A Note from visiting PT's

Here is the information I recieved from Jenoys about the Physical Therapists visiting the orphanage:


"You know, she was really getting around quite well. The PTs said she's functioning quite well right now and they wouldn't do anything different at this point. Without a front part of her foot she'll have trouble jumping and running, and that may be what you address with a prosthesis in thefuture. She does not seem to have much feeling in that foot. Right now, she's doing great. She had your birthday card :-) I think she might be alittle spoiled by the nannies...
I will attach a photo of her foot for you. I'm sure you've seen it before, but it's the latest and greatest.
Jenoys"

Lillie makes a New Friend

These pictures are also from Melissa. Some include her daughter Marie, who was a Fulinger in her early years. Marie and her Mom returned to the SWI so that she could learn more about her history and while there spent time with the babies. Lillie was quite fond of having a new playmate... and sharing cookies with Marie! In the picture with the other babies and nannies, Lillie is leaning over her nannies leg, talking to her. It is very sweet. I must say she is one of the most beautiful children I have ever seen!

Information and Pictures from Melissa Manassee

I have attached the note I recieved from Melissa, along with some of the pictures. I am so excited to have this information and the pictures. They were a complete surprise! It ws an amazing gift and I am thrilled to have so much more information... and wonderful pictures. I LOVE the one of her with the tambourine on her head! Melissa did say she also had video and would try to send me a copy when she gets the chance. I am so excited!!!! I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I do!



"I know that all of the photos I sent show her with a serious face, but she is playful. One afternoon, we played "put the cymbal on my head" game that she made up. I have photos of it that I am trying to transfer over to my main computer. I spoke with my friend Amelia Mowery, as I asked her who Yun's family was, and she said that when she was there Yun was quite timid. She has gotten more confident now. She likes to stand back and watch, and got a bit nervous when a group of high school students came to visit. She is taking it all in and is being very well cared for. I didn't notice about her foot until on the third day, a nanny showed me. She's content and I'm sure will be very excited to have a doting family. She is probably 25 pounds and is about the same size as my 2 year old son from China. She is strong, walks without a problem, and makes you smile. She is a serious little gal who is very smart and aware of her surroundings. You are lucky to have such an angel!"

April 19th, 2007

Here are a few pictures I recieved from Lillie's birthday. There happened to be someone visiting on her special day! Melissa said that the nannies also took pictures that day with the disposable camera, so there should be a few others that I will get when I pick her up! There are other pictures from Melissa's visit that I will post soon.
In the picture of Lillie with her "birthday" sucker in her mouth you can see Melissa's daughter Marie. The Fuling SWI was Marie's first home...and now she is meeting other children who are starting their life there! Lillie seems to be very fond of her new friend!





Okay, some of the pictues are sidways, but i also wanted to post a few pictures from the birthday party friends had for Lillie at the village...complete with Chinese food, a little cake and new soup bowls from China!

Confirmation of my LID on Lillies 2nd Birthday!

Today was a blessing in so many ways...first, I had a great surprise "birthday party" for Lillie with some wonderful friends at school. They had a cake, balloons, gifts and Chinese Food! It was so thoughtful on a very hard day and I am very greatful! There was also a wonderful PA system version of the happy birthday song!
However, I must admit that as big a blessing as all the above were, the greatest gift I received today was confirmation that I was logged in on 3/13/07. I have been logged in for over a month! It is still a wait, but the stress of needing to be LID before May 1 can now be traded for the anxiety of knowing that in time, it really will occur!
Thanks to everyone for their prayers.... and please keep 'em coming!

Lillie is almost TWO!

It is hard to believe, but my Dossier was sent to China over 65 days ago...but I am still waiting for my LID. I pray that all is okay and that it will come very soon...with a Letter of Acceptance to follow soon! In preperation for her birthday, we have started her quilt (it was a family affair over Easter weekend...with a lot of prep work done) and I have ordered a birthday cake and care package through Blessed Kids. As part of the package, Adele's contact in China calls the SWI to see if he can retrieve the pictures from a disposable camera they send and then (for a fee of course) develop them and send them to me. The Director told them they would hold the camera's for me instead, but when Adele's dad said I would like to see some recent pictures, he sent her the two above. So...i guess these pictures are my connection to Lillie's second birthday...at least for a while. Please continue to pray for Lillie..for her safety and her care...and that she will come home soon!

Video from SWI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXmDA8rsjKE

This is a video shot by Janelle Ryan and her family while visiting the SWI. If you watch VERY CLOSELY, you will see a really quick glimpse of Lillie walking on her own coming out of the back room. I realize it is about a fourth of a second long... but I will take what I can get!

Quilt update

I have received over 25 squares...yeah! We are over a fourth of the way there! I am planning to spend some time with my cousin Ashley this weekend to make some style decisions about the quilt. I am trying to post squares soon after I receive them. If you would like to see what I have received so far, click on the link at the top of the side bar!

Updates...

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am still waiting for confirmation of my LID. I have talked with Grace, my coordinator, and she let me know that, in all actuality, I am presently logged in. Unfortunately, notification of your log in does not come as quickly as it actually occurs. Which means...the wait still continues. I am hoping, however, that with the wait for confirmation taking so long, I will receive my LOA not long after I receive confirmation. All that is to say... I am hoping that the wait is getting shorter and shorter!
On another note, Janelle Ryan, who traveled to get her daughter 2 weeks ago, said Lillie is now walking independently! I had guessed that, but now have confirmation.

Video of Lillie from December!

Okay...I know it seems a bit late since this is from December...HOWEVER...It has been a long hard technology road to get them on here. It is great to see her walking...I hope you all enjoy them as much as I have.

Two of the videos have her walking and interacting...the third shows the other babies in her room. It helps tell a bit more of the story!

Another View of Lillie's Room

Here are a few more pics of Lillie's room and the progress made. I finally got the top done (It's a small world) and the pictures on the wall. The 2 you see by her bed are both from Fuling ( I found them in pictures posted by other parents who have traveled to the area.) One is a Stick Stick Soldier and the other is women doing Tai Chi. The little mirror and the beautiful elephant pillow were chosen for her by her cousins Patricia and Clarissa...they are both from Pakistan via Switzerland. The Japanese figures are from my friend Allyson.
The other picture is another corner of her room. The wonderful rocker was given by Sydney Sampson and her family... a transfer from her playroom to Lillie's bedroom. The shelf is full of wonderful books and a few toys. I am sure we will add more as time gets closer to Lillie's arrival. The pretty pink blanket peeking out from the side of the picture is from Meg and Caroline...one that I am sure will be a favorite!
Just thought I would help give everyone a better "view"!

Progress on the 100 wishes quilt

Thank you so much to everryone who has sent fabric for the 100 wishes quilt! I received another square today.
There are so many people who keep telling me they plan to contribute and I can't imagine the quilt without your wish! I would love to have all of the peices (or at least most of them) by the first week of April so that over spring break we can begin working on it. Although I don't know for certain, i should have a log in date soon, which means travel could come sooner rather than later...finally! (don't get too excited...I am still expecting late summer at the soonest) Thanks again to everyone. Your prayers and good wishes are greatly appreciated!

Pictures from Fuling

Another three Fuling girls have found their forever families! These families went to the Orphanage today and took lots of gifts for the children and nannies. They also had the chance to meet Lillie! One of the ladies, Janelle, spent time with Lillie and told her how much I loved her and that I would come for her soon. The picture Lillie is holding in her hand is the one I sent to Janelle so she could find Fu Bao Yun once they arrived in Fuling. It is good to see her looking healthy and strong! Hold on Lillie...I am coming as soon as I can!

My Daughter the "Drinker"!

I recieved an email a few days ago from a kind woman named Jean Casey. She had been to Fuling in the fall to pick up her beautiful daughter Ellen and realized she had pictures of Lillie. She let me know she would send them to me...so I was very excited to find the pictures waiting in my e-mail tonight. They are so fun! The pictures are of Lillie and her freinds at bottle time. She is in the one in the light blue outfit and she clearly LOVES her bottle! as Jean wrote..."Beware when she is older - do not send her off to a bar alone with her friends!! " That says it all! What a girl!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy year of the Boar! The lunar new year, which is celebrated in China as the Chinese New Year, begins today! It is one of the 2 largest holidays in the country and is a time to celebrate with friends and family. It is also a time to get rid of the previous years bad luck and to usher in new good luck. I guess for me, it is both since I know the holiday will delay slightly my dossier being processed, but know that this next year will be good luck with the addition of Lilliie to make our forever family! I know that Lillie is a "Rat" and I am a "Horse"...I am sure they are greatly complatible! If you want to see what your zodiac sign is, you can go to: http://www.c-c-c.org/chineseculture/zodiac/zodiac.html
Happy New Year!

DTC...Dossier to China 2/9/2007

My Dossier is off to China! Some of you may wonder, what IS a dossier…well it is a collection of paperwork and information going to the CCAA that tells them EVERYTHING about me.
I have already sent….
LOI (Letter of Intent)
PAPL (Prospective Adoptive Parents Letter)
These forms were sent in September to the CCAA in order to be officially matched with Lillie. These two forms essentially gave the Chinese Government a little information about me and explained what I know about Fu Bao Yun's special need and what I will do for her once she arrives in the US.

The Dossier is SOOOO much more. Here is a list of what I can remember that are included in the Dossier:
1. Home Study completed which included having forms and info including…
• Application letter (notarized, etc.)
• Adoptive parents fact sheet (notarized, etc.)
• Autobiography
• Letter to birth parents
• Guardian Information Sheet
• Medical Information/physical/blood work/TB test (notarized, etc.)
• Explanation of any surgeries I have had and how it will affect my ability to parent (my sinus surgery)
• Explanations of any medications I take and why
• Financial Information Sheet (assets and bills…net worth information) (notarized)

2. 2 criminal records checks – state and federal
3. Records check for child abuse
4. Original Birth Certificate with State Seal
(My birthplace on my BC has changed…crazy huh!)
5. Letter of Employment (notarized)
6. Letter from Bank with balance in checking account
7. Letter from Bank with balance of savings account
8. Letter from bank about any loans I have
9. Certified copy of I 171 H (notarized, etc.)
10. 6 pictures of parent, family, home, etc.
11. 3 letters of reference
12. Single status statement (notarized, etc.)
13. Guardian Statement (notarized, etc.)

Several of the forms that are part of the Home Study are also part of the Dossier. In addition, all of the forms that were notarized also had to be county, state and consulate authenticated. I know I am probably forgetting something, but it at least tells you a little bit about what an exciting thing it is to have this complete and on it’s way!

On a side note…I also have to have parent education and specific parent education that relates to Lillie’s special need. After attending a training tomorrow afternoon, I will have that completed also…at least what is required. There may be more training that I want to attend!

P.S. I wanted to add this picture. I found this in the pictures from the orphanage that parents have taken and sent to a site called image events. I was so excited to find it! It was taken in November!

Another Exciting Arrival!

I had a very exciting and unexpected arrival today! I opened my email to find that Grace, my coordinator at AHH had received another update on Lillie! I have more new friend that are in China this week to pick up their beautiful daughter Zoe. On Monday, they received her from the nannies and found out she was in foster care through the SWI. They chose not to travel to Fuling, but were able to ask about Lillie and another beautiful little Fulinger named Mia (Mia is also named Fu Bao Yun, but is a little younger than Lillie, with a birthday in September). Mia is also in foster care and therefore her new mommy and daddy have received very few pictures of her. I am praying that they too will get some pictures. Kristen and Sean (Zoe's new mommy and daddy) spoke with nannies and also the Director of the Orphanage on Thursday. Here is Kristen's note about Lillie...
"Your girl must have a great personality! The two nannies we saw at Gotcha day and Director Chen both laughed and smiled with much love at your Lillie's picture! I sense she has great favor with them and is a character!! Can't wait for your travel and your take on her personality!"
It is such a blessing to know there are people who love her so much!
I also received some new size updates... apparently, she has grown since the last update I received! She is 2 feet 7 inches, she weighs about 32 pounds (that could be with all her clothes on, which would add a few pounds possibly) and her foot is 6 inches long. My girl is getting very big! ...and apparently has had another haircut!

Just wanted to share the newest! Thank you for loving Lillie!

My I-171H has Arrived!

Yesterday, my I-171 H finally arrived! It was the last peice of paperwork I needed in order to send my Dossier to China! It is also the paper that will serve as Lillie's visa back into the US when I finally travel. I had the form notarized, and authenticated and took it to the agency...and now it is off to DC and then will be off to China! It is yet another step in the right direction and means that hopefully it will arrive in China, be translated into Chinese and logged in within the next 5 or 6 weeks. It seems like forever, but I am hoping that it will go quickly. As soon as I have an official log in date, I have a better idea of how long until travel. Prayers and good thoughts, please!

Bai Jia Bei...the 100 Good Wishes Quilt

“To welcome and celebrate a new life, there is a tradition in the northern part of China to make a Bai Jia Bei, or 100 Good Wishes Quilt. It is a custom to invite friends and family to contribute a patch of cloth with a wish for the baby. Part of the patch of cloth goes into the quilt for the baby, and the other part of the cloth can go into a scrapbook with the wish for the child. The quilt contains the luck, energy, and good wishes from all the families and friends who contributed a piece of fabric. “
I would love to do this for Lillie! I would love for everyone who has a special wish for Lillie to help with this project! Your time and help will be greatly appreciated… and I think it will be a wonderful way to welcome Lillie and to continue a tradition from her home country!
If you would like to contribute, please send a 6"x6" square of 100% cotton fabric. It can be gently used fabric that is special, or just be fabric you really like! When you send the fabric for the quilt I would also appreciate your sending a "wish" or prayer or blessing on a card with your name and address and a small piece of the cloth attached to it. I will make a scrapbook for Lillie to have when she is older that will tell her about how much she was loved before she arrived. Her "Wishes" Book with the matching material from the will help to tell her story.
Thank you for helping with this special project! I will post pictures of the Quilt when it is complete! I am hoping my wonderful cousin Ashley…quilter extrordinaire, will help me with this project. She is already creating beautiful quilts for Lillie and her friends in Fuling!
Send fabric and wishes for the quilt to:
Andrea Nielsen
401 Redding Rd #16
Lexington, Kentucky 40517

Thank you for loving Lillie!

The Mystery of Split Pants

One of the images of Lillie that constantly draws questions from everyone is about her pants. Split pants are pants with a giant hole on the bottom - known in Chinese as "kaidangku" (literally "open-crotch pants"). Although many people in China now use disposable diapers, several still use the split pants…including Fuling SWI. These pants not only make it easier to change a diaper, but I have learned that they assist with potty training. Apparently, it would not be unusual to see a bare baby bottom out in public…or even stopping to go to the bathroom…right on the street! Bare baby bottoms are an increasingly rare sight…but apparently kaidangku used to be almost a uniform for toddlers. I guess this explains why some of us have heard that the Chinese potty train their children at a young age! I thought this might help explain Lillie’s present fashion to everyone!