Third Trip to Babies R' Us

Tuesday, 7/28/09: Yes, I actually visited this store twice today. I ended up going back to the store this evening with Doug to purchase the crib and dresser for the nursery. We also purchased an organic cotton mattress and the crib set. We were the last ones shopping at the store.

The theme for the nursery is giraffes with retro circles. We LOVE it and hope that Andres will love it too!

Growth Chart

Birth:
Weight: 7.5 lbs
Length: 19.5 in.

1st Month:
Weight: 11.5 lbs
Length: 23 in.

2nd Month:
Weight: 12.75 lbs
Length: 24.5 in.

3rd Month:
Weight: 13.5 lbs
Length: 25 in.
Length:

Second Trip to Babies R' Us

Tuesday, 7/28/09: I went shopping with my friend, Janine. I thought she would be a good friend to help me find natural and organic items that were functional for the baby. She was such a big help, and she didn't mind joining me on her birthday. I took her out for lunch after our trip to Babies R' Us. I feel so blessed to have so much help in the baby department.

Registering at Babies R' Us

Sunday, 7/26/09: Today, Andres is 4 months old. Doug and I went to Babies R' Us, to start registering for the bigger items like the bedroom furniture, strollers, car seat, high chair, etc.

Wow, this store can be so overwhelming! I didn't realize how much stuff we would need. The good thing is that we do get to skip over a lot of the items because Andres will be about 6 months old when we get him in Colombia.

We are so excited to get his nursery all set up! I feel lucky to have my friend, Kristin, who is an interior designer. She was sending me ideas for the nursery until 12 am one night.

More Information Received

Wednesday, 7/22/09: We received more pictures of Andres. It turns out that the country specialist for CHSFS had the chance to meet him when she was in Colombia and took pictures and videos of him. We felt so lucky to see more of him. We really can't wait to go pick him up and bring him home.

He is just adorable and looks happy and loved. Doug and I can't stop staring at his pictures.

Sorry we can't share his pictures at this time. Everything has to be finalized in Colombia first, before we are able to share pictures via the internet.

Received Our Referral

Tuesday, July 21, 2009: Our CHSFS representative called us at home. Once I saw the caller id, I knew this was it! I picked up the phone, and she told me she had some very good news-a referral for a beautiful baby boy! Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I was so happy.

Doug was out of town on business, at the Salt Lake City Airport on his way to San Diego. I called him right away. He was so happy and in shock too. Ha, ha.

I emailed him pictures right away, and he immediately saved one to his blackberry screen home page. He was ready to be a DADDY and I was ready to be a MOMMY!

Next thing, we called our parents and siblings to give them the wonderful news. Everyone was so happy! Andres is going to be so loved by all of us.

Announcement to Family & Friends

Tuesday, 7/7/09: We received a phone call, informing us that we had been officially approved to adopt from the orphanage in Cali, Colombia. The country specialist also said that we would be receiving a referral in a few weeks. Wow, we were so excited to hear this news.

We still don't know if we will have a boy, girl, or twins to join our family. We are leaving this decision in God's hands. We know that he will place the right children with us. As we wait for this joyful day to come, please pray for our family.

Our Adoption Process

5/10/08: Attended adoption information meeting
6/9/08: Mailed application to Bellefaire JCB (Domestic Agency)
6/13/08: Mailed application to CHSFS in Saint Paul, MN (International Adoption Agency)
6/18/08: Adoption application approved by Bellefaire JCB
6/20/08-6/22/08: Pre-service adoption training

7/3/08: Kathy's background check

7/6/08: Purchased fire extinguishers for fire inspection

7/7/08: Purchased outlet covers for fire inspection

7/7/08: Doug's background check
7/10/08: Home fire inspection
7/18/08: Mailed full package of information to Bellefaire JCB

7/23/08: Visited Chiquitines orphanage in Cali, Colombia

8/4/08: Kathy applied for Colombian citizenship at the consulate in NYC

8/18/08: 1st Homestudy interview with social worker

8/29/08: 2nd Homestudy interview with social worker

9/5/08: 3rd Homestudy interview with social worker

9/15/08: 4th Homestudy interview with social worker

9/24/08: 5th Homestudy interview with social worker
11/16/08: International Adoption Hague Training in Cleveland, OH

12/12/08: Mailed I-800A form to USCIS

1/10/09: Bariatrics/Fingerprinting for USCIS

2/13/09: Received I-800A approval from USCIS

3/6/09: Fingerprinting at Columbus Police Records Division

4/6/09: Psychological report for dossier

4/27/09: Notarized and apostilled dossier for Chiquitines

4/28/09: Mailed dossier to CHSFS for Chiquitines

5/1/09: Mailed additional dossier documents to CHSFS

6/04/09: Dossier was mailed from Bogota to Cali

6/12/09: Dossier was approved by Chiquitines orphanage in Cali

7/7/09: Received a call from CHSFS, telling us that we would be receiving a referral very soon

7/21/09: Received REFERRAL call from CHSFS for a baby boy named Andres

7/23/09: Reviewed Andres' medical history during pre-adoption visit at Children's Hospital

7/24/09: Sent referral acceptance letter to CHSFS

7/28/09: Received I-800, I-864w, & DS-230 documents from CHSFS for us to fill out

7/30/09: Mailed DS-230 form (Visa Application for Andres) and other referral documents to CHSFS

7/30/09: Faxed I-864W and I-800 documents to CHSFS for review

8/7/09: Mailed revised DS-230 form (Visa application for Andres) to CHSFS

8/7/09: Mailed our visa application to the Colombian Consulate in Chicago

8/17/09: Received our Notice of Provisional Approval for the I-800 (I-797C, Notice of Action)
9/12/09: Traveled to Bogota, Colombia
9/13/09: Traveled to Cali, Colombia
9/14/09: La Presentacion - received Andres at Chiquitines
9/21/09: ICBF interview
9/22/09: Lawyer presents adoption case at court
9/28/09: Received and signed Sentencia *legal adoption finalized
9/29/09: Got Andres' Colombian passport

10/13/09: Traveled to Bogota, Colombia

10/13/09: Appointment with Embassy doctor

10/14/09: Picked up Chiquitines letter at ICBF in Bogota

10/14/09: Went to American Embassy to ask for Andres' visa

10/15/09: Pick up Andres' visa

10/17/09: Travel back home to Columbus, Ohio

12/7/09: 1st Post Adoption Visit with social worker