This document attempts to answer the most frequently asked questions we get about our adoption, the adoption process, and our blog. Have a question you don't find??? Post a comment, and we'll answer it.
- When?(travel/arrive/etc.)? We finally know our travel dates, and are flying out July 3.
- Wow, a boy! We decided that we wanted to adopt a son, so adopted Xin Sha Gang, for a variety of reasons that are explained here and here. We're excited about getting a son!
- Aren't all Chinese adoptees girls? While 92% of children eligible for adoption in China are girls, it's still a crap shoot. If there are boys, and someone requested one, they get one, otherwise, everyone gets girls like our cute little Rachael 丽彩 . Did we mention yet how cute she is??
- What is your son's name? His Chinese name is Xin Sha Gang 新沙刚, meaning New Sand Strong. Xin ("new") is his surname, and Sha Gang ("sand strong") is his given (first) name. His English name will be Robert Adam Houser.
- How old is he? Robby turned 4 on April 7, so will be just over 4 yrs. 3 mo. when we get him.
- Where will you travel in China? After plane changes in Detroit and Tokyo (!) we will be in Beijing, then Ürümqi, where Sha Gang currently is, then on to Guangzhou (formerly Canton) for the immigration processing. From there, we fly to Tokyo, Detroit, then home, approximately 23 hours later. Funny enough, we'll be in the birthplace of fireworks on July 4, but likely won't see any fireworks this year. More trip details are here.
- How long a flight is it to China? 12 hours to Japan, total of 21 hours, with 2 connections.
- Do we get to sightsee? Yes. For sure, we will get to see the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square, the Summer Palace, and the jade market in Beijing, plus visit hutongs in Beijing. We also have some side excursions in Ürümqi which are less certain. Beyond that, who knows?
- Why all the tourist sight-seeing, and not just get your son and fly home? Three good reasons: Chinese law requires us to be in-country for a minimum of 2 weeks. Also, we need to be at 100% for our son, and that means rested and not jet-lagged. The 3 day buffer in Beijing permits paperwork to get done, last-minute travel arrangements, and very important rest from the 21 hour journey across 12 time zones. Finally, it's important we see Robby's country, so we can honor his culture and heritage, and do the best job possible at teaching him about it.
- When in China will we get Robby? July 9, the day after we fly into Ürümqi. Full agenda here.
- What's with the Cricket? Click here for details... We already knew Xin Sha Gang's name, so have been calling him Robby since month two, no nickname necessary.
- Will we get to visit Robby's orphanage? No idea, we hope so!
- Is Chinese adoption expensive? About $18,000 for typical infant adoption. We're traveling with 4 over and 5 back, so it's more.
- When will Robby become a citizen? By current US immigration law, provided both parents travel to the adoption country, Robby will automatically be a U.S. citizen when the wheels of the plane touch U.S. soil.
- When is the adoption process "done"? Legally, Robby is our son on July 9, a few hours after we get him. We'll be his legal guardians within a few minutes of meeting him, and then will legally be his parents later that day, after additional paperwork.
- Do you need boy stuff? Yes, some, but we should be OK.
- What do Emily, Kayla and Rachael think about getting a brother in the house? They are very very excited!
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