We have more pictures of Lily!

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Introducing.....Lily!!!!

We found out this morning from HOPE for Children that we are approved to adopt Lily!!! We've been tossing around middle names, but haven't decided on one as of yet. Lily's Chinese name is Han Xue. Xue is her first name, and it means snow. She is in the Siping City Social Welfare Institute in Jilin Province, China! We are just on cloud 9!!!!! Eric and I have been going nuts waiting for the word...it was well worth the wait. We are so thankful! Lily has a Cleft Lip that we think may not be repaired as of yet...we're requesting more current information and hope to find out soon. Regardless, we have a plan of care ready to go through our pediatrician and the craniofacial team of specialists at Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta. Her birthday is July 16, 2005--she is currently 15 months old. We should be traveling to China to get Lily in the next 3 or 4 months! Geeeesshhhh...we've got LOTS to do! I've bought maybe 3 onesies and a hat so far!!!

A few favorite photos...

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We've got the I797-H!!!!!!!!

It was in the mail Thursday, September 14th! This is the infamous USCIS approval form we've been waiting for. Now our paperchase is complete and will be off to China very soon--it is the last document left to be authenticated. This will take a week or so and then we're DTC (dossier to China)!!!!

We are on cloud nine...but, I'm going to switch back to study mode--I have an 8 a.m. exam in the morning--yes, on Saturday morning. Eric has taken Angela to the high school football game and Mark is there with his girlfriend, Liz. I have the house to myself and it's quiet. There's so much to be thankful for...a quiet house to study for a couple of hours before a test is gold...thank you Eric-I love you.

Heather

September 2006 Update

I can't believe it's September and Fall is on the way! I'll be stalking the mail truck this morning like I usually do on my days off--looking for the infamous I-797H from the USCIS. This is our approval letter from immigration to adopt from China. This is week 6 since our fingerprinting & the last form of the "paperchase" that we need to complete our dossier. Then all paperwork is authenticated, translated, and off to the CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs). We will be given a log-in date--which is a very important date because it's when we begin the "big wait". This wait is currently approximately 12-14 months. We've got lots to do...painting, furniture buying, swing-set fixing, and living our normal lives in the meantime! We haven't said much about this yet, but we've applied for approval of 2 children...that's right...2. Our adoption agency & social worker have both recommended (upon our request) that we be approved for twins or siblings or a single female baby as young as possible to 2 years old. How exciting to see what is in store for us! It is rare to be referred twins or siblings...chances are slim so we don't expect it to happen. We'll be happy happy happy no matter what!

Eric & I have been flooded with support by all of the people that we meet with once a month at the "First Friday's" meetings. Through this group we have met many families in all stages of the Chinese adoption process and have made some wonderful friends.

Friends of ours, HP & Lori are finally tying the knot this October--Eric will make the trip to Philadelphia to wish them a happy life together...I have exams--one the morning of the wedding! I wish I could go, but I'm sure Eric will have fun--especially with his old college buddies from Villanova and Chris-a very good, old friend of Eric's from Main Steel.

It's going to be an exciting rest of 2006 and 2007 folks! Hang on...enjoy the ride with us!

Heather