Oliver at Fuzhou Orphanage: January 13, 2013

Article 5 Pick-Up!!!

Article 5 Pick-Up happened today!  This is the last step before Travel Approval.  I'm a bit stunned and overwhelmed with how fast everything seems to be moving! We could be on our way to China in 3 weeks!  Wow!  I am about to be a momma again!  Can't wait to snuggle little Ollie and sure hoping he likes his new American Mommy!

Here we come Ollie!

Love Momma

Gifts for Officials in Fujian Province

• According to my agency, there are 9 gifts I must bring to China.  The gifts need to be in a red gift bag or red envelope.  The officials range from Oliver's foster family to the orphanage director and notary person.  The gifts will be given by our Guide and will never be opened in front of us.  The Chinese believe such is rude and will open the gifts in private.  The suggested list is as follows:
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• Perfume

• Watch

• Small-medium size T-shirt

• Officials Sports caps and T-shirts

• Stamps

• Fish oil (Omega 3 gel caps)

• Good quality cosmetics

• Cash gift of $10 (converted to RMB) in a red envelop

Ollie's Dinosaur Room!

Miss Mia is trying out her little Brother's Room.  "Good, wild" dinosaurs.

Big Sister ...By 4 Months!

Princess Mia is resting up for BIG play with her little brother!

Provisional Approval!

Provisional Approval from the National Visa Center received today!  Yipee!  Four very long weeks! Although  received today, it was approved by the Department of Homeland Security on February 27, 2013. This is the American version that I've been approved to become Oliver's Momma.   I'm ecstatic and a bit overwhelmed.  Two three year olds!  I think I have utterly lost my mind!  :)

 The next step is cabeling and Article 5 pickup.  Then it's the big one....TRAVEL APPROVAL!!!  Excited to pick-up my little guy, but not so excited for China travel again.   It's looking like the new Timeline is mid April.  Since there's a Chinese Holiday at the end of April, we may not travel until May.   Crossing my fingers ...and toes, for earlier Travel Approval.  Little Ollie's third birthday is April 7th and I'd sure like him to be with his forever family by then.

Go China!