Timeline after THE CALL

If you've been playing along at home, you know that we are anxiously awaiting THE CALL from the adoption agency to tell us about our new baby. And you remember that we MIGHT be in the next round of matches, the timing of which no one is sure, since everything is closed in China this week for New Years. The matches could be mailed out next week, or the week of the 5th, or the week of the 12th... Basically, no one knows.

Since there's nothing more to say about the timing before THE CALL, let's review the timeline of events after THE CALL:

• We get THE CALL. No warning from our agency. No "stay by your phone on Friday just in case..." Nothing. There is much joy and excitement, and possibly screaming (yes, I've warned everyone at work), and we'll get a few tidbits of information about the baby, including name, birthdate, weight/height, province, the name of the SWI (if in an orphanage) or info about the foster family. We'll start making calls to close family members (and maybe post a very quick update here).
• We drop everything and head into our agency for the referral appointment to review all of the info the agency has on the baby. This is usually later in the day, which gives the agency time to translate everything. We've already told EJ that we'll come pull her out of school so she can go along. Perhaps we'll celebrate with some Chinese food that night! We'll also get 2-3 photos.
• Within a few days after the referral, we need to send a care package to the baby's orphanage, complete our visa applications, set up a pediatrician appointment to have them review the medical information on the child, and do a travel form with all the details for everyone traveling (passports, IDs, etc.).
• About five days after referral, acceptance letters are returned to China. This gives you time to have your pediatrician review the file. Also, we should get updated photos and measurements on the baby around this time.
• Now you start waiting for your travel authorization, which takes about three to four weeks to arrive. During that time, we need to consult with the travel clinic to see if we need additional shots based on the province we will be traveling to at that time of year. We've already had Hep A/B, but typing this just reminded me that I need a tetanus shot! We'll also meet with our pediatrician to have her write some prescriptions for antibiotics for the baby, just in case we need them while we're there...
• About four weeks after referral, the travel authorization (TA) will arrive. This is the approval to travel to China. After the agency gets the TAs for everyone in our group, they request visa appointments (for the babies) with the American Consulate's office in Guangzhou (near Hong Kong). You can't get the appointments without the TAs. The consulate's office usually confirms the appointments within two days.
• Once the visa appointments are set, the agency can make court and notary arrangements with the provincial officials. And THEN, they can book your flights. While you know that you will generally be leaving for China 5-8 weeks after referral, you don't get your actual departure date until 10-15 days before you leave.