tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66282445345931783932024-03-13T18:00:58.427-04:00We're Better Together.Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-68780256843766415792016-07-05T11:34:00.001-04:002016-07-05T11:34:43.091-04:00Consulate Day - July 5, 2016<div>As of yesterday, we’ve had Marli for a week. It’s amazing what a week can do. She has been smiling, playing, running, talking, eating, squealing, giggling, fake-laughing, mimicking… Today she took off her shoes in the van and didn’t put them on in the room until much later. </div><div>She still has moments that she calls for “Mama” and I get it. How could she not? When you’re scared or mad and you’re a kid, you call for your mom. Heck, even us adults need our mamas. She’s going through one of the most difficult moments of her life (not the most, but right up there) and she wants her Mama. But! In such a short time, she is already giving me that role. She’s been calling me “Mammy” for a few months. I guess maybe her foster sister taught her that and every time we’d video-chat, she’d shout “Mammy” as soon as she saw me. From day one together, she referred to me as “Mammy”. So she’d say: “Mammy… (blah blah blah…) Mama yuen.” Which I’ve understood that she’s telling me she wants to go to her Mama. If she wants something to eat, she’ll tel me: “Mammy, blah blah blah…” and point at whatever. However… today there was a moment that she went to talk to me and she said “Mama” instead of “Mammy”. She immediately caught herself then said “Mammy”. Seems to me like she’s inadvertently giving me the role of Mother. </div><div><br></div><div>Here are a few things we know about this little Ladybug:</div><div><br></div><div>She’s teeny tiny. </div><div>She’s smart. Very smart.</div><div>She’s stubborn/ Strong-willed</div><div>Feisty</div><div>Opinionated</div><div>Complacent</div><div>Funny</div><div>Sweet </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I knew she was small. But when we video-chatted and saw videos and photos, she seemed bigger. When we looked at her for the first time in person, we were kind of take aback and her tininess. But we’re getting used to her and now she doesn’t seem as small anymore. </div><div>Girlfriend got mad skills. She knows Mandarin, Cantonese and her local dialect. She’s repeating English words and knows a few of them already. For example, a few days ago, I was saying something about shoes. She reached down and touched her shoes. She tells me when she wants to eat, drink, go to the bathroom in her own way, but we’re understanding each other. She uses sentences appropriately in her languages. She’ll start talking to me by addressing me “Mammy… “ </div><div>She’s stubborn/strong willed – she will not eat or drink something if she doesn’t want to. She’ll definitely be feisty and give a little feisty ‘tude to let you know she means business. She is opinionated. Today I showed her what I was going to put on her later, she immediately said “no” and shoved it away. I wanted to try it on her to see how it fits and she wanted no part of it. She was just fine with her undershirt and tights though. But if you push a bit and let her know you really are going to do something then she’ll comply almost like saying: “I’ll just pick my battles.” ☺ </div><div>Marli is really funny. She’ll do something to see if she can make you laugh. Also, if we start laughing, she’ll put her hand on her mouth and laugh the fakest laugh. It’s hilarious. And, she’s sweet. Or, she’s learning to be. She pinches Mila with a smile on her face. So we’re teaching her that it’s not cool and also to be empathetic. So we do lots of caressing on the ouchies and Daddy grabs her hands and rubs them on his face. I know it’s a cultural thing. The Chinese are not very affectionate. So she’s not used to all the cutesy stuff. We’re very intentional with that. We exaggerate our greetings and our farewells, our good nights. She’s a sponge. She’s picking lots up. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Today was our Consulate Appointment. It’s the culmination of 2 years of hard work and paper-chasing. We woke-up super early after a late night. Marli and Mila had a hard time getting up. After shower and breakfast, we rushed downstairs to our waiting driver at 7:30. We met Lee, our guide at the medical building. Another two families were there, including our friends Mandy and Jason with their beautiful babies. They were dressed up so nice. It’s really nice seeing familiar faces. The other family had a little girl and a boy about Mila’s age and they were adopting a little boy. He was wearing a superhero shirt. That he is indeed! They older boy and Mila hit it off and they were talking the whole time. We walked over to the Consulate building where there were already so many people waiting. Adopting families go to a separate floor. The building was really beautiful. Other families showed up and we began. We took numbers and also gathered as a group to take the oath on behalf of our children. It was simple or at least it was done as simple as possible for the sake of saving time. Then we were called each family separately and were asked a couple of questions including if we know the contents of the medical report and if we agree with it. After the three families from our agency were done, we all headed back to the medical building. Our driver came, and we were on our way back to the hotel. We relaxed a bit and I even took a little nap. Not really, more like shut my eyes for a bit. Then we decided to go walk the malls and have something to eat. We went to this really cool underground mall. REALLY COOL. There are art installations everywhere you look. We took a tons of pictures. We finally sat and ate lunch at Lazy Beer. It’s sort of like a pub. It was totally empty and wouldn’t be our first choice, but nothing else was appealing to us. Afterwards, we walked back, stopped at Starbucks inside Sheraton and ordered a latte for me and a muffin for Mila which she (kind of ) shared with her sister. We have to work on sharing around here.</div><div>I took my coffee to the hotel so I can drink in peace. Hahah! Little Miss Thing demanded I give her some (lots) of my coffee. I didn’t mind her getting some foam, but she really wanted to chug my very warm, almost hot coffee. She’s used to drinking hot tea, so she knows just what to do with hot drinks. After some playing around, baths and dinner, I put her in the carrier and she fell asleep. Good night.</div>Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-74328433798362902512016-07-03T12:07:00.001-04:002016-07-03T12:07:16.050-04:00Shamian Island July 3, 2016Today's plan: Shamian Island. <div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSlxDsAOKFXPi6l1X8xhFDnCFfgjLOnsAIcTDGUh18gE-1lc-OnMVhKnhsk3t6Ec1EZyIuF7NS6_Fq_unYVA090AkTDA79AVKKES8Xb7R98oonFp4X5gBIVDcwrw_Yl2ZP9WAkcaPx7w/s640/blogger-image--756492957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSlxDsAOKFXPi6l1X8xhFDnCFfgjLOnsAIcTDGUh18gE-1lc-OnMVhKnhsk3t6Ec1EZyIuF7NS6_Fq_unYVA090AkTDA79AVKKES8Xb7R98oonFp4X5gBIVDcwrw_Yl2ZP9WAkcaPx7w/s640/blogger-image--756492957.jpg"></a></div><br><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-26043875657075862022016-06-30T11:53:00.001-04:002016-06-30T11:53:34.874-04:00Medical Day June 30, 2016Today's medical was a breeze until they took my little Ladybug inside a room and shut the door. I was very worried and feeling helpless. It seemed like she was in there forever. I heard her screaming inside. And then it stopped. A couple of minutes later as I was putting the Ergo on and preparing her water bottle, the door opens and a nurse handed me a very stoic little girl. Ah my heart breaks for her. We were at the appointment with another AAC family and a FB friend - Mandy and family. They're adopting two on this trip. We went for lunch after the appointment at a Western coffee shop where they served lunch- sandwiches and pastas. It was nice and we had a good time. <div>We headed to the hotel and I started making some soup while Dadsy and Mila went to the gym. Marli comes out of her she'll in the late afternoon so it's something to look forward to. </div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow we are traveling an hour and shall to vist the orphanage, the finding spot and foster family's home. </div>Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-32075759914046633762016-06-29T11:45:00.001-04:002016-06-29T11:45:04.692-04:00Passport Appointment Day<div>The day started at 6:30 am with Thumbelina wanting out of bed in desperation to run to her beloved Mama. We brought her back to bed and after a bit of struggle and running to the door, she got tired and gave up and fell back asleep. We got dressed and went to have breakfast. After that, as a distraction we went to a mall across the other side of the street and walked a bit. We bought her a new pair of shoes because the ones we brought her were too big. ☺ </div><div>Afterwards we went to Toys R Us to let her pick out something she liked. She hasn’t been playing much, so Luis suggested we let her choose. As soon as we walked in there was a tub full of small inflatable toys. We showed it to her and she immediately picked up a pink one. Nothing else caught her attention. After a bit of exploring, we went back to the hotel. I showered and started getting ready and got the girls ready to go to the Police Station to apply for her passport. Once we got there, the families that had their family day and adoption day the same as ours were there. There’s a Spanish family and we chatted with them a bit. It’s interesting that their guide speaks fluent Spanish. But of course. A French family was also there and their little boy came up to me and put his arms up for me to carry him. I immediately got his little hand and redirected him to his mommy. Children from orphanages tend to have indiscriminate affection and will ask anyone to pick them up. With one or two nannies per shift for a room full of 30 babies or more, there’s no time to pick them all up. And also with the rotation of so many caregivers, they want attention from whoever will give it to them. These babies don’t understand the concept of family. That mom is just another nanny to him at the moment. It’s very important for attachment purposes that only the parents take care of the child’s basic needs for a while. The child needs to learn that parents meet all their needs. They don’t have to rely on anyone else. But that takes a while. Clear boundaries have to be set in order for the child to learn. </div><div>Marli was interested today in sitting close to the Spanish family. Probably to be close to another little girl like her. I wasn’t too concerned as I know that Marli knows the concept of family and wouldn’t be mommy-shopping. The only mommy she really wants is the Foster Mama. Yikes. But she knows we’re the parents. She calls me “Mammy” and her foster mom “Mama”. She makes that distinction. </div><div>It was our turn and I had to pick Marli up and they put a little camera to her face and snapped a passport picture. Go figure! We received our red book with the Adoption Certificate and her Birth Certificate. Then we exchanged information with the Spaniards and were on our way back to the hotel. We dressed the girls in their swimming costumes and went down to the pool. When we got downstairs it was pouring. So much for swimming. We went back to the room and hung out. Marli was doing some funny things. She sat on Daddy’s lap and started slapping him on the chest. Sort of how she did with Mila yesterday. I think this is her way of letting her guard down and awkwardly having contact. She was so cute though. And despite her still grieving and screaming out for her Mama, she’s doing better and attaching ever so slowly to us. We have planned to go visit the orphanage on Friday and also her home. I feel it’s important for her to go back to her home with us. It will be extremely hard when it’s time to leave, but hopefully this will bring closure and she’ll feel less anxious about being with us. </div><div>Tomorrow is our Medical Appointment. All American families’ children being adopted have to do this check before going to the US consulate appointment. We will go to different stations to check for different things. Except one station – where they do the TB test, they take your child and close the door. Then a couple of minutes later they bring your child back screaming, of course. And although I am hating this part; and I can stand my ground and NOT let them take her… I also know from previous families that this step helps the children really come around and bond with you. Let’s see what Mama Bear will do tomorrow. I also know that interestingly, there’s a wine vending machine in the Medical Center. LOL. Um, yes, please. ☺ We all need a little wine after that! </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img src="webkit-fake-url://8486147e-148b-4f51-be38-84cb7640b8e0/imagejpeg"><img src="webkit-fake-url://ac02ac3f-1b43-4e01-9adb-a350a93f3e2f/imagejpeg"><img src="webkit-fake-url://ddf142ae-06b8-4664-bb6f-a1254c0483bc/imagejpeg"><img src="webkit-fake-url://dee731ce-5b33-44d2-b9fc-4c1fa2e8e819/imagejpeg"><img src="webkit-fake-url://49b6d407-f99e-40e1-af00-2fe22436004b/imagejpeg"><img src="webkit-fake-url://6a12c424-edd1-4462-9a34-37614950a4fc/imagejpeg"><img src="webkit-fake-url://5603b146-201e-49e0-ac3d-b95d767f3f78/imagejpeg"><img src="webkit-fake-url://ac0da091-5cce-4d47-b501-382121b9e8b9/imagejpeg"></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-69270186913820330772016-06-29T10:52:00.001-04:002016-06-29T10:52:25.387-04:00I Thought I Was So Cool<div>This was supposed to have been posted last night – June 28, 2016, Monday night. But, our VPN would not work. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I Thought I Was So Cool.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I thought I had it all figured out. After all, I’ve read the material. I did the training. I’ve been reading up on it for years. Years. I’m in all the informational groups. And hello? I read all the blogs. ALL! THE! BLOGS! Today, I was a sissy. Today, I let tremendous fear creep up on me until my heart was pounding and my chest was burning. As I carried all of 23 lbs. of cute Chinese babyness on my body, all sorts of horrific thoughts invaded my peace. It was dark. I was choking in fear. My eyes welled up. I couldn’t start crying and hyperventilating right there in the middle of Carrefour in front of our sweet guide. But inside of my head all crap was hitting the fan. I quickly caught up to Luis and gave him the look. He hugged me and asked me what’s wrong and reassured me it was going to be ok. You see, today was finalization day. It was the end of the “Harmonious Period” in which we had the option of not going through with the adoption. Families are given a mere few hours after meeting their most probably very shell shocked child to decide if “this is what they signed up for”. Well, of course you’re signing up for it the moment you agree to adopt. It’s all really unknown. Just like anything in life. You will make an educated guess. But it by no means has to be exactly as you think it will. We sat in an office in front of a judge interviewing us whether or not we were “satisfied with this child” and we also promised to “never abuse or neglect her.” And we were asked to promise never to abandon her. Heavy. Heavy stuff. Of course we won’t. But we really had to promise. What world do we live in? Then we went in front of a notary and answered similar questions. They’re simple answers. But the magnitude of today was just mind boggling. We were back in the same place we were the day before when our sweet girl watched her “Mama” walk out. She was again in silent tears. This is all so emotionally taxing, we don’t really realize it until… </div><div>We were in Carrefour and I was discussing how this is all really overwhelmingly hard. I said I can see why some parents can get so scared that they want to run. Far. And then all of a sudden, I had images in my head of so many things that I usually don’t sweat over. It just kept spreading and growing inside of me. It was AWFUL! I wanted to go back in time and stay in our cozy home where all was fine in the world. I didn’t want to endure another day in (my beloved) China. I didn’t want to go to the US after. I just wanted to go back home and make some other summer plans. Madinat Jumeirah sounded perfect. And all thoughts intertwined with the fact that it wasn’t a possibility, made me spin. I was sick to my stomach. I just wanted to go to the hotel and rest. We got to our room rather quickly. Our guide said a swift goodbye and I was in the shower (my luxury, my soul food) quicker than anyone can say a word. I washed off make up and the gloomy day. But I was still feeling all the blah-ness. And then I started praying and remembering that when we decided all of this, we did so under specific prayer. We knew that it was only possible for us to get this far because our wonderful God and creator wanted us to. Then why was I questioning all of that? So then I prayed for calmness of my heart and all our hearts and to show us a glimpse of what’s to come. I had Mila take her shower while Marli was complaining about being here from the moment we walked in. Refused to remove shoes and put her itty bitty pack on her back. Mila said she had filled the tub for her sister to take a little bath if she wanted to. It was so sweet and it came in very handy. I sat Marli in the warm water and I talked to her. I showed her “splash, splash” and washed her hair. I wrapped her in he cute girly hooded baby towel and then a big comfy hotel towel over it. She was a chunky burrito. I snuggled her and rocked her a bit. I massaged her legs with oil again, dried her up and dressed her. She was ready to go again! LOL. So we decided to go and take a hotel stroll. I stopped by the lobby where I asked a nice attendant if he could provide a baby cot (crib) for our baby. And that when we checked in we had requested a roll away bed and we really needed the crib. We had refused the bed because they were charging us some ridiculous amount. We had ended up bringing the couch over to the edge of the bed and put a king size duvet on it, connecting to where I was sleeping. Made a great little extension with a back. But it didn’t look so nice for everyday use. The crib came in so handy. It’s so cute, appropriate and also gave me that extra feeling of having our baby with us. And, keeps our room tidy by the sofa going back to its spot in front of the TV. After our lobby visit, we went to the children’s playroom. Here Mila and Marli continued Daddy’s game of throwing the foam blocks inside the little house. It was so funny to watch Little One squeezing each and every block with a bit of anger before throwing it. She was really letting her frustrations out. Daddy joined us and we went to visit the gym. It has a sort of dance studio with huge windows overlooking the city. It was nice to be there. While Daddy played with Mila, I was messaging my wonderful childhood friend all of my “concerns”. She was so awesome reassuring me that all was fine and it’s expected for everyone to wig out on this very crazy journey. She really made me feel better and put so much into perspective for me. We went up to the room to receive the crib. After a while of Thumbelina demanding us to take her to Mama to the point of her getting a bit desperate; I decided to tell her that we were in fact going to her Mama’s house. She had been saying “Mammy (me) something something in her language… then Mama (foster mom)” I understood that she was begging me to take her to her Mama. So then I pulled out the phone. Luis immediately said “Don’t show her that.” I said, “I have to. We can’t pretend we don’t know what she’s talking about.” So then she heard her Mama’s voice in the video and came running to see. She started screaming at the screen. I quickly told Luis that it was ok. She needed this. She needed to scream and cry. She needed us to honor her feelings. I let her see her Mama. And watched our itty bitty girl grieve so hard. Her voice was so big at that moment. Then I put it away and hugged her. She cried for a little bit and we distracted her. I carried her lots today in the Ergo. Then I put her down. All of a sudden, she got on the bed to watch what Daddy was doing. On her own. Took shoes off and up on the bed. I peeled a banana and put it in her hand. She ate it all which made me so happy because she hadn’t eaten much the whole day. (She had a few bites of congee and some juice for breakfast. Then she threw up in the way to the appointment. ) Then, Mila and Daddy started watching KaiLan and she did it again. This time, she looked at Mila, smiled and started getting closer to her. Then she reached for Mila’s hand and put it around her and started play hitting Mila’s hand. Mila went along with it and soon they were giggling and laughing. Daddy exclaimed, “she has dimples!” It was the glimpse we needed and a sweet, wonderful reminder for us to trust our Almighty God. </div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div><br></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRUu7wmakp-8sBO0j_JCPD8uFqbXxms6TqI6pDo2sO83yAw80lS1xPmfQT17t6q5tuf9SKTip-kXE48sz0PIXHtSjRFPTOHSuWNjmoZuinEL5KQ8IN9xcpPbviv5Xxr1T624qWLbscJg/s640/blogger-image-159164079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRUu7wmakp-8sBO0j_JCPD8uFqbXxms6TqI6pDo2sO83yAw80lS1xPmfQT17t6q5tuf9SKTip-kXE48sz0PIXHtSjRFPTOHSuWNjmoZuinEL5KQ8IN9xcpPbviv5Xxr1T624qWLbscJg/s640/blogger-image-159164079.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div> </div><div> </div>Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-89380449673554094562016-06-27T13:39:00.001-04:002016-06-27T13:39:23.317-04:00Family Day June 27, 2016We walked in to the "Adoption Registry Center of Guangdong Province" at around 2:30. It was on the third floor of a regular business building. We walked in and had all the jitters. Our guide started talking paperwork. I asked her if Marli was already there. She said yes, in the playroom. I know we're supposed to wait for them to make sure they're not just handing a kid over to these foreigners. So we waited. Other families were already there receiving their children. The sound in that room was all too familiar to me. I have watched countless videos of "gotcha day"s and knew it would be like that. Luis and Mila didn't. The emotions in that room were almost palpable. The overwhelming happiness of parents and the fear, loss and grief of the children. I swallowed tears the whole time. My husband's eyes welled up. I have seen him this chocked up less than a handful of times. Mr. Sunshine makes the best of any situation. But this, friends. This is real, hard stuff. <div>Soon later Lee asked us if we wanted to peek in. We decided it would be best no to. But I was curious and wanted to know how Marli was doing. She's very afraid of strangers and she had to travel from her town with people she barely knew. She'd go to the orphanage to get check ups once a month and was friendly with the staff. But, to travel even if a short distance, with strangers... I was surprised not to hear cries coming from the room. Lee checked in on her and told us she was doing great. Playing. </div><div>Then, someone walked out of the room and my head did a double take. It was Foster Mom. I exclaimed to Luis "it's her foster mom! She wasn't supposed to come." Then I looked all the way down and saw that the tiny little hand that she was holding belonged to our little girl. We started taking videos and pictures and bringing them over to our couch ever so slowly and cautiously. I hugged Mama. We tried offering Juanjuan (pronounced J'wehn - e as egg) treats and water. Toys. Nothing. She was weary although she knew us from video chatting so many times. Also, the foster family prepared her well for this. But who could blame her? She was so scared. We gave gifts to the two orphanage officials that came with them. They gave us a small album with a couple of pictures of our girl. (No baby pictures). I felt so bad not having Foster Mama's gift at the moment. Our plan was to take it when we visit her home. Foster Mama had a few pictures as gifts for us. She brought Marli with a little backpack full of snacks. We took lots of pictures and it was time for them to leave. Lee threw around the thought of them sneaking out. Mama bear came out and I calmly, but firmly asked that they please explain to our girl that they'd be leaving and that it was time to say goodbye. And that she'd be staying with her Mama and Baba (us). They all said bye. I thanked them and gave Mama a big hug. She didn't cry. </div><div>Marli, of course, got weepy. Mila was weepy. So many emotions. We took Juanjuan to a couch that had a fan right in front. We tried distracting her. I asked her if she needed to use the bathroom. Lee said Foster Mom has already asked her and she didn't need to. She's a bit feisty. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our girl was sad though. And we were all super overwhelmed. We left that place and came back to the hotel to finish paperwork for tomorrow's interview and finalization. With China adoptions there's a 24 hours harmonious period before finalizing. On our way to the hotel we realized that Marli had to tinkle again. We had the driver stop and Marli and I rushed towards the hotel. But she needed to go right there. When in China, do as they do :) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We got to the hotel and started filling out and signing paperwork. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The whole time Marli wanted to keep her shoes and back pack on. Homegirl was ready to go! Poor baby. When Lee left, she told her bye and that again, she'd be staying with us. Tears again. Sad quiet tears. Never a big cry. The guide left and Marli tried making a run for it. After a few minutes we decided to take her to the kids play room to distract her. Thank God for my sweet, patient, playful husband. He started playing with the foam blocks then throwing them. She joined in. It was so funny because she was so serious and throwing them things. We said, "with a little hate." It's a joke between us. It was hilarious. They did that over and over. Mila was being such a good big sister. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We decided to go get something to eat and then pass by a market to grab a few things. The mall is connected to our hotel and also another one on the other side of the street connected underground. We ate at a pizza place. Marli had three small spoons of her corn soup then refused. It's very frustrating for me that she won't eat much. She has been drinking a little more water but still. Anyone who knows me, knows I refuse to let anyone be hungry. But I know she's grieving and will need time. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We bought a bottle for Marli. She was supposed to bring it with her but they didn't :( </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We came back to the hotel and had Mila shower first so she can see. Then it was her turn. She refused at first but didn't fight it. I had Mila hide her shoes so she wouldn't put them on after the bath. But she got her other ones anyway. Lol</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I rubbed her a bit with baby olive oil. She is so tiny. She let me dress her and helped, then ran to look for her shoes (to dip) and settled for the other. I explained to her that she stays with us. After brushing teeth,I </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">prepared a bottle of plain milk and she had some. Progress. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">She fell asleep as I gave it to her but woke up when I put her down. Daddy to the rescue as I needed to shower. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Everyone's asleep now. It's 1:25 am. Another long day tomorrow. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Here are some photos of our day:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkd0xktNUjEdS6AubEb6qXLW4n3DsQ7obsETBADEEeXSpnyBGBC05CMaSzy7i5BKHMv0Wtueh_-oEnSfzLwMk-ynRhNOSVPI4y-uI1IGncc_AFV1uY0DicTJNWPm5HfgRx1JntpP-wAmg/s640/blogger-image--1855916569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkd0xktNUjEdS6AubEb6qXLW4n3DsQ7obsETBADEEeXSpnyBGBC05CMaSzy7i5BKHMv0Wtueh_-oEnSfzLwMk-ynRhNOSVPI4y-uI1IGncc_AFV1uY0DicTJNWPm5HfgRx1JntpP-wAmg/s640/blogger-image--1855916569.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOblVrEvbR0x9T8xXbMZOuG074wuq570o_2JBNBFxtB-WD9AcD7A31kwmXzo3USOTWKsdtXVHUg9gtslh75SSuSwnl7U0bPMXkGoaa6oZ1rLEelXR7vF17k4HKp_vFyAQ-TiQVUjrKs0/s640/blogger-image-1610115413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAcQuc3_91v3__-63urK6pHIO-0RNcc47k1vgrlnVvdq6X01B_6IDVYZ_rMOjNfpH3rds2lhZu-SXF8zKa-CdbqWtGx1IVgzi3lPtYrLWrkRii4wj3xsLPimQci_KAX1XxvsMr3zw_rs/s640/blogger-image--1044081671.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-71063106918601315402016-06-26T23:19:00.001-04:002016-06-26T23:22:30.753-04:00Oh How I Love You China.<div><br></div><div>(Editing to add this post was supposed to publish last night - Sunday) </div><div><br></div>Hey, China is hard. It's mentally draining. Getting anything done takes so long. It's easy to get exhausted. I'm not talking about folks in general. I'm talking about Mandarin-illiterate ones like us. You have to use your brain three times more than you would anywhere else. <div>But China! Oh China is so beautiful. I missed the hustle and bustle. The people walking very quickly to and fro. I missed the beautiful, lush greenery; the gorgeous parks. Sure it is not ultra sleek and modern and tidy. But it's clean. And what amazes me every single time: the lack of graffiti. Ah I missed the people smiling. And when they try to help you with their little English and your nonexistent Mandarin - the giggles. I missed seeing the beautiful children. I truly missed the liveliness of the land and its people. I love it that we're here again. </div><div>We were greeted by our seer guide Lee. We got in a van and drove about 45 minutes into the city. </div><div>Lee helped us get checked in to the hotel then left. She reminded us to be ready at two p.m. </div><div>After unpacking a bit, I took an awesome shower. It felt glorious my friend! Then we went to check out the small supermarket nearby and then we decided to go eat. Adventure time. But it was perfect. </div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow... </div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow we will have our beloved daughter and much awaited little sister. We cannot wait. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9vTyNCJsBNnBa-eEmwYYD80T767j32zlAk8sZ02YlJ1vrKjbAgXbZpvcqZkLJCuShyphenhyphenYTm6P7OY781f_7eHKM7vA4H3-Ws9ZoDgT-c4RR5nTqempsI6KVhHXXyJkz5RFFv2RpwnL5wuM/s640/blogger-image--1912506291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9vTyNCJsBNnBa-eEmwYYD80T767j32zlAk8sZ02YlJ1vrKjbAgXbZpvcqZkLJCuShyphenhyphenYTm6P7OY781f_7eHKM7vA4H3-Ws9ZoDgT-c4RR5nTqempsI6KVhHXXyJkz5RFFv2RpwnL5wuM/s640/blogger-image--1912506291.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSkTSVnkMmWK_UmqNq0LSQjlX6w8RfDpZ-qZMn8Mr2GBlmpgIRGmNjNbDPgbzybsonDOr9ja7MXItfN574R53X7LcCTUNHac1s8lJLuFO0QHBD8aE_dQjcLyOhPYdQLRMTml7ddZU4EM/s640/blogger-image--1635469947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSkTSVnkMmWK_UmqNq0LSQjlX6w8RfDpZ-qZMn8Mr2GBlmpgIRGmNjNbDPgbzybsonDOr9ja7MXItfN574R53X7LcCTUNHac1s8lJLuFO0QHBD8aE_dQjcLyOhPYdQLRMTml7ddZU4EM/s640/blogger-image--1635469947.jpg"></font></a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctpKc9Oij1ZCPR7b6xJw-TpPW-3QDKy70KpIF6PPanpamYyYZZxRKANdx0vptMAkp93GVyj9Bd5eDWeoAj1RGA6HpK4toDZNPUlEdE_TRwUJVvX-9F06pX0towQLwV9zdZt4EFUuQyck/s640/blogger-image--674864265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctpKc9Oij1ZCPR7b6xJw-TpPW-3QDKy70KpIF6PPanpamYyYZZxRKANdx0vptMAkp93GVyj9Bd5eDWeoAj1RGA6HpK4toDZNPUlEdE_TRwUJVvX-9F06pX0towQLwV9zdZt4EFUuQyck/s640/blogger-image--674864265.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPPfpCM-WBtPz0vYPHDHdom5E1-fS0ZrY67V6aZcEWhNR_pEsNEpWUGeoadkcGbINbIvZqiAyGUnQc5-MaMF6MyYuucTGW8y_MOQhRCBXDku6Axu4nLORFXRCRzgh62tKw52A16mIOvI/s640/blogger-image--2076633873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPPfpCM-WBtPz0vYPHDHdom5E1-fS0ZrY67V6aZcEWhNR_pEsNEpWUGeoadkcGbINbIvZqiAyGUnQc5-MaMF6MyYuucTGW8y_MOQhRCBXDku6Axu4nLORFXRCRzgh62tKw52A16mIOvI/s640/blogger-image--2076633873.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWu5LXAsq8yRECmKeqnVU9Jgnd5uqC9N8BJgmauCm9r0ynj3oQUP1cPeR73LygNrRVuxol1PFNWhSVV0Gcs_5gQ1TtOhlZ5l8iQ-mbiW_nlotGsh4AnLhFyfGVPdkwnFcl4L1oiusLu2E/s640/blogger-image--1353743416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWu5LXAsq8yRECmKeqnVU9Jgnd5uqC9N8BJgmauCm9r0ynj3oQUP1cPeR73LygNrRVuxol1PFNWhSVV0Gcs_5gQ1TtOhlZ5l8iQ-mbiW_nlotGsh4AnLhFyfGVPdkwnFcl4L1oiusLu2E/s640/blogger-image--1353743416.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_i-dOK6ihyaHDJvX_egc1V5dA_oQwU8m_rB99AOViD8Ian4E_tVJKL6yzvxmJTZJT4HIsfgQSQjWyqq6TvaYrdvl55hyRyIyePfM10bngpv8oMXjRHGwxdmuYz3yHqc7sciHTjtpxzs/s640/blogger-image--1535544960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_i-dOK6ihyaHDJvX_egc1V5dA_oQwU8m_rB99AOViD8Ian4E_tVJKL6yzvxmJTZJT4HIsfgQSQjWyqq6TvaYrdvl55hyRyIyePfM10bngpv8oMXjRHGwxdmuYz3yHqc7sciHTjtpxzs/s640/blogger-image--1535544960.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-1122675324443469592016-06-26T23:17:00.001-04:002016-06-26T23:34:19.530-04:00Almost!<div>(Edited to add: this is the new post- Monday morning. We're 12 hours ahead of US east coast) </div><div><br></div><div><br></div>We woke up at 9:45 and rushed around as breakfast ends at 10 😁. Our last little breakfast without Marli. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjM6izqtz-Xy6-NL2Usn1GCV1FVwjCsQeeTs8-eJ-IgjgLAdO-W0GP5gPjIO2p6tTYRIhd-EzENJhSPZBBTjtiGR4fLz2iDtYAIEuFsvcyVGSGxDbLEoOqEEbyBYfku6jSjLO9Eu6fw74/s640/blogger-image--1190943543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjM6izqtz-Xy6-NL2Usn1GCV1FVwjCsQeeTs8-eJ-IgjgLAdO-W0GP5gPjIO2p6tTYRIhd-EzENJhSPZBBTjtiGR4fLz2iDtYAIEuFsvcyVGSGxDbLEoOqEEbyBYfku6jSjLO9Eu6fw74/s640/blogger-image--1190943543.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjAXHS1Ftcm0rIs2VkcK_cjI4hgJK6m7hLXaPnCMFsXbmY8yaCya3xNz3hI48AECG-f6SbGddwlQ8dL1povwqXuHmAkokrvSYo2ZcQKwHzSczrKVUygzzgQ29rabTT2qwc8qr9DMpbfM/s640/blogger-image-400399099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjAXHS1Ftcm0rIs2VkcK_cjI4hgJK6m7hLXaPnCMFsXbmY8yaCya3xNz3hI48AECG-f6SbGddwlQ8dL1povwqXuHmAkokrvSYo2ZcQKwHzSczrKVUygzzgQ29rabTT2qwc8qr9DMpbfM/s640/blogger-image-400399099.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Last night was our last night to go to bed as a family of 3. It was Marli's last night without us. The last night as an orphan. But it was also the last night that she slept in her familiar bed, most likely snuggled up to foster mom. Our sweet girl is losing so much. I can only pray that she'll gain much. <div><br></div><div><br></div><div>We will meet our guide and driver downstairs at 2 pm. We will meet Marli around 2:30. All her little trinkets are packed. It's almost go time! </div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-7NeSpP_bR5_Vw1e9B3J9rWftwOM004yluDBzJgs-nfqzkFe_JP-OwKrU2lAwWWXaq8f7ZMOpknjcyIUvpyWbp2VDLhPD_PWEYoF64ArR5IjpMGAs2FO8ZdNGJK7M4uuNnVoOz_fxsg/s640/blogger-image--1423927239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-7NeSpP_bR5_Vw1e9B3J9rWftwOM004yluDBzJgs-nfqzkFe_JP-OwKrU2lAwWWXaq8f7ZMOpknjcyIUvpyWbp2VDLhPD_PWEYoF64ArR5IjpMGAs2FO8ZdNGJK7M4uuNnVoOz_fxsg/s640/blogger-image--1423927239.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-37765026416224729832016-06-25T18:42:00.001-04:002016-06-25T18:45:17.203-04:00China, Here We ComeWe are finally on our way to our girl. After years, months, weeks, days... we are finally on our way. On our way back to a land I have lived in. Back to a place where we had amazing experiences, made lifetime friends, and where I left a huge piece of my heart. I'm going back for it. Or at least some of it.<br />
We are currently on a long layover in Doha, Qatar. In the craziness that life has been the past few months, we all overlooked just how long this layover would be. We booked our tickets through an agency that works with adoptive families and we were able to get humanitarian rates which included 3 bags each of us. We are not using that up, of course. But it's nice to have those perks. Our air tickets are through Qatar Air and I cannot say enough good things so far. Our flight from Dubai to Doha was all of 45 minutes. Yet, we had pillows and a meal. The airport is the coolest, most beautiful airport we've been to. Even compared to Dubai. I'm sure Dubai's aim is to create something similar. It is ultra modern, ultra clean and full of amenities. You feel like you're in a hotel/indoor town all at the same time. It's fabulous. We've been resting on colorful couches by the play area. The soccer match was just on in the TV area (Portugal won against Croatia). We will be leaving here soon. It's already past midnight for us so it's really Sunday morning already (June 26). We'll be flying Qatar all of our legs so I hope the awesome service continues. We will arrive Guangzhou at around 2:30 pm which is 2:30 am EST. We will rest a bit and explore our surroundings. I'm hoping we'll find the market to buy a few things. Then we will get some dinner and sleep and then it's Marli Day!!! WE ARE SO EXCITED!<br />
One downer that I just found out is that Judy won't be our guide. Judy is the person that confirmed to us that Marli was our daughter by going to her home, spending the whole day with her and foster family and sending me a tons of videos. She also video chats with us so she can translate. I was hoping she'd be with us when we receive Marli so she wouldn't be as scared. Sigh. But, Judy assured me that Marli has been well prepared for her adoption and us, so here's hoping.<br />
Thank you for following along. We'll try to post often.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding a cab from our home to the airport.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor kiddo, has been THIS excited the whole day. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dubai Int'l Airport</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boarding our plane from Dubai</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Qatar Air</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doha airport totally ROCKS</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is where we set up camp. Mila has been sleeping for hours. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Massive installation</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrar8DslxsOwJH9IJnZLZrOK5fgBCpxCDRKnEg37PYSz68TYN5T-ZGkCzrkQKCFVXWAJsGTp9cZMspMZJEFO9udTtxHIXtmPFkVUk0cBxmopOojpyT8ryLT9ofJ4g-jXuTPvkXTeFnDvw/s1600/13537618_10209469554757373_4601054309191326137_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrar8DslxsOwJH9IJnZLZrOK5fgBCpxCDRKnEg37PYSz68TYN5T-ZGkCzrkQKCFVXWAJsGTp9cZMspMZJEFO9udTtxHIXtmPFkVUk0cBxmopOojpyT8ryLT9ofJ4g-jXuTPvkXTeFnDvw/s320/13537618_10209469554757373_4601054309191326137_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool dinos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05c8A-XiyvmVAf3_hxiV8rImb6hpLj5oNZtZcNhqLjtW7QNhXxsGEq8oedPzvLkKe-c7R2N_oHrb6tUIoJPTMN2m1dk1JBjGRsm14Vs9gQ3pPxzAPEY2OS_P5nFDIEWd0bzuDu59_5Ok/s1600/13537800_10209469554117357_6304677567804987781_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05c8A-XiyvmVAf3_hxiV8rImb6hpLj5oNZtZcNhqLjtW7QNhXxsGEq8oedPzvLkKe-c7R2N_oHrb6tUIoJPTMN2m1dk1JBjGRsm14Vs9gQ3pPxzAPEY2OS_P5nFDIEWd0bzuDu59_5Ok/s320/13537800_10209469554117357_6304677567804987781_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting on a giant KitKat</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXw8-iCkYwWeflhxi9XVCVRenRcoM1U75KrPovgOP0CoOwbEzqkQea10tZO6yiak4fl2xuQlfaNLf6i1l2Y6hoJIXrja_xDrDd9FjI1yUCOqSlAiAtBYl0ox6Y372kbD-qxlA3_5Rdwco/s1600/13522836_10209449614578881_24146265450985649_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXw8-iCkYwWeflhxi9XVCVRenRcoM1U75KrPovgOP0CoOwbEzqkQea10tZO6yiak4fl2xuQlfaNLf6i1l2Y6hoJIXrja_xDrDd9FjI1yUCOqSlAiAtBYl0ox6Y372kbD-qxlA3_5Rdwco/s320/13522836_10209449614578881_24146265450985649_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our last little outing as a family of 3. We went to see Finding Dory on Thursday afternoon to celebrate the last day of school. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-91488508618800598492016-06-12T14:46:00.001-04:002016-06-12T15:17:57.453-04:00We're going to China!<div class="MsoNormal">
VISAS!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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We finally FINALLY have our Chinese visas. It was quite the
ordeal. But we made it. I went to the consulate (again) last week to apply for
the visas. I met a wonderful couple that travels quite often to China. The
husband coincidentally used to live in Miami. We had nice conversations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told them that we used to live in China.
People are surprised when I say that I loved living in China. Who wouldn’t love
that opportunity? I still feel that sense of gratitude and awe when I think
about all I’ve done while there. I explained that we’re adopting. They
suggested I ask for the 10-year visa. I told them that I don’t know if I can
just request it. They said, “Sure you do. Ask for the 10 year visa, it’s the
same price.” So, when it was my turn to be called at the window, the woman
remembered me from the previous time (when I tried to show them Travel Approval
from China and they had no idea what it was) and I told her I would just apply
for regular tourist visas for all of us. 10 years please. <span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> She said, “ok, let me
check with the consul since it’s three of you. Give me half an hour, I’ll call
you again.” I was expecting to stay there quite a few more hours like before.
But within minutes she called me. I sat down and saw our passports in her
hands. She said, “come pick up on Sunday 9:30 am. 10 years!” I was so happy,
all I could say was “YESSS!” lol<br />
So hubby went today during lesson breaks to pick them up.<br />
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I can’t believe that in exactly two weeks we’ll be in China. Just hours away
from meeting our daughter! It hasn't sunk in yet. We are still busy with work/school. It doesn't feel real. That the school year is actually ending; summer is starting and WE'RE GOING TO GET OUR GIRL!<br />
It's amazing. So surreal. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We were supposed to video chat with her this weekend. But unfortunately, her foster sister had to be at school studying for a big exam and we couldn't. I was totally disappointed. We haven't seen her in so long. I hope she's still excited about us. As much as a three year old can understand anyway. I miss her. I desperately want for her to get used to us before being handed over to us. I would like to minimize trauma as much as possible. I do realize that trauma is inevitable. Her little world is about to turn upside-down. She's about to embark on the rollercoaster ride of her life. Everything will happen so fast, full speed. So many different people, sounds, smells... she's being ripped out of everything she's familiar with. All the people she's ever known and loved will be distant. Her culture, her language, foods, everything. All I can do is pray that God is preparing her heart.</div>
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I will try to blog as much as possible while in China. I know that it will be very hard to do so and we'll be very tired. But I also know how important it is to document every moment. I'm scared everything will be mashed together and a big blur if we don't. Please do follow along. And please do leave comments. Comments will motivate us at such a trying time. Thank you friends. </div>
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Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-33531469054527888342016-06-04T05:26:00.000-04:002016-06-04T05:49:35.168-04:00All set to travel... (sort of)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today I finalized all booking for hotel and airlines. It's starting to sink in that we're really going to get our little girl. It's surreal and anxiety inducing. I've been rather calm and patient all this time, especially knowing that our daughter is being cared for by a foster family. But now it's starting to hit me hard and I have a sense of urgency to go get her. But with that comes the huge realization that she will grieve their loss. I expect it. Of course. And I hope she does. This means that she has formed bonds of attachment with them. It's healthy. But it will be really hard knowing that we're taking our child away from all she knows and loves; all that's familiar to her. We're mere strangers to her. Everything about us is foreign. I hope and pray that she will know that we are family and forever.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUG-RJhtvxdcg61qH8kclHSPdG-fePOWHlNkfZzH_ilVglVTuBpyJq74X8g_NLZSzjQUlJmjQDwYLSWu8rnYbSifhHsSTJP5IXqfVnbBYwPnFwzeRokfy6FsftWpaFkGTcAG-UA6wxGwk/s1600/family.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUG-RJhtvxdcg61qH8kclHSPdG-fePOWHlNkfZzH_ilVglVTuBpyJq74X8g_NLZSzjQUlJmjQDwYLSWu8rnYbSifhHsSTJP5IXqfVnbBYwPnFwzeRokfy6FsftWpaFkGTcAG-UA6wxGwk/s400/family.JPG" width="393" /></a><br />
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We're planning to have a "Welcome Party" at the airport in Miami when we arrive. This will give our loved ones an opportunity to welcome Marli into our family/lives. If you would like to come, we would love it if you wore your "Raise a Superhero" t-shirt that we're selling. All proceeds from its sale will go towards the Orphanage donation fee. It'll be fun to see everyone supporting us. Those photos will be wonderful memories. If you'd like to purchase a tshirt, here's the link.<br />
<a href="https://www.bonfirefunds.com/marlis-orphanage-donation">https://www.bonfirefunds.com/marlis-orphanage-donation</a><br />
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We only have a few days left on that campaign. They do ship internationally, so it does not matter where you are in the world. If you are not in Miami, please do take a selfie in your hero shirt and send it to us.<br />
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Thank you for following along. I will try to blog as much as I can in China so that you may follow along daily.<br />
Much love...Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-65925585182080170932016-05-24T07:05:00.003-04:002016-05-24T07:06:26.223-04:00Travel ApprovalLast night May 23, 2016, late late, late... I received an email from our agency letting us know that we had TA or Travel Approval. Christie called me from the US and needless to say, it was such a bad connection. We did get to discuss issues particular to our case. We're hoping to get positive answers. We want so dearly to be able to come home as a family of four immediately after China. We're going to see if it's possible. We do have the option to just fly to the US; but we're longing to spend a few days alone as a family. We want to show Meimei her room, her toys, her home.<br />
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<br />Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-6040189190368250052016-05-21T04:15:00.002-04:002016-05-21T04:15:39.942-04:00Introducing...Our beloved<br />
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<br />Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-15467204775552598282016-05-21T04:13:00.000-04:002016-05-21T04:13:25.982-04:00LOA 3.25.2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is the step which China approves us to adopt a particular child. They send a Letter of Acceptance, also called Letter Seeking Confirmation. These are all like contracts between all parties. "We accept you to adopt this child. Do you agree?"</div>
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This is how the document looks:</div>
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Yes, yes we do accept. Thank you :)</div>
<br />Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-83891443720055316452016-05-21T03:21:00.002-04:002016-05-21T03:21:58.071-04:00Referral 2/19/16On February 19, 2016, early in the morning our time; a Friday, I received an email from Nicole, one of our agency's fabulous rep. She said she had a preliminary file of a little girl we might be interested in. She would be working late and asked me to call her to chat. So I did. She started telling me a bit about a little girl whom she had met in November when she went to visit the partnerships. She explained that she had a video but it was taken outside of the orphanage as this particular one didn't have a playroom because all the children are fostered. She told me that it was a bit hectic and that the little girl was extremely shy and scared. She was overwhelmed by the strangers. Nicole said that they went ahead and got a second video of her in her own environment and to please look at both.<br />
When I watched the first one, I understood that she meant. It's tough to make such a decision based on that video. But then... I saw the second video and I cried. My husband walked in at the very moment and was like "uh-oh! You can't start getting like that so soon. We have to make sure." LOL<br />
The file was pretty plain. I couldn't understand measurements. Info was lacking. And I was a bit unsure what to think. We sent the file to a dr who is a friend of the family - great doctor, zero experience with int'l adoptions. The review was very negative. But something happened. Mama Bear came out. I tried to reason with that though. So to be sure, we sent in the file and paid for an int'l adoption specialist dr to review her file.<br />
The dr called me and gave me a rundown of what she saw and it sounded pretty good. But she wanted for me to send them a list of questions and request photos and video of her doing typical developmental things such as talking, following directions, etc...<br />
Well... (fanfare please)<br />
<br />
We received a surprise. Our in country coordinator, the fantabulous Judy... called us on a video chat. We got to "meet" her. It was quite amazing. Judy spent the whole day with her and her foster family. They went out to eat, hung out in the neighborhood, and went to the playground. And she filmed it all. We got tons of videos with this little Blossom doing all kinds of developmental skills. We didn't need anything else. We were pretty content with it all. We let ourselves talk about it and let it sink in for a few days. We also sent all the videos to Dr. Chambers.<br />
But. I. Prayed.<br />
I prayed specifically that if this little girl was meant to be ours, that confirmation would come from my husband. The very next morning after the prayer, hubby said "I don't think we need to wait around for the dr to reply. I mean, I'm fine with what we saw. Let's just say yes. What if they give her file to someone else?" :)<br />
(they weren't. he doesn't know too much about how all of this works)<br />
<br />
So, we said YES!<br />
On March 8, 2016 I sent an email to Nicole officially accepting the referral of our little girl!<br />
And submitted a letter of intent - LOI - to adopt this particular child.<br />
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Her file was a prefile, however. So we needed to wait for the official file to come in. And they couldn't send China our LOI until it did.<br />
<br />
And then, after much anticipation, on March 21 it finally arrived.<br />
We looked it over and requested for LOI to be sent immediately.<br />
<br />Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-79886877700609280822016-05-20T10:53:00.003-04:002016-05-20T10:54:06.649-04:00LID 1/27/16We were LID - Log in Date on January 27. This means that our documents arrived in China and it was logged into the system.<br />
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<br />Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-51521156544692357602016-05-20T10:47:00.001-04:002016-05-20T10:47:29.940-04:00We Were DTC 1/22/16We were DTC (Dossier to China) on January 22, 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-80509993879196058092016-01-01T17:00:00.000-05:002016-05-20T10:33:51.231-04:00First day of the first month of 2016! Wow<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /><br /><br />*First day of the last month of 2015* - when I started writing this :) I have been so busy. My apologies.<br />
Wow time flies. I can't believe it's <strike>the end of the </strike>a whole new year already.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I just re-read my previous post and I must have edited something out by mistake.<br />
I wrote that "we had to meet one more time per my placing agency's rules. After a few tweaks here and there it is finally off for review. Then it goes to our agency for final approval." What that meant was that we had to meet one more time with our social worker in order to fulfill the demands of our placing agency - which is different from our home study agency. Then the home study report would be reviewed by us and then finally the placing agency. Well, that got done. But I wanted to make a small change to broaden our parameters just in case. ;)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, after so many little bumps... we finally received the final draft of our home study report and got that sent to our officer as soon as we could after we filed i8ooa. The I8ooA was sent to USC1S (Un1ted St@tes Citizensh1p and Immigr@tion Serv1ces) on October 16. This form is an “Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country”. So it's a petition to the US for them to allow us - if we're eligible - to adopt a child from a country which is part of the Hague treaty. In order for them to approve us, one of the requirements is that we have to have official flngerprints done for FBI complete background check. Once they receive our petition, they sent us a F0rm l-797C which was a bi0metric (flngerprint) appolntment for November 13, 2015 at 12 pm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We received and Yay! Right? Nooooooooooooooooooo............. the appointment was set for a local US office. In Mi@mi. I live in Dub@i! Another bump. :( <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But ok, let's hurry hurry and sort all that out. Amazingly, these USC1S officers are brilliant! They were so kind. We were able to get an app0intment for the following Monday the 16th in the C0nsulate in Du.ba.i. The 0fficer there was extremely kind and generous. We got two sets of prints done for each (just in case) at no extra charge. I sent the prints via Fe.d.ex as a priority over.night something or other service - the fastest one to them. And all was well in the world. You know, until it was time to solve another issue. Yup - it's a lot of "hurry up and wait" in the adoption process. They received the documents, but now I had to wait until the officer approved it. I was nervous about this step. Well, because, g0vernment. They could have questioned anything in our paperwork and asked to provide proof of something. Whatever it may be. This is called Request For Evidence. It delays the process but only by a bit - in most cases. In our case, it potentially could have delayed a lot more. It is very much a pain to obtain documents especially while you're living outside of the country. So, we were waiting and waiting for approval. Until I couldn't be patient one more day and emailed our 0fficer. :) She replied saying she had just approved us the previous afternoon. And finally, I was excited. I was so happy. Freely happy and not hesitant. For the first time in this whole process. I did the dance, I smiled, I hugged people, I announced it in our agency's family fb group. I did it all.<br />So now, while our agency waited to receive the hardcopy of the approval, they continued getting all our docs authenticated. I sent them 10 thousand pictures of our family instead of what 6? that they asked for. :) :) And they finally received the approval and sent it for authentication. The agency office has been closed on an off for holidays and there are families needing much more dire assistance at the moment so I've refrained from <strike>harassing</strike> emailing them for updates. At this point, I'm hoping we are DTC. sometime this coming week. That means that all of the documents we gathered for the past<strike> thousand months</strike> year and a half - including the h0me study rep0rt will be sent to Chlna - (Dossier to China)<br />After this we will have LID or L0g ln Date. At this point, we will start receiving files for us to review as potential matches. It's a rather difficult task, but I am just having tremendous faith that we will "recognize" our child when we see her. Lots to look forward to in 2016.<br /><br />A very kind adoptive mama offered to do a fundraiser for us. It's for 0rigami 0wl. I have loved these lockets for ages and feel that my friends will like them too. Please please do not feel that you HAVE to purchase anything. But if you like anything you see on our fundraisers and would like to purchase something, some of the earnings will go towards our adoption trip. I will post links and also info on each fundraiser in more details as they come about. Like I said before, what's more important to us at this very emotional time in our lives is your moral support.<br /><br />P.S. I'm sorry if my writing is a little crazy on this post. I wanted to change some characters in order to avoid being linked if someone did a search with the very common and specific language to lmmigration. I hope I didn't confuse the heck out of you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-9441157053486238032015-09-22T10:24:00.000-04:002015-09-22T10:24:08.227-04:00An overdue update<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;">So sorry dear friends. It's been too long. We have made some much needed and wanted progress on the adoption front and wanted to share it with you. </span><span style="color: #666666;">We are officially signed with a placing agency. All dossier documents (and our first big fee) have been sent to them. ALL except the photos. I hear it's actually common that families leave this step for last. It's something of a phenomenon if you ask me. I mean... why??? Is it some kind of pressure to have the perfect pictures that depict your family? Which ones do you choose? (I figure if one of us were a photographer, we'd have great shots to send. I can't - for the life of me - get good angles of the girls' room.) Anyway, we had to meet one more time per my placing agency's rules. After a few tweaks here and there it is finally off for review. Then it goes to our agency for final approval. Once we get the ok, we will send in another fee for them to get our dossier docs authenticated and prepared to be sent to Ch!na!!!! Before it is sent, however, we need to send in our i800A application to USCIS. This is an application to Homeland Security requesting approval to adopt one or two non-specific children from a Hague Convention country.<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 29.7px;">Getting i800a approval is usually between 35-75 days (45-50 is average). This is when we have to go in for the fingerprinting appointment (in our case, in the embassy in Abu Dhab! or Duba!. </span> Once we get approval and all that happens, we will be officially DTC which means Dossier to Ch!na. Once it arrives there, the dossier will get reviewed, translated, then probably reviewed again. Finally, we will have an official LID (Log In Date). This is the route we're taking, choosing to be LID first before having files offered to us for review. For a few reasons. One being that I know it would be too hard for me to be pre-matched with a child and then having to take all these steps (and extra months) before getting to said child. It is torture for me enough to wait the 4-6 months after being matched to travel. We'll see what happens. But, just wanted for everyone to know that this ball is rolling! We're happy, excited, relieved, anxious. All of it. The crib is in the room already. I've been collecting little things for mei-mei (little sister in Ch!nese). I saved many of Mila's things. It's hard to know what to keep since we are not matched yet and don't know age, sizes, etc... </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666;">Ciao for now. I'll update as soon as anything happens. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;">xoxo</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666;">If you want to understand all of this better, check this out:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666;">http://waitingchildinfo.com/acronyms-steps-and-timeline/</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-48198144757860240192014-10-03T12:49:00.000-04:002014-10-03T12:49:08.047-04:00Love<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
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</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
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This is what love does…<br />
<br />
Remember my little love Tommy?<br />
<br />
Because of love, I advocated for him. <br />
Because of love, we connected.<br />
Because of love, he was chosen.<br />
Because of love, we are friends. <br />
Because of love, we will be…</div>
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…Always in each other’s lives. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<br /></div>
This is my boy’s mommy. Isn’t she beautiful? <div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0x6mmhBplanmNPtIplb29EZfdT3KS4HKNi62KhE3_AeNYfqYIJfk8g-goo-jP0xuruwa7-U5gR-tYkovq1ZDm6ZNYW6aXkEeQ8aExz5RN3jMaj0_haMPVZz_KAoTbz0AWvUnipVC6tpE/s1600/Audra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0x6mmhBplanmNPtIplb29EZfdT3KS4HKNi62KhE3_AeNYfqYIJfk8g-goo-jP0xuruwa7-U5gR-tYkovq1ZDm6ZNYW6aXkEeQ8aExz5RN3jMaj0_haMPVZz_KAoTbz0AWvUnipVC6tpE/s1600/Audra.jpg" height="200" width="140" /></a></div>
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<br />And his sisters? Oh my! Adorable. He has four of them. <br />The baby is from Chin@ also and happens to look a lot like him. <br />
Daddy is so handsome. What a beautiful family our little boy has. <br />
His family gave him the name Samuel. It suits him, don’t you think? <br />And his
family is working so hard to bring him home to the States. <br />
<br />This is their blog.<br /><a href="http://www.mayblessingsflow.com/2014/09/your-choice-giveaway-fundraiser.html" target="_blank">May Blessings Flow</a><u> </u><br />
<br />Go ahead and click on it. Check it out. <br />Please consider participating in their giveaway for a chance to win an iPad or a Galaxy Tablet. <br />
<br />Because of love<br />We can help bring Samuel home. <br /><br /><br /><br /></div>
Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-34715600437092882042014-09-21T14:09:00.000-04:002014-09-21T14:09:57.100-04:00Thank you.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just a quick post. We are so grateful to those who shared with us.
We had our first donation within hours of posting our link. I was moved
to tears! Thank you. We had very generous donations, we are just in awe.
I know that not everyone can contribute monetarily, but just your
support, kind words, love, friendship... it makes a world of a
difference and we appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts. <br />We
can't wait for progress. Can we fast forward a few months? :) Mila talks
about her sister all the time now. I guess she changed her mind because
a little while ago she wanted a brother. She says she has many girly
things to share with her sister and not a lot of boy things. Another
thing that she worries about is that she doesn't "want to have to buy
another bed for a brother." She can just share hers with her sister. I
explain to her that her sister or brother will have their own bed
regardless. But she refuses. She wants to sleep with her sister. Okay,
baby girl. No problem. :) <br /><br /><br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjSjDm9DZxD3v7DXAbRfzYB001SdXfIycu7PnWOFwoiMl9pfKExB0TE97uC0lG3AQ4VnKVZ4M7WUbrEi4HCnYhXiaZWcw1MqYrN44nXgRADAHlPCc7kA9cU3m6oD5VKa0jueszVjpjSw/s1600/IMG_9744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjSjDm9DZxD3v7DXAbRfzYB001SdXfIycu7PnWOFwoiMl9pfKExB0TE97uC0lG3AQ4VnKVZ4M7WUbrEi4HCnYhXiaZWcw1MqYrN44nXgRADAHlPCc7kA9cU3m6oD5VKa0jueszVjpjSw/s1600/IMG_9744.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She "tidied" the bed all by herself. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-71899261378980335422014-09-15T16:54:00.001-04:002014-09-16T05:53:37.590-04:00Who? What? Where? When?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span class="uficommentbody"> </span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="uficommentbody">Ha! We’ve received these and so
many more questions. But most of all, an inundation of overwhelmingly
wonderful, positive, loving, generous comments and private messages. Warm hugs
and well wishes in person. We are so humbled and thankful. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7Y5NGUdTefuxn6n_D6rMqCu0fOB30a_6pwOhhBlRSSKB-GyFzzlUh_facmSHTDul5GZ9Q2zfi_ql4g1AHFdRlojkFoqK0sW_aFz4SavEa3Ydicryn0JTCBCcPwDA5gHByCxb4uq08-k/s1600/image_2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7Y5NGUdTefuxn6n_D6rMqCu0fOB30a_6pwOhhBlRSSKB-GyFzzlUh_facmSHTDul5GZ9Q2zfi_ql4g1AHFdRlojkFoqK0sW_aFz4SavEa3Ydicryn0JTCBCcPwDA5gHByCxb4uq08-k/s1600/image_2.jpeg" height="217" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="uficommentbody">We signed with a home study
provider here, out of Dub@i.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The social
worker is licensed in the US. She will prepare our home study docs for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are currently researching agencies that
will work with us in our unique circumstances. Obviously, we also want the best,
quickest service and that has their fee schedule very clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>China is part of the Hague Adoption
Convention and by law agencies must be transparent with where all fees go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
We’ve been paper chasing this summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many documents are required. Notary stamps. Aaall kinds of stamps and
signatures. Sigh. And lots more are needed. As you might imagine, we’re
planning on adopting from China. Preferably from the orphanage in which I
volunteered at. At the very least, the same province. Well, we’d love
to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>be able to visit dear friends we have
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are leaving gender open and
keeping with birth order,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>0-4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This process takes 12-18 months average.
Sometimes more, some times less. <br />
<br />
Most people who have reached out to us are asking what they can do to help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Support is very important. We can tell who
supports us in this amazing time in our life – growing our family. It’s a very
exciting, yet trying time. There will be days that we might get overwhelmed
with paper work. There will be days that we will just want to be there already
meeting our baby. There will be days – after we get matched – that we will feel
so much joy in seeing our child’s face, finally. The little eyes I’ve imagine
for so long looking back at me through pictures. These days will be joyful, but
also very hard. So emotional support will be so appreciated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="uficommentbody">Our wonderful family has asked
specifically how they can help us financially.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We set up two easy ways that they can gift us. We weren’t comfortable
with making that public; but after some gentle persuasion from some of our
amazing friends who have fund-raised to help with the costs of adoption, we
will. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>International adoption has so many
fees, stamps, immigration, papers, papers, papers... <br />
For now what we’ve set up, donors’ amounts and well wishes will be able to
either be private, public, or anonymous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We encourage anyone who’d like to gift us with any amount, to not be shy
to post it publicly. Every single penny will go towards bringing our child home.
And we will always remember that you were a part of that. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feel free to share this with anyone you think
is keen on helping an orphan to become a beloved daughter/son, sister/brother.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="uficommentbody"><br />
Again, thank you for just being excited for us. We’re so happy and looking
forward to many blessings in our little family. <br /><br /><a href="https://www.youcaring.com/bettertogether" target="_blank">Click to DONATE </a></span></div>
Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-83019979054530701502014-09-08T04:28:00.000-04:002014-09-16T05:53:37.593-04:00Why are we so happy?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">All photos shot by Natalie Atick @ Natalie Atick Photography Studios. All photos are copyright of Natalie Atick. </span></div>
Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-75640898020479797152014-05-28T15:48:00.002-04:002014-05-28T15:48:29.572-04:00KG Graduation is a big Deal!<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Will post pix soon)</span><br /><br />My little girl graduated today. I can't believe how fast time passes
us by. A little over five years ago she was an itty-bitty newborn. And
now, she's graduating Kinder. We are so proud of her. She has matured so
much this past year. She has gone through so much change all of her
life with all the traveling. But what she and we as a family have
endured this past school year was hard. Losses. <br />
She is so strong,
so brave. But losing her "baby brodder" was hard on our Munchkin. She
still misses her Tommy and talks about him all the time. How I wish he
could've been here with us to celebrate her huge milestone. <br />
Our
girl was anticipating today for so long. Her gorgeous class put on an
amazing performance choreographed by her extraordinary teacher, Ms.
Tara. It was a "Gingerbread Man" musical. Munchkin got to be a
gingerbread man. They had beautiful costumes. They all knew their parts.
It was a great production. They also sang and danced to other songs. It
was so neat. And of course, receiving her diploma in her cap 'n gown
was an awesome moment also. We were so happy and proud of our baby. She
does all her parts so well. I know I'm bragging. But it was so cute to
see her making all the little moves she learned. So cute. So funny. It
reminded me of when she was in the school-wide production "The Ribbon"
at Eton House last year. She really learns her part. <br />
After the
ceremony, we headed to her classroom for a little party. There were
gifts, and cake - from La Brioche!!!!!! Yuuuummm. But I was good. Not
one bite! Mila, on the other hand ate from the "brown cake" twice. And
from the "white cake" twice. Plus other little snacks. By the time we
left for lunch, her belly was a little full. We headed to the mall with
her BFF. Both girls all dressed up. They were so cute. Everyone looked
at them and smiled as they passed us. While Daddy was parking, we
started walking and the girls were talking about how their parents never
let them ride on the mechanical stuffed animal rides. Hmmm, I figured
it was a special day. Why not? So on they went. Both of them giggling
and crashing into each other as shoppers walked by. Then we all went to
lunch. Both girls only ate half of their lunches and I packed the rest.
Afterwards, we wanted to give the girls another surprise. We went down
to the basement to Fun City. They were so excited! They played so much
on the machines and got so many coupons to exchange for prizes. It truly
was so much fun for them. After all the machines, carousel rides, and
prize retrieval, we decided we just needed a rest. So we sat at the
loungers in St@rbucks. And we waited for the mommy to pick the BFF up.
We chatted a bit. Then they left to do some shopping at -Carrefour_ and
we decided to give Mila her special gift. She finally got her very
first big Lollaloopsy doll. Such a happy camper. <br />
We were so
tired. We went home and watched videos of her grandparents, uncles,
aunts, and cousin congratulating her on her big day. What a full,
fun-packed day. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Funny,
we were having lunch at L'Italianos with her best friend. And out of
the blue, this little girl asks me to show her a picture of Tommy. I was
so surprised by that. But that also tells me that Mila talks about him
often. Oh my sweet girl. And my sweet boy. How we miss him! But
hopefully soon we'll be able to see him with his forever family. Maybe
he'll be present in Mila's next graduation or maybe we could be present
in his KG graduation. That would be neat. </span>Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628244534593178393.post-43716453429939264592014-05-05T15:23:00.001-04:002014-05-05T15:23:11.617-04:00The Epitome of Selflessness. This sweet mama, Tara, wrote the most selfless post. It made me think of my Little Lovie's forever mom and his foster mom. Well, and his first Mama. What an amazing heart. So much grace. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.nohandsbutours.com/2014/05/05/the-best-mama/" target="_blank">"The Best Mama"</a>Lucianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614185817207659969noreply@blogger.com0