Over due

So this is over due but not a lot has happened.

Pregnancy:
I got the call that my one hour blood test came back too high and I needed the 3 hour test. Joy. So those who don't know, this means a 12 hour fast followed by 3 hours of sitting there for blood draws.

I watched 3 episodes of Game of Thrones.

We are also now in third trimester. O my god. I'm going to be a MOM in less than 3 months. What?!?!? I can barely remember to put my own laundry away!?!?!?

Move:
We slowly started to finish up all our thing. Canceling the electric, rent payments, etc. Next is to sell and pack and store.

Fur balls:
All tests are back and all furballs are approved but have to waiting until December. Reno is coming to a friend who has imported pit bulls to Australia. However my cats are the issue. I want to find someone to foster them the 3 months and then get them on a plane. But my worst case is a cat kennel which isn't cheap :(

WE HAVE A VISA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE HAVE A VISA!!!!!!!!!
WE HAVE A VISA!!!!!!!!

AND!!! WE HAVE A 24 MONTH VISA!!!!

OK now that I've yelled this in joy let me break down some things for people who haven't followed this saga...

Louis and I have been together since December 2015. We've lived together since July 2016. This means I qualify for a visa to New Zealand based on partnership.

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/options/join-family/explore-family-visas

We had to prove our relationship was genuine and likely to last. Harder than that sounds.
How Louis and I divide house hold spending doesn't allow for much "proof"...

So this is what we sent in to prove our relationship:

1.       Relationship of Louis and Shannon letter, signed by Louis / Shannon Leary (8 pages)

2.       Promedica - Doctor letter confirming Shannon’s pregnancy and due date (1 page)

3.       Promedica - Doctor report indicating next testing during pregnancy (2 pages)

4.       Louis bank statements. 5 different statement periods, supplied and stamped by bank

a.       May to June 2016 (4 pages)

                                                               i.      With Louis’s old apartment address before moving together

                                                             ii.      Deposit payment for new joint apartment

                                                            iii.      2x application fees (per person) for new (current, joint) Maumee apartment

                                                           iv.      Dates with Shannon

                                                             v.      Trip to Windsor, ON - Canada and Loretto Kentucky

b.      June to July 2016 (4 pages)

                                                               i.      First statement showing new (current, joint) Maumee address

                                                             ii.      Check for first month rent to Landlord (see also check stub)

                                                            iii.      Large IKEA furniture purchase

                                                           iv.      Trip to Atlanta meeting Shannon’s father

c.       March to April 2017 (4 pages)

                                                               i.      Gifts for Shannon (Rose gold apple watch)

                                                             ii.      Shannon’s contributions to Louis’s account towards rent

                                                            iii.      Rent payment to Landlord

d.      April to May 2017 (4 pages)

                                                               i.      Sapphire ring for Shannon’s Birthday (See also, receipt copy)

                                                             ii.      Baby ultrasound payment

                                                            iii.      Rent payment to Landlord

                                                           iv.      Shannon’s birthday dinner date

                                                             v.      Kentucky trip

e.      May to June 2017 (4 pages)

                                                               i.      Trip to New York City with Shannon to meet Louis’s Dad and his wife

                                                             ii.      Cirque du Soleil event tickets with Shannon

                                                            iii.      Rent payment to Landlord

5.       Check stub carbon copy (carbon copy stub) showing payment of first rent to Landlord by Louis

6.       Landlord Residential Lease agreement, Signed Original, Showing lease agreement with both Shannon and Louis for Maumee address (1 page)

7.       State farm Auto Insurance, Original, - Mail addressed to Louis at joint address (4 pages double sided)

8.       Linda - Shannon’s Mother’s supporting letter of Shannon and Louis’s relationship (1 page, signed original, including mailing envelope)

9.       Rick - Shannon’s step father supporting letter of Shannon and Louis’s relationship (1 page, signed original, including mailing envelope)

10.   Brian- Shannon’s father supporting letter of relationship

11.   Comedian show Tickets bought by Shannon for Louis for birthday - Jim Jefferies in Columbus Ohio (1 page e-ticket)

12.   ‘Happy Everything’ 2016 Christmas card from Shannon’s father Brian including photo Louis and Shannon (Original photo collage print mailed to us)

13.   Bungy Jump Certificates for Shannon and Louis February 2017 in Queenstown NZ (2x original certificate)

14.   Baby ultrasound 3D picture - 17 June 2017 @ 21 weeks (3”x4” original picture)

15.   Cabelas - receipt for bark collar bought by Louis for Shannon’s dog Reno (card 3933)

16.   Rolex Kentucky horse event 29 April 2017 - Shannon’s birthday weekend trip, see also bank statement record of Louis April to May 2017 (2x original ticket stubs)

17.   Air New Zealand boarding passes - Shannon and Louis’s boarding passes 12 Feb 2017 from Auckland to Houston Texas (2x original boarding passes)

18.   E-tickets for New Zealand holiday January / February 2017 matching boarding passes (8 pages)

19.   Intrepid Museum - Ticket stubs from Shannon and Louis trip to New York City to meet Louis’s father John, John’s wife Yonghong, Shannon’s brother Andy , Andy’s girlfriend Mara. Match to photo with all people in relationship letter on board museum ship (2x original ticket stub + receipt)

20.   Sapphire ring receipt bought for Shannon’s 29th birthday by Louis (Original receipt and POS receipt showing Louis’s card, also shown in bank statements)

21.   Rent Statements – Landlord rent statement invoices. First August 2016 invoice, and most recent July 2017 invoice (2x Printed copies of e-bill notarised as true copies of the original)

22.   Buckeye cable and internet bill addressed to Shannon. First July 2016 bill and May 2017 (Printed copies of e-bill notarised as true copies of the original)

23.   EZ-Pass account summary showing Louis and Shannon’s vehicles assigned to shared toll transponder (Internet print out summary notarised as true copy of the original)

24.   Progressive - Certificate of Renters Insurance on account held by Shannon listing both Shannon and Louis (e-letter printed and notarised as true copy of the original)

He wrote a lovely letter about our relationship history. I recommend it as a couples therapy activity.

By the way, can you tell how much this guy spoils me?

Immrigation Medical Test

So my 4th of July weekend was spent in a very exciting way.


I got to drive 4 hours south to be poked, trotted, and ruled fit enough.


Lets all remember, I have worked with horses, have friends in the horse world, and guess what? I now know how our horses feel when we do pre-sale vet inspections!


So a limited medical test is really quite simple. The hardest part is finding a doctor New Zealand will allow to do the tests. For me, living within a few hours drive from the Cleveland Clinic, University of Michigan Medical campus, Ohio State Medical, etc... Had to drive to Florence Kentucky y'all. Yes Florence Kentucky. To a little doctors office that mostly does employment testing.


The order of my medical test was:

1. Urine sample. I'm pregnant. I can give a sample to anyone at anytime.
2. Eye check. OK I wear glasses to see distance when I drive and because I'm too lazy to do too much makeup. So, yes, I can't see well. But I think I passed?
3. Height/weight--- Fun fact! Because I'm 25 weeks pregnant my spine (already bad from years of rowing and horseback riding) has compressed and I'm only 5' 7" now.
4. Blood test- this is a total blood count and HIV check. Luckily thanks to being pregnant these were not fasting tests. THANK GOD. I don't do well without food.
5. This is where the X-Ray would be but no one wants to X-Ray me. Something about harming the baby or some such.
6. Doctor Check- now the doctor did the standard blood pressure, listen to lungs, etc. Additionally I had to touch my toes, reflexes checked, and joints checked for major damage (luckily I had not sprained my ankle)

This whole process costs about $250 and they give you a file number to put on your visa paperwork.


Because we were in Kentucky anyways, I suggested (after we ran around getting extra copies of things and FedEx-ing to the visa processing company and a trip to Skyline Chili) a trip to Big Bone Lick State Park.


People from the greater Cincinnati area always giggle as we drive by the signs for Big Bone Lick Park because why not? But I had never been and figured the giggling was worth it.


Big Bone Lick is part of the Kentucky State Parks system and has prehistoric and early American history fun. Lewis and Clark have been there, Giant Sloths have been there, the Shawnee have been there. It has a few good hiking trails and a camp ground. BUT.

THEY HAVE BUFFALO!!!!!!

YES BUFFALO!!!

I've never been close to buffalo before. I've seen pictures, movies, and zoo trips but a herd of 20 or so Buffalo (sorry American Bison Bison Bison) with only a fence between is so COOL!

And for the awwwwww moment... they had several born recently and they are so cute!

Look at the little baby!

For the record 5' 8" me with my stupid long arms took this picture. The little baby who was only 6 weeks old was easily 3+ feet tall (one meter).

Louis said "wow they just look like they can move things"

Also he asked about where the wings were. The park ranger was not amused.

Up next for the Blog is Job Hunting and Visa waiting.



Shipping

OK so recap.... Last major post I promised a shipping outline.

So here is where we are shipping wise...

Concerns:

• We have a baby on the way and stuff for babies in New Zealand is crazy expensive.
• We have 3 bikes between us
• We have clothes, kitchen, housewares etc. (standard moving things)

Solutions:

• Door to door shipping company
• Ship a large box yourself ( I'm using Kiwi Shipping http://www.kiwishipping.co.nz/ as our example)
• Everything in checked luggage on a plane with us.
• Sell everything and start a fresh (LOL no.)

So each solution has its benefits and pitfalls, remember Louis and I think we are capable people with time to spend on these solutions (your experience may differ)

Door to Door:

Similar to paying movers to pack and ship things for you, schedule, go, its at your door in Auckland. They also often have insurance on themselves and your stuff.

Downfalls: PRICE!!!! HOLY PRICE! Couple thousand US to get things to Auckland. 

At this downfalls is where I ran and screamed and said NO I will sell everything and buy fresh in New Zealand. 

So for us Door to Door is out.

Ship a large box yourself:

Good pricing and a few different size/shape etc options. They just charge a square foot charge.

Downfalls: You have to get it to LAX. I live in Northwest Ohio. Some added price of shipping to them in LAX. Also you have to be in New Zealand when your stuff gets there and will be picking it up from the port yourself. Time is not your friend here (they quote 30 days).

Checked Luggage:

You have it with you. You can have travelers insurance to cover it. 

Downfalls: PRICE!!! So depending on how/who you fly you could be spending crazy money in bag fees. $150 for Air New Zealand for an extra bag. Nevermind if its oversized (like a bike box).

Momma Eagle, Reno, and Papa Kiwi having family cuddle time.

Depending on your situation, you may like these options more than the other... I however will be finding a way to ship things to LAX to go via Kiwi Shipping.  

Please remember... We aren't bringing furniture.... Just STUFF.

I know I owe you a few posts but...

My awesome partner and I are out with friends and Eminem's "without me" comes on... and Louis and I start rapping it across a bar to each other... this is how much I love being around this man.

Goodbye My Sweet Sweet Money Part 1.

Sigh.


International moving is not cheap.


Here is today's topics:
1. Rabies Tests
2. FBI Fingerprints
3. FedEx




1. Rabies TESTS!
Hooray we are now in the countdown for Reno and the Lions (Newcastle and Liverpool) to get in their crates for shipment. This test is the first test they go through and is the you have to have at least 3 months before shipment. Reno is still looking at September shipping, lions are December (see "Fur Balls" to see their delay reasons)
For those keeping track at home.... That adds another $200 EACH to their costs of import.

The current excel sheet looks like this. I still have to buy the Lions' crates. Someone tell Louis I love him and having my pets will make me happier than he knows.


2.FBI Fingerprints
So for the visa, I need police certificates. That means getting my fingerprints taken and sent to FBI for them to come back with "she used to get speeding tickets"
Louis and I both got this done at our local police department to send in in early June. *For permanent partner based residency Louis also has to have this done, not the 2 year one we are applying for.*
Paid our money ($80 to police department and $36 to FBI). Time frame per FBI was 6-8 weeks.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE THESE FOR YOUR VISA.
The next week I check the time line again... Now 8-10 weeks. OK time to worry. We look up how to get this faster as we want my application in the agency's hands next week (Early July).
For US Citizens, I can go through a FBI Channeler. This means going to a private company (Fast Fingerprints and National Background Check) and paying them to refingerprint me and run my paperwork.
I have now paid $20 for fingerprints, $50 processing, $75 same day service, and $50 for overnighting it with me. That's $200 because the FBI is looking at 4 months to get prints back out.


Moral of the story.... Just go to the channeler early.


3. Because of our buying airline tickets, we need our answer quickly. That means getting things to officials quickly. Goodbye money for a FEDEX overnight shipping label for my application.




So this past week has been very expensive. My awesome partner Louis is helping, this is just me whining to whine.


Next week we will talk about shipping a big box of stuff and the medical exam.

Sadly this is Georgia. My thoroughbred mare who is the one member of the family who can not join us. She is very sad over it but I am working on making sure she has a wonderful home after I move.

General Pregnancy Issues and a Zoo

How do you say "Good Morning" in Kiwi? Is it a "Flat white please?"


Either way, morning y'all.


So yesterday we went to the OBGYN yesterday and talked to her about the big move.
WE ARE CLEARED TO MOVE! HOORAY!


I still have all the tests and appointments to do here (iron, diabetes etc) but per her, these should not put me in any issues with being on a long haul plane ride. We talked to her also about how we need to see her the day before we get on a plane.


Doctors major concerns:

• Comfort- I will be 32 to 35 weeks and on a long plane ride. 
• Movement- I will need to get up and walk the plane to keep blood flow often.
• Stress.

Some other fun things my doctor is now giving me the "bad pregnant lady" stare is my balance. I have been falling more often than I should. Luckily years of being accident prone and horse back riding has helped me be able to tuck and roll however.....


Saturday I went to the zoo. And a sidewalk tried to eat me. I hit hard. Right on the stomach. I have not had the wind knocked out of me in years and I swear it hurts more as an adult.


I was cut up, bruised, and my poor Kiwi was very worried trying to decide if he needed to get us to a hospital or just let me be for a minute. Never seen him look more scared and we've jumped out of things with rubber bands attached to our legs.


Dr. Google and my own gut said I was likely fine, checked for special parts bleeding, and sat down a lot. Got home a few hours later and laid down (I was tired!) and a big strong TUMP from baby boy. Thanks kid... Glad you are ok...


Next up is the 4 legged kids having their blood drawn for rabies tests. HOORAY!