Becoming reality again

When we started the adoption process in January of 2005 we were really pumped up. According to one work style profile we are both "create-execute," meaning we are most energized initiating projects and getting them off the ground. Finishing and maintaining tasks take more energy for us. So, as the adoption process has dragged on toward two years we've taken to monitoring the referral process, but have not been doing much to get ready.

For instance, early on we bought baby furniture and some clothes. We talked about decorating Keira's room. But we never got around to it and now the room has re-exert itself as a storage space. We need to get back into the frame of reference that a baby is actually on her way. There are paint colors to pick, decor to purchase, day-care to arrange. None of that has been on our minds for months. The big difference between pregnancy and adoption is that you don't have the constant daily reminder that a baby is on the way.

Occasionally someone asks about a baby shower. We are really looking forward to having a baby shower. But, since we are not pregnant and it is not physically evident that a baby will be here in a few months it's hard for us or anyone else to think "baby" on a daily basis. No showers are planned yet. I'm sure we'll get that ball rolling soon, as well. It will happen. And, like pregnancy, the baby will be here when she comes, whether we're completely ready or not. In a way, that's great news; no one is waiting for us to be 100% ready.

Sep: 16 days, 7/23/05 to 8/9/05

China Center for Adoption Affairs (CCAA) processed 16 days in Sep. (through 8/9/2005). That leaves 39 days until our Log-In-Date of 9/15/2005.
Referral may be Nov/Dec; travel in Jan/Feb.

8/9/05 to 9/15/05 = 39 days. 39 d / 16 d/mo = 2.4 months
2.4 months from Sep-06 =
mid December for referral; travel in Feb 2007

Aug: 9 days, 7/14/05 to 7/22/05

Little bit slower than last month. Only processed 9 more days.

7/22/05 to 9/15/05 = 55 days. 55 d / 9 d/mo = 6 months
6 months from Aug-06 =
Would mean Feb 2007 for referral, Mar 2007 travel to China :-(

However, based on Xiaoqing's email last month she is still predicting we will get our referral in November.