The End of a Chapter

It's with a bit of sadness that I have to say goodbye to this blog site. I've been having technical difficulties that can't seem to be corrected. So, a new site has been set up and designed for me by my good friend Stephanie. The "babygirlschneider" site, however, will remain in place, I just won't be posting anything new to it.

I'm so glad that I have "our wait" chronicled. I know I will come back to visit frequently to remind myself of all the milestones that we have crossed thus far. Stephanie has thoughtfully placed a link to this blog on our new blog site. That way, anyone who wants can easily look back and be reminded as well.

Please clink on the link below and join us as we complete our journey to bring XiuGang home!

Baby Girl Schneider Chapter 2

Qian Xiu Gang!!!

 

The Fed Ex truck made it!! Look how sweet she is!!!

 
Her name: Qian Xiu Gang
Her date of birth: September 10, 2008
Her SWI: Social Welfare Institute of Qianjiang District
Municipality: Chongqing

According to her description in the medical report she is:

14.7 pounds and 24.25 inches long (exam done at 6 months of age)
A deep sleeper (thank God)
Active and restless (uh oh!!)
Has a ready smile (aahh) and quick in reaction (that will come in handy...she has two brothers, after all)

I'd type more, but I'm dying to get back to staring at her photos!!!!

WE ARE IN LOVE!!!! GET ME ON A PLANE!!!

Waiting together....literally

 

Terri (a fellow waiting mama) just showed up at my door with flowers from her, Mardi, Stephanie, Kayce and Suzanne (all adoption mamas)!!! Thank you guys so much!! They are beautiful!

Terri is going to stay and wait for the FedEx truck with me!!! It's 1:40 right now...the truck is scheduled to be here by 3:00 PM

Keeping Watch

 

No FedEx truck yet, but Lincoln is keeping watch!

We did, however, just receive these beautiful flowers!!!! They are from the Sweetlands, the Hawks, the Pacheskys and the Pearsons!!!

 

WE LOVE YOU GUYS! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU

Her package is in PHOENIX!!!!

She's getting closer!!!

FED EX TRACKING INFORMATION:
May 22, 2009 8:41 AM On FedEx vehicle for delivery PHOENIX, AZ
May 22, 2009 7:07 AM At local FedEx facility PHOENIX, AZ
May 22, 2009 6:56 AM At dest sort facility PHOENIX, AZ
May 22, 2009 3:38 AM Departed FedEx location INDIANAPOLIS, IN
May 22, 2009 1:26 AM Arrived at FedEx location INDIANAPOLIS, IN
May 21, 2009 9:14 PM Left FedEx origin facility EARTH CITY,MO
May 21, 2009 6:59 PM Picked up EARTH CITY, MO
May 21, 2009 3:12 PM Shipment information sent to FedEx

OUR REFERRAL!!

I LOVE BEING WRONG!!!! IT DID HAPPEN TODAY!!!

All we know right now is this:

Name: Qian Xiu Gang
Date of birth: 9/10/08 (She's only 8 months old)


Our Fed Ex package has been mailed (Doug has already started tracking it)!! Estimated time of arrival is 3:00 PM tomorrow!!!

It won't be today

Our agency never called us back. I believe that they did in fact receive a package today, but that it contained documents regarding the Special Needs program...not referrals. I wish CHI would have called us, like they promised, but they didn't.

Tomorrow is a new day. Perhaps we will hear something then.

Sorry everyone. Thanks for hanging in there with us.

Still no call!!

It's after 5:00 PM in St. Louis....still no phone call. I can only hope that they are staying late to receive this package. Doug is on his way home from work right now. I've emailed my agency to see what is going on. I'm giving it 10 more minutes and then I'll probably call them.

UPDATE: We called our agency (at about 5:15 their time) and got their after hours answering machine (Doug left a message). We have also emailed them but have not gotten a response yet. It is now 5:50 PM in St. Louis.

Not "the call", but a call!!!

I just received a call from my agency telling me that they have been notified by DHL that a package is being delivered late today. They wanted to verify my address and where I want the referral package mailed because they are going to get the overnight packages ready to go so they can get them out today...HOPEFULLY!!!

She said they would call us one way or another before the end of the day!!!! OMG, OMG, OMG!!!!

Reports of calls being made

There are reports that referrals have arrived in various countries and families are getting phone calls today. Even some U.S. families have gotten calls!!

My wonderful friend, Stephanie, has been giving me the blow by blow all morning long. I left the house this morning and decided to go on Jacob's field trip. Then I changed my mind and went and met Leigh and Cori for breakfast thinking nothing was going to be happening today.....then everything changed!!! Stephanie called and texted me to let me know that some U.S. agencies are telling their families to expect a call today!!! I'm home now and will be checking the rumor boards, my email, my phone....you name it, for the rest of the day!

Here's hoping we have good news to share by the end of the day!!!!!!

Can this be true??!!

Rumors start trickling in last night that referrals were on there way. This morning, Europe, Spain and even a few U.S. agencies are confirming that the referrals have been sent. There is even 1 report from Europe that someone received their "call" today!!

Do I dare get excited??!! I've got my phone charged, and my list of questions ready to go. 1 copy of the questions is on my desk in the office, another in the car! I pulled a bottle of champagne out of the wine bar and put it in the fridge! I figure...if we get the call then we'll open it to celebrate....if we don't, we'll open it anyway because I'll probably need it to help me sleep tonight!!!

And the wait goes on....

Today marks the start of yet another week of waiting. We still don't know what exactly is going on with the referrals. Our agency did speak with the CCAA and they were told that the referrals "are not being held" due to the Swine Flu. They weren't told why they haven't been mailed or when they will be mailed. The fact that the CCAA says that the referrals aren't being held due to the Swine Flu doesn't actually mean that they aren't being held due to the Swine Flu....it just means that they are saying that they aren't being held due to the Swine Flu. Does that makes sense?! I, for one, believe the they are holding them.

There is always the possibility that it is just taking the CCAA longer to do the matching this month. At least, that's one of the rumors floating around. I doubt it's true, but it's possible. There's not a whole lot to rest our hope on right now. Nothing tangible...no frame of reference. That's tough. Really tough. But, we'll get through it. Someday my phone will ring!!! This I know!!

For now, I'm trying to adjust my attitude towards China. I'm trying to be respectful of a culture I truly don't understand. I don't want to get into a habit of bad mouthing my daughter's country of origin just because my western way of thinking doesn't jive with theirs. That's not OK. The fact of the matter is, the day will come when I will be eternally grateful to the country of China for allowing me the privilege of parenting one of their own. Someday "she" will be ours, but for now "she" is theirs. They have to do what they feel is in her best interest and I have to respect that and patiently wait for that job to be handed over to me.

I guess I'll just sit back and do some "people watching" with regards to China. Just sit and stare and wonder "what the heck they are thinking??!!" (But in a kind, respectful way, of course).

Out of our heads...into our hearts, PLEASE!!!

So the other day Doug and I ordered a new camcorder. Today I received an email containig a TRACKING number for said camcorder. A tracking number...for our CAMCORDER!!!! I had to laugh. The good people at Sanyo have big enough hearts to assign a tracking number to our package so that we can have PEACE OF MIND in knowing exactly where our new video device is at any given moment of the day.

But our referral? Our child? Where is she? Apparently, we aren't entitled to that information. It's none of our business. China remains silent.

If this delay was in fact due to a pandemic, I could accept it. But it's not. It's due to fear. The provincial leaders in China are taking extreme measures to ensure that their province does not have an outbreak. Not because they are concerned about people, but because they are concerned about themselves and the rammifications that would be placed upon them by the governmental powers of China if such an outbreak occured. As a result, children (including our child) will sit in orphanges without knowing the love of their family and parents will have to continue to wait to meet and hold the child they have dream of for so many years. All because of fear....fear of man. And that, makes me angry!!

THIS "SYSTEM" IS BROKEN!!! My mood today....not very attractive!!!!

Time for a little distraction

The rumors have more or less died down. I have nothing to report, with regards to what is happening (or not happening) with the referrals. Travel approvals, however, have been arriving this week for families who have already received their referral. In fact, my girlfriend Mardi was notified by our agency today that her travel approval in on it's way from China!!! I'm so excited for her.

As for me....well, I could use a little distraction from all the adoption drama. So, Doug and I (along with some friends) are going to a Bob Schneider concert tonight. WE LOVE BOB! The boys are going to spend the night with Sarah (thank you Sarah...AGAIN), so we are footloose and fancy free.

I plan on staying pretty busy from now until the the end of the weekend...Then next week I'll go back to enjoying more adoption drama!!! This will end someday, right?!

(I've added a few Bob Schneider songs to my playlist for your listening pleasure!)

Dear baby girl,

I know we still have "mountains to climb, hills to get over, roads to hoe", before we can all be home together. But we are getting so close. When I say I need to distract myself, it's only from the pain of this wait, not from you. My thoughts of you are with me constantly. Everywhere I go. Even to this silly concert! I can't wait until we can shake our booties together. We'll invite Vienna over to show us how to do it right...that girl has got moves. Just imagining the two of you dancing around the living room together puts a smile on my. See how happy you make me already??!!


UPDATE: Here's a pic of me backstage with Bob after the show. JB took it. It's kind of a funny story how, or I should say why, JB & I decided to walk backstage, but not something I'll blog about. It was a fun night, though.

Vodka tonic, hold the tonic, please

It's my own fault for looking at the rumor boards, but SERIOUSLY....WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING IF YOU WERE ME???!!

Here's what the rumor queen had to say today....

REFERRAL RUMOR
May 5th, 2009

I’m hearing from several agencies that the people who sign off on referrals are out of the office this week and that referrals are not likely to be sent until they return.

At one time we were told multiple people would be given the ability to sign off on them and that all of those people would never be out of the office at the same time. Looks like that went out the window.

WHAT THE *&$%!!!! I can't take anymore....I'm hitting the bottle.

Is no news really good news?

We are still waiting to see whether or not referrals will be released this month. I was hoping so badly that there would be some type of an announcement made today, but that didn't happen. Who knows, maybe no news is good news. Maybe referrals our on their way. I wish I knew.

I'm really sorry everyone. I will try to keep you as up to date as I can. If I hear anything at all I will be sure to post about it right away.

I can tell you this...last night the CCAA released a new, "large", list of Waiting Chidren (special needs kids)to the various agencies. Our agency is posting the children's files to their website right now for families to review. I don't know if this is any indication that it is "business as usual" at the CCAA or not. I can't really see why they would mail a new WC list and NOT mail referrals. I guess we will have to wait and see.

Right now it's time for some vino.....(oh yeah, and homework)!

Laughing thru my tears

I have to say, in all honesty, that I didn't see this one coming. I probably should have, but I didn't. I thought the only worry I would have this week would be whether or not our phone would ring on Friday morning. I was all concerned with whether or not we would spend the weekend celebrating, or spend it knowing that it was our last weekend "without her". Silly me!

Instead, a "pandemic" flu has hit the scene. Certain agencies (none in the U.S., so far) have told their families that the CCAA is putting a 20 to 30 day hold on referrals and travel approvals due to the swine flu outbreak. Our agency (who I called today) is saying that they have not been informed of that as of yet. Therefore, I don't know what effect, if any, this will have on us. It is quite possible that is could cause a delay. It's happened before with the SARS epidemic.

It's almost funny to think that we are (or were) days away from receiving the call we have waited so long to receive and then......A PANDEMIC FLU????? REALLY????? A FLU???? FROM PIGS???? Are you freaking kidding me?!

As always, I'm grateful beyond words for my friends and family who are always there to offer their support and encouragement. I love you all and I hope I have better news to report tomorrow.

UPDATE: Our agency just sent an email with the following information. It's not very helpful in the sense that it doesn't really tell us whether or not the CCAA will be holding the next batch of referrals or travel approvals. I think we will have to wait until Monday (or even later) to find out if that is going to happen. I don't think the CCAA has made an official decision on it, as of yet. Hopefully, no news is good news. We'll have to WAIT and see.

Children’s Hope will continue sending families to China to complete their adoption as long as China and the CDC allow us to do so. Any family that does not wish to travel at this time due to the Swine Flu can delay their travel to China to complete their adoption until they feel it is safe to travel.

Weekend Bliss!

I may have just had the best weekend ever! On Friday, Doug and the boys left for a two night camping trip and I had the whole house to myself. I think it's a first! Friday night, Leigh came over and we went to work on trying to complete the crib bedding. First, we came up with a plan and an idea for the skirt, then we headed to Jo Ann's and bought the few things we knew we were going to need....then we went out for sushi! I was convinced that that would be the end of "sewing" for the night, but Leigh was bound and determined to get something done. So, we picked up some yummy desert and headed back to the house. We actually managed to make some pretty good progress on the bumper that night. JB and Brianna popped in for some moral support, which was nice!

Saturday morning I cleaned my house a bit and headed out to meet Terri and Suzanne for lunch. It was so nice to see them both again. Suzanne even surprised me with a cute little outfit for our sugarplum. Panda p.j.'s! Thank you Suzanne!

When I got back to the house, Norah was already there and guess what she had with her?! A BRAND NEW CAR SEAT FOR US!!! It's a gift from my sisters and my parents! It was so unexpected, but GREATLY appreciated. I can't believe I have a car seat in my house ready to go. It gives me chills to think about it.

Soon, all the girls were here....Norah, Sarah, Leigh and Adrianna.....oh and I can't forget, Vienna. The sewing got under way, as did the wine drinking. Just one bottle...we had to stay focused! Anyway, we got it done!!! I have the best girlfriends and sisters in the world. I say it all the time, but it really is true.

Saturday night I went to dinner with Adrianna and Chris. Then, Norah and Sarah and I went out for some drinks, lots of laughs and a little dancing. The three of us NEVER get out together like that....it was a lot of fun.

Sunday, I slept in, sat by the pool, chatted on the phone and waited for my three boys to return home. Benji could hardly wait to run in the door and give me a hug (I think I got about 20 hugs from him that night). The three of them had a blast on their trip....and nobody got hurt!

Doug took me to dinner that night (cause I hadn't been spoiled enough). I told him all about my weekend. He was very impressed with the baby's room and even more impressed with the generosity and love that my friends and sisters show to me. We feel so blessed to have each and everyone of you in our lives. It's hard to put into words just how much you all mean to us. Having your support and love throughout this journey has made it possible for us to stay strong for our little girl and to not give up hope that this will happen! It warms my heart to know just how much love this child has waiting for her.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

"Waiting mamas"

"I came to help sew....and hold pink hippos"!

Sewing is serious business....even with wine!

Norah hard at work (probably undoing what Sarah just did..ha ha)

The pictures don't do it justice...it really is precious!

Aren't the tie backs adorable?!

The only thing missing is our sugarplum.

Our new carseat, modeled by the lovely Vienna!

Update: Doug made the music selection for this post!

So, what happens next?!

Sinces it's the middle of the month, and rumors about the next batch of referrals are nonexistent, I thought it would be a good time to address a question that I have been asked by many friends and family members lately....."What happens next?"

Here's my best answer:

• The CCAA will finish matching all of the children who are to be included in this batch to their "forever families". They will packaged the referrals and send them to the various adoption agencies that represent the famlies. Our's being, Children's Hope International.
• When Children's Hope (located in St. Louis) receives the package they will start calling the families who have been matched. It's "The Call" we've been waiting years to receive. At that time, we will be given basic information about our child (name, birthdate, height, weight, birth province, name of orphanage, ect.). They will also email her photo to us at that time!!!
• They will then express mail our referral announcement with photos, original medical report with translation and any other information provided by the orphanage to us. Included in this package will be documents that we will need to sign and return right away.
• Children's Hope will then send our signed documents to the CCAA for processing of our travel approval.
• Once they received the travel approval (which takes about 4 weeks, I believe), they will request appointments for us at the American Consultate in Guangzhou.
• When appointments with the Consulate have been confirmed, we can finalize our travel. In other words, we can book our flight. Most families travel about 8 weeks after receiving their referral.

That's the long and short of it. Any questions? Anyone? I love answering adoption related questions, so feel free to ask. We hope to receive our call around the first week in May. I'll be stalking the rumors boards like a crazy person (what else in new?!) on the days leading up to it. There are usually hints that "the call" may be coming on those boards, so hopefully I won't miss it. The call, I mean...not the hints. Could you imagine me missing the call???!!! As if!! I'll probably have my cell, my home phone, and Doug's cell phone strapped to my body at all times.

The photo above is of a precious Guizhou girl. My girlfriend Mardi's newly referred daughter, Lauren, is a Guizhou girl...so, I thought I'd represent!

REFERRAL NEWS!!!

Today, April 3, 2009, Children's Hope received referrals for our families who have March 7, 2006 Log In Dates. We received 8 beautiful little girls all from the Guizhou Province. They were 9 months, 11 months, 12 months, 13 months, two children that are 19 months, 2 years 5 months, and 3 years and 4 months. The families that received the 2 and 3 year old children either requested a toddler or were given a referral based on the CCAA guidelinesof the parents ages and what age child they qualify for. These families waited 37 months from the time of their LID. Congratulations to thesefamilies!

At this time, we do not know what the cut off date was for referrals. Our next families that will be receiving referrals have a March 10, 2006 LID.

This batch of referrals seemed to have dropped out of the sky! Usually we hear reports of Europe getting referrals and then a day later they arrive in the U.S. Not this month! My friend Mardi received her call this morning and I was able to speak with her this afternoon. Thank you so much for calling me, Mardi. I feel so priviledged to have been your third phone call of the day (her husband, her mother and then ME). As I type this post, her and Dan are seeing Lauren's face for the first time. Soon her photo will be up on their blog for all to see. Although I have shed tears of joy off and on all day, I think I'm in a bit of a state of shock. Is this really happening??!! Are we really next??!! I'm in awe.

CONGRATULATIONS DAN AND MARDI!!! Lauren is so loved.