Still Waiting and Baby Stuff

We have done some paperwork, had our fingerprints taken, again, (do they change?) and received our travel visa to China. Now we are just waiting for China to give us some travel dates. It still appears that it will be in June.

Some great news, though. I was able to get some updated pictures of Journey, as well as updated weight and height. Her original pictures were taken when she was 9 months old, so I knew she had changed since then. Her new pictures show her at 14 months and they say she weighs about 21 lbs and is about 30 inches tall. She looks very healthy, although still very serious. I am really looking forward to seeing her smile.

We have been receiving lots of fun packages from friends and family ~ mostly clothing, although my mom did give her a sweet little doll with Asian features and my sister Robyn sent her a beautiful little bracelet from Hawaii. One of Doug’s friends is having a group of guys get together for a “guy baby shower” and everyone is supposed to bring a book that they either enjoyed reading to their kids or enjoyed themselves as a kid. I thought this was a great idea and a wonderful way to build a library for Journey. One beautiful book we received from a very special couple is titled “I Love You Like Crazy Cakes” and was written by a mom who also adopted from China. It will be a great book to help tell Journey the story of her adoption.

I am also starting to gather all the stuff we will need to take with us to China, mostly for Journey. It is amazing how much is required for such a little person, and, I have to say, very baffling to shop for many of these things. Just looking for diapers can be overwhelming! Fortunately, I have several friends who have little ones, even a few who have recently returned from China, and they have been a great help.

Thanks to all of you who have been praying for us and giving us words of encouragement. And a very special thank you to those of you who have offered to baby sit.