Tuesday, March 11, 2008

I love high speed internet!!!

Ok, these are a bit out of order, so bare with me....

coming home pictures

Watch out Tiger! Daddy is convinced that Leo Shaffer is the next big thing. He golfed for about an hour today! Even went back later for more in only his diaper! Oh what the women in Taiwan would say...... Leo's daddy is glowing!



When in Taipei - go to the zoo! It's amazing! In such a beautiful rainforest setting! Wow!


MoMo dancing in a diaper!

Leo sleeping on the long flight in his bassinet...probably too big for it, but heh.......did the trick


proud grandmas and grandpas
big boy sittin' on a turtle
Taipei airport - HAPPY NEW YEAR! Getting ready for the flight nap.......





llama llama llama! This one is for you, uncle Shuan!

Okay, so here is the story on this picture with mommy....... The day before with Mr. Yeh, Leo was playing with a bird toy at the market. You have to clap once loudly to make the bird start "tweeting" So the first thing we saw at the zoo was a group of flamingos (that looked nothing like the bird toy) but immediatly, our little genius decided to clap to try to get them to "tweet!" How cute is that. Surprisingly, it worked - two flamingos got into a "tweeting" scuffle. Leo clapped with joy and yelled "yeah!" He was so proud of himself!


Daddy and Leo met Mason outside of McDonalds while mommy was getting lunch. Mason loved Leo and gave him this little lion who is playing soccer. On the back of the jersey, it says "Go Leo" isn't that cute?!?!?

We're home - safe and sound! A bit messed up today by the time difference - but I think by tomorrow we will be back on schedule. We deprived Leo a bit of sleep today and he crashed at 7:30, so we'll see.......



So now that we are home, our little guy likes his grandmas and grandpas. He likes his yard, he liked his "woof woof" and fed her treats and Alex and I are settling in to finally open our celebratory "Final Ruling" bottle of champagne, since we never got to drink it before we left.








So here are some more pictures - enjoy!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Alex, Katie, & Leo:
Welcome Home Shaffer Family! Thank you so much for keeping all of us up to speed on your wonderful adventue.

Leo is an angel! We can't wait to see you!
Love,
Katy, Jimmy & Paigiepants

Rydley said...

Thanks for all the info!

Leo is SOOOOO cute! That grin is to die for!

Joyce said...

Welcome Home!!!!!!!!!!!
Well wishes to all of you in the next few weeks. May all of your transitions back into home life be the best for all of ya...
So happy to see that little guy home... Can't wait to meet hime some day soon. I hope...
Leo looks soo happy and very in love with his Mom and Dad.
Joyce

Kathy said...

Adorable! I loved following your journey and am so glad you are home safely! Kathy

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