Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Bad Blogger.....

I've been a bad blogger, and a bad blogette too. Things are just too hectic right now! I forgot to post on Leo's one year since referral day, August 8th. We just can't believe that we have loved this little boy for one whole year already! He is growing up so fast and just amazes us (and drives us bonkers) everyday! Leo is using sentences, still uses his potty at least once a day, gets more creative everyday, and is just thriving! Even though I have returned back to work and Leo will have to go through some changes with that, we think he will be just fine. Mommy's heart hurts a bit though :-) I'm posting some "remember when" pictures for those of you who didn't get to see Leo's referral pictures (oh, he was so little and cute)







This is what daddy accidentally saw when opening the email...........He immediately fell in love!





and this picture sealed this little boy into our hearts and we're pretty sure around our fingers too!










A precious picture we received from Leo's birth family of Leo when he was a baby. Handsome even then!






This is our favorite update picture from December 07

3 comments:

Debberoo said...

I can't believe its been a year since you saw that very first photo, I have to admit I was pretty smitten with him myself - hey come on who could resist that darling boy!

Shana said...

Oh, Leo, how we all loved you when we first layed eyes on you!! I can't believe it has been a year since we all got our referrals! And look at you (and us) now! Wow! Congrats on the one year mark!

Rydley said...

He looks so hopeful in that bottom photo. It just tugs at my heart! So glad he joined your family!!!

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