What's the next step? Most likely, we will receive our LOA (letter of approval) in May or early June. Until then? More waiting. While we wait, we are sending a care package to Carter. Most likely, this will be his (and his nannies') first heads-up that he has a family.
So, we put together a few things for Carter, and his friends in the orphanage. Here's a peak:
1. Shirt: We bought him at cute, short-sleeved shirt, size 3T. Hopefully it will fit. His measurements were all over the place. So, we guessed. Realistically, we will probably never see him in this shirt--but that's okay. He needs a shirt, so he gets a shirt. Besides, if it doesn't fit him, I can hope it will be worn by another little boy that needs a good shirt.
2. Photobook: In the corner of the picture, you can see our book. It is filled with pages of our family, friends, house and puppy. Most importantly, pictures of us, telling him that we love him.
3. Wooden trains: I can't tell you how fun it was to shop for small, simple toys. We have waited so many years to buy things for our child. To get him something that might put a smile on his face. We labeled these: "to share with your friends". Why aren't they just for him? After 8 months on our adoption journey, our hearts have broken for orphans around the world. How will his friends feel, knowing Carter is going to be adopted, but that they may never be? We bought more, identical trains for him to have at home. These toys are for him to share and will stay at the welfare institute. We cannot adopt them all, but we can love them. And send them things that will put a smile on their face.
4. Dum-Dums: Because everyone needs suckers. We couldn't fit the entire bag in that tiny box, so we put some in a Ziploc bag for him to share with his friends.
5. SD card: For the nannies and caregivers to take pictures of Carter and his friends. We hope that they will take pictures of him and everyone he knows at the orphanage. I know that he will treasure those pictures for years to come. Pictures of those who loved him before we could. We thought about sending a disposable camera, but we are hopeful that the orphanage has a digital camera (and maybe it's more convenient for them?). If we send another care package, we might send a disposable camera, just in case.
6. Letter to the orphanage (not pictured): Our agency wrote out a letter, in Mandarin, explaining that we love Carter and that we are coming for him soon. We asked that they take pictures of Carter and his friends. We asked that they let him know that we are his family and love him until we can get there. We also included a copy of our pre-approval from the CCCWA.
Somehow, we fit it all into a tiny little box. Seriously, I'm not sure how.
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