Everything but the Kitchen Sink!

Well, we are all packed and ready to go. Just need to remember to add our sunglasses and double check all the TSA locks. The luggage pictured above is the normal amount Pankaj and I always take to India, except for the umbrella stroller, which is new this time. Also, the contents of the suitcases are much different than on previous trips. In the past, we'd load up on Charmin Ultra, Bounty paper towels, mac & cheese and other snacks, and at least three large boxes of Cascade powder dishwashing detergent. This time, there are only a few snacks and we absolutely had no additional room for the Cascade detergent. (Sorry, Mummy!) Instead, the space is filled with jumbo packs of Pampers, baby food and cereals, Pediasure drinks, a large can of formula, and even a child's sleeping bag!

I think I am most proud about my ability to pack light this time. Especially for me. I limited myself to only four salwar kameez traditional Indian ladies outfits, and two pairs of sandals. I have been known to travel to India with 6-7 pairs of shoes/sandals in the past, so this is new for me. Now don't get me wrong, there are still a few pair of capri's , tank tops, kurtas, sweaters, jeans, and even a full length heavy bathrobe packed inside my bags. The bathrobe was a last minute addition (and only if there was room) because it will be 50 degrees at night in New Delhi, and the apartment where we'll be staying doesn't have central heat. I get my bathrobe for an extra layer, and Samedh gets the Benji sleeping bag. Yes, "Benji", as in the little dog who used to have his own TV series when we were kids. My sister Liz got that sleeping bag in the first grade or something, and it's still in great shape today. (Thanks, Liz, for letting your nephew borrow it!)

Well, that's it for now. I'll try to squeeze in one more post tomorrow if possible. Many thanks to those of you who have emailed me directly, wishing us well for our trip. Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated, and your support means the world to us. Yes, our lives are about to change forever, and it's great knowing that we have such a wonderful support system literally all over the world!

It's Quiet Without Cosmo

The way Cosmo greets you for a kiss... Playing hide & seek in her paper towel tube...

Laying low on the perch and listening... Coming close for more attention...

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day. The kind of day that Cosmo likes best. While Pankaj and I didn't want to part with her too early, we decided that yesterday was the best travel day to take Cosmo to Grandma and Grandpa's for vacation. After removing all her toys and perches, I chased Cosmo around her cage for about 10 minutes before I got a good hold on her. I placed her in her travel cage with a full spray of millet and her favorite purple mirror. Then she sat there happily shredding paper towel while I gave her cage a deep cleaning in the shower.

Once everything was clean and dry, we wrapped up the travel cage in Cosmo's bedtime sheet and a heavy blanket. She sat on my lap in the front seat, which was nice and warm because we have heated seats. During the drive to Wyoming, Daddy (Pankaj) would chirp to Cosmo and she would "whisper" her chirps back very quietly and immediately, like she was finishing his sentences. This is a form of communication only the two of them share, and it is very sweet.

After we arrived at my parents' house, I transferred Cosmo back to her big cage. Grandma set up a special table in the sunroom, and Cosmo immediately made herself at home. She probably doesn't miss us yet, but after four weeks, she surely will. And when we come back from India, we'll finally have her little brother Samedh with us, which will be a big change for us all.

Now this morning, it is very quiet in the house without our little "G" (short for "girl"). The table is empty where her cage usually sits, and there is nothing left to remind us but some seed hulls and a few tiny feathers. Since Cosmo started her vacation early, this gives me the chance to mop the floors and clean the windows before we leave for India. I would have done that regardless, but it is so much easier without having to move Cosmo to another room to protect her little lungs. And besides, she doesn't like to sit in "the other room" because she prefers to be in the main part of the house with everyone else. Though we miss her terribly now, and will miss her while we're gone, we know that she'll be in good hands at Grandma and Grandpa's. And as Cosmo would probably tell you (if she could talk), "Every bird deserves a vacation!"

FIA-3005

Well, yesterday we finally picked up our signed FIA-3005 form required by the state. Ann Mapes, the deputy court clerk, assured us that the judge reviewed all paperwork and that everything was in order regarding the filing of our Petition for Adoption. Whew! Our final hurdle!

From the court we drove to Bank of Holland. There we met with Morrie, our "official notary," who notarized our signatures on a stack of final documents required for travel. Morrie and Pankaj have worked together for a long time, even back in the Old Kent Bank days. He has graciously notarized our signatures throughout the entire adoption process, and we can't thank him enough for all he's done for us.

Happy Birthday Pankaj!

Dear Pankaj,

We wanted to wish you a very Happy Birthday,

and hope you are having a great day!

Love & smiles,

Deb, Samedh, & Cosmo

Today I Feel Like a Mom

I had a real "mom experience" this morning. I proudly scheduled Samedh's first appointment with his pediatrician. Samedh's doctor has lots of experience with internationally adopted children, and also has two daughters who were born in and adopted from Bangladesh. Our "new baby visit" is scheduled for the Monday after we return from India. During this visit, the doctor will do a basic assessment of Samedh, and review his medical records, etc. Once Samedh has adjusted to his new environment, we will schedule a complete physical for him. Then the fun will begin with shots and stool samples and a battery of other tests recommended for children who are adopted internationally.

Ending the Delhi Dilemma

One of the biggest hurdles for us has been finding a hotel in New Delhi. There is a big trade fair going on, and many hotels are completely booked. Others still have some rooms, but the prices are outrageous! You can expect to pay anywhere from USD $250-$300 per night for a 3-star hotel. And if you can find a room in a 4 or 5-star hotel, you might pay something like $380+.

After months of researching hotel options, we have now decided not to stay in a hotel at all. One of Pankaj's long-time friends invited us to stay with him. He relocated from Mumbai to Delhi a year ago, and has a 2 bedroom flat with plenty of room for us to stay comfortably. We are really looking forward to it, and can't thank him enough for his hospitality.

Now we just have to book a driver for our time in Delhi. We have one in mind, whom other US families have used in the past for $50 per day. We are just waiting for her to confirm her rate via email. I understand she recently quoted another US family $100 per day, which is way overpriced. Even $50 per day is on the high side, as there is another driver in Delhi who assists adoptive families for less than $30 per day. We'll just wait for her email and see what she says.

Special Delivery from FedEx

Things are coming along with our Petition for Adoption paperwork. FedEx delivered the packet from Morning Star Adoption Center around 11am. There are a lot of documents for the court, but only four that need our signatures. I did find a few spelling errors on our last name, where it was sometimes spelled with a "P." Being legal documents, I couldn't change the "P" to an "R" by hand, so I made a quick call to the agency. Luckily, these were saved as Word documents, and the agency made the changes and emailed them back to me right away.

Pankaj and I plan to spend the weekend reviewing all of our documents, and making any necessary copies before we deliver the packet to the court on Monday. It's going to be a busy weekend, and I have a feeling that we'll be eating out a lot.

Remembering the Families Who Wait

November is Adoption Awareness Month. It has special significance for us this year because we will be meeting Samedh (as a family) for the first time. While we have experienced the "ups and downs" of the adoption process like many other families do, Pankaj and I are very blessed that our guardianship case sailed through the Bombay High Court. For us, and a few other families, the timing couldn't have been better.

Unfortunately, there are other adoptive families out there who are still waiting for answers on their cases. One orphanage seems to be slow filing court paperwork. One judge in Kolkata has refused to hear adoption cases since June. And the latest set-back, which effects cases in Mumbai, is that the court is now requiring the biological mother of a child being adopted by foreign or NRI parents to be located, presented before a notary and a government officer or Children's Woman and Development to sign a current consent. This document, along with the original relinquishment papers, must be presented to the court in order for the for the child to be adopted. The court process will not commence until the signature is obtained.

This month, Pankaj and I will be united with our son for the first time, but we also remember the families (and children) who wait. Sunday, November 5 has been designated as a Day of Prayer and Fasting by several waiting families adopting from Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta). I am asking anyone who reads my blog today to please set aside some time on Sunday to remember ALL of the families who are experiencing delays with their adoptions. Offer a special intention at Mass. Light a prayer candle. Organize a special pooja at home. Share a moment of silence with your children. Whatever you do, remember that prayer is very powerful, and there are a lot of families out there who could use your prayers right now.

Time to Travel

Some exciting news to share tonight...

We finally booked our India tickets!

We will be leaving GR on Thursday, November 16.

We have so much to do in the next two weeks, but I will try to update my blog as often as possible with updates before we leave. The biggest task now will be to book a hotel room in New Delhi, where we will likely stay for four nights. At least two days in New Delhi will be spent at the US Embassy so we can complete Samedh's immigration paperwork (file I-600) and apply for his visa. Then we'll fly back to Mumbai so we can spend a week or so with Pankaj's parents and extended family before we return to Michigan.

Please continue to check back here over the next two weeks, as there should be lots of little details to share about our upcoming trip.