FINALLY...PA

After almost 2 months of waiting on our PA from China (the official word that China will allow us to proceed with her adoption) it has arrived! Which means I can share her beautiful pictures. She was 7 months old in the photos. Here is our Evelyn...

I was so impressed that the SWI put her in a little dress for her referral photos, then I find out each baby has worn this dress for referral pictures for years. Sad, right? Well trust me when I say my shopping has more than made up for it...I am trying to take a break from shopping but girl clothes are too cute. Her SWI is in a climate similar to Florida, so we expect it to be warm in the spring.

Let me be honest, I am not doing well with the wait...in fact much worse than waiting for Parker. I think the difference is I know what I am missing, I had no concept with Parker. Also, this process is more complex and longer.

I do know time will speed up with the holiday season and we have a vacation to Mexico planned right after, so at least there are exciting times during the wait.

After 6 days of work and still being a SAHM I am ready for the weekend, we have lots of Halloween fun planned.

My new mantra

I could go on and on about my worries...but I am going to leave it at:

Next year, at this time, all of this will be insignificant and a distant memory...

Give me a P.....Give me a

I bet you thought I was going to say A...no not yet! It was an R I was looking for. That stand s for PR (personal record in running terms) My Dad and I ran the Ft. Benjamin Harrison half-marathon and I finally got the time I was looking for...1:59!

My Dad had a huge accomplishment as well, he improved his first time by 20 mins. We are gearing up for the Indy 500 mini in May. I was debating about signing up, hoping we would be in China (or home, fingers crossed) but as my Dad said I need that motivation and a goal to work towards.

A few pictures from the weekend....

Time to get out the Halloween pajamas

He joined in the post race fuel

My Dad and I

Finish line...telling Jim "I think I did it" I forgot my garmin watch that tracks my pace and time.

It's Fall

It is officially fall and we are enjoying all of the activities that come with the season...

Apple picking with my MOPS group

He loved looking for red and yellow apples

He ate at least three as we picked...

The orchard had all kinds of fun (that seems typical at these places anymore...)

Jim and I took him to a pumpkin farm and he seemed to think most of the pumpkins were "too heavy"

He liked the hayride to and from the patch...

I am sure there is more fall fun scheduled!

Updates on Adoption

I do not have much to report...we have requested updates from her SWI in China (this oculd take over a month) We do not have our PA yet, my hope is that we do have it and have not been notified yet.

I'll break down the process....

Dossier needs logged into China (this means home study needs updated, then and only then an we file our immigration paperwork) Home study should be in our hands in the next two to three weeks. The immigration process involves fingerprints and may take 2-3 months. We are going to attempt to speed this up by getting finger printed earlier. Then the dossier needs "authenticated" by the secretary of state, DC, and then China. Whew...we then will begin our 4-6 month wait until travel approval.

This paperchase is keeping me busy, and when I get sad I remind myself...I have a daughter and it will be less than one year until she comes home. That being said, I worry about the time she is spending in an orphanage. I have found other families who have babies from Ev's SWI. they have said the babies tend to be well cared. Regardless, the babies tend to be one month behind for every three months they spend in an orphanage. Also, I worry so much about her lack of stimulation the lack of holding, feeding, eye contact etc. The only thing I can control is making sure we get our documents together as fast as we can, and trust me we have been working!

As for Parker...this week he randomly said "Mommy, Parker misses Evie" I told him I missed her too, he then said "Megan misses Evie" (our lab)...I proceeded to tell him she is waiting at her orphanage in China. I explained that an orphanage is a place for children without Moms and Dads. As soon as that was out of my mouth I said "Actually, it is a place where babies wait for their Moms and Dads, just like you waited with Omma." He said "Oh, yes Omma"

Hoping for the PA soon, to share our sweet girl's picture!