Here she is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's what I know about her:

DOB - June 10, 2007 - She is a little over 10 months old

The last report I have is from Jan. 28, 2008 - 7+ mo. old

• She weighed 14.3 pound
• She is a moderate sleeper
• She sucks her fingers in her sleep
• She eats milk and rice and then it says (noodles, rice powder, dumplings and rice)
• She loves rice and fruits
• She could hold her head up while lying on her stomach
• grasp toy near hand
• locate the direction of sound/voices
• visually follows moving toys
• looks for the dropped toy
• laughs aloud :-)
• distinguishes between acquaintance and strangers
• knows name and turns when called
• imitates sounds
• She is quiet
• fond of imitating
• has a ready smile :-)
• fond of quietness
• fond of playing games
• impatient sometimes
• closest to her caretaker
• Her favorite activity is being held by her caretaker
• Her favorite toys are toys with music :-)

I love her I love her I love her!!!

p.s. At this time, I am not allowed to post her Chinese name or location. :-(

p.p.s. A HUGE thanks to Heather for creating my announcement and then changing it for me several times to comply with new rules! You rock sister!

PA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I received my pre-approval yesterday late-afternoon. I am waiting to hear back from my agency to see what I am allowed to post about my gal...sigh...the rules seem to be changing daily.

At any rate, I should have her picture up later today! Yay!

Still waiting for PA....

Ok, since I can't share any personal information about my kiddo yet...let me tell you what happens next in the adoption process.

The first thing anyone says to me when I tell them about the referral is "when do you go get her?", and then I tell them and they say "why does it take so long??" and I say "welcome to China adoption!" just kidding, but really this whole process has been hurry up hurry up...do tons of paperwork...hurry up, submit paperwork, and then wait...and wait.

So, here's what happens next in the process:

• I am waiting for PA (pre-approval) wait, haven't I already been pre-approved twice?? Yep, sure have...but hey! apparently I need another! Pre-approval can take anywhere from 1 week to 1 month.
• Next up, wait for LOA (letter of acceptance). A letter the China adoption affairs office sends to me to sign and send back stating I am SURE I want to adopt the little lady (ummmmm, I think I'll say yes!!). I think this step takes about 1 month?
• Next up, TA (Travel approval). Usually arrives 2 weeks after Letter of Acceptance is received.
• Then, once my agency schedules a very important in China meeting (consulate appointment) I can go get her!

So, in summary, the earliest I will go to China is 3 months, the latest 5 months. Guess what major world sporting event falls right smack dab in the middle of all of this?? Yes, you guessed it...the Olympics. I am PRAYING that everything is processed quickly and I can go get her before the Olympics. Oh how I wish...

In other news, her bedroom is painted and the closet shelves are installed! I'll post pictures as soon (I was too pooped to do it Saturday night).

Referral and LOI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have to follow the new rules in that I can't share too much information publicly on my blog.....but...............

I accepted a referral for a little 10 month old sweetie this past weekend. My letter of intent to adopt was submitted last Sunday. I have been DYING to announce on the blog, but until I receive pre-approval I am not allowed to post her picture, name, etc.. :-(

Anyway, I'M A MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Things are kicking into high gear around here as my agency anticipates I'll be in China within 3-5 months.

My Dad, my guy, and I just finished painting her room, closet shelves are being installed tomorrow.

I am over the moon!!

More later, but just wanted to share the FANTASTIC NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well hot damn!!

It seems as if my documents are FINALLY out of review!! There is Internet chatter all over that the "box", the one we adoptive parents used to be able to see and now only agencies can access it, has finally been updated!

They, the Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs, have reviewed documents registered with their office before December 31, 2006! My documents were registered on 12/13/06!

This is awesome and another VERY important step done and over with!! YAHOO!!!!!!!!

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost-

Things are looking brighter...

It's been a great day out here in the wild wild west!

I hope you are having a great weekend too!

because some days are easier than others...

THIS WAIT SUCKS!!!

obviously this wouldn't be one of the easier days

16 months waiting!

I've been waiting for my girl for 16 months!

In other news....spring is finally here! The weather is supposed to be 70 today! The snow has finally melted YAY! B and I busted out the BBQ yesterday afternoon and for "fun" we picked up loads of dog poo from the back yard (just kidding on the fun part).

Ahhhhhh, spring makes me a happy happy girl.

Have a great Sunday!

A new baby....

My sister had her baby last night! Brooklyn Justine arrived 3 weeks early and weighs in at a tiny 5 pds 2 oz. My mom was scheduled to be back next week, so she is in MN waiting very patiently for pics....so here ya go grandma!!

Jackson is a big brother!

Electric Boogaloo

Jackson and I have been hanging out this weeked...I volunteered to keep him while his baby sister was born....yesterday he showed me his breakdancing moves!



After he rocked it for a few he yelled "hey Sara, show me your triple whip!" Wha?? He's 3 and he's throwing out the breakdancing lingo like a pro. At least I had him rockin' to some decent tunes.

Sorry for the loud voice at the end, we were rockin' out!

Happy Birthday Ariana!

Happy Birthday to my sister Ariana!

Happy Birthday Ryan!

My good looking BIL Ryan turns 30 something today! ;-) Happy Birthday Ryan!