another fun surprise!

Some fabulous coworkers surprised me today with a shower. This is the 2nd surprise shower at work. Man I work with some sneaky people :)

I was scheduled to go to lunch for burges with 2 colleagues and I tried to cancel because, given my recent travel call, I was already feeling overwhelmed with all I need to get done both in/out of work.  But Paula wouldn't hear of it and said "come on, you can go for a quick lunch, it'll be fun".  When we got to the restaurant, I walked into a room full of beautiful, smiling faces!  So sweet - I was very touched and very surprised!

Lucky little JD scored a cool Red Flyer scooter/trike, an awesome backpack style baby carrier and sassy camo outfit, a bob-the-boat toy, some fabulous books (one of which is making the journey to Korea for the plane ride home), some Burts Bees, bib, socks and this deliciously cute & furry stuffed dog that looks exactly like our mini-schnauzer Kramer!!!!

Thanks to all my amazing and supportive (and freakishly sneaky) coworkers!!! You are the best!

- S

WE GOT THE CALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My water broke!!  :)

I can't believe it!  It happened as I was looking up the phone # to the National Visa Center (NVC) in New Hampshire - I planned to call and inquire as to when JD was scheduled for his Visa interview at the embassy in Seoul (it's the last step that must occur before the travel call and I assumed it would be scheduled the 1st or 2nd week of April).   I had been waiting all weekend to make that call and was determined to do it before I dug into work for the day.

As I was reaching for my phone to dial the NVC, my cell phone started ringing. I looked and immediately recognized the phone number --- it's my agency!  I assumed they were calling to inform me of the Visa interview date. I pick up the phone and ...

Phone call transcript (sorta)-

• Me:  Hi, this is Sheryl
• Jane:  Sheryl, it's Jane from CHS, this is the call you've been waiting for ...
• Me:  What do you mean?
• Jane:  Your little boy is ready for you to bring him home!!
• Me:  Get out!  Are you serious?  Are you sure you have the right child and the right mom? (laughing)
• Jane:  Well, let's see here (also laughing), I'm calling about HoKyeong ______ and you are Sheryl _______ , right?
• Me:  Yes! (laughing with excitement and a pinch of disbelief)
• Jane:  He's ready and you need to start making travel plans. And I'm serious!
• Me:  Oh my God, I wasn't even close to expecting this today!!  What do I need to do ....

That's about how it went! From there we discussed what I need to know to start making travel plans. Then I immediately called my husband to share the GREAT news and we've been making arrangements ever since!  Very unexpected to happen this week, yet it's about time (goll darn it)!!  Finally the day has come!  We are sooooooo ready ... yet so not ready, LOL!

Stay tuned, more details to follow ...

good news ... we have movement in our process ... EP!

I have some fantastic news! JD has EP!!!!!!!!!!!

Say what?!?  It's his emigration permission - this means the Korean Govt has granted him permission to leave the country. This is the part of the paperwork process that has caused the extra long wait (can you say MONTHS) for me and countless other adopting parents.

So the next, and final, phase of the paperwork process happens at the US Embassy in Seoul. It is there that he will be granted his VISA to enter the US. Once that is done, we get our call to travel and to bring our little prince home!!

My US agency tells me to expect to travel mid-April. Part of me thinks they are off and being overly optimistic and that we won't travel until end of April/early May (i.e. I originally thought we'd travel in December and then was told February ... which clearly didn't happen).  I just don’t want to get excited and then be disappointed yet again. HOWEVER, from things I've heard from other waiting parents from my agency, mid-April is actually a possibility.

YIKES. I. AM. FREAKING. OUT.

But I'm also VERY HAPPY!!!!! :)

he's 13 months old today ...

I don't have an updated photo of JD, but I do have this photo of the many bags of fun gifts that I received at a SURPRISE BABY SHOWER from my team at work yesterday!  They totally surprised me, they are a very sneaky bunch!  I was so touched at their kindness and generosity.  JD is going to LOVE all his stuff ... and I'm going to love the potty book (it makes a flushing noise)!  

Their party came on the eve of JD's 13 month bday - perfect timing and a great way to put a huge smile on my face during this never-ending wait.  Thanks team!! 

new pictures!

We received unexpected photos of our little man at 1 year!  He had a minor medical issue that caused him to see the doctor, and the policy at the Korean agency is that whenever a child has a medical issue, they send a medical update to the waiting family ... with photos!  He has a treatable skin issue (nothing a little bit of salve can't handle), so was no cause for alarm.  The medical update contained info on his Dr visit, 5 photos of his skin "ailment" and the 2 above!  Once I realized the medical issue was a non-issue (I consulted w/the Univ of MN Intl Adoption Clinic), I counted my blessings at the gift I had received -  pics of my beautiful little boy!

They also stated he is walking!!!  I'm happy and I'm sad ... selfishly wish I could have seen his first steps, but I'm happy he's on track developmentally.  He weighs close to 25 lbs, has 6 teeth, waves "bye-bye", sings songs and likes to play with toy cars - we have plenty of those waiting for him here ... Vroom, Vroom!! :)