PICTURES FROM ADOPTION DAY!

A LITTLE BIT OF NOSTALGIA!

Hi Everyone! Day two with Abbie has been fabulous! Her personality is really coming out and she loves to smile and patiently play with her plethora of toys. I bought her some stacking cups and she has been patiently amusing herself for over an hour. She can put her sandals on by herself and feed herself with a spoon. She is talking and making sounds more. She even said "Ma" when I left the room, as if asking for me. At breakfast she ate a whole bowl of congee, scrambled eggs and FIVE slices of banana bread. What she doesn't like, she immediately spits out then wipes her face with a napkin. It's really cute! Unfortunately, it's the fruit she spits out. Guess she doesn't have the same genes as Lucy! Today we finalized the adoption and Abbie is all ours, and we are all hers! It's a GREAT feeling! I have met many other families with cleft children and I am feeling much more comfortable with feeding and caring for her. I am also getting used to her noises. By the way, she loves cell phones. 100% girl! :) The Thompson's received Liam today and he is a sweetheart. His cleft has been repaired and he is very lovey and active. He likes his big brother and can kick a little soccer ball. Today we did more shopping and tomorrow we do some paperwork at the police station. Then, we have a rest day. The Thompson's, Ericka and I are considering a train ride to Shenzen. The orphanage gave us a CD with many, many pictures of Abbie, her friends and caretakers. Here are a few of my favorites! Later I will post some pictures from today. Enjoy! Luvs and kisses always, Tracie XOXOXO

SLEEPING BEAUTY!

Oh yeah! This is an awesome kiddo! Little Miss Social slept through the ENTIRE night. Not a peep and she is a QUIET sleeper. Woo hoo! Too bad mommy is wide awake! Ha ha! I bet Little Miss Social is just charging her batteries for a big day today! Enjoy the sleepy head pictures and a view of the Pearl River.

GOTCHA DAY!!!

Good Morning America!

At 2:ooPM we met the Thompson Family (who saved our bacon when our camera ran out of card space), then headed out to get our sweeties! We arrived early and had to wait for the babies to arrive. Unfortunately, there was a communication error and the Thompson's son was not on the van. Fortunately, he will arrive tomorrow morning at 9:30AM. My heart goes out to Wade and Mari who have to wait another day...but all good things come to those who wait! Abbie was dressed in a sweet orange short and t-shirt set and brand new pink shoes with lots of sparkly diamonds. She is so proud of those shoes! At first, she wasn't too thrilled to meet me and waved her hand "no" at me. After a 45 minute crying jag and half a bottle of bubbles blown by Ericka and Andrew Thompson (also 13), Abbie settled down in my arms. We even saw the hint of a smile. The nanny gave us special gifts from the orphanage and Ms. Guo sent Abbie a sent gift of a silver rattle bracelet and necklace to show her love. We gave the nanny our gifts and spent some time getting to know more about Abbie's likes and daily habits. I had a little pink back pack filled with things for her to do. She is so teeny that when I put it on her back, she almost toppled over backwards! By the time the nanny left, Abbie was settled into my arms and was very, very curious about EVERYTHING when we went outside. On the van, I held her against my chest, kissed her softly and she fell asleep. From that moment on, she was my girl!

Back at the hotel, she helped me change her diaper and wet clothes from LOTS of drool. She is pretty loud due to her cleft palate and I will have to get used to her snoring! She LOVES books and musical toys. We bought her a musical push button toy and rented a stroller in Guangzhou and she thinks it's the greatest thing ever! Mommy and Abbie also bought matching shoes. She really loves shoes. During dinner at Lucy's place, Abbie surprised me by finishing off an entire bottle of vanilla Pedialyte and TWO bowls full of chicken congee. She is a good eater and has no problems as long as the food is pureed. The nanny is not aware of any food allergies, so we are going to try yogurt, eggs and pureed watermelon for breakfast. Yum! At dinner, Abbie's personality really came out. She smiled a lot, rubbed noses with me, and constantly kicked her tiny legs and feet with joy. What a delight!! It's only been four hours and she is a happy, happy girl. I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. She clearly enjoys life and has the happiest eyes I have ever seen when she smiles. We are truly blessed! Back at the hotel, she helped me put her pajamas on and I rocked her in my arms. Once she started to look sleepy, I kissed her good night, set her in her crib and tucked her blankie up to her cheek. She was out within minutes! Woo hoo! She is such a petite little peanut and her arms and legs remind me so much of our sweet Lucy. Abbie has itty bitty feet though. Lucy's have always been good sized! :) As for clothes, she fits in small sized diapers and 18 - 24 month clothes at 2 - 3/4 old! She has some catching up to do in the chunking department, but she is very smart, curious and I can already tell, mischievious! Perfect fit! Enjoy the pictures!! We love you Daddy, Kyle, Gracie, Lucy and all our family. We can't wait for you to meet her.

Love and Kisses from Tracie, Ericka and finally, Miss Abbie Le Qian Laughlin! XOXOXO

OFF TO GET ABBIE!

We now have our money, gifts and ourselves somewhat together and we are ready to go get Abbie! In exactly 1 -1/2 hours we meet the Thompson Family and our guide, Connie, in the Lobby, then off we go! The Thompson's from West Virginia, are adopting son #4 (16, 15, 13, and now 2.) His name is Liam and he is from the same orphanage as Abbie. Their 13 year old son Andrew traveled with them, so hopefully, Ericka will have a chum. We can't wait to meet another CHI family! Here are two last goofy pictures of Ericka and I before we become three, and a family of five! Luvs to you all!!

WE MADE IT TO CHINA!!!!!

Also, I think I finally figured out how to post to the blog without having to bug poor Dan everyday. If this is a duplicate post, sorry! Better twice, than not at all! :) After 29 hours of flights and lay-overs, Ericka, our luggage and I, made it in one piece to Guangzhou. Our plane arrived at 5:35AM, an hour early, much to the surprise of our guide! We made it to the White Swan Hotel, our home for two weeks, and ate lunch (er, breakfast?) at Lucy's Place in the park. Grilled cheese sandwiches tasted pretty darned good! Tomorrow, we meet up with another CHI Agency family who is adopting a little boy from Shantou. At 2:00 PM, we will leave the hotel to go to the Guangzhou Civil Affairs Office to welcome Abbie to our family! WOW!! On a lousy note, I used my carry on suitcase as a footrest while on the plane and broke the viewing window on my digital camera. We can still take pictures, we just don't know what we are taking pictures of! Erg! If I post some really random pictures that look like they were taken by a three year old, sorry! Well, off for a nap. Can't wait to show you pictures of Abbie and tell you all about her tomorrow. Meanwhile, enjoy the pictures from our two days of travel. Also, I wanted to let you know that I can't access your comments on the blog. Feel free to email me at my usual address and I will check it daily!

Kyle, feed the bunny! D, K, G, & L - all my luvs and kisses! We miss you all!! XOXOXOXO

ONLY TWO DAYS!

Last night I hugged my friend Marry, who I will see in China on 9/21, and hugged my friend Julie. Now that I am fortified with hugs from friends, I am ready to do this. Mom of five - who would have ever thought? Here is a really cute picture of Chuck and Julie's daughter Kate, from Hunan. Isn't she a doll?!

September 5th

The days are ticking down so quickly. It's hard to believe! Unfortunately, I went to the Instacare last night and have a nasty upper respiratory infection and am now on antibiotics that make me sick. Yuck. Hopefully, I will feel better by Sunday! Today, Gracie and Lucy had picture day at school. In honor of Abbie's homecoming, I dressed the girls in pink and yellow silk Chinese pant outfits and put ribbons in their hair. Gracie hammed it up, while Lucy held her blue Chinese painted parasol. Of course, Lucy's beloved stuffed panda "Mao Mao," had to be in the pictures too! I can't wait to see them! Well, I'm off to starch and iron my money for the trip. :)

Luvs and kisses, Tracie

ONLY FOUR DAYS TO GO!!!

WOW!! Only four days left, then Ericka and I leave for China! Time has gone by to fast and we are so blessed to learn that we will be in China 9/21 - 9/25 with our dear friends Scott and Marry, who are adopting a little boy from Gansu Province. Scott, Marry, Ericka and I traveled together to adopt in 2005. It is totally fate that we will be together once again! Love you guys!

The nervous and unfortunately, sick, Tracie

WE LEAVE IN ONLY 9 DAYS!!

My friend Melanie made me laugh so hard the other day! She sent an email that said "Only 11 days....PUSH!" Urgh! Can you imagine being in labor for 11 days? I would have to be knocked out! Ha ha! Melanie, wish you were coming with us! Love you!

OUR ITINERARY IN CHINA!

Here is our day by day itinerary while in China!

Sep.11th: By CZ328 arrive Guangzhou. The guide will meet them in Guangzhou airport. Transfer to hotel. (WS Hotel)
Sep.12th: Meet child in Civil Affairs at 14:30. Sign agreement.
Sep.13th: 09:00 go to Civil Affairs for registration.
Sep.14th: Take registration certificate. Notary and apply passport.
Sep.15th: One day rest.
Sep.16th: Six Banyan temple
Sep.17th-19th: Rest.
Sep.20th: Take passport in the afternoon.
Sep.21st: Medical and take child’s photo.
Sep.22nd: Rest.
Sep.23rd: Safari Park. (Safari?? didn't know there were wild animals in these parts! :)
Sep.24th: 10:30 visa appointment. River Cruise. (with other CHI families)
Sep.25th: 16:00 take visa in the afternoon.
Leave Guangzhou-home by CZ327 at 21:00.

PREPARATION!

Hi Everyone:

Some think doing all the paperwork, finger printing, homestudy interviews and authentications is the hard part of adoption. WRONG!! It's actually getting everything packed and ready to go to China. Ericka and I now officially have our money, bags partially packed, medical supplies (Airborne, Imodium AD, Pepto Bismol, ladie's supplies, Tums, toiletries, antibiotics, Advil, nasal spray, eye drops) and more...ready to go! I have made all my hotel and airline arrangements; accidentally ordered multiple entry Visas good for multiple entries to China for one year (I can move there!); received our airline tickets; freaked out when I didn't receive Abbie's ticket and then realized hers is an e-ticket (phew); printed the e-ticket; registered our trip with the U.S. Department of State so the U.S. knows we are leaving and China knows we are coming; purchased travel insurance for the three of us; made double copies of every document; and have pulled all my hair out. Okay, now I am ready to go to China. :)

NEW PICTURES OF ABBIE!!

I love nothing more than to receive new pictures of our Abbie! A family just traveled to Shantou to pick up their lovely daughter and posted on the Shantoukids blog that two children (a boy and a girl) are going to be adopted next month. They took pictures of the two children and noted that the little girl "was very social!" Yep, you guessed it! Little Miss Social is our Abbie! She looks very happy and healthy. Enjoy the pictures! Hopefully, the next pictures I post will be with her in my arms!

WE ARE GOING TO CHINA!!!!!!!!!

We have our Consulate Appointment and Travel Dates to get Abbie!!!! We leave Salt Lake City on 9/9 to Los Angeles, then hop on a red-eye flight to Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. We will arrive in China on 9/11. I am not sure what day we will get Abbie, but if it is anything like Lucy's adoption, it will be the minute we get off the airplane! Ha ha! Our Consulate Appointment is the last thing we do before we bring Abbie home and it is scheduled on 9/24. We will return to the U.S. the afternoon of 9/26! We are trying to schedule a day to visit Abbie's orphanage in Shantou. I would like to take her to the South China Sea and look at the ocean so far away from where her new home will be.

READY OR NOT ABBIE, HERE WE COME!!!!! Love, Your Forever and Ever Family! XOXOXO

More Goofy Girls to Pass the Time Away!!

Best friends, but someone is missing...Abbie!!

IT'S HERE, IT'S HERE!!!! OUR TA IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!

WOOOOO HOOOOO!!! Just received this FABULOUS message from our agency:

"I anticipate we will have your TA's tomorrow. They were sent from China on 8/16 so here they come. If you have not completed and returned the attached Consulate request for please do that ASAP so we can ask for a Consulate appointment for you. Are you EVER SO READY to have these here? PHEW! Now we just wait for the Consulate and then, THEN, THEN you can actually plan your travel.
--
Stefani Ellison
China Program Coordinator
Children’s House Inernational"

Abbie, here we come!!!!!!!!!!!

Love Mommy, Daddy, Kyle, Ericka, Gracie, Lucy, Nibbles and your entire family!!!!!

OKAY, I WAS HOLDING BACK ON YOU ALL! HERE'S ONE MORE!!

Don't worry Abbie! Mommy had absolutely nothing to do with that lovely outfit you were wearing! Wait until you see what is in my suitcase for you!! :)

OKAY, JUST A COUPLE MORE TO ENJOY! :)

Abbie's sweet little friends. Can't wait to see you hold hands with your sisters Lucy and Gracie!

I AM SO EXCITED!!

Unfortunately, we don't have our travel approval yet, but I did receive some new pictures of our beautiful Abbie from two friends with daughters from the same Social Welfare Institute as Abbie! I can't wait to get her home and chubby up those skinny little cheeks, legs and arms!

Where, Oh Where is that TA?

...Still waiting for our TA. Should be any day now!

Hee Hee Hee! My New Sister is Coming Home Soon!!

Consulates, Passports and Visas, Oh My!

Howdy! Today I sent the documentation, money orders, checks, pictures, passports and other paraphernalia required to order the Chinese Visas for Ericka and I. Good thing too! When I got back to work, I had a message from our agency that they are expecting our Travel Approval in the next batch they receive. I had to fill out a Consulate Appointment Request form, selecting three optional dates for our appointment. It's starting to get awfully real now!!! :)

Reality Check

Things are starting to really sink in that soon, Ericka and I will be on a plane to bring home our precious Abbie. I must admit, I am praying for the best, but expecting this to be a difficult adoption. Think about it...Abbie has lived in the Shantou Social Welfare Institute since she was three days old. She is now 2 1/2. We are about to take her from the only family she has ever known and loved...and who have loved her. You can just feel her grief, and how scared she will be. This hurts my heart. I hope and pray that God prepares her little heart now, so when I hold her in my arms, she will immediately feel the love of her mommy. The mommy who will love her always, heal her wounds, be there when her first boyfriend breaks her heart, cry when she leaves for college and rejoices the day she holds her grandchild. I love Abbie with all my heart, but my heart aches for this child who does not speak our language and has so much to learn, who has never enjoyed the pleasure of eating fruit snacks and riding a tricycle around the block with her sisters. Imagine the joy (and terror) she will experience on her first airplane ride...her first ride in the bike trailer...even the first time I strap her into a car seat! I am scared to death of how to feed her and take care of her. Having no experience with cleft palate, I pray that God will guide me on how to do this. Better yet, Abbie, please guide me yourself! I pray that when I take her for her first of what is sure to be many, many surgeries, that she will not hate me and will realize that I am doing this for her, with love in my heart, so she may have everything available to her in life. Abbie, my baby, the world is your oyster and rejoice and be joyful! You will learn from your family and we will learn so much from you. Mostly, we will all learn to love as a family of seven! We love you and will see you very soon. Promise!

p.s. I love all the pictures I have posted on this blog, but what I will love the most is seeing my five children smiling and being silly together! I can't wait to post a picture of all of them!

With love always, Mommy XOXOXO