Do you see smoke? If so, I think it's likely our phone lines smoking from all the use this weekend and today.
It truly is a manic Monday around here.
I've been on the phone so far to our local agency, a local attorney and two attorneys and one agency in the Lone Star state (home of Ms Food Network). We're also trying to relationship build with Ms FoodNetwork and her family. Many pictures have been shared and we're starting to talk names.
Of course nothing is going to be easy. It turns out we need FBI fingerprints and clearance not just Department of Justice. Some states require them. So we're doing a walk-in today and hoping for the best.
We also need another home visit and report for the Lone Star state. That's likely to set us back a little under 1k. With a lot of luck we can schedule it for tomorrow. With even more luck we can get the house close to acceptable (and far from the pig sty it is now).
The other situations are all on hold for now. We're frantically trying to figure out if all this is doable. Our pet-sitter is available and on hold. We've been poring over the train schedules and that seems fairly doable (as long as we get some kind of a bedroom) but we're honestly hoping if this works out that a plane gets more appealing to the other family.
Luckily we have most things that we need. Car-seat? Check. Sling? Check. Miracle blanket? Check. Flask? Check and check.
Ms FoodNetwork and her mom were meeting with their family lawyer today. We're totally comfortable with them having their own representation but we really want a qualified adoption specialist (aka quad A lawyer) especially since the Lone Star state has a lot of specific requirements.
We should know by tomorrow if we're flying out this week. Even though it's super frantic around here, that's not a lot of time to worry.
Ok. Off to clean out the fridge and tackle the kitchen.
Wow,things are moving really fast!
I'm glad the train is an option as I think the car really isn't - sitting that long in a car seat is very bad for such a tiny infant in terms of both their back and their breathing, so you'd have to really limit how long you drove for each day - it could take weeks! Fingers crossed the whole thing works out and that the plane is the icing on the cake.
xxxx
Posted by: Thalia | Monday, 10 August 2009 at 13:12
Sending positive thoughts your way and hoping that it all works out -- and soon!
Posted by: K | Monday, 10 August 2009 at 14:14
This is so great. I am sending positive thoughts too!
Posted by: Not On Fire | Monday, 10 August 2009 at 15:43
Holy crap, Millie! So hoping that this works out for all of you. If you end up in the capital city of the Lone Star State and need anything at all, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'd be happy to help in any way.
Posted by: zhl | Monday, 10 August 2009 at 15:53
How exciting! Keeping fingers crossed for you!
(Also, if you had to drive, I think it could be done fairly easily, with stays along the way in apartment-style hotels, and not too many hours of driving a day. It wouldn't be quick, but it could be done.)
Posted by: Jen | Monday, 10 August 2009 at 17:09
ack! very exciting...
Posted by: elana | Monday, 10 August 2009 at 17:55
Whoohoo! I'll be hoping everything goes smoothly for you. As far as the plane/car thing maybe emphasize the speed of it? That it would only be a few hours and not days. I know people think planes and getting sick (I do) but if your on a train it's the same idea I think and if you're driving you'd be stopping a lot etc which would be increased chances of picking up germs. Hope that helps.
Posted by: Michell | Monday, 10 August 2009 at 17:59
Wow. I can only begin to imagine how excited/agitated/nervous you must be right now. EEEEEEEEE!
Posted by: Dead Bug | Monday, 10 August 2009 at 19:04
Wow, even my heart is pounding! Keeping everything crossed! Good luck!
Posted by: Sharon | Monday, 10 August 2009 at 19:13
Oh my goodness! I just happened to click over here to see if you'd updated lately, and WOW!!! Have you ever!
You know, we did a crazy drive like that when our daughter was born, and it worked out fine. Please please keep us posted!!!
Posted by: louise | Monday, 10 August 2009 at 20:08
Holy Cow Millie!!
Are you saying the baby is already born?!?! Did I miss something? Wow - please update with all the juicy and important details as in boy / girl and all the rest. Prayers are going out to you and DH that this will be YOUR baby.
Posted by: Aimee | Monday, 10 August 2009 at 21:05
OMG Millie didn't see your last post from Saturday. Baby is due Tuesday as in TOMORROW - Oh Happy Day! Everything crossed and holding my breath for your update. If I can help out in anyway please call.
Posted by: Aimee | Monday, 10 August 2009 at 21:12
Crossing everything crossable!
Posted by: wavybrains | Monday, 10 August 2009 at 22:48
So.....any updates??? You need to be live-blogging this, since it is TUESDA!!! On pins and needles over here!
Posted by: louise | Tuesday, 11 August 2009 at 07:53
From LFCA...
Good luck!!!
Posted by: Michele | Tuesday, 11 August 2009 at 09:13
goodluckgoodluckgoodluckgoodluckgoodluckgoodluck....
I wish I was closer so I could come and clean your fridge for you! It's one of my favourite jobs!!!!
Keep us posted!!
Posted by: Angela | Tuesday, 11 August 2009 at 09:29
Over from L&F. OH my do I understand the frantic nature of all your are going through. Our adoptionr went really quickly and the baby was 4 1/2 weeks early to top all that. To go back to your last post, we did drive to and from, baby was born 14 hours from us by car. It was interesting to say the least, but it really wasn't bad traveling by car with an infant. Atleast it will be Summer for you guys, it was January and in the NE for us. Just make sure to get the angle of the carseat right, something I didn't figure out until after the trip, so the babies head doesn't bob forward. Also be prepared to stop every three hours for feeding and diaper change. Otherwise he/she will probably just sleep. OK, I went on and on. Sorry. Good Luck!!!!
Posted by: Deborah | Tuesday, 11 August 2009 at 09:30
Sending good thoughts and vibes. I hope everything works out.
Posted by: Val | Tuesday, 11 August 2009 at 09:34
Please let us know how it is going! Will you have to stay in the Lone Star state for ICPC? What's up with fear of flying?
This is so great!
Posted by: Liana | Tuesday, 11 August 2009 at 10:42
Ok..I just got caught up. Wow. I am hoping that all the logistics go smoothly. I guess I would add diapers, formula, and bottles to your list?
Posted by: Peeveme | Tuesday, 11 August 2009 at 10:58
Such big doings!
I wish for you and all involved smoothness all the way.
Posted by: Lavender Luz | Tuesday, 11 August 2009 at 11:59
Cleaning is supposedly a good way to keep your mind off things. So I hear.
Fingers crossed.
Posted by: Lut C. | Tuesday, 11 August 2009 at 12:46
Ok, so it is Tuesday now!!! Que pasa???
Posted by: Pamplemousse | Tuesday, 11 August 2009 at 13:52
All I've got is a big OMFG.... and tears, I got tears.
Posted by: jen | Tuesday, 11 August 2009 at 13:52
Well Millie????????????????????????? Enquiring minds are enquiring.......
Posted by: Aimee | Tuesday, 11 August 2009 at 14:33
What exciting news! Wow, it's happening so fast now. I really hope that this all works out for you and that you'll be taking that happy plane ride very soon. And ... I think the train is the way to go, for sure. A car ride would be awfully hard. On a train, you could get lots of cuddling in, instead of listening to the baby fuss in a car seat for days on end.
If it happens, and I hope it will, I hope you will post pictures!
Posted by: kristylynne | Tuesday, 11 August 2009 at 15:10