The long wait, retail therapy and the rewards!

We waited 18 months since our documents were submitted to the Chinese Centre of Adoption Affairs for our referral for Isabella, the entire adoption process was nearly 3 years in total. When our dossier was sent to China the wait was 10 months! Now its 38 months so we are so grateful that we were expeditedn on Chinese hertiage grounds, as sadly we would still be waiting.

I didn't buy anything for our child for over 12 months after our documents were sent to China, I guess I was superstitious and it was only after our Chinese heritage expedited status was confirmed and we were the next LID month away from the next referal group ( sadly that was still 6 months away!) that we bought our first baby clothes when we were on holiday/conference in Boston. I also started getting involved in some yahoo China groups cyber swaps! And started having a good time with retail therapy although it was for some one else's child. Also we didn't request a specific gender and was approved by our local authority for a child for 0-24 months! And for either one child or twins! So we had no clue if we would be referred one or two children (rare) or what gender or age range our child would be!.

After November 2007, 1 year after our log in date (LID), I started swapping more and buying LID monthly anniversary goods for our future child. And although I know how difficult the adoption process from China is, and the uncertain waiting times. Now our child is home, it really is so wonderful, watching your child enjoy the things that you have swapped/bought for them! This is picture that we took this weekend of Isabella enjoying (she would not get out for hours!) the paddling pool I bought for her for one of our LID anniversaries! So quilting! Cyber swaps and buying things every month for our child helped me cope with the long, long wait! The rewards of seeing you child enjoy these things is truly priceless.