Adoption stories

My mother's friend and I have recently sent in our adoption stories to a woman who is making a book about--our's, and-- other people's adoption stories. Everybody who sent in a story also sent in a photo of something that reminds them of the baby. I sent in a photo of a care bear, since our nursery's theme is, of course, care bears. I just emailed her to ask her about how far she is in the processing of the book, and she recently emailed me back and said it's going fine, and right now she's looking for someone to illistruate the book. I think it's supposed to come out this Fall/Winter. I will find out the name, and post it some time this month. I will even be getting a free copy!!! How cool is that??? I'm also going to be in an article of a magazine, called Discovery Girl.

Here is the story I wrote for it, you can also be looking for it in a book soon:


******BRINGING BABY HOME******


I’m eleven years old, and the oldest daughter in my family. When I heard that we were going to adopt a baby girl, I was happy. I felt like it would give this family a new “adventure”, and make it fun. So, I’d like to tell you about our story from beginning to end. The story (that’s still in progress) to bring Kenzie (our baby) home. It’s full of boringness, and excitement. Here it is:

First thing first. We needed to choose a good agency. An agency that could help us bring her home safely. So my parents looked into it, and found an agency called Great Wall of China adoption agency. They then started on paperwork, and afterwards a social worker came to my home to give the OK for us to adopt. She made reports, and had people look over them. It took forever!!! And, (finally), just as we had thought, (and hoped), the answer was yes. That’s when the real work began. We’d then have to send paper work to Austin, Illinois, and even go to the Chinese consulate in Houston.

But there’s also tons of fun stuff to do, not just paperwork. That’s when I came in. I decided to give myself the job of decorating, designing, and basically “creating” her nursery. My younger sister is a care bear fanatic, and so when we saw some care bear crib bedding she just had to have it for Kenzie’s room. So, it was decided that her nursery would become a place for her care bears that couldn’t fit in my room (that we are now sharing). My dad also recently got her a new crib, and her room is full of little people, Barney the purple dinosaur, Sesame Street, and tons of books. She even has an American Girl Bitty baby (which I bought). I also can not tell you how many times I have had to move everything in her room around, or how it seems to get really, really, messy even though she’s not here yet. One of the things that I’ve also started during this time is a blog. Which you can read at: adoptingfromchina-afc.blogspot.com, but it may not have been updated for a while. Since our life is so busy, but it’s still cool.

Adopting a sister from China meant having to travel there, and I wanted to do just that. So, I asked my dad. And to show him how much I wanted to go there, I came home and made a packing list for China (which is sort of “in progress”). The list includes thing like: towels, diaper rash cream, and small toys for the baby. He said yes, and after Kylie saw a movie about Chinese orphans, she had her mind set on China also. Now my dad is even letting my brother go, but he’s only going because we’re going to Hong Kong Disney land. It’s also cool how almost all of my family is going this list of people includes: my grandma, grandpa, possibly my other grandma, and possibly my aunt and uncle. It’s something memorable, and I think that they should go. It’s going to be so much fun!!!!

Once we finally got our L.I.D (log-in-date), the real wait began. Our L.I.D is November 17, 2005. But right now the CCAA is only on May 30th, (or something like that). What a L…O…N…G… wait! Who knows how long it’ll be till we actually get our referral. But it’s all in good time. Hopefully our “journey” will end in China soon!!!

We also made it to the review room, but it doesn’t feel like were one step head from where we were. It feels like were a step backwards, since they keep extending the wait. After this we’ll be matched with a baby (I think), but it’s so very hard to imagine that it might take a year extra to be matched. Why should it take so long? I’m hoping it will go by sooner than expected!!!

We found a waiting child on the list that my dad wanted to apply for her, so we applied. We applied for a (really) cute two year-old, but I couldn’t look at her photo because I didn’t want to get attached, and then get turned down. Well, we did end up getting turned down, and are back on the regular (long) list for a baby. In a way though, it’s sort of a relief, and we decided it would be best to have a younger one anyway. Especially since most of the stuff we have is for a younger child anyway. In a way, we did it impulsively, she probably went with a family who’s perfect for her.

I hope it’ll go by soon!!! But, I doubt it, since it’s been over one hundred and ninety-four days, and the line doesn’t seem to be moving. But it’s so worth it for my future baby sister. Even though the wait got bumped from six months to almost a full year, my family and I will probably still travel this year. I’m so lucky to be getting a new sister, and the baby we get will be lucky to have us.

One day our journey will end, our journey to Kenzie will be over. But it’ll be the start of a beautiful new one. Full of excitement and fun. Especially if we go for another baby after this. Even though the wait’s long it’s still fun to meet new people, and it teaches you things. It’s a one time experience, and I’m glad I’ll be part of it. Were waiting to bring baby home!!!!

THE--(long)--WAIT.....

How is everybody out there??? (This is a picture of my dog, Ella.) We're still stuck in this wait. Sorry that I haven't kept all you readers updated on our adoption journey to Kenzie (our baby), but there isn't anything interesting to write about. But hopefully that will all change,--very soon--but... for now, we're still stuck here. You see, according to the original timeline (you know, to get a referral, and travel) we would already have the baby here right now. But November is on it's way not too long from now. November 17 is our L.I.D, and if China wants to keep the wait at a year--like they say they do--then we'll hopefully have a referral soon, and travel by January/February next year (2007). Although, I'm trying NOT to raise my hopes too high, because that probably won't happen. Then again... things change in time!!!!

We're also planning on enclosing our outdoor patio/porch into a playroom sometime in September. I've been planning it out since about June. We're going to get some really cool floors, we're gonna' repaint it. I hope she enjoys it, and it's fun and entertaining for me.

Hopefully all of you who are adopting--girl or boy--will recieve a photo of your beautiful girl, or handsome boy. We'll keep you posted!!!

Packing list for China

I thought you might want to read our packing list. Here it is:

Packing list for China page:1

for baby: (you should probably use a duffel bag or suitcase for the baby’s stuff)

3-4 toys (plastic keys, stacking cups, board books etc.)
3 onesies
1 pair of pants
2 pairs of shorts
2 pairs of tennis shoes
small amount of formula (buy most in China)
2 tops
bottles
bowls for snacks
25-50 diapers (you can buy them there)
2 blankets
doll/stuffed animal
pillow

for you: (I would also suggest a duffel bag or suitcase for your stuff)

2 pairs of shorts
1 pair of jeans
3-4 t-shirts
a dress/skirt/nice clothes (for the day you get the baby)
hat
flip-flops/sandals (for the shower)
books, cards, etc.
underwear

toiletries: (stuff them in your bag)

toilet paper (take the roll out of the middle, so you can flatten it out)
tooth brush (I’d buy a cheap one at wal-mart)
tooth paste
shampoo
conditioner
wash rag/towel
page: 2

buy there:
(most people suggest you buy 1 or 2 cheap bags there to put stuff in)

18 gifts (or enough gifts for every year till she turns 18)
umbrella stroller (buy this when you get there, so you can push the baby)
extra diapers
formula (the baby will be used to the Chinese kind)
stuff for you
some people suggest getting cute shoes for the baby there
silk dress for the baby

Medicine: (put this in your bag)

Motrin (for you and the baby)
Band-aids
Tylenol
Advil
For allergies: (bring a pack or so of tissues)
Neosporin
Bug spray/skin-so-soft
Anti-itch cream
Personal medical needs

Suggestions that people said “NOT” to bring:

Umbrella
Makeup
Hairdryer
Purse
Fancy clothing
Not a whole lot of film (one lady said she had too much film!)
Travel games
2 pairs of shoes (one lady didn’t get around to her 2nd pair)





Page 3:

Suggestions people “COULDN’T” live without or wish they brought:

The Texas Medical Kit
More LITTLE toys
Clothing (in more than one size for the baby, with the too big too small)
Puffs/tissue
a plastic container for the formula from china (the bags are not reclosable)
kitchen tongs to hold bottle nipples
stainless steel thermos
paper back books (for the flight, and extra time on your trip)
nail clippers (for the baby)
anbesol (for teething)
EXTRA baby Tylenol
Polaroid camera (to take and give out snapshots to people, they enjoyed it)
Baby spoon and bowl
Hats (for you and the baby)
More formula (some people didn’t even get to a store till the 6th day)
Cheap diaper bag
A big backpack
An empty suit case
Cough drops
Email adresses of friends (with digital camera to email them photos)

Suggestions of what to give to the Chinese:
Chocolate
50 chinese new year memorial stamps in zip-lock
squishy cloth photo album with pictures of the family to baby’s caretaker

snacks:

cheerios (in reclosable bowl for the baby)
oatmeal
granola bars
plums
applesauce
rice cereal
baby food


page 4
tips:
don’t wear sandals outside of your hotel room
take as little as possible
cover the faucets with cloths (to remind you to NOT use the water)
if your close are too big or small the orphanage will be happy to accept them
little gifts for maids (they say: that they DON’T accept tips

toys/baby needs

stacking cups
links
stuffed animal
4-5 board books
suggestion: take a journal that you’ve written in, to read to the baby
disposable bibs
(the first years) disposable plastic spoons
baby wipes
baby sized towel
thermometer
sippy cup
bottle cleaning brush
diaper rash cream
baby powder and lotion
disposable changing pads
binky
car seat
nasal aspirator
little noses nasal spray
little tummies (for constipation)
q-tips