Our Article 5 Has Left the Building!

Don't be fooled by the title of this post!  Today, our Article 5 was picked up and is headed up north to Beijing.  What this means is both China and USA have approved all our forms!  At this point, we are just waiting for our golden ticket otherwise known as our travel approval!  (Insert crazy big smile here)!  The big question is when will it arrive?  The most recent batch arrived for those lucky families about 2 weeks after their Art. 5's were picked up.  I am completely fine with 2 weeks.  Just to be on the conservative side I am guessing March 12.

Article 5 Drop off

Tonight when we are sleeping our in country agency coordinator will deliver our paperwork to the Consulate!  They will be there for the standard two weeks.  So excited yet very calm.  For now, the paperwork and forms are done with!  To pass the time we started buying all the stuff we need for the trip.  I have never seen such a large suitcase!

WHAT A WEEK!!!

This week was the most productive week throughout this entire process!

1. Monday - Received 800 approval.
2. Wednesday - Received our GUZ number.  We were entered into the NVC system
3. Thursday - Received an email letting us know that we were cabled!
4. Friday - Received an email with our pdf letter!

Lots of little steps got done!  Next step is Article 5 drop off hoping that is early next week!  So all this means we could be in line for travel approval in about 2.5 weeks!

I 800 APPROVAL

I was going to call the USCIS this afternoon to check on the status of our application.  I wasn't even in a hurry to get home to check the mail. But, to my surprise it was there!  I really wasn't going to look for it until Wednesday!  This approval allows Madeline to become an official US resident as soon as her sweet little feet land on US soil!
Okay.... now it really feels like things are moving along!

LOA!!

I am so happy to finally say we received our LOA today!  After the issue we had with our paperwork I thought for sure we were going to wait into February!  So what does this mean?  It means Madeline should be home here with us by Easter!  However I say that with my fingers crossed!  We will now navigate the USCIS working on visas and other approvals!  But for now we will celebrate!

We Received an Update!

I love surprises!  Today we received an update on Madeline along with a few pictures!  She weighs 21 pounds, walks with the help of her foster mom.  Like Kristen, she will eat just about whatever is offered to her.  She is described as shy and quiet but likes to smile!  She sounds perfect!

New Pictures! Well....sort of

One day I was reading messages on Madeline's SWI Yahoo Group and came across a man who had pictures of Madeline from April and July of this year.  The two posted here are from July when she was 10 months old.  I'm still waiting for current pictures and an update.  But in the meantime, we will enjoy the pics we have!