Some progress in the past couple of months! I've dropped my superstition (a bit) and done some shopping. She's got clothes, a stroller, a cool baby-carrying-backpack thing, a basement full of big toys, some books, a pink pink room, curtains, a crib, some paintings... we're getting there. Still a long ways to go before I'm ready... so as painful as it is to just be waiting for her, I'm also grateful for the time to prepare! Toddlers need so much swag! With everything I acquire I learn of two more things I need!
We've also recently received OFFICIAL word from Thailand that our meeting with the DCY will take place on November 16th. With this date, we were finally able to start arranging our trip. Working backwards, there are things we need to do (photos, medical, etc.) before the meeting and application that take a few days, so they recommend arriving about a week ahead of time for all that (we get to meet her and possibly take her 'home' on November 10). It takes about two weeks to process the visa, so a three-week total is what is suggested and what we have now, after a long story, booked. With all the hopeful hopes in the world, it works out that way!
Issue number one is - through no fault of her little 14-month-old-self - she's stateless. We're aware and fine with it, Ontario is aware and fine with it, CB is aware and fine with it, Thailand is aware and fine with it, it's all good in the hood... except for - so far - with Canadian Immigration. They're currently reviewing our case and we're waiting with bated breath I don't think anyone else could possibly understand for their approval. From there, the High Commission in Singapore will issue her a special document under which she can pass the border. This has been done before - Pen put me in contact with the loveliest family from Nova Scotia who pioneered this process, going through hell and back to get their daughter!
Issue number two - for some reason, she has no surname. On her proposal letter, even on her birth certificate, she's just "Miss Wanwisa (unknown surname)". I didn't think anything of it until I had to go book the flights... which I did, thanks to the advice of my aunt, through a travel agent. Of course we like doing things on our own, we know how to work the internets, but when Mike found it a bit too challenging to do (with the two round-trip, one one-way à la Noah's Ark all in one shot) in his very little spare time over where he is, he passed the responsibility on to me... eep. Had to talk to my aunt to orchestrate getting my cousin's new number to get her family discount code as she's now an employee of Air Canada (!) and it's a good thing I did, because trying to book this flight was downright Herculean.
So, yesterday I went in and was there for about an hour looking at the options and prices when we realized we needed a last name. I emailed Darlene (and Pen and everyone in my circle who has adopted to see how they got around this issue), and this is the first time a situation like this has been encountered. Lucy is so special! Like Cher, or Madonna, or Adele. Anyway, Darlene emailed Thailand, and luckily, they replied overnight that it's fine, just leave it blank.
Back I went with that information this morning. It was still a challenge as they had to write SOMETHING. After much research, it was discovered that they can fill it in as a code LNU - last name unknown. Yaaaaay! They (and by they I mean Air Canada, travel agent was just the wonderfully useful middleman who knew all the people to talk to and the questions to ask) also had to take down just about all the information in our dossier - social worker contact, agency contact, etc etc etc, as they have a part to play in preventing child trafficking. The lack of nationality thing didn't help either. Plus they had to merge the two files - two round trip, one one way, and it took three hours total. I had to go on two pee breaks and get sushi at various points while we were on hold (marathon training - constant carb flow and much hydration). Sharon (also an army wife) at Ottawa Travel and Cruise in Hazeldean Mall, you are the best. And Dawn at Air Canada, thanks for working this very complicated case. So we are set to fly with our little popstar in the making who sees no reason for these imaginary lines dividing people! She's getting her own seat, we're in the bulkhead, her stroller can be checked on the way there, ("yes hi Ottawa check-in person, I realize we have no child with us, but..."), the vegan option has been selected, I know my baggage limits, and hopefully, it'll all be okay.
One gamble I did take (and thankfully, Mike's okay with it) is not paying the extra for the flexible option. It's possible that we'll be able to leave early; it's equally possible that some paperwork won't be ready in time and we'll have to stay some extra days. So, a flexible ticket is a good idea. But they were $4000 more. Each. If we do have to change, then yes, we might end up paying that, or even more, which would suck. But it might be less. Or maybe even equal. Ticket prices are the most bizarre game... anyway, fingers crossed everything is ready on time and we can go on the 1st as planned.
To do now:
- wait for CIC's approval (then start ensuring that paperwork gets done ahead of time)
- continue shopping madly
- figure out the dog situation for the time we're away (their awesome kennel is closed for renovations for part of our travel time! :( anyone want two big, loud, sheddy dogs with no manners for a week or so? they cuddle really well and will happily help you clean up any food spills...)
- paint hoofprints on her walls (goats!)
- book hotels
and probably a billion other things. Much excitement! Days to count down now! Aaaah!
