April 25, 2004
The Wait......
I knew that this was going to be the hardest part. Pictures, information, and even a video. And now the wait. The last week or so we had some information and paperwork to button up so we kept busy. Now the paperwork is in, information has been gathered, and there's nothing left to do but.... wait.
April 24, 2004
Topsy-turvey
A little confused? This blog used to be in chronological order, but since most people now have the history, I thought it would be easier to put the most recent posts at the top.
April 13, 2004
Little Peach
So this whole things keeps getting better & better. While I was waiting on Friday for the FedEx person to arrive, I decided to google the city where Jia-rong is currently residing. I found a website about the orphanage and a link to a US-based chat group for parents who have adopted from the orphanage...
I sent an email to the moderator, mentioning Jia-rong's name, and the moderator emails back and tells me that she was holding Jia-rong back in February. Apparently, she goes back to assist the orphanage several times a year and went to the room where little Jia-rong was. She told me that she's very well-cared for, and her nickname is "Little Peach" due to the fact that her cheeks turn red when she laughs hard (which apparently happens a lot).
All this from a google search on the city.
Props to Pete P
So I'm sending my propers to friend & colleague, Pete P. who through his magic with photoshop was able to get rid of the ink stains that were on Jia-rongs face in the above photo. Thanks Pete.
April 09, 2004
What can I say?
I don't even know how to begin... and I've been numb since receiving the news. I would like to introduce everyone to Miss Jia-rong Ingoldsby.
Jia-rong means "beautiful hibiscus" and although I may be slightly biased, I think her name should be "most beautiful hibiscus." She was born on June 5, 2003, and according to her caretakers, she can sit up, stand with assistance, and is very energetic. She loves food and likes to imitate people. She sounds like a chip of the ol' block. And isn't she just gorgeous!
April 08, 2004
Big Announcement...
.... to happen tomorrow. Check in the afternoon.
Names Names Names
We went to the symphony last night with my parents (a twice yearly event for us) and there was some "spirited" conversation regarding names for the kids.
The adoption agency notified us at First Call that we must give the name for our child by month-end. Now we have fondly referred to Baby A as Baby Mei ("beautiful" in Mandarin), but I don't think we will keep it as a permanent name, although we yet to rule it out.
Christi has been none too pleased with me as she says I'm not going through a "process" to select a name. By process, she means that I'm not going through name books and highlighting names that I like, which would then be compared with names that she likes, debate would then ensue and voila, we would have a name. Instead, I have been tossing out names and she says, "yes, no, maybe" and vice-versa. So here's the sticky point....
A few weeks ago I threw out a name for Baby A that we both like. However, it happens to be the name of the child of one of Christi's close friends, which is supposedly a taboo.
So here's my rebuttal.... although it's one of her close friends, we don't see them very often, a few times a year tops. Her friend's child is 5 yrs old now, so there will be a decent age gap between the two kids. I don't think this should be a big deal, but probably warrants a discussion with her friend.
What do my friends in cyberspace think?
April 05, 2004
Mon dieu!
I'm elated, freaked out, giddy.... what else? Christi & I received our 1st Call today. Translated, it means that we've been matched with a child and are looking at a travel date of May 28 or early June. It was almost surreal. Christi rang me, told me to sit down and gave me a phone number to conference in. We should get information on our child within a week or two. Lots to do now... power of attorney since Christi can't travel, we have to choose a NAME (yikes, we've been battling over this), and visa stuff. Wooohooooo!!!!!!