Monday, November 19, 2007

4 Years Ago

We saw our lovely Olivia's face for the first time. It was so surreal to finally see the face of the child that was to become our daughter. I could not believe it when I got the call. I had been e-mailing with a fellow travel mate that I guess our calls weren't coming that day -- most of our DTC group had gotten their calls 2 days before. I had no sooner typed the words "I know it's all in God's timing but try telling that to my heart." when the receptionist told me that Suzanne was on the phone and I realized that it was "the call". I quickly typed the sentence "I'm on the call right now get ready" to Susan. I took the call and found out that we were referred an 8.5 month old Long Fu Yu, currently residing in the Suichuan County WI in the JiangXi Province. She was a little peanut (and still is) weighing only 12 pounds. I told Suzanne that I would be at the agency in a few hours to see her precious pictures and to get the rest of the referral information. I looked for David and couldn't find him -- of all times not to answer his cell phone! I couldn't find my (then) best friend as she was going to drive me to the agency and take pictures of me getting the referral. I finally found David at the gym and said "Hey Daddy!" I talked him into riding with us to the agency with a stop in Frankfort. Seeing her picture for the first time was such a thrill. Just looking at her I knew she was the one for us.

Olivia is a rambunctious child. She can get into more and make more messes in the shortest amount of time. She is a head-strong, stubborn child. She is not a real graceful child -- she falls and trips over anything and everything. She is also a loving child. She loves fiercely. She talks ALL. THE. TIME. She loves gymnastics and is on the developmental team.




Thursday, November 01, 2007

2 Years Ago Today......

We went to the Civil Affairs Officein Nanchang, JiangXi province to adopt our youngest daughter Sophia. We were the first family called and were so excited. Olivia was so excited about becoming a big sister that she ran across the hall to where the babies were so she could see Sophia. Of course I had to go get her -- plus I got to see an early glimpse of our daughter. :-) Sophia came right to me and David. She never cried -- it was almost as if she had been prepped for this day. We took her back to the hotel, gave her a bottle and gave her a good looking over before going back to finalize the adoption.

I can't tell you how full Sophia has made our lives over the last 2 years. She is no longer a baby and is becoming a little girl. She is funny, has tons of personality, loves gymnastics, dolls (I can't wait to see her with the doll house she's getting for her birthday), school and playing outside. She is such a loving child too. She will just sit in your lap and cuddle with you but when she gets what she wants (some lovin') she is done with you. Her speech has just exploded and she talks ALL. THE. TIME. so much like her big sister that it drives me CRAZY sometimes! She is completely potty trained. She went through a short phase where she peed in the bed at night but I think that is done -- for now.

For Sophia's Family Day, we spent the day together. We went out for lunch, grilled out at supper time and went to Dairy Queen for dessert. She had a ball eating her Blizzard.