Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms and the moms to be! So you won't believe this but the photo you see is the one and only decent picture we have of the two of us. We have been searching high and low for a photo of us to put in the Monkey's Life Book since last December. Finally, at Mick's great grandmother's 91st birthday last week, a miracle happened!
This morning, my own wonderful mom called to wish me a happy Mother's Day. She brought to my attention today that our Little Monkey is alive and kicking (in his birth mother's tummy). When our homestudy was submitted to Korea, our agency projected an 18-22 month wait from HSTK to referral - incidently, this timeframe has been accurate for families just receiving their referrals. So far, we have waited ten months for a referral. A nine month pregnancy combined with the mandatory 5 month waiting period before the baby is eligible for international adoption equals 14 months so, bear with me as I finally come to the point: The ten months we have already waited combined with the 14 months of pregnancy and 5 month wait-time brings us to 24 months which means that somewhere in South Korea, our baby is alive and growing strong!
Of course, this wonderful revelation is tempered with sadness. Somewhere in South Korea, a brave young woman is making the most difficult, heart wrenching decision of her life. I pray that she will make peace with her decision and know that her child is already loved, cherished and adored by so many!! especially his mommy and daddy. What a strangely complicated journey adoption is ... I already know that not a day will pass that I will not think of this wonderful woman, whomever she may be!
All is well here on Batavia Court. I am tracked out now and am looking forward to three weeks of being a "Lady of Leisure". Mick began a new home-improvement project this week ... which means our bathroom is now out of order. The good news is that sometime between next week and next year we will have a gorgeous new bathroom! Until then, I vow never to take the double sink vanity for granted again!!
Our Friday update from WACAP had wonderful news: two referrals, a 5 month old baby boy and a 5 month old baby girl. On the down side, they also reported that Korea plans to phase out international adoption by 2012. They took the first steps last year when they mandated that a child must be 5 months old before it can be referred for intercountry adoption. It is their hope that there will be an increase in domestic adoption.
For those who are curious:
When we receive our referral the baby will be five months old. A referral means that we have been matched with a child. Our agency will send us photos and medical information to review. When we sign the paperwork that we officially accept the referral , the adoption agency can begin preparing our Little Monkey for travel. I'm still not clear on that entire process ... I know there is a medical evaluation and visa interview .. .it generally takes anywhere between 3-6 months. Once all of the documents are ready we will receive the Travel Call - usually, the babies are home within the week the travel call is received.
Well, I should go make me to-do list for tomorrow. I may fit in a tidy up of the house between reading and shopping ... maybe!
Until next time,
Erin and Mick
1 comment:
The picture of the two of you is fantastic!!! Plus hearing the good news about the referrals.
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