Friday, December 17, 2004
Reflections on an Incredible Week
What a week! Steve and I feel like after a year of holding our breath, we have now exhaled. Our eyes have seen the image of a little girl who is already our daughter. We have both slept so much better and have an incredible peace about Tian's homecoming in the coming month.
I wanted to share a bit about the name... Since June or July, we have had a name in mind for our daughter. But when we saw her Chinese name and learned its meaning, we immediately changed our minds. Her name, Tian Michelle-Meng, means "Heaven's Beautiful Dream". Isn't that amazing? We could not have made up a name as perfect. So we thank the name-giver in China and my dear sister in Denver for the combination of names summing up our feelings about this miraculous adoption.
We will be very busy over the next month - celebrating Christmas with Steve's daughters, preparing for some time away from my job(s), making lists for the trip and for the nursery, and packing for the big trip. I really couldn't prepare much for Tian until I knew her age enough to guess at sizes. So hanging in the closet are two tie-dyed onsies and one sleeveless dress for next summer. I have a number of friends who have offered clothing bags to sort through for the trip - can't wait to do that! A freebie Goodwill experience!
In case you missed it, this is the email we sent out with the first pictures to friends:
We would like to introduce to you our daughter, Tian Michelle-Meng Griffith, (pronounced t YEN) now residing in Kunming in the Yunnan province of China. She was born on February 15, 2004, so she will be 10 months old tomorrow. Tian takes 2 hour naps (Steve pointed out the beauty of that right away - right up his alley!) At six months old she loved her walker, was grabbing at toys and putting them in her mouth. She appears to be healthy and spunky! Our favorite photo of course is the funny one, mostly because it proves she is perfect for our family. We think we detect a dimple with that half smile!
Hopefully we will be able to celebrate her first birthday in the United States! We hope to go to China in January.
This next week, we have a consultation scheduled with our family doctor to look at Tian's referral information and to make a plan for taking medical supplies to China with us. We will also begin to shop for the basics we will need in China - formula, diapers, bottles... We have the privilege of having a fifth time adoptive family in our group. The mom of five "Chinese American sweetie-pies" is tutoring me on the basics of adopting from China. I am very thankful to be in her travel group.
I wanted to share a bit about the name... Since June or July, we have had a name in mind for our daughter. But when we saw her Chinese name and learned its meaning, we immediately changed our minds. Her name, Tian Michelle-Meng, means "Heaven's Beautiful Dream". Isn't that amazing? We could not have made up a name as perfect. So we thank the name-giver in China and my dear sister in Denver for the combination of names summing up our feelings about this miraculous adoption.
We will be very busy over the next month - celebrating Christmas with Steve's daughters, preparing for some time away from my job(s), making lists for the trip and for the nursery, and packing for the big trip. I really couldn't prepare much for Tian until I knew her age enough to guess at sizes. So hanging in the closet are two tie-dyed onsies and one sleeveless dress for next summer. I have a number of friends who have offered clothing bags to sort through for the trip - can't wait to do that! A freebie Goodwill experience!
In case you missed it, this is the email we sent out with the first pictures to friends:
We would like to introduce to you our daughter, Tian Michelle-Meng Griffith, (pronounced t YEN) now residing in Kunming in the Yunnan province of China. She was born on February 15, 2004, so she will be 10 months old tomorrow. Tian takes 2 hour naps (Steve pointed out the beauty of that right away - right up his alley!) At six months old she loved her walker, was grabbing at toys and putting them in her mouth. She appears to be healthy and spunky! Our favorite photo of course is the funny one, mostly because it proves she is perfect for our family. We think we detect a dimple with that half smile!
Hopefully we will be able to celebrate her first birthday in the United States! We hope to go to China in January.
This next week, we have a consultation scheduled with our family doctor to look at Tian's referral information and to make a plan for taking medical supplies to China with us. We will also begin to shop for the basics we will need in China - formula, diapers, bottles... We have the privilege of having a fifth time adoptive family in our group. The mom of five "Chinese American sweetie-pies" is tutoring me on the basics of adopting from China. I am very thankful to be in her travel group.
# posted by lorrainegriffith @ Friday, December 17, 2004 
