Anna Banana

A sweet person who just returned from Ethiopia (with her and her hubby's precious baby girl) kindly sent me some pictures of Anna.

Look at this poor angel! Sad and eating her banana. Bless her heart.

Progress!

So we're waiting for the embassy date and my I-171. CRAZY that the next step is traveling to Ethiopia!!!

Pics, pics, and more pics

Miscellaneous cuteness

On Monday, I had the wonderful treat of coming home to these adorable dresses from my dear friend Pat.

I love them so much! And Pat, too.
I think Anna will look so cute in them.

I ordered these online (and on sale!). This pictures does not do them justice.

Neither does this one.

I tried to introduce the boys to Anna, but they were not interested. I doubt they will be this disinterested when she is here. Despite only having clothes for her, I am ready for her to be here.

Mac is muy confusing

Randy and I have been trying to figure out how to copy the video of Miss Anna. There is, however, another little boy in it (also being adopted and also sooooooooo cute) so even if we could suddenly become somewhat technically proficient, I do not think I should be posting it here.

However, I will happily make copies to send to Sweet Sister and Sweet Shay (again, if I'm able to!!!). If anyone else would like to see the little angel in action, let me know and I'll send you a copy.

Pat suggested I learn how to skype so we can all talk once Anna is here. Perhaps Randy's new mac will come in handy after all?

In the interim, here are two more pictures of the little lovebug. Sue, my agency's fabulous director, told me she thinks I will travel in 5-6 weeks. I think I will be there for the July 29th embassy date, if so. That's not so far away! I plan to buy her a bed this week, Christine has kindly offered a fold-up stroller I can take with me, a little pack and play to borrow, and of course a built-in playmate with Liana (once we are certain Anna is free of any unusual ailments and up to date on all her shots). And, of course, once sweet and precious Anna bonds with her mother, which shouldn't take too long since I am so sweet myself. (If I were she, I would bond with Eliot or Stuart first. Those boys are pure love.)

Hello, Anna!!!

I had been warned this may not happen (that MOWA may not get their letter in on time), but they did and she's mine!!!

I'm a bit stunned.

I've still got to get the I 171 (from my biometrics) so the embassy date is still up in the air.

I'm picking up a video of her today that I will try to post if I'm able. Thankfully, Randy just bought a mac so I know things will be much easier with regards to this kind of stuff!

But here she is in the dress I bought for her playing with her Hello Kitty. TOOOOOOOOO cute!!!!

Where Things Stand

I've been reading other adoption blogs and everyone has neat little timelines for the sequencing of events. Since I rushed to get my dossier in to my agency and then to Ethiopia to be translated, mine is not so linear.

But here is where things are:

1. My court date is June 11th. This is in an Ethiopian court and I do not have to be there. If my case passes, in the eyes of Ethiopian law, she will be formally mine. (WOW!!)

2. If the court case passes, my embassy date is either July 15th or 29th. I do have to be there then and appear before the U.S. Embassy. This is when I will bring her home. I then have to formally adopt her here in the U.S. When we return, she will be a legal resident but the adoption needs to take place so she is a citizen.

3. Since my schedule is wacky, my original dossier itself is actually in D.C. now getting authenticated. I'm using a courier my agency recommended and they told me everything should be finalized by today or tomorrow. He did say that he's never seen a line as long as he did yesterday at the Ethiopian embassy. The original, authenticated dossier will then go directly to Ethiopia.

4. Did you know Ethiopia is now the #1 country for international adoptions (or #2 -- the reports vary)? The wait for Chinese adoptions is 5 years plus and so many other countries have closed.

5. I have an appointment on June 14th with the Department of Homeland Security to have my biometrics taken. This is part of my application to name an orphan as an immediate relative. It also costs around $800. Ouch.

6. If you're ever going to adopt, let me recommend first being employed by Pearson. The HR team is incredibly helpful and their benefits package is very generous. I swear, once this is final, I am writing a thank you note to Marjorie Scardino, CEO of Pearson. And how cool is it that our CEO is a woman?



Will keep you posted!



Julie