Our adventure begins!

After over a year or more of saying we are going to do it, we decided the time is right. Right after we came to that conclusion we immediately said "Now where do we even begin." First came Google searching (as with everything), then came books and the research was well on the way. As we researched and realized this is what we want to do we came to a major crossroad, a Traditional Chinese Adoption or a Waiting Child Adoption. The traditional Chinese adoption process is when you pick your agency, do your paperwork, wait, wait, wait, receive a placement with limited information, then travel. The average age of a child at the time of travel in this program is 10-18 months; the average wait from time paperwork is submitted and placement is around 2 years. The majority of these children are girls. The Waiting Child program is children available for adoption with specical needs that the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) have made available. Many of these children have correctable or minor special needs. Some have more serious medical problems. One advantage of the Waiting Child program is these children's medical files and pictures are available before the adoption process begins. As with any way you add a child to the family there are no guarantees, but the thought of knowing more about the potential family member was an option we thought we should be open to. We started looking at the different agencies and their postings of their Waiting Children lists. Oh the adorable pictures we have seen and the stories that just break your heart. Anyway that is how we found our boy.

We first saw Si En on the Waiting Child list of Associated Services for International Adoption (ASIA). I have to admit that a girl is what I was sure I would want to bring home, but there was something about this little boy that seemed right. This little boy that seemed so right is currently known as Si En, he was born 6/4/2005. We were able to receive his file immediately after we expressed interest with ASIA and had the opportunity to review his medical informaiton. Si En was diagnosed with Congenital Imperforate Anus, post surgery. What does that mean to those of us not medically inclined? Si En had no anus at birth and had to have surgery when he was three days old. His surgery incision healed well appears normal now. His foster family describes his personality as mellow and loves people. He has a good appetite, is not picky and likes different kinds of food. Not sure if I can get used to that, the only non-picky eater amoung us.

Hunter is excited to have a little brother, but was concerned that if he had a brother who was less than 3 he would be asked by his brother to wipe brother's bottom. We had to assure him that he would have no bottom wiping to do and with that he was on board. He asked if his Mommy and Daddy would have to go to China to get his brother and if so can his grandparents be the ones to babysit him. I think he was ready to pack our bags and send us out the door that night, but we had to explain to him that we have a lot of paperwork and waiting to do. Hunter also wanted to know what his brother's name would be and gave us a list of letters he knows how to write. Apparently he thinks we should pick a name using only those letters, which limits our choices to something OAHXPT. Hmmm, I think we will be practicing more letters.

We will continue to make posts to keep everyone up to date on where we are at in the process. The big question with Todd and I is will be going to China before or after Alaska. At this point we honestly don't know, but will cross that bridge when we can.