Flight Delay

Kathy, Randi and myself are relaxing in the 1st class lounge at Pearson. We had expected to leave at 1pm, but our flight was delayed, first 2, and now 3 hours. The estimated time of departure is 4pm. We originally had 5 hours in Shanghai, but we are now down to 2. We are hoping there are no further delays as we do not want to miss our connection. Apparently there was a bit of a mix up with the start day of our hotel reservation but a fellow traveler is taking care of it for us. Thank You K & B. You are so organized!
We were able to connect for a few minutes with S & D who are taking a different route to Hanoi. We will meet up again at the hotel.
If you have to wait for a delayed plane, the 1st class lounge is the place to do it.

Headline

The Headline says it All. TODAY IS TRAVEL DAY

What a Send Off

I posted earlier today and in that post I mentioned how wonderful and supportive all of my family and friends have been throughout this journey. Well, I have more to add. Today has been a day of wonder. My phone and door bell have rang all day with calls and visits from the wonderful people I am honoured to call my family and friends. CK who dropped by with an assortment of pastries when she heard I was having an emotional day, Thank you for your visit. FP who dropped by to wish me well, we chatted as we shared dietcoke and red licorice. To all of my family, friends and coworkers that called to chat and wish me a safe journey. To each of you THANK YOU AGAIN. Last but not least to my dear friends Cheryl, Gayle and Karen "Awesome" F, who showed up this evening with an offering of wine, Jamaica Rum cream, laughter and friendship, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. It was a wonderful day. Now, I am going to sit quiet and watch the clock change over to Apr 30, and the ticker tape to finally say 0 days to travel.

One More Day

In a little less than 24 hrs from now, Kathy and I will be on our way. We will have been at the airport for a few hours, hopefully getting a chance to connect, even for a few minutes, with 2 other families also travelling to Vietnam to meet and adopt their daughters. I am sure there are many more things I could find to do here before tomorrow, but I am as ready as I am going to be.
As many of you know, my sister Kathy is traveling with me on this wonderful journey. I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I am it worked out she can accompany me. She is my Rock. She has encouraged me each and every step of the way. When I was doubting my decision she even sent me a top ten list why I SHOULD do this.

This is a journey I started many months ago, so many months that it turned into over 3 years. When I started it seemed like such a solitary thing. I told no one until after I had attended the CB information session. Not even Kathy knew until after that long ago 1st session............... I worried about being a single parent and having to negotiate the world of International Adoption alone. As I sit here, on the Eve of my flight to adopt a precious daughter, I feel ashamed. Ashamed because I thought adopting as a single parent, would mean I was alone in my journey. I was so very wrong. I feel a bit sad that I underestimated the wonderful encouragement, support and help I have received from everyone. From my immediate family, (some who heard about the adoption each and every day, for 3 years, even across phone lines to Shanghai) to extended family, who heard about it from my immediate family, work friends,(I bored you each and every work day, on and on and on.) coworkers, and my long time friends, I have felt an outpouring of support. You have all been there with my elation (when things were moving along well) and stress (when at times it seems it would never happen) You have never failed to encourage me and lift my spirits. You will never know how important a role each and every one of you played. And the ones who have offered to babysit, rest assured I will take you up on it. The new friends I have made in the adoption world have been a blessing. These new friendships and connections have helped me through this amazing but long journey.

This is an emotional day for me. When I return home May 27, I will be accompanied by my then 10 1/2 month old daughter. This is the last night I will spend in my house and not be a mother. When I return, I will be Macy's mommy. Thank You EVERYONE for helping make this dream come true.

Am I Ready?

No! Not yet. I still have one more day to work. Tomorrow after work I will be attending a baby shower for one of my coworkers that had a beautiful baby boy not long ago. It will be a nice finish to the last day at work. I still have a short list of things to do here, a few appts booked for the 1st half of Tuesday, then I am hoping to be able to relax a bit on Wednesday before we leave. Do I really think that will happen? NO, I will be running around at midnight Wed like a crazy person.

6/10/12

Today the number is 6. Six days until we leave, so of course I am counting them down. But 10 and 12 are the real numbers. Ten days from today, May 4, is the day we are told to expect to go to the Orphanage to meet our Children. We will be able to gaze upon sweet faces, touch soft cheeks, count fingers and toes, stroke tiny ears, and we will be able to hold and cuddle with them. And yes, we will have to leave them. Back into the safe arms of their nannies, who will love them and care for them for 2 more days. Nannies who have already lovingly cared for them for many months. The G & R Ceremony (Giving and Receiving, the official adoption day ceremony) is scheduled for May 6.
Then, the BEST part of this process begins. The part where Macy is with me!

Single Digits

Nine, 9, one less than 10, you get the idea. Nine more days until Kathy and I leave for Vietnam. It is after midnight so I can say only 9 more days. I have accomplished a lot this past day or so. I have been able to cross a few things off my "to do" list. I feel like I have a bit of breathing room. I am just about to start my days off, (4 hours to go), and this is my last night shift until I come back from parental leave. (writing this on night shift)
I've had lots of fun. Folding and packing all the little girl things I think I will need while we are away. I am sure I am bringing too many clothes, but I won't have to use the laundry at the hotel very often.
It's hard to believe that 9 days from now I will be worried about the traffic on the way to the airport.
9 days from now my list of things "to do" will be done, my house will be clean and sparkling, the yard will be raked and seeded, the laundry all done, ironed and put away, the garage cleaned, swept and organized and the basement tidy. The garden furniture will all be out, etc etc. In reality, I will probably be rushing around at the last minute, muttering to myself, Why did I not do this on my days off?

Height and Weight

OK, I didn't meant to tease. Sorry B. As far as I know the last medical was done a few weeks ago for immigration. I received one picture which I previously posted and yesterday I received her height and weight. Height 64 cm, for those of us older types which know feet and inches, it translates to almost 25.5 inches long. Her weight was 7kg, or something like 15.4 approx lbs. I have a growth chart for Vietnamese children. She is average for height. A bit below for weight. She just looks chubby in her pictures.

Don't You Just Love Good Days?

Today was another good day. Beautiful weather, wonderful company for lunch (my sister Kathy and a good friend Karen).
My sister and I managed to get most of my required paperwork organized to take to Vietnam.
I received updated height and weight for Macy.
A fellow adoption family received notice that they may travel in 2-3 weeks to southern Vietnam to receive their daughter.
Wonderful and welcome news that a family in my agency was matched with daughter from Hai Duong, the same orphanage where Macy is being cared for.
A very good day.

17 Days, 7 Work shifts

On paper the number reads: 17 days. That transcribes into 7 shifts at work, when I look at a calendar, it's 2 1/2 weeks. The "sometime" in future is now before the end of this month. I'm ready.

Flights Booked

I got the flights booked, traveling via Shanghai. (a well worn path for both my sister and myself) Leaving April 30. So, counting tonight, (as it is 1am) 22 sleeps. The agents were absolutely wonderful. I had Aeroplan on my home phone and United airmiles on the cell. We coordinated the flights using 2 different air mile plans, 2 phones and 2 agents, and it worked. I need to get to bed so there will only be 21 sleeps left.

We're Leaving on a Jet Plane

Hurray Hurray The LOI's are here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A few of my fellow travellers have already booked their flights, but I am stuck at work and must wait until later this evening, or tomorrow. I will keep you posted. The request from CB is to book Apr 29-May 1, but I think a day or two before or after is OK. It's happening. It's happening. In a few weeks, I will be there, in Vietnam to finally meet and hold my little girl. I think I'll cry now!!

On Track

I had a wonderful afternoon out with 2 friends from work. As we were leaving the restaurant, my cell phone rang, my heart started pounding, Yes indeed it was CB. But........... not the news I was hoping for. I had to renew my passport a few months ago, and Vietnam is asking for a copy. Cathy assured me it will not hold up the LOI's and CB is still expecting our LOI's later this week.. So Hurray,, things seem to be on track for this week.

New Hope

No LOI, but a recent picture of Macy, this time sticking her tongue out. The childrens' medicals have been completed and we are hopeful we will get some measurements in a few days. The latest news is that CB is expecting our LOI's next week. It's coming!!! Travel time is getting closer!!!