Because everybody likes baby pictures

Since I don't have anything new to post about Jack, I thought I would post a cute picture of his cousins.

We are waiting on our visas to come back from Texas and to get the invitation to travel from China. We'll keep you posted.

What's in a Name?

For us it turns out family is in a name. Since Fu Nong is becoming part of our family, our decision on a name finally came down to those we love so dearly - our fathers. Craig and I have decided to name our son Jack David Kaige Kempf. Jack is for my father John, who grew up answering to Jack. Craig's father is David. And, of course, Craig's love of film making came into play with Kaige. For those who don't know (many?) Kaige Chen is one of the foremost film directors in China.


Here are pictures of his namesakes. My mother and father are in the hot air balloon over Napa Valley. Craig's parents are pictured at work.

Mystery of the Chinese Baby Shortage

A recent article in the New York Times openly addresses the confusion surrounding what is aptly referred to as the "mystery of the Chinese baby shortage." As Craig and I begin to fill out our travel paperwork, apply for a visa, and pick our lodging, I feel a thrill. But, there is certainly a wall inside my mind holding back all of the questions about the unusual circumstances surrounding adoption in China. Why are SN kids so much older when they are adopted is one question I just don't understand. The kids that need immediate help seem to be last on the list. I think the answer may lie in something referenced in the article - Chinese national pride over child welfare. I think before China won their Olympic bid the goal was to put the "very best" representatives out into the world. To the Chinese government that meant healthy and cute baby girls. Now that the magnifying glass has come over their country, those processes are changing.

Read the article and see what you think.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/23/opinion/23russell.html?ex=1170219600&en=d7c7dbc7d521f51c&ei=5070&emc=eta1

I am in the Delta Crown Room in Atlanta doing my best to cry discretely. I have been looking at the face of my new baby and listening a playlist Craig made for my trip to LA. I can't imagine the world that my little boy has known for the last two years and five months (tomorrow).

I just keep thinking of all the things that the HAWK had experienced by that stage in life. His birthday parties, his trips to Boston and North Carolina, tumbleweeds, beach days and so much more. Then I think about the day that he jumped into an inner tube at Blizzard Beach and declared it was the "greatest day of our youth lives."

His life was fulled with overwhelming love from the first moment of his birth. Its such a contrast to anything that FuNong has experienced. Although I hope that his foster mother has shown in compassion and warmth.

I pray that there will be a day where I will see FuNong feel that kind of joy.

OUCH!

This afternoon Craig and I visited our doctor for our pre-travel shots. Despite Craig's antics to attempt to avert the shots, we both got them. Craig felt that since it wasn't a law that we have them that they were not necessary. As it turns out, I have been feeling it in my arms far more than him. We got the flu shot and a pneumonia vaccine in the left arm and Tetanus and Hep A in the right. As much as I know its not fun to get shots, I know more that its not fun for my little boy to have had surgery without parents or to have lived in an orphanage. It helps keep perspective. I think life is all about perspective.

Currently, I am visiting the Delta Crown Room in the Atlanta airport. Its my first visit to the Crown Room since I received membership as a Christmas gift from my parents. I am enjoying the solitude and convenience of the club very much. I imagine those who are waiting for the flight in the less comfortable chairs in the crowded terminal have a very different perspective from me.

Special Late Night Delivery

I must have called the house 10 times this afternoon, but when the mail came and went with nothing I gave up. Tonight at about 6:15 pm the UPS driver delivered these precious pictures. We are still waiting on a translation.

There are some things that have changes since May 2006. He is now 34 inches tall and weighs 23 lbs. I think that will put him into size 2T clothes. I guess we should start buying him some clothes.

The information also says that he is holding a pen and scribbling. He's stacking blocks and walking upstairs. Those are all new developments since the first report.

According to our SW, we should expect to receive a PA before our TA. Some of the new rules will provide for a final confirmation, which is good.

Right now I just can't wait to snuggle him.

New Photos of Fu Nong Expected

An update from the CCAA is in the mail to us. We are expecting three new photos and an untranslated update any day. In the meantime, I am going to post a picture of Fu Nong with his buddy Olivia (Fu Tan) Mansen. Karyn and I think they are about the same height. This picture really shows that. Fu Nong is at the top and Olivia is beneath him. I get a kick out of the similiar poses for the kids. They are both very bundled up in their colorful little outfits. Both of them have baby rattle type of toys that look like teathing rings. The good news for Olivia is that she does have more hair than Fu Nong. I have heard that this orphanage has been good about letting the girls have a bit longer hair.

Can't wait to see the new pictures!

Meet the Mansens

Last night we had the true pleasure of meeting the Mansen family. They are adopting Olivia (Fu Tan) from Rongxian SWI, the same SWI as Fu Nong. We met through the Rongxian Yahoo Group and were suprised to find out that we use the same adoption agency. Our agency Lifelink has offices in Florida and in Illinois, where they live. They sent their LOI on 12/18/06 just like us. They were logged in a month ahead of us.

Karyn, her husband Andy and their daughter Emily were vacationing at Disney World this Christmas. So last night we piled into the car and hit the road to Disney. We met at Downtown Disney and ate at the Rainforest Cafe. They are very easy going and will be great traveling companions. Karyn was organized and brought a camera. I left mine at home because the battery was dead. When she sends me a picture I will post it here.

We've learned that it is unusual for families to travel together when they go over for a SN child. We are hoping that our agency sees the benefit of us traveling together since we are going to the same place within a similar timeframe. I imagine whether we travel together will be much like the rest of this process - wait and see.