Like an Elephant Pregnancy

Vietnamese Adoption: It's like an elephant pregnancy ....only more paperwork!

There is a t-shirt with a similar saying about China adoptions. However, I thought it was very appropriate for Vietnam too. Elephants have a typical gestation period of 22 months. That means I still have awhile to go!

I haven't posted lately because there has not been a lot of movement in my number and a LOT of things going on in the world of Vietnam adoption that have had me concerned. I won't go into a lot of detail as this has been discussed on many blogs and yahoo group postings. However for those of you unaware of the happenings, here is the "much summarized" version. There have been several families in Vietnam to adopt their children who have been issued (or threatened with being issued) NOIDs. NOIDs are a Notice of Intent to Deny that is issued by the U.S. Embassy when they want to investigate the paperwork further to decide if it is legitimate and the child is actually an "orphan" under the U.S. criteria. These people have already adopted their children as far as the Vietnam government is concerned, but the U.S. won't issue a visa so that the child can be brought back into the U.S. I have a lot of compassion for the families caught in this predicament, however I am a strong proponent of making sure adoptions are as ethical as possible. The problems are mainly from 2 provinces and with only a few agencies. Children's Hope (my agency) does not work with orphanages in these provinces and has not been under NOID investigation. They may have a longer wait than some agencies, but I am proud of their integrity and feel confident when the time comes that my adoption will be legitimate. I want (need) to be able to look my daughter in the eye and honestly tell her about the circumstances of her adoption and not have lingering questions about its legitimacy. I will not assign blame for the current situation, but will let our government sort it out. There is the possibility that an innocent mistake was made and the decision will be eventually overturned. However, there is also the possibility that the adoption was made under unethical circumstances. The Embassy stated recently that "We are deeply concerned, however, by confirmed cases of child selling, and by evidence that children are being released for adoption with out the consent of the birth parents." A couple of the agencies have had questionable time frames from approval to referral and from referral to travel. Hopefully this will shed light on any unethical actions and improve the adoption process as a whole.

Our government has now enacted a new process that will hopefully prevent most of this sort of thing from happening. We will now file certain paperwork before travelling so that investigations can be completed prior to travel. The bad news of this is that there has been a lot of talk (speculation) about Vietnam closing down adoptions again. They just reopened to the U.S. in the last couple of years and the bi-lateral agreement is up for renewal in 2008. Hopefully the two countries can work together to extend the agreement. My agency has has told us that they have no knowledge of a closing at this time. However, it is scary to those of us who don't have a referral yet. I'll keep you updated and we should know more in the next 5 months or so.

Now for a couple more elephant pictures from my Zambia trip. Yes Julie, you can never have too many elephants. ;)

Amelia's First Baby Doll

Amelia has an American Girl Bitty Baby with all the accessories from my cousin's family. This was her first baby doll and they picked it to look a little like her. She is so cute and has her own pink trunk with bottles, rattle, gown, blanket and bib. I know she will love it! Thanks again Connie, Brian, Jennifer & Elizabeth. Your support and positive thoughts have meant a lot to me. After visiting the American Girl store in Chicago this summer when I visited my friend Meg, I'm sure they will be seeing a lot of my business in the future. The coordinating items seem endless and so very cute!

After the referrals my agency received this week, I think my new number is probably 39. I will have been on the waiting list one year this next week. Adoption is an emotional rollercoaster and is not for the faint of heart. My faith has been tested a lot this last year, but I know things will happen when they are supposed to.

October in the Desert

Okay, this isn't really what October looks like where I live. This picture is from my trip to Vermont this time last year. However, it is starting to cool down some (below 100, sometimes below 90) and I am ready!

My agency received referrals last week for 2 healthy infant boys and 2 special needs children. I believe that takes me down to at least 40 on the waiting list. We will no longer get updated wait list numbers when we get the weekly agency updates. This is a new policy and not very popular. However, I know the agency must have their reasons. I will estimate my number based on the referrals that come in and hope I get close. It is amazing how you set your sights all week on Thursday/Friday when the agency updates come out! The additional good news this week is that our agency is now working with another orphanage.

How a Vietnam Adoption Works

Good news. My agency received 2 referrals this week for healthy baby girls. That takes my number down to 42! Several of you have asked me how the adoption process works in Vietnam since each country has different rules and practices. Listed below is a summary of the steps. I am currently waiting to get my dossier together. However since the wait time is so long, our agency delays you putting your paperwork together until closer to a referral time. I hope they have me do it soon since I am coming up on 12 months on the wait list next month.

Basics on how the adoption process works:
• Application: The first step is the formal application to the agency and their approval
• Immigration Papers: Submit application to the CIS for the 171-H for government approval to bring an orphan into the U.S. (Lots of paperwork)
• Home Study: Visits (3) with a social worker to interview family and report on home environment. (Lots more paperwork)
• Waiting List: When you have the 171-H approval and the home study is completed you go onto a waiting list for referral of a child. Wait times vary tremendously. Currently, CHI is listing a wait time of 18-24 months for referral of a boy and over 2 years for a girl.
• Dossier: The dossier is the formal paperwork that gets sent to Vietnam. It includes things like employment documentation, physician letter, police clearance and more. Documents need to be notarized, state certified, and then authenticated by the Vietnamese Embassy in Washington, DC.
• Referral: The agency matches families up with a particular child at this point and sends available information (photos, medical data) to the family. After accepting a referral, the agency begins paperwork in Vietnam.
• Travel: Once a "Giving and Receiving" date is set, the family is scheduled to travel to Vietnam and bring home their child. Typically, this happens anywhere from 3-6 months after the referral is received.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Thanks for the Squares!

I want to thank all my dear family and friends who sent fabric squares for the 100 good wishes quilt. I've got 100 squares now and there is a wonderful variety. It will make such a treasure! I've attached a picture of a few of the squares and the book I put together with everyones wishes/thoughts that went with the squares. I have a wonderful lady who will put the squares into a quilt for me and I'll post a picture when I get it back. However, she is a little backlogged because she just moved. I'm very grateful to each of you and touched by your words. It means a lot to me and I know it will to Amelia someday also.

Good news! Our agency received 3 healthy and 2 special needs referrals this last week. I did not receive an updated number but am sure I am at least down to #44 based on the ages of the healthy referrals. Congratulations to all the familes who received their children this week!

Gigi Doesn't Want A Sister

I thought this next post ought to be about the #1 baby, my little four-legged girl Gigi. The world's most spoiled dog!


Gigi has patiently let me put the baby's bows in her hair, try out the pack'n'play and the crib. I even tried to put a monogrammed diaper cover on her but her tail got in the way (she was not happy). However, I think she likes being the center of attention and may have a difficult time at first with a new arrival. She hasn't been around kids too much but has been great with them when she has. I know she will be a great big sister and protector some day. And yes, her ears are always like that, one up and one down (isn't that precious?).

Update: I moved to #45 this week even though our agency did not have any new referrals. I'm not sure how that happened but will blissfully accept my new number and smile.

Welcome to my blog

This blog will document my adoption journey to my daughter. After a lot of soul searching and months of research, I decided to pursue an international adoption. God truly had a hand in guiding me to this decision and to Vietnam. I chose Children's Hope International (CHI) as my agency and started in on the paperwork and homestudy. I was given the go ahead by the Immigration Service and put on my agency's waiting list at #100 on Nov. 1, 2006. I've been patiently waiting (those of you who know me know that this is a new concept to me) for a referral since then but it may take up to 2 years. Once I receive a referral, which includes a picture and medical tests, I will travel to pick up Amelia after 3-5 months. I'll stay in Vietnam for the adoption to become legal about 2 weeks.

Please feel free to follow along as I post updates along the way.