1 Year Pictures

Look at all that hair! 

Jae in his Hanbok; an outfit that is traditionally worn on the 1st birthday. He doesn't look too happy about it!  :)

Correction

Interesting.  Today our agency announced that it made an error on last week's notification board.  Last week they said all referrals made through mid August 2010 were submitted to the ministry; but, it was actually all of August!  So all referrals that were made in August are in their final "clearance" stages.  We found out about Mr Jae on Sept 13 and officially accepted the referral on Sept 22.  Next batch to be sent to the ministry?!?!?

Love,
Jae's Mom

Roller Coaster

Adoption is a roller coaster.  On Monday we found out that referrals made through mid August 2010 were sent to the ministry.  Which is weeks faster than we thought.  Maybe, just maybe, our Korean agency is getting their act together?  But I have been down that path before and I am trying not to get my hopes back up. 

Not much else on the adoption front.  I was in Western Pennsylvania last week for work a few cute little polo shirts made their way home with me.  I hope Jae likes cute little preppy clothes because that is about 90% of his wardrobe at this point. 

Love,
Jae's Mom

A New Update!

Our social worker called with a nice surprise last night, she got a random update!  We can only request two updates while waiting for Jae, so any random ones are really nice.  And really rare.  Our social worker said we are one of the few couples she knows that has lucked out twice. 

Our update was Jae's 1 year doctor appointment report.  He is now 29" tall and just about 20 lbs.  He is walking a little, playing peek-a-boo, saying "umma" (Korean for Mama), and enjoying his porridge, fruit and rice.  My favorite part of the report was the doctor's note saying "Jae is doing well and is a friendly baby."  All good stuff.  Good job foster Mom keeping our little dude happy and healthy.

Love,
Jae's Mom

Not What We Were Hoping For

A new batch of referrals moved to the Korean ministry today for passport and visa approval.  Jae's was not included.  It wasn't even close.  We were hopeful that they would move referrals made through mid September of 2010; but, they only moved through July 2010.  If they are going to only move one month's referrals at a time...we might travel in July.  We were hopeful for February, and then for March, and then we skipped ahead to May, and now we look to July.  I consider myself an optimist, but being an optimist works against you in the adoption process.  I just continuously hope for the best, and it just hasn't work out.  And be completely fair to our agency, from day 1 they told us travel notifications could take as long as 11 months from date of referral acceptance.  We knew this, but we choose to be hopeful, can you really blame us?

Jae is healthy and well cared for.  And we remind ourselves of this often, but that doesn't mean we don't just want him home.  Just when we start planning for his arrival, looking at Korean travel books, dusting his room, we get delayed. 

But once again I have to say thank you for all the well wishes.  I received a couple of really nice "Thinking of You Cards" in the mail this week.  And we are now the proud owners of a royal blue apron in Jae's size.  :)  Mom and Jae will have lots of fun making treats out of new his Sesame Street cookbook.

Love,
Jae's Mom