2 Years Ago Today........

So, I have to admit, I have been looking forward to doing this post. (I'm not sure why, but I have) Anyway, 2 years ago today, March 7th 2007, was the first time we ever saw our beautiful daughters face. On this day in 2007, I was at work (Lowe's at the time) doing inventory, and the phone on my hip rang. I picked up the phone to hear the lady from our adoption agency say "You have one beautiful baby girl, with big fat cheeks!!!" I will NEVER forget that feeling as long as I live. I remember sprinting through the store to go call Jason and to leave immediately to go and get our referral (which is pictures and a lot of information about Olivia). My chest was pounding, and still does when I think about that moment. That moment, aside from the moment we got her, was the very best day of my life. Here is just a tad bit of information we received that day about Miss Olivia.

1 ~ Born July 12th, 2006 (She was almost 7 months when we got her picture)

2 ~ She was in an orphanage (Some babies are kept in foster homes)

3 ~ She was a deep sleeper (HA! Don't know where they got this info.)

4 ~ Held her head up while lying on stomach

5 ~ Rolls from supine to prone position by herself

6 ~ Grasps toy near hand

7 ~ Locates the direction of sound/noise

8 ~ Follows you with moving head from one side to the other

9 ~ Laughs aloud

10~Distinguishes between acquaintance and stranger (and still does!!!) But funny thing is, she went right to us on the day we adopted her and she NEVER cried! She was scared to death, but never cried)

11~Active

12~Restless

13~Fond of playing with toys

14~Quick in reaction

15~Has a ready smile

16~Fond of playing games

17~Closest to caretaker

And there was lots more like her daily routine (eating & sleeping), her weight, height and head circumference, birthplace, etc.

We started this process on November 10th, 2004 thinking it would take 6 months. But, with lots of changes coming from China, we didn't get our referral for 2 years and 4 months (I think that's right). Anyway, that was the longest 2 years of our lives and now time just flies by. It is amazing! I don't know how we'll ever be able to express to God how much this blessing means to us. She is our world! Thank you God!!!!!

Here are the pictures we got on March 7th, 2007.

In this picture, they are trying to show us her "blood vessel tumor on face" (as they called it). Hemangioma here in the U.S. You can't see it good on this picture, but in our pictures, you can see a little tear in the corner of her eye where she had been crying while they took this picture I am assuming. So pitiful!




She was found on July 20th, 2006. That means her mother kept her for 8 DAYS before they left her outside of Jishui Hospital. So sad!!! I would give anything to be able to send a picture or letter letting her biological parents know what she looks like now and how healthy and happy she is...I don't know her biological parents, but I can tell you there is a DEEP LOVE in our hearts for them.

Happy Referral Day Miss Olivia!! We love you!!