Our bags are packed, some last minute things got done around the house and we're ready to fly to Seoul to meet our son!
Our first meeting will be with Gabe and his foster parents at 11am on Friday (which is 9pm on Thursday here). Any prayers, good vibes, warm thoughts, etc. you'd like to send us across the ocean at that time are appreciated.
We have Saturday and Sunday on our own. Monday we go back to the agency for a luncheon, and hopefully more Gabe time. Then on Tuesday afternoon we will meet him and his foster family again at the agency and bring him with us...forever. The three of us will spend Tuesday night together getting to know each other, then we head home on Wednesday.
Next post will be from Seoul...
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Travel Call!!!
So, I spoke too soon yesterday....we got the travel call yesterday at 3:30, after 3months, 3weeks and 3days of waiting!!!
I left work early to meet with the pediatrician we plan on using when my cell phone rang on the way home. I saw it was our social worker and I coyly asked why she was calling. She said an adorable baby boy is ready to come home! I told her I thought today was 'toast' and there was no chance it would come today. We were both excited and couldn't stop giggling as we talked about what happens next.
So, I raced home to book the flights before the doctor appointment so that Lifelink could let Eastern know today when we are coming. We leave on Wednesday and come back the following Wednesday and hope to meet Gabe on Friday. We will be blogging from So Ko (my pet name for SOuth KOrea), so be sure to tune in while we are away.
I can't believe we'll be in Seoul in a week meeting our son!!!
I left work early to meet with the pediatrician we plan on using when my cell phone rang on the way home. I saw it was our social worker and I coyly asked why she was calling. She said an adorable baby boy is ready to come home! I told her I thought today was 'toast' and there was no chance it would come today. We were both excited and couldn't stop giggling as we talked about what happens next.
So, I raced home to book the flights before the doctor appointment so that Lifelink could let Eastern know today when we are coming. We leave on Wednesday and come back the following Wednesday and hope to meet Gabe on Friday. We will be blogging from So Ko (my pet name for SOuth KOrea), so be sure to tune in while we are away.
I can't believe we'll be in Seoul in a week meeting our son!!!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Mad Men
We didn't get the travel call today, so how about a distraction post instead?
Ok, you all know that I love me some TV, but if I had to give up all shows but one, Mad Men is the show I cannot live without. Since in a few weeks all my regular shows will go to the wayside anyway, it's good that I made my choice now.Season 3 premieres this Sunday, August 16 on AMC at 9pm CST. I seriously CANNOT wait and have been thinking about it for weeks. I've watched it from the first episode and I'm thrilled it's picked up so many more viewers since the first season. The writing and character development is superb, with many subtleties, and where it will take you is delightfully unpredictable. Not to mention, the fabulous style (see pic above).
If you'd like to check it out, I think you can enjoy it without seeing the first 2 seasons. However, I highly recommend renting the DVD's (or check out AMC) and having a good ole' fashioned marathon to fully appreciate the show. For all my fellow Mad Men fans out there, check out this article, and for all things Mad Men, check out Basket of Kisses .
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Visa Interview aka VI!!
Gabe's Visa Interview was today at 1pm in Korea...meaning it already happened! What does this mean? Now we wait on the official travel call, but we'll probably be in Korea in about a week....
It's for reals now, people!
It's for reals now, people!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Gabe is 9 Months Today
So....when will he be home?
It was 16 weeks ago today that we got Gabe's referral. Lately, families have been traveling around the 21st week. We have been asked many times over the past few months, "So, could you get the call any day?" My answer before was always "No, we need a few more things to happen first (like dcfs, uscis, nvc)." My answer now is "Yes, the call could come any day." If you take a look at our timeline you'll see we're almost at the end. Not sure how much longer this last wait will take...but travel is definitely within reach!
Mommy and Daddy love you and miss you Gabe, and hope to have you home real soon!
It was 16 weeks ago today that we got Gabe's referral. Lately, families have been traveling around the 21st week. We have been asked many times over the past few months, "So, could you get the call any day?" My answer before was always "No, we need a few more things to happen first (like dcfs, uscis, nvc)." My answer now is "Yes, the call could come any day." If you take a look at our timeline you'll see we're almost at the end. Not sure how much longer this last wait will take...but travel is definitely within reach!
Mommy and Daddy love you and miss you Gabe, and hope to have you home real soon!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Sometimes Things Just Go the Right Way
Here is the email from Cathy about her trip to Eastern last Saturday. It gave me chills...
I finished up my meeting today and got dropped off at my hotel around 3. I headed straight up to my room, grabbed the package, the directions to Eastern and my subway map, and off I went. The subway is pretty easy to navigate once you get the hang of it. There was a little bit of a detour with the subway exit, but I used my wits and got oriented correctly.
When I arrived at the front entrance of Eastern - I saw that behind the 2 glass doors of the entryway, there was a metal sliding door in place. They were closed? How could it be? In my head, I looked up to the sky and let out a cry of anguish "Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!" (The kind of scream that can be heard from space.) But, I'm no slouch. There was no way I was getting on that plane tomorrow without handing off this package for Gabe. So I figured, if there are babies inside, there HAS to be someone here who can help me.
I snooped around the side of the building and saw an open door marked "guest house" and in I went. There was sort of a lobby area, with an American couple hanging out. There was also a woman sitting at a reception area desk. I introduced myself and explained why I was there. The woman asked if I would like her to show me around, and I said yes I would like that very much. So, I had my very own personal tour. I saw the red chair!!!! And the little bed with the blue blanket!!! And, I also saw the room were you will meet Gabe for the very first time. I got all teary. At this point, I had not yet pulled the package out of my bag - I didn't want to appear rude about conducting business too soon...the typical American way. I was waiting for the right time. Anyway, I got to talking more with the woman giving me the tour, and she asked if I knew the name of the baby - I said of course, it's Park Young Min! She said "Park Young Min? Park Young Min! That's my case!! Is your cousin Joanna?" The woman was your case worker, Ms Shin! So, we a bit of a serendipity moment. She got all excited and asked about your P3...but I didn't know since I had not had a chance to check your blog since Tuesday. She took me to her office, showed me around, and pulled his file. I saw his new photo! When I looked at the photo, I said "I LOVE him!!" She said she thought you would be very happy to know that he is getting even more handsome every day. And that his foster family says he is full of energy. She said that she had sent an updated packet to you. (Did you get it?) Then, I got the bag out and pointed to everything and explained what it all was.
She explained that she does not normally work on Saturdays, but since it's summer holiday she is working the weekend. I told her how happy I was that I got to meet her personally, and how happy we are about Gabe and that we cannot wait to meet him and welcome him into the family. She was so nice, so warm and genuine, I really liked her. When we were saying goodbye, I noticed another American couple in the building. I thought - that's going to be Joanna and Dave...real soon!!!
So...that's my story. It went well. Better than expected, even. I've seen where you're going to be - how strange and exciting is that?
Love, Cathy
I finished up my meeting today and got dropped off at my hotel around 3. I headed straight up to my room, grabbed the package, the directions to Eastern and my subway map, and off I went. The subway is pretty easy to navigate once you get the hang of it. There was a little bit of a detour with the subway exit, but I used my wits and got oriented correctly.
When I arrived at the front entrance of Eastern - I saw that behind the 2 glass doors of the entryway, there was a metal sliding door in place. They were closed? How could it be? In my head, I looked up to the sky and let out a cry of anguish "Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!" (The kind of scream that can be heard from space.) But, I'm no slouch. There was no way I was getting on that plane tomorrow without handing off this package for Gabe. So I figured, if there are babies inside, there HAS to be someone here who can help me.
I snooped around the side of the building and saw an open door marked "guest house" and in I went. There was sort of a lobby area, with an American couple hanging out. There was also a woman sitting at a reception area desk. I introduced myself and explained why I was there. The woman asked if I would like her to show me around, and I said yes I would like that very much. So, I had my very own personal tour. I saw the red chair!!!! And the little bed with the blue blanket!!! And, I also saw the room were you will meet Gabe for the very first time. I got all teary. At this point, I had not yet pulled the package out of my bag - I didn't want to appear rude about conducting business too soon...the typical American way. I was waiting for the right time. Anyway, I got to talking more with the woman giving me the tour, and she asked if I knew the name of the baby - I said of course, it's Park Young Min! She said "Park Young Min? Park Young Min! That's my case!! Is your cousin Joanna?" The woman was your case worker, Ms Shin! So, we a bit of a serendipity moment. She got all excited and asked about your P3...but I didn't know since I had not had a chance to check your blog since Tuesday. She took me to her office, showed me around, and pulled his file. I saw his new photo! When I looked at the photo, I said "I LOVE him!!" She said she thought you would be very happy to know that he is getting even more handsome every day. And that his foster family says he is full of energy. She said that she had sent an updated packet to you. (Did you get it?) Then, I got the bag out and pointed to everything and explained what it all was.
She explained that she does not normally work on Saturdays, but since it's summer holiday she is working the weekend. I told her how happy I was that I got to meet her personally, and how happy we are about Gabe and that we cannot wait to meet him and welcome him into the family. She was so nice, so warm and genuine, I really liked her. When we were saying goodbye, I noticed another American couple in the building. I thought - that's going to be Joanna and Dave...real soon!!!
So...that's my story. It went well. Better than expected, even. I've seen where you're going to be - how strange and exciting is that?
Love, Cathy
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Congrats to Jen and Katie!
Two of my waiting buddies have finally left the P3 Lounge! Jen's husband is traveling to Seoul TODAY! And Katie will have her daughter escorted home in the next week-ish.
I cannot wait to see you holding your baby girls!
I cannot wait to see you holding your baby girls!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
A Treat While We Wait
We got an updated picture of Gabe! Here is our little guy from his 8 month check-up:
Don't you just want to eat him up? Look at all that hair! I think he got a haircut already, too.
As of July 13, he weighed 21.67 lbs and was 28.30 inches long. He's still tracking about the 50th percentile for all his physical markers, except he's in the 75th for weight. He also has 6 teeth!
Ohhhhhh we just can't wait to get our hands on our little angel!
Don't you just want to eat him up? Look at all that hair! I think he got a haircut already, too.
As of July 13, he weighed 21.67 lbs and was 28.30 inches long. He's still tracking about the 50th percentile for all his physical markers, except he's in the 75th for weight. He also has 6 teeth!
Ohhhhhh we just can't wait to get our hands on our little angel!
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