updated photos and travel dates!

We recently received two new photos and updated measurements of our precious Lucy Mei. 

What a beauty and a blessing. She takes my breath away.

A few observations: :)

• Clearly, our sweet girl needs new shoes. Her little toes are hanging over the edge. Luckily, Mama has sparkly new shoes!!! Sooo cute! 

• Those bangs are screaming for a hair accessory! Once again, Mama is prepared!! (It is typical for orphanages to cut their hair very short. We are thrilled they have kept her bangs, at least for now.)

• It's unclear what she's holding in the photos. A churro style cookie - photo bribe...?? She looks a little unsure herself!

The photos make me happy.....and sad. She appears tired....and lonely. :(

Her measurements (9/24/12) at 28 months of age were 29 lbs. and 35.5" tall. Based on growth charts, she's in the 61st percentile for weight and 56th percentile for height!!!

......I am in awe of her beauty.

There is a depth to her eyes, her expressions, her body language that brings me such peace. It is difficult to explain. She could not possibly be more my child. The term "destiny" is often used (and debated) in the adoption community. I, for one, am a firm believer. 

Oh, sweet Lucy Mei. I love you the whole world. 

I ache to hold you in my arms, to smother you with love and kisses, to (hopefully) make you smile and laugh, to teach you the meaning of family and security and unconditional, forever love.  

We know you will grieve the only life you've ever known. We know you won't understand what is happening. We know you will likely be fearful and scared. Sadly, your life has been purely institutional. You know no other.

It breaks my heart.... 

You've likely laid awake in a crib or bed with no one to soothe your tears or fears, no one to sing you lullabies or read you bedtime stories. You've likely never experienced a full belly, playing in a warm bubble bath or being tickled with boo boo kisses. You've likely never been rocked to sleep while wrapped in loving arms, feeling the warmth and comforting heartbeat of someone who loves you. 

We know love changes lives....yours and ours. We simply cannot wait! 

You were a Schultz the millisecond I laid eyes on you, February 14th, 2012. My heart sank, I knew.

We are so close now!!! 

We received our final Travel Approval yesterday and our flights confirmed today!!!

We begin our travels on Friday, October 26th at 10:10 a.m..

We will meet Lucy Mei on Monday, October 29th in the late morning (the evening of Sunday, October 28th US time).

We will arrive home on Saturday, November 10th at 5:50 p.m.

Sweet Lucy Mei, you are so loved and perfectly destined to be in our loving, crazy, chaotic little family.

As my dear brother-in-law so eloquently stated upon seeing Lucy's updated photos, "She will fit right into the chaos...she has no idea what she is in store for!!!".

Baby girl, hang in there. We are coming very, very soon!!!

party girl

New photos of our party girl!

A little background...

Through a Yahoo group for Lucy Mei's orphanage, we met a fellow adoptive family with an adorable little guy currently in Lucy Mei's orphanage! His family will name him Warren.

The family lives just 5 hours away, is using the same adoption agency and are they are very likely to travel with us!!!! We both received our Letters of Acceptance (LOA) within a week of each other!

As you may recall, Lucy Mei turned 2 in May and we sent her a cake. Much to our surprise, we received 38 photos of our precious girl's birthday "party".

Well, guess who was invited to attend? Yep, Warren! I immediately emailed his Mama the photos and she was ecstatic!! What a blessing!

Then, as Warren's birthday was approaching, his Mama emailed and indicated she was also sending a cake. We hoped Lucy Mei would be "invited" to celebrate with Warren....and maybe, just maybe, photos would be sent.

Well, look what I got in my email?!!! 17 photos of Lucy Mei at Warren's party!!!

These kiddos arrive to us with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. No "history"...no stories or memories of the first 2 years of their lives. How amazing to have these photos and a treasured friendship that we pray will last a lifetime.

Lucy Mei and Warren 

Notice the Croc like shoes? :)

The little guy in yellow is soon to be named "Nathan" and his family
is leaving next week to bring him home!!!

Love her little face!!!

Could the forks be any smaller!?

Pants a little high-waisted! So cute!!!

Seeing her beautiful face brings me such peace and comfort. So thankful to our new friends for sharing these beloved photos with us! 

another update

Our agency sent yet another update on our beautiful baby girl!

2 photos....

.....and the following written update:

Medical/Development:

Her current health is good. 

She can walk, run, jump, go up/down stairs.

She can say "mama".

She is not potty trained.

Personality:

They call her Yun or Yun Yun. * 

She smiles easily, but she is a bit shy.

General:

Her sleeping and diet schedule:

Sleeping time: 8:30 p.m. - 6:00 a.m.

Nap time: 1:00-2:30 p.m.

She eats congee, rice, apple, sausage.

She is not in the foster family now.

* In China, it is a sign of endearment to call a child by their middle name (or middle name x 2). For example, Ben's name in China was Yu Xi Gang. HIs surname was Yu, first name Xi and middle name Gang. The caregivers referred to him as "Gang Gang" (pronounced gung). Lucy's middle name is Yun. 

LOVE that she smiles easily. :) Shy is ok too! Apples and sausage - we can do that!!

Every little bit of information we receive is a blessing. The next (and last update) will be requested by our agency once we receive our Letter of Approval (LOA) from the China Center for Children's Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA) in China.

Our Dossier (paperwork) was delivered to the CCCWA today, 6/6/12. We can expect our Dossier to be logged in by the CCCWA (LID - log in date) within 3 weeks. Once logged-in, we can expect a 2-4 month wait for our LOA with approximately 6 weeks until travel. So, we're guesstimating a travel date of somewhere between late October to November.

Praying for a speedy log in and approval process!!!

birthday party pictures!!!

Oh my!!!! 38 beautiful pictures of our sweet Lucy Mei!!

We knew the orphanage had agreed to send a few photos from her "party", but 38?!!! Wow.

Totally unexpected and all unbelievably precious!!! What a surprise!!

Ann at Red Thread China emailed the photos early this morning. We sent a birthday care care package and birthday cake! -- and what a birthday cake it was!!!

Orphanages typically include a few children to celebrate with the birthday child when a birthday cake care package is sent (normally, birthdays are not recognized in the orphanage). It's a rare occurrence, and as you can see, the kiddos look confused (could it be the huge flame?)....but ready to eat!

Cute, cute, cute, cute!!!

Loving the candle!! Jack thought the "cupcake" was on fire!!

The little guy on the right is cracking me up! Love his expressions! :)

What a beautiful picture of the nannies. Warms my heart....

The nannies look so sweet and happy! Notice Lucy Mei's nanny helping her cut the cake! Awwww.....

Fruit topped cakes are very common....looks yummy!

LOVE this photo!!!

Poor little friend....I'm thinking he is NOT happy that Lucy is getting first piece! :(

Love that our girl is not afraid of getting messy!!

Pretty girl....

Cute shoes :)

Ellie was soooo happy there was a cherry on Lucy's cake!

Notice the cake box on the right says "Happy Birthday".... :)

Love this one too! All the expressions are priceless!!! 

Another great one!!!

Not quite finished!

Sharing with a friend! :0

I love this one! I know this little guy's Mama!!!....we met through the orphanage's yahoo group and we're with the same agency.....AND our paperwork is in the exact same place (meaning we may travel with them!!!)

Doesn't appear to be a big fan of the Dragon fruit or the cherry. Really, why bother?

So incredibly thankful to have these treasured photos and a glimpse into her life, her friends and her nannies and of course, her 2nd Birthday!!! 

Lucy Mei looks happy and content - not shy or timid or afraid - and she appears to be a healthy eater :) But, most importantly, she appears to be loved and well cared for. We are so very, very thankful!!!

The email from Ann also included these 4 photos dated 5/18/12....loving the bonus pictures!!!....notice her color coordinated shoes and outfit?! What a cutie pie!!! 

Awwww, seriously. Love this photo. How incredibly stinkin' cute she is! Oh my!!!!

Our little pumpkin is getting so big! She's breathtakingly beautiful. Lucy Mei, we can't wait to meet you baby girl. Happy 2nd Birthday. We love you the whole world. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Mommy, Daddy, Sam, Ellie, Jack and Ben