Guess Who's Walking!!!

I'm late posting this since she actually took her first solo steps a couple of weeks ago. Then she didn't show much interest until the last couple of days. She is still a little wobbly and you can just see the concentration in her face. She is just so proud of herself when she gets from point A to point B. If you had bet me two months ago that she would be walking today, you would have won.





Yeah, I know it's been a while since my last post. All is well, just busy and haven't made the blog a priority. We had my friend Andree' from Seattle here and then my parents, sister, nieces and nephew were here. LuLu enjoyed meeting her Aunts and cousins and was happy to see my parents again. We really had a blast and both of those visits deserve a post of there own. I'll try and get some pictures up soon.

Six Week CheckUp

We went to the Dr. last Wednesday for our 6 week checkup. Yes, we have been home 6 weeks. It has FLOWN by!! She now weighs 18.4 pounds and is 29.25 inches long. So, in 6 weeks she gained 3.3 pounds and grew an inch!! We are now officially on the growth charts.

She is also pulling up on anything that is stationary for a second and cruises around from object to object.

Here are a few words that she will say:

Da Da

Ma Ma (finally!!)

Nite Nite

Thank You - although it sounds nothing like "Thank you" and I'm sure I'm the only one that would recognize it.

She will do the signs for "eat", "more" and "dirty" (we made that one up - you just wave your hand over your nose)

She can point to her foot, teeth and dimples. Well, she actually points to the same general area for both tooth and dimples. Yeah, I know most people start with nose but we think the others are much more fun.

Really the only thing that could be improved is the sleeping. I don't think she has slept through the night since we got back from China. The last week has been a little better in that she is easier to get back to sleep once she wakes up so hopefully we are headed in the right direction. Typically she wakes up around 1:30 and 4:30 am expecting a bottle and is downright peeved if you don't immediately produce one. I really think the ONLY way she knows to fall asleep is with the bottle. I'm sure she's waking up more now during the night due to the huge transition that she has gone through. And then of course once she's awake and trying to fall asleep again, she is looking for the bottle. So it's a process of teaching her HOW to fall asleep. I'm sure we'll get there, it's just taking a little time.

We're Still Here

and all is well. I have just been busy and have not kept up with the posts. I was down for a few days with a cold turned ear infection but on the mend now.


LuLu is scooting across the floor with ease now and will even venture into a room by herself. Her scoot is done with one leg in a sitting position and the other leg has the foot on the floor. Hard to explain but maybe you can get an idea in this picture. It's actually quite efficient since she is half way there when she wants to sit down.

She is now a champion eater and really doesn't turn down much of anything. Hopefully her number of teeth will catch up with her appetite soon. She weighed 15.1 pounds at the doctor three weeks ago. She's filled out quite a bit since then. Her cheeks are fuller, she has quite the belly and she is working on having thighs. We go back to the Doctor in three weeks and I'm betting on at least 16.5.

For some reason, her favorite thing is having a lime in each hand. She goes crazy for them everytime she sees them. Walking through the grocery store, she just about jumped out of the hip carrier as we walked past the produce. If you came to our house right now, I can not promise that you would not step on a lime. At this rate, we are going to have to open up a Mojito bar.

Here's A few more pictures from the last several days

Here's what we have been up to...

It's been just over a week since we have been home and it has flown by. Here's a little of what we have been up to. We have moved from Up Dog to Down Dog.

Cleaned the rug

Recovered from jet lag. As you can see, some have done better than others.

Tried to juggle limes

Discovered watermelon

Been swimming

Had a belated one year birthday celebration. Complete with a very special dress made by my Mom and worn by two of my nieces.

We also had our first Doctor's appointment since being home. We will have more official word when the blood work comes back but so far so good. Speaking of blood work, frankly that experience sucked. I could go for a while without having to do that again.

Unfortunately, we haven't returned all the lovely Welcome Home emails and phone calls. And we haven't sent Thank You's for all the gifts that have poured in. Maybe next week.

All Packed Up

We're all packed up and are leaving Guangzhou in the morning. We are sad to be leaving China but excited about getting home as a family of three. We have spent the last couple of days seeing the sights and finishing up the last details. Sorry I haven't posted but just so much going on. LuLu is eating everything that we let her and is getting more mobile by the day. Jon and I have had to up our game on getting her diaper changed now that she can roll over. She is also very close to being able to go from laying down to sitting up and she likes to practice that move just as the dirty diaper comes off and the clean one goes on. Good times.

The next post will likely be after we get home and settled a bit. Here are some pics from Guangzhou. We have lots more, just haven't had a chance to get them uploaded.

Up Dog

Until last night, when we would put her on her stomach, LuLu just didn't know what to do. She could not really lift her head or didn't know to try. Now she is doing a pretty decent Upward facing dog. Of course, it's usually followed by a pretty good face plant. She also rolled over this morning. She was very proud of herself.

P.S. Yes, I now see the rubberband on the floor and I realize it's a choking hazard.

Our Last Night In Nanchang

We had another great day here in Nanchang. We took a nice walk to what they call "City Mall". We also got to walk around some of the side streets and alleyways and got a glimpse of life here in Nanchang. LuLu came out of her shell a bit more today. She even scolded us a few times when we didn't get things just right. It's great to see her little personality more and more each day. She is eating great and seems to be getting stronger each day. She is now trying to roll over. Also, when she is sitting on the floor she walk her hands out and stares at the floor like she knows if she get her arms and legs going in the right direction, she could go places.

We are heading further south tomorrow to Guangzhou. That is where we will complete the US immigration part of this process. Jon and I are both a little sad about leaving out little cocoon we have established here in our hotel room. To be honest with you, this hotel room would not have impressed me if if I had walked into it back home. However, to us it has been absolute paradise for the last 4 days. It is this room where we first met this amazing little person that we are blessed to share our lives with. This is where we heard her giggle for the first time and where we get to see that big gummy smile several times a day.

Still In Nanchang

The rain slowed a little yesterday so we ventured out. We picked up the official adoption documents from the notary and then we headed to Walmart for a few supplies. Of course, LuLu slept through most of the adventure. Picture Walmart on Christmas Eve, multiply it times a million and that was the scene that she slept through. She played a good bit of the afternoon and crashed just before we headed out. She woke up just as we were getting back to the hotel.
Nanchang is known for their porcelain so we are going to head out today to get her a Porcelain tea set.
Here's a few pics from the day.
Disclaimer: We are NOT bathing her in dirty water. She is still scratching quite a bit so it is an oatmeal bath.

Here She Is...

We've been a family of three for about four hours now. We've played, had dinner and now she is sound asleep. She likes a bottle at bedtime so we got one ready and she took it like a champ. She feel asleep in my arms as she finished the bottle. We've had a few smiles and Jon even got a kiss. We are blessed beyond belief. We have a morning of paperwork tomorrow and oh, who am I kidding, no one is reading this... Here's the pictures!!!!

Birthday Girl

We received pictures from LuLu's birthday party!!!! Looks like she had a proper party with a cake and a few friends. The size of that cake just kills me - it's almost as big as the table!!! Looks like they put a dent in it though!! Oh, that sweet sweet face!!

I LOVE this picture of them gathered around the table.

(I've been in touch this morning with another adoptive parent whose daughter is likely to be in this picture. If you think you child is in this picture, email me with the link to the right or leave a comment and I will email you all the pictures I have. Of course I am getting on a plane to China a a few hours so I probably won't get to it immediately.)

We also received updated measurements. She is now 15 lbs and 28 inches long. Tiny but growing. We are so GRATEFUL for these pictures. Jon and I were both up early, couldn't sleep and I saw these about 4:30 this morning.

We leave for the airport in a couple of hours. See ya on the other side.

Happy Birthday LuLu!!

July 20th is LuLu's first Birthday and since it's already the 20th in China, HAPPY BIRTHDAY LULU!!!! I wish we were there already but we aren't so I will just pray that she is loved and cared for and is spending the day with someone close to her.

She received her first piece of mail yesterday, an adorable birthday card from my niece Ivy and my Mom and Dad.

We spent the weekend making final preparations and packing. Just a few things left to do tomorrow and then we fly out on Tuesday. A week from now she will either be in our arms or just hours away from being in our arms.

11 Months Old Today

LuLu is 11 months old today. It's been four weeks since we first saw that sweet sweet face. I love those two pictures more than I thought possible but I NEED more. I need to hold her, hear her laugh, hear her cry, feed her, change her, bathe her. But mostly I just want to hold her. Still no word on travel approval which just stinks. I am trying hard to be patient but it's not really working.

A Baby In China

Our adorable next door neighbor "F" is in kindergarten. She and her brother "C" are excited about LuLu and love to come over and look at "the baby's room." And of course, I love to show them. Last week, F's class wrote a story. It was one of those stories where someone comes up with the title and then everyone gets to add a sentence. F got to come up with the title - you will see why that is significant when you read the story. Here is the story that F and her genius classmates wrote.

A Baby In China

Once upon a time there was a baby who could play baseball. She was from China. She ate eyeballs for dinner. Her name was Sam. Her favorite food was cucumbers. Sam lived in Florida near Disney. Her Dad was named Sparkle. He was a knight.

A few LuLu tidbits

We got the translated report and here are a few of the highlights...

- She especially likes eggs
- At 8 months, she weighed 13.86 pounds
- She cries before sleeping (that one just breaks my heart)
- She can sit by herself with her back against the wall
- She is active and outgoing and she likes to laugh and talk
- She likes to be held

I have memorized every inch of her pictures and just ache to hold her.
We have been busy around here making all the final preparations and praying for speedy travel. No word on that yet and probably won't hear anything for at least a couple of weeks.

In Color

We Have A Daughter

Here she is!!!! If you click the picture, you should be able to see a larger version. These were emailed from the agency today. Should have the actuals in our hand tomorrow. Loving that car!!!

More details to come but here is what we know so far

Birthdate - July 20, 2008 so she is 10 months old
She lives in Jiangxi Province

Our agency is sending more information tomorrow.

We HOPE to travel in about 6 weeks.

Matching Has Begun?

Some agencies are reporting that matching has begun. That means they have started the process of matching babies with families. There is a chance that right now, someone is looking through our paperwork and matching us with our child. For a more detailed explanation of how the "matching room" works, you can go here.

There are a couple of agencies thinking that the matching could get as far as 3/14/06. THAT WOULD BE US. I am not sure if they have some information from CCAA that has them thinking that or if it's just a guess. Either way, it's crazy exciting.
By the end of next week, we will hopefully know if we are in or not and could even have a picture!!! My personal feeling is there is about a 50% chance that we will be included in the early May group.

Luckily I was busy at an out of town conference last week so I was able to stay somewhat distracted from obsessing over whether we are in or not. I was also able to spend some time with a good friend that Jon and I have known for years. He wrote the nicest reference letter for us when we started this crazy process. When I told him goodbye at the airport, I said "Next time you see me, I could be a Mom!!"

Progress, Sweet Progress

Congratulations to all the families receiving referrals today!!!!Looks like referrals covered up to October 13, 2005. Our magic date is March 14, 2006 so that puts almost exactly 5 months worth of dossiers in front of us. No, that doesn't mean we are 5 months away from a referral - I am still hoping for a very special Christmas present. However, for some reason this group of referrals has given me hope. It seems possible for the first time in months.

I was already feeling good about things and then a few minutes ago saw this on the CCAA website:

The CCAA has
finished the review of
the adoption
application documents
registered with our
office before March
22, 2006.

We are finally out of the review room people!!!! Whoo Hoo!!! This is big!!! This means all of our dossier t's were crossed and i's were dotted just the right way. Maybe all of that obsessing over the paperwork was worth it after all. I really wanted to get out of that review room but I didn't realize how relieved I would feel seeing the official update.

The next big stop for our little dossier is the matching room. I imagine the matching room is quite backed up at the moment so maybe our dossier is hanging out in the hallway outsite the matching room. Maybe they have added a waiting room for the matching room... either way, being out of review is GOOD.

Best Ebay Find EVAH

WHOO HOO!!!I just bought this shirt off ebay!!! After a VERY stressful day at work, I decided to check out ebay to see what I couldn't live without. And there it was....the cutest Baby Lulu shirt. I had to have it. I waited until just before bidding ended and put in an insanely maximum bid. If you thought you had this shirt and was outbid at the last moment, I'm sorry but I have no shame. But I had to have it. Now I have a million things left to do tonight because I spent an hour hitting refresh on this item.