We have a son!

[TGBTG]

[quote="lesliet"]
Sandwich and I are leaving next Friday for India! I'll get to spend some time with Naveen on the 23rd and then we have our court date on the 24th. Then we'll head back home and wait out the 2 months until we can go back. Hopefully he'll be home by mid-May.

/quote]

How exciting, Leslie!!!!!!!!!!!! Is two trips the new thing? Hope all goes well. Your gonna meet your son

[lesliet]

Thanks! Yep, two trips seems to be the new thing for Pune and Mumbai. Not sure about other parts of India. It depends on the judge. I was kicking and screaming about it at first because it adds major $$$ to the adoption, but I have to admit that I'm now beyond excited about getting to see Naveen in a week and a half. Of course, we'll not talk about the "post-visit-depression" that might set in during the two months separation. I don't even want to think about how many jars of Nutella I'm going to consume in an attempt to console myself...

Beth Anne, I think you asked if I had a blog. I do, but I'm not sure I'll be updating it while I'm gone. I'm taking the iPad and I absolutely detest typing on it. My fingers are too big or something. I'm very old school in that department. I don't even text. I can type about two sentences and then I get exhausted and have to lie down. I know there will be internet cafes out the whazoo, though, so if I blog, I'll update it here. It's www.recoveringnoah.blogspot.com.

Leslie

[ChrisandBethAnne]

Leslie,

Thanks so much for sharing your blog. I've been devouring it! (I'm like you, when I discover something new I enjoy, like a new adoption blog or new TV show, I get obsessed and can't put it down.) I completely understand if you're not able to update much while you're there. And hey, you're one step ahead of me on the technology front, Chris and I don't even have smart phones or an ipad. We're seriously considering getting an ipad mostly for the trip, since I've heard there are so many great games and educational tools for toddlers and preschoolers. Do you have a 3G plan with it, or is there enough free wireless around India to use? Would a 3G plan even work in another country? This is how little I know about technology!

I can't believe you'll be leaving in a week! Praying for safe travels and wonderful trip. And... for strength to say goodbye to your little boy for 2 more months. Have you thought about applying for the re-entry waiver Visa? We asked Mary about this, and she said one family has had success in getting it approved, and another has applied. So this means, you could maybe go back to get him within one month, if all the papers are ready and the re-entry approval comes through.

I think you're right that 2 visits is now a requirement everywhere in India. We're supposed to make 2 visits also. I'm thinking of doing what you did: making the court date trip into a 1-week vacation and bringing my sister or a friend along, since Chris will only be able to make one trip.

So excited for you!

[lesliet]

Hey Beth Anne,

We actually leave... tomorrow! I should be packing (I'm nothing if not a procrastinator! ) but I think I'm in still shock over everything I need to do by tomorrow morning. I'm just sort of sitting here, staring at the computer, and sneaking left-over Smarties from my kid's Valentine stash. I know I need to get to my act in gear because those bags aren't going to pack themselves...

We're going back and forth on the waiver. I've heard it only saves you 2 weeks... and if that's the case, then we'll probably wait the whole 2 months. Sandwich is going with me on the second trip, too, and I'm not sure if they'll grant her the waiver. Plus, it's easier for us to go ahead and book my husband's vacation for a definite date (2 months from now) instead of waiting until the last minute. However, if the waivers start coming back quickly and save us a month then I might consider it. I'm sure that the moment I see Naveen I'll be calling home and begging my husband to just let me stay until I can bring him home.

Regarding the iPad and such... I'm pretty technologically challenged, too. The iPad was bought solely for our oldest son to use a communication device, but we sort of all claimed it for ourselves. It's not 3G, so I'm not even sure if it'll work in India. Gosh, I never thought of that. I had to buy a video camera yesterday (we don't have a smartphone either... flip phone all the way, baby!) and the lady said, "Do you have a SD card" and I had no idea what she was talking about. That's why Sandwich is going with me... 'cuz she's smart!

Hopefully I'll be able to blog while we're gone and give the scoop. We'll see in a few days how that works out.

Leslie

[Heidi in Georgia]

Congratulations to you! I'm a really "old" member of the Holt Forum (10yrs plus). What a wonderful journey you are on. I'm looking forward to reading your blog. I did my first "one-time" blog last summer for a return trip to India http://riechelfamily.blogspot.com/

A big congrats to all the families that are getting ready to travel and to those that have got referrals.

Heidi

[PAP]

Not sure if there'll be WiFi around, but as long as there is an internet connection to it; IPad will work