The Wait, Waiting Children and our timeline...

Adoptions in China are taking a very long time right now in most cases. We were so lucky to wait only six months after our documents got to China in 05 for our referral of Clio. (Of course, those who knew me at the time will laugh because it was all too long back then...I was very stressed and impatient.)

Since that time, the wait for families has increased significantly and it now about 18 months and those turning in paperwork now are being told it may go as high as 3 years! Ouch! That really hurts when you are longing to hold a little one!

During our first adoption, we had the privilege of meeting several families who adopted through the Waiting Child program, which places children with medical needs and older children with families. We also had a family in our first travel group discover their little girl had a significant heart condition. We learned there are no guarantees and our hearts were open to many special needs.

In Nov. 2006, we didn't know that halfway around the world a beautiful little girl was born. But we did know our hearts were telling us it was time to begin the journey to our second child. We began preparing our paperwork right around that time and after Thanksgiving, turned it in to our agency, Chinese Children Adoption International (CCAI.) I like to think that the red thread that the Chinese believe connects those destined to be together, had already been spun and was pulling us toward our little Tian.

For the waiting child (WC) program. We filled out a Medical Condition Checklist where we listed which needs we were open to and the age and sex of the child we hoped to adopt. The wait to be matched in this program has been running around 8 mos. -- 1 year for most families. So we were very surprised to get the call only 1 day short of 6 mos. And for a 6 mo. old little girl under 12 mos. Many families ask for girls under 12 mos., so I was pretty sure we'd be matched with a little boy around 2 years old.

So we were surprised and delighted that we were matched with this beautiful little girl so young so soon. We can't wait to bring her home! Here's our timeline so far...we'll update as new milestones occur.

11.02.06 A lovely young girl is born somewhere in China and the Bragg/Torbenson family begins paperwork for their second adoption.
11.03.06 The little girl arrives at the Lianyungang SWI and is named Lian Tian Xin (Heart of Heaven.)
11.27.06 We submit an Application and Medical Condition Checklist to our agency.
12.11.06 Application approved. We start on all the reams paperwork for our dossier.
3.26.07 We are done paperchasing! Our dossier arrives in China.
4.10.07 We are logged in with the CCAA (the agency in China that handles adoptions.) Now the wait begins in earnest.
5.24.07 We are surprised and thrilled to get a call with a possible match. (See blog entry "The Call" for the whole story!)
5.25.07 We spend a very LONG Memorial Day weekend researching and networking to learn more about Tian's medical needs. We are unable to reach any Doctor's who specialize in her condition. Despite this, we are staring at a beautiful little face and know we want her to be out daughter. We just need to know that we can provide the care she needs.
5.26.07 Jeannene does extensive research online and make contact with several families whose children have similar hands and feet to Tian's. She get photos and video of these kids, not only walking but running, doing gymnastics and karate. It sounds like her feet will likely be totally functional.
5.29.07 We talk to Dr. Laurel Benson at Children's Hospital in Denver. She confirms what Jeannene has learned from online families. This little girl will need some medical care, but will be able to do whatever she wants to! We accept Tian's referral. We have a new daughter and Clio has a sister!
5.31.07 Our official match day! We submit our Letter of Intent to China. Clio is very excited to be a big sister! We get to tell everyone!
6.7.07 We get our Pre-Approval (PA) from China! Wow that was fast! Let's hope the rest of our paperwork goes as quickly!

Now we wait...the next step is to get Travel Packet II from our agency. This means that our paperwork has moved to the Match Room at the CCAA in China. This could come really anytime in the next 1-3 mos. This is the variable part of the wait.

Based on other folks timelines, the earliest we could possibly go would be around Aug. 20. This is looking highly unlikely the more time goes by. I am really hoping for Sept. as there is a Chinese holiday and trade fair in early Oct. which will delay travel. If not Sept., it will be mid-Oct. or later. I really really hope we are with her for her first birthday.