Journey to Jaxon

We have moved our home now...

2008-04-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

Home updates have moved to our other blog Two Worlds, One Family - come see what our little dude is up to!

http://www.twoworlds1family.blogspot.com

Home sweet home!

2008-02-01T18:15:00.001-08:00

Well, it is just after 9 p.m. here, and miraculously, our flight was only an hour delayed leaving Toronto, as the storm there cancelled many a flight out today! We had a good rest at a hotel overnight, Jaida had her first sleep over with Nanny (well, at least until 4 a.m. when she was brought back to our room!) The flight from Beijing went well, immigration was a snap and we arrived to a lovely welcoming committee and a home made lunch! The kids did great on the long flight. Hey Laurie (who is still in Beijing) the plane did have the t.v.s in each seat! Kept both kids busy. Jaxon thought it was great and kept the ear phones on a bit. He is already adjusting to home, feeding the dogs, and had his first bath at home, and hugged all his aunts and uncles (he is with uncle Joce in the photo here). I am not sure what type of a sleep we'll have tonight since the jet lag will be present, but at least we are home safe and sound! Maia was happy to have Daddy reading her books before bed again and I am so grateful I have an amazing babysitter and her family who took great care of our home, Maia and the dogs while we were away. This will be my last post on this blog, so you will have to move to http://www.twoworlds1family.blogspot.com for news from our family of five.

Signing off! Thanks EVERYONE for being a part of this! Our son is home, and one journey ends...and another adventure begins.

Leaving tomorrow

2008-01-29T21:38:00.000-08:00

Hey all you out in cyber space.

First off, thanks everyone for your comments and well wishes. It's awesome to have the support here in China. I have enjoyed sharing our story - we have had a really positive experience and are overjoyed with our little guy. Jaida has started to have a tough time the past few days, lots of meltdowns, but in between still loving her brother. I think it is more about missing home (she is asking lots for her toys and sister Maia) but she does seem to love her brother and has overall down far better than expected for most of the trip. I have to remember she is only three, and losing her new Barbie after a night out is catastophe (lol!), all in all, he has been the easiest one to care for, and he is a sweet little guy, who giggles and loves to run, and play tackle with his dad. I think he is going to love being a part of our family and I know our family will all love him back :)

We skipped the Forbidden City today to let the kids have some time to run in the room, watch t.v., as we head to the airport tomorrow late morning. We are the only family going straight to Toronto, so will be alone once we get dropped off at the airport. I do hope the flight isn't too horrible for the kids.

I have developed a cold/sore throat and haven't slept well the past two nights - but thank goodness the kids only have slight runny noses, and Marty is good. Overall, what a great trip. I am glad we chose an older child - having a child who walks has been neat too - our son is happy and quiet, very rare to cry. I will be anxious to meet with the cleft team from Toronto in April to see what he will need done and when. His is not as delayed as I first tough ( he was just petrified with fear and shut down) and he is a riot. I'm sooooooo proud of him and excited to bring my son home.

I will see some of you in just a couple of days :) Love to all of you, and I may not post now until we have a home update. Thanks everyone for being a part of this amazing experience.

Another busy day

2008-01-28T06:03:00.000-08:00

We were up and on the bus at 8 a.m. to drive an hour to the medical centre for Jaxon's physical. It was a good visit, nice lady doctor, who told us that he is just about in the 50% for height and weight, so absoultely right in the middle of typical for his age, and he weighs 12.6 kg. Big boy!! She said he was sweet and strong, very healthy, and said of his cleft, "Clefts are so easy to deal with." made us feel good.

We stayed in the room for the afternoon so the kids could rest, and tonight we saw the Chinese acrobats, very awesome. Jaxon took in the whole show, and Jaida fell asleep half way through, poor girl. Tomorrow is our day at the silk factory and pearl market, so we will be gone most of the day tomorrow. Tomorrow evening is our "good bye party" a couple of days early - because the magician wouldn't be available otherwise. So, might not get a chance to post tomorrow.

Jaxon cried today when I left briefly to go to the bathroom - for the first time. Made me feel good, he is shying away from being picked up by anyone else besides me and Marty, so he knows he's "ours". I love giving him a bottle at night and having him cling to me to fall asleep. He's so sweet.

Enjoy only a few pics today. I'm exhausted!

The Great Wall

2008-01-27T03:17:00.001-08:00

We had an awesome day today climbing the great wall - I had Jax on my back and Jaida climbed on her own, with her dad, amazingly high up a very steep area! I wasn't able to go with Jaxon on my back, so I enjoyed a super expensive hot chocolate, lol!!! with another mom, so that was nice. I was surprised Jaida wanted to go as far as she did. We were really proud of her, and Laurie took awesome pics, of course, attached. We had a nice lunch at a restaurant and also visited the jade facotory,and drove my some of the olympic venues, the birds nest and water cube, Olympic village, etc. Very fun., Then just dinner in the room, so the kids can relax and have fun. Jax has only slept like 10 minutes all day, and is all boy, starting to show us his rough and tumble tendancies!! It's hilarious!! He is playing stickers at the moment with his sister.

Tomorrow is Jax's medical and then the acrobats at night!!!

We're in Beijing!

2008-01-26T03:18:00.000-08:00

Well hey everyone reading this - we arrived in Beijing last night at a brutal 12:30 p.m., so to bed by 2 this morning and up at 7, yawn!! We had immigration pics today and then went to the Beijing Zoo to see the pandas and then to the Summer Palace. Beautiful, but chilly, Only Jaida complained, mostly because she was exhausted. we opted out on the group dinner tonight for pizza in the room (and wine!) and Jaida fell asleep at 6:30. Jax is running around in his diaper, whipping toys off the table and then picking them back up - making new sounds today, and happy and easy. Much easier so far than Jaida was! Must be because he's a boy!!

He did amazing on the flight last night, Jaida slept the whole way too. I strapped him in his seat and he was curious, making faces and giggling, he's so endearing this little guy, honestly, and we are more in love with him each day.

It was nice to wake up to breakfast this morning and meet all the other families in the group. The babies are all so young and sweet. I'm happy I have an older quiet boy though, who walks. I'm loving our decision to take an older child.

I am paying by the hour here, so I will sign off and hope you enjoy the photos from today.

loving siblings

2008-01-24T17:30:00.000-08:00

more pics from wednesday

2008-01-23T17:11:00.000-08:00

Theone pic of the 2 ladies pointing is brilliant - Laurie captured this as they were gawking at us with Jaida and Jaxon!

Laurie is off today to take more awesome pics, we are off to see about kids shoes!

Wednesday shots, and dinner cruise

2008-01-23T05:34:00.000-08:00

too tired to write the whole day, but enjoy the pics, yawn! (need to go to bed!)

My photographer rocks

2008-01-23T01:24:00.000-08:00

Gotta love Aunty Laurie and her amazing camera! Enjoy!!

Visit with Yulin!

2008-01-22T18:04:00.000-08:00

A nice surprise yesterday, Yulin came to our city tonight and we had a lovely dinner at a restaurant close by. Great she was there to order for us - a funky place where you go in and choose what you want to eat, lots of live seafood in pools of water that you could say hum, that one looks lively, lets cook him up!! lol!! Jaida slept through it, and Jaxon sat and smiled at everyone. We are enjoying the company of the family travelling with us, a great bunch with a hilarious little boy.

Had a better night, slet from 10-3, then up for 2 hours and then slept from 5-8. Jaida and Jaxon are playing stacking cups on the floor this a.m. He can stack cups!!!! They play awesomely together. This morning at breakfast he had humongous smiles and cuddles with his daddy - we are starting to see a bit more of who he is, but not a peep, sound or otherwise from him vocally. He sleeps great. WITH us. I tried to see if he would prefer his crib last night, but he had a shot of terror in his eyes and started to shudder when I tried to put him in it, and so he fell asleep in my arms as I stroked his head. I guess it is going to be a king sized bed when we get home. Ah well, heaven forbid our son and daughter need to cuddle us forever :)

We are going to head out now for a walk in the park across the street, then this afternoon to go to get his passport photo/application. We have plans with our companion family to go on a 1.5 hour dinner cruise on the Pearl River, we watched the boats last night, all lit up with lights, and are so excited. Jaida is enjoying having a girl her age to play with as well, and all the kids are getting on great. We are so fortunate that so far, all is going far better than I thought. I am still overwhelmed with how much I instantly love this little boy and want him to have to world. Enjoy the pics. More later!

Day 2 with Jaxon

2008-01-21T22:26:00.001-08:00

Today was our "official" adoption day, and these photos were taken at the Adoption Registry Centre of Guangdong Province. Lots of things to do here, pictures and paperwork. There were many families from all over, Spain, France, the US, adopting children. The last pic is with the official who we signed the final papers with. He thanked us for adopting him, saying, "these kids need homes" they sure do.

Jaida continues to be awesome, much to my complete and utter shock. My whiny girl at home has turned into a big sister, who helps change diapers, hold bottles, cover with blankies, read him stories, it's been sooo touching that it's brought me to tears. Considering yet again we were up at 2 a.m. and she has not yet slept at 2 p.m. our time, she is off with Daddy, using her Jiao to buy pastries and then off to the 7/11 for water, while Junlong (aka Jaxon - we are using both interchangably) sleeps. This morning, as she was waiting with baited breath for him to wake, she said to Marty and I, "Dad, I love my Jaxon you adopted for me. Can I have one more brother? Just one more, pleeeaassee??" and she was dead serious. Anyone who wants to contribute to the St-Pierre adoption fund, please do, lol!!!

We plan a nice dinner at our hotel tonight, 39th floor, with view of Pearl River. We are feeling pretty good today despite the lack of sleep, and are hoping for a few not so busy days now that the majority of the paperwork is done. Tomorrow we go to the office to apply for his Passport.

The size 2 clothes I brought for him are plenty big. He is a little guy. He ate noodles and rice cereal and a bottle for lunch - he is very wary of us, but clung to me like a monkey all day. He has easy arms out to be held, and was inspecting me today and giving me slight smiles. Jaida had him on the floor giggling at lunch time, tickling him, and playing "let's go to McDonalds" and paying him for phantom hamburgers. She is cracking me up and I think in a strange way, adopting Jaxon has made me love her even more, for the sweetness that has come out of her in her manner with him. She held his hand to the elevator, directs him around the room, saying "Good boy, Jaxon, that's it Jaxon" and just really really not showing much jealousy, she wants to snuggle me still, but it is WITH him included. Last night, she fell asleep not with me, but with her brother, side by side.

more pics

2008-01-21T14:06:00.001-08:00

the group shot is of all the staff from J's orphanage.

Our son....

2008-01-21T01:50:00.000-08:00

Well, that's it then! We are officially a family of five! At 3:30 today after a harrowing drive to the adoption office, our little son came walking out of a curtained room and into our arms.

I am running on battery here, and until I find an adapter will give you all the lowdown later! He is smiling, happy and healthy, and holds out his arms to come to us. He was tentative at first, and quiet, but giggling and very interested in Jaida.

And Jaida is being totally AWESOME and touching him, playing with him, and he is loving me to hug and hold him close. We are totally happy with our little guy and can't wait to see what he is like once he gets over his nerves.

More later, when i get an adapter!!

love to all,

Steph, Marty, Jaida and Junlong.

Final post from home....

2008-01-17T14:12:00.000-08:00

Well, this is it - the eve of our departure. I feel like time is standing still for us and we can't get there fast enough.

We never did get any updated photos of our son, so all we have to try and recognize him by are photos taken well over a year ago. He will have changed soooooo much and it has been unsettling for us to not have anything to go by, no updated measurements etc. I have no idea if anything I have packed for him will fit.

I imagine we will not post now until after we have him, which will be afternoon on Monday the 21st, and since we are 13 hours ahead of everyone in Ontario, I imagine when you wake up on Monday morning, we will have been with him for some time. I have prepared ourselves for a very difficult few days, but we will still make an effort to let you know we have him and are safe.

Thank you everyone for your well wishes and personal send offs, we feel like we will have so many people at home, cheering us on!!

In case we have difficulty posting from China...

2008-01-15T05:03:00.001-08:00

I have heard that blogspot may not always be accessible to us. I will try to post here if possible, but in case I am not able to, I have read that MSn spaces is still accessible in most of China. In that case, you can try our old family blog to access our updates, http://c22c.spaces.live.com

His Name Means...

2008-01-14T13:57:00.000-08:00

Jun- handsome/talented

Long - dragon/imperial/dinosaur

www.chinese-tools.com

I found it using this website!

My handsome and talented dragon!

almost there!

2008-01-14T05:58:00.000-08:00

My friend gave me these two adorable shirts that she made - isn't that awesome? They are packed for their first day together as brother and sister :)

I made the blanket for him!

Chocolate party!!

2008-01-12T14:10:00.001-08:00

Tonight we are going to have a little family party with the chocolate fountain that Grandpa Wayne bought us for Christmas - to celebrate our imminent departure, and that fact that it will be our last weekend at our house without Junlong.

Daddy is out buying strawberries and bananas as we speak, yum!!

6 days to go - this time next weekend we will have been on a plane to Beijing for just over 5 hours :)

Paper and more paper!

2008-01-09T12:24:00.000-08:00

An Xpresspost arrived today with a pile of things (including VIsa's and tickets) needed to go next Friday.

We are sitting in the middle of a rotten blizzard, today we have wet snow and people are getting stuck on the roads everywhere.

Yesterday there was a lot of fog.

Please, please, please!!! Do not let the weather suck next Friday.

Fifteen days?

2008-01-03T08:01:00.000-08:00

Is it really, like, just 2 weeks to go? Like, for sure? No kidding? Honestly?

YIPPEEE, "¡Ándale! ¡Ándale! ¡Arriba! ¡Arriba!"

AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Is anything going to go wrong?!

What, paranoid? Me?

(Someone slap me, please)

Simple solutions....

2007-12-30T07:09:00.001-08:00

Yesterday, we were all sitting at the table having dinner when Jaida comes out with,

"Mom, why doesn't Jaxon have a family?"

Well, Honey, the people who had him might not have had enough money to take care of him, and they wanted him to have a better life so they gave him up to an orphanage so that he could be taken care of. Her situation also, but I didn;t start trying to go into that.

She goes and pulls out her 'Hello Kitty" money bank and puts it on the table.

"I got some money, Mom."

And then I got so overwhelmed by this simple comment I couldn't speak for a few seconds. And my heart broke for all the families who cannot keep their children because of something that should never keep families apart. It's hard to not feel guilty when you know that we are overwhelmed with joy at someone else's heartbreak. Life has a lot of hard realities. I can't not think about another mother crying somewhere. It makes me sad.

I heard on an email list recently that one family who left with a child had the experience of seeing a woman hanging around the orphanage while they were in China, and crying and pointing when they left with their child. I wonder if that was a mom who had been watching. What goes through their minds when we take their children away?

I promise that mom I'll take good care of Junlong, and wish somehow I could get that back to her. Tell her universe, please.

Handsome and snuggly?

2007-12-29T07:29:00.001-08:00

It's hard to believe how much stuff you have to take when you go on a trip such as this. It is impossible to pack light. I'm trying to decide on gifts and such. Yesterday I bought several perfumes and lotions and such, now I need to go and find liquor or Canada shirts or something for the male gifts. It might just end up being money in envelopes. What about the orphanage? With Jaida we gave 2 bags of clothes. I'm going to go out today and see what I can find.

I'm hoping that we can find carts easily enough. It's going to be interesting pushing two strollers and trying to carry all this luggage!

Oh, and I need "boy" toys. I went trying to fill a backpack with entertainment for the kids for the trip - we have only pink and princess everywhere. Jaxon needs a little blue in his world - maybe a Winnie the Pooh colouring book? I have a few little trucks - a teddy - we will find things there too, but I want something for him when we get him. I have him the most adorable mini Diego backpack, and I'm filling it will new things that he can call his own. Hopefully that will woo him to like us a little bit when he realizes "we're it" and there is no going back. Makes me sad for him. He's going to be so terrified...my baby.

Jaida is finally over her freak fit about this whole experience and coming around to the other side (after almost two weeks of atrocious behaviour on her part!) Yesterday we were laying in bed, trying to nap and she says,

"Let's think of Jaxon, Mom. Is he gonna be handsome and snuggly?"

I giggle..."well, I hope so hunny, but he may not be snuggly right away - why?"

"I'm gonna pretend he's my husband." (We had a conversation earlier that morning about "why is Martin your husband? Why do women need husbands?" she is in such a curious phase this kid.

"Well, I think he'd be a better brother, don't you? He's a little young to be a husband."

"MOOMMMM, (insert long drawn out 'c'mon, as if' sound here) I'm just going to PRETEND."

This is a vast improvement from, "YOUR JUST SUPPOSED TO LOVE MEEEEEE" so I will worry about the logistics of her ordering him to go out and snow shovel or buy her jewellery later :)

Packing frenzy

2007-12-26T20:49:00.000-08:00

I spent the first part of the day braving the mall - got a couple new smaller suitcases (because if I fill my big one I'll be over the lovely weight restrictions!) and for the second half of the day, have packed all the kid's stuff for the trip. Jaxon has one just all for himself - new coat, hat, mitts, shoes, diapers, tiny socks - new Pooh pjs :) It's hilarious packing for a little boy! Too fun. Now, just me and Marty, but we'll be MUCH easier to pack for!

It's going to be tough to go as light as I want - it's going to be three cases, and three backpacks, and two strollers. Can't do less than that. Might need more (I packed an empty duffle for purchases :)

Off to bed! (Okay, so, my passports will be back in time, right??)

Anxiety is setting in

2007-12-24T07:47:00.001-08:00

I can feel it. My chest is heavy. I was awake for 2 hours last night. I was catastrophizing. Is that a word? OMG, someone else has my passports. OG, what if when they send them back they get lost (reminiscent of my friends 3 years ago who had theirs sent to the US in error and had them driving to Ottawa to get emergency replacements) OMG - what if they send them back with a so many day expected delivery date and they don't show up on schedule (Didn't I just send an overnight courier and have it show up a day late? Would that be my luck?)

Sigh. Okay, so I'm sure we'll all get to China just fine, but until then I'm going to be like a friggin' nutbar thinking of all the things that could go wrong, but likely won't. I don't remember being this paranoid with our trip to Jaida. Is it just because I'm bringing her this time that makes me worry more?

We booked our hotel in Toronto last night, for the evening of January 31st. Mom is going to come and stay with us and meet our new little man.

It's Christmas eve tonight. My travelling friend and hubby are joining us for some cheer (AKA junk food and wine) she's the rational one. She doesn't worry. I wish I was that way.

I'm going to have to breathe deeply today.

Letter of Confirmation - signed and sent!

2007-12-19T04:57:00.000-08:00

Yesterday our Letter Seeking Confirmation from Adopter arrived by xpresspost, and we signed it and couriered it back. It should arrive at our agency today. It felt good to get that, see it (I copied it of course!) Very exciting!

I had an impossible time concentrating at work yesterday. I feel like I'm spining my wheels in everything. I am really happy about a travel mate fially getting things going her way ;) yesterday.

I am soooo desperate to know what Junlong looks like now - I wnder if he has bee show the parcel we went him? Surely it would have gotten there by now....

It's done.

2007-12-17T18:05:00.001-08:00

Tickets are booked. We leave home Jan. 18th to Toronto, then a 6 p.m.
flight to Vancouver. Overnight at the 4 Points Sheraton, and then to
Beijing the next day.

Wow. This is all happening so fast.

I queried into why we got so lucky with a quick approval. Short answer
- it's a mystery.

Whew!

2007-12-17T11:35:00.001-08:00

It's amazing what a whirlwind life becomes when you get a call and you're
told in a month you'll have a son :)

I booked an appointment today for a couple of weeks after we get home with
our pediatrician, and contacted the Cleft Lip and Palate Program we deal
with for our eldest daughter, so they are going to see him when they come to
town for their travelling clinic. (it's not an emergency) so he'll get a
good look over by the "team" of specialists right along side his big sister!

These - plus a ton of other things I did today - we are supposed to be
booking flights shortly!

Stay tuned for more developments on our way to our kiddo!

It must be true, right?

2007-12-15T16:52:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I admit, I had a tiny bit of denial when I didn't know for sure of our "letter seeking confirmation" had arrived in Canada yet - apparently it has, and it is being xpress posted to me as we speak - so we have to sign it and return it the same day - we are behind! I still cannot fathom what happened to make our wait time half of others - it is certainly something I won't challenge though! I must have been a good girl, right Santa?!

We had our flu shots today - so we're good on that front - and we got our photos done for the Visa applications which are packaged neatly and ready to be couriered first thing Monday morning.

We are bringing "Aunty" Laurie with us, which is going to rock, because she's photographer supreme, and while we both insist we are using each other for what we can get from the experience (we get a kickin' album of China with ME actually in the photos this time unlike adoption round one - and she gets a kickin' trip to China) I am thrilled that I will have a friend along to share such an amazing experience. I unfortunately will not get to travel as backpacking light as she will!

A nice travel agent guy called us last night to discuss travel plans and we do not yet know the confirmed date of departure - it may be the 19th or the 26th, but we should know this week. We also don't know if we are going direct from Toronto to Beijing, or through Vancouver - so much has yet to reveal itself to us!

Jaida is ticked about the whole thing. When asked if she is excited about the trip I get a "NO!" response. I ask her if she wants to stay with Maia and nice sitter - NO. I think she wants a brother though - she kissed Junlong's photo in the frame on our livingroom side table - like 6 times. She's like, "It's going to take a long time to get there?" Yes, I say. She moans like the drama queen that she is. I guess considering she moaned the same way at the post office after 10 minutes in line, I can see her point of view. Travel, waiting, is boring. China, and getting a brother however, is definately not. She will be jealous I know. But, when she realizes she has a real little brother I think she'll be okay. If not, it's going to be a hell of a long trip home!

Do I feel Christmas-sy, Nuh-uh! I feel like a nice, festive, Chinese New Year - Ahh....

Okay, so, I guess we're really going right?

I'd better go and sort through Jaxon's clothes and see what a 2 year old-3month little boy will fit!

Oh, and I'm dying for updated photos - but I promised myself to only ask the agency once (which I did) and not again.

Where we are going....

2007-12-14T09:39:00.000-08:00

Okay, so, I still don't know yet if our agency actually GOT the LOA we are waiting for, BUT it's been sent, so that's all that matters, right? We're through the last set of hoops!

Guan, Junlong is in the Dongguan Social Welfare Insitute.

About Dongguanthat's down in Guangdong Province, close to Hong Kong.

I think it's pretty hot down there!

More details later as we get them, check back for travel plans and such!

OMG!!!!!!!!

2007-12-13T09:06:00.000-08:00

I got a call from our agency - apparently our letter seeking confirmation has been sent from China. If it arrives as he hopes, we will be going to China in JANUARY. I cannot believe it - we had thought March or April - January 19th is the possible date - so we have a lot of catching up to do!!!!

Jaxon, we're coming kiddo, hang on!!!!!

He's a rooster!

2007-12-02T15:24:00.000-08:00

Just for fun, I looked up Jaxon's Chinese zodiac sign - and apparently, he's a rooster! (His sister is a monkey - and boy, is she ever true to that! lol!)

YOu can read about Roosters here: http://www.chinesezodiac.com/rooster.php and check out what your own Chinese zodiac says about you!

Mom is a dog, and Dad is a Horse, lol! What an interesting barn we must have! lol!

Things are moving for the first of the group!

2007-11-30T04:40:00.000-08:00

The first family to get a referral off the June waiting child list got their son this week! The second family to get a referral got their notice they are travelling December 5th - we were the last of the batch - so I know we are a couple of months from knowing any travel dates, but it's awesome to see the process happening for those just three months ahead of us! Yeah for them! It seems that the travel times for those two families, in Ontario and BC, was just about 5 months from referral. So, if the same happens for us, that might mean February travel! I'm still thinking March, (same time as we travelled for Jaida) but February would be welcomed for sure.

It will be a bit easier once Christmas is over...it will be close to the time we get more news.....because here we all are, wishing, wishing, wishing....

sending some love your way....

2007-11-20T04:17:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we send off a parcel to you kiddo! A flannel blanket, some blocks and a teddy, some candy and a scrapbook album of family photos. I can't wait for you to see who we are, and I hope your blanket will keep you comforted until we get you! How much longer!!!!!????

Still awaitin'!

2007-11-14T19:19:00.000-08:00

The first family to get a referral off the same list as us is leaving next week to get their child! It will have taken them 5 months from referral....may we be so lucky! Our call was September 30 - a guess we will go mid-march?? please!??!!!

Happy Birthday Kiddo.....

2007-10-26T10:30:00.000-07:00

Hey Jaxon - tomorrow is your birthday. Mommy started to get all choked up today when she realized that she won't be able to give you a cake and presents. We're going to make up for all that when you get home, and have one big party to celebrate your two missed birthdays, and your arrival. It's hard knowing who you are finally and not being able to give you a huge hug and kiss and lots of cuddles. It's going to be pretty tough on your old parents, waiting to come and get you. Mommy hasn't been able to get you out of her mind.

Hang in there kiddo....one month down, 5 to go......

Love Mommy.

Happy little sister

2007-10-16T11:33:00.000-07:00

We are back from our week in Disney - it was really hot, but wonderful. Jaida has been asking questions now, like, "Are you gonna snuggle Jaxon?" I say, yes, I am , but I'm still gonna snuggle you too - is that okay? And with a coy smile, she says yes, and that she is going to share her blanket with him. She won't even let me wash her blanket without a fight, so that is a big, big commitment on her part!

Here she is showing off pics of her little brother.

To see more of our Disney pics, visit our family blog at http://c22c.spaces.live.com

I thought I wouldn't be able to say this for many months yet, but....

2007-10-03T12:01:00.000-07:00

We have a son.

He is beautiful.

I can't explain how or why these twists of fate occur, but I am in disbelief that eveything we imagined, everything we hoped for, happened.

It will be a long 6 months to travel.

If you want more details you may email me, I'm just not comfortable posting eveything for the world here, yet.

Our family is thrilled. We got the call September 29th.

There will only be one more trip to Disney without him. I can't wait to welcome him to our world.

Life is good.

When you wish upon a star...

2007-09-30T11:11:00.001-07:00

Makes no difference who you are
anything your heart desires
will come to you.

A star has appeared in our sky.

Disney magic is real ;)

Disney without Jaxon :(

2007-08-21T05:12:00.000-07:00

We booked a trip last week to DisneyWorld for October 7-14th - without Jaxon :( I remember specifically when we were there last December, saying as we left, "Well, next time we come back here it will be with Jaxon!" And it's not. So, that's a huge bummer for us. We needed something to keep us occupied though, and maybe the month after we may have some news about a new list and a child for us.

Finally - an update.

2007-08-10T13:39:00.000-07:00

OUr updated Letter of Approval arrived today at our agency, dated August 2, 2007. So, we are good to go. All we gotta do now, is wait, and wait, and wait, and wait. I notice that our last LOA was valid for 18 months. This one is 24 months. I guess the Ministry is keeping up with the LOOONNNNGGG wait times for families.

Sigh. Good news, but still, we're a waitin'.

Obsessed Much?

2007-07-25T13:55:00.001-07:00

I had a dream last night, it was very vivid. It was about Jaxon. In it, I awoke in the morning to find an email from our agency with 4 photos and a video clip of our son. He had a cleft lip - he was wearing red, and had lots of wavy black hair - yes, wavy- and he was young - less than a year in the photos.

You think that I could get over it already - about having to wait for the next list. But it's obviously foremost in my mind if I am having vivid dreams...

Someone give me something else to think about for a while, please!

P.S., My husband's obsession is golf, thus the orange golf ball.

I have a confession to make...

2007-07-19T11:37:00.000-07:00

I love tree frogs. Silly, I know, but it began with the Telus commercials - remember those? I would literally double over in laughter watching them in slow motion. Marty thinks I'm strange. Maybe I am, but I like them. So, since I've finally settled on a green blog (yes, my favourite colour, also the colour of my birthstone) I am on a quest - and it's sort of like a leap of faith, don't you think? Trusting that a child will be proposed to us to become our son - that we're nervous and anxious - well, I think the tree frog is maybe my symbol. They even have a Chinese tree frog.

Little boys like frogs, don't they? You always see silly photos of little boys holding them in their hands to freak their mothers out. Those are mostly toads though I think - I saw lots of those living up north as a child - I'll never forget the time me and my neighbour picked up toad eggs and they accidentally tipped over in the back of his dad's car on the ground, eewww!!!)

So, me and my mascot....We're waiting...

Plugging a fellow adoptive mom's new storybook

2007-07-18T13:17:00.001-07:00

About Adoption of course! Buy "LOVEBUG" here:

http://www.lulu.com/content/904212

our amendment....

2007-07-17T14:01:00.000-07:00

...should be submitted to our agency shortly - maybe by the end of the week. We will be approved for up to 26 months, and either gender, and apparently, despite "listing" specific needs on our home study - we don't hve to worry if the need is outside those listed, as the Ministry doesn't have a problem with something different, because after all, we can't possibly know what all the needs are that may present themselves! So, by the time the next list comes we should be more likely to find a match. I guess people who received referrals off this list won't likely travel until around Christmas - so we definately - unless some miracle happens - be going anywhere until next spring. Disneyworld it is then for the fall!

Some progress...albeit small.

2007-07-09T14:14:00.000-07:00

Our sw is coming Wednesday to start our amendment. Last time she saw us, and finalized our homestudy, she was under the impression we'd be getting a direct referral from China. We're the only family she is dealing with in the WCP. I'm gonna have a lotta 'splaining to do! I hope it all is over and done with quickly, so that I can forget about all of this until the fall. I just want it done, to the Ministry and back (2 week approval time turnaround I hear). Just...in case.

Confusion part 2

2007-07-07T19:22:00.001-07:00

Why can't I find a blog template I am happy with? This confusion is spreading to all areas of my life!

Confusion

2007-07-07T15:27:00.001-07:00

Genesis (the band, not the creation story) wrote a song called "Land of Confusion". They sang it on Live Earth earlier today (What do you mean you weren't watching, help us save the planet already! http://www.liveearth.org/ ...---...)

It made me think of adoption. It's totally a land of confusion. Just when you think you know what is going on, you don't. I think I may feel something in the wind. I could be wrong.

I heard some news that made me curious. Might be something, might be nothing. Sometimes my intuition has been correct (ie - when I was pregnant with Maia I made my friend Sandy tell me about life in the NICU because I was convinced I'd be there with Maia, and I was - for 3 months...how is that for intuition?) I'm not convinced about things. I've been watching what is going on. Things aren't adding up. There is sadness. I don't like this feeling - but I can't help but wonder.....hope? Unpredictability is irritating.

I think I really need a trip to Disney. If we aren't going anywhere until next spring or summer. We'll have to go. I need the consolation.

new focus

2007-06-29T04:47:00.001-07:00

I've contacted our social worker and will be amending our homestudy, hopefully either next week or the week after. Apparently it only takes about 2 weeks to get the Ministry to approve it. We are going to ask to open to both genders, and not specify a need - since we don't expect CCAA will make any referrals anymore, and there is a great deal of flexibility in discussing needs before accepting a proposal. We should theoretically be able to take a child up to about 24 months or so at referral, being around 30 months at placement - Jaida will be around 42-43 months at referral, and the child needs to be 18 months younger. This can slide if we don't match off the next list, which would be disheartening considering our favourable positions of close to the top of the list. We would prefer a boy, but love a girl if there were no boys in the right age/need range. I guess I'd need to change the name of the blog then! Ultimately, we just don't want to wait a year for a referral. We just want to get on with things and complete our family!

No baby for us this list

2007-06-22T04:59:00.001-07:00

I found out yesterday night that we won't receive a referral off this list. We'll have to wait and see what happens on the next one. The big problem is Jaida's age and the age of the children they received. Just too close for Ontario rules.

So, we move on and wait for the next time. The last lists were 5 months between. THat would put us around mid-fall. Maybe we'll know something before next Christmas. That seems like forever away. If we match off that that would put us into travel spring 2008. I hope we get there before the Olympics.

Sigh.

Saturday June 16, 2007

2007-06-16T04:52:00.001-07:00

The files have been in Canada for 6 days. No calls have yet gone out
that I know about. Tomorrow is Father's Day, Monday is Marty's
birthday - will we get a real celebration?

They are here!

2007-06-11T11:40:00.000-07:00

Ten profiles arrived by courier today and are out for translation. We don't know yet any of the needs, sexes, ages.....

Could one of them be Jaxon? We should know by next week....AAAAHHHHHH! The suspense is killing me!

Thought for the day

2007-06-08T12:19:00.001-07:00

So, in about a week and a bit we hope to get a call telling us we have a son
(please let it be this list around!). I started thinking about who he is,
what his SN might be - possibly a cleft, since that is what the majority of
the kids are affected by. We won't know for sure, but there is a chance...

Do you know how many famous people have been cleft affected? I was shocked
to learn how many were - people who are successful and beautiful and it made
me frustrated thinking of all the kids who are passed up because of
something so superficial. (For those of you reading this and who don't know
our family, our eldest biological daughter was born with a cleft palate.)

Tom Brokaw, Jesse Jackson, Cheech Marin, and Annie Lennox (amazing lead
singer of the Eurythmics) that one surprised me....the CEO of Exxon? So many
who are successful and cleft affected. Just food for thought for those who
might be disapproving quietly. :)

referral rumours?

2007-06-06T17:54:00.001-07:00

Rumour Queen http://www.chinaadopttalk.com/ is reporting that referrals are
starting to be reported at various agencies. Could our stork be airborne
this very moment?

AAAAHHH!

Fingers crossed....

2007-06-05T05:08:00.001-07:00

The list is due to arrive any time - and we are 6th in line. BUT there is
only 1 person ahead of us asking for a boy - I just HOPE there is a boy on
there that will match our profile. My goodness, I'm going crazy! I remember
feeling this way about 2 years ago!

First post

2007-06-04T12:27:00.000-07:00

This blog is being set up to follow our Journey to Jaxon Erik - our soon to be son! It is June 4, 2007, and we are hoping that we hear news of a new list of children - with Jaxon on it hopefully, in the coming weeks. If we don't find you on this list Jaxon, we will have to suffer until the fall!

First photos of our son will be posted here, as will our plans for travel, and our trip itself.

Check back for news and photos. This will be our main way of communicating with family and friends as we work on the last and current MIA piece of the St-Pierre puzzle, Jaxon.