Hunan Spice is about to be Twice as Nice!

We are done with the paperwork!  This little girl is coming home, next month!  Yippee:))

Last week we received our Travel Approval after a few months of waiting for the final paperwork to be completed.  Now we have our dates and travel itinerary and we're waiting for our Visas.  I was holding my emotions in check for almost 8 months now and when I look at this sweet face I can't believe she is going to be my daughter and I will soon be a Momma to two beautiful children.   We are all so very excited, it's truly another blessing to be able to adopt another child and welcome her with open arms into our family.

Though I have not blogged for months I still wanted to blog about our journey to this very special little girl.

Because of the seriousness of her condition this blog will remain private.  Quite honestly I wasn't going to blog at all but realize how much I miss documenting the milestones and it's a nice way to keep myself organized and occupied during nap time.

So where to start?  How about her name!  We decided after much thought that her Amercian name will be Miss Shelby Emmalin.  Shelby is a name I chose as I wanted her named for my beloved Mother.  Then we found and fell in love with her middle name Emmalin.  I even think she looks like a Shelby!

These are the latest photos we received back in July after we sent her photos of us.  She is finally smiling as she looks as her soon to be new big dog.

She is quite petite from the last update, standing 31 inches tall and weighing in at only 17 pounds.  I know I did this before but totally forgot sizing for onesies, diapers and clothes.  Well at least I'll bring warm clothes this time.  

I have asked our agency if we can get another update on her feeding schedule too as she may still be using bottled milk.  Already put away a few different pacifiers since from the looks of many photos she's quite attached to it and a little green ball given to her when she was in a hospital in Bejing.  

My nerves are starting to get the best of me when I think of what the transition for her will be like.  She is said to be very shy and close to her foster mother, so I am sure it will be very difficult for her.  I think this is always the hardest part of the adoption process.  While we can't wait to hug and love her, it may take her weeks or months to accept us.  I remember how hard Kira cried after the orphanage directors handed her over to me.  Oh my goodness it was heartbreaking and so I am preparing myself that this babe will be do the same.  I guess you do what you can to console them, but ultimately it takes time and so much patience, love and understanding.  Kira undoubtedly is excited and keeps asking when "are we getting my sister"?  I tell her soon, very soon and she just smiles.  Thank goodness Kira is such a sweet and affectionate little girl whom I know will play a major role in helping her sister  make a smooth transition to her new home.

Now there is a checklist of things to bring with us, and I can't forget teething biscuits.  Those were essential when we were in Hunan and I never thought of bringing them.  I think it will be interesting to see how much I can fit in two suitcases!  

So for now I am reminded of one of my favorite poems, which says so much in just a few paragraphs.

Legacy of an Adopted Child

Once there were two women who never knew each other,
One - you do not remember, the other you call mother.
Two different lives shaped to make yours,
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.
The first gave you life, and the second taught you to live in it.
The first gave you a need for love and the second was there to give it.
One gave you a nationality; the other gave you a name.
One gave you the seed of talent; the other gave you an aim.
One gave you emotions; the other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile; the other dried your tears.
One gave you up - that's all she could do.
The other prayed for a child and God led her straight to you.
Now you ask through all your tears the age-old question through the years;
Heredity or environment - which are you a product of?
Neither, my darling - neither - just two different kinds of love. 

Author Unknown