upgrade. At roughly $100 per seat we chose to upgrade ONLY the international leg of the flight and none of the shorter US flights.
We are VERY budget conscious, so making the decision to upgrade was taken very seriously. But take it from someone who is very frugal - it was worth the extra and if you can possibly manage it is worth it. It is amazing how much difference the few extra inches can make when one is stuck in a seat for 3/4 of an entire day!
Another wonderful thing about flying on a US based airline is that they understood English! The flight attendant we had was also very attentive to our needs, and that of our recently adopted daughter. She stopped by several times asking if Sonnet was comfortable and if we needed anything for her.
On our return flight we had a short layover in Beijing then chose to over night in Detroit, Michigan. We not only saved quite a bit of money this way, but were able to get a good night's sleep and arrive at our coming home party at the Cincinnati airport after just a short flight.
06-02-2016 i800 provisional approval
06-09-2016 GUZ this means the National Visa Center has received our information from USCIS and entered it into their computer system. Our GUZ# is our new case number representing Guangzhou where our file will be presented.
06-09-2016 Submitted DS-260, this is the online immigrant visa form. It establishes the new name, who the adoptive parents are, where she will live, and other legalities for admission into the country.
06-10-2016 RTF This is an emailed copy of the notification letter (in rich text format) showing our case was sent on the the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou, China.
06-13-2016 Article 5 paperwork dropped off
06-14-2016 A5 ready! (medical expedite approved)
06-16-2016 TA! (travel approval received)
06-27-2016 Met Sonnet and completed adoption!
June 26, 2016
Ni hao from Changsha in Hunan Province! We arrived very early this morning. Just one more sleep then we'll be able to take custody of Sonnet! We are staying at the Huatian Hotel in Changsha.
We have a lovely room here. We're thinking to maybe move the little couch up against our bed tomorrow to keep Sonnet really close. If that doesn't seem to work so well we may request a crib.
We also have a living room area and the couch works great for Tikvah's sleeping arrangements.
Tomorrow morning we get Sonnet! Here are the gifts for the nannies and provincial officials, and Sonnet's little backpack just waiting for her!
The usual practice in China adoptions is to receive the child then have a twenty-four hour "harmonious" period before the actual legal proceedings to finalize the adoption. Because of some meetings happening in the province on Tuesday we will be able to also legally complete the adoption on Monday. Our Tuesday just opened wide up for a free day of getting to know our little girl.
June 27, 2016
We met Sonnet nearly twenty-four hours ago.
She is an active, happy little girl who took to us right away.
We are so happy she is ours at last!
June 29, 2016 We basically have to hang around in Sonnet's province all week waiting for her passport. The legal adoption is done, now we wait. To pass some time today we went to one of the parks, I think this was maybe called Martyr Park. Our guide told us a lot of history, which I have sadly already forgotten, but the jist of it was that Hunan Province has the brave warriors, and they lost a lot of people in the wars.
We wondered if investing in a carrier and it taking up the space in our luggage would be worth it. It has been! Sonnet has L-O-N-G arms that grab at everything when she is in a stroller. She also has L-O-N-G legs that tend to touch the ground because really, she is too old for a regular stroller. Our carrier is a Kinderpack Pre-school and it has been perfect for her!
I love the sense of community and the activities in China' parks!
June 30, 2016
Orange Island and the Mao statue. This statue was AMAZING. The eyes especially were so REAL looking!
After riding the train to a different area in the park we did a little shopping for the folks back home.
July 1, 2016
On Friday we traveled via the high speed bullet train from Changsha to Guangzhou. What beautiful country we were able to see! Our adoption trips have been spent in cities, so this was a part of China that we hadn't seen before.
In the train station in Changsha we were able to hire someone to take our luggage on a cart onto the train car for us. Once we arrived in Guangzhou it was just us. We had to get our three large suitcases, our backpacks, purses, diaper bag, camera bag, snack bag, etc. plus a stroller and a child who can't stand up on their own OFF the train (lift it over the rather large crack between the train and the platform first!) then down the escalator to get out of the station. I got my suitcase onto the step wrong and was so afraid I was going to just lose the whole thing and wipe out Ethan, Tikvah and Sonnet who were in front of me!
IF you get the chance to take the train I do recommend it. It was a very comfortable ride with beautiful views! But be aware that you have to carry off everything you take on, all by yourself! Travel as lightly as you are able!
When we arrived in Guangzhou we were met by the same guide (Sarah) who helped us when we adopted Isaac. It was wonderful to see a familiar face and to be in a part of China where many of the staff at businesses know at least a little English.
We had points to get a suite in the Marriott FREE for our stay in Guangzhou. It is the first time we've stayed in this hotel, and we're so very happy with it. It has been terribly hot and steamy, but our room in nice and cool. Here are some pictures of our suite in the Marriott. These are real and unedited and I didn't even clean up the room.... sorry! I decided if I waited for a clean room just wouldn't have any pictures!
The view from just inside the door. NOTE- they had an actual COFFEE MAKER in the room. This made them my favorite place right away!
Half bath just inside the suite.
Pass through the hall outside the half bath and you come to the closet. This has a safe, iron and ironing board.
Go past the closet and you enter the main bathroom. It was huge with a separate toileting, shower, and bathtub area. One nice touch was the little drying rods. There were usually several of Sonnet's bibs drying there.
Go through the main bathroom and you come to the bedroom area.
Keep going through the bedroom and there was a nice sized living room. There was a door to close it off so the bedroom could stay quiet even if people were up and about in the living room.
The suite had a great desk area also.
We paid to upgrade our suite to the executive level. This got us lounge privileges. And wow! The breakfast was amazing, certainly as good or better than any we'd had at The Garden. But the REAL bonus was light snacks and drinks available all day, and "appetizers" in the evening which actually made for a wonderful dinner! How amazing it was to not have to go out in search of food in the evening when Sonnet was just ready to be DONE for the day. I wish I had gotten photos of the food areas. They had a fantastic array of both Asian and Western foods.
On Saturday (July 2) Sonnet had to have her health exam in the morning, then in the afternoon we had (MORE!) paperwork to do with our guide to prepare for the Consulate appointment. Saturday evening we went out with the rest of the families who are here and with WACAP. It has been fun meeting online friends. Poor Sonnet was so tired out from the day that she didn't eat any of her dinner and Ethan and I took turns walking her out in the lobby area so everyone else could eat and not listen to her howl. Adoption trips are probably even harder on the kids then they are on the parents!
July 3, 2016
We went to Shamian Island to meet up with Shannon Gill. She is a photographer who is currently living in China.
Look at the other side of that photo....
She captured some really great photos for us. Here is another of my favorites:
After our photo shoot we went to the Christian Church on the Island. It was our third time to go there and is always a highlight of our trip. We went to Lucy's for lunch afterwards, then the dads hung out on the sidewalk with the kids while us moms got some shopping done.
July 4, 2016
It was business as usual in most places today. China doesn't celebrate America's Independence Day! On our trip in 2015 we stayed in an apartment just behind the big bookstore. Of course we had to go back this time to let Tikvah pick out some books. This was the first time we didn't have anyone in a wheelchair and we found it was pretty easy (and cheap too) to catch a cab there and back.
July 5, 2016
The entire adoption trip hinges on this end of the process appointment at the American Consulate. This is a big deal because this is where the process is done to get the immigrant visa for your child, though the appointment itself is often likened to going to the Department of Motor Vehicles in terms of excitement! Basically there is a lot of checking over papers, another fingerprinting, answering questions, swearing that you've told the truth, etc. You aren't allowed to take any photos (or indeed even bring a phone or camera into the building) so we don't have any pictures.
For some goofy reason I thought going shopping with Ann of Red Thread was a good idea after the appointment, and THEN following it up with the Pearl River Cruise. Hint..... it was TOO MUCH for one day.
 |
| At the pearl market with Ann |
The Pearl River cruise was beautiful, for sure. But Sonnet was so, so tired that all she wanted was to get OFF that boat and INTO her bed.
July 6, 2016 was spent packing up and we left China on July 7. Our airline this time was DELTA. It was the first time we had traveled internationally on a USA airline. I had heard that the Asian airlines were so much better (and we experienced travel on three of them in previous trips) but honestly, Delta was great. Their customer service was very helpful via the telephone in helping me to get our seats together when possible, and in upgrading to the "Comfort Plus" status. This gave us priority boarding and more seat space on the flights that we chose to upgrade. At roughly $100 per seat we chose to upgrade ONLY the international leg of the flight and none of the shorter US flights.
We are VERY budget conscious, so making the decision to upgrade was taken very seriously. But take it from someone who is very frugal - it was worth the extra and if you can possibly manage it is worth it. It is amazing how much difference the few extra inches can make when one is stuck in a seat for 3/4 of an entire day!
Another wonderful thing about flying on a US based airline is that they understood English! The flight attendant we had was also very attentive to our needs, and that of our recently adopted daughter. She stopped by several times asking if Sonnet was comfortable and if we needed anything for her.
On our return flight we had a short layover in Beijing then chose to over night in Detroit, Michigan. We not only saved quite a bit of money this way, but were able to get a good night's sleep and arrive at our coming home party at the Cincinnati airport after just a short flight.
ahhhhhh that's so sweet! can not belive you're going to adopt her!
ReplyDeleteI KNEW it!!! So happy for her, and for you. We are in process of adopting 2 brothers from China. My husband Ted leaves February 19th 2016, and we are STILL fundraising. Gabe ages out March 6th, so gotta get those boys home! I am staying home because our 22 year old special needs son just had a Kidney Transplant on January 5th.
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