Pictures

We have pictures finally. And oh yes, we're back. I'm still jetlagged hence the late evening posting - I'm still on India time.

All went well with the flights. We got everything on time, even the Los Angeles to Phoenix connection. We only had a 2 hr 40 min time in between and the guy who processed Green Cards at the immigration had said first that we would have to wait since he had no help today. He had sent all the families in front of us to the waiting area. I told him about our connecting flight to PHX and asked if there was any way he could speeden it up. He said he would ask his colleague, we prayed. I was tired, Lenin was irritated and Jay - well he was both. He came back and said that he was going to pass us through. I just cant believe how God has guided us through this all... Its a miracle.

Jay is doing great at home. For the first time in his life, he has a lot of space, one on one attention and as much food as he wants. Yes, my baby loves his food. He also loves to walk holding on to my and Lenin's hands. He also loves Lenin and uses him as his mattress to go to sleep on.

He hates having his diapers changed, hates his high chair, hates baths, and hates sleeping in the crib. He's getting better though and we'll be persistent.

I just wanted to thank all of you for your support. I know I would not have made it this far without our friends and family.

The Day after

We took it easy.. Did some local shopping. Jay was still being good, he loved bananas and he calls that nana. Dont know if he was calling me momma instead of nana (maybe I look like a big juicy banana to him) :) .

Tomorrow we travel back. We're coming home.. I'll post pictures then... Talk to you all soon.

Embassy Day

We left for the Embassy around 7:00 am. We wanted to make sure we got there by 8:00 am when it opened. It was still foggy in the morning, there was no traffic and for the first time, we felt a bit relaxed. On the way, we saw a pack of monkeys (15-20) of them by the side of the road. They were only as big as Jay...

Talking about our little monkey Jay, he's doing very good. He had a good Poop session (score) in the morning, had almost 5 oz of formula and a good nap. He loves food. That was the way he started calling me Momma. I'd hold out the food to him, he'd look up and say Momma (of course I wont mention that he called Lenin Dada from day 1, sniff sniff). I'm so glad he's doing good. He still needs to see Lenin for security, but he wants to eat with me and he'll hold my fingers and walk down the hotel floor. He also adores all the hotel staff ( I think they remind him of the staff at the orphanage).

Back to the Embassy, we reached there around 8:00 am, we get in a line to get frisked by security. They then tell us to go to American Citizen Services. There they frisk us again, they even make us taste any liquid we have with us (and formula tastes yuk!!!). Then we go in and we're made to wait in a big hallway. They then call our names and take us to the DHS (Dept of Homeland Security) section. There we meet Mr Manoj Mahay for the I-600. He is such a nice man, he asks about Jay and how he's coping (thankfully Jay is fast asleep). It takes about 15 mins. We have all the documents he needs, the only thing that was scary was that he said that it was good we had stated that we wanted to adopt from infant - 15 yrs, since Jay was 15 mths only. If we had put it as any number below 15 months, we would have had issues since we had had to wait so long. He also said that they were getting stricter and that the next families coming in would be required to show the NOC (CARA clearance). Note to self: Tell Dillon.

After the I600, we were escorted back to the first waiting room. Since we had done the doctors the day before, we went to apply for the visa. They gave us the form, we filled it, gave them the medical packet, payed the visa fee ($380) and they told us to come back around 2:00 pm for the visa interview. We went out and had lunch with Grace, Shane and Jadyn (they were with us the entire time)

Then we came back around 2:00 pm. They called us for the visa interview, there was a nice man called Eric Johnson who made us take the oath. He told us that we would have the golden packet in 30 mins if we wanted to stick around. WE DID!!!. The entire process took from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. IT WAS GREAT!!!.

We have Jay!

Its been 3 days since I last posted anything. The web access at the hotel has been too slow and I just had luck today with the post.

The last 3 days have been the happiest as well as the most stressful that I've ever had. We got to the Kolkata airport on time and checked into the Hindustan International Hotel smoothly. They had their hotel car waiting for us at the airport. And the hotel was great. Nice large rooms and great service.

Saturday Feb 17th, we left for the orphanage around 1.30 Pm to pick up Jay. I was totally unprepared for what came next. The orphanage was nothing like I expected. What surprised me the most was how tiny it was, but one thing shone through was how much Mrs Roy and her staff loved the children.. But the hardest part of it all was when I tried to pick up Jay. He yelled Bloody murder and cried like crazy. He also had a cold and the ayahs kept picking him up.. Mrs Roy assured me that the crying would stop once he left the orphanage.. I still had to take pictures but all I wanted to do was leave so that he could stop crying. I'm glad Grace's husband Shane was with us since my hands couldnt stop shaking while I was taking the pictures.

Jay settled a bit in the car ride back to the hotel and he snuggled in Lenin's arms that car ride. Once back at the hotel he settled in and had a long nap.. After that he took to Lenin and he'd cry every time I picked him up.. That was hard on me but I'm glad he's bonded to Lenin atleast. I'm still working on winning him over.

Sunday, we left Kolkata for Delhi. And Monday we did the visa photos and visited the doctor for the visa medical packed.

Tomorrow, we do the embassy. I'll post more later. I'm so tired.

We got passports

Oh I almost forgot. We got passport, YIPPEEE... Tami called us while we were waiting for the flight out to LAX. She said that the orphanage director had the passport in her hands. That was just the news we needed to start on this trip. We are blessed.

We're almost there

We're 5 hrs away from Kolkata - in Singapore. We landed here at 1:00 am, roamed around the singapore airport a bit looking for assistance since we wanted the free hotel. Missed the last free shuttle to the free hotel. Got a cab and landed there anyway.. The hotel was good, not great but clean and a very inviting bed. That was all that I needed. I was sick (nauseated) for most of the journey so I was ready for anything horizontal to lie on... (18 hrs on a plane)...

Tonight at 9:05 Pm we get on the plane to Kolkata and tomorrow I'll have Jay in my arms. If only I would stop throwing up...

Off we go

We are ready, packed and set to go. 12 hrs to go before we get on the plane to LAX. This is finally happening and I'm a wreck...

Before I get off this site, I want to thank everyone for their support. We are so blessed to have so many friends, family, our church family...And we'll miss you..

So off we go.

Passport Office catches Fire

Sigh!. I know it sounds like a news headline. Can you believe it? Jay's passports were done, printed out and in the dispatch away bin. And this was all done on Friday. So why couldnt they "dispatch" it on Saturday since Saturday was a working day... WHY??????

The good news is that it was a small fire and only some computer equipment was damaged. Hopefully the dispatch bin is still intact.

We are still leaving on Valentine's Day. I'm praying for a miracle and a miracle it will be to have Jay's passport waiting for us when we get to Kolkata. I wish we had some peace before we travelled but I dont think so... We are going to have to hit the ground running. Please pray for us.

The Itinerary

Here's the D Day err Week plan.

Wed Feb 14th.
5:00 Am: Wake up, give Lenin a hug (its Valentine's day).
8:15 Am: Get on a plane (with Lenin) to Los Angeles.
8:30 Am -12:30 PM: Roam around LAX airport with luggage looking for Grace and Shane who are supposed to be travelling with us.
1:00 PM: Get on a plane to Singapore with or without Grace and Shane (hopefully with!!!).

Fri Feb 16th.
1:30 Am: Arrive at Singapore sleepy eyed. Get Singapore airlines to take us to the free hotel they promised us. Arrive at hotel as promised and say - O wow Great hotel (please make it be!!!).
6:00 Pm: Get out of the hotel all refreshed and get back to the airport.
9:05 Pm: Get on plane from Singapore to Kolkata.
10:35 Pm: Arrive at Kolkata. We then zip through customs and find a nice little man with big board saying "Welcome to Kolkata, Arthanari family". Hopefully Grace and Shane have somebody waiting too.
11:30 Pm: Get into well air conditioned and nice smelling car to Hindustan International.
12:30 Pm: We are welcomed by a bouquet of flowers and a nice looking hotel person. And we get escorted by our personal butler to our room in which are placed fresh flowers, a large fruit basket and a big bucket full of chocolates. We then sleep peacefully.

Sat Feb 17th.
This is the day we will pick up Jay.. This is what I've been waiting for...

Sun Feb 18th.
We buy Jet Airways ticket for Jay and then leave for Delhi at 5:00 pm. We arrive at Delhi at 7:00 pm and go to Hotel Clark International.

Mon Feb 19th.
This is day for Visa photos and doctor appointment for Embassy.

Tue Feb 20th.
Embassy day.

Wed Feb 21st.
Get Golden packet.

Thu Feb 22nd.
Get flight out of Delhi and coming back home with Jay.

We are leaving

It's lunch time and I finally have 15 mins to myself. And all I can do is sit at my desk with a silly grin on my face. I am happy. We are finally leaving to pick up our lil puddin Jay. We have our tickets booked, hotels booked and no passport. Wait...

Ok, we got one update today. The passport office said that they would have the passports out by the 12th. So we could travel and the passports would be ready when we get there. YIPPEE. I'm going to believe them this time.

So, here I am with a grin on my face. I just cant believe that I'm finally going to be a mommy. I'm a bit nervous too. I hope I'm a good mommy, my only experience is in raising our dog - Charlie and he seems ok. A bit spoiled, very needy but otherwise happy. And thats all that matters, right???

Pictures

We got more pictures of Jay yesterday. Pam and Joel who just came back from India with their son Micah took pictures of most of the waiting kids at the orphanage. Our little Jay made quite an impression with her. Here's what she had to say:

Jay seemed completely wonderful and healthy to me. He was by far the most friendly baby that we met at the orphanage. He was all smiles and allowed me to hold him for several minutes. He laughed, smiled, clapped his hands. He was a true delight. From what I could tell Jay was just excited and happy. I did see him walk a bit as well before they picked him up. He seemed like he was doing wonderfully. I'm absolutely certain that this little boy is going to brighten your life in ways you can't even imagine.

I'm such a proud mama. And God bless Pam and Joel for taking the time to hold him.

We also got an update from Tami (our Dillon India coordinator).. The passports are almost done.. They have been approved and are in the process of being printed out so we hope they will be done soon.