Things are moving along with our adoption, and we are getting so excited to meet Little Miss. I wanted to fill you in on what is going on and where we stand. If you have no interest in adoption, feel free to skip the adoption posts. I have read tons of adoption blogs and posts, and I want to be a resource and share our experience/timeline with others.
At the end of last June we were matched with our little girl and were told there would be a lot of waiting. (That’s no surprise because we started this process two years ago last month.) We were waiting to get the first approval from Thailand. This is basically where Thailand says yes and that they agree with our adopting the child we were matched with in the process. All along we knew there would be a long wait for this first approval. The hardest part was knowing we had a daughter, she was getting bigger by the day, and we were missing out. We were getting pictures every four months, and she was growing and getting bigger in front of our eyes but not in our arms. I guess this is how someone who is pregnant feels. Your child is growing daily, and all you want to do is meet your baby and love on your child.
We were told first approvals were taking around seven to ten months after being matched. Everyone asks me why it takes so long. Why can’t they approve us right away, etc.? Well, adoption is a slow process, and we knew going into this that the whole process would take two to three years. There is nothing we can do. The board that makes these approvals only meets twice a month, and they have a stack of files that never will get smaller, no matter how fast they work. We are not the only ones adopting. There are Australians, Norwegians, other Americans, and couples from many other countries. This board stays busy.
One thing that helped to pass the time was getting care packages ready for Little Miss. Every few months we are allowed to send items to her. We can pretty much pick what we want as long as it all fits in a one gallon ziploc bag. We were told about the cute books where you could record a story with your voice. I thought this recordable book would be perfect.
Yankee and I sat down one night and even did a run through practicing the story. The story is sweet as can be, and I even choked up on the last page. Well, as I went to put our book in the gallon ziploc bag, I read in the instructions that recordable books and noise makers were not allowed. Whomp, whomp…….Bummer….. I understand that the foster mother might not be thrilled with something making noise and having to deal with it, so, I guess it is easier to avoid all of those items. So, while we couldn’t send this book, we were thrilled to discover the recordable books because we are going to get some for the grandparents, so they can read stories to her when she comes home. Both sets of grandparents live in other states, and recordable books will be a great way they can send a meaningful gift to her. Of course, we will be using Facetime and Skype, too.
Now, let’s fast forward to this month. With the arrival of February, we knew that our window of opportunity to get first approval was here. I had my calendar marked, and I knew when the board was meeting. I was in Africa for the first board meeting in February and didn’t hear from Yankee about getting first approval, so we figured it didn’t happen. The afternoon I returned from the two week trip was a tough one. I had just traveled for 24 hours straight and was struggling with jet lag. I was about to make coffee to help me fight the urge to take a nap when I got a call from our adoption agency. “Congratulations, you have first approval.” I was speechless because I didn’t think we were getting approval at the seven month mark, and we did!!!
(If you follow us on Instagram, then you have already seen this photo. To keep up with everything, go here to follow us.)
This is huge in the adoption world. First approval means travel to Thailand is right around the corner!! We can get a call in three to five months to get on a plane and get our girl. In the adoption world that is no time at all. I was then wide awake. No coffee was needed, and I couldn’t wait for Yankee to get home – not only to see him after my trip to Africa but to celebrate this big step. Next up is another round of paperwork, and then we travel. Folks, it is crunch time. I need to finish up a few more things for her room and start packing my bags. I really can’t stop smiling. I just can’t wait to meet our little lady. To put it in regular terms, we are in our final adoption trimester, and there are things to do!!!
I have made a shopping list and have been busy buying items we will need. If any of you moms out there have anything to recommend for a toddler please let me know. (One of the advantages of adopting is that we don’t need a lot of those things that newborns require.) Her room is almost ready, and we will be giving a reveal of it really soon. Be sure to check in with us here on the blog to follow our journey. It’s so much fun to be able to share it with you.
There’s one more thing I need to address before I close. We will not be posting face shots of Little Miss or posting her real name. We signed a document addressing this with the country we are adopting from, and they have a strict no social media policy till she is legally our daughter (which can take about another year after she comes home.) We will show you appropriate photos, but none of her face. Take my word, though. She is a little cutie with tons of black hair.
Want to read all about our adoption?
Adoption Adoption update #1 Adoption Update #2 Adoption Update #3 Adoption Update #4
Cheers!
Affiliate link provided.
Geri Haack says
I simply could not be happier for the three of you. I read your blog first thing this snowy morning and it made my day! I will be eager to read all the updates. Again, I am thrilled for the three of you (and I loved the happy look on your faces in the pic you shared!!). My best, geri
Jordan says
Geri,
Thank you!!! We are so excited and can’t wait to meet our little lady. I have a feeling you know the exact way we are feeling at this point in the process. We will keep you posted.
Cheers
Rosalie says
Yeah Yeah !! Super hurray….I am so happy for all of you. With hugs, your faithful reader
Jordan says
Rosalie,
Thank you, thank you we can’t wait!
Cheers
Cindy Kline says
Such happy news!
Rose says
Good Morning Jordan ~
When reading your post I was forever getting the chills.
I am so happy for you and your husband. Having a beautiful little girl is going to be wonderful.
I have 2 daughters, Now 35 & 30 ~
You can imagine where the time goes. I remember the day they were born, and now they are all grown up.
There isn’t enough word to describe how much you will love your Little One.
God Bless you and your family always
Rose
Vicki and Jennifer 2 Bees in a Pod says
We are over the moon happy for you! Congratulations!
Libby says
So very, very happy for you! And, as you well know, the mother/daughter thing is about the best around!!! I have one wonderful daughter who is now 31 and she is the light of our lives….Will be following along here closely!
Carolyn Rasnick says
If anyone should get a quick first approval, it would be you two. As a matter of fact, they should have done it months ago!! You will make great parents, she will have a wonderful life, she will be surrounded by loving family and friends and she is just a very lucky gal already to have been matched with you all. Congrats to all!!
lesley says
I had no idea!!! Congrats I am so excited for you! You are the sweetest and will be the best momma ever! YAY!
Jordan says
Thanks Lesley,
I will need to get her a little Carolina Panthers outfit!
Cheers
Donnamae says
What good news! I am thrilled for the three of you! So excited for you! 😉
Josie says
This makes me so happy!
Leslie says
We have five adopted children with one daughter from Vietnam and another from Colombia. Your blog brings forth so many wonderful memories of our wait for each one of our fantastic children. We brought back large posters of each country as well as a piece of jewelry that could be given to them when they were older. Photos of their caretakers if permitted as well as photos of the orphanage or home where they resided. This becomes a very important history to them. There were very few Asian children in our community and I remember Stephanie’s excitement the first time she saw another little girl who looked like her. Any Thai greetings you can memorize would be great or a song that you might learn to sing her to sleep. How lucky you both are!
Jordan says
Leslie, thank you for the good suggestions.
Beth says
My daughter and son in law just brought our grandson home from Ethiopia in September 2015. The wait is long and tedious but so worth it. Tears of joy for your new phase. Blessings to you and your little miss.
Jordan says
Thank you, Beth, and best wishes to you and your family.
kathy says
What a sweet post! I have to tell you that I had tears running down my face and prayers from my heart.
Jordan says
Oh, thank you so much, Kathy.
Beth Lowe says
I have thought today about what wonderful parents you will be to your Little Miss. It is such an exciting time for you both and your family. Your genuine kindness and goodness will be will provide your child with love, a sense of adventure, and security of a loving family. Much love and happiness
Jordan says
Beth,
Thank you for the kind words! We are thrilled and looking forward to meeting our daughter.
Amanda & Damien says
We got emotional when reading this latest great news, can’t think of two better parents to be and Little Miss is in for the best life. Will send some great toddler ideas and products in an email! So happy you have shared this experience with everyone, you have done a wonderful job!
Jordan says
Thanks Amanda we will have to come to the city for playdates!
Kassie says
This is so exciting! I know you must be beyond thrilled and I don’t know how you can stand the wait. Can’t wait to read more about your adoption journey! Congratulations!
Jordan says
Kassie,
I think my to do list is so long it is helping with the wait. Plus I know she will be in our arms before we know it!
Michael Ann Reeves says
Good Luck on this jounery. The best part of my life was rearing my two children.
Jordan says
Michael,
This makes me smile, as we are looking forward to the next chapter in our lives.
Wendy Johnson says
You can be like celebrities teasing us with shots of sweet little toes or fingers or back of the head shots! Congratulations! May the time pass quickly before you are on that plane..
Amber B Design says
I am so thrilled for you guys!! This is wonderful news. I can’t wait for you to travel there and meet her. You will both be such wonderful parents. All the best to you!!