January 21, 2008
ta-da--TA!
As if I am the first person to have ever received a TA I feel particularly pleased with myself now that it has finally arrived. Not for any actual reason because I had nothing whatsoever to do with the stated arrival and if it were up to me it would have occurred 3 weeks prior. But still. It has arrived. I am bursting with contentment.
We will not have travel dates until Wednesday at the earliest and hopefully by the end of the week at the latest. There is only one consulate appointment to be scheduled, and how difficult can that be? she asks without irony.
My calculations inform me that we have not made the pre-Spring Festival cutoff. I have looked at the calendar at least 4 times this afternoon and my tallies never establish a takeoff date before February 7. I suppose there is a minute chance that we could squeeze ourselves in which is good and bad. Good: Meet HSM sooner. Bad: Leave in less than a week (Thursday!!); have no choice of flights or hotels. Good: Be there for CNY (we would stay a few days at the end). Bad: Leave in less than a week. Did I mention we'd have to leave in less than a week?
I am guessing it's a moot point. Still, one worth considering when you might be leaving for China in less than a week.
september 2007
I will set up a separate travel blog for this trip and post the link here. It will not be password protected until after we return home. The new blog should be available within the next few days although I won't be posting to it until we leave (or just before). Which might be Thursday.
All things considered it's been a fabulous day. A cold, fabulous day. Coldly fabulous. My stomach has had butterflies since just before noon. Fabulous butterflies. China. HSM. Fabulous.
Posted by grrlTravels at January 21, 2008 8:56 PMOh,wonderful! So glad the TA arrived and that you'll be on your way, possibly Thursday, to your son.
Posted by: Jen at January 21, 2008 9:49 PMYay! Yahoo! Wow! Congratulations! It won't be long now! Oh how exciting!
Posted by: Tracie at January 21, 2008 9:50 PMHooorray! I will cross my fingers that you can go this week! But if you have to wait until after CNY, you will have a great time. We flew out on CNY eve last year and it was great timing.
Posted by: AmericanFamily at January 21, 2008 10:00 PMI am actually quite excited to be going over this close to CNY. Either way we should get to see a bit of the celebrations. Hope, hope, hope.
Posted by: Amy/grrlTravels at January 21, 2008 10:07 PMyeah! yeah! What wonderful news! OMG I can't believe he'll be here so soon!!!!
Posted by: Mortimer's Mom at January 21, 2008 10:16 PMLongtime lurker here -- I was so happy to see that you had posted, I knew it meant you got your TA! Congrats!!!
Posted by: Lisa at January 21, 2008 10:24 PMYay! Yippee! Hurrah! And now it goes rushing down to the finish line, and suddenly (in no time at all!) you'll have HSM home with you and the rest of the family.
Posted by: OmegaMom at January 21, 2008 10:32 PMYay! That's excellent news. Oh, I can't wait to see that little guy in the midst of your brood.
Posted by: Sister Carrie at January 21, 2008 10:34 PMHip Hip TA!!!! I'm so excited for you guys! What a fun new adventure. It would be so awesome to be in China for the NY!
Posted by: Stacey T at January 21, 2008 10:47 PMWonderful news!!!! Congratulations!!! Hope the appointment and travel plans fall nicely into place and everything aligns for the most perfectly timed trip evah!
Posted by: Christina at January 21, 2008 11:21 PMCONGRATS!!! Can't wait to follow along! You'll have him in your arms in no time. Yippee!
Posted by: Bobbi Jo at January 21, 2008 11:33 PMCongratulations Amy and Family!!!!!!
I can't wait for HSM-day!!!
Posted by: lara at January 22, 2008 12:34 AMThat's fabulous! Congrats!
Posted by: PinkDevora at January 22, 2008 1:12 AMYay for all of you and for little HSM! How exciting!
Posted by: Julia at January 22, 2008 2:16 AMWonderful, wonderful news!! Hooray!
Posted by: Mayhem at January 22, 2008 2:38 AMHooray! HOORAY HOORAY HOORAY!!!!
Posted by: Jo at January 22, 2008 4:21 AMCongratulations!
Posted by: Courtney at January 22, 2008 4:31 AMOh happy day! Or, er, day after happy day!
Congrats, and I hope that whatever happens with your travel plans works out for the best. I am a bit envious that you will be there around CNY, and I look forward to following your trip.
He is one handsome little guy! Congrats again.
Posted by: ELSNY at January 22, 2008 7:34 AMYay!!!!! The long awaited TA FINALLY showed up! Thank goodness is all I have to say, because if you had to wait one more week (or even a day) that would have been crazy. I can't wait for you to get on that plane and meet your boy!
Posted by: Shelba at January 22, 2008 9:21 AMCongratulations! He is adorable. Hoping for speedy travel and wonderful trip.
Janet
Posted by: Janet B at January 22, 2008 9:34 AMCongratulations!!!!!!!
I'm so excited for your family!
Posted by: Kara at January 22, 2008 10:50 AMHappy news! So glad the TA finally arrived...wishing you much luck and safe travels whenever it is you end up traveling to China to get that scrumptious boy.
Posted by: KelliAmanda at January 22, 2008 11:48 AMCONGRATS! I am so happy for you, E, K Z and HSM!
Posted by: Spacemom at January 22, 2008 12:46 PMCONGRATULATIONS!!! You are so close to your little boy now!!!
Posted by: Judy at January 22, 2008 2:13 PMWhoo hooo....congrats but a lurker and sometime poster. Very happy for you and can't wait for you to meet him.
Sonja
Posted by: sonja at January 22, 2008 3:24 PMI know I already commented but I've been thinking about your news all day and YAY! HSM!!! Go get that handsome boy!
Posted by: Jo at January 22, 2008 3:38 PMYip, yip, yippity, yip!!! So pleased for you, just the kind of lovely feel good news I need to warm me up on a horrid wet and freezing cold day like today.
I know it'll be crazy but I hope you can do the travel straight away, can't bear to wait any longer to see you with your delicious boy in your arms!
Debs
p.s Of course you have to come up with a name now, just saying, no pressure or anything ;)
Fantastic! I am so happy for you and can't wait to hear you announce your travel dates. The whole internet smiles along with you.
Posted by: Nic at January 22, 2008 4:07 PMSuch happy news! He's absolutely beautiful. Any more thoughts on a name? Or are you waiting to meet him in person first? Either way, wishing you a safe journey and joyous meeting with your son.
-Fizz
I am having plenty of thoughts about names. Lots of them. They are swirling around in my head like a tornado. Sadly, The Thought About The Name has not happened yet. I am expecting it at any moment. Seconds from now.
Posted by: Amy/grrlTravels at January 22, 2008 6:16 PMHurray!! May the time fly....
Posted by: Susan at January 22, 2008 9:37 PMYay! Great news, Amy! You're on your way to meeting your sweet son. Wishing you speedy and safe travels!
Posted by: betsy at January 22, 2008 10:01 PMAmy,
Wonderful news, more than wonderful. Safe travels (Traveling Mercies), may your dreams reveal the perfect name for the little guy. We look at our son (Wanzhou) and are quite simply still bowled over by him.
All the best to you and your family.
Karyn
Posted by: Karyn at January 22, 2008 10:53 PMOh my gosh! Congratulations! Have a wonderful trip - no getting sick on the plane this time. And good luck with The Name.
Posted by: Amyesq at January 23, 2008 11:39 AMWhoopie! Congratulations! So excited for you guys. I'll have to make sure to check in often to follow your trip! Again, congrats!
Posted by: Jen at January 23, 2008 11:41 AMWoo hoo, such fantastic news! Congrats, I'm so excited for you guys.
Posted by: Jeanne at January 23, 2008 12:34 PMGreat news! I was hoping your TA would be with the rest that came in yesterday. Congratulations!I can't wait to follow along like last time. :)
Posted by: ashley at January 23, 2008 1:52 PMYay for TA!!!
Posted by: WendyN at January 24, 2008 8:41 PMOh he is adoreable. I bet you can't wait to give him the biggest cuddles!!
Posted by: Debbie in the UK at January 25, 2008 12:22 PMOh-I'm so excited for you! And yes, even last week the excitement in anticipation of Spring Festival was everywhere-I so didn't want to leave. ~lmc
Posted by: lisa at February 5, 2008 12:56 AM