Filed I600-A

Another exciting day!

Today I filed the I600-A Application for Advanced Processing of Orphan Petition with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (now called USCIS, formerly called INS) division of Homeland Security. It's an unintimidating form, which is sent with a copy of your birth certificate and a couple of other requirements. For more info on the I600-A, visit USCIS's website.

It really feels like things are moving along quickly this week. I have understood from others who have been through the process that this is normal; that you feel as if everything is speeding along until you have submitted your dossier and then you just hurry up and wait for 6 months or more. So, I am enjoying this period of time, when the checklist is still largely in my hands. Pretty soon, it will all be out of my control. 

When you are in this stage of the game, it very hard to think of anything else.  I don't know how many hours I have spent researching strollers (AGAIN) and I now have a favorite dream stroller, which I think I will post in my kitchen a la The Secret so it will magically appear in my life just before the baby comes! I spent about 3 hours last night looking at baby snowsuits, since we all know it's not balmy here in the winter. Which, by the way, reminds me - I am still looking at 3 feet of snow outside. Granted, it's where the plow piled it up but still. No tulips here, man. This has to be the longest winter of my life. 

I have been promising a picture of Gunnar and Brody. I took a great one a couple of days ago. Gunnar had somehow managed to climb onto and fall asleep on the window sill in the sun and Brody thought it would be a good idea to get up there and wake him up so I could take a picture, so that's why you can see them above!

I hope everyone is enjoying the arrival of spring. I can't help but wonder if this time next year Lily will be seeing her first tulips and daffodils here in the U.S. Fingers crossed!  Thanks for reading!