LID

It's official!!

Our Dossier was logged in (LID = log in date) with China's Center for Children's Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA) on Friday, June 8th!!! The CCCWA received our Dossier on June 6th! Our agency sent our Dossier to China on June 1st. Overall, it was a very speedy log in date....(can take 2-3 weeks) so we are thrilled! :)

What's next?

We are now awaiting our Letter of Approval (LOA) from the CCCWA (the official document approving us to adopt Lucy Mei). The "average" wait time is approximately 60-90 days from LID....so, we are 5 days into our wait!!

Once the LOA is received, we will travel in approximately 8-10 weeks. We're guesstimating a travel date in late October or November.

Now we wait.....and pray for a speedy LOA!!!!

retail therapy

So, a $15 Gymboree Rewards Certificate had to be redeemed, right? Well, plus a little $ of my own. :) 

How stinkin' cute is this?!!

Ladybugs are considered good luck in China. Perfect!!

Lucy Mei will be sporting this next summer!!! Can't wait.....love.....

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

happy birthday lucy mei!

Our sweet Lucy Mei turns 2 today! Happy 2nd Birthday baby girl!

If you know our family at all, you know we celebrate every birthday with a chocolate Long John doughnut for breakfast (a very rare treat in our house!) and a "Happy Birthday" song....it's a very special (and highly anticipated!) way to start each of these very special days.

It's also a tradition the kids LOVE!!!! So, naturally, we celebrated Lucy Mei's 2nd Birthday the same way!

Happy Birthday sweet, beautiful girl. We can't wait to celebrate Birthday #3 with you!!! 

P.S. Jack asked if we were going to send Lucy's doughnut to China....or maybe he could just eat it? Love that kid.