On the Adoption Front...

Now that fall is in full swing and we are seeing our friends regularly at school and social events, it seems I am bombarded with the same question---"Where's the baby"? Then, Friday, Chloe had a complete meltdown after her friend had to go home from a playdate for dinner and she told me she doesn't like being an only child. She wants a sibling so she will always have someone to play with.

So, where is the baby? What is the news on the adoption fronts? I have been updating frequently to Oliver's adoption journey blog, not so much on Emma Claire's. But, here's what we know on each: THERE IS NO NEWS.

We have been waiting over 5 months for Oliver's referral. Our agency tells us that the current wait for referral is 4-6 months and they don't expect us to wait longer than the expected wait. Another family with our agency that sent their dossier to Ethiopia a week before us received their referrals last week. There really is no way to know where you stand and when you will get your referral. Another family who sent their dossier in the same time as us is already home from Ethiopia with their son. After referral it is generally another 6 weeks until the court date where we will be declared Oliver's legal parents and then about another 6 weeks (or less) to travel. If we receive our referral in the next 3 weeks we are looking at traveling to Ethiopia in January.

As for China, we still wait and we have been waiting for 3 years. We have a log in date of October 16, 2006. China has placed children through LID March 24, 2006. We expect to wait another 3-4 years for a referral. There will be an Emma Claire, someday.

Our main focus right now is on the Ethiopian adoption. Hopefully soon I will post referral news!!