What I found out today

I called Holt and asked questions today.

We were wondering if they could tell us ANYTHING about when things might happen. They gave me an idea... We may get our Letter of Acceptance around late-February, then about 4 weeks later we'll get our Travel Approval. THEN, 2 1/2 to 5 weeks after that we'll be on the plane to China! That would put us in China sometime in April. That's if everything goes at a "normal" pace. If things go a little quicker, maybe we'll be able to go in March.

They also said that the photo album was sent to Holt-China on Jan. 16. It takes 7-9 days to get there and then within 48 hours, Holt gets it to our daughter. So, she should receive it sometime next week.

Regarding our request for 1-2 more recent pictures and current height and weight, he was going to re-request that for a 3rd time today. Because of the Chinese New Year next week, he supposed we might see something the week after next.

So unless something big happens next week, I don't expect to post again until February.

Happy Chinese New Year to everyone on January 26. Year of the Ox, 4707.

Holt Received Package

I called Holt to make sure they received our forms, money and the photo album today and they did. Now we wait again...for approval and travel instructions. We're getting closer!

Package Sent to Holt

Today we sent off forms that Holt needs, our final adoption fees, and the little photo album that we put together for Beibei. They should receive it on Monday. Once they receive our money we are all set to be approved by the CCAA and once Holt then receives our travel approval, they can let us know. They would not let us know unless they had our money. That was a BIG step towards bringing our daughter home. Whew!

We are still waiting to see if we will get another 1-2 more recent pictures and her current height and weight.

Baby Stuff and Paperwork

Today was very productive. We went out and got probably the last stroller in Omaha of the type we were looking at. We also got a gate for the basement door. Problem is, the cats need to be able to get through it. Misty made it (eventually) but Sunshine hasn't yet. Tony may try to modify it a bit with his welding skills.

Since Christmas we've also gotten a car seat and a high chair. In total, all of these 4 items have only cost just just over $200 so we think we're doing quite well. We look for sales and clearances or something that would be more useful. Like the high chair...it's kinda neat. It is just the seat and tray basically and it just straps to a regular chair. Then later, it converts to a booster seat! We both went "hmmmm" when we saw that!

We also, today, took down the Christmas lights outside and I took down the ornaments from the tree. I'll probably take care of the lights and the tree itself on Sunday. Tony worked in the shop a bit, I watched the Husker game (ended up good, anyway!), and tonight we finished what we could on the Holt paperwork and filled out the paperwork for the NCHS annual update. We have to be current in Nebraska with our homestudy when we re-adopt her 6 months after we get home. Geez! The paperwork is something else! We're getting good at it, though!