A Second Helpful Description of the Post-Referral Timeline

There was just posted another very helpful description of what happens once the Referral finally comes by one who knows, having very recently returned with her new daughter!

...[Barker] will call you and tell you that she thinks you should come in to meet with her within the next day or two. That is the euphamism for "we have your referral, come on in and find out about your daughter." At the referral meeting [Barker] will go over the referral with you. The referral has information about your daughter including birthday, what province she is from, where she was found, who found her, where she was taken after she was found. they will give you measurements (weight, height) from when she was taken to the orphanage and a narrative about your child's personality, what she likes, etc. You will also go over the medical exam with [Barker], including blood tests and measurements. Sometimes Anli [Barker's point-person in China] will have gotten updated measurements from the orphanage, which will help the pediatrician reviewing your referral. They will be able to discuss with you how she is growing. [Barker] basically reads all the info to you and you ask whatever questions you may have. [Barker] does not know any more than you do...all anyone knows is what is sent from the [Chinese] government. At that meeting you can sign a paper saying you accept or deny the referral or you can have the information evaluated by a pediatrician and then accept or deny. Once you and all the other waiting parents who will be traveling with you accept your referrals, the clock starts ticking in terms of getting travel info. You have to arrange your flights to and from China. Once you are in China, you just sit back and enjoy the ride. Everything is taken care of for you in terms of travel. you are on your own for some meals, but Anli can guide you there too, if you desire. All of the hotels and in-country travel are handled by Anli. You will need to be in Beijing on a given date. The following day, you will sightsee in Beijing with Anli. That is all arranged. If you want to go early, Anli can help arrange sightseeing to additional places. Everyone leaves Beijing after 1-2 days and goes to the province where the children are from. You generally meet your daughter the day or day after you arrive in the province. You are in the province for 6-7 days so the adoption can be finalized. From there you travel to Guangzhou and have the baby's medical exam, some paperwork and the appointment at the american consulate. This takes 3-5 days. The flight from Guangzhou to Hong Kong is arranged by Anli, but your flight from Hong Kong to home is arranged by you. There is a travel-meeting a couple of weeks before you go, which goes over things in more detail and allows you to ask [Barker] questions.