The high has not worn off

Many people have told us that the waiting after the referral is actually worse than the wait before you see your child's face. Both Steve and I were talking last night and agreed that wasn't the case yet. Perhaps the high of seeing Sophia's sweet, round face has not worn off yet. Maybe it is because we are busying making a book to send her in a care package we hope to mail to China this week. Maybe it is because we are getting things ready for the trip such as picking out the clothes we will bring for the baby, buying hairbows, and buying all the necessary "stuff" (advil, saline spray, sunscreen, etc) to bring on our trip. Whatever the reason, we are not complaining!!!!

We hope that our travel approval comes quickly. Once it does the agency will get our consulate appointment and we will know when we will be in China. I am hoping that we will have our travel approval in two weeks and travel by August 14th. Keep your fingers crossed for us.

Anne

Introducing Sophia LiHua

We are very pleased to announce our daughter Sophia you. She was born on November 1, 2005. Her given name is Qian Li Hua. Qian is where she is from. Li means pretty and Hua means flower. We are thrilled to find out she has been in foster care. She obviously is well fed! She weighed 18 pounds and was 27 inches long on April 27. She is described as quiet girl and a deep sleeper. She holds her head up while lying on her stomach, rolls, grasps for a toy near her hand, and sits alone. She has a ready smile and laughs aloud. She is fond of music, TV and her favorite toy is a bell.

We are still waiting on the full referral summary to be translated. Check back for that update. We are planning on updating this blog with pictures and stories even while we are in China. We hope to travel mid to late August to bring Sophia home.

The photos are also posted on www.flickr.com/photos/annesteve

TODAY IS THE DAY!!!

In just a few hours we will get our referral. The arrived in the US yesterday afternoon and were translated last night. We are able to go to the office today after 1 Pm to pick up the referrals. If I understand it right all the important information will be translated today and then we will get the entire translated referral next week. Today is the day we first see her face!!! The flood of emotions is already overwhelming.