Squishy 101

More Asian inspired fabric and I love it!  I just have to hope that this is not what to expect when we go to the tourist sights- that is one long line ;-)

Thank you for the beautiful fabric Marsha!

 

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.

SQUISHY 100!

I kind of had to stretch out this post due to the fact that Matt and Sharon mentioned Kai in their wish, but we made it to 100!  The 49 days from referral and PA were the hardest days!  I was so afraid of accidentally slipping and saying something that I wasn’t supposed to, but now, as Ray put it, our mouths are unbound!

Thank you Matt and Sharon for your wish and fabric but also for all of the support!  Congrats on your new little bundle as well!

Squishy 99

This fabric reminds me of the fun rainbows that are produced from prisms.  When I was with my sister at the Children’s Inn at the NIH facility in Bethesda, they have a window full of prisms that cast rainbows all over the room while the sun is shining.  We loved going into this room to point out all of the colors.  It was a great relaxation and quiet room.

Thank you Bridget! 

Squishy 98

This fabric will be harder to place for my little guys quilt but I am looking forward to the challenge!  All little one laugh and play hopscotch though right ;) Thank you Sindy!

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!!!!!