Let the games begin!

Almost as exciting as the Olympics which are about to start, is the task of shoving 100 lbs of crap into a suitcase that isn't supposed to weigh more than 44 lbs. Good thing I have my helpers!

HUGE STOCK TIP!!!

Invest in Pepto Bismol. Our travel notice arrived this morning and we should know when we leave by Friday. We could be leaving as soon as the 15th of Feb. !!!!!! That's the week after next. Suddenly...my tummy hurts!

True inspiration!!!!

Just when she wasn't looking along came her daughter. Please check out the link below and read the entry called "Noodle Baby".

Then go back to the top of her website and look at her picture.

http://my.opera.com/paminhenan/

Amazing !

Pictures of Emma's home town

These are photos I found off a yahoo group I belong to, that is specific to the orphanage Emma was taken to before living with her foster family.

Updated information on Emma

We are happy to say that we received updated info on our little peanut.! We didn't expect this information for a few more weeks. As of January 9th she is now 18.7 pounds (12 of which were probably the outfits they stuffed her in) and is 26.5 inches long. She still has NO teeth and is sitting up and standing. She is still living with her foster family and sleeps in her crib by herself. We are happy to see she looks great and seems happy. Of course the news is bittersweet...she's growing up without us.

New information on Emma

We received more information on Emma yesterday in the mail. Emma was found on May 13th at the gate of the Huaxia Computer Center. Determined by the condition of her umbilical cord, Emma was born on May 11th 2005. Xia Ying is the name of the person who found Emma and took her to the orphanage to be cared for. Later the orphanage contacted her foster family and she was placed in their family. Emma is said to be an average eater and sleeper. She sleeps in a bamboo crib and sucks on her finger while trying to fall asleep. As of November 1st, she still had no teeth, is responsive to her name and is afraid of strangers. She is said to be gentle and quiet. Hopefully before we travel we will receive more information and updated photos.

I am hemoraging

from the wallet! Why is it that my shopping list doesn't seem to be getting that much smaller yet I've been out to get "things" 3 times now? Diapers, baby food, voltage adapters, money belts, TSA approved luggage locks....blah blah blah. Todays bank account damage came from buying "predents' (as Jess likes to say) for Jessica. Actually they're bribes. Bribes that grandma and grandpa can use right before they give into the idea that plunging off the roof is a good idea. I know what you're thinking and "no" Jessica isn't that bad. But then again mommy and daddy haven't ever left for half a month to fly to China and get a baby sister.
While I'm out spending the kids college fund, we're also waiting for our TN. Translation...TN is our travel notice from China that welcomes us to come and get Emma. After we get our TN, our agency will then ask the US Consulate in China to make our exit appointment. THEN, after we have the Consulate appointment we can make travel plans. If the stars align just right, we may see the TN show up this week.

I've been tagged!!!

I got cyber tagged by Daphne!

What were you doing ten years ago?
I was looking forward to transfering to the University of Oregon. I was also dying of thirst, as I was about to turn 21 and couldn't wait to taste beer ;) ya right!



What were you doing a year ago?
We were getting ready for the social worker to come and visit the house



What are 5 snacks you enjoy?
-chips and salsa
-pretzels
-wheat thins
-chips ahoy
-beer...does that count?



What are 5 things you would do if you were a millionaire?
-buy an ocean front house
-buy a ski house in the moutains
-travel
-give family members quit a bit of $$$$
-donate to organizations and charaties I believe in


Five things I like doing
-family time
-hanging out at the beach
-snowboarding
-vacationing
-spending more time at the beach



Five bad habits I have
- I don't cook
-I don't practice patience
-I don't take time to "smell the roses"
-spending way to much time on the computer
-don't exercise enough



What are 5 things you never wear, buy or get new again?
-Lee press on nails!
-pantyhose
-anything neon
-hamsters
-leggings



What are your favorite toys or games?
-puzzles
-monopoly (I loose every time)
-whatever Jessica is playing with
-Ms. Pacman
-trivial pursuit


Here's who's been tagged next.

Mandy

Donna

Karen

Anna

Nesting and going postal

My favorite part of waiting for a baby......nesting! Yes, I am a dork and like to fidgit (whatever that is) around with all the cute clothes. I enjoy folding all her blankies and get things "ready". Here is picture of what I pulled out of Jessica's old clothes. And to think Emma already has tons of clothes in her closet already.....poor child, so deprived.




On to the care package I sent. I went to the post office with a sick two year old in tote...not an easy task. I had all the contents of my care package to send to Emma. Stupid me assumed that I could easily buy a little box for my items at the post office. Well......the woman behind the counter was literally "stuffing" everything into an envelope! I was about to die! I didn't even need to say anything, I think the look upon my face was good enough. She threw the envelope back at me and said to come back with a box. The next day I returned with my little box in tow....oh ya and the sick 2 year old. And let me tell you..thanks to the 2 cent increase of stamps...the post office was packed! Sure enough I was helped by the same disgruntled employee. The post office had only been open for 5 minutes before she helped me and of course her day had already been ruined by the screaming kid who was in front of us. As she got the package ready she made a comment about how good Jessica was being. Little did this woman know that it was only because Jessica is sick and that the lack of oxygen getting to her brain was keeping her quite. So off I went out of the post office and off Emma's package went, hopefully to find her in China. Below is a picture of what we sent. A photo album of us (let's hope it doesn't scare her), a small toy and blanket and of course a camera to take pictures. Also a small note in Chinese telling them that we appreciate them giving this to Emma.

Nervous Much?????

We got a laugh out of the video we shot while receiving "the call" from our adoption agency. I am freaking out and Phil was pacing the floor. To view a clip of the video Click Here.

---

WA LA

Ladybugs, butterflies, caterpillers oh my!

More photos of cutie pie

Hmmmm like the walker and the truck, but uh where are ya going?



















On November 1st Emma weighed 15.40 pounds and was 25.20 inches tall. All of her blood test to detect Hep B ,syphilis and HIV all came back negative. She is said to wake up at 5am and takes 2 one hour naps a day. She has an average appetitie of formula and sometime will eat rice porridge, noodles and stuffed steamed buns. She's able to hold her head up while lying on her stomach and can roll from side to side. Her favorite activities include listening to music, playing with toys and reading picture books. Emma seems like a healthy, happy baby and we can't wait to get her. Our estimated travel departure is 6-8 weeks. Seems kinda long but with Chinese New Year thrown in there, adds an extra week or two.

Jessica would like to introduce her baby sister!!!!

We are thrilled to announce our new daughter! Fu Xiao Yu was born May 11, 2005 in the Jiangxi province. She was given to her foster family at only 2 days old. The picture above was taken in October when she was 5 months. She is said to be very healthy and happy. Her "middle" name Xiao is a reflection of her personality and means "smile". We will receive a FedEx package tomorrow containing more information and more pictures. Needless to say we are over the moon and in love!

We get THE CALL tomorrow

This is what the face of "baby Emma" has looked like for the past 7 months. Tomorrow we get the "real" picture. Here's to yet another sleepless night.

Progress is being made!

The progression of Emma's nursery!