The Roller Coaster Ride Continues...

This morning there were rumors stating that CCAA (the Chinese adoption agency) was putting travel approvals along with future referrals on hold for 20-30 days because of the swine flu.  I was devastated! How could this happen????  After 3 years of waiting for our second child - now we have to wait to go get him?  My stomach churned.  I need to go get my son SOON!  

 Our agency still hadn't heard anything, so in a state of despair, I hired a sitter and went shopping for things we need for our trip to China.   Hours later, exiting Wal-Mart with a cart load of night time diapers, swim diapers,  baby medications, sippy cups, etc., etc. - I was in denial that the rumors existed.  My plan was to move forward as if I'd heard nothing.  

This evening there is one rumor that an agency director made a call to the CCAA and CCAA said that the rumors about travel approval and referrals being held is not true.  There is even a rumor that travel approvals were mailed today!    

The 3 year wait was tough enough, but now, having pictures of our son, Kyra's little brother, this part of the wait is even harder.  

Kyra said her prayers to night,  "Dear God, Please take care of my little brother and all of the other people who need your help.  Amen." 

The Perfect Prayer. 

Krya - Hanging with the Boys!

We had some super warm April weather this week-end.  Water play with the neighbors was a huge hit!

Kyra can take it...

And she can dish it out!

And I was afraid Kyra wouldn't play with a baby brother????

Translated Profile

We received our translated profile of Liam.  It's very hard to read his profile.  While it makes him more "real" and fills me in on his development - it makes me so, so very sad -- it literally makes my heart ache, that I wasn't there - we weren't there - to experience this part of his life. It makes me so sad to have to pull him from the foster family he has been with for a year, but I know they will not be - were not meant to be - his forever family.  We are his forever family. We just can't wait to bring him home.  

Easter Week-end

Last year at Easter, we had hoped and prayed that we would have our second child here with us this year.  That didn't happen, but we had Liam's pictures with us for the whole week-end.  They sat right with Kyra while she decorated eggs. 

Decorating Eggs with Liam's Pictures

Easter Egg Hunt at a Neighbor's House

Easter Bunny was good to Kyra this year.  She had a great time finding her basket, eggs and goodies.

The Easter Basket

LaLa bought Easter books for Kyra and Liam that Easter Bunny hid.  This is Liam's Easter book from LaLa. 

Kyra got roller skates from the Easter Bunny.  Here is her first attempt!

Next, it was time for church and lunch at CR Sparks.  We're taking family pictures to send to Liam so he will start to recognize us.  We decided to take some while we were all spiffied up.

Kyra In Sunday School

Kyra and Mommy at Lunch

It was a wonderful Easter - next year will even be better because Liam will finally be home with us.  

Referral Post transferred from old Address

The referral call came today and with it came a big wonderful surprise! Kyra has a baby brother! His Chinese name is Wang Shu Li. He was born on January 19, 2007. When we wrote three years ago and said girl or boy we thought the odds of getting a boy were pretty much zero. This goes to show you, anything is possible! What an incredible adventure!

Wang is the last name and Shu Li is his first name. He is most likely called Li, so we wanted to come up with a name that sounded similar to that. We decided on Liam. In order to keep with our /k/ theme - Craig, Kim and Kyra - Kyra came up with a middle name of Cameron. He will be Liam Cameron ShuLi. This way he can always be called by his Chinese name Li.

Liam means strong willed warrior -- that's exactly what he looks like in these pictures. What a cutie! We will, however, have to work on that smile. He has fourteen teeth so there has to be a beautiful smile in there some place. We will get it out of him.

Liam is walking, potty trained and speaks in sentences of 3-5 words. He is described as restless, active, fond of playing with toys and gets along well with others. His favorite activites are hide and seek and playing ball. I think he and Kyra are going to have a grand time together.

We hope to have more translated info. on our little warrior by the end of next week. Meanwhile, we have a bunch of shopping to do. I don't think Kyra's dresses will fit him too well!
Posted by Kim at 10:34 PM
23 comments:

skm said...
Kim!!!
We are so happy for you. What a perfect name for your little guy, I love it! Can't wait to follow you along on your journey.
All the best,
Sharon, Mike and Teagan
April 4, 2009 5:29 AM
Tori said...
Another Li!

He is adorable and will be a perfect fit into your family.

We love you!
April 4, 2009 6:52 AM
The Lynch girls said...
Wow
a boy...no more pink little dresses!!
congratulations!
When do they think you will travel?
pat brian keira and jenna
April 4, 2009 7:12 AM
La La said...
WHAT A HANDSOME ADDITION TO A HANDSOME (AND BEAUTIFUL) FAMILY of Browns. We are sooo excited to be grandparents again: That's 7 girls and now two boys!! Buzz's first words were, "He doesn't smile much." But, around you guys that will change rapidly. I can't wait to come keep Sophie while you travel, play with Kyra again and meet Liam. God has blessed us again with another gift from China...just not a "doll" this time but one of their famed "warriors." However, God placed New Hampshire too far from West Virginia!! Love, LaLa aka Grandma Linda
April 4, 2009 9:41 AM
Tracy said...
How fun - a BOY!! Congrats - and what a cutie he is. He looks like a Liam - very fitting.
April 5, 2009 8:16 AM
V and M said...
Congratulations. He's beautiful. We have a son too! He's now 26 months old and been with us since Nov 07. Is your son from Yujiang SWI in Jiangxi by chance? Based on his last name of Wang -- I thought I would ask since that was our son's Chinese name too. I will enjoy following your journey!
April 5, 2009 10:47 AM
M Morris said...
He's GORGEOUS!!! Congratulations!!!!!

Mary (OneBlessedFamily on RQ, and mama to another Chinese boy)
April 5, 2009 11:13 AM
The Raudenbush Family said...
Congrats! What a wonderful surprise!
Kelly (LID 7/23/2007)
April 5, 2009 12:50 PM
making it up as we go said...
Hi Kim, I found your blog through RQ... your son is adorable! We also have just been referred a little boy, from Guangdong Province, dob 3/20/07. Are you in NH? We live in Brattleboro, VT. Would love to chat with you!
Jen Ottinger
April 5, 2009 2:24 PM
mumma to many said...
Congratulations on your son's referral! He looks like he knows his mind! Make sure you pack some cars for him to play with pull back ones are great!
Hugs Ruth in NZ
April 5, 2009 5:00 PM
Christi and Abbey said...
He is adorable!! congratulationa
April 5, 2009 5:10 PM
daveandmarcy said...
CONGRATULATIONS!!! He is absolutely adorable. You are going to have such a great time with your little boy.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful news (I found you on RQ).
Marcy, also Mom to a very cute and wonderful boy from China :)
April 6, 2009 2:19 AM
Alyson and Ford said...
Congratulations! You guys have to be over the moon happy!!! Handsome little guy you have there!
peace
fm
April 6, 2009 3:51 AM
Ava Baby said...
Congratulations!! He is adorable!
April 6, 2009 8:04 AM
MotherMotherOcean said...
Congrats. As the mother to an adoptive boy, you will love, love love, the boy energy.
April 6, 2009 8:55 AM
Heather said...
Congratulations!!

We also said a boy or girl back in 2004 and were referred our son! Now we also have two daughters...so much fun!

Great name! He is so handsome!!
April 6, 2009 8:55 AM
Lindsey said...
wow he is so handsome! CONGRATS! =]
April 6, 2009 9:02 AM
Dori's Mommy (Diana) said...
Congrats! He is a handsome little guy!
April 6, 2009 9:52 AM
Catherine said...
What a handsome little boy you have there! Congratulations!!!
April 6, 2009 12:54 PM
Amy said...
What an adorable little boy! Congratulations!
April 6, 2009 1:11 PM
Doug and Terrye said...
WOW!!! We also asked for a girl or boy...but we received a referral for a daughter (probably because we had two sons at home). I'm so happy for you, and what a sweet little face.

Terrye in FL
April 7, 2009 1:51 PM
Sherri & Todd said...
What a handsome boy he is too. Congrats!!! to you and your family. I found you on RQ.
Sherri
April 8, 2009 12:12 PM
Meaklims said...
Hi is SO handsome! So happy for you.
April 9, 2009 3:53 PM
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Liam's New Measurements and Other Updates

Our agency has updated us with Liam's new measurements.  He's, thankfully, had a growth spurt since November.  He was a tiny guy and now he's a big guy.  

Here they are: 

Height:  33.5 inches

Weight: 26.4 pounds

Head: 47 centimeters

Chest: 50 centimeters

Foot: 5.1 inchest

Teeth: 16!!

We've also found out that he's from the Guangzhou City Social Welfare Institute.  He is with a foster family right now that he has been with for the past 9 months. 

After scanning and emailing his referral packet to Dr. Cara Kaupp, a pediatrician that specializes in internationally adopted children and has traveled as a physician with our agency, CAWLI, Liam got a good bill of health.   

The paper chase continues, but I made major headway today.  Our VISA applications are on their way to New York via Fed Ex.  A pile of papers are on their way to our adoption agency in Boston.  We've filled out the questionnaire for a travel agent in Texas that specializes in adoption travel so that she can try to upgrade our tickets using frequent flier miles.  It's apparently much harder to do than it was 4 years ago.   I still have many more documents to gather and many, many copies of documents to make.  It will all be worth it in the end!!!!

Today I bought the items to put in the package that we will mail to Liam as soon as CAWLI sends us the package address labels.  The agency recommends you send a small blanket, a stuffed animal, a photo album of family pictures and a disposable camera so they can start taking pictures of him.    I bought a little blue blanky attached to a little  bear. I couldn't decide between a brown stuffed teddy bear (that matches the bear on the blue blanky) or a blue monkey that rattles when you shake it - so I bought them both and Craig and Kyra can decide.  I also couldn't decide between two photo albums to put our family pictures in. We'll choose one to send with our family pictures and in the other - we'll put pictures of Sophie to take with us and show Liam.  We did this with Kyra and she had no fear of Sophie.  Hopefully, it will work again!  We'll also put in a list of questions that the agency gave us asking the foster parents about all of Liam's eating, sleeping, etc..habits.  

We've ordered Liam's bedroom furniture, but decided to wait on bedding until we see what he's interested in.  He won't be in his big boy bed for awhile anyway.   I couldn't resist

ordering some matching brother/sister clothes -- they're just too cute!  I also bought his first cars and first book to take to China with us. Now, I get to do more shopping -- buying gifts for the guides, foster family, etc..., buying clothes to donate to the orphanage, and buying clothes for Liam!

Kyra got tickled today when I said she and Liam would be like Max and Ruby - one of her favorite shows.   Let's just hope Liam doesn't get into as much trouble as Max!  : )