Travel Group Meeting

Hello Baby,
Today I had a very busy day.

First I went to work and had tutorias. Then went running to Bancaja to take out 2680 euros to de a transfer in BBVA to china women services to pay the White Swan Hotel etc. Waited in queue in BBVA to be told no you cannot do a cash transfer so back to Bancaja to queue again and do the transfer. Then flying into the centre of town to meet our travel group in Piao and collect our papers in the adoption board.
The meeting was to give us all our dossiers and explain a bit about adoption day etc.

I then went back to work and then to the paediatrician to get prescriptions for everything that you or your brother could catch.


Then to the chemist to buy all.
We will pack this weekend.
In 9 days we go and in 12 days I will have you for ever.
Love you millions,
Abig big kiss from your mammy baby girl,
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hello Baby Girl,

Today we have been sent our travel timetable and we will become a family on Monday 13th. December exactly two weeks today. We have found out we are staying the whole time in the White Swan hotel on Shaiman Island which is great. We are going to have FUN with you and your big brother in China.

I have asked for updated photos and medical files so we will see what this week brings.
Your room is ready including the cot your daddy and brother prepared for you.


We love you more than you´ll ever know and in 2 weeks we will be together forever.
Sleep tight baby girl.
Not long now.

Loads of kisses
Mammy

TRAVEL CONFIRMED - TICKETS BOOKED

Hello Little Miss Nora,
Today we got word that we have to travel on December 10th. and return on December 24th.
We are flying Valencia Paris Guanghou.
We have booked the three tickets to go and four to return.
It seems weird to use your chinese name on the ticket but you enter spain on your chinese passport.
Jian Ying Sui otherwise known as little Miss Nora.
We have soooooo much to do in a short space of time but the important thing is we are coming to get you baby girl. It is official that we are really going. Aaron is very excited about having a baby sister.

I am sorting out your room and don´t know what size you are so I am going to bring various sizes.

Goodnight baby. These are the latest two pictures of you which the agency have sent us. Love you millions.
Mammy.

Still waiting for travel dates and update.

Well Nora,

We have shown your picture to everyone in spain and ireland and it is definately true you are gorgeous.
I am getting frustrated waiting to know when we go. I am arguing with the agency to organise it as soon as possible. I CANNOT WAIT TO GET YOU ANY LONGER.

The latest is that maybe we can go on the 10 th dec and return before christmas but it is unsure. They have got approval from all the chinese authorities but are waiting for the spanish to get back to them to see if there will be consulate appointments in Ghanghou for those dates.
I have also been promised an updated photo. I would love to see you now.
I have finished painting your room and now I am going to sow the curtains.
Your auntie cristina gave us all the cousins clothes and shoes. Half of it may not fit you but you will definately wear some of it.
I hope you like the photo album and doll and jammies and blanket is keeping you warm. I sleep with your photo everynight.
Well I was promised that we would be contacted during the week and tomorrow is Thursday so lets see if its our lucky day and we find out when we can go.
Goodnight baby girl and I love you millions.
Mammy. xxxxxxxxx

Travel dates

Baby girl,
We are one step closer. We were told that we have probable travel dates to be confirmed on Monday of December 17th. and returning january 2 nd.
This is fabulous is so many ways.
1. We get you soon.
2. Your big brother can come and will only miss 4 days of school .
3. We will be together in china for christmas as a family of 4.
4. We will be back in spain for the big christmas festivites of the 5 and 6 th. january when the 3 wise men come.
We couldn´t ask for better travel dates.


Our passports , family book etc are in the chinese embassy in madrid getting visas to enter china.
I painted your room pink yestewrday and bought you a gorgeous backpack with some toys to play with when we meet you.
A big big kiss from your mammy and I will be there real soon.
Love you millions,
Mammy.

SIGNED OFFICIAL LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE

Hello princess,
Today at 13.20pm we signed the official letter of acceptance from china. We are now accepted as your parents.
We then went to the ECAI PIAO and got all our instructions about how to apply for visas etc and I am here now at past midnight preparing all the documents to send to madrid on thursday . We are really trying and fighting hard to come to you before christmas if we can. I´ll do my best. I promise.
I brought your picture to school today and everyone said how pretty you are. You really are gorgeous.
I cannot wait to get more photos of yours and soo how you are growing.
Well good night sweet dreams and I love you millions baby girl.
Mammy.

LOA - LETTER OF APPROVAL

Hello baby girl,
Today at 14.25pm. Elisa from the Conselleria de Bienestar Social otherwise known as the adoption board called to say she has received our official approval from china. This means China have approved us to be your parents.
We couldn´t be more excited.
We have to be in the adoption office at 13.30pm tomorrow to sign that we want to be your parents.
From now until we get you should be about 5 or 6 weeks. HURRAY.
I am in shock that it has all gone so quick. We were told it could take 2 months to receive this letter and it has taken 10 days. WOW.
Goodnight princess and hopefully you will be home with us soon.
Take care
Mammy. x xx

Big Brother

Hello baby,
Your big brother insisted on seeing your photo for the first time last night. We had not shown him as we were told not to until we receive LOA but he just knew something was up. He got the camera and found the pictures of you with us and asked to see you properly.
I sat him down and showed him your face. He only said one word. PERFECT. He said he knew it was you because you are how he always imagined Nora to be. He said that Holy God found the prettiest girl in all the orphages to send to us. He was a very pround big brother and the fact that your lip is not yet corrected didn´t bother him in the least. You are all he has hoped and prayed for and more. He said your were like a little doll.
I am very happy and pround that you are now completely part of this family and we are all dying for the day we can get on that plane to come and get you.
Sleep tight baby princess.
Love you,
Mammy.

New update

Hello Princess,
Ann in China is marvellous . Although we cannot get updated pictures she managed to get some information about you Here is what she wrote.

Below is Jian Ying`s information :

height :76cm

weight :8.2kg

head :45cm

chest :44cm

teeth:7

foot:12.5cm

From this info you have grown 3 cms. got a new tooth and put on 200g. since your referral information.

I am taking this as a good sign of growth and hoping from the bottom of my heart that you are happy.

Love you,

Mammy.

Photos of Care Package.

Hi Princess,
We received a photo from Ann at red thread in China with photos of your care package..
In the package there is a pink rabbit, a salmon p.j., a pink and white blanket, sweets for the nannies,
two letters translated in Chinese and a disposible camera.
She says you will receive it in the next two days. HURRAY.
She also says that the orphanage staff cannot send us photos as they have not yet received the official letter from the adoption office to say you are ours but YOU ARE PRINCESS.
We love you millions and will be there soon.
Mammy. xxx

Care Package and LOI

Hi Nora,
Well after a very busy few days and much debate we have decided to call you
Nora (without the H as daddy prefers  it that way, Aaron prefers it as he chose it and it is his name backwards and he doesn´t have a H and I took it as a sign that I bought wood letters for your door like Aarons and the H kept falling off. )
Miriam as your daddy loooves it and Miriam was Aarons sister in the Bible.

So you will be named Nora Miriam Byrne Martinez.

I have just ordered a p.j. care package and photo album form Ann at red thread . I have sent 6 photos of us along with a letter to you written by your daddy and a letter for Director Han of your orphanage.
I have asked for updated photos if possible.
Your care package includes a camera so I hope someone takes lots of photos of you. You should also receive a warm pajamas, a blanket and a doll.
Well we handed in our oficial letter of acceptance on Tuesday 2nd. November 2010 as the conselleria was closed for all saints day the 1st. November.
We paid the money to have it translated and it should now be on it´s way to CCAA.(center of adoptions)
We also handed into PIAO our plan of care for you when we bring you home as China want to make sure we will look after you.
Now we have to wait until we receive the oficial letter of approval LOA from china and we will need to go into the conselleria again to officiallly sign it. From then until travel is 5 weeks.
So for now we wait again baby girl .
I love you so much and cannot stop looking at your photos and you will soon have ours to look at also.
 big hug and kiss form your Mama.

Norah our little princess

We walked into the Conselleria on Friday 29th. October 2010 and at 13.25PM.  and  there you were.
The gorgeous precious perfect baby girl I have always dreamed of. You were born February 12th. 2009. Your mouth needs fixing but that doesn´t stop you smiling, playing, singing, imitating, and running around the place. You are waiting for us in a province called Guangdong which is where I have mostly researched. Your town is called Suixi and you are in the SWI called Sux XI county. There was a lady in the adoption office called Elisa who gave us your file and actually thought I needed time to consider my decision. Your Baba and me told her that that was the moment you had become part of a family and had your very own Mammy and Daddy and the best big brother in he world.
They gave us all your details and the most precious pictures... The information was in chinese , english and spanish...I´ll keep it all in your memory box for you when you are ready.

Pre asignation

The adoption board have phoned to say be there tomorrow at 13.30 hrs. to receive the information on our Daughter of 18 months. She has a cleft lip and palate but we are happy with that. Pray for us tomorrow.
Jennie

More red tape.

Well this is just a quick update to try and keep this blog on track.
I believe wholeheartedly that my Father who died in 1994 is looking down on us , guiding us and more than anything protecting us. Well as we have to pass another inspection in front of the adoption board on 23rd. September as our documents in china are more than 3 years old. There is a document called penales in spain in ireland called certificate of character or conduct which I need to present but when we did the paperwork in 2007 it wasnt asked for. The spanish one I walked into an office and 2 minutes later I had it. The spanish authorities told me to contact the irish embassy to get the other one which I did. They said no contact local irish garda station. Which I did. No, they told me contact vetting office in thurles . Which I did and they told me I can only have an access to garda records cert. They told me how to download it pay for it and send it. I had to send it to my mother who forwarded it only for it to be returned as they wouldnt accept the 6 euro cash. She had to inclose a personal cheque. Which she did and sent it off. All this happened last week. Well something in my head last wednesday night while sleeping told me to question this again. I have also phoned the embassy office in alicante 3 times to get them to send me passport application which they havent so on thursday morning I decioded to phone the head office in madrid. I ordered the application forms again and asked about the other form again. WHAT I WAS TOLD WAS WRONG. I do in fact order the certificate in my local police station. I rang mam again she had to go and get the application form , inclose a copy of my driving licence and I emailed her a letter asking for them to process it quickly as it usually takes 3 weeks but we have this hearing on the 23rd. and it still has to be translated .
Mammy is now gone on a weeks holidays and I am waiting for the cert. to be sent to robs mothers asap. WILL IT BE HERE ON TIME. I dont know.  Now I am very nervous that none of the papers are going to arrive on time.
Meanwhile I keep up to date daily on blogs etc.

NEVER FORGET

Not flesh of my flesh
Nor bone of my bone,
But still miraculously my own.
Never forget for a single minute,
You didn't grow under my heart,
But in it.

Chinas Lost Girls.

We have just watched this episode of exploring the world and it made me really upset to think my baby is waiting out there somewhere. It addressed the issue of visiting the foster mum or orphanage a couple of days after the GOTCHA day. It seemed to cause upset on all parts, foster parents, child and new mum. Don't know if this is very beneficial or not.
Really really fed up waiting now. As it is august i n spain everything is on a go slow. We finished our report on 3 August but it will not be reviewed until after the holidays in September they told me. I apply 2 weeks ago for passport application forms and was told when I phoned today as they had not arrived that it is August and that will be why I dont have them. REALLY FRUSTRATING. Well the shared list came out last night but I cannot access the files yet.
I phoned the agency matching coordinator yesterday but she can do  nothing until she has the report in  front of her. I asked if I can do anything while I wait and she said the only things she will ask for are 3 normal size photos on white backgrounds from the waist up. One of my DH one of me and one of the 3 of us. They have to be emailed to her and she sends them with the LOI to the CCAA.
So I will try to get these done tomorrow and passport photos of Aaron also.
I need to change my passport for a digital one to enter china and Aaron needs his own one as he is on mine still.
Well the NSN line was also matched to May 15 2006. 5 WHOLE DAYS.
Well with that incompetence feeling in my stomach I am going to bed. I need to knoe if it's going to be a boy or girl, the age and sn. But apart from all that I need to see their face. Kisses sweet baby for now.xxx
Take care,
jennie.

Timeline

LID for NSN 4/11/2008.
Decision to change to SN June 2010
Finished psychosocial report 3/8/2010
Waiting for waiting child or pasaje verde approval from Conselleria de Bienestar social.

The Red Thread

There is an old Chinese proverb which states that a baby is connected at birth to the important people in his/her life and that thread can be twisted or stretched but never broken.

Boy or Girl ...............

Well we had our meeting with the psychologist and social worker and handed in our list of sn. They we happy with that and will renovate our paperwork as soon as possible and send it to the Generalitat.
Well, I couldn't stop there so I phoned our agency to ask what happens next.
I spoke to the sn coordinator who explained in more detail the procedure. The Generalitat has to review the report and see if we need to update other paperwork which wont happen until the first week of September......
Then the report will be sent to this coordinator called Cristina. She is in charge of matching a family with a child. She says she has to respect the childs age and sn listed but can not respect sex......therefore as she explained to me there is a very high probability that it will be a baby BOY.....
She saying 1.  the shared list for USA is not the same as the one for europe
                 2. We cannot access this list on the internet.
                 3. We cannot pick children to review.
                 4. She says with the broad spectrum of sn that we have listed we shouldn't have to wait long. She will look at our report and match the next child with that need and 0/3 years. The list at the moment has alot more boys than girls. So maybe Aaron is going to get that little brother he wanted after all. Cristina quite rightly explained if you are pregnant you don't get to choose.
Well as I am anxious to get my baby now I cannot sit back and do nothing until September so I decided to send off to Ireland for my police check incase they do update documents in september I'll have everything ready. I also sent off for new passport forms for me and Aaron as you need a new digital passport to get into China and Ireland doesn't let you put children on your passport anymore.
So although this blog was started as our journey to Norah I am going to change it to our journey to china.
Take care,
Jennie

The Red Thread

There is an old Chinese proverb which states that a baby is connected at birth to the important people in his/her life and that thread can be twisted or stretched but never broken.

I now know that Norah is waiting for us somewhere in China and the sooner I can go and get her the better. While we were waiting in the NSN line I kept thinking she has not been born yet but now we are changing to SN I am CONVINCED that she is there and waiting patiently. Hopefully we wont be long baby girl.

Timeline

LID  4/11/2008  NSN
Decision to change to SN June 2010
First appointment with psychologist to change to SN 3/8/2010

Timeline

LID  4/11/2008  NSN
Decision to change to SN June 2010
First appointment with psychologist to change to SN 3/8/2010