More paperwork completed

We got copies of Alex's birth certificate and filled out our financial statement. Now we need to get the financial statement notarized and send everything off to Great Wall China Adoption and to our adoption social worker, Amy. Next up: CIS report (complete with federal fingerprinting done in San Antonio). The first two pictures are of Alex, Dianne, and Dianne's sister Kate at the Oasis. Kate is waving in the second picture. You can also see the new part Oasis built after lightning and fire damage. Marc took the third picture of his Austin College buds after a weekend retreat to Lake Conroe.

The Marriage certificate has been retrieved from Travis County. All that waits before Mailer #1 is a financial statement. Then we move on to Department of Homeland Security requirements.

Dianne noticed that those families who submitted their dossiers in November 2005 just now received their "stork" notices, so we can expect at least 18 months of waiting after we are done with the paper chase.

That may be an excruciating wait for those wanting their first child. For Dianne & I, with our hands already full of that loveable ball of energy known as Alex, it will be, uh, a bit more tolerable. :)

Me too!

I just got the result back from my physical. All clear! It's party time Marc, Alex, Hobo and Oscar! Love, Dianne (Momma)

Physicals

Marc had his physical on Wednesday and got a clean bill of health. I have mine this afternoon. Here are some random photos of 5k's, 10k's, half-marathons, relays and triathlons we've done. There's also a picture of Marc and his brother, Gavin, playing in a tennis tournament, and one picture of Alex bowling.

Malia - when you get here, we will go to birthday parties together like this one! This was Brooke's party, and everyone jumped, climbed, slid, and bounced on giant inflatable structures for the whole party. Here I am with Mommy, Daddy, Matthew and Allyson. I am pooped. Love, Alex

Why are you named Malia?

Your mother & I decided on the name, Malia, after a vacation to Hawaii in October 2006. Malia is Hawaiian. It is typically pronounced Ma-LEE-a, but we prefer MAH-lia since your grandmother's real name is the very similar a-MAH-lia. We already have a middle name picked out for your too, Hudson. It's your other grandmother's maiden name and her chosen middle name since she married. That is why your daddy's middle name is Hudson too!

As importantly, Malia, a Hawaiian name is appropriate. Although politically a part of the United States, Hawaii lies halfway between L.A. & Beijing, and is cultural a mix of Asian & Anglo just like yourself. Hawaii can quite rightly call itself a little bit Chinese & a little bit American, just like you.

The popularity of Malia is growing! According to the SS database, jumped from #780 in 1996 to #410 in 2006.

http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/

Hope you like it. :)

Third interview with Amy Pruden, our social worker

Marc met today with Amy Pruden at Progress Cafe for his first solo interview and the family's third overall.

Amy checked off a number of necessary dossier forms........Dianne & Marc passports, Alex medical records, pet medical records, Dianne & Marc employment records, and Dianne & Marc criminal history (none :) ). They talked about Marc's childhood, hopes & concerns about the process, cultural differences, and plans for introducing Malia to her China heritage. It's safe to say that she thought Marc's ideal plan ("Let's all move to Beijing for a year!!!!") was more than sufficient. :)

Just one interview left with Amy. She just needs to meet with either Dianne or Marc (or both) and check off three remaining items.............Dianne & Marc medical records, a family financial statement, and Dianne & Marc birth certificates.

Making progress at Progress..............