Process to make a baby paper ready.

1. When a child is found, the local police conduct an investigation and the local adoption center assists in placing the child in an orphanage.

2. The department of civil affairs make an announcement in the adoption of abandoned infants and children whose biological parents can not be ascertained or found. The finding ads are in place for 3 months.

3. Once the 3 month period is over, the orphanage director and the local adoption center prepare the child's abandonment certificate, birth certificate, medical report, orphanage report and the child's daily schedule.

4. The child's paperwork is sent to the CCAA to be processed and then matched to a family's dossier.

Not all children are abandoned at birth. This can affect how old the child is at referral time. Also, it is up to each orphanage director to determine which children's paperwork will be gathered and sent to the CCAA. They refer children as young as 6, 7, 8... months old.

Another Picture

I forgot to post this picture of Olivia. This was the first picture that we seen of her, it was in black and white.

Olivia

Xinhua Orphanage

This is where Olivia is.... waiting for her family. From what we understand we wont be able to see the orphanage. They will bring the babies to Chansha (the capital of the Hunan Province) to meet us.

Olivia, Mommy is coming to get you soon. I can't wait!

February?? Maybe??

When we received our referral we thought we wouldn't be leaving for China till March. Well... our agency is actually saying (maybe) we could leave as soon as February 22nd! At first I was excited! Then I started looking at expenses. If we travel the last 2 weeks of February, it will be higher for our airfare (because of the Chinese New Year,). If you know me very well... you know this is killing me, because I am such a penny pincher (or as others have called me.... cheap).

Oh well, we have no control over the process of the adoption.... I have found that I need to let it go and try not to control the process. It is not possible with the adoption process. I have heard that adoption is not for the weak (or cheap) of heart... boy is that true. But, after going through everything we have with Rachel I will do anything to bring home a healthy child.

Colette

Sleep.....

WOW! What a last few days. Last night Bob and I went out to dinner to celebrate our new daughter. We both still have grins from ear to ear on our faces.

We got up early this morning went to church then to the grocery store. I think that was Bob's hint of saying we needed some food in the house. As I told you before I haven't been doing my household chores. My goal for the week is to have all of the Christmas decorations & dishes put away and have a spotless house by Friday. Do you think I can do it?? It will be hard to focus, since all I can think about is Olivia

I guess I really haven't been sleeping well these last few weeks with the anticipation of receiving our referral. Anyway, I just woke up from a 2 hour nap.... it was lovely. I need to make sure I get my rest I don't want to get sick before or during our trip.

I guess I should get off this computer and get some stuff done.

Colette

Olivia Xin Walker

Still waiting...

I have been very patient today waiting for the UPS man to deliver our package. The package will have 3 more pictures of Olivia. Well, I am no longer patient. Hurry up UPS man, there is a mommy that wants to see her baby.

We finally received it at 7:30. As you can tell by the background, I still have up my Christmas decorations. I guess someone has been preocupied lately to get anything done around the house.

Colette

Map of China

Olivia is living in the Hunan Province. It is toward the bottom of the map. More then likely we will fly into Beijing then to the Hunan Provine, then to Guangdong Province.

It's a girl..... Olivia Walker

I just gave birth.... at least it feels like it! We got the call at 11:30 a.m. This is what we have been waiting for.... our REFERRAL!

Chinese Name: Xin Min Ya
Translation: 'Min' means people and 'Ya' means elegant
Birthdate: March 12, 2006
Province: Hunan
City: Changsha
Medical: (as of September when she was 6 months old)
16.6 pounds and 27 inches long and has 2 teeth

We chose to name her Olivia, we are not sure on the middle name yet.

We are all so happy!
Colette