Ohhhhhh!! All the babies!!!

I just can't contain the happiness I'm feeling seeing all these referrals. Especially for some of my internet buddies who I've been talking to for close to a year!

A big huge CONGRATULATIONS to all the new parents!!!!!

xoxo-

B

I lost ANOTHER bet!!!!!!!!!!

What's the deal, pickle???

Happily, I announce that we officially have a Log In Date!!!!!!!!!!!!! (and Clyde has won yet another bet. First 171, then DTC, and now LID! Why can't he be as on the mark in other aspects of his life... like, "Hon, I'm going over to a buddy's house. Be back in a few minutes... hours later....)

HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
What does this mean? Well according to the well documented statistics, we should receive our Travel Approval in 67.44 days, which will be ((drumroll)) Clyde's 34th birthday, September 25th! (Thanks to the folks at WCC who tirelessly keep up with all these crazy stats and crazier a-parents!) It's nice to have an "official" Log in date. At least we know where to start the counting!

There are a lot of referrals coming on the message boards today. It looks like the stork has finally arrived in the USA! It's so fun to see all the referrals coming in, to see the sweet babies faces and their parents who are just over the moon. There are quite a few mommies on my favorite forum who are due this week... I keep checking back to see if anyone is done pushing!

Bonnie

eye kan due it beacuz eye'm entellegent!

Alright, that was a little obnoxious... however I'm pleased to announce that I'm finally able to publish pictures. I'm honored to receive this knowledge and would like to thank God for giving my brain the ability to remember something....

Bubba Jr having a great time somewhere.

Charleigh's visa picture. Apparently both of my children love to smile for the camera.

Bubba Jr. after winning a fight with miniature stay puft marshmallow men.

Okay. that's enough pictures for now.... just testing the waters for when we're actually in China... which is only like 111 days from now. That wasn't encouraging... think I'll go eat some chocolate, or beef jerky.

Bonnie

Ahhh... The endless weight....

I mean WAIT!! Well, okay, probably both.

I know there's a reason to gain weight during pregnancy... but what's up with the pounds piling on this time around??? Anyone else out there having adoption weight gain?

And speaking of weight... the adoption process is a series of hurrying up and waiting for the next thing... right now we're waiting for an LID (Log In Date) the date China officially logs our dossier into their "system." We may never know our LID. We may find out about it 2 months from now. Humpf.

Looks more and more like we'll travel mid-November. It's gonna be cool in Beijing, that's for sure! A little snow is better than 100 degrees for lugging myself up the Great Wall... If we leave around Nov 15th, we should be home before Charleigh's birthday.... that would be fantastic!!!

On another note... my cousin and her husband are seriously considering adoption. They're looking at different programs to see what is right for them. I know it won't be China (due to their ages) but, whichever program they pick I know it will be wonderful because they're both great people!!!

Today's post is brought to you by the letters

D, T and C!!!

Well it's really happening! Our dossier was sent out Saturday and is on it's way over the big blue Pacific Ocean headed for the glorious city of Beijing. Once there it will be logged in with the CCAA (Chinese Center of Adoption Affairs). Typically this process takes about 3 weeks, though I've seen recently where it's taken 3 days! So we'll plan on 3 weeks and if it's earlier, HOORAY!

So our official DTC date is 7/9/05!

Happy happy happy dance!!!

One more step left!!

Today I got back to work from a wonderful vacation. For once, it was worth it! While I was gone the Houston Consulate did their thing and waiting for me here was our authenticated 171 and homestudy!!!

So today I will get everything together and send it to our Agency!!!! Since they've been translating as we go our dossier should be sent to China this week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hooray!!!!