We are feeling LUCKY!

We are feeling very lucky today!  Today is St. Patrick's Day, and the Article 5 Pick-up day!!  So excited~ hoping and praying that our Travel Approval comes sooner than later ;)

Happy St. Paddy's Day from Connor and Hayden!

Maybe a Smile~

Some of you may have noticed that we have yet to see Sophie smile.  Until now...kinda!  This is our 3rd set of pictures of Sophie since September, and each time I quickly look thru them for a smile ;) In this last set that Tiffany took, she may have captured the tiniest of smiles.  If not in her mouth, then in her eyes...

I think we might be getting closer to a smile!  A friend of ours, Sarah ( who is also going thru the adoption process with us ) stated, " I think she is saving the first smile you see for when you are together in person! " She may be right, but I know one thing is for sure....we just love her face regardless!

Such a Gift~

Our case manager from AGCI, Tiffany, has been in China over the last week.  On Thursday, she traveled from Xiamen ( where Sophie's orphanage is ) to Longyan ( where she lives with her foster family ).  I was neurotically checking and refreshing my email all day, hoping for just one picture, one glimpse of our sweet girl.  BUT, Tiffany delivered!  She sent about 30 pictures and a sweet email describing Sophie and her foster mom.  * A gift we will all treasure *

It was so neat to hear how Tiffany described Sophie's foster mom.  Her description and the pictures we have will provide some closure for Sophie later in life, I am certain. Tiffany described her foster mom as " amazing, a grandmother type, older, loving and kind. " Tiffany was humbled by her love and care for Sophie.

We also found out that Sophie lives with a foster sister, whom she loves dearly and often checks up on her! She is just THE cutest!  The two girls are very close in age...about 2 months apart.  God Bless the foster mom for raising these two cuties in such a loving environment.  Tiffany said that Sophie would often check on her foster sister, and in some of the pictures we received, she would just stand a bit in front of her, observing the room, as always. 

On this day, March 13, 2014, Sophie had a cold/runny nose and just a bit under the weather.  Tiffany said she wanted to be held lots by her foster mom, and that she would not put down her bottle ;) As you can see, her cheeks are rosy...not sure if that's from her cold, or from being so warm!  Although Tiffany said it was chilly that day, she had on 3 layers of clothes.  I am happy she is so well taken care of and loved!

Tiffany also mentioned that Sophie is walking good, and her foster mom stated that she is very active!  She will so fit in perfectly with Connor and Hayden! She's smart- she will even bring you a clean diaper to change her when she's wet.  Amazing ;)  She also noted that her eyes are beautiful and she is just very sweet-natured. She is pretty chill and serious...however, I bet at home that is a different story.  In the first paperwork we received on her, it said she did not like strangers.  I'm sure she is just taking in all the new sights and people at this appointment.

On a side note, she was not so chill and calm when the doctor came to check her out, however!  Tiffany said she cried, and she cried hard ;(  

 Medically, her heart sounded good. * GOOD is a good thing! * We also found out her weight, which was 11.1 kg. Tiffany also said that she is much smaller than she appears here in these pictures.  

               

I know this was a long post, but I wanted to relay everything the Tiffany had to share about Sophie. I am so grateful for Sophie as our daughter, for her foster mom and the loving care she provides, and for Tiffany and the love she continues to pour into our adoption and in bringing Sophie home. 

The First Time I Saw Your Face~

It was September 25, 2013 ( Hayden's 3rd Birthday ).  I opened up an email that Tiffany sent, with the subject line reading her Chinese name.  I was nervous, hoping this was our daughter. I knew in my heart, almost instantly, looking at this picture- her sweet face, on the verge of crying, tears about to spill out of her left eye- that she was our Sophie.  I just had that feeling * I knew.*  

So, this is my favorite picture of our Sophie. No, she's not smiling, not even close to being happy or content. But, it was the first time I saw her face.  This will always be my favorite ;)

The Boys and The Wait~

Connor and Hayden, both in preschool, always talk about their baby sister, ALWAYS.  The teacher will ask, " who has a sister?"  Within seconds of the question being asked, their hands fly up in the air!  " We have a baby sister, Sophie, and she lives in China!"  They are very, very excited ;)

From the very beginning of this journey, we were pretty open about the whole process.  After all, they were involved in the Home Studies, and would often ask, " momma, when are we going to get THE CALL??"  I would just die laughing, because this just shows how much they truly listen to our conversations!

As we get closer to travel,  Connor and Hayden ask me to take pictures of them to show Sophie when we are in China.  It's so sweet, and they act so crazy!  So, here is a post of lots of pictures from March 4th, after school.  I know Sophie will love seeing them ride their bikes...here are two pictures of Sophie on her bikes in China ;)

And the boys being goofy~

I think Sophie will love being their little sister!  They say all the time how they will teach her new things.  I pray they will always watch out and protect her, as she will always be their baby sister ;)

A Few More Important Dates~

January 4, 2014- Lock Date...the day Sophie posted to the database officially
January 5, 2014- PA issued by CCCWA
January 13, 2014- LOC sent by CCCWA
February 6, 2014- I-800 Provisional Approval
February 12, 2014- NVC Approval
March 4, 2014- DS 260 Approval sent to consulate ( updated version including her middle name )
March 17, 2014- Article 5 Pick Up ( St. Patrick's Day *LUCKY DAY*