Just What We Needed Today!

This is JUST what I (Heather) needed today!  I was feeling pretty down this morning. This wait is starting to take its toll on me and I haven't been getting as much sleep lately so I am feeling pretty run-down. Then, THIS shows up in our email inboxes:

Be still my heart!  Isn't she just beautiful!!  This picture came with an update from our agency.  She is healthy, growing, and now has 12 teeth!!  Her hair is growing in nicely too :)  It's kind of bittersweet to see the new pictures, as she is getting so big and growing up without us.  We shipped a picture book to China a few months ago with photos of us and the kids, and they confirmed that she received it.  How great to think that she's been able to look at photos of her family!  We're so glad her caretakers are so responsive to requests for updates.  That has really been a blessing to us.  We know of others waiting to get their little ones who are having a much harder time getting updates. 

In other exciting news, the National Visa Center has forwarded our visa petition to the US Consulate in China!  One more step down, and only two more to go until Travel Approval!  Given the current typical wait times, we should be in China by July at the latest.  Recap of the remaining steps:

Receive LOA (CHECK!)

Send I-800 application to USCIS (asking US immigration for permission to adopt the child we were specifically matched with)  (CHECK!)

USCIS forwards our approval to the National Visa Center to petition for baby girl's visa  (CHECK!)

The NVC forwards the approved visa petition to the US Consulate in Guangzhou China  (CHECK!)

The Consulate reviews the visa application (the DS-230), makes sure it meets the qualifications for an immigrant visa, and then signs off that everything is in order for the adoption to be completed.

The approval is forwarded to the CCCWA, which issues our Travel Approval!