Chinese Adoption Vocabulary
I've found that the Chinese Adoption Community has its own vocabulary. Here are some of the terms I've come across on blogs, forums, and message boards.

Dossier - The completed certified and notarized documents that are submitted by the prospective adoptive parents to their adoption agency.

Dossier to (DTC) - The day that the adoption agency sends the completed dossier to China. This is an important day because it means that the paperchase is over and you are officially "waiting".

Gotcha Day - The day adoptive parents get to hold their child in their arms for the first time; some families call this Forever Family Day.

Ladybugs - Believed to be good luck by the Chinese adoption community. According to the story, while everyone was waiting for their referrals one spring, there were sightings across teh country of ladybugs and immediately afteward the referrals came.

Log-In Date (LID) - The log-in date is the date that the Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs (CCAA) receives your dossier, translates it, and puts you on the wait list.

The Red Thread - An ancient Chinese belief, "An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break”.

Home Study (HS) - A home study is a report that is written by a social worker who meets with the prospective adoptive parents and visits their home to determine if they are qualified to adopt.

100 Good Wishes Quilt - It is a northern China tradition for mothers to make a Bai Jia Bei (aka 100 Good Wishes Qult) from squares of fabric given by friends and family to welcome the child. The friends and family also send a wish for the baby. It is said that the quilt contains the luck and energy from everyone who contributed a piece of fabric. The adoption community has taken on this tradition for our own daughters.

Social Welfare Institute (SWI) - Orphanage

Letter of Intent (LOI) - This is a letter that accepts the referral of their child.

Travel Authorization (TA) - This is received when China approves the family to travel to China.

ACR - Age of Child Requested

AYAP - As Young As Possible

BCIS - Bureau of Citizens and Immigration Services

DOR - Date of Referral

DOT - Date of Travel

NSN - No special needs

SN - Special needs child

SW - Social worker