And the winner is...

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We are very excited to have FINALLY come to a consensus on a name.

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We eagerly await the homecoming of our daughter/sister...

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DAISY MARGARET

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Named after my maternal Great-Grandma and Bob's Fraternal Grandma.

Cool, huh?

WOW!

Things seem to be moving so much more quickly this time around. This time I feel we are working against the clock because of the new regulations. Even though both my husband and my SW tell me that we will be FINE even if we, for some reason, DO NOT make the May 1st deadline for our LID, I still feel safer getting things in before D-day. I just want to play it safe. Within the last few weeks here is what has happened...adoption-wise:

• I got my physical (and a clean bill of health!!)
• Bob got his TB test and should be completely DONE with his medical exam
• Received a copy of the kids immunization records - will bring their paperwork to Dr. Ed tomorrow to be completed
• Bob and I both received the letters from our employers
• Finished the PILE of paperwork for our SW
• Police background checks came through clear (whew!) - These have to be re-written because of a problem with the notary...not a big deal, but still a pain
• We had our joint interview and I had my individual interview with Sara
• We received our fingerprint appointment date (Jan 25th! Yah!)
• Our home visit and Bob's individual interview with Sara is next Tuesday
• We've come to no concensus on a name...except for the fact that we CAN'T agree on anything!!! (If only Bob would see things MY WAY!!)

As I mentioned before, the process seems SOOO much easier this time around. Of course, I should probably shut my mouth...it isn't over yet...

Timeline to our Newest Lovey...

The Race for our LID begins!

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Thus far...

January - December 2006 - Spent time soul searching about taking the plunge again! The question was always "when"...it was never "if"!

November 28th - Decided it's a go! We're off! Call Sara for an application.

December 5th - Receive application in the mail. Immediately fill it out!

December 6th - Spill the beans to EVERYONE who will listen! Fam and Friends are SOOO excited!

December 8th - Our completed application is in the mail!

December 11th - Ordered birth certificates and marriage license.

December 13th - Talked to Sara; Scheduled 1st meeting for following Monday the 18th (my personal day)

December 18th - Met with Sara to get the skinny on what needs to be done (and redone! Grrrrrr...It's amazing how much needs to be repeated only 3 years after it was done for Sofia!!)

December 19th - Started to fill out the mountain of paperwork required for adoption from China. WOW! I had forgotten what was involved!

December 22nd - Bob had his physical. All is well except that he still needs to get his TB test done (in the near future) because the upcoming holiday weekend messes up the reading of the results.

December 20th - Filed the I-600 (Orphan Petition) - We are REALLY on our way! This is starting to get REAL!

December 28th - Received the reciept for our I-600 in the mail. It was logged in on December 22nd. I don't remember receiving this last time...we also will get fingerprinted BEFORE our homestudy is submitted this time. A definite change from last time. HOPEFULLY this will help to speed things up for us!

December 29th - Bob got our police background checks done at the Menasha PD. We are both clear! Yeah! - Have to be re-written because of problem with the notary

January 3rd - HAPPY NEW YEAR! Arranged our next 2 interviews with Sara. We will do our last joint interview and one single interview next Monday (8th); Our home visit and second individual interview will be on January 16th.

January 4th - My physical; Bring Sofia's adoption paperwork to clerk of courts to petition for finalization of her adoption (to be continued soon)

January 7th - Finish the PILE of paperwork required for International Adoption; Bob and I receive employment letters from our workplaces

January 8th - Joint and my individual interviews with Sara

January 9th - Bob gets his TB test

January 10th - Receive fingerprint appointments (YAH!) for January 25th