Package #8 and an Update

Since my last post we celebrated Mother's Day. For some of my friends it was their first day celebrating as a Mom (and more than one ended up with sick kiddos! welcome to mommy-hood), and for others it wasn't their first year as a Mom but the first year celebrating with a new little one in the family. Congrats to all of my Mom friends!

I was blessed to celebrate with my Mom in person this year, though earlier in the month when she came in for the adoption shower. We enjoyed luxurious facials (almost two hours of pure bliss) and had our nails done. It was wonderful! On Mother's Day we celebrated with Tony's family, enjoying brunch and some family time -- I think his Mom enjoyed the day. For me it was year #2 as a "kind of mom"...not actively being a Mom to anyone, but yet having this little guy that I already feel protective of, worry about and love deeply. Barring anything completely unforeseen, next year we will (finally) celebrate fully!

There are a few minor updates on the adoption process, though they could change at any time. Things are still very much in flux and I'm trying to take the updates with a grain of salt. More of a "yeah, we'll see what actually happens" kind of attitude. Here are a few things we've learned recently:

1. The family court judges have come together and decided that all families will be required to appear in court (both the adopting mother and father). The first group of families to fall under this decision will begin traveling soon as they have court dates in June. These are some of the families still remaining from 2012.

2. Given the requirement to appear in court, it is believed that we will need to make one long trip (4-5 weeks) or two trips of about 1 week each, with 3-4 weeks in between. Either way, we will only get to see Oliver 2 or 3 times; he won't be able to stay with us in Korea even if we chose to stay for the 4-5 weeks.

After this first group of families goes through the process, more will be known about the travel needs and whether the adoption will be finalized in Korea or here in the U.S. Since the beginning of international adoption in Korea, adoptions have been finalized in the family's home country (and for the U.S. this happens 5-6 months after coming home). With the addition of the Family Court process, it is possible that we'll be able to finalize everything before returning home, which would be fantastic.

So, we continue to wait. Long ago our goal was to celebrate Oliver's 2nd birthday with him here in Minnesota, but we have had to let that dream go. There's just no way we'll be with him for his special day. Therefore, we have put together a 2nd birthday package that we hope will be there in time for his birthday. Here's what the package includes:

• "Good Night Moon" and "Guess How Much I Love You" children's books; both in Korean and both books we also have here in English. We hope that the pictures and overall feel of the book will be similar and might help him feel comfortable as he learns English.
• Remote Control learning toy with songs, numbers, phrases and more
• Puerto Rico frog brought back from a cruise his Oma and Opa went on this past spring.
• Tube of toddler toothpaste (which was actually a shower gift!).
• Happy 2nd Birthday Card. 

Package #8 for Oliver's 2nd Birthday

Poor Simba...he'll just have to wait

What wasn't included? Simba. We were very sad that Simba didn't fit, though we had high hopes of stuffing him in! Instead we will keep it for him and give it to him in person. Or, if the wait is still several months long, we will try to send just Simba to him (he might fit if he's the only thing in the bag!). 

I could barely seal the bag!

I never thought I would have to stuff so much into one small bag. Package #8....wow!