Our Baby

2 years and counting......

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

One step closer-

Well, we finished our letter of intent and sent it express mail to Bethany in Raleigh, NC. It has to go through a lot of channels before making it to China- I am thinking maybe 2 weeks? Then, we wait for our official "Letter of Acceptance" from China. I hope that I don't go crazy during this wait time!! It is so hard to know that you have a child waiting on you, on the other side of the planet!! China is so far away! Once I get this LOA, I think that I will be able to post her picture. She is such a doll! Tomorrow, Mike and I are going to check out some daycare facilities. I guess with an 8 month waiting list, we should go ahead and get on it. As for our other children, Lucy and Heidi are anxiously awaiting more snow that is supposed to come tomorrow.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

OH WHAT FUN!!!



So Mike and I went shopping last night- how fun it was to pick up a few items for our little one! Some things we got- well, I love her hair- she has got to have some hair bows! She enjoys *picture books*- Target had a great selection of very inexpensive books; then off to Babies R Us. I was looking for some ideas on a crib set. Well, saw one, maybe two we liked. Things are SOOO expensive. We are trying hard not to break the bank. I did find one on line, reasonably priced, that I think we like most of all. What do you think? Mike seems to be hooked on the *Lady Bug* theme. Lady Bugs are a sign of good luck, so I am thinking that this will be a good choice. We also got her a pair of flip flops, and Volume one of the Classic Bugs Bunny videos. We are off to a good start I think. I was happy to see Mike have fun picking out some stuff. I believe Autumn is going to be a Daddy's girl!!

Saturday, February 20, 2010

What's next??

OK- so as family and friends are finding out, I am being asked "what happens now?"
Well, first and foremost, we have to submit a "Letter of Intent" to China- this just basically says yes we want her, and outlines our plan to be able to care for her. That is submitted, notarized, translated to Chinese and sent to China. After that we will wait for our formal "Letter of Acceptance" from China. There is lots of other paperwork to do also, regarding travel. We also found out that our fingerprints will be expiring on February 22, 2010, so we have to make our third trip to Charlotte to be re-fingerprinted. We submitted that request today- nothing like waiting until the last minute- right? That expiration date had somehow slipped by me. Anyway, last but certainly not least, she has a name. If you have not figured out by now, we plan to call her Autumn.

Friday, February 19, 2010

IT's a GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't even believe that I am making this post. Honestly, when I did this blog last weekend, I had NO IDEA as to what this week would have in store for me-
Mike and I are thrilled to announce that we FINALLY have been matched! I can't give too much detail yet but know that she is beautiful! She was born November 8, 2008. If all goes as planned, I hope that we can have her home by summer! Please stay tuned, as we will post as much as we can when we can. Keep us in your prayers-
Andrea

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Celebrating Chinese New Year

Incorporating Chinese Traditions
"Bai Jia Bei"
To welcome and celebrate a new life, it is a tradition in the northern part of China to make a Bai Jia Bei: a 100 Good-Wishes Quilt. The custom is to invite family and friends to contribute a square of fabric and a wish for the baby. Most of the square is sewn into the quilt, while a smaller piece goes into a creative memory notebook with the wish for the child. The quilt contains the luck, energy, and good wishes from all the families and friends who contributed a square of fabric. The quilt is then passed down from generation to generation.
I invite all our friends and family to contribute to this-email me if you are interested.
My hope is to have a complete quilt by the time she gets here- what a wonderful gift from her family and friends!!
Happy New Year!
Andrea

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Current Kids-


Can't forget Lucy and Heidi - they are our joy!!!

Our girls so love the snow, which they are getting quite a bit of lately!

A journal for our adoption starting today

Today I decided that I would start a journal of our adoption process. We have actually been in this process for two years. What a long wait for china! Anyway, I decided as we get *somewhat* closer, I would start to document what we are, and have been going through. Today is Mikes birthday, he is the big *40*! Where have the years gone?
We started our adoption journey in 2006. We reviewed many agencies, programs, etc and settled on Bethany Christian services, and International Adoption through China.
When we started, the wait was about 18months for a healthy child. Now, it is almost 46!! We have decided to open our hearts, and consider a special needs child also. This may make our wait shorter. Not sure. But nonetheless, we want to be considered for both. I hope that you will share this journey with us!