Just so much to say and so little time. I do feel like we are sort of getting into a groove. Forgive me for not phoning some of you or emailing. Life is truly a whirlwind. I have a new appreciation for stay at home mom's and those with more then one child...aka my sister. But it's great...I love her. She is mine. She is such a little Wendi at times. She imitates me. She carries a big bag like mine. She is very nosy and a little naughty. She is delicous. I can't get mad at her without smiling. She is so cute. She loves to wash her hands, in fact cleanliness is very important to my daughter. She now occasionally hits my dog. Every day she says another word in English. She puts puzzles together in a second. She babbles on her fake telephone. She is truly sensational. Today she ate her first bagel, had her first trip to Central Park. Yesterday a birthday party. She seems happier at home right now, to be expected. Did I say, she is sensational.
I really want to be able to blog more. I am going to try.
I have to say to all of you again, thank you. Thank you for supporting us through this journey. Thank you.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Lia-Rose
She is impossibly cute. Undeniably delicious. Smart, tough, independent, and yes, I'll say it exhausting! It's been a very crazy week and half since we returned home. The jetlag was rough. I'm not going to sugar-coat this. It was hard. A few nights of literally up all night. Emotions running raw. Eating minimally and just plain exhausted. Things have definetly turned the corner though. Normal sleep patterns are returning and appetitites as well. It did help to kick start my summer diet that is for sure.
Lia is truly unreal. It's weird. It doesn't feel like she doesn't belong. It's like this she was meant to be here the whole time. She fits so perfectly with us.
She is so smart. She has a few favorite english words to say...yummy, happy birthday to you, bye bye, mommy, 'you've got mail' and of course...no. She definetly understands more then she actually speaks. It's pretty amazing actually. I've gotten over the feeling of crying everytime I think about how hard her life was and how she was almost lost in the system. My daughter is not a victim. She is tough. The doctor even said it...this kid is strong.
She sleeps now hopefully more peacefully. She will only drift off to sleep if I'm holding her hand. Tonight she smelled it. Like trying to memorize it. She is beautiful. People stop and smile at her. She gives out lots of hugs. SHe is truly amazing. She is Lia-Rose. It's so wild. It's Lia-Rose.
Lia is truly unreal. It's weird. It doesn't feel like she doesn't belong. It's like this she was meant to be here the whole time. She fits so perfectly with us.
She is so smart. She has a few favorite english words to say...yummy, happy birthday to you, bye bye, mommy, 'you've got mail' and of course...no. She definetly understands more then she actually speaks. It's pretty amazing actually. I've gotten over the feeling of crying everytime I think about how hard her life was and how she was almost lost in the system. My daughter is not a victim. She is tough. The doctor even said it...this kid is strong.
She sleeps now hopefully more peacefully. She will only drift off to sleep if I'm holding her hand. Tonight she smelled it. Like trying to memorize it. She is beautiful. People stop and smile at her. She gives out lots of hugs. SHe is truly amazing. She is Lia-Rose. It's so wild. It's Lia-Rose.
Monday, June 15, 2009
All good!
Just tired. She is amazing. She is Lia-Rose...how does this happen? Will write more when I have some energy :)
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Wednesday,I think
The days all blur together I must say. With the time difference makes it even crazier. But it is Wednesday. We are scheduled to go back to the Embassay today. Well, scheduled is not the right word. We go back because our paperwork that wasn't finished on Monday due to Orphange mistake, should be done today. I sure hope so. I just want this part done so we can finally say...all is complete. You can never breathe in this process.
Lia continues to amaze me. I met some mother's yesterday by the pool who couldn't believe that we had only been together a few days. She is very comfortable with me.
She is very talkative, although I can't understand her she is certainly expressing herself with her expressions and on going sentences and hand gestures. You can tell she is a fighter. Tough as nails. And a certain amoung of maturity about her. It's hard to explain. She is almost four but something about her. SHe is also just beautiful. I can honestly say I have a gorgeous daughter. Her skin is a gorgeous olive and is already browining up. Her hair is now way past her shoulders and just is beuatiful.
The other night we said goodbye to her Nanny. Nanny and I were sobbing privately. Lia is very blessed ...well, I should say Joe and I are, to have had Nanny and her family love Lia so much. She was very well taken care of and it shows.
She definetly is testing me. She will run off at a moment's notice and is very over-friendly to strangers...common issues you see with kids in this situation.
But all and all, she is the Blessing that is Lia. I can't believe this is happening!
Taiwan is a beautiful, friendly and kind country. We have been treated very nicely. Plus met a bunch of Westerners here who are are leaving here and absolutely love it. Lia is from a beatiful country. She is a beutiful child. I am so blessed.
Lia continues to amaze me. I met some mother's yesterday by the pool who couldn't believe that we had only been together a few days. She is very comfortable with me.
She is very talkative, although I can't understand her she is certainly expressing herself with her expressions and on going sentences and hand gestures. You can tell she is a fighter. Tough as nails. And a certain amoung of maturity about her. It's hard to explain. She is almost four but something about her. SHe is also just beautiful. I can honestly say I have a gorgeous daughter. Her skin is a gorgeous olive and is already browining up. Her hair is now way past her shoulders and just is beuatiful.
The other night we said goodbye to her Nanny. Nanny and I were sobbing privately. Lia is very blessed ...well, I should say Joe and I are, to have had Nanny and her family love Lia so much. She was very well taken care of and it shows.
She definetly is testing me. She will run off at a moment's notice and is very over-friendly to strangers...common issues you see with kids in this situation.
But all and all, she is the Blessing that is Lia. I can't believe this is happening!
Taiwan is a beautiful, friendly and kind country. We have been treated very nicely. Plus met a bunch of Westerners here who are are leaving here and absolutely love it. Lia is from a beatiful country. She is a beutiful child. I am so blessed.
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Watching her sleep
We are here in Taipai and it's been an amazing few days. Yes, it's exhausting and between the jetleg and just running around to get from point a to point b by 9am this morning, truly the Amazing Race.
Lia Tsz-Huei is my daughter. I mean, truly my daughter. Saturday morning was just surreal. I'm trying to remember it now....I remember being really scared and cried on the van right over. We met her at the orphanage and as we rode the elevator up my heart was bounding. The elevator opened and there was a screen door that I could hear babies crying and suddenly a little voice, Mommy mommy mommy. I screamed back Lia Lia Lia when the door opened she ran into my arms. She absolutely remembered me like I had just left her the day before. The webchats and the photos and all Nanny and I did to keep the connection has been vital. It was sad. She looked for Daddy and then said "daddy didn't show up." We told her that Daddy was getting the room ready for her arrival. She smiled!!
She holds my hand. Looks for me with others around. I am definetly her mommy.
On Saturday after our reunion we went to party they were having for us. There we met some important people in Lia's life...I'll talk more about this privately.
I have to go..but will write more later! xo
Lia Tsz-Huei is my daughter. I mean, truly my daughter. Saturday morning was just surreal. I'm trying to remember it now....I remember being really scared and cried on the van right over. We met her at the orphanage and as we rode the elevator up my heart was bounding. The elevator opened and there was a screen door that I could hear babies crying and suddenly a little voice, Mommy mommy mommy. I screamed back Lia Lia Lia when the door opened she ran into my arms. She absolutely remembered me like I had just left her the day before. The webchats and the photos and all Nanny and I did to keep the connection has been vital. It was sad. She looked for Daddy and then said "daddy didn't show up." We told her that Daddy was getting the room ready for her arrival. She smiled!!
She holds my hand. Looks for me with others around. I am definetly her mommy.
On Saturday after our reunion we went to party they were having for us. There we met some important people in Lia's life...I'll talk more about this privately.
I have to go..but will write more later! xo
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
UNREAL
So last night I am in bed. Showered, relaxing, trying to fall asleep. It's aboutthe 9:30. The phone rings. Dina. "Your appointment is at 9a on Monday morning." "Excuse me?"
Wendi get your bags packed....I'm off in less then 24 hours. I don't know how I did it. Booked flights, hotels, made huge arrangments. Today I need to pack, clean up my work for a few weeks, go shopping and just try to breathe. This is unreal. I went to bed about 3a last night. That is three hours sleep if ou are counting. I clung to Joe. This is is. The last night we will be just the two of us. Everything is different now. It feels sort of sad. I cried. I can't explain. Goodbye to the wait, the frustration, the not knowing. Goodbye to just my hubby and I. I looked at my doggie and felt guilty. She won't be the center of my universe anymore.
Goodbye to it all. And hello to my daugther.
So, not sure if this is the end of this blog.One which I created almost three years ago. This blog was about our journey.
I will try to post from Taiwan. As many of you know I'm one Facebook, so I'll be status updating and adding some photos over there.
In the end, I will admit that this was hard. I feel like the adoption system needs to be retooled for both parents and child. I hope that after Lia comes home I'll find some time to work on ideas to help make that happen. I am enternally grateful to all those who showed me so much love and compassion and partnership through this.
I wish those still in process good luck...your dream will most definetly come true.
Wendi get your bags packed....I'm off in less then 24 hours. I don't know how I did it. Booked flights, hotels, made huge arrangments. Today I need to pack, clean up my work for a few weeks, go shopping and just try to breathe. This is unreal. I went to bed about 3a last night. That is three hours sleep if ou are counting. I clung to Joe. This is is. The last night we will be just the two of us. Everything is different now. It feels sort of sad. I cried. I can't explain. Goodbye to the wait, the frustration, the not knowing. Goodbye to just my hubby and I. I looked at my doggie and felt guilty. She won't be the center of my universe anymore.
Goodbye to it all. And hello to my daugther.
So, not sure if this is the end of this blog.One which I created almost three years ago. This blog was about our journey.
I will try to post from Taiwan. As many of you know I'm one Facebook, so I'll be status updating and adding some photos over there.
In the end, I will admit that this was hard. I feel like the adoption system needs to be retooled for both parents and child. I hope that after Lia comes home I'll find some time to work on ideas to help make that happen. I am enternally grateful to all those who showed me so much love and compassion and partnership through this.
I wish those still in process good luck...your dream will most definetly come true.
Monday, May 25, 2009
And the answer is...
Certificate is in hand!
Well, not my hand, but in Taiwan. And I should be leaving the week of June 8th to bring our little princess home! FINALLY!!!!!
Thank you so much for your support...everyone.
Well, not my hand, but in Taiwan. And I should be leaving the week of June 8th to bring our little princess home! FINALLY!!!!!
Thank you so much for your support...everyone.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Are we at the end?
I sure hope so. It's almost morning almost 5am the morning of the 25th in Taiwan. In a few hours Mr. T. who is the administrator for the orphange will got to the courthouse. Will the certificate be ready? Or will we have days more to wait? No one knows. I am so nervous that I'm unhappy. This has been such an up and down experience. A true rollercoaster. But, we are almost at the end. Lia-Rose will be home soon. But, how soon is the question. It's weird. You know it is true. But then you wait for the bomb to drop and for more weeks to be added into the equation. Time flies yet it truly creeps by as well.
I hope I will have some great news to report VERY SOON!
I hope I will have some great news to report VERY SOON!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
May 25th
The date we are supposed to get certificate...then we can book travel and visa appointment.
Let's see...I really feel positive!
Let's see...I really feel positive!
Friday, May 15, 2009
"I LUB YOU"
My daughter is so smart. She "lubs me". And she tells me when she sees me online! What a girl!
No updates...but here's the good news...it's been three weeks now...will next week be it! YES, remember, positive thinking!
Thank you for yours!
No updates...but here's the good news...it's been three weeks now...will next week be it! YES, remember, positive thinking!
Thank you for yours!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Still ...
Just need this certificate. Come on. I have to ask all of you a huge huge favor. You have all been so wonderful to me during this journey. Can I ask you for one big favor. Please ask G-d or whoever u may believe in to help us get that final piece of paper.
I am going to imagine that the judge has signed it. That she is handing it to her clerk. The clerk has folded it and put it into an envelope and has sent to Ms. K. Ms. K is putting it on her fax machine and sending it to D our facilitator. D is picking up the phone and scheduling our appointment with the Embassay. She is then putting the phone down and calling me. And so it is!
I am going to imagine that the judge has signed it. That she is handing it to her clerk. The clerk has folded it and put it into an envelope and has sent to Ms. K. Ms. K is putting it on her fax machine and sending it to D our facilitator. D is picking up the phone and scheduling our appointment with the Embassay. She is then putting the phone down and calling me. And so it is!
Thursday, May 07, 2009
No updates
Gosh, my life has really been about waiting these past years hasn't it...now it's waiting for second half of decree and travel. At least though, some of my "stuff" I was worrying about is basically allievated...she is ours. I just want to go get her now.
Last night I was singing the Barney Song and she loved it. She kept saying "more"...and then she sang it with her Nanny back to me in Chinese! So cute, and must say I'm happy to see how strong her verbal skills are. Not sure if I ever mentioned this, but when were first given her referral they thought she might have some speech issues and could be slightly delayed in her speech (more for her circumstances then anything else) Although she is not speaking English...she is yapping away. Long sentences from what I can make out. And even when Nanny tells her to say something in English she is pretty strong with delivery. My guess is, like her mommmy, she loves to talk!
I just emailed my facilator. I have been very good about not emailing everyday and saying ...what is going on. Figured, one week in from our last conversation is a fair amount of time! It's exactly one week today she told me. I'm pretty sure the decree actually had come down before that and D was just being careful to not tell us info until she was 100 percent sure. (She basically said that) So, if there is a so-called 10 day waiting period between Decree part 1 and Decree part 2, we could really be there!
One other thing, Lia wished me a Happy Mother's Day. Yes, I cried. Let's go get her!!
Last night I was singing the Barney Song and she loved it. She kept saying "more"...and then she sang it with her Nanny back to me in Chinese! So cute, and must say I'm happy to see how strong her verbal skills are. Not sure if I ever mentioned this, but when were first given her referral they thought she might have some speech issues and could be slightly delayed in her speech (more for her circumstances then anything else) Although she is not speaking English...she is yapping away. Long sentences from what I can make out. And even when Nanny tells her to say something in English she is pretty strong with delivery. My guess is, like her mommmy, she loves to talk!
I just emailed my facilator. I have been very good about not emailing everyday and saying ...what is going on. Figured, one week in from our last conversation is a fair amount of time! It's exactly one week today she told me. I'm pretty sure the decree actually had come down before that and D was just being careful to not tell us info until she was 100 percent sure. (She basically said that) So, if there is a so-called 10 day waiting period between Decree part 1 and Decree part 2, we could really be there!
One other thing, Lia wished me a Happy Mother's Day. Yes, I cried. Let's go get her!!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
I am a mommy! Legally.
Yep, the final ruling (first decree-I know it's confusing but that's how this is) is in!!!! We are done! Now just another 10days for the certificate to come down. I hadn't really been explained this until today....we should be leaving by the end of May! Lia is legally ours. Can I say that again. Lia is my daughter. Forever!!!!!
April 30th 2006 was my first visit with my social worker. When we started the process. Three years to the day...I AM A MOM!
April 30th 2006 was my first visit with my social worker. When we started the process. Three years to the day...I AM A MOM!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
April 30th
It is now April 30th in Taiwan. I write this next post to mark something very important in Lia's life. I won't go into details as those details are for Lia to share one day, but today Lia is meeting and saying farewell to her birthfather. These words give me chills as I write them down. I want you to know one day my wonderful daughter that your birth parents love you so much. They loved you so much that they knew that your forever family was where you needed to be. I wish you knew how important this day will be for your birth father and for you. You are loved by so many the whole world over. Cherish this time with him. Cherish it. And to Lia's birthfather, there are not enough words --thank you is simply all I can say.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Great news!
The decree should be issued this week we were told today. My facilitator said "It's your turn now!"
We will be heading to Taiwan in about two or three weeks after that!
Lia Tsz-Huei Rose is almost here.
Her Nanny told me that Lia completely identifies herself as our daughter. It's all truly amazing!
Keep us in your prayers....
We will be heading to Taiwan in about two or three weeks after that!
Lia Tsz-Huei Rose is almost here.
Her Nanny told me that Lia completely identifies herself as our daughter. It's all truly amazing!
Keep us in your prayers....
Friday, April 24, 2009
SOON
That's the lastest note from my source in Taiwan. For what it's worth, I loved hearing it. My birthday is tomorrow. It was exactly the news I needed to hear to not be brokenhearted. I love you Lia. My last birthday without you with me.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
I miss you Lia
The wait used to be about this idea of who my child was. The idea of being a mommy.
Now it is about missing my Lia Tsz-Huei. I cry often. I cry daily. I am sorry for being so weak. I am just missing my little innocent daughter. I am so tired of feeling that way. I know there is a lesson here. I belive there is that in every challenge in our life. I know it's about motherhood and about being strong. But, this is tough guys. Really tough. I miss you Lia Tsz-Huei Rose. I miss your little laugh, your squeal, your soft hair on my face. Your little hand in mine. We only spent a week together, it was a lifetime for me. I miss you baby. Mama will be there soon.
Now it is about missing my Lia Tsz-Huei. I cry often. I cry daily. I am sorry for being so weak. I am just missing my little innocent daughter. I am so tired of feeling that way. I know there is a lesson here. I belive there is that in every challenge in our life. I know it's about motherhood and about being strong. But, this is tough guys. Really tough. I miss you Lia Tsz-Huei Rose. I miss your little laugh, your squeal, your soft hair on my face. Your little hand in mine. We only spent a week together, it was a lifetime for me. I miss you baby. Mama will be there soon.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Hope and Love
That's how Pacey's mommy Jocelyn describes. The look on Lia's face now. She is right. Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick Tock. This little hopeful love-bug needs us. Tick tock ...tick tock!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Optimistic
For someone who has felt beat up lately, I feel incredibly optimistic. I truly believe we will know some good news soon! And check this out. Tonight Lia was wearing the same dress she was wearing in her referral picture. This time with a much different look on her face.
Then
Now
Then
Now
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