Tianna Meets Santa

Tianna Meets Santa

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Toddler Shower

This past Sunday, some of the families from the FCC (family with children from China) group through a Toddler Shower for me. It was such a beautiful shower. I was shocked and bewildered. I had such tears of joy that day. The table was beautiful. Set up so nicely. It was so nice seeing everyone there and I was so filled with gratitude.
Everyone was so wonderful in planning it out. Matt and a good time tricking me too.
He took me shopping over at the Tanger Outlets. Then, we had plans to have lunch with his friend Dave and his wife Candace. But, that wasn't who was having lunch with us. It was some of FCC, a few friends from Church, Matt's parents and my aunt and uncle. It was wonderful.
It's great having the support of our Adoption friends and our friends in choir. Our Adoption friends know and understand everything we're going through in regards to adopting and waiting for china. Our friends from Church were there through everything from the Fertility Treatments, the miscarriages and now the wonderful journey to China.
My mother-in-law and father-in-law have also been through everything with us. I'm not sure what we'd do without their support. WIthout their help, we would never even have a chance to adopt. They are both as happy as we are about Tianna coming home.
I was so happy on Sunday. I think I was glowing. Oh, right. I'm pregnant...PAPER pregnant. Tianna is coming home soon. Yippeee.
Oh, of course, I need to mention how much I love Matt. Side by side, we go on this wonderful journey, together. We're eachothers best friends. We have total communication and we're totally devoted to each other. What more can I ask for?

Travel Approval

Matthew Balkam
On Wednesday I received in my hand the copy of our TA ( Travel Aproval ) from China. It seemed some what unreal. The TA for lack of a better word is HUGE..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is China saying "Ok you can come into our country and get your chi...ld" The TA is what every future parent is striving for, and we got it.
Now all we need is the paper work from the USCIS office in Manhattan. That is the US side saying "Ok now go get your child". Its kinda stupid this whole process but it makes sense, I think.
So we are now looking at a travel date of the last week of November to the 1st two weeks of December. There is a strong possibility would could be in China near or during Christmas. As much as I hate the idea of not being home for Christmas, this is the ONLY reason I can think of to be away from home. I mean we are bringing our daughter home to family and friends who are so excited to meet Tianna.

Well thats all for now folks. Hope to have more news soon,

Matt

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Lifebook

I started a lifebook for Tianna last night. It's only going include things up until we meet her in China. So, the referral pictures, medical information from when she was One, the pre-approval e-mail from New Beginnings, the pictures of the packages we sent through Red Thread and the first letter I wrote my daughter. It's a small book with Mickey Mouse on the cover.
We found two pictures on the ZZ website (yahoo group for those adopting from Zhouzou orphanage) that have a little girl in them that look like it could be Tianna. The pictures were taken last summer (2008), so Tianna would be 2 1/2. So, right now, we're trying to confirm one way or the other. If they are Tianna, of course I'll print those up and put them in the book as well.

I spent Monday washing her clothes and putting them in her dresser. Yes, I know I have plenty of time, but when time gets closer, I'll have papers due and Final exams to prepare for before we head to China.
Tianna's dresser is completely filled with 3T and 4T clothes. She's set. I can't wait until she gets home. The wait is getting worse. We're praying to get her home before Christmas. We are still waiting for our Travel Approval from China. It's been a month of waiting for the approval and are hoping to receive it soon. Waiting to find out when we'll meet our daughter.

That's it for now.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Red Thread

We got an message from Ann at Red Thread (since we put an order in last week for a package for Tianna). Ann is a wonderful woman who works (or may even own) Red Thread. She can get us updates on Tianna. We asked about Tiannas hearing and her eating (since she's got the cleft palete). Ann says that Tianna is eating normal foods (rice and vegetables). Tianna doesn't have any hearing problems. That's all we really know so far. We were hoping for more pictures, but we're lucky to at least get more information. We're making a list of questions to ask once we're there. Like, what will sooth her when she's upset?
I'm quiet excited about the room. I hope she likes the Disney Princesses. Everything is Disney Princesses.
Matt picked up a Disney princess Etch a Sketch and toy cell phone. He really loves buying Tianna things, just like his parents do.
Everything is quiet as far as travel dates and things. CCAA will reopen on Monday. Hurray.
Hope everyone has a great weekend.
Laura

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Thoughts to ponder for 10/7/09

Well here Laura and I sit keeping busy with stuff, while are thoughts are in China. I never imagine just how hard this wait would be until it was here. We are listening to "Toddler Tunes" on TV. Perhaps thats not a good idea. But now that our daughter has a face, a smile, and a name its harder to let each day go by with out her. We feel like we are being robbed as each day goes by.

But I guess we just have to wait our turn. We did make a new friend in Colorado who is addopting from the same Orphanage that our daughter is at. She maybe heading there before us.

Any ways folks, thats all

Matt

Monday, October 5, 2009

The Bed

On Saturday Tianna's bed arrived. It was a gift from Grandma and Grandpa. It is big but I do think our little girl will love it. I really love the pull out desk idea. Grandma and Grandpa got to see it Sunday and approved. So the room is now ready, expect for one little item. Theres a little girl in China who still needs to see it.

Anyways October is here and CCAA is closed. Still have to wait another week for any more updates. Untill then talk with you all later.

Matt