Round 2...done!

Today we finished round two of ten days of IVs.  Bella is such a trooper!  This month they were all done in her hand.  So much better than last month when a few were done in her head.  Most days she didn't even cry!  She would wince in pain, but not cry.  The nurses say, "Wow, she's so brave."  And, "I think she's getting used to this."  Friends, I'm not sure I know any mother who thinks it's a good thing that her child is used to IVs.

Two different nurses, at different times, gave me a glimmer of hope.  They said, "maybe she won't have to do these next month."  I'm not sure where that thought comes from, except that they know we've started adoption paperwork and maybe they think adoption happens really quickly.  It doesn't.  We can pray that maybe, just maybe, she got her last round of brain stimulation IVs this month.  But the nurses don't make the decisions and I've learned not to put my hope in places it shouldn't be.  For now, I'm thankful we get a few weeks off of going to the orphanage every day.

Moving Quickly Now

We'd previously (and continuously) asked you to pray that the orphanage would be willing to move forward with Bella's paperwork for adoption.  They had told us they were willing to do it all, but could not guarantee when it would be done.  This week when we were asking questions about when, the answer was maybe not until the end of the year.  Until today...

This morning at about 11 am we got a call that they were putting together her paperwork for adoption.  They had some questions for us.  "What's her personality like?"  "What does she like to play with?"  "When does she sleep/eat?"  All these go into a report that has to go through the Chinese government, but eventually gets to the adoptive parents, that is back to us.  :)  But it all must be done.

Including another physical.  Tomorrow we will go back to the same hospital we had to go to about a month ago and go through roughly the same things, and a few more.  Last month was just a check-up, this month it's a check-up for adoption.  Apparently, they are different.  Tomorrow morning will not be easy.  The hospital has people everywhere, lots of waiting and lots of sick and crying children.  Thankfully a nurse from the orphanage will guide us through the whole thing.  We just have to take Bella where they tell us and try to keep her relatively content.

We also need our adoption agency to quickly and clearly explain to the orphanage how to write letters of recommendation for us to adopt her. This is a pivotal component of our adoption of Bella.  If not done correctly she could be matched with another family for adoption.  

We need your continued prayers.  And we'd love you to thank God with us for answering clearly and quickly. 

A Taste of Her Cuteness

She’s into flapping her arms and banging her toys.  What’s cute is that after feeding her when I’m patting her back for a burp, she’ll pat my arm too. 

She loves her hands and plays with them and studies them often.  When she can make a shadow with them, she likes to study it too.  So cute!

She’s been grabbing at the spoon when I’m feeding her solids.  She’s so cute when she wants to help her mommy.

Her favorite position is standing with help.  If she’s not standing, sitting is fine, but she’s not such a fan of tummy-time anymore.  She’ll rock on all fours but isn’t so interested in going anywhere yet.  And she’s so SO cute when we help her walk around the room. 

She’s been babbling a lot lately.  No “baba” or “dada” or “mama” yet, but aren’t baby sounds just the cutest?!

We're so in love with our little cutie!

positive, but not definitive

That's how I would describe the conversation yesterday.  The foster care director said that she cannot tell me exactly when they will be able to submit Bella's paperwork.  However, she said that we can start getting some things ready now and that when it happens, it'll happen quickly.  (I'm not sure exactly what that means because I know there is at least a 4-6 month wait to finalize the adoption once her paperwork is submitted and we are matched with her.)  But overall, she and I both had positive attitudes about moving forward and they're still willing to do what it takes.  For now, we're praising the Lord for this little confirmation.

Let's Get Moving

 ...on the paperwork, people!

Tomorrow Bella and I will make a visit to the orphanage and cordially ask about moving forward with adoption paperwork.  In the past they have said they are willing to do what it takes to allow us to adopt her.  However, they have never mentioned a time frame.  We are hoping and asking you to pray that they are willing to move sooner rather than later.  All of our paperwork is sitting in the capital, ready to go (and expiring on the US side of things).  However, our little beauty is not in the system yet.  That happens when the orphanage decides.  

Also, she's been home two months today!