Wow. What to say? To blog? I have tried, but no ideas seem to be forthcoming! I’m afraid my mind has already left the building and my TA is weeks away! Hopefully I will be able to complete everything that needs to be done between now and travel time without making any fatal errors!
I have managed to get everything organized and sent off to Joe and Jen (who are putting together our travel site, YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!) and I’m am so looking forward to seeing how it turns out. Jen has recently added an awesome new design, so it’s gonna be good… no doubt. BTW, we did finally agree on a name for the site by majority rules, and interestingly Isabelle cast the deciding vote. But I’m going to wait to make the announcement when the site goes live 🙂 The winner has been notified and I was glad to hear her little ones were already mesmerized by listening to Dora speak Mandarin.
I also updated Shepherd’s quilt blog, last week was a great week for fabric! Thanks SO much to everyone who has contributed so far! I’ve looked at my other kids’ quilts and realized I really don’t need 100 squares. If I can get 50 fabrics, I’ll be thrilled, so I really just need about 25 more. So if you want to participate, let me know, I’d LOVE to have you spare a square 🙂
I have also started thinking about packing… anyone have a good list they want to share? I have a few, but I love to get ideas from other adoptive parents who have made the trip. Anything you wouldn’t travel without?
And last but not least, check these new pics… I mean geesh! Cutie patootie or what?! Okay, they’re not exactly new, I got them shortly after the last set of pics and wanted to wait a bit (spreadin’ out the love, ya know?) to post them. Now seemed to be a perfect time to share, on the heels of that sweet LOA. I mean, look at that face? It looks like he’s actually trying to smile for the camera, so sweet! With just a month or so between now and the time he’ll be in my arms, how in the world can I think about anything else?
He is soooo cute! I know you can’t wait to hold him in your arms! Come on TA….hurry up!! 🙂
Oh how darn exciting !!
I am thrilled and inspired by you.
Shepherd truly is one beautiful little man!! I know this has to be a tough time for you right now…you just wanna GET there!! But it will be here before you know it!! And I cannot WAIT to see that precious boy in his momma’s arms! COME ON TA!!!
He is just perfect!! I can’t wait to see the unveiling of the new myadoptionwebsite!!
I’m sending some fabric…in the next week I promise!
email me your address!
Hayley
He is too precious! Praying TA comes quickly!!
I LOVED our packing list. I updated it once back, too. We checked one large duffle bag and carried on 1 backpack…it was so freeing! Just my husband and I traveled. If you go to our blog and look under February’s posts, the list is there. I can email it if you would prefer. Blessings, stacy
http://www.mycupoverfloweth.blogspot.com
i love the photo of him from the side…what a cute button nose! i wouldn’t travel without a small thermos for making bottles and hydrocortisone (when we got Matthew he had terrible atopic dermatitis). oh, and candy…lots of candy….for ME!
Love the pictures!! He does seem so aware and alert – what a lovely kiddo!
He’s so cute! I am so excited for you that it is almost time for him to come home.
wow!! He’s so cute!
No idea on the packing list – I’m getting mine together too!!
Hugs,
Carla
OH my is he just too cute???? He looks like a healthy boy! I just can’t wait until we get to see him in your arms.
Cute pix. But duh….of COURSE they are cute…such a cute subject! But, listen, Stef…what I’m lovin’ is the nanny’s uniform…check out that hat, man. I love it! She looks so cool in her pink 1950s nursing uniform!! Love it.
Hi!!
It’s Tammy from Prince Edward Island, Canada. We just recieved news that we will be traveling June 14th to pick up our son! What are your dates? We will be going to Nanning first and then Beijing, of course. I could just burst from excitement!
Tammy
What a cutie.
I was reading this blog…
http://www.journeytoourlittleone.blogspot.com/
and they got their LOA in just 4 days. I couldn’t believe it because you waited for so much longer. I was just wondering, do they send them out in batches and some people just get lucky with the timing?
Hi Tammy!
We are not sure about travel dates, but we are hoping that we’ll be on our way by the second week of June! But I don’t think we’ll be crossing paths as we’ll be in Guangzhou the whole time. Congats on your LOA!! 🙂
Hey Emy!
Yes, that’s Carla and I think the 4 days refers from the time she got PA to the time she got her LOA. Time is really measured between LID (or LOI, whichever is later) and LOA. So I think their time from LOI to LOA was a bit over 2 weeks. And YES, super fast!! It was because they had been logged in for so long, their dossier had already been reviewed through the NSN process when they switched to the SN program. Hope this explains it a bit 😉
Oh my goodness! Cutie patootie for sure. He is just so stinkin’ cute!! #1 thing to top a packing list: Cheerios, and plenty of them. 🙂
He just keeps getting cuter!! I’m so happy that y’all will make it before the Olympics!! Praying for a super fast TA!!!
SO CUTE!!! Can’t believe your just about 1 month away now! YEAH!!!
HUGS,
-Nicole
I love all of his beautiful photos. Your TA needs to come quickly…your wait is hard for me :)…I can’t imagine when it is my turn. This is a lot harder than a NSN referral you have such a short wait between seeing the photos and the travel. It’s great that you have had so many incredible pictures of Shepherd, but it must really pull on those heartstrings.
He is adorable!!!!!!!! I know you are dying to give that little man a big squeeze : )Can’t wait to see your new travel site.
oh my gosh… OH MY GOSH… cuter and cuter every time I see him!!!!
Can’t wait to hear the name of his site, you tease :O)
Oh he is so darling, Stefanie! Not much longer now! WOW. I’m praying for you and all the last minute details to be worked out ultra smooth! 😉
From one mommy brain to another! 😉
He’s adorable!! I hope your TA comes quickly, Stefanie. I can’t wait to see him amidst your brood — so much love awaiting him at home.
Oh how adorable!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks!!!
Oh what great pictures! It won’t be long and you will be in the pictures holding him! I would love to send you a square for his quilt! I am going to Joannes tonight, I will let Myah help me pick out something special.
Can’t wait to see the new travel blog, I’m so happy that you’re almost there! We traveled in February for Lainey. We were glad to bring a small fan, which helped us all sleep (guess we’re addicted to our ceiling fan noise).
What a handsome little man! I wouldn’t travel without my digital camera and LAPTOP. I took blank cd’s, and when Sophia was sleeping in the evening at the hotel, I would upload the day’s pictures onto the laptop, and burn onto a cd for safe keeping. Then I could clear the memory card and do it all over again the next day. Also the laptop was great for answering emails, and updating our blog.
sheesh, that smile!.. those cheeks.. and his eyes are always so bright. What a sweetie. Won’t be long now. Can you believe it. I cannot believe it for you. I am living vicariously through you. I think I might have started compiling my own packing list for you trip.LOL. I cannot wait. seriously cannot wait till that little man is in your arms. Wish I was going with you. We would have a ball!
🙂
Amie