The Paper Chase

So, you've decided to adopt a baby. Well, there is much to be done between making the decision and holding her for the 1st time. Here's the timeline thus far - and we're not there yet!

03/30/05 - Preliminary Application to Dillon
04/16/05 - Adoption Workshop
05/21/05 - Child CPR class
07/01/05 - Application to Dillon
09/20/05 - I-600A sent to USCIS
10/31/05 - Homestudy complete
12/15/05 - Fingerprints at USCIS
01/04/06 - I-171H received from USCIS
02/17/06 - Dossier sent to China (DTC - finally!!!!!)
03/07/06 - Dossier logged-in at CCAA (LID)
05/09/06 - Received "Brown" envelope from US Consulate - Guangzhou

01/31/07 - Homestudy update complete
02/01/07 - Dossier reviewed by CCAA (happy day - on to the matching room!)
03/07/07 - 1st Anniversary of LID - no referral, no Emma
04/05/07 - 2nd I-600A sent to USCIS
04/18/07 - Re-fingerprints at USCIS (apparently they expire??)
05/04/07 - Received 2nd I-171H from USCIS
09/25/07 - Daddy's Hepatits B series complete

01/08/08 - 2nd Child CPR class
02/27/08 - 2nd Homestudy update complete
03/07/08 - 2nd Anniversary of LID - no referral, no Emma
06/05/08 - Mommy's Hepatitis B series complete
06/24/08 - Fingerprinted yet again, this time for the homestudy update.
07/11/08 - China Camp in Tulsa.
08/19/08 - 3rd I-600A sent to USCIS (free extension)
08/27/08 - Re-fingerprinted at USCIS (yes, more fingerprints)
09/04/08 - Received 3rd I-171H from USCIS
11/05/08 - Received "China Travel Guide" from Dillon.
03/06/09 - Completed another home study update - 3 years ago today our paperwork was logged in at the CCAA

04/03/09 - THE CALL - Finally, we have a daughter - Cen Si Mei born May 26, 2008
04/08/09 - Our packet is translated and we see the 1st pictures of Emma - she is a doll!
04/15/09 - Our acceptance letter is sent back to the CCAA - the wait for travel approval has begun!
05/29/09 - Travel approval - after a grueling 44 days TA has finally arrived!!