Splah Pad Joy!

Good Heart News!

We had an appointment this week with a cardiologist. Emma has a VSD and PFO...essentially 2 holes in her heart. Prior to accepting her referral, I had the cardiologist look at her information.  Even at that point, he said it did not look like a serious issue, but he would know more once he was able to examine her.   I felt confident in accepting the referral, but was still a little nervous about our visit...just praying that she would not need any surgery.

At the doctor they did an EKG as well as an echo.  I had planned to take some pictures, but Emma was terrified once they tried to take her blood pressure and I had to hold her the whole time...so no pictures.  Once all the tests were in, the doctor explained that the holes are very small and may continue to shrink and close on their own. Even if they do not close, the doctor said she will not need surgery to close the holes. He assured me that she will be able to participate in any physical activity with no issues at all!

Praise the Lord for such great news! 

Emma loves to "write" and draw.  I am amazed at her pencil grip...pretty good for a 2 year old!

Emma all laid back and waiting to see the cardiologist.

Swimmy

Emma loves water...splash pad...bathtub...pool...any. kind. of. water!

Today, my cousin Becky, her kids - Brianna and Braden, and her mom - my Aunt Susie came over to swim.  Sadly, it's hard to take many pics when you are IN the water...even harder when your little girl is not too fond of you being OUT of the water without her.  I did manage to get these shots...there will be more...hopefully!  We swam until we were all prunes...then came back to the house for some snacks...Even Max got to join in on the snack fun!

The splash pad...take 1

On Friday we had our first playdate with our China Angel support group friends.  Several of us met at the local splash pad.  Emma loved it!  I think she drank several gallons!  One of the fixtures has buckets that randomly fill and tip over to douse those who may be walking under.  Emma made it a point to stay clear of that...until later in the day when she was just walking along and happened to be in the right place at the wrong time.  The bucket totally got her!  She was livid - I had to laugh...priceless! 

Starting her early...

Happy Father's Day!

My Dad has certainly taken to being Papa Tom!  It's fun to watch him with Emma...she has him wrapped around her pinky!  Recently, we took Emma our to the "country."  My Dad has a tractor...he's rebuilt his family's old barn...loves to tinker out there.  He's been itching to get her out there to see the tractor...to see the horses...

She did NOT like the horses!

She liked the cats a little more...as long as Papa was holding her!

How sweet it is!

Today we went to this very fun place with Sydney.  I wondered how she would like cake...should have known it would be a hit!

The face says it all!

I love ewe!

We went to visit my friends Sissy and Sarah today.  Sissy is just a tad bit obsessed with lambs.  They are everywhere in her house!  And she even raises lambs sometimes.  We had planned to visit her real lamb, Daisy, today but it was raining.  BOO.  So we settled for loving on stuffed lambs instead!

Baby needs some new shoes

My mom gave Emma a set of cards that came in a handy flip- flop shaped box. 

And guess who came up with the idea to make the boxes shoes?

She slid around the porch in these for over an hour.  Who needs toys???

Lookin' like a Fool

with your pants on the ground!

Poor Emma...it was just after this that we went to the store to find her some pants that fit!  I am having a terrible time finding shorts and pants to fit her tiny hiney!  I finally got some 12 month shorts that fit well.

Train up a Child...

Train up a child in the way he should go,

and when he is old he will not turn from it.

 

Proverbs 22:6

 

 

 

Today was Child Dedication day at church.  It is my desire to raise Emma knowing that Jesus is her Savior...that He loves her and desires for her to follow Him all the days of her life.  This ceremony was a way for parents - and the congregation -  to declare that they will do their part to teach the children about Jesus.   

 

 

It was a precious ceremony.  First, Emma was annointed with oil to show that she is dedicated...set apart...for God's kingdom.  Then, she was annointed with water...a reminder that, when she is ready and makes a decision to follow Jesus, she will be baptized with water and will receive forgiveness for her sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Third, she was given a candle...a reminder that she will be a light in this world.  Finally, she was given a bible. 

 

 

She was precious!  She was very curious about each moment.  After the oil and the water were placed on her forehead, when she was handed the candle, she put it straight to her forehead...I am sure she was thinking, "well, everything else was put to my forehead!"  When she was given her Bible, she tried to use the candle to write on it.  She was so good...a little antsy at moments, but totally precious!

 

Each night as I rock her to sleep, I pray that the Lord will help me to grow her up to know Him...to love Him...to desire to follow Him all the days of her life.  I pray that He will help me to be the very best Momma to my baby girl.  I trust that the Lord will equip me for this most important job.

T-Minus 20 days

It's official! 

Airline tickets have been purchased! 

I am going to CHINA!!! 

And the countdown begins...

It's true...I am going to China!  I am going to finally hold my baby...the girl I've been waiting on and dreaming of my whole life...but especially that last 4 and a half years...

I leave May 5 and will return May 21...I can't believe it's happening!

While I will have plenty of company during the first half of the trip, it looks as if I will be spending the last couple of days in China -  as well as the flight home - on my own.  Talk about being baptized by fire into single motherhood!  I figure there will be plenty of people on the plane who will want her to stay quiet...so maybe they will help out a single mom in need!

Momma's coming baby girl!

I didn't know it could get better...

So today was Good Friday...it's already good because it reminds me that Jesus loves me so much that He died on the cross to forgive me of my sins...
then it got better because I didn't have to go to school...

then it got even better because it was sunny, gorgeous, and 80 degrees...

then it got even better because I went out to lunch with my parents...

then it got even better because I got a call from Elena at my adoption agency...

then it was THE BEST because she said that my Travel Approval had finally arrived!

Now THAT is a GOOD FRIDAY!

Praising God for so many things today!

If only I'd known...

If I had known that baby showers were so much fun, I would have adopted a baby a long time ago!  Last Sunday I had a huge shower with tons of family and friends.  My Mom and her friend Carol did all the planning and working and it was such a special day.

I wish I could post every picture here...Emma got some very cute things!

This is me with my sweet Momma.  Can you believe all those presents????  What a huge blessing!

These are my two favorite blankets.  Carol does all the fancy embroidery stuff.  I got the bird blanket...my Mom, aka Nana, bought the ladybug blanket.  I can't wait to cover her up with these snugglies!

More baby prep...

Just after I got my referral, I went to the baby store to register.  The car seat I wanted was on sale so I went ahead and bought it.  I didn't want to install it before I had my car cleaned out...so I had my car detailed today...and tonight...

I wasn't sure what slot to put the harness through.  I know her height, but that doesn't help much.  I guessed slot 3 - right in the middle.  If it doesn't work, we can fix it once she's here.  It's not in quite tight enough yet.  I am planning to take it to the police station next week.

Cute car seat, huh?

This did my heart so good!

Last week, I was able to send a request for an update. The update came today! 
I sent these questions...it helps to have in mind a bit of her daily routine. And the pictures...priceless!



I am falling more in love everyday!

What is her current feeding schedule?

7:00 take bottle fomula, 9:00 eat eggs, 11:00eat noodles,14:30 drink water,eat cracker and fruit,16:00 porridge, 17:30 steamed buns,20:00 take bottle fomula.

2、Does she use a bottle?

Yes.

3、What does she drink? Milk? Formula? Juice?

Fomula,she likes to drink water. She loves sweet foods and fruits.

4、What is her current daily schedule? Does she take a nap?

6:30 get up, 12:00-14:00 take a nap, 20:30 go to bed.

5、When she is sad or upset, how does she calm down?

holding her and give her toys,distracted.

6、Is she potty trained or wearing diapers?

wearing diapers.

7、Does she have a particular caretaker or child friend that she is closest to?

Yes,the caretaker's name is Zhang Ying, the good freind's name is **,we can see Gui Lan with ** on one of the pictures.

8、Who named her, and why was she given this name?

the caretaker who was on duty that day which sent her to the orphanage,best wishs for her beauty and loveliness.

9、Can we please have updated pictures and measurements?

Height 75cm, weight 22P, head 45.5cm, chest 48cm, foot 12cm, teeth 16
**She's quite a peanut!

Please tell the orphanage that the family is very excited to adopt her, and they will be traveling soon to come and get her!! I have attached a picture of Gui Lan’s new Mother!

I am beside myself at how happy she looks in these two pictures!

This is one of her friends in the orphanage...how sweet is that???

How thankful I am to have this update!  Praying for TA to come tomorrow!

Cause everyone likes to get mail...

I prepared a care package for my little girl tonight...such fun.  It's getting more real by the day.  My friends got TA today...Travel Approval.  I am hoping to get mine in the next few days!  If I don't get this package in the mail soon, I will get there before the package! 

I included a photo album for Emma with pictures of me, my parents, and her room.  I also included some sleepers for other babies as well as some goodies for the nannies.  What I can't wait for is pictures - I included 2 cameras for them to take some pics of Emma with her nannies and friends.  What a gift it will be to get an insight into her life at the orphanage.

When I typed the label for my pic - "mama"...I had a bit of a freak out moment...I'm a MOMMA!!! 

To a real baby...not a baby doll...a real live baby...unbelievable! 

Nothing like feeling like praising God and puking in the same moment! 

LOA Excitement

On Monday, I got the best birthday present EVER!  My letter of acceptance arrived from China to my agency.  Sarah at Living Hope overnighted it to me.  Tuesday, it was waiting at my front door.

I took the package to the funeral home where my Dad works.  The secretary is a notary and one of the forms had to be notarized.

There it is!  The signed form...the next step toward my baby girl.  That's my dad in the background.  You can't tell by the look on his face, but he was pretty excited!

The form was beautiful.  I just kept looking at it and feeling it.

Finally, I rushed to get it sent back to my agency.  Today, they were sending it right on to China. 

Now what?  Now I am waiting on China to send Travel Approval or TA.  I am praying that will come by March 17.  If it does, I will likely leave for China on March 31!  I know that God is a God of details.  I fully trust that He continues to be in control of this whole process.  No matter when I end up going to China, I know that He will orchestrate it all...cause He's good like that!