MY ultrasound!

Over the last month, several of my friends have shown me the ultrasound of their baby. I know that my process is different than that of a pregnant woman, but the waiting must be exactly the same. There are times when you worry, times when you are so excited you can hardly stand it, times you wonder about your baby's health and development and times when you feel completely at peace with everything. I am certain that I have felt each of these emotions in the last several weeks. I also know that I continue to be thankful for all of the support I receive from others. I have received gifts for Lillie and know that she is being thought of and prayed for everywhere from family in Switzerland to Kids Club in Glasgow, Kentucky. I can't wait for her to meet her fan club!

Lillie's Bedroom

Several of you have asked about Lillie's bedroom. It is still not complete, but here is a sneak peek! The walls are Lemon Chiffon...thanks to my brother, Erik! The picture on the wall is the alphabet...with each letter being a city from around the world! It was a gift from several dear friends at school. (My first "baby gift") The picture is what all other colors have been chosen to match. The black and white photos are from different countries around the world and the ribbons are to add some color. I decided an international theme was perfect for our little international family. There is still much to do, but at least everyone gets a chance to see the beginning of the transformation! I will post more pictures as the room progresses.

New Rules for CCAA

In the last few days, several of you have contacted me about the new CCAA regulations. Here is what I know and how it will affect Lillie and I. I know that there are new regulations saying that China will no longer allow single people to adopt, along with several other new restrictions. They will ban disabled people, families with net assets of less than $80,000, people whose ages do not fall between 30-50, those whose BMI is over 40 and those who have been divorced numerous times. They will set new minimums on the length of marriage for couples who want to adopt. The China Center of Adoption Affairs has shared all of this in a Dec. 8th meeting. The rules, which have yet to be finalized, will most likely take affect in early May.
The changes shouldn't affect my adoption process, but I am definately now on a tighter timeline. Now I am waiting for my I 171H from US Immigration. When talking with Grace yesterday(my family advocate at AHH), she felt like it was possible I could recieve this by the end of January. (At least that is our hope...please pray!) Once it arrives, I will have to quickly get it notarized, authenticated, etc. so that my Dossier can be sent to China. I am hoping the entire Dossier will be off to China no later than mid March. (It will hopefully be much sooner, but the AHH goal is March 16th) This will allow about a month and a half for China to receive the Dossier and log it in to their system. I must have an LID of May 1! After receiveing my LID, the time line could be up to 100 days before travel, which means that it could be August or September before I go to China!
All this is to explain that I appreicate everyone's questions and concerns and gladly accept the prayers being sent Lillie and my way. I know that it is scary for us all, but I must trust that God has a hand in all of this and that Lillie and I will soon be together. Thank you again to each of you who continue to be a source of support and love. You will never know how much it is appreicated.

Care Packages...Here We Go!

It has finally arrived! The CCAA has finally sent their approval...They think this match is as perfect as we all do! I am going to see Grace today and get the paper, but I could not wait to let everyone know! We can send care packages now, so be thinking about things we can send. I already have one started of course! I will write more soon!

Michelle and Lillie were neighbors!

I received a few more pictures from Mimi today, icluding pictures form the SWI. She and her husband had a chance to meet the nannies and see the orphanage, including Michelle's previous bed (which already had a new child assigned) The head nanny told her that Bao Yun (Lillie) and Bao Ming (Michelle) had beds right next to each other. Mimi even got a picture! I so hope that the girls will be able to stay in touch once Lillie is home. I also was able to see the vidoes they took of Lillie. They are wonderful to see! I have asked Mimi if there is a way to download them from her secure site and am hoping I can post them by the end of the day. She is walking while holding an adult's hand. There is also a quick video that shows her smiling, which is wonderful to see. I am attaching a picture of Michelle and her family with the SWI Director, along with a few pictures of Lillie and Mimi and friends. What an amazing gift!

Waiting for News...

Although I expect to hear from Mimi upon her return to the US, she was unable to send the video clips from any of the hotels in China. She did, however, let me know that her daughter, Michelle, is doing well...although she and her husband were sick during part of their trip. I also have had a chance to communicate with Grace at AHH. She is my family advocate and has been wonderful during this process. She let me know that she and the agency are also waiting for information from their liaison from the CCAA(China Center for Adoption Affairs). she let me know the forms I still need to turn in to complete my dossier paperwork. The home study has been sent off and we are still waiting for our I-171H. In other words...things are still moving along...slowly, but surely.
I am finding that as I plan for the holidays, I am unable to pull my thoughts away from Lillie and the other children who are waiting for families. I also think about the children I have met that are without a family and for whom a prospective family is not identified. As we all plan for the holidays, I ask you to pray for Lillie and for her safety during "the great wait". I ask that you pray for the other children who are without a family...in China, in the US, in Swaziland, in Kazakhstan, in Guatemala.... these children are all over the world and they are heavy on my heart. I will post again soon.
(The picture at the bottom of the blog is one of the many children I met this past year in Swaziland. He is one of the many orphan children in that country.)

Lillie meets Mimi at the SWI

Here they are...the pictures I have been hoping to receive for the last week! My new friend Mimi Backhausen, who is presently in Fuling to meet her new daughter, took pictures of Lillie YESTERDAY and sent them to me from China! (She also has some video I will try to share, but she can not send it until they reach Guangzhou on Saturday.) The woman in the pictures is, of course, Mimi. Mimi said she told Lillie that her mommy was coming soon and also said that Lillie was adorable (of course)! She said Lillie didn't want to let her go and loved the attention...I can't wait until the day when we are the ones smothering her with affection! The last of the 4 pictures shows Lillie clinging to Mimi's leg.
This it yet another blessed event in this process, and I am reminded that there are so many people in this world who are good, kind and thoughtful. I know too, that there are so many things that can connect people...whether the love of a child, similar interests, happenstance or faith. I know that Lillie and I have been greatly blessed and hope that I/we can be a blessing to others.

What Are You Waiting For?

I love this picture and just had to share it! I think Lillie's expression says how I am feeling....WHEN will I hear from the CCAA? When can we send a care package? I am certain her thoughts in this picture are "Where are you Mommy!?!" Hold on sweetie, I will be there as soon as I can! Thanks to everyone who has been so supportive through this process... and thank you ahead of time for the support you will provide as I continue to wait!

Where is Lillie?

For those of you who wonder where in China our Lillie lives, it is a town named Fuling. Fuling is situated along the Yangtze (or Changjiang) River in what (until the late 20th century) was part of Sichuan Province but is now the Chongqing Municipality, a region set apart to accomodate the construction of the Three Gorges Dam Project. Once the Three Gorges Dam is completed, part of Fuling will be flooded. The outlying landscape of the city is mountainous, argricultural, fairly temperate (although hot in summer!) and gorgeous. Most people living in the area are farmers. Since the orphanage opened, there have been additions to the origional SWI. The Lily Orphan Care Center, built at the site of the original orphanage, was provided by Chinese Children's Charities, an American-based non-profit. CCC also provides support staff as well as medical and child development training for the caregivers. There are currently over 250 babies and toddlers being cared for at the Lily Orphan Care Center, and about one hundred of those are in foster care. Approximately 16 children over the age of three live at orphanage. The Fuling Social Welfare Institute is also home to children with disabilities and senior citizens.
Here is info on the new SWI as quoted from the Fulingkids site. "Anticipating the day when most of China's orphans will be primarily children with disabilities and unlikely to be adopted, Fuling Orphanage Directors and Chongqing Civil Affairs Authorities have come together to develop a plan for a premiere facility for the kids. In 2008, the first children will move to the new site, which will eventually include a large clinic, physical and occupational therapy facilities for the children, a preschool, and sleeping and play rooms for up to 800 children of all ages and abilities. Half of this 16 and 1/2 acre plot of land is to be devoted to parks and play places for the kids.This (is a) gorgeous piece of land, with views of the Yangtze River and neighboring mountains (one home to a Daoist temple & monastery).
I am attaching a map that shows the different provinces. The province in which Lillie lives is in the lower central area along the river. It is a brigher yellow color. If you would like to see the map a bit larger you can go to http://china.scmp.com/map/ I know this isn't a lot of info about Lillie personally, but it tells you a bit more about her life before she arrives in Kentucky!

Pictures from this Past June!

These pictures are from a trip a mission team took this past June. Some of the pictures were posted through the Fuling site, and I have looked at them often, wondering if any were pictures of my Lillie. Well, today I received several pictures...a confirmation that indeed I had been seeing pictures of her all along! The one of her in the walker in the hot pink shirt is a picture I was drawn to over and over. I looked at it and wondered so many times if it could be her. Now I am certain that it is! Oh happy day! What a gorgeous girl, even when she is tired of people "checking her out"!

First Hugs Pictures

I received more pictures today. These two are from the time she was in the First Hugs program (October 05 - February 06). I wanted to post them for everyone to see!

WOW!

I am learning more every day about my daughter and her time before we found one another. I learned this evening that she was matched previously with a family from Glasgow, Ky... crazy considering I am sitting in my aunt and uncle's home in Glasgow as I write this. I also discovered that her picture and her referral with the other family was still listed on the Fuling Kids website! I have emailed the people in charge of the site to change her information but have attached the picture they used for their posting. I pray that the other family is well and am thankful that, for whatever reason, the red thread that connects Fu Baoyun and I has found it's way around that twist. I hope you enjoy seeing this new picture...I know I am thrilled every time I see another picture of my beautiful daughter!

Lillie's extended community

I must share with everyone the amazing information I continue to learn about Fu Baoyun...my Lillie. I have, in the last several days, received several emails from people who have had the opportunity to "know" her. As I shared earlier, I- received an email weeks ago from a woman who had been at the Fuling SWI the day Lillie was found. I also received emails from other people who have prayed and thought about my daughter for months.
First, I received an email from a woman who adopted her son last December from Fuling. Her little boy, Oliver, also was missing the front part of his left foot! (Oliver's picture is at the beginning of this entry, along with a picture of Lillie's little foot) When they picked Oliver up, the SWI staff asked what the family would do for his foot, since they had another child at the orphanage with a similar foot (this, of course, was Lillie). From that moment on, Oliver's mommy has prayed and wondered about Lillie... and therefore was quick to email and tell me about this exchange and about her son. We have shared pictures and the children do have very similar left feet! I will tell you all that Oliver is beautiful, has a brace he wears to help with his foot and is running and playing and very happy!
I also received an email today from a woman who adopted a child from Fuling last year. There was a team visiting Fuling on the day Lillie was found that had been asked to deliver a package to this family's child during that same visit. Upon seeing Lillie's picture when the team returned, this woman has continued to pray for Lillie. She shared that her family had, at one time, considered adopting Fu Baoyun, but knew it was too close to their initial adoption. They have, however, followed the search to find "Ava" a forever family. (For those of you who do not know, Ava is the name that A Helping Hand, my adoption agency, had give to Fu Boayun) She knew that Lillie had been matched with another family previously, then found out that the origional match had been "disrupted". She found this out after reading my introduction on the Fuling Parents group site. her email let me know that my daughter has been in her thoughts and prayers for over a year.
These are just a few of the stories that I continue to hear. It is, without a doubt, a wonderful way to continue to feel connected to my daughter who is half a world away. I am also lucky enough to have shared emails with a woman who will be going to Fuling the beginning of December. She will hopefully be able to give me an update and some recent pictures upon her return. I will share them as soon as I can!

Lillie...the early years

For those of you who are just learning "the story of Lillie", I have attached some of the information I received with her initial paperwork.
"Fu Baoyun, female, was found and picked up at the gate of our Institute on April 23, 2005. At that time, she was crying in a basket and did not have any belonging.(I have learned through pictures and information from people who were there when she was found that she did, actually have a bottle and some formula with her.) According to her development, her DOB is estimated at April 19, 2005. She was named Fu Baoyun. Fu refers to the social welfare institute, Bao means treasure. Yun is a good name for girls.The result of medical examination showed that the lack of toe with her left foot."
In addition, there was information included about her personality and interests. I have cut and pasted this informtation as it appears in the paperwork.
"Fu Baoyun is an open-minded girl. She greets her familiar caretakers with sound of “aah”. Sometimes she is naughty. When caretakers take her to shops, she touches goods within her access on purpose. The caretakers cannot find a way to deal with her. She is “greedy” because she likes bigger toys. She always chooses the bigger one from two toys." I am not sure what they mean by open minded, but i am pretty sure there was something lost in that translation! What I do know is that she appears to be strong willed, which will serve her well through the coming years. The one thing i know for sure is that I cannot wait until I am the one who can tell you about her personality and interests!

The Waiting Game

My home study is almost completed and the dossier information is almost completely gathered. The wait, however, is just beginning. In an attempt to keep my mind off the fact that my daughter is presently thousands of miles away, I have decided to start concentrating on her bedroom. Mom and dad are getting her bed and dresser from my Grandmother's house this week. Some of my friends from school already purchased a great peice of art for her walls (A large ABC canvas with each letter representing a city from around the world). Now it is time to choose the paint color and start the painting! I am hopeful that my brother Erik will help with making a color choice that will really compliment the room and picture. No matter what I do, however, it will not be complete until Lillie is in it!

A God Thing

Over the last few weeks I have been spending all of my extra time trying to learn more about Fuling, the welfare institute, other Fuling children, etc. I learned that in Fuling, there is a program called First Hugs that allows children to spend time interacting with Nannies to learn about bonding, affect and play skills. I emailed one of the mothers who helped start the First Hugs program to see if Lillie had been involved. Her response was amazing! She informed me that Lillie had, indeed been in the First Hugs program from 9/11/05 - 2/11/06. Exciting news, but her other statement, written at the bottom of her email said.... "by the way, I was there(Fuling) the day she was found." A simple statement that held such an amazing gift...someone who had a connection to the very early days of my daughter's life! Then, much to my amazment, there was a picture attached to the bottom of the email...a baby, wrapped in blankets, in the arms of the Welfare institute's caretaker!
I knew immediately that i was in a very small minority. Most people who adopt from China know very little about the first days of their child's life. Their knowledge of the early days, months or years is sketchy, with referral pictures being the only visual documentation of the years before the child joins the family. What i found on a seperate website were more than just one photo...there were seven, all documenting her being found and "checked out" in the infirmary. Although she did not have a note with her, she was wrapped in blankets and left at the gate of the orphanage with a bottle and a small amount of formula. In my heart, I want to believe that it must have been very painful for her family to leave her there. Yet I thank God for their sacrifice...for the care they gave her those first 4 days, and for the opportunity that i will have to raise her, knowing that she was loved by so many.
A simple email and a few pictures....isn't God awsome?

Next steps

It has become clear to me in the past month that adoption involves a great deal of prayer and patience and paperwork! I have been so blessed to have pictures of Fu Baoyun's beautiful little face to motivate me. I have learned more about myself, my health and my financial status than I ever imagined! I have also learned about adoption transition issues, medical needs of adopted children - specifically those related to my daughter's physical need. Due to an unknown cause, she was born with one foot that did not completely develop. Although in China she is standing on her foot, it is clear that once she arrives here in Kentucky, I will need to seek further advice from my pediatrician and from Shriner's Children's Hospital. I know that whatever steps are needed, we will face them together.
I have learned through this process that there is a Chinese proverb that says everyone is connected to the significant people in their life by a red thread. This thread may get twisted and turned, but ultimately it connects those who truly belong together. A young friend I recently met named Gin Gin must have known that the end of my red thread rested in Fuling, China. I met Gin Gin and her mother at a close friend's house a few months ago, and as soon as I entered the house, Gin Gin looked t me and said, " Andrea, your baby is in China!" Although I am certain her mommy and Anna helped her with that statement, I recently learned that Gin Gin was also from Fuling...just a coincident? All I know is that as each day passes, I pray that the red thread that is connecting Lillie and I will continue getting shorter and shorter!

Getting started

Starting on this quest to adopt has been quite an adventure. As many of you know, adoption has been a part of my "plan" for years...but starting the process and taking the first step continued to allude me. This past August, upon my return from a mission trip, I found a renewed energy to "get started". I checked into several agencies and countries, but ended up being drawn to the special needs program through A Helping Hand agency. I started the quest with one child in mind, but God had another plan. About Mid September, I was given information about a child in Fuling, China. It was love at first sight. I knew that together, we would be a family! After reading about her personality, I knew that my extended family and I were a perfect match for her...A strong independent personality and a need to always have "the biggest toy" are traits that will serve her well amongst her aunts, uncles, and cousins! Her name in china is Fu Baoyun, with Bao meaning treasure. I know that is what she will be for the entire family...a treasure!