Bubba and Anna

Bubba, Lee and Anna

When one door opens another closes..and middle names

It's been a roller coaster these past two weeks. The joy and relief of finally receiving our LOSC then sadly the loss of Lee's mom, Sylvia. He was very close to her. She was a fantastic woman- smart, stylish, kind, fun, funny and sophisticated. Everyone loved her. She was the most fantastic grandma to Anna- she called her Bubba. They had a very close relationship and that makes me so sad- to think of all of the years they will not have together. Bubba loved to buy Anna funky clothes and chocolate kisses..and she loved to pinch her tiny little butt! I'm happy they had these years together. Sylvia was the best mother-in-law anyone could want. When I was pregnant with Anna, my father-in-law passed away. Now we are expecting SiWei and Sylvia passed away.
So we are now decided on a middle name...we were back and forth about keeping SiWei as her middle name. But my husband is Jewish and they have a custom of naming a baby after a deceased relative- using the name itself or a first initial. So it's settled...SiWei will become her middle name- as a way of remembering Sylvia and a way to keep a part of her given name.

Happy Girl, 18 months

SiWei keeping busy, 18 months

Why China?

Many people ask, why China? why adoption? I don't know. I don't know. All I can say is that there has been a pull to go there for a very long time and a feeling that our family was just not complete. My 22 year old niece is adopted from Korea so I think I've been thinking about adoption for 22 years! It's been a long road too. We started this process when Anna was 6 months old (she's four now). So for 3 1/2 years we have been on the adoption roller coaster. First the mountain of paperwork (MOUNTAIN), then the SLOW down in Chinese adoptions. We were eventually drawn to the Special Medical Needs program which led us along the path to SiWei, who has a cleft lip/palate. Then another MOUNTAIN of paperwork and more waiting. So here we are..about 6 weeks away and we can hardly believe it.
Anna is so excited. We only told her last week when we were confirmed. I hope this enthusiasm lasts when they are sharing a room. I am superstitious about telling her American name until I actually have SiWei in my arms. So not even Anna knows her name because after all she is a blabbermouth. So I told Anna that we have to give her an "American" name. Somehow she heard, "New York" name so she refers to SiWei as "New York". Isn't there already a reality show about a chick named New York?!

SiWei, 12 months one of the first photos

Look at that cute face! Si Wei, 12 months at FengDu SWI

Happy Birthday SiWei!

Another sign! We were expecting our LOSC (Letter of Seeking Confirmation) in early January. This is the letter saying that we will officially be SiWei's parents. Well, Christmas came and went, New Years came and went and we waited once again for word from China. I had it in my head that I wanted to hear before her second birthday (January 15). Don't you know that I came home on Thursday January 14 after a crazy day at work and a shopping trip to Costco with Anna and there it was- a new message on my answering machine. We rarely get messages anyomore because everyone uses our cell. But it happened! It is now official!
We were waiting to tell Anna until we got our LOSC..I read her a book called "Maya's Journey Home" about 2 panda bears in an orphanage waiting to be adopted. I started crying and Lee video taped the whole thing. She is so excited! More on that later but for now I wanted to Thank God for signs and say HAPPY SECOND BIRTHDAY SI WEI! Next year we will have a big party for you on your Bd with your whole family......