What's in a name?

Picking a name for our daughter has been harder than I thought it would be.  We have a face; now we need a name.  What does she look like?  Will the name fit her when she is older?  What does she want her name to be?  I had a name all picked out, but the more I said it the more it just didn’t fit.  I am saying “I” because Devin has graciously allowed me to come up with some suggestions and he would either say yes or no.  Alex’s requirement was that the name be unique.  The name I started with was not unique.  Then there is the whole culture thing.  Names in China have meaning; they aren’t just names to call someone.  But the naming process for children in orphanages is different.  We struggled with keeping part of her name so that she still had some of her Chinese identity, but in the end didn’t feel that the name was carefully chosen and given by a loving family.  As her new loving family we have chosen a new name for our daughter.  We did stay with a Chinese first name, but is not so unusual to her new American life.  As far as her second name, it hit me today…it is from one of my favorite songs Fur Elise. 

The name we have chosen is:  MeiLin Elise *****

YEAH we have PA

The Chinese government has given their approval for Devin and I to adopt a beautiful little girl.  We are so blessed.  Now the real paperchasing begins.  But let me say thank you to our friends and family who have agreed to complete references for us.  It really means a lot to us.

But now that we have PA we can share our daughter with everyone.  Scroll down and take a look at her beautiful face.  I am sure that we will soon get to see a big smile light up her face!!

WE HAVE AN UPDATE!!!

A wonderful mom named Kenlyn advocates for these kids.  She was able to get an update on our little girl.  When we made the decision to adopt her we had very little developmental history and a scary medical report to go by.  But we knew in our hearts and our gut that she was perfect...no matter what.  But seeing how well she is doing makes us a little relieved and makes this momma anxious to go get her little girl!

SN: subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH), congenital microphthalmia(CMIC) of left eye

 

Date of This Report: 8/10/2011

A.   Health condition:

-        no sign of dyspnea or cyanosis after strenuous exercise

-        no vomiting, cold complexion or cold sweat when overexerting or excited

-        hasn't found to have epilepsy or disorder of consciousness so far

-        normal vision in the right eye

-        not found to be used to rubbing eyes

-        the special needs do not affect her daily life

-        not found to be allergic to anything so far

B.    Development:

-        uses diapers at night while he goes to the potty with reminding at day time

-        can crawl, stand, walk, run, walk up and down stairs by self

-        can turn the knob of the door

-        can point at things wanted

-        can take things out of the container as well as put them back in

-        can hold the bottle of the cup by both hands

-        not able to use the spoon yet

-        can cooperate when dressed up or taken clothes off

-        can take off socks by self

-        can speak words of one syllable such as "mom", "eat" and "drink"

-        uses the cup for milk and water

C.    Likes and dislikes:

-        gets well along with other children

-        enjoys playing with other children

-        will try to grab toys back if grabbed by others

-        sometimes grabs other children's toys when playing together

-        comparatively is most attached to the foster mom

-        likes playing at seesaw

-        has seen doggies, lambs and chicken before so not afraid of animals

-        ignore people when upset while usually foster mom will hold her and kiss her in order to comfort her

-        pet name is Meng Meng

-        not picky about food

D.   Overall development:

-        she has normal development both physically and mentally compared to other children of same age

Introducing...

Ok, so we don't have a name picked out yet...but here is our daughter!!  Isn't she gorgeous!


Look at those pouty lips!!



A smile to melt your heart

What a princess!





LOI submitted today

Our LOI is being submitted to China today.  The LOI is the letter of intent or our rehab plan.  Basically we had to state that we will provide this child with needed medical care, say that we will never abandon or abuse her, and say that we will love her and provide for her every need.  After seeing her pictures how is there any doubt??  Now we wait for PA or Pre Approval.  This means that we have been preliminarily approved to adopt this little girl as long as our final paperwork doesn’t change.  The agency thinks we should have PA in a week to 10 days and then we can share her beautiful pictures.  We have quickly realized that there is a whole lot of paperwork to do and we will be doing a lot of waiting.  Since I will be doing a lot of the paper chasing and gathering I am feeling completely overwhelmed and underprepared.  In the meantime, we will think of a name.  I already have a favorite, but I guess I should let Devin have a say as well.

To end on a wonderful note, the agency said they had six new families submit letters of intent this weekend, including us.  They said that is more than they usually process in an entire month.  It is a wonderful feeling knowing that these children who have been waiting too long for families will be going home soon.

The voice with the force of penetration

For those who know Devin and I, the past several years have had their ups and downs.  At times it has been very difficult to keep up a positive outlook on life.  But truly, we do have so much, a beautiful family, so many things to be thankful for.  For the past four years we have talked about adoption, sometimes seriously, sometimes in passing, but the timing never seemed right.  But in the meantime I looked at the faces of those beautiful children who needed families, needed someone to love them forever, and though I knew we weren’t there yet I would hope that they would find their family.  And really that is how it happens.  Sure there is a list of waiting children, who need homes, and seeing their pictures makes it all so real, and a person could choose a child.  But for us, she chose us.  I first saw her face on an agency listing and my heart melted.  The immediate draw was her lips…they are VERY pouty…just like Devin and Wyatt’s.  I had to hear more about her.  But it was a line in her file that had me hooked forever…her voice has the force of penetration.  Ahhh, we know all about kids who have voices with the force of penetration, but we live with one every day and we joke about it all the time.  Wyatt, who at one time didn’t say anything, truthfully will not be quiet now.  And I don’t believe he has any volume control…he is either on full blast or off.  I knew in my heart that she had chosen us to be her family.  So I showed her to Devin and he was hooked too.  We spent last week rushing through some paperwork, having physicals (sorry Devin) and worrying and waiting.  We are still waiting for the agency to tell us what I already know…that she is our daughter.