DTC- What's next and what the heck does DTC mean???

So we announced that we were DTC last night! Which is huge news for us, but of course it left many wondering.... what the heck is DTC???

In the adoption world, acronyms are very common. It's how we talk to each other...like truckers on a CB, we understand each other perfectly! However it leaves friends and family doing a slow clap wondering that the heck they are clapping for.

We're working on our third adoption, and the acronyms have been different for each one, really. Just depends where you are adopting from. Here is the breakdown of the ones we have used and will use for our adoption of Rosie! This way, when we are all jumping up and down for TA, you'll know what we mean (and no, it's NOT that)

LOI- Letter of Intent, the letter you write to China telling them why you want to adopt said child

PA- Pre-Approval, China says yes to your LOI

HS- Homestudy, self explanatory I think :)

Dossier- This is stack of many documents from birth certificates, marriage certificates, financial statements etc. It's your baby while you are waiting for your new baby :)

i800a- You send your HS to the US government and ask to bring a foreign child into the country, you are then given a fingerprinting date and wait for approval

DTC- Dossier to China, that baby has been authenticated and sealed and on it's way via snail mail to China! Your life for the past 4-6 months just left the country!

LID- Log in date, China logs your dossier into the system

LOA/LSC- Letter of Approval or Letter Seeking Confirmation, the wait for this is a long one. China takes your dossier, translates it, and then matches you with the child you have PA for, and gives their approval for the adoption.

I800- not to be confused with the i800a, this is now where you ask the government to adopt this specific child that China gave your LOA for.

GUZ- this gets a tad confusing but deals with a number you need form the national visa center, showing your case is with the Consulate in Guangzhou, China.

DS260- Online application for your child's American visa.

Article 5- your paperwork is dropped off at the US Consulate in China, it's picked up about 2 weeks later after they look it all over and approve it.

TA- Travel approval!!! China says COME GET YOUR LOVEBUG!!!!

CA- Consulate appointment, after you get TA you then need to request a CA. This appointment date determines when you are okay to travel.

Whew!!! Did you make it through all that?!?! It's a lot to remember, but it's the only thing you have to hold onto while you're waiting for your child to come home. Which is why we adoptive parents savor every step that is completed! We are at the DTC point of the process, and are praying for a fast LID!!! If we get it quickly, then we can hopefully travel in early January. That's if all those other steps happen in the average time frame...it's the one time in your life you pray to be average :)

Thank you all for following along this journey with us, and we will keep you updated as we progress through the steps!

Blessings,

Angela