Countdown!

We have received word that our paperwork has been submitted to the US Embassy in China. This begins the final process our paperwork will go through. In two weeks it will be picked up and taken to the C**WA (Chinese adoption authorities) for a few weeks for our official approval to travel. This would ordinarily set us up to travel in January. However...

When adopting two children from different regions, we will be required to stay an extra week for the second child (a total of 3 weeks). This year Chinese New Year is very early - starting January 23. As all government office shut down for that week, we could either plan to spend an extra week there or wait until February. So assuming there isn't some other delay (which always seems the case in the process) we will be spending the majority of February abroad. All of this is sort of a blessing in disguise. It allows us to have a relatively calm Christmas season and spend an extra few weeks getting ready.

On a side note, we consulted a doctor today concerning potential health problems that we could encounter with Jade and Abram. Most of it confirmed what we already suspected - mainly that we won't know the extent of their special needs until we get them home. Fine by us, we want them home too.