Parrish and Jyoti's Journey to Baby Phillips

November is National Adoption Awareness Month

2011-11-01T20:02:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!! November is National Adoption Awareness month and I'd like to send a HUGE thanks to Dillon International for making it possible for our family. For those of you who are not aware, our oldest daughter Pryanka...now 3 1/2 years old, was adopted from the Matri Sneha orphanage in Kolkata, India. After numerous failed attempts at IVF, we made the decision to adopt and not just adopt from anywhere, but from my birth country India. After researching the many adoption agencies out there, we chose Dillon International to help us through our journey. Our journey to our daughter Pryanka was not only emotional and long, but a humbling experience. I can't even begin to put into perspective what it felt like to get that call..the call every adoptive parent waits for. We received the call from Dillon International on Oct 1st 2008, 3 years ago...from that moment on we knew our lives would forever be changed. That very second I opened my email and saw my daughters face for the first time...that moment I will never forget. I looked into those eyes and I knew she was our daughter. I didn't get to carry her inside me for 9 months, but I felt as though I had in my heart from the moment I saw her. Everyone would always tell us how blessed she was to have us and what an honorable thing we were doing but the truth is we were the blessed ones, we were the ones lucky enough to be chosen to be her parents. My heart aches for the two people who had to make the hardest decision of their lives and give her up. They're the ones who did the honorable deed. Adoption has made it possible for our family to have our daughter in our arms. She is indeed the most precious gift we could have ever received and we thank god everyday that she is in our lives. If ever given the opportunity I hope one day I can meet my daughter's biological parents and express my gratitude to them for giving us the gift of being a mother and father to our daugther. http://www.dillonadopt.blogspot.com/.

Growing Growing Growing

2011-10-27T07:48:00.000-07:00

Hello to Everyone!!

Its been months since I've last posted. Life has been very busy with my three beautiful and amazing daughters. A few updates on our beautiful princess from India. Pryanka just finished taking ballet and tap dance few weeks ago. She loves dancing...anytime the music starts you will find her start moving her entire body. She continues to be a wonderful and sometimes bossy "big sister" We just got back from San Francisco couple of days ago visiting family and friends. Pryanka was the flower girl at my best friends wedding...and let me tell you..she stole the show for a quick second as she wasted no time throwing all the flower petals on the ground at once. Pryanka's favorite activity right now is working on puzzles...she loves them so much we have to take several kind where ever we go. Our big girl is growing up before our eyes..she's not shy..not even a bit...she's our little social bug. She grabs the attention of any perfect stranger just by her beauty. Our family is so blessed to have our Pryanka..everyday is an adventure as we love and learn from each other.

Happy 2nd Gotcha Day to our Beautiful Daughter

2011-04-08T18:05:00.000-07:00

Today we celebrate our beautiful daughter's 2nd gotcha day. She's an amazing little girl who has and continues to bring so much joy and sunshine in our lives. She is a wonderful big sister and is just growing before our eyes. She loves beauty and the beast and thinks that Pete from the Mickey Mouse Club House is the best cartoon character there is. We are enjoying every bit of life with our daughter and couldn't imagine a day without her voice and laughter in the air.

2011-02-23T11:18:00.000-08:00

2010-06-28T07:20:00.000-07:00

Pryanka the BIG sister

2010-06-28T07:01:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

We are officially a family of 5 now...well plus our two dogs. We brought our twins home from the NICU 3 weeks ago. Life is definately alot more hectic. Pryanka loves being a big sister. She is great with helping out during feeding times, diaper changes...which seem like they are every other hour. I'm surviving on very little sleep and learning to take it day by day with my three amazing daughters. Our twins were 7 weeks early but are doing great now. Neha is our loud extremely demanding baby while Nayana is our calm baby. Pryanka is learning to share mommy with her "baby sistus" as she calls it. Pryanka did great with our move from california to virgina in april. We have been going to the river every weekend and she just loves being outdoors. We're looking forward to visiting nana and papa for the 4th of July.

2010-04-08T18:20:00.000-07:00

Happy 1st GOTCHA Day Pryanka

2010-04-08T18:06:00.000-07:00

Today was a great day as we celebrated our darling Pryanka's 1st gotcha day. I can't believe how fast this 1st year has come and gone. Pryanka has been such a joy. She's growing everyday and teaching us the meaning of love and family. We are extremely blessed to be a huge part of her life.
Oh did I mention Pryanka will be a big sister this June. Yes that's right! We are expecting twin girls the first of June. I'm looking forward to my delivery date as we get closer. Pryanka loves kissing and hugging my belly. She's going to be such a great big sister...we can't wait to see all three together!!

Last Post Placement Visit 9/13/09

2009-09-13T20:32:00.000-07:00

Today was an exciting day. We met with our social worker to finish up with our last post placement visit. We're excited to finish up the rest of the paperwork and look forward to having a date set for us to finalize our daughter's adoption process with the judge. Here are a few videos of our precious Pryanka while in North Carolina visiting nanna, pappa and rest of our family.

2009-09-13T20:26:00.000-07:00

2009-09-13T20:16:00.000-07:00

2009-09-13T20:06:00.000-07:00

2009-09-13T19:58:00.000-07:00

Hello Dillon Family & Friends

2009-09-11T12:12:00.001-07:00

I can't believe how many months its been since my last post... I have been following the Dillon forum and its been great to read about all the wonderful news with many families bringing home their precious children. Well it's been 5 months since we've been home with our beautiful Pryanka. She's grown so much in every way possible. Her bright personality has brought joy to everyone around her. She's traveled quite a bit from San Francisco to North Carolina...our little girl has indeed racked up her frequent flyer miles. Well here are a few pictures we had taken while we were visiting nanna and pappa in North Carolina.

2009-06-23T13:16:00.000-07:00

Pryanka is walking!!

2009-06-23T12:54:00.000-07:00

Greetings family and friends!!!
I'm finding it difficult to make time for the computer but I'll do my best to keep the updates coming. How time flies when your having fun . Pryanka is doing fabulous. She loves being in the water and is enjoying every bit of our San Diego weather...she's loves being outdoors and especially on the ground outside. We're looking forward to taking her to the beach very soon.

Pryanka has been taking few steps here and there the last month but just the other day she finally decided to just start walking as fast and as far as she can go. We're extremely excited for her new ability to walk...oh she gets so excited when she see's how excited we are when she walks. Well I don't have too long before I go back to work so I'll enjoy spending every bit of my time with my angel. She has brought so much joy to into our lives and I can't imagine how we ever lived without her. She's truly our gift from god.

How Time Flies

2009-06-03T11:27:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!!
Sorry it's been awhile since my last post. We've been busy bees this last month with so much going on. Pryanka's 1st birthday was a blast with lots of family and friends. We just got back from San Francisco last week to visit more family. Pryanka has gained another pound and can say mama and dada. She's still trying to figure out the walking thing...I guess she figures she can crawl faster than trying to walk at the moment. Here are a few pictures of my family from San Francisco and some pictures from Memorial Day and few from the Dillon International OC Park Picknick.

Whopping 1 pound

2009-05-03T10:50:00.001-07:00

Hurrayyy!!! Our Pryanka has gained 1 pound in two weeks. She now weighs 14 lbs 12 oz.
She's eating like a champion. We had our first taste of chocolate milk at Seaworld on Friday...still working on using a straw. She loved Shamu and enjoyed seeing the rest of the water life.
She's been crawling like she's in a marathon and is sooo eager to start walking...any chance she gets to stand up she takes it. I can't believe we've only been home a little over two weeks. Everything is going great...our little bundle of joy is such a joy..yes...even though we're still on India time. She still struggles taking a nap and usually falls asleep playing on the ground and oh please don't attempt to pick her up and put her in her crib...or else nap time will be over.
We're looking forward to her 1st birthday in two weeks and seeing more family visit.

Keeping me on my toes!

2009-04-24T17:26:00.000-07:00

Greetings Family & Friends!
Well it's been a little over a week since we've been home and there have been so many wonderful new and intersting "first"
Pryanka and I had our first baby sign class this week and she did fabulous. We met many beautiful babies and their mommies and the what a wonderful environment for all the babies. Pryanka does well socializing with strangers...well as long as I'm in sight. She's talking up a storm and oh does she love to be held. I better have a "great" reason if I have to put her down even for a second...or else..the screaming....screaming begins. She was crawling when we picked her up from the orphanage so now she's beginning to stand up and try walking. She loves strawberry yogurt and banana in her cereal. Her favorite word is "bluh"
She's learning to tolerate her four legged sisters and is curious enough to reach out and feel their fur. Bath time is fun...first her little feet in...a bit of crying...and then oh...this is not too bad after all and she starts splashing and life is good. Our baby girl is so beautiful and so amazing....she's a great baby and she has so much love to share. I'm learning to survive on less sleep since baby Pryanka is still waking up early in the morning...some days its like she's on India time. Our family bonding is going excellent...she know's who mommy and daddy are and I think she's figured out that Sparkle and Shadow are the doggies...we'll see. I think I might be confusing her when I call them by their names and then turn right around and tell her.."that's our doggies"
Well that's it for now....I'll post more as our adventures continue...on my toes I go!!

Settling In

2009-04-18T22:15:00.001-07:00

Hello Everyone!
Well it's been 3 days since we have been home and oh has it been a whirl wind of changes. I'm extremely glad we're home. The return flight home was a nightmare for me as I had motion sickness the entire 20 plus hours in the plane and airports. I spent most of my time either in the plane bathroom or the airport bathroom...I was so glad to land and breath the fresh air in the US. Pryanka is doing great. We've been working on getting our days and nights switched back around and so far it has been a bit challenging. Today we kept her up as long as possible so she can sleep through the night so hopefully we'll see how the night goes. Our girl still loves to eat. She has been introduced to many new and interesting things and she's learning to "tolerate" her two new best friends at home. Sparkle and Shadow are curious about her and want to lick her little feet but she's still a bit nervous so we're working on that as well. She loves to be held "all the time" so I'm a bit curious to see how it will play out once nanna and pappa leave back for North Carolina and once daddy will be going back to work on Monday so it will just be her and I and Sparkle and Shadow...I hope I can learn to multi task veryyy soon! Today I finally feel a bit rested. I have slept and slept the last two days so it was nice to get out of the house and run some errands. Pryanka had her first well visit yesterday and she did great. She weighs 13lbs 12 oz and is 26 inches in length. She's a tiny little girl. For those of you who want to see our India pictures, I have posted them on my facebook. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=606007740&v=photos

Good night!

Home sweet home here we come!

2009-04-14T05:27:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!!
Well it's our last night in India and we're exhausted and looking forward to coming home. Pryanka is doing very well with her new family. Our baby girl loves to eat and sleep. She loves to play with everyone and has really been such a sweetie. Thank you all again so much for your thoughts and prayers.

Jyoti & Parrish

Yes!! Pryanka is finally in our arms

2009-04-08T20:46:00.001-07:00

Hello Everyone!!
Sorry I have not posted in a couple of days. So much sight seeing and "to do things" have kept me quite occupied as most of you already know. Pryanka has been in our arms now almost a full 24 hours and she has been an absolute joy. She is sooooooo much more beautiful in person..and oh so tiny. We had breakfast this morning and now she is taking a nap with nanna while mommy is on the computer and daddy, uncle Ryan and Uncle Jason and Papa relax and watch India television. For all my Dillon moms..we have taken lots of pictures of your beautiful babies and we hope to have them to Tami this morning. Videos will be sent to Tami once we get home. Oh - and I had the privilege to hold some of our babies and they were so beautiful and precious. Here are some pictures of our beautiful daughter.

Destination India!

2009-04-04T10:37:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!!
We made it to Delhi safely Friday night. We were extremely exhausted from our flight, however the troopers we are..enjoyed a half day tour of the Old and New Delhi on Saturday. I can't begin to explain in words the emotions running through my spine as we drove through the city and seeing this beautiful place and its beautiful people. All so colorful and yes so persistent to help in any way possible. What has saddened me deeply is so many beautiful children, so helpless on the streets and unable to thrive because of such poverty...all I kept thinking about that moment was my little girl...how she has already enriched our lives and how we will be given the gift to be such an important part of her life...we will thrive together as a family. Here are a few pictures of our day today. More will follow shortly as I have to go to bed so we can be up at 5am for our trip to the Taj Mahal. I'd like to close this by saying...One baby at a time..we will make this a better place for all our children.

Pryanka's Passport Done!!

2009-03-30T07:46:00.000-07:00

Our daughter's passport has been processed and issued. Now I'll actually enjoy our sightseeing and not worry about whether it's there when we get there. We will post pics once we arrive in India!!

Travel Dates Confirmed!

2009-03-19T15:55:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!!
We have officially confirmed our travel dates. We will be leaving for India on April 2nd. We will be doing some sight seeing and touring for a couple of days before we pick up our precious bundle of joy. Our "gotcha day" will be Wednesday April 8th. I will post the itinerary as soon as it is available.

Legals on their way

2009-03-13T11:01:00.000-07:00

Hello!
I just recieved an email from the agency few minutes ago..our legals should be here tomorrow. I'm soooo excited..I don't know how I'm going to get through the rest of the day.

Guardianship papers have been signed!!

2009-03-04T19:56:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!
I recieved an email this evening that our guardianship papers have been signed. ISRC will now submit the papers to the U.S. Consulate to be “attested” and use them to apply for our daughter's passport and then the guardianship documents will be sent to Dillon via DHL services.
We hope to get an idea on our travel dates very soon!

Case Approved!

2009-02-24T07:46:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!!
I'm shaking as I write this post...what a great surprise to see my email this morning and find that our case has been approved. The attorney will now write up the guardianship court order and will submit it back to the judge for his signature. Once it is signed the guardianship part of our process will be done. Please keep us in your prayers for a smooth final step before we get on that plane to bring home our precious bundle of joy!

Patience!

2009-02-19T14:09:00.000-08:00

I have been following many of my dear Dillon mom blogs and the topic of patience has always come up. So I will give you my own experience of what patience has and is for me. Initially when my husband and I started our adoption process I thought to myself, "ya I have lots of patience" , however as the weeks and months went by, my patience was tested everyday. In each day that I didn't get a phone call or an email it felt like this would be a never ending process. Then one day we got our phone call on the referral of a child which we rejoiced over and over. Now we have a picture to look at everyday and we start the paperwork process. However knowing how our baby looked like, but in no control to expedite the process was a feeling I wasn't prepared for. Now as we are near the end of our adoption journey and to the beginning of our life with our daughter I feel extremely helpless. Patience keeps me up at night, and in the early mornings Patience reminds me that I'm not quite there yet...Patience reminds me to let go and allow God to do his work and have faith in his work. Patience has shown me that I'm stronger than I give myself credit for, it has given me the opportunity to grow and mature into the person I am today. As we wait these last few weeks before our daughter is officially in our arms I will continue to practice patience as this thing called "patience" is whats kept me going on this emotional journey to our dreams.

Thank you Candice & Family

2009-02-19T12:47:00.000-08:00

BIG Thanks to Candice & Family for taking these beautiful pictures of our gorgeous daughter!!
We miss you sooooo much and can't wait to wrap our arms around you.

Thank you Anjali & Family!

2009-02-05T07:51:00.000-08:00

Here's a picture of our beautiful little girl...wow..how much she's grown in the last couple of months. Thank you Anjali and family for taking this picture!!

Scrutinization Complete!

2009-01-20T13:40:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!
We just got an email this morning that the scrutinization of our documents is complete.
Scrutinization is the first part of the Kolkata court process. During Scrutinization our file, our daughter's file, the birthmother’s relinquishment documents, and the CARA NOC is reviewed by an attorney of the court and the court attorney writes a report that “recommends” the judge “approve” the guardianship. Lets bring on the Guardinship!!
Please pray this next step goes smoothly!

NOC Granted

2008-12-15T08:39:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!!
Our family has been granted the NOC for Pryanka!
Next our case will go into the local Kolkata courts later this week for the 2nd stage of the process which includes two steps: the scrutinization by the court followed by a guardianship hearing with the judge. Please continue to pray for all the families who are waiting to bring their babies home.

More pictures of our Pryanka!

2008-11-04T15:39:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Kristi & Jason Werre who took these beautiful pictures of our daughter. We truly appreciate this!!

Teddy Bear

2008-10-30T20:06:00.001-07:00

Our little Pryanka smiles for the camera!

2008-10-29T20:53:00.000-07:00

Thank you to the traveling family who took this video of our Pryanka. What a treat to be able to see our little girl in motion smiling.

2008-10-29T20:44:00.000-07:00

More pics of my little Pryanka!!

2008-10-25T22:19:00.000-07:00

Well I was about to call it a night and thought to check my email before bed, and WOW what a wonderful surprise to find these pictures of my beautiful little girl....THANK YOU again to the traveling family who took these pictures..this mommy is VERY happy..makes this waiting period a bit more pleasant.

This mommy is VERY Happy

2008-10-21T20:38:00.000-07:00

Thank you to the traveling families who took these wonderful pictures of my little girl.
What a great surprise to come home and find these pictures on my email. Here's our beautiful little girl....can't wait to kiss those cheeks!!

Practice Patience!

2008-10-20T19:40:00.000-07:00

So these last few days I've been reminded to practice patience. It seems..well I thought I was getting pretty good at it...not quite the expert but almost..but then I realized I find myself drowning in thoughts of the "what ifs, however all out of my control and in the hands of the wonderful folks in India who can and will make this process go smoothly. In the mean time, more good news for Kristi Werre's family who will be traveling to India on Sunday to pick up their beautiful daughter. All this good news make's me want to do the "happy dance" because I know we're that much closer to picking up our little girl. So I have finally started painting the nursey and have also indulged in a little shopping!

Help!! I"m getting anxious and want to leave now!

2008-10-15T13:27:00.000-07:00

Well...India received all our documents on Sunday October 12th. Now the ISRC office will review the acceptance paperwork, along with our dossier and prepare our case for CARA. This process can take 2 to 4 weeks....this seems like such a long wait but all for the better. I've been reading all the other dillon family blogs..anything as this point to keep my mind occupied as we await more good news. Two families are currently in India now picking up their beautiful daughters and I believe 3 more families will be leaving sometimes at the end of the month to bring their babies home...how exciting!!
How do I begin to explain how I'm feeling right now..I know all you dillon moms know exactly what I'm talking about..I know she's my baby and I'm ready to go get her now. Sometime I lay in bed..wondering about ideas/techniques...anything I can do at this point to expidite the process, however I know this is out of my control..and I don't like it when I'm not in control. My husband emailed me other day and said. " This is so exciting baby but sucks we cannot speed up the process! I know you are just biting your nails right now trying to figure out a way to speed things up. She is our baby so just stay calm and we will be going to pick her up soon." He sure knows his wife!

Friday October 10th, 2008

2008-10-10T07:47:00.000-07:00

I received an email yesterday from the adoption agency that our acceptance paper work and dossier have been mailed to India for the next step in our journey. How exciting is that! It could take anywhere from 2-4 months before we get any response on the NOC (No Objection Certificate). Please pray this next step goes fairly quickly so we can bring our little Pryanka home. I can't wait to hold her in my arms. Also, we should be receiving another update on her growth measurements and more pictures..

Friday October 3rd, 2008 - We Have Our Little Girl!!!

2008-10-04T20:06:00.000-07:00

Well It's finally offical, we are proud parents of our little girl born Friday May 16th, 2008. Introducing our beautiful angel "Pryanka Irene Phillips" whom we're eager to hold and love.India, here we come!!More details and pictures to follow....

Teddy Bear

2008-08-12T22:21:00.001-07:00