Care Package!

Here is what was in the care package.

Tigger!

Photo album!

Disposable cameras!

Gifts for the nannies!

Tigger has landed!

The good news keep on coming!

After unsuccessfully trying to track the care package via USPS, I contacted Adele Hall at Blessed Kids . She called Annalisa's orphanage and confirmed that they received the Care Package and that Annalisa is back in the orphanage waiting for us (she has been in foster care since she was 8 days old).

We knew that there was a chance that they would take her out of foster care several weeks before "Gotcha Day" but we were really hoping that Annalisa didn't have to go through two very difficult transitions. One from the foster family to the orphanage and a few weeks later from the orphanage to us. I know that at the end it won't matter but I wish she could have stayed with her foster family until the day we go get her.

At least she has Tigger to cuddle with!

Tigger has already provided many hours of comfort to many.

He travelled with us to my hometown in Italy, Martina Franca this past summer.

My niece Isabella snuggled with him during nap time!

She finally let go of Tigger when we gave her Tigger Jr.
One for Annalisa, One for Isabella!

Mittens (Tigger's inspiration) misses him too! She loved to cuddle up with him!

TAs ARE FINALLY IN!

We just received an e-mail notifying us that China has sent the Travel Approvals.

This means that our agency can request an appointment with the American Embassy and finalize our travel dates.

They are requesting travel dates for November 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 7th (or next available date) which means that we're still on track for leaving the last week of October.

It can take the American Consulate in Guangzhou 2 to 7 business days to get back with an appointment date. Hopefully we'll know our definite travel dates next week.

One step closer to finally getting Annalisa!

Let's see if this works!

View my Nursery Video!!

Nine months old today!

Annalisa is nine months old today.

Happy Nine Month's Anniversary!

Love,

Mommy & Daddy!

Do you have children?

Here is the scenario:

You go to the Nail Salon to get a pedicure or a manicure. You don't know the lady who is massaging, scrubbing, painting your nails and her broken English prevents you from having much of a conversation with her anyway so you sit back and enjoy. In the middle of your mani/pedicure she asks: "Do you have children?"

Me: "No"

She: "NO CHILDREN! WHY!" in an alarmed, almost scolding tone of voice.

Me: "We just don't have any!"

She: "You don't want babies?"

Me: "Yes, we are working on it!" hoping she stops asking questions.

Throughout the past couple of years as we went from being engaged to being married and wanting to start a family that question has been a constant reminder of what we didn't have but terribly longed for.

Even after we received our referral John and I found ourselves answering no to the same question. Force of habit I guess.

But the other day when asked THE QUESTION I promptly answered YES and it felt good!

Look what Grandma bought!

Grandma and Grandpa Strub went on a trip to visit their family in Eire, PA and they brought back the cutest, softest stuffed puppy for Annalisa. It is adorable!

By the way that's Stella checking out the new addition to the toy collection!

Stella continues to sniff the puppy now sitting next to Grandma Lucia stuffed Hippo!

Can you tell Stella is still a kitten? Here she is swiping at Hippo's ear!

Tigger is on its way to China!

Well, after an extremely frustrating trip to the Post Office last night I managed to finally send Annalisa her care package. In it there was:

• Tigger (we recorder a brief message in each paw telling Annalisa we love her);
• Picture album with photos of mommy, daddy, Zia (aunt in Italian) Grazia, Zio (Uncle in Italian) Derek, her baby cousin Isabella, Nonni (Grandparents) Strub, Nonni Speciale and Bianca our dog. The cats didn't make the cut, not enough room. Sorry George, Mittens, Cuddles and Stella!
• Two disposable cameras
• Makeup, Oreo Cookies and necklaces for the Nannies at the SWI.

The box was a little over 6 pounds and it cost $43.50 to mail 4 to 10 business days! I can track it online, I hope it gets there!

Yihuang!

Here are some pictures of Yihuang the city where Annalisa is waiting for us!



The gate of the Social Welfare Institute in Yihuang!












A Street view!














Vespa's are everywhere in the world!














Surrounding mountains!












Yihuang SWI Entrance!













Walmart!?!?!?!

Do you ever wonder....

How the CCAA (China Center for Adoption Affairs) matches babies with their soon to be parents?

Check out this website,

http://familyoffour.homestead.com/June05CCAA.html

Mr. Postman!

Today a tall, dark and handsome man delivered Annalisa's Referral Package.

He was shy at first but he quickly agreed to have his picture taken while holding up the package.
He got a little flustered after the pictures and he tried to leave with the package but mommy tackled him and ripped the envelope right off his hands... Well, not quite that dramatic but he did relinquish the envelope after I politely pointed out to him that I really needed that envelope!
He wished me luck with the adoption and he left.

The envelope had several documents for us to sign and send back. A medical report dated April 4th, 2005 and a Growth report dated May 11, 2005! It also included a long letter explaining where and how she was found and more detailed information about her but...IT WAS IN CHINESE! The agency is still translating it and will send us the English version in a couple of days.

From her Growth report dated May 11th, 2005 when she was 5 months old:

Chinese Name: Lin Guo Hua
D.O.B.: 12/20/2004
Health Status: Normal
Weight: 5.8 kg (12.79 lbs)
Height: 61 cm (24.03 inches)

Sleep Habits:
She is a deep sleeper

Motor Development:
Holds her head up while lying on the stomach

Adaptability:
Locates the direction of sound/voice
Visually follows moving toys
Holds blocks on each hand at the same time

Language and Sociality:
Follows you with moving head from one side to the other
Distinguishes between acquaintance and strangers
Sounds directed at someone or something !?!?!?!?!
Knows name, turns when called
Responds to the facial expression of adults

Personality:
Active
FOND OF LISTENING TO MUSIC (My family will be soooo thrilled to ear this)
Fond of playing games
Having a ready smile (Just like her Daddy)
Quick in Reaction (Just like her Mommy)
Impatient sometimes (Hmmmm!!!! I am not going to comment on this)

Next step for us is to sign the Acceptance letters and overnight them to our agency in Texas. We also have an appointment with our Pediatrician tomorrow night so he can confirm that she is beautiful and healthy!

Announcing...

It is with great joy that we announce the referral of our daughter Annalisa!

Chinese Name: Lin Guo Hua
DOB: 12/20/2004
Social Welfare Institute is located in: Yihuang, Jiangxi
At four months she weighed 12.76 lb and was 24.03 inches tall.

We can't believe how beautifull she is!