Is our TA on the way?

We had a conference call with our agency today to discuss travel. No- we still don't have our TA. But, they tell us it is "processed." Hmmm.. that could mean anything, right? Well, I'm not holding my breath... but, our agency is expecting our TA TOMORROW!! Woo Hoo! :-) The reality ? Anything could happen.

In the perfect hypothetical wonderland, we would travel to Beijing on July 15th. After several days in Beijing, we would travel to Chongqing on July 21st and meet Huayou on July 22nd! It's still amazing to me that this process has gone so quickly. I'm actually laughing out loud at that last comment. Truthfully, there has been NOTHING quick about this process up until June 1st. Even when we received our referral, we were originally planning on traveling in September. Somehow, by small miracles perhaps, our 'September travel' plans moved to July. Now- if I could just get rid of that darn swine flu that's putting a wrinkle in our plans....

Pressure is on....

It appears that we are in a bit of a time crunch. Our original plan isn't going to work. We have a more stringent time line. And, it has me a wee bit stressed. What's the drama about this week? Selecting an American name for Huayou!! UGH!!

Our naming strategy was pretty simple. We'd come up with a list of names that we like/agree upon, discuss it in depth during our 16 HOUR flight, and make a game day decision when we meet her. Sounds reasonable, right? Well, apparently, that isn't going to work. Here's our recent conversation:

Kim (agency rep): So, I need the American name for your daughter with exact spelling.

Me: Uhhhh... I don't have that yet.

Kim: Really? You're kidding me right?

Me: No- I'm not kidding. We talk about it all the time. We just haven't decided. We aren't quick to make these decisions. Sara was nearly 6 hours old before she had a name.

Kim: Wow. Ok- .... when do you think that you'll have it...

Me: When do you need it ?

Kim: Sooner rather than later.

Me: UGH!! Specifically, when????

Kim: Within 24 hours of receiving your TA!

Me: Ok- I'll have it to you 10 minutes before our 24 hour time expires!

FAQs part 3- all about China, adoption, travel

There is good news on the horizon. Many families with similar dates to ours have received notice that their TA will arrive this week!! While our potential travel dates wouldn’t change if we received our TA early, it does eliminate a lot of anxiety!



Why is ‘china doll’ considered to be taboo? This is a pretty serious topic in the world of adoptive parents. I had absolutely NO CLUE that the term was offensive until recently. Here’s why: Historically, the term ‘china doll’ was used to describe Asian prostitutes. Even today, if you google the term, many sexually related websites will appear.

Do you speak Mandarin? How will she understand you? No. We don’t speak Mandarin, and I am pretty sure that we don’t have enough time to learn! Fortunately, non-verbal communication is the primary means of communicating at this age. Nonetheless, we are studying some key phases like “Bu Ku” (don’t cry).

Do you get maternity leave for adoption? Yes. I think it is technically called ‘parental leave.’ And, I am very grateful!

FAQs part 2- all about China, adoption, travel

Well, if everything goes as planned... we will be half - way across the world one month from today! YIKES!! :-) I talked to our agency, and they are cautiously optimistic that we will travel on July 15th. I'm still a wee bit hesitant. We've had sooo many delays. Nonetheless, we have taken the first step towards reality by talking with our employers today. It's very surreal! Ok- onto the questions:

5. How long is the process? Another relatively easy question with a ridiculously complex answer. Dan and I started this process in Dec 2005. It’s been a really long road. Good things come to those who wait, right?? J

6a. Why adopt? Why China? Hmmm.. where to start with this one? I want to make sure that I answer this question thoroughly without writing a dissertation (yep- I’ve already done that once in this lifetime). So, here we go: Dan and I always knew that our family would be built partially by adoption. We didn’t know when. When didn’t know how. And, we didn’t know where. We just knew. Going back to question # 5, you could say that our ‘process of adoption’ started 12 years ago. We knew then.

6b. Ok- so why China? I really don’t have a very sophisticated answer for this one. The truth is very simple- gut instinct. Really. It isn’t or wasn’t anything more than just a gut instinct. We’ve been asked this question many times… mostly out of curiosity. And, I understand curiosity. I get that. Heck- I’m a naturally curious person myself. However, occasionally we have encountered the people that like to lecture us on the current need in the US for adoptive parents, etc. Those conversations are a little more difficult. And for right now, we've handled it by diversion and/or avoidance. Our responses to such inquiries will become much more important once our daughter is home. I don’t know what I’ll say to people who openly chastise us . I can only say that my response will be geared to what I want my daughter to hear me say… not necessarily to answer the question.

7. International adoption seems pretty trendy these days. Are you the Midwest version of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie? Yes- absolutely! Can’t you see the resemblance? Ha ha. Funny. I know. For those who don’t know, I absolutely despise Angelina Jolie. She makes my skin crawl! Blah! Yick!

FAQs- all about China, adoption, travel

Hello Everyone! It's seems like a good time to answer the popular questions. It'll take a few days to get to them all, so I'll put together a few posts. If you have a specific question, just post it in the comments and I'll add it to the list.

1. When will you get her? While this seems to be a relatively easy question, it has a very complex answer. The quick answer ? Hopefully July 15^th. The long answer? We are currently waiting for our TA (travel approval) from China’s Center for Adoption Affairs (CCAA). We need the TA in order to schedule all of our ‘government’ appointments. We expect our TA to arrive by the end of June.

2. How long will you be in China? About 2 weeks

3. Who is going to China? Lori, Dan, and my sister Jen. Dan will stay for the first full week and then head home (return to work, take care of the kiddos here, etc). My sister will join me for the second week. We are very excited that she has graciously volunteered to go! Unfortunately, we’ve hit a bit of a snag in our travel plans for her. Certain providences in China have established travel restrictions due to the outbreak of that darn swine flu! Please say a prayer that these restrictions are lifted in the next two weeks so we can proceed as we had originally planned.

4. How long is the flight? Just a quick 16 hours. J I may need to medicate Dan!

5. Where will you stay/what will you do for 2 weeks? We will fly into Beijing and spend a few days there site-seeing (Great Wall, etc) while acclimating ourselves to the 12-hour time difference. Then, we will travel from Beijing to Chongqing to meet Huayou and complete the adoption. We will spend about 5 days in Chongqing. Once the adoption is complete and we have received her passport, we will all travel to Guangzhou! The US embassy is located in Guangzhou, so this last phase of our trip is all about the USA! In Guangzhou, Huayou will have a required medical examine and an appointment with the US embassy in order to apply for her Visa. Once the Visa is ready, we will have a ceremonial swearing-in service and head on home!

Where is she?

Xiushan County Social Welfare Institute

About this SWI (aka orphanage):
Xiushan's international adoption program began in 2004, when the Xiushan County orphanage was opened. The orphanage sits on the Civil Affairs complex, and shares buildings with the old folks' home.

There are more than 100 children currently in the facility, and they are stratified by age. The newborns and those a couple of months old are in one room in building #2. They are moved from room to room as they get older. This allows the 30 caregivers to take care of children all the same age in each room. Except for the 7- and 8-month olds, all of the other children stay in building #2. This building has four baby rooms, and was built in 2003. Each room has about 3 caregivers at any one time, and they move from child to child, feeding, changing, bathing, etc.

Xiushan baby room

Misc. Information:
Xiushan is one of Chongqing's four "autonomous counties." Its inhabitants are comprised of members of the Tujia and Miao minority peoples.

Love Without Boundaries:

Xiushan is one of only 16 orphanages in China to receive supplemental rice and formula from the nonprofit organization Love Without Boundaries. For those interested, here a link:

More about Hua You

About Hua You:

Location:
Hua You was born in in South-Central China, in a mountainous area called Xiushan in the Chongqing Municipality. There are about 580,000 people living in Xiushan. Most people in Xiushan are farmers. Here is a map to tell you where she is located:





Birthday: She turned 1 on Feb 16th, just 10 days before Dan's birthday. The winter months are going to be busy around the Baylor household. Just for fun, let's run them down: Sara's birthday in October, Lori's birthday in November, Thanksgiving, Christmas in December, Chinese New Year in January, HuaYou and Dan's birthday in February, followed by Seth's birthday in March! PHEW -That's a lot of celebrating! We can hardly wait!


Orphanage Name:
She is at the Social Welfare Institute of Xiushan Tujia and Miao Autonomous County in Chongqing Municipality.

Here is her orphanage:

Introducing... Xiu Hua You

Hua You

Hua You at ~ 15 months

Well folks, here she is.... Xiu Hua You. She is about 16 months old (birthdate 2/16/08). I have a lot of information to add to the post. Check back on Monday for more updates! :-)

The first glimpse....

Tom Cruise says it all