Adventures with Alice and some day Little Sis too!: MY FIRST VISIT FROM CHINA

Please take my love for all those children in SWIs waiting for families.

LITTLE SIS'S ADOPTION TIMELINE

End of 2003 - decided to adopt (always knew I'd have at least 2 children!)
July 2008 - completed adoption paperwork for Alice
22nd August 2008 - applied to SS for a second HS
21st September 2008 - 7th December 2008 - HS
8th January 2009 - passed Panel (UK approval to adopt SN daughter from Thailand)
30th June dossier received in Thailand
30th December switched to domestic adoption

Still to come:
Wait for a new SW, new medical, new addemdum to HS, another Panel (hopefully with approval, wait for matching . . . . homecoming)

ALICE'S ADOPTION TIMELINE

End of 2003 - decided to adopt
Early 2004 - rang SS and had preliminary visit to explain process, went on waiting list for HS
Sept 2004 - accepted last minute place on Adoption Preparation Course
October 2004 - met SW and realised I was expecting HS for China and SS were expecting HS for domestic placement
November 2004 - met new SW and HS began
February 2005 - HS complete
9th May 2005 - passed Panel (UK approval given to adopt from China)
10th June 2005 - dossier sent to Welsh Assembly Government
1st July - dossier sent to Dfes in London
14th October 2005 - dossier left UK for China, DTC!
1st November 2005 - dossier logged in at CCAA, LID.
1st September 2006 - dossier out of review room.
15th October 2006 - Alice born.
Easter 2007 - devasted that rumour to be included in referrals turns out to be wrong.
30th April 2007 - find out my LID is the cutoff date, my referral is on it's way!
2nd May 2007 - referral confirmed, my baby is An Hao Ming, born 15.10.06 in Yunnan, overwhelmed at referral and amazed at such a young baby!
9th May 2007 (2nd anniversary of Panel approval) - I finally get to see my baby's face and learn more about her. Meet with GP and SW to get approval and formally accept referral.
1st June 2007 - get visa to go to China.
29th June 2007 - leave UK for China.
30th June 2007 - arrive in Kunming, Alice's home town.
1st July 2007 - take my baby in my arms for the first time, an incredible day.
2nd July 2007 - adopt Alice.
11th July 2007 - bring Alice home.
December 2007 - British Citizenship granted.
July 2008 - Alice's first UK passport issued and complete official paperwork for her adoption.