Mother’s Day

Last year on Mother’s Day I was grieving.  We had been informed that we was unable to have biological children earlier that year and I was facing an unknown timeline in the process of adopting from China.  Mother’s Day had been difficult ever since we had decided to “let nature take it’s course” and every month came back unfruitful in our pursuit. Every month was a reminder of the empty nest in our home. Every month I grieved.  Mother’s Day was a big fat reminder of the reality that was being faced every month.

Don’t get me wrong.  I was very grateful to my mother and all that she has done.  I was all about honoring her and all that she is, but it was still difficult. I wanted to have the opportunity to kiss my babies goodnight.  I wanted to be able to kiss the boo boo’s and rock the babies to sleep.  I wanted the opportunity to be the kind of mother that my mother had trained me to be.

AND then it happened.  Just a few days after Mother’s Day last year we received THE CALL.  We rushed to our computer and waited impatiently as the file loaded and we were able to gaze on his beautiful face for the first time.  Staring back at us was OUR SON!!!!!  AND his birthday was Mother’s Day 2008.  God made sure that Mother’s Day would be a celebration for the rest of my life.  Not only because I was now a mother, but my son was the best Mother’s Day present imaginable.  As I was grieving- God was preparing my future.

As we prepared our home for our son, we got the surprise of our life.  We found out that we were pregnant!  The impossible happened.  I was going to have the opportunity to experience pregnancy for myself.  I soon found out how difficult this process was to be.  It was a long first trimester.  Then it rolled into a long second trimester.  I finally got a reprieve right before we left for China- at 6 months pregnant.  I trekked through China and up the Great Wall of China 6 months pregnant.  I carried our new son Kai in a carrier on my chest (sitting on his sister) all over China.  It was worth every second! When we got home we had lots of growing pains. We are still having lots of growing pains.  Taking care of a new toddler while very pregnant was difficult.  He was a Velcro baby that only wanted his momma.  After his palate surgery in January I held him in a hospital chair for 24 hours straight while I was 8 1/2 months pregnant.  We had to make major adjustments in every aspect in our lives.  I wouldn’t change one second of it.  Everything that we go through makes us who we are today.  Every tough day and hardship has made me the person that I am today.

On March 2, 2010 we added to our family again with our happy surprise.  Kylee made me a mother for a second time in this one year period- joining our family just 4 short months after her brother.  Again we have had to make adjustments and again it is worth every bit of it.  I have a beautiful family! It is amazing what a difference a year makes!

So far….. (Nancy’s version)

So far I have learned more than I ever thought possible! This last week has been a crash course in parenting 101.  Some of my highlights (sorry that is all I have time for).

-This new little man loves his momma!  He wants to be with his momma all of the time!

-No matter how much is on his face, he can’t stand to have anything on his hands and will let you know the instant that he gets anything on his little fingers.

-Kai is going to be a cuddler!  On the bus yesterday as we were going to tour the 6 Banyan Tree temple, he decided to lay his head on my chest- just to cuddle.  It wasn’t even close to nap time yet.  At nap time and bed time he would much prefer me to any crib.  He also has no problem with holding on to me when I carry him.  He acts like he was carried a lot and knows what to do, which is very reassuring to me.

-Kai loves to sing!  He must have had someone sing to him because he is constantly singing the same little tune.  If I hum or sing to him, he will sing back to me.

-He already has me totally and completely wrapped around his precious little fingers.  I have already told him countless times that I will do anything for him and buy him anything (good thing he won’t remember this time right ;)

-He has started a new thing where he likes to crinkle his nose.  He will scrunch up his nose and then giggle.  He especially liked doing this on our plane ride from Zhengzhou with two younger females (early 20’s) that were cattycorner from us.  What a little flirt already!

-He has learned to wave and loves to wave hello and goodbye to everyone around us.

-Kai is super smart!  It take him no time at all to figure out a new toy (even complex ones) and to figure out how to get around whatever we are asking him NOT to do.

-If he can turn an object into a percussion instrument (anything that you can hit, strike, strum, or bang) he will!  HE IS ALL BOY!  He may just take after his momma with the drums though and that is OK by me.

-He loves to people watch.  He is fascinated by others.  No matter where we are, he can stay entertained for a relatively longtime (for his age) just by watching people.  It’s only a problem at feeding times when we need his attention, but otherwise he is just social and will interact with the people he is watching.

-For right now a bottle can cure just about anything.  There is rarely a time that this boy doesn’t have a bottle in his mouth!  Sometimes he uses it for eating but most of the time he just chews on it.  It is his pacifier. If he gets fussy- give him his bottle.  If he gets tired- give him his bottle. I am not going to fight this one any time soon. It is helping us to have the kid that everyone else envies while we are out and about. They all just think that he eats a lot, and that is fine by me. He does need to chunk up but I am sure that his bottle will be the way to get that done.

-He has no problem sharing things unless it is his mommy’s lap.  He will share his cheerios, toys, bottle- but a little girl tried to climb into my lap in the playroom and he made a direct line over to reclaim the lap. No violence, just lots of whimpering and dirty looks.  It should be interesting to see what kind of arrangement Belle and him work out when we get home.

-Kai is slowly warming up to his daddy.  Just last night they were able to get some cuddle time in and he sat on his lap for Skype calls this morning.  It may be a slow progression (slower than Ray would like) but I see changes in the interaction every day.  Soon enough they will be inseparable buddies.  And Ray is doing AWESOME as a dad!  I know that he is hard on himself, but he is doing amazing!

-Many of the locals think that Kai is too pretty to be a boy.  Even the doctor at the physical kept repeating- Oh it’s a boy- in a very surprised tone once the diaper was removed.  His huge eyes and little dimple on his right cheek that just jumps out at you when he smiles are hard to resist. (again this boy has me suckered)  

-The things that I was most worried about and the build up of anxiety surrounding these issues- squatty potties, changing diapers while being out in strange surroundings, bonding issues, etc have really not been that big of a deal.  Feeling crummy with terrible mattresses and not getting a good nights sleep is the worst!  I am not much of a complainer (worrier yes, but complainer no) but you try sleeping on the floor (basically on these mattresses) while being 6 months pregnant and see how your back feels in the morning.  Add to that a 17 lb weight that you can’t hand off all day- the exhaustion may just get me by the end of the trip.  BUT would I trade in the momentary discomfort and fatigue for missing out on this trip? NEVER!!!!!!! 

I know that I am probably leaving out over a hundred things that I want to remember forever.  I will just have to blame that on the fatigue for now.  Hopefully I will be able to get them all down before the real chaos starts- once we are home.

Family Day-My version

So after a quick little nap with Kai I am finally ready to add a little of my perspective to today. So far Ray has been doing such a good job that I felt that I had little to contribute.  I figured no one really wanted to hear about my melt downs and freak outs (but trust me- they were happening everyday) and to be honest I have been EXHAUSTED every day.  If you feel tired reading Ray’s accounts of our activities- try doing them while pregnant!

Today started off emotional for me.  I know that is absolutely normal, and the pregnancy hormones really don’t help this part of the trip.  At breakfast all of the other families were excited as well and full of anticipation as we all couldn’t stop talking about what was about to happen.  We are about to meet OUR CHILDREN!  Several of the other mothers tried to reassure me that I was going to do just fine as a first time mother.  All I could think about was the possibility of rejection and lots of crying- Kai and me.

Soon it was time to make the trip to the registration office to meet our little ones.  Some of the families were able to make small talk to try and pass the time. I couldn’t do anything other than panic.  My palms were sweaty, I thought for sure my heart was going to leap right out of my chest, and crying was just a moment (or hard blink) away. The emotional messages that we each made for Kai on video before we left the hotel didn’t help.

I loved the fact that we could see little faces at the door as we pulled into the parking lot.  This also meant that there were already crying moms on the bus though as they spotted their little one, and my raw emotions were almost sent over the edge.

We did manage to make it into the building and …..no Kai.  I think that Ray and I handled it surprisingly well. Ray just relied on his crutch- photography, and I tried to capture some family firsts on video for others in our group. 

EVERYTHING STOPPED the minute I heard them announce Kai’s orphanage and name.  Ray and I made our way past all of the commotion to try and spot OUR little man.  And there he was!  True to Kai fashion he was sporting a girls jacket (but really with as handsome as he is… he pulled the look off without a problem).  They tried to hand him off to Ray, and that didn’t go very well.  Next it was my turn to try.

OK so far- he came to me and there was no crying.  I have to say that I was immediately relieved!  I cried (big surprise), but recovered faster than I thought I would be able to.  HE IS GORGEOUS!  Far more so than any picture can ever depict!  I did have a moment when I really was still in disbelief that I was HOLDING MY KAI!

We made our way over to a more secluded area of the room so that we could have a little family time to get to know each other.  I had to take the top layer coat off so that I could see his hands.  Those tiny little fingers were the most precious fingers that I had ever seen in my entire life!  I could tell that he was happy to see them again too because he started to become more animated once the coat came off. 

The bear that we brought was fun for about 2 seconds.  The winner of the day was cheerios!  This was a great bonding activity for Ray and Kai and was thrilling to witness.  Kai (who has WAY more than 4 teeth) LOVED taking the cheerios from Ray’s hand.  Whenever the hand went empty he would point back to the container to tell Daddy- more please.

When Ray got up to sign paperwork, the cheerio dispensing role went to me.  Now Kai decided that it was time to share, and he started feeding ME cheerios.  I bawled!  It had been a total of about 20 minutes with him and already he was seeing me as someone that he wanted to share his precious cheerios with! 

At that moment I knew that I was going to be OK.  This little guy really is as happy as the little one in the pictures!  I will never know how I got to be so very blessed in my life and will never be able to express my gratitude for all of my blessings.

The rest of the day I kept waiting for the other side.  When was I going to get the screaming kiddo that I had worried sick about?  When was he going to get tired of this new lady that just happened to have food all of the time?  I have to say……I am still waiting.

When we got back to the room we played with stacking cups for an hour.  He smiled and interacted with family over Skype.  We crawled and walked the hall in the room.  The mirror provided tons of entertainment!  He explored almost every inch of this room.  And somehow we avoided a melt down.  The closest that we got was when we tried to put him in the carrier to go sign paperwork, and even that was quickly resolved once out of the carrier.  Bath time was a blast with splashing and laughing.  Then another bottle was all it took to get him out for the night. 

I have discovered that the description of a “restless sleeper” doesn’t even begin to describe his sleep so far.  He has been all over that bed.  While we attempted to cuddle I got pushed, nudged, and kicked.  He has been on his back and each side at least 4 times each within a 4 hour period.  This should make things fun when we get back home.  Regardless- he is a beautiful little angel asleep or awake and I wouldn’t take back a single bit of our first day together! 

I survived!

At the airport

As I type this, we are sitting in the airport in OKC!! We are finally on our way to China.  I have to admit that I am scared to death, excited beyond belief, nervous to the point of almost vomiting, running on very little sleep, repeating check lists in my head-certain that I forgot something, and just ready to get on the plane!

I have so many thoughts running through my head.  Will I be a good parent? What are we getting ourselves into? How is Kai going to take this HUGE change in his little life?  How am I going to screw this up?

BUT…. the most overwhelming thought that I have is of that adorable little face.  The one that will look up at me very soon and within time will be calling me mama.

The reassuring thought that God has a plan for me and our new little family pulls me through- through the door of my house to the airport.  All of the pieces fit together in just such a way to make sure that I am sitting here next to my best friend as we start this journey to our family beginning.  If the consulate had taken another couple of weeks or the Chinese government had taken their time-I may have not been able to make this trip.  GOD IS GOOD!

I still can’t believe that in less than one week I will be holding that precious little boy!  He may be kicking and screaming as I am crying my eyes out, but I will be holding on to the real thing!  We welcome your prayers for a quick transition and for his heart to be prepared to receive us as his parents.

Thank you to everyone that has been our support thus far in the process!  We love you guys!

We got our Consulate Appointment!

We are officially leaving on Tuesday for China!  We finalized our plane tickets just about an hour ago after a day full of negotiations and phone calls.  BUT all that to say…. Kai we are coming sweet heart!

Just in case you forgot how incredibly cute he is!

Now we just have to pack and let these last couple days pass until we can board that plane.  Excited doesn’t even begin to describe what I feel today!  I will be holding my little man one week from Monday!  I will get to kiss his little cheeks and touch his soft hair.  I will get to feed and care for him for the rest of his life! AND it all starts a week from Monday- or I guess it really starts on Tuesday when we get on that plane!

We got TA!!!!!

Our travel approval (TA) arrived today!  We will tentatively be traveling to China NEXT WEDNESDAY (the 18th) if we can get a consulate appointment (CA) confirmed in the next couple of days!  I am bouncing off of the walls right now with excitement! Can this really be happening?  Are our dreams really coming true?  YES and YES!

We are so close to getting on that plane so that we can finally HOLD our little guy.  No more just staring at a picture.  Very soon we will have the REAL THING and I can’t wait!!!!!!!

For those of you that have not seen your fabric and wish posted…. it will come.  I have the top pieced but at this point I might in fact have lost my brain.  I am having a hard time putting words together let alone the rest of the quilt.  Don’t worry it will get done.  I think that you guys are WAY more interested in seeing Kai than the finished top anyway.  Am I right?

An overwhelming feeling

As things get closer to travel I can’t help but feel overwhelmed.  As I drive home from work at 11:30 at night, I wonder if he is being laid down for his afternoon nap.  Does he nap well or does he lay in his bed and cry?  Does he get rocked to sleep, or do they lay him down and close the door?  Does he know that his mommy and daddy are coming for him?  Do they show him the picture book of all of the family pictures that we sent in his care package?  Does he have any idea what is about to happen to him?

I know that I will never get answers to these questions.  All that I can do is work on getting ready for our travel approval (TA) to arrive.  When it does arrive a whole new set of questions and fears will wash over me I am sure.

All that we need is that stinking TA.  When we get that phone call I can actually start making concrete plans for us.  For now everything is tentative.  I can’t give work concrete timelines because we don’t have them.  I can’t give my family and friends our travel dates (that they keep asking for) because we don’t know them. 

I would love to have an answer to ANY question right now (including my name most days).  All that I really know is that I HATE THIS WAIT!  IT STINKS!!!

Come on TA!!!!!!!

Baby Shower for Kai (part 2)

Our wonderful friends from the Freshwater group also gave us a baby shower for Kai on the same day- later that night!  (Kai really made off that day)  We had a great turnout with wonderful conversation, and Ray was finally able to meet all of my adoption support friends!  We had a great time!

 Kai’s cake was extremely appropriate for our growing little family!  Our friends know how much we love Disney and can’t wait to take Kai on our first family vacation (of sorts)- where else but to Disneyland Hong Kong!  We will have to see how that turns out ;) Kai’s waiting friends were extremely generous.  He left with a car seat, high chair, clothes, books, dress up clothes (with matching dinner set with cowboys!!!!!) and ………. a double stroller! Ever since I have been welcomed into the Freshwater group I have been made to feel welcome and a part of the group.  I know that I have little to offer other than my optimism and excitement but they love and accept me anyway. I do know that there will be more strings once Kai is home ;0)  I have already been warned about the never ending play dates, birthday parties, and of course the Tuesday evening meetings- wait where is the catch?  Oh yeah…there isn’t one.

I love you guys and I can’t wait for Kai to come home and meet all of his wonderful new friends!  Thank you for all of the support!  This baby shower is just one more thing that I can add to my long list of reasons to be grateful that I was prompted to go the the quilt shop that day to meet Peggy.  I am, and always will be, thankful to God for my overflowing glass of Freshwater! 

Baby Shower for Kai (part 1)

 

Some of my very good friends at work decided to throw a baby shower for Kai today and we had a great time!  What’s better than friends, chatter, and cake?  I don’t know of much.

 

The theme for Kai’s room is safari so the cake was decked out to match!  It had an awesome gorilla (in the green jungle), elephant (wading in the water), and lion (in the savanna).  It was yummy and the kids couldn’t wait to tear into it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kai like always made off like a bandit!

Thank you, Thank you to Wendy, Allison, and Tammy for putting the baby shower together for us!  You guys rock!

Thank you to my friends that came by and helped to support us in this crazy journey to Kai!  This helped so very much to get us ready to pick up little man! Can’t wait to go get him!

Kai did have surgery!

We got the pictures earlier this week and we are excited.  Aside from the very obvious….he looks so very different, we think they did a great job.  Ray even had to look over the pics for an hour making sure that it was really Kai.  We just love the fact that 1 1/2 weeks post op he is still this happy!  (and of course our little man is secure enough in his manhood to wear pink flowers ;)

Thank you for all of the prayers and positive thoughts!  We can tell they worked!

Kai had surgery (we think)

Well we were informed that Kai was going in for lip repair surgery- the day that we received the email!  He had been turned down by Operation Smile and Smile Train due to “lung problems” and they found a local surgeon in Beijing who agreed to perform the surgery.

I am thankful that there are surgeons that are willing to repair many different “birth defects” for our kiddos.  I am thankful to all of the people that have looked at my kiddo.  I am just nervous!  I hate being this far away while he is having the surgery and not having any input in the process.  I hate the fact that I have the burden of knowledge by the very nature of my profession (ER nurse).  We were completely willing to have the surgery done when he got home.  I am all for the funds going to a child that has not been adopted yet.

We asked for an update from CCAI on Friday and we were told that they wouldn’t know anything for probably a month and that they would let us know as soon as they know something.  This is such a frustrating process!  That means that we should get an update right before we leave for China.  Surprise- here’s your baby and, oh by the way, this is what he looks like now.

I can’t wait to go to go to China and have him in my arms and cut out the middle man in this process!

Official Letter of Acceptance

Sorry that I have been a neglectful blogger, but I have to be honest- things are crazy around here!  Not only am I pregnant x 2 (one just happens to be in China) but I work full time and I have a husband that works CRAZY hours.  Now that I am starting to get energy back……I will try to post better updates.

SO…. on Ray’s 38th birthday we received our official Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from China!  We are having the best birthdays this year!  Our letter of intent went in on my birthday and the LOA came on Ray’s birthday!  This is a huge milestone in the long process known as international adoption.

The next step is LOA #2 which is the acknowledgment that the governments have received all of the immigration paperwork and that the US Consulate in Guangzhou is ready for us to come pick Kai up!  The timeline has been running approx one month after the LOA is received by China.  This gives us about another 2 weeks before LOA #2. 

From there we wait for our Travel Approval (TA).  This is our invitation from China to come and pick Kai up!  Typically travel happens 2 weeks after TA arrives. 

Once TA arrives the last official step before we can buy plane tickets is the Consulate Appointment (CA).  That usually arrives a couple days after TA and once it is in place….we can buy our tickets to China!

If that sounds like a lot- just be glad you caught on at this point.  One day I will have to recap all of the steps and it really can make a head spin!  Just be glad that you got to read my rants instead of having to live this crazy madness.  Although I have to admit that I never really looked at the whole picture at once.  I had to take the whole thing in little chunks.  It has been all about my check lists and having ones that I could complete.  One baby step at a time.

With all of the baby steps here we are!  We are so close to coming to get you Kai and I can’t wait!  Mommy and Daddy are coming!!!!!!!!!

Squishy 112

I love this wish because it is so very true!  We are a family that will be linked by so much more than blood.  We get to love our child because he is a source of joy and light that is beyond words.  We get to love Kai because we made a choice.  We decided to grow our family by love when we were unable to grow our family by the “normal” means.

Adoption really is a beautiful choice and it doesn’t have to be a “second choice” or “last option”.  There are so many beautiful children out there that need a home and parents to love them- for whatever reason.  I have to admit that we felt a strong calling to adopt.  That decision and all of the ones after it have absolutely changed my life for the better.  Even with this crummy wait- I know that when I hold Kai in my arms- all the time will disappear! 

Thank you Lidanette for this beautiful wish!

New pictures of the kids

This last week we received updates on both the kids!

Kai is healthy but still “weak for his age”.  They are trying to get his lip repair done by the end of the month if his health remains good.  As much as I was fighting the thought originally, I think that it might just work out better this way.  Especially with “peanut” coming in March.  We need Kai to be learning to eat by the time that little one is born!  This will save us a surgery, recovery, and he can start packing on the pounds (I mean growing) faster.  

I can’t believe that he has 4 teeth already!  And they gave him a hair cut (he needed one though).  I hope that he really is as happy as he looks in all of the pictures!  He just looks like he has the best temperament!

We also had another ultrasound on the same day that we got our update on Kai.  “Peanut” as we lovingly refer to kiddo #2 is growing by leaps and bounds!  We could see arms, legs, a face, and a strong heart beat!  Still way too early to tell gender.  Maybe on the next ultrasound we will be able to tell- if “peanut” cooperates. 

My clothes are getting tighter but still no real noticeable baby bump.  It just looks like I have put on a couple pounds.  I guess in that respect I will be happy when it is more obvious- less people thinking that I am just chunking up.

What a difference a week can make!

I have not said “Holy Cow” more in a few days than I have this week!  Let me catch those up that are a little behind.  We are not supposed to be able to get pregnant!  We were told by multiple specialists that it was impossible for us to get pregnant so we came off of all interventions……..and here we are!

My favorite part was telling the fertility specialist when he was doing the ultrasound that HE WAS WRONG!

He very sweetly told me “Honey, I am just fine being wrong about this one.”

We are due March 10th!  I really hope that China hurries with the paperwork.  I am cleared to travel through 28 weeks which clears us through mid December.  That should put us in the range for the average timeline right now.  I can’t even imagine not traveling to China for my little (big brother!!!!) guy.

I am still in shock that Kai is going to be a big brother so soon!  SURPRISE!!!

As a side note…. My husband made a sweet statement yesterday- baby #2 was present for Kai’s baby shower!  He is so excited and I think he is starting to get over some of the shock. I am not sure I am quite over the shock- but the nausea and other not so fun symptoms are trying to pull me out of the shock!

A funny story

Now that I can talk about our little guy I am trying to remember all of the stories I have jotted in my journal.  This one is one of my favorites.

My niece Regan (5 yrs old) is beyond excited about her new cousin Kai.  She knows that he is not here and knows that he currently lives in China.  She now even has a little bit of a China obsession (prays for the Chinese people regularly and says loudly in public areas how much she love the “China people”)  She even wants to have matching things for her and Kai- parasols, silk outfits… (I think she was disappointed that Kai was a boy)

My sister and I were talking on the phone right after I was informed that Kai was turned down for lip repair surgery due to another bout of aspiration pneumonia (the third round).  Regan could tell that something was wrong even though she wasn’t sure what aspiration meant.  Julie explained that Kai was sick and that he needed to get better to get his lip fixed.

Regan asked Julie if she could call Kai and sing him a song because that would make him feel better.  She explained that wasn’t going to be possible.  Regan then asked if she could send him a video of her singing.  Still not an option.  So they decided to write a song down for Kai.  As Regan was writing Kai “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” (her version of course) she asked where specifically Kai lived.  Julie told Regan that Kai lived in a village in China.  Regan then had Julie spell out V-I-L-L-A-G-E and C-H-I-N-A and promptly put it outside for the mailman to take to Kai in China.  When Julie retrieved the letter before the mailman arrived it had in large letters on the envelope- Kai, Village in China in “perfect” 5 year old handwriting.

She was determined that her special song would heal him.  I can’t wait to get him home to test the theory!

If you didn’t save that letter Julie you are in trouble

God knows me

The day before the PA arrived was a tough day for me.  We were on day 8 with no word.  We had been holding this enormous secret for SOOOOO long and I was just exhausted.  I was ready for the burden to be lifted.  No word.

That afternoon I called CCAI to talk to them about their medical mission trips and how I might best serve- if they could even use me (ER nurse).  I was transferred to Xiao (yes I love the name) in that area to discuss specifics since she was the one to talk to.

We started talking about the Lilly Orphan Care Center and the different ways that medical personnel are used.  For this specific area it sounds like more of a consulting role- teaching the staff what to look for, how to use tylenol and motrin appropriately, when to take the babies for further evaluation etc.  I explained to Xiao that I was indeed interested in going to the Lilly Orphan Care Center because my son started out there.

I was not expecting anything that followed!

She asked me what my son’s Chinese name was.  When I told her, her response was, “Oh yah, I know your son!  I took him to the New Hope foster home myself.  He was with me from LouHe to Beijing.  As a matter of fact I just got back last week from over there and I saw him.  He is getting fat and happy. He isn’t the same baby.”

Through the tears I thanked her for all that she does and told her that I was sure that we would be talking again soon about the project.  Honestly the rest of the conversation was a bit of a blur.  I was too busy reaching for tissue.

The next day our PA and 797C arrived in the mail.

God knows me personally and is taking care of me through this emotionally tough time.  I called to forget myself and my troubles by planning a medical mission trip- forget yourself in the service of others.  I know he was looking out for me- especially on my hard day!

The first baby shower!

  My sisters and mother surprised Ray and I with our first baby shower while we were in California celebrating my birthday.  It was AWESOME!  Kai seriously made off like a bandit! (I’m glad I brought that extra suitcase!)

The big K hanging over the crib is his super Kai cape courtesy of Aunt Julie.  Julie was also thoughtful to include a Daddy to be present of Disney books that even included Scrooge McDuck!  The big party planning was orchestrated by Julie and I am so very grateful!  You are such a thoughtful person!

My mom almost single handedly cleared out a department store that was going out of business!  He has all kinds of clothes to help outfit him through 2T. I have a feeling that with how little he is, those will last us for a while.  Thanks a TON!!!!  The pre-done scrapbook was also a favorite gift from mom.  She has every major event covered in his first year home including a surgery page!  I can’t wait to fill those pages up!  Aunt Karen got Kai his first safari blanket for his room.  It is so very soft!  It may actually be the one to make it on the plane to cuddle Kai during all of the travel!  I am so appreciative of the fact that you were able to come to the celebration in California!  I loved having you there!

 

Aunt Michelle provided some Mickey Mouse fun to the baby shower!  The adorable Mickey towel with a hood that has Mickey ears will be a BIG hit in our house.  I am sure that the cuddly will also make a big hit.  It was nice to have all of us girls together for such an awesome reason!

Regan is not to be forgotten in this post by far!  How could I forget the hula girl entertainer of the party! She had to make sure that she was the first one to give Kai his first pair of rain boots and first alligator plushy.  Thank you Regan for being a great cousin already!

Collin was able to keep himself fully entertained for all of the girly laughing and present giving.  Thanks for keeping Uncle Ray company.

We had a blast!  Thank you for all that you do!  We can’t wait to have Kai home and for all of you guys to get to meet him!

Our first care package

Today I was able to send Kai his first care package!  It was a great feeling knowing that he will soon be able to see what we look like and know that he has parents!  I know that his understanding will be limited, but it provides a great deal of relief to be able to send him his own belongings. I know that he is being well cared for and I can see it in the updates on the foster home website(www.hopefosterhome.com).  I guess the Momma in me is starting to come out.  I just need to know that he has clothes, toys, and stuff that is HIS.  (I have this strange need to make sure that he has socks and shoes too- I have no idea where that is coming from)  We did send him some goldfish crackers for him to share with his friends and a little something for the caretakers.

 

The M&M’s are for the caretakers.  American chocolate is a big hit in China but since it is so hot outside this was the best way to get chocolate there- melts in your mouth right.

 

I love the fact that he can wear “American” clothes.  No split pants in sight on the website!  That opened up the door for this Momma to help outfit my little guy!  Thanks for the overall outfit from Mom.  It will make it’s debut in China! 

The disposable cameras are a must.  I want to know what all of his friends look like.  Who are his caretakers?  What does he do with his time during the day?  Where does he sleep?  I have so many questions about his life right now.  Hopefully I will get a little glimpse from these little cameras.  I am so excited to be a Mom finally!  I am ready to have my little guy home in my arms!  This is the best connection that I can have for now- so it will have to do.  Ray has limited me to one care package a month until travel due to the cost to mail, but it is a great piece of mind for me.

We HAVE OUR PA!

  We got the all important email this morning- we have our pre-approval from China for our son Hu  Jian Lun- whom we will call Kai Jian Lun.  We originally received our referral May 13th but were unable to submit LOI until my 30th birthday on June 22nd- and I have to say that may be a birthday that will never be topped. Today we got the approval to talk about our son and post pictures, so here he is!!!!!

He was born May 11, 2008 at a very little size (they are guessing premature but because of the cleft lip and palate it is hard to tell- could have been extreme malnourishment).  On May 12, 2009 he was only 13 pounds and 24 inches long- at 12 months!  He is a really little guy, but they have been working on getting him fattened up for surgery :)  His first pictures were just sad- now he is just full of life and his eyes just dance!

Now that I can actually talk about the events of the last 49 days (that was killing us by the way) my posts might make more sense.  We expect news of the 797 any day now and that is the last step before the dossier can go to China!  Then we will be on the hunt for a few more A’s (LOA, LOA #2, TA, CA).

There has been a lot of journal writing since the referral since I was unable to post anything.  I am hoping to translate them for blog posts soon so that you can feel the excitement with us!  We have had an amazing (and frustrating) 49 days since the referral. I am hoping that the next dew months can go faster- especially since I can tap into a bigger support network now.

There will be many more posts to come!  Right now I just need to shout it- WE HAVE A SON!!!!!