A New Week/A New Month (tomorrow)

Well, we are approaching a new week and a new month. I am totally hoping that EVERYONE hears something (referral, GNR, LID, PA, homestudy approval, application approval)!!!!! I especially am hoping that our fellow friends/bloggers, Jessica/Ken and Erin/Jason hear that their children have provincial approval! They are now at 75 days post LID. The wait is getting so long and emotional! We also pray that we are directed to get VISA approval!!!!

Happy Gotcha Day Owen!!!

Two years ago today our family jumped from 2 to 3! I can still vividly remember the prayer service that Dr. Kim, Sr. held for our precious baby boy! On this day we think of Owen's birthparents, foster parents, Eastern and Korea. Owen has truly been a blessing to our family. Happy Gotcha Day Baby Boy!!!!!!

Avery - 4/23/07 and 4/24/07

PROVINCIAL APPROVAL!!!

Finally, good news - 70 days later!!! Jynger just emailed me to let me know that Avery's dossier has been sent to Hanoi! WOOHOO!!!!

LOOK AT THE HAIR!!!!

We got a new picture of Avery yesterday ~ look at all of the hair!!!! That girl is defintely going to need some hair barrets! She seems as though she is doing well. We did not get any specifics on her. However, 4 fellow blog/Dillon families (Kerrie/Joey, Dusty/Kathryn, Mark/Kim, and Stacy/Scott)are currently in Vietnam (with children in the same orphanage) and are taking photos and video footage of her.

Baby Shower

Some friends/coworkers at work held a baby shower for me this past weekend. When they came to me about setting a date for a shower I was surprised. I had not anticipated a party but was thrilled at the idea. They even made me register! The party ended up being rather small but the company and the atmosphere was perfect! We had lunch, played one game (and monster trucks) and OPENED GIFTS! Avery got so many nice things! I can't wait for her to come home and see them for herself!

Another week...no news!!!

What could be going on in Vietnam? We are now at 65 days post LID and still nothing. Why does it take so long to gather an infants dossier? This is a real drag!

Daddy Broke Down!!!

Daddy broke down and had to participate in retail therapy! We went in to Gymboree to return an outfit and his heart melted when he saw this little outfit...




Along with retail therapy, we are having to review where exactly we are in the process. For those of you who need a refresher, the following is an outline (Thanks for the outline Jessica - LOL):

√1. Dossier Translation.
√2. Log In Date (LID). We were logged in on 2/14. Based on our LID, we can expect to travel between 5/14 and 8/14.
3. Baby Dossier/Provincial Approval. After the DIA sets the LID, they send a letter to the child's province requesting that the local Justice Department begin compiling the child's legal documentation, also referred to as the child's dossier. It can take about a week for the letter to be received by the local Justice Department. The process for compiling a child's dossier can take 30-45 business days, if not longer. This is currently in process... at least theoretically.
4. Dossier Review. This is the part where paperwork goes to Hanoi.
5. G&R Date Set. .
6. Travel! Families should have approximately two weeks notice before travel.

Preparing for Certificate of Citizenship

Owen and Jared (best buds) are scheduled for their certificate of citizenship on May 10th. We put the papers for both boys in the same envelope hoping that their appts. would be at the same time. Low and behold, they are not at the same time but on the same day. To prepare for this important festivity, we got their pictures taken together. They were such good boys - cooperating for the most part (as much as a 2 and 3 year old can).

what could be taking so long?

What could be taking so long to compile Avery's dossier? It has now been 56 days since our LID and we haven't heard a thing! I am trying to keep myself busy to pass the time but when I am home all I do is think about her!

I've been tagged!

Kim, Dylan's mommy felt the need to tag me to keep my mind off of things in Can Tho (aka Turtle Land). So, I'm supposed to tell you ten odd things about me. So, here goes...

(1) I cannot stand to eat on paper products. It has to be a glass plate, bowl, dish, etc.

(2) I am a PICKY eater! I cannot eat seafood, internal organs, chicken on a bone, or canned meat - NASTY!!!!

(3) I have food issues. I hate when my food touches!

(4) I married my high school sweetheart. We will be celebrating our 7th anniversary on June 10th!

(5) I cannot stand to be touched when I sleep - not even if it is Owen. :))

(6) I love to play in the mud on a 4 wheeler!!!!

(7) Toes that are longer than the big toe freak me out! How can that be?

(8) Squaty Potty - my husband thinks that it is odd that I am panicking about having to use a squaty potty (I cannot potty outside)!

(9) I, like Rachel can only swim in swimming pools. I cannot swim in lakes, rivers and oceans. I have to see where I’m swimming and I absolutely cannot swim with fish around me. We once swam with dolphins in Mexico and I was in a frenzy about all of the other fish around me - SCARY!

(10) I despise St. Louis area Walmarts! Walmart is Owen's favorite store (they have Monster Trucks) and when he wants to go we have to drive 30 minutes out of the way to go to a more appealing location!

So, since most people have already been tagged, I think that I will choose another Dillon family (or two). I choose Kimberly P. and Jane.

Happy Easter from Can Tho, VN

Finally, this morning we got an update on our little princess. She is now 10.25 pounds and 23.22 inches long. She seems to be doing well and looks precious! When Owen saw her picture his first response was "baby Owen, mommy". Then, he said, "Mommy, that is Avery". AHHH! Melts my heart!!!!

The Beginning Stages of Meltdown Mode

Well, I really thought that I would be able to control my feelings this time around. Oh, how wrong I was. I am in the beginning stages of meltdown mode! I am not sleeping at night and find myself daydreaming about our daughter: how much has she grown? Is she rolling over? Is she being nurtured? How will she interact with Owen (and he with her)? How will our trip to VN be? Will Owen be ok without me?...the list could continually go on! We have now waited 49 days since our LID and still waiting for our dossier and Avery's to be sent to Hanoi so that they can review and then send back to Can Tho. Can Tho will then send it on to the People Committee. Lastly, the dossiers are sent to the People's Committee (who will set our G & R date). I guess travel in May is still possible but I am thinking June. How will I make it 3 more months?!?!?!?!