Weird...

It is weird to miss someone you've never met.

To pray and hope and WAIT on a little one who you call son but have never held in your arms.

Strange.

Odd.

Peculiar.

Some might say unbelievable.

But.

I do.

I miss a little person I've never met.

Our caboose.

Our baby brother.

Our grand FINALE.

I want this process to fly by.

I want him to know the love of his forever family.

I want him to like me (stupid, I know).

I want him to know he is WANTED.

By us.

By the One who created him.

I want him to be HOME.

In my arms.

I want the stress of dollar signs to vanish (haha-as if that happens in the world of surprise adoptions).

I want to get this show on the road.

I want my girls to know they will be safe while we are away.

I want them to understand why we need to go but they are too young.

I want my first born to experience a culture he's never known.

I want him to leave with a piece of it in his heart... just as his Mom did.

I do NOT want to board the crazy train this time around.

I want to remain calm and faith filled and patient.

As I have since October.

Until today.

When my heart ached for the weight of my Little Buddy.

In my arms.

On the same continent.

Please China.

Don't dilly dally as my Meme would say.

There is this one little boy who holds a piece of my heart.

Do you know him? He's the one we've been waiting for.

Could you please hurry up and let me be his Mommy?

I am his Mommy though you would say otherwise.

I miss him.

Weird, I know.

But it's true.

I do.

35 days...

into the wait for LOA... 35 days... It could be 35. It could be 135. Waiting... waiting... waiting...

Day 28...

of the LOA wait...

Day 21...

Day 14...

Hoping the little CC-AA worker bees are translating our dossier as fast as fast can be. Hoping...

Good News from a Distant Land...

Guess who is the happiest Momma on the planet this morning? Hmmmm... Who could it be? ME, that's who!!!!!! I've been waiting patiently for this reply since February 18th. I was beginning to think they weren't going to respond, but PRAISE THE LORD, it came in the middle of the night last night. So what exactly does a Momma ask about her baby when she only has 10 questions to ask? Well, THIS Momma gets really creative and asks LOTS of questions within her questions... Without further ado...

1. Who chose Bao Xi Jian's name and why? Does he have a nickname?

Bao Xi Jian’s name was given by two staff who are responsible to receive new children. Bao means Bao An District. Xi means Xi Xiang subdistrict office. Jian is the name we gave him. Means healthy and strong.

2. Was a note or any other memento found with Xi Jian? If yes, may we have it or a copy of it on adoption day?

There was a note with him when he was found. We will give you a copy of it on Gotcha day.

3. Does Xi Jian have any problems breathing air in or out when he is awake or when he is asleep? How much is Xi Jian talking? What words is he saying? Would you consider his speech to be typical for his age?

His foster parents said: Bao Xi Jian doesn’t have any problems breathing air in or out when he is awake or asleep. Xi Jian is now saying “Baba, Mama” and other simple words on his own. He can imitate some simple phrases and sentences clearly.

4. Has Xi Jian had any other health problems, allergies or medical treatments over the past 12 months? If yes, what were they and have they resolved?

During his time with foster family, he only had colds (healed after taking medicine), no other health problems or injure happened. Foster family hasn’t found he has any skin or food allergies.

5. Omitted for Little Buddy's privacy...

6. What are Xi Jian's favorite foods, toys and activities?

Xi Jian is not picky in daily life. He needs help to feed him. He likes sweets, crackers, etc. He likes any kind of toys, such as toy cars, etc. His favorite activity is to go to the community park, or watch kids’ channel. {CRACKED US UP... he's a regular couch potato}

7. How would you describe Xi Jian's personality? What makes him happy? What comforts him when he is upset?

Foster parents described when he is at home, he is kind of stubborn. He has to get what he wanted. Otherwise he will lose his temper and cry out loud. He likes to get other’s attention. When he is upset, just need some attention and comfort, say “Ma Ma Zai” (mom is here) and he will be fine. {UMMMM... YEAH... he'll fit in perfectly around here... LOL!}

8. Is he living in the orphanage or in foster care? If foster care, are there other children in the home? What are their ages and gender? Who is he closest to? best friend? care giver? a member of the foster family?

He was sent to foster family on Nov 9, 2011. There is a foster sister at foster family (foster family’s daughter, she is 5 and half years old). Xi Jian’s closest person is his foster mom. He gets along well with his big sister and neighbor children. {UMMMM... YEAH... BTDT... If you were around with Mei Mei's adoption you know EXACTLY why}

9. Did Xi Jian receive the family photo album and the care package we sent on December 2, 2011? It was personally delivered by our friends from the United States, the Dinello family, who visited Bao'an SWC after adopting ______________.

We received the care package and have forwarded it to the foster family. We will ask the foster parents show him the photo album as often as possible and help him get familiar if his family.

His updated measurements:

Height: 85.5cm; Weight: 12.6kg; Head: 47.6cm; Chest: 48.5cm; Teeth: 16; Foot: 12.5cm

And the icing on the cake? WE HAVE VIDEO!!! It's terrible quality but it gives us a little insight into who our Little Buddy really is. He has good fine motor skills. He has a little chirpy voice (kind of like his big brother did). His shoes are WAY too big. He likes juice boxes (at least I think it's a juice box). He has gained a few pounds--and he NEEDED to gain weight--PRAISE THE LORD! He hears well and makes good eye contact. He melts our hearts...



This may be the last update we receive before we travel this summer. Oh my goodness. The cheeks. The dimple. The sweet little voice. We have about 15 photos of him taken at three different times. He looks the healthiest in this set of photos but still no smile. Zero. Not one smile in one photo. That makes this Momma a little sad. I can't wait to meet him and turn that frown upside down.

Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
-Proverbs 25:25