Thanksgiving Day, 2010

Most of another month has flown by since my last update.

Last Sunday our coworkers threw us a shower for Abigail. We got the high chair we really wanted, a lot of dresses, a few warm clothes and blankets, a stroller, some books, a few gift cards (very appreciated), and a small variety of toys. We still need a circle of neglect, I mean, a Baby Einstein Around the World Discovery Center, a gate for the top of the stairs, and a few other things. It was very nice that Larry's mother is in town and was able to come to the shower.

Also, in the past week, our Article 5 (the very LAST piece of paperwork before we are invited to travel) was delivered from one office in China to another. Our invitation to travel will be extended in 2 to 4 weeks. (Everyone, please cross your fingers for 2 weeks! We would love to spend Christmas in China!)

Thanksgiving Day, 2010

Most of another month has flown by since my last update.

Last Sunday our coworkers threw us a shower for Abigail. We got the high chair we really wanted, a lot of dresses, a few warm clothes and blankets, a stroller, some books, a few gift cards (very appreciated), and a small variety of toys. We still need a circle of neglect, I mean, a Baby Einstein Around the World Discovery Center, a gate for the top of the stairs, and a few other things. It was very nice that Larry's mother is in town and was able to come to the shower.

Also, in the past week, our Article 5 (the very LAST piece of paperwork before we are invited to travel) was delivered from one office in China to another. Our invitation to travel will be extended in 2 to 4 weeks. (Everyone, please cross your fingers for 2 weeks! We would love to spend Christmas in China!)

Quite a Surprise

Today our agency sent us an update on Abigail. She has gained 6 pounds in the past 5 months, is 2 inches taller and they sent a new picture too! In it she is sitting and she is clapping and it looks like she is looking at someone to the side of the camera, like she is copying their movements. The big surprise though, is that her cleft lip has been repaired! (We don't know about her palate.)

This is amazing!!

Quite a Surprise

Today our agency sent us an update on Abigail. She has gained 6 pounds in the past 5 months, is 2 inches taller and they sent a new picture too! In it she is sitting and she is clapping and it looks like she is looking at someone to the side of the camera, like she is copying their movements. The big surprise though, is that her cleft lip has been repaired! (We don't know about her palate.)

This is amazing!!

Happy Birthday Abigail!

Given the 12 hour time difference, it is currently our daughter's first birthday! To say that I am sad to have missed it isn't quite right: it is more like I am numb to it. I'm a little in shock about it because it was both eons ago and somehow only yesterday that she was 8 months old! I suppose all parents feel that way though.

But eventually all the stars, planets, and piles of paperwork will align just right and we will fly to China and bring her to her new home, celebrate the missed birthday and Christmas (hopefully only 1, not 2 missed Christmases)!

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Given the lack of recent posts, I'll give a quick update of what has been happening the past month.

We got our LOA, signed it and returned it promptly. We applied for Abigail's visa and our travel visas. We finalized Abigail's middle name (Zijia). We received some type of immigration approval that I don't quite understand because it needs to go to about 4 or 5 different offices before we

can travel and I am not sure why. We also sent Abigail a birthday care package.

Happy Birthday Abigail!

Given the 12 hour time difference, it is currently our daughter's first birthday! To say that I am sad to have missed it isn't quite right: it is more like I am numb to it. I'm a little in shock about it because it was both eons ago and somehow only yesterday that she was 8 months old! I suppose all parents feel that way though.

But eventually all the stars, planets, and piles of paperwork will align just right and we will fly to China and bring her to her new home, celebrate the missed birthday and Christmas (hopefully only 1, not 2 missed Christmases)!

******************************************************************************************************

Given the lack of recent posts, I'll give a quick update of what has been happening the past month.

We got our LOA, signed it and returned it promptly. We applied for Abigail's visa and our travel visas. We finalized Abigail's middle name (Zijia). We received some type of immigration approval that I don't quite understand because it needs to go to about 4 or 5 different offices before we

can travel and I am not sure why. We also sent Abigail a birthday care package.

Baby, We Were Meant for Each Other

Baby, We Were Meant for Each Other: In Praise of Adoption is Scott Simon's new book. I read it this morning; it was a quick read.

I loved that Simon is honest about his experience: that it wasn't all perfect but it was worth it. That sometimes people don't know what to say to adopted kids or parents. That adopted kids carry around a loss and that adoptive parents get to help their children through that, and really great parents will let their children grieve that loss and help them grow from it. That adoption isn't about heroics: that a child gets a home, but we get something better: a child.

I really hope that my friends and family and parents read this book before we bring Abigail home into all of our lives.