There are more Q&As on our adoption blog...
Love the list! The spaghetti thing is odd. I'm assuming they've checked to make sure her nasal passage closes when she swallows? Does it happen with anything else "spaghetti-like" (if there is such a thing and if she eats it)? It happens with fettaccini sometimes, but never macaroni. It's very strange. They've checked everything they can think of and can't figure it out... mostly they can't figure out why only the noodles.
I know K is a couple of years older than W but when did she she begin to read words.I really want to get W started on sight words do you think this is a good idea....I would love some insight on a mom who has already gone through this. She started last Spring. We bought a DVD and flashcard set of Kindergarten sight words. She and Keeghan both picked up on them SO fast! I was amazed!!! If W knows all his letters solidly, I say go for it!
Oh wow, I just about died when I saw how cute your kids were all dressed for Halloween!! Just edibly cute! Any ideas for next year with all five?? We have it all planned out actually! LOL
Does Kennedy know that you're going to be gone for so long? How's she handling that? Kennedy doesn't fully understand how long we're going to be gone. We talked about going on an airplane and her sleeping at Grandma's house, and us going to see Kellsey and stuff like that, but she really has no concept of time. This could be good or bad... we're going to have to see...
it's probably the H1N1, but the name is lost in translation?? Turns out that's all it is! Thank goodness! I told everyone to stop freaking out! haha
Is there any way that funds could be raised to help keep children like Kellsey with their families? I'm not sure what you are asking... Kellsey is in a baby home... her biological parents have given up all rights because she has Down syndrome. It's socially unacceptable for parents here to keep kids with Down syndrome, so, sadly most don't. Then they go to baby homes and at age 5 are put into institutions where they die within a year. So, I don't think fundraising is going to help Kellsey stay HERE. Her future here is not a good one... unfortunately.
Ok....how did you go about choosing these particular sweeties from the tree to add to your blog? The girl I am in love with is here (she is from the same region as our son) So cool! Well one of them is MY favorite too!! :) We've been praying for her to find a family forever! The rest of them I just thought were really cute! Of course they're ALLLL cute!
Why can you not drink the water? It has stuff in it that our bodies are not used to and therefore we will get very sick... So we have to drink and brush our teeth with bottled water.
Did you have to set your clocks back too or do they not do daylight savings time over there? No daylight savings here... I think that's a U.S. thing!
Also, think about it? you can do laundry while you go pee? haha. interesting to see the apartment! LOL Well, it actually didn't phase me because our laundry room at home is part bathroom too! haha
Happy Birthday! Did you get an iphone for your birthday?! Uhhh no! He wishes! That is an iPod Touch, which he was VERY happy about! Now he doesn't have to bug Kassidy for hers! haha
Such a beautiful little girl. I can't even imagine what you are feeling right now. Well, partially since all 6 of my kids are adopted. What's the plan now? Do you get to see her every day? Bring her back to the apt? Can't bring her back to the apartment yet, since she's not officially ours. I wish!! We can go to the baby home 2-3 times a week for one hour each time. We'll go again on Thursday and then on Friday for her birthday :).
Why are you only allowed to see Kellsey a couple times a week? Most peeps visit TWICE A DAY...is it due to the flu thing? Well, at least you will be with her on her birthday! :) Keep warm! Yes... technically the baby home is closed to visitors right now. Period. They are making an exception for us, as her parents. We are VERY thankful and will take what we can get! :)
WOW! Exciting that court could be so soon. Why so fast? Would that be due to the health issues? Praying for things to go quickly and smoothly. I'm not sure why actually! I was a little surprised about that too! Could be though! I was just happy that court wasn't closing down like everything else around here!!! I guess God figured we've had enough red tape already! haha
PS - Meant to ask - did you Kellsey's birthday is Nov 6th? How neat if you'll be able to spend some time with her on her birthday! Yep! So excited about that!
Not that your busy or anything:) but when you get home or have a second, I would like to know how you got things started with Kellsey. We have been talking about adopting to get our girl, and its getting stronger for me. I just don't know where to even begin the process. Any words of wisdom would help. I will do a post about this soon! :)
Are you and Frank enjoying some alone time?? Must feel a little weird not to have to tend to the kids huh?? Yes! We are having a lot of fun exploring the city... even if we ARE freezing! LOL
I know that Americans always freak out by the cars parking on the sidewalk, but seriously, that is completely normal part of a big part of Europe. Especially when you consider that most of these European cities were first built way before anyone but the Vikings went to America, when most people walked or used handcarts and even carriages were rare, so the streets are barely wide enough for one way traffic. Due to cars still being much rarer than in the US during the building of the 10+ storey panel neighbourhoods, the streets aren't much wider either. LOL yes, I haven't decided if the drivers here are horrible, or possibly the best drivers EVER. How they don't cause serious accidents every 5 minutes is beyond me and must take some real talent! :)
Renee, Can I be added to your adoption blog list. I haven't checked it in awhile and didn't realize you had changed it to a private setting. Thanks! Patty, email me so I have your email address and I will add you! CAmommy2KJ@aol.com
Can you bring back contact info so that local churches can plan mission trips? I will work on that for you!!!
I also wondered if you'll be bringing her home this trip. AND...what is her middle name?? Obviously it is J_ _ _ :) Obviously... maybe... ;)
Are you all bringing Kellsey back home w/ you on THIS trip or do you have to go back to get her? No. After court where they will declare her officially OURS, we will return home (because THAT won't be hard UGH!) for a 10 day "wait". This is when they will process the rest of the paperwork and stuff. SOME regions will waive this wait. This region NEVER has. I wish! Then Frank will return, only one parent has to, and we chose him for many reasons, and he will bring her home. He will be here about 2 weeks. He will have to get a bunch of stuff done like her birth certificate, Visa, passport and a bunch of other legal documents, then Kellsey will have to see a doctor and get her medical clearance. He can finally get her OUT of the baby home and keep her in the apartment with him (YAY!!!) and after about 2 weeks they can fly home together... just time for Christmas. :) Now, that's not to say we're not going to TRY to get them to waive the 10 day wait. I know I said NEVER, but there has to be a first time for everything, right? Why not start with US?! LOL
So, Renee, which is more expensive for you? The birthdays in November or Christmas in December? LOL!! I think it's going to be a tossup! LOL
Just one question - does anyone speak English over there? :-) Hugs to all three of you! No, no one at the baby home (that I know of so far) but we have a translator that will either go with us or be just a cell phone call away. :)
PS - she (Kellsey) looks like a good size kiddo! Is she as big as Kennedy? Yes... she's a little shorter, we think, but heavier, for sure! And thicker. We're guessing she's probably in 3T clothing, same as Kennedy.
Love the list! The spaghetti thing is odd. I'm assuming they've checked to make sure her nasal passage closes when she swallows? Does it happen with anything else "spaghetti-like" (if there is such a thing and if she eats it)?
It happens with fettaccini sometimes, but never macaroni. It's very strange. They've checked everything they can think of and can't figure it out... mostly they can't figure out why only the noodles.
I know K is a couple of years older than W but when did she she begin to read words.I really want to get W started on sight words do you think this is a good idea....I would love some insight on a mom who has already gone through this.
She started last Spring. We bought a DVD and flashcard set of Kindergarten sight words. She and Keeghan both picked up on them SO fast! I was amazed!!! If W knows all his letters solidly, I say go for it!
Oh wow, I just about died when I saw how cute your kids were all dressed for Halloween!! Just edibly cute! Any ideas for next year with all five??
We have it all planned out actually! LOL
Does Kennedy know that you're going to be gone for so long? How's she handling that?
Kennedy doesn't fully understand how long we're going to be gone. We talked about going on an airplane and her sleeping at Grandma's house, and us going to see Kellsey and stuff like that, but she really has no concept of time. This could be good or bad... we're going to have to see...
it's probably the H1N1, but the name is lost in translation??
Turns out that's all it is! Thank goodness! I told everyone to stop freaking out! haha
Is there any way that funds could be raised to help keep children like Kellsey with their families?
I'm not sure what you are asking... Kellsey is in a baby home... her biological parents have given up all rights because she has Down syndrome. It's socially unacceptable for parents here to keep kids with Down syndrome, so, sadly most don't. Then they go to baby homes and at age 5 are put into institutions where they die within a year. So, I don't think fundraising is going to help Kellsey stay HERE. Her future here is not a good one... unfortunately.
Ok....how did you go about choosing these particular sweeties from the tree to add to your blog? The girl I am in love with is here (she is from the same region as our son) So cool!
Well one of them is MY favorite too!! :) We've been praying for her to find a family forever! The rest of them I just thought were really cute! Of course they're ALLLL cute!
Why can you not drink the water?
It has stuff in it that our bodies are not used to and therefore we will get very sick... So we have to drink and brush our teeth with bottled water.
Did you have to set your clocks back too or do they not do daylight savings time over there?
No daylight savings here... I think that's a U.S. thing!
Also, think about it? you can do laundry while you go pee? haha. interesting to see the apartment!
LOL Well, it actually didn't phase me because our laundry room at home is part bathroom too! haha
Happy Birthday! Did you get an iphone for your birthday?!
Uhhh no! He wishes! That is an iPod Touch, which he was VERY happy about! Now he doesn't have to bug Kassidy for hers! haha
Such a beautiful little girl. I can't even imagine what you are feeling right now. Well, partially since all 6 of my kids are adopted. What's the plan now? Do you get to see her every day? Bring her back to the apt?
Can't bring her back to the apartment yet, since she's not officially ours. I wish!! We can go to the baby home 2-3 times a week for one hour each time. We'll go again on Thursday and then on Friday for her birthday :).
Why are you only allowed to see Kellsey a couple times a week? Most peeps visit TWICE A DAY...is it due to the flu thing? Well, at least you will be with her on her birthday! :) Keep warm!
Yes... technically the baby home is closed to visitors right now. Period. They are making an exception for us, as her parents. We are VERY thankful and will take what we can get! :)
WOW! Exciting that court could be so soon. Why so fast? Would that be due to the health issues? Praying for things to go quickly and smoothly.
I'm not sure why actually! I was a little surprised about that too! Could be though! I was just happy that court wasn't closing down like everything else around here!!! I guess God figured we've had enough red tape already! haha
PS - Meant to ask - did you Kellsey's birthday is Nov 6th? How neat if you'll be able to spend some time with her on her birthday!
Yep! So excited about that!
Not that your busy or anything:) but when you get home or have a second, I would like to know how you got things started with Kellsey. We have been talking about adopting to get our girl, and its getting stronger for me. I just don't know where to even begin the process. Any words of wisdom would help.
I will do a post about this soon! :)
Are you and Frank enjoying some alone time?? Must feel a little weird not to have to tend to the kids huh??
Yes! We are having a lot of fun exploring the city... even if we ARE freezing! LOL
I know that Americans always freak out by the cars parking on the sidewalk, but seriously, that is completely normal part of a big part of Europe. Especially when you consider that most of these European cities were first built way before anyone but the Vikings went to America, when most people walked or used handcarts and even carriages were rare, so the streets are barely wide enough for one way traffic. Due to cars still being much rarer than in the US during the building of the 10+ storey panel neighbourhoods, the streets aren't much wider either.
LOL yes, I haven't decided if the drivers here are horrible, or possibly the best drivers EVER. How they don't cause serious accidents every 5 minutes is beyond me and must take some real talent! :)
Renee, Can I be added to your adoption blog list. I haven't checked it in awhile and didn't realize you had changed it to a private setting. Thanks!
Patty, email me so I have your email address and I will add you! CAmommy2KJ@aol.com
Can you bring back contact info so that local churches can plan mission trips?
I will work on that for you!!!
I also wondered if you'll be bringing her home this trip. AND...what is her middle name?? Obviously it is J_ _ _ :)
Obviously... maybe... ;)
Are you all bringing Kellsey back home w/ you on THIS trip or do you have to go back to get her?
No. After court where they will declare her officially OURS, we will return home (because THAT won't be hard UGH!) for a 10 day "wait". This is when they will process the rest of the paperwork and stuff. SOME regions will waive this wait. This region NEVER has. I wish! Then Frank will return, only one parent has to, and we chose him for many reasons, and he will bring her home. He will be here about 2 weeks. He will have to get a bunch of stuff done like her birth certificate, Visa, passport and a bunch of other legal documents, then Kellsey will have to see a doctor and get her medical clearance. He can finally get her OUT of the baby home and keep her in the apartment with him (YAY!!!) and after about 2 weeks they can fly home together... just time for Christmas. :) Now, that's not to say we're not going to TRY to get them to waive the 10 day wait. I know I said NEVER, but there has to be a first time for everything, right? Why not start with US?! LOL
So, Renee, which is more expensive for you? The birthdays in November or Christmas in December? LOL!!
I think it's going to be a tossup! LOL
Just one question - does anyone speak English over there? :-) Hugs to all three of you!
No, no one at the baby home (that I know of so far) but we have a translator that will either go with us or be just a cell phone call away. :)
PS - she (Kellsey) looks like a good size kiddo! Is she as big as Kennedy?
Yes... she's a little shorter, we think, but heavier, for sure! And thicker. We're guessing she's probably in 3T clothing, same as Kennedy.