This is a purchase we will be sure to have fun with in China and with our little Lilah! I hope to enroll in a photography class some time in the next few months (when things settle down a bit). I'm pretty excited about my new 'career', I have a feeling that being a Mummy is going to be a lot of fun!
'At 16 months, your toddler may like scribbling, enjoy helping you around the house, and may be able to put her finger to her lips and say "shhhh"...'
Yep, very soon there is going to be plenty of shhhhing, but probably not from Lilah! More than likely that sound will be coming from Lilah's baba & mama!
We love you precious Lilah. We're looking forward to hearing your sweet little voice.
During the 'adoptalk' information sessions we attended, we were advised to invest in a baby carrier. One of the main reasons is to help with bonding and attachment; so we can have lots of eye contact and constantly be close to our baby.
The carrier I ended up buying is the scootababy. It's a side carrier, used on the hip to support the weight and will hold up to a 40lb child - hands free! Also I like that Colin and I can both wear it, even though we are different heights and body types, it's fully adjustable.
I have read a lot of great reviews from Mamas who do the cooking and housework using it! Not to mention it even got a Mr.Dad seal of approval! I say way to go! Who needs a gym membership when you have a baby on your hip AND you're doing the housework! ...and bonding too, of course!
We received some news today! Our agency contacted China Center of Adoption Affairs to find out what is happening with our file. In brief, they have requested one of our many documents be updated, thankfully just one! The Ontario Ministry has been contacted and they are kindly rushing this through for us. So that being said, it looks like we have about another two week wait before we get the letter seeking confirmation, which we sign and send back. Then we wait approximately six weeks before travel. There is still a possibility we will travel late November. It is hard to explain, but I feel like a burden has been lifted.
Isaiah 26:3 - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
We made our final decisions and ordered the rest of Lilah's 'necessities' yesterday.
The car seat is the cowmooflage marathon by Britax, which is convertible and can face rear and forwards. Lilah will need it rear facing for a while because of her light weight.
We also decided not to go for a high chair, but instead we went for a booster seat, it should do the trick, I hope! It is also good for traveling...whenever that might happen! We do enjoy eating out and we also love to take mini vacations, so you never know! Oh yes, and not forgetting N.Ireland to visit nono, papie, na and pa (aka Lilah's grandparents)! Fun fun fun!
There are moments that I shake my head and think, this is actually happening, but I seem to have a lot more moments when I think it's just a dream. I'm not sure why, but it seems to have been a particularly hard week for both of us; just accepting the timing and relying on our God for faith and patience. Romans 4:20 - He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God.
We received an update on our beautiful baby girl this morning, and well, we are in awe, the photos say it all! We can't get over how much she has changed in such a short space of time, 1 month and 10 days to be exact! With this update we also got some interesting information about her.
- She is active and restless.
- She loves colourful toys that make noise.
- She is walking alone.
- She can say single words such as 'Ma' and 'Yi'.
- She drinks formula with rice cereal three times a day and congee once a day.
- She sleeps from 9:00pm - 5:30am and naps for 2 hours in the middle of the day.
- She has grown 1 cm in height, 78cm tall now.
- She has gained a few more teeth, 6 in total.
She is so sweet and we are so wanting to hold and love her in person! All being well it should be some time soon, possibly November! (Update courtesy of Kelly & Angela at ladybugs and love from above)
And somewhere while you’re sleeping
Someone else is dreaming too
Counting down the days until
They hold you close and say I love you
And like the rain that falls into the sea
In a moment what has been is lost in what will be
When love takes you in and everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart
When love takes you home and says you belong here
The loneliness ends and a new life begins
When love takes you in it takes you in for good
Steven Curtis Chapman
This little dolly bed was bought last December when we were in Syracuse, NY for a shopping trip. We ooh'd and ahh'd when we saw it in the Pottery Barn, and I guess it really won Colin over because he decided to go back later and buy it!
As a side note, anyone who knows Colin knows he doesn't particularly like shopping (unless it's at Home Depot), so this was a big step! Oh how he loves his little girl.
Just yesterday I decided to build the bed up and put it in her room. I thought it was so cute, I couldn't help but share it!
I ordered Lilah's pram this morning, oh my, I am super excited about this purchase!
Ever since I was a little girl I have been fascinated with prams. Each year, on vacation, my cousins all wanted to ride their bikes to the park, but not me, I was just dying to get one of the younger cousins into the pram and of I'd go pushing the pram. I don't even think it was a necessity to have a baby in there, but the pram pushing, it sure was a lot of fun!
And here it is: The Bumbleride Indie
You're fifteen months old today Lilah; in just a few more months it will be time for us to go and meet you and bring you back to our home.
So many family and friends can't wait to meet you either! They ask: Is she coming home soon?
But we don't know for sure yet, we're waiting for a special letter to tell us when. Hopefully it will arrive in the next 2 or 3 weeks. After that we have to wait 6 to 8 weeks before we travel. We are so excited Lilah, we can't wait to see you.
Yep, one of the most coveted drawers in our bathroom now belongs to Lilah! I imagine we'll be finding these bath toys all over the third floor, right next to the water puddles!
Lilah's room is almost finished! Just a few more pictures to hang, a dimmer switch to be wired, curtains to be hung and we are ready!
The three pictures below were the first items purchased for Lilah's room (in Nov 2007). I love these prints from Geninne; the scenes and verses depict the little story around our desire for a baby. We couldn't ask for more joy than what we feel right now.
Ask - ask and it shall be given you; matthew 7.7
Believe - all things are possible to him that believeth; mark 9.23
Receive - ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full; john 16.24
[more photos here]
Our wonderful friends, Grev & Pam are the proud parents of a little girl, Saltanat, from Kazakhstan. She is gorgeous and we are absolutely thrilled for this little family! You can check out more pictures on their blog. They are the perfect picture of happiness!
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.
...love this verse...
His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
By Annie J. Flint
It is hard to predict timelines, but I think we are at the half-way point now. It's been three months since we first saw that precious face, and in another three months we'll be kissing it!
