- A lot of worry and refreshing websites about referrals - even the worst estimations only reckoned on 3 more months to wait (it was actually 4 more!)
- I returned to work part-time and loved it.
- I was waiting for the builders to start replacing windows.
- I ordered the rocking chair for the nursery.
- 'Whatshername' was almost definitely going to be Clara - and referred to as Clara on the blog!
February
- Lots of time spent starting a memory book (needs lots more done as I haven't done any for months and months - not since referral!)
- Lots of time spent browsing nursery fabrics, no decisions reached!
- Rocking chair arrived - hardly used then, used nightly now.
- Lots of time spent looking at pushchairs - my short list kept growing and neither of the p'chairs I've ended up with are on the list!
- A name poll on the blog would have 'Whatshername' called Charlotte (nearly 29%), Alice only got 11%
- The builders started replacing the windows, then it snowed!!
March
- I listened to rumours and thought that I could be included in the next batch of referrals - due to arrive early in April, I was wrong and pretty devastated.
- Another Mothering Sunday spent waiting was very hard.
- A fab family wedding - at times I struggled being there still not knowing about my baby.
- Nerves becoming increasingly frayed as I struggled to focus on anything other than WHEN.
April
- Spent the beginning and the end of the month haunting the internet to find out if my date had been matched.
- Referrals at the beginning of April only covered 2 days - not only was I not included, but this then cast a lot of doubt as to how much longer I would have to wait, ugh.
- The middle of the month seemed to last forever (between referral batches).
- I worked on putting a care package together - as it turned out it would never be sent as Alice's orphanage don't distribute the contents until the day the child meets their parents.
- I dreamed of a holiday, I needed a holiday but couldn't risk booking one being so close to referral!
- Family birthdays and parties, good (distracting) fun!
- I finally found out that my date had been matched - had to wait until May to find out if I was definitely included (just reading the last entries in April has made me cry all over again).
May
- Huge numbers of visitors to the blog, waiting with me.
- China's rules for adoptive parents changed on the 1st - making me ineligible for future adoptions.
- Then I heard the best news of my life - I'd been matched!
- The other UK family that were matched also had a baby from the same CWI - we'd be travelling together.
- I heard the basic details - name, age, province and gender (I had to ask!)
- I started shopping for my baby - more shopping as she was so much younger than I could possibly have hoped for.
- A week after hearing the basic details I had more detail - paperwork and photos.
- More baby shopping - nursery things, cotbed, changing table
- I went to a seminar in Birmingham - for the first time I was identified as 'Whatshername's Mum!'
- Lots of thinking about 'Whatshername' and what her name would be!
June
- Lots of travel plans, visas, guides - lots of emails, phonecalls and a bit of stress too!
- A trip to Dad's and first meeting with E and Princess A.
- Final decisions on nursery colour schemes - decorating began, carpet laid and curtains ordered.
- Report writing distracted me for a minute or two!
- Last day at work for a while.
- Travelled to Kunming in China!
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