Well there has been so much to do these days!!! Duplicating our China Pearl's picture a million times and passing it to anyone interested!!! We met with Deborah at Open Arms on Sunday night and got the first sight of little Mercy. We fell in love right away. She is about 17 lbs. or so already and no doubt will be at least 20 by the time we get her. The report on her was great and I noted on her medical for ears and blood pressure that they stated "no cooperative". I assume she doesn't like the fussing and just wants to play!!!! That's ok there will be lots of time down the road to see a doctor and I am sure she will be given a good going over then!

We got our final paperwork done and it's going back for the Ministry to approve etc. The next thing will be our travel meeting with our group. We are all so pumped now. The children are all so cute. Can't wait to meet them all. We have had so many people congratulating us about our daughter Mercy and asking about a baby shower etc. It is a bit overwhelming. It is just starting to sink in now. The first few days were a big foggy!! It will be a very special Mother's Day for me, as technically I am a mom right now. Yippee!!!

I appreciate everyone's well wishes and support and trust that I can share in other's moments as well when you all get your referrals. You just can't imagine how you will feel.

Looking forward to our MIW dinner this Sat. This time I won't be "mystery mom" as the word is out now. Can't wait to take and be in the pictures this time. I'm so looking forward to meeting some new MIW and some old friends from previous. We are getting to be quite the group now. We may have to reserve a whole restaurant next time!!! It's amazing how many people are in the same boat as us. Who would have thought that there would be so many other people interested in receiving these precious little ones from China!!!

IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!

Well on Wed. May 2 we finally got the call. We were so excited to hear a message left from Deborah at Open Arms. When we finally spoke with her we still couldn't believe the moment had finally come. We learned that her name was Fu Bao Hao and that she had a birthday a week before mine on Aug. 7, 2006. We couldn't wait for the translation to be done and to get our package from Open Arms. We finally get to see her!!!!

We got our package on May 6 and are starting to roll on the paperwork that needs to be signed, reviewed and returned to Open Arms. Lots to do in the upcoming week. All our group got their package as well and the babies are all adorable. Three boys in the lot!!! Quite a blessing to have that many boys as well. The children are all from the Fuling Social Welfare Institute and when we looked it up on the net we saw that it looks like a wonderful facility that is quite equipped for children. We were very happy to see that she has been taken well care of. Will post more info as time goes by.

Easter Visit

We had a great visit with Sophie and Jamie and Laurie at Easter time and Sophie enjoyed doing her puzzles with us - again and again and again!!! She has grown to be a cute little girl and we are amazed at the expressions she comes out with. So polite and intellectual.

Roger had some good practice with play time and helped her with the puzzles too.

Still Waiting.......

Well, I have to say we were quite disappointed when we saw the CCAA website change and our date had not come up. Just 2 days!!! That has got to be a record!!! We just need 5 more days to move and then we're good. The time has actually has gone fast the past month, but yet as soon as we get closer it seems more out of reach. We are coming little one!!! I hope and pray that we don't travel when the weather is unbearable. Roger would not be able to withstand the heat. Not to mention the heat on top of all the other new things we will experience!!! Oh well, I guess I can remember Africa and lap it up again. Can't say that I mind the heat so much (it's just that I dislike the cold so much more!!! ).

We keep busy around the house and get more painting done. I'm looking forward to our MIW dinner now in May. I hope I am not still the "mystery mom" .

I had a great visit with Ruth and her daughter Kathleen and Sophie at the Centre for the Playgroup last Saturday. I went with Laurie and Sophie and we all had a good visit. I got to meet Jillian and her mom and also Julian and her mom Christine (I think). I had a nice chat with Ruth about her recent trip and picked her brain about sizes and food etc. I think if we go a few days early it will be a good thing. Would be nice to site see before we are a threesome too and get busy with tending to our daughter.

Some day soon I will make this blog public, but until then........we continue to wait!!!! :O(

Almost There!!!

Well we are almost there now. It shouldn't be long now before we hear!!! I can't imagine how we will feel when we get the call. Then the whirlwind begins. I have to really get down to thinking about some serious packing. I don't even know what size diapers to get!!! Yikes!!! It is getting so real now!!! Our couple days are nearly over! Soon we will be three!!! :O) We can't wait to even see a picture so we can dream of her at night!!!

As soon as we have a picture we will share everything with friends and extended family!!! It will be so exciting. I am so sure people will be surprised and that this wait has been so long. Our daughter will be worth the wait!!!!! We just want to get her home at this point!

MIW Gifts March

It was so nice to get together with our Mommies in Waiting group again. It was nice to have girl and mommy chat. The waitresses at the restaurant (Lone Star) were even intrigued as to why we had a lot of baby gifts on the table. We thought we had seen double at first and then realized we had twin waitresses. We told them about our group and they were excited for us and thought it was neat.

Mercy received some nice gifts again from Andrea. She did it again!!! You are so sweet and generous Andrea. Thank you. I think we got Mercy's first hair band. I think they are so cute and want to get some more for our daughter to wear. I was amazed that Catherine and Jill were able to find ladybug chocolates. How cool is that and how appropriate!!! Kathy you were sweet to bake for us all even though we just met!!! Glad to have you in our group. I enjoyed our time and had a lot of fun sharing all kinds of topics with everyone. I always learn so much more!!! We are already planning our next get together. Maybe next time I will have a picture to show you all.

Mommie's Friends Waiting

Mommie's friends are waiting for you to come home little China Pearl!!!