Care Package...slowly but surely

Yesterday, after the Chinese New Year event, we started putting together Han's care package. We took some pictures of us that we'll include in the mini photo album and I sent a letter for the director and nannies off to get translated into Chinese. Once we get that back, we'll be able to send him the care package which right now consists of a blanket, little truck and bouncy ball. We'll get a disposable camera (you never know, it could work this time!) and some baby clothes for the orphanage. In the meantime, here are the pictures he'll (hopefully) see.

Early Chinese New Year Celebration

Today we got to enjoy an early celebration of Chinese New Year (the Year of the Rabbit officially starts on Feb. 3). This time, Emerson got to hang out with us for some exposure to a great Chinese tradition. Overall, we all had a great time. This is my first year as V.P. of the organization, so I got to be on the other side with my friend Dawn is already doing an awesome job as President. A lot more people than I would have expected made for a busy event for us, but it was fun to see so many people excited about the group.

The dragon dancers (put on by a local Kung Fu school) proved, once again to be too much for Amelie. We ended up outside for part of it. Loud noises have always bothered her and the show of the dragon being led in by a guy in a mask with the cymbals serenading behind him was too much. Overall, it was a very awesome effect though and Emerson was riveted.

We got home and started putting together the care package we got for Han. We just need to send the letter to the Director and Nannies off to get translated, then we'll send it on in hopes of him getting it before we come to China!

LSC Arrived today and is off to Immigration

We received our packet from China today including the much anticipated and long-awaited Letter Seeking Confirmation (LSC). This was the official letter from China saying that they thought it would be a good idea for us to be Han's parents and so, they approved!!

What this means in logistical terms is a day of copying, stapling, collating and rushing off to the post office to send the packet to the USCIS office in Texas where they will begin the process of updating our status to allow us to bring Han back into the US. Once we have this back, another set of processes begins including starting the process to get Han a visa while we're in China so we can bring him back to the U.S.

The great and unexpected news is that we were initially told to expect traveling to China in 6-8 months which would put us there between July & Aug. Because our LSC arrived so much sooner than we expected (it came after a week rather than the predicted 5-12 weeks), we now can expect to travel in 3 to 4 months!

Han, here we come!

In the meantime, I'll post pictures of our first Asian treasure who continues to dazzle.

It's a Boy!!

I have not been good about maintaining this blog for quite a while now and, believe me, it's not due to a lack of information to share! However, my resolution for the year is to get back on it even if it means more frequent, but shorter entries.

So, for the latest news! We're getting a son! Just saying that word causes a funny, but wonderful effect. Being in beautiful, frilly girlie mode for so long, it seems so happily surreal to get to say "daughter" and "son". Our little boy, Han Min, is from the Sichuan province (close to Amelie's home province of Hunan). We will now have a perfectly balanced family consisting of our Spicy Girl and Panda Boy.

Today is the eve of his 3rd birthday, a day he'll get to share with his Uncle Lenny who is a full and exact 30 years older.

How fun it was to tell Amelie she will be a big sister. As Allen and I brought her aside, we had a little photo album with the 7 pictures of him that we had from China. We asked her, "Do you know how we've been trying to get you a baby brother or sister?" and she nodded excitedly as the smile grew big on her face. We said, "Well, how would you feel about a little brother?" She jumped and squealed and we handed her the pictures which she treated like a golden treasure. She studied the pictures and would pronounce "He's so cute!" She then carried the book and stored it in a safe place in her room. She got to take it to school to show her friends and teachers the next day which she did with high excitement.