Tuesday, March 4, 2008

3 peas in a pod




Well, we've always said that Alex and his dad were two peas in a pod - and then there were three! Alex and Kai-Yi have been inseperable since the moment they saw each other!


We have had an amazing day! Not one little cry or temper tantrum yet. It's been picture perfect. The people at TWCA were amazing and helpful and patient and kind and everything we would have hoped for - we were there for nearly 3 hours. We were blessed to meet Kai-Yi's foster mother, who was the picture of professional. She had some very kind things to say about Kai-Yi. We were even luckier to meet Kai-Yi's birth father, grandmother, aunt, great grandma and great grandfather!


When we met Kai-Yi, he was fascinated with Alex. His foster mom stayed with us until he was happily playing with Alex, then she slipped out so quietly that we didn't even know she was gone!


The one thing that everyone had to say about Kai-Yi other than he is cute - is that he LIKES TO EAT! Since the day he was born, he eats. He is so smart, we can't even explain it! He says shay shay when you give him something, imitates everything Alex says and does, and learns so quickly! Just a second ago - he asked for a kleenex to clean his nose! He's a genius! He even cleans, which is possibly the best part! If he spills something, he runs to wipe it up! He's already consistantly calling Alex "Baba" (daddy)


He fell asleep after our outing to McDonalds (thank god for McDonalds!) Back at the hotel now, he slowly woke up and is laying quietly watching us, playing with toys on the bed, snug as a bug in a rug! We didn't know that kids did that!


He's amazing and there is so much more to tell, but I have to go play.......


Thanks for all of your comments and well wishes!


PS to Blogettes - We can see why we all don't stay in Taichung (actually it's Fung Wen City) The hotel is GHETTO! We asked for the internet cord, and they drug a 200 footer into our room - one end is connected somewhere down the hallway and the other is attached to our computer! STAY IN TAIPEI!

10 comments:

Chris said...

Oh Katie,
Praising God for such a wonderful little boy for your family-what precious times the 3 of you will have together while waiting for all the kinks to work out!!
You have been waiting so long for this moment-savor every bit of it, and enjoy being a family of 3-such a beautiful little boy-he was meant to be in your home!!
God Bless dear friend
Chris

Joyce said...

Oh soo happy for you all....
You all look sooo happy.
Leo is one handsome little boy.
I'm so happy to hear he is at least taking to Alex. He will soon find out who butters his bread(Mommy)
Take care you guys. So happy he is in your arms.
Joyce

Amy said...

Wow!! This is fantastic and Leo is so adorable (and brilliant too! I love how he thanks you when he gets something, so polite). My cousin adopted a little girl from China and she initially only wanted to be around the husband. However, as soon as they got home and Katie and Libby had uninterrupted time together, they became inseparable!

Congratulations, and thanks for sharing the pictures! I look forward to seeing more cuteness.
Amy

Debberoo said...

Amazing to see you all together at last! Congratulations!!

Its probably too late to change now but I saw another family raving about the Landis Taichung Hotel but hopefully you'll be needing to head back to Taipei soon for Visa appointments!

Rydley said...

THRILLED FOR YOU!!! I'm so very glad that things are going so well!!!

Jia only wanted Joe too the entire time we were in China. It will change though! I have lots of tips to speed it along if you want!

Wonderful to hear about the fostermom and birth family. Yayyyyy!

Karen said...

You look so great together! Alex and Leo look so cute playing together!
I am laughing about the cord for the computer! hahaha
ENJOY!
Karen

Anonymous said...

We are sooooooooooo Happy!!!!!

Shana said...

Yeah, Alex, Katie, and Leo!! I am totally crying right now! Kevin and I are so unbelievably happy for you. It is great that Leo is so smart and doing so well. I love the pic of you guys in front of the wall at TWCA. Our inscription is at the bottom near Katie's right leg, I could read it perfectly. Gave me chills to know you were there!

Thanks for sharing!
Love,
Shana, Kevin, Mia, Haley, and Kyan

Jenny Evoy said...

Katie,

I am thrilled beyond words for you! FINALLY he is in your arms... What a beautiful family you are :)

Jenny

Karin and Rob said...

Katie and Alex,
We are so happy for you that Leo is finally in your arms and that everything is going so well! We wish you all the best as a family of three!
Karin & Rob

Learn Chinese!

Timeline


January 8, 2007 Attend Adoption 101 Information Session in Mesa, AZ
January 22, 2006 - Apply for preapproval from our agencyand Taiwan
January 23, 2007 - Application for USCIS (I-600A) form submitted
January 28, 2007 - 1st Homestudy meeting
January 28, 2007 - Sign adoption contract with our agency
January 29, 2007 - Approved to adopt from Taiwan
February 1, 2007 - Clearance from state of Arizona
February 6, 2007- Maricopa application to adopt is filed
February 13, 2007 - Clearance from state of Michigan, Medical clearances, and Fingerprint invitation arrive from USCIS
February 24, 2007 - Fingerprinted for USCIS
March 11, 2007- Homestudy Complete and Court Certification from Maricopa County received
April 28, 2007 - Homestudy is translated into Mandarin
July 1, 2007 - Finally receive 171-H in the mail
July 6, 2007 - Get new case manager
July 22, 2007 - Sign adendum to contract
August 8, 2007 - Our lucky day! Referral for Lin Kai-Yi, born 6-3-06
August 8, 2007 - accept referral
August 13, 2007 - Sign Child Referral Agreement
August 23, 2007 - Paperwork arrives in Tucson
August 24, 2007 - Paperwork arrives to us
August 26, 2007 - Documents notorized (How many adults does it take to use a stamp?)
August 28, 2007 - Documents certified by AZ Sec. of State
August 29, 2007 Documents sent to TECO to be authenticated
September 4, 2007 - Documents arrive in Tucson from TECO
September 6, 2007 - Documents sent to Taiwan! YEAH!
September 10, 2007 - Update day! We receive 4 pics and a video!
October 2, 2007 - Receive word from TWCA that our hearing date is October 9, 2007 (this happened extreamly fast!)
October 9, 2007 - Keep your fingers crossed for a quick 1st ruling (even better yet, keep your fingers crossed for a final ruling!)
October 11, 2007 - October updates are here!
October 19, 2007 - Receive more pictures and videos from Ray's visit to Taiwan!
November 5, 2007 - November updates are here!
December 2, 2007 - December updates are here! Can't believe there has been no news all month!
December 13, 2007 - FINALLY! Word of our First Ruling! Yippeee! It happened on Dec. 13th in Taiwan (yesterday here)
January 4, 2008 - January updates
February 4, 2008 - February updates
February 28, 2008 - Leaving for Taipei!!!
February 29, 2008 - Arrive in Taipei!
March 4, 2008 - Gotcha Day! Can you even believe it!?!?!?
March 5, 2008 - FINAL RULING FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY! (by the way, our paperwork says the final ruling was issued December 24th!)
March 6, 2008 - First AIT appointment
March 7, 2008 - VISA DAY!
March 10, 2008 - Leave for home!
March 10, 2008 - Arrive home with our boy!!!!!!!!!!!
July 5, 2008 - Find out about Wil's arrival!
March 10, 2009 - Wil Shan-Yi Shaffer is born at 3:38 am 8 lbs. 4 oz. 20 inches long