Q and A
Hey folks, we're still alive here in the land of the chaotic! People have been so happy for us and they're also full of questions. So, here's my post dedicated to your questions.
1. Are you excited?
Yes, definitely! It's been at least 10 years of dreaming about adopting a little one. Almost a year since we started this adoption process. Almost 4 months since we saw Caleb's picture for the first time. I'm ready to kiss those sweet little boy dimples!
2. Are you nervous?
I am scared out of my mind! Haha! No really, I am. There are a lot of unknowns, a lot of grieving from Caleb, a lot of doctor's visits in our future. Plus, I am not looking forward to leaving Bethany. I'm a picky eater. I don't do well when I don't get enough sleep. I could go on, but I'll spare you. But Love prevails and that is why I am able to do this. We've researched as much as we can. We've talked to lots of people. God is our strength.
3. Is Bethany going?
Nope. Asthma and the fact that she's an almost 3 year old= No way in the world we would take her. Plus, last time we went on a road trip she asked "Are we there yet?" after 20 minutes. Bethy will be at home in the loving care of our parents. She will probably be having more fun than us as she jaunts off to the beach, the aquarium, the zoo, and is royally spoiled by grandparents. We will be skyping to keep in touch!
4. What have you done to prepare Bethy and what does she think about all of this?
We've been talking about it since we started the process. For a 2 year old, I think she has a pretty good grasp of it. She has a book about becoming a sister through adoption. She has a little Asian boy doll that she calls Caleb. She was feeding him with a cleft bottle yesterday. We talk about it on a regular basis. What she'll do with him, where he'll sit in the carseat, what we'll do when he cries, how we need to share, how he'll call us Mommy and Daddy too, how he'll be our son like she's our daughter, etc. When it gets dark outside she says, "The sun's going to say hi to Caleb."
She had a brief time where she was really sad that she would have to share her Mommy and Daddy but we've worked through that some. The hardest part for her right now is that she doesn't get to go too. But we've been emphasizing the fun of staying with grandparents and how she's going to get a present from Mommy and Daddy every day while we're gone.
I think it will be a shock to her when he's here. But I really pray she'll adjust well and enjoy having a playmate.
5. What's the plan for Caleb's medical needs?
Well, his lip is repaired but may need a revision at some point. His first surgery will be this fall with the goal of closing his palate. Upon arrival home we will be visiting our pediatrician, an International Adoption Clinic in AL and consulting with Shands Craniofacial Clinic. We're also researching speech therapists- kids with cleft often times need help in this area and we know from Caleb's reports that he's not talking much yet. There's also a chance he'll need ear tubes right away- kids with cleft can be affected by fluid in the ears. Right now, it's a wait and see. But we'll get him the care he needs to thrive!
6. What kind of process is it as far as the adoption goes while in China.
Within 24 hours of getting Caleb we will go before the Chinese officials for an interview, paperwork review, and to make it official that we are his guardians. He'll get his passport. We'll go to the place where the US embassy is locate. He'll have a general medical exam. We'll take an oath on his behalf that all new citizens of the US take. We'll get his Visa. He will be a US citizen when we step foot on US ground. We will readopt him in the State of Florida once we get home so that he can have a US birth certificate (just makes life easier).
7. How can we help?
Pray for us. Send us blog comments, facebook statuses, emails while we're gone and first home. Once we're home, let us know if you'd like to visit and we'll set up a time. Also, we have a friend setting up a meal schedule- so if you'd like to bring us a meal, just let me know and I'll pass on your info to her.
Let me know if you have any other burning questions...
Thanks again for everyone's support- we feel so loved and blessed by our friends and family and can't wait for you all to meet Caleb!
1. Are you excited?
Yes, definitely! It's been at least 10 years of dreaming about adopting a little one. Almost a year since we started this adoption process. Almost 4 months since we saw Caleb's picture for the first time. I'm ready to kiss those sweet little boy dimples!
2. Are you nervous?
I am scared out of my mind! Haha! No really, I am. There are a lot of unknowns, a lot of grieving from Caleb, a lot of doctor's visits in our future. Plus, I am not looking forward to leaving Bethany. I'm a picky eater. I don't do well when I don't get enough sleep. I could go on, but I'll spare you. But Love prevails and that is why I am able to do this. We've researched as much as we can. We've talked to lots of people. God is our strength.
3. Is Bethany going?
Nope. Asthma and the fact that she's an almost 3 year old= No way in the world we would take her. Plus, last time we went on a road trip she asked "Are we there yet?" after 20 minutes. Bethy will be at home in the loving care of our parents. She will probably be having more fun than us as she jaunts off to the beach, the aquarium, the zoo, and is royally spoiled by grandparents. We will be skyping to keep in touch!
4. What have you done to prepare Bethy and what does she think about all of this?
We've been talking about it since we started the process. For a 2 year old, I think she has a pretty good grasp of it. She has a book about becoming a sister through adoption. She has a little Asian boy doll that she calls Caleb. She was feeding him with a cleft bottle yesterday. We talk about it on a regular basis. What she'll do with him, where he'll sit in the carseat, what we'll do when he cries, how we need to share, how he'll call us Mommy and Daddy too, how he'll be our son like she's our daughter, etc. When it gets dark outside she says, "The sun's going to say hi to Caleb."
She had a brief time where she was really sad that she would have to share her Mommy and Daddy but we've worked through that some. The hardest part for her right now is that she doesn't get to go too. But we've been emphasizing the fun of staying with grandparents and how she's going to get a present from Mommy and Daddy every day while we're gone.
I think it will be a shock to her when he's here. But I really pray she'll adjust well and enjoy having a playmate.
5. What's the plan for Caleb's medical needs?
Well, his lip is repaired but may need a revision at some point. His first surgery will be this fall with the goal of closing his palate. Upon arrival home we will be visiting our pediatrician, an International Adoption Clinic in AL and consulting with Shands Craniofacial Clinic. We're also researching speech therapists- kids with cleft often times need help in this area and we know from Caleb's reports that he's not talking much yet. There's also a chance he'll need ear tubes right away- kids with cleft can be affected by fluid in the ears. Right now, it's a wait and see. But we'll get him the care he needs to thrive!
6. What kind of process is it as far as the adoption goes while in China.
Within 24 hours of getting Caleb we will go before the Chinese officials for an interview, paperwork review, and to make it official that we are his guardians. He'll get his passport. We'll go to the place where the US embassy is locate. He'll have a general medical exam. We'll take an oath on his behalf that all new citizens of the US take. We'll get his Visa. He will be a US citizen when we step foot on US ground. We will readopt him in the State of Florida once we get home so that he can have a US birth certificate (just makes life easier).
7. How can we help?
Pray for us. Send us blog comments, facebook statuses, emails while we're gone and first home. Once we're home, let us know if you'd like to visit and we'll set up a time. Also, we have a friend setting up a meal schedule- so if you'd like to bring us a meal, just let me know and I'll pass on your info to her.
Let me know if you have any other burning questions...
Thanks again for everyone's support- we feel so loved and blessed by our friends and family and can't wait for you all to meet Caleb!
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Janice
From Holt BB's