The Big Day
We made our adoption official in China. We received what they called the important "Red Book". Mornings will be taking us a little longer since we have LeAnne, but we wouldn't have it any other way.
Okay, since LeAnne is resting comfortably in her crib and babbling away, I can tell you what happened on the day we met her for the first time.
From Chongqing, we drove to another city called Fuling. It was the longest 2-hour bus ride ever, since we were all anxious to see our daughters. Fuling is the city of mountains and chocolate brown rivers. It is near the Yangtze River. It is usually very foggy and humid. The people of Fuling love their food hot and spicy! There are no houses, just 30-story apartment buildings everywhere.
When we reached the orphanage, we were greeted by the locals who were smiling at us. When I looked around the neighborhood, there were families living in small sheds below the apartments. Trash, clothes, and piles of dirt were everywhere, including on the roofs of the sheds. Despite their living conditions, the locals showed much excitement as they tried to welcome us into their homes or pose for a picture.
The entrance to the Fuling Orpahange was a huge yellow gate. The gate was opened by the head nanny dressed in a pink and white nurse's outfit. She smiled and welcomed us. She directed us to fill out some paperwork while they got the babies ready. The orphanage was incredible. We saw about 20 babies in walkers -- all waiting to be adopted. It was amazing to see how happy they all were. We waited about 20 minutes. Then we were told to gather around as they presented the babies to us. We all stared at each other and held our breaths. This was THE moment.
Then, quick as a wink, each nanny brought the babies out one by one and announced their Chinese names. We were told not to cry because it would scare the babies. Each nanny put the babies in the mother's arms. Some were crying and some just looked confused about what was happening. This was such a special moment that it's too difficult to put into words.
Then, LeAnne came out. She was almost last. Mike recognized her at first because we knew she had brown hair. She came wobbling out holding her nanny's hands. She then picked her up and handed her over to me saying "mommy, mommy". LeAnne burst into tears. She did not want to let go of her nanny. The nanny motioned to me to just grab her. So I did. While LeAnne was screaming in my arms, the nanny went back inside the orphanage, hiding her tears.
Then something happened that surprised me. Mike stopped videotaping and came to stroke LeAnne's face and head. She literally leaped into Mike's arms and stopped crying! Mike got the biggest Father's Day present ever! Mike then was overcome with emotion. We both were.
For the next hour or so, Mike held her. We took pictures with the nannies and the locals and we video taped the inside of the orphanage. I held her for about a total of 15 minutes, then she was back in Mike's arms. On the way back to the hotel, she fell asleep on the bus. What an incredible experience!
It's Tuesday now. We spent about 3 days together. She is getting use to me, but still loves her Daddy. It is such a cute sight. Mike was surprised at how much fatherhood would affect him. As for me, I LOVE being a mother. It's better than I ever imagined! She's my whole world!
Our Long Awaited Referral
.JPG)
It was a Wednesday when Pete called my school at lunch with news of our referral. In an altered state, I wrote down the basics. Name: Yi Dong Dan; Meaning, Winter Red; Weight, 19 pounds; Age, 17 months; 4 teeth; Province, Hunan.
When I returned to my friends in the teachers' lounge, I didn't know how to stop the ongoing conversations so I just stuck the post-it notes down on the table in front of another teacher. She was concerned by the shocked look on my face, but read the notes and quickly put two and two together. She screeched, "Your daughter!", hugged me and began crying with me. Soon all the teachers were crying and hugging me.
Teachers even came out of their classrooms to cry and hug in the lounge that day. It was such an amazing communal experience that helped to welcome our daughter. I will always remember those moments as my first experience as a mother.
Terri from Escondido
Who are the lucky ones?
In April 2002, in Harbin, China - the emptiness in my heart was erased as I was magically transformed into "mama". It was something I had almost given up hope of ever being called. Here was my dream of so many years, being handed to me . The people in the room and their voices faded away and then it was only me and this precious boy. MY boy.
Ethan was 14 months old when we became a family. He is the light of our lives and makes an unforgettable impression with everyone he meets. We knew that our family would not be complete without a daughter, so we embarked on our second life altering journey, this time to Guangzhou, China in August of 2004. Emi was 9 months when we transformed into a family of four. She is tiny and sweet and idolizes her big brother.
Without CHI, we would never have become parents. Without CHI, we would never have known the magnitude of loving these children. WE are the lucky ones. Thank you CHI.
Laura from Los Altos
Now and Then
Take a look at Ariane's match picture and a picture of her after being home with her forever family for a year. My, how she has changed! "Hey everybody. Let's do the Hokey Pokey!"
Here is an email message her family recently sent us.
Dear Pete,
Well, today (April 3rd) is the one-year anniversary of our adoption day!! Yes, it has gone by fast. Ariane is 2 years, 4 months old now and has grown a lot! She is 27 pounds and now solidly on the American growth charts.
She is officially a two-year old. Nonstop energy: running, climbing, squirming, whining, giggling...eating. She loves playing outdoors, her kitties, books, to laugh loudly, to wake up VERY early EVERY morning, horses, Sesame Street and to get in any water anytime anywhere.
It has been a tiring, but very fun year! Where did our baby go??
Love, Lauren, Larry and Ariane from Huntington Beach
ERIN
Erin has adjusted remarkably well and fits into our family beautifully. Our 8 and 10 year old adore her and roll with all the bumps and inconveniences of having a toddler around. She is a very expressive, bright and strong willed little girl and has made up for any development delays in no time.
We can't thank Pete Castiglione and CHI enough for guiding us through one of the most meaningful journeys our family has ever shared. Dian and Karl from Westlake Village |
ALEXANDRA
Alexandra is the light of our lives. She is our joy, our sunshine. Her smiles and giggles bring us such joy! I don't think that there are words enough to describe what an amazing addition she is to our family. But one thing is for sure, she has made our family complete...what was once missing is no longer missing. We find ourselves hurrying home from other responsibilities just to be with Alexandra.
CHI is going to have a special place in our lives for helping us create this love, this family and for helping to bring Alexandra into our lives. Jeff and Joline from Citrus Heights |
MIA
Mia continues to be the joyful center of our lives. She has grown considerably since we picked her up in Guangzhou on March 1st. Mia has an ever expanding vocabulary, she is a music lover, loves Barney movies, and is a very intelligent little girl. We look forward to sharing Mia's first Christmas.
Bill and Audrey from Murrieta |
HANNAH
Hannah is now 14 months old. She is walking and talking all over our house. She has brought lively ness to our family, and we enjoy her presence. In the following picture she is holding my hands just like she holds our hearts. In a firm, warm, loving embrace.
Tony and Robin from Manteca |
KACEY
In October Kacey visited a petting zoo. In this photo Kacey is 16 months old and had been home with us for about 4 months. She absolutely loves animals. Of course, she is still insisting that a cow says "baaa" instead of "mooo"!! She is such a delight and we are having so much fun with her. Each day is a new adventure for us as we explore the world anew through her young eyes.
Scott and Debra from Cottonwood |
SERGEY & MILENA
CHI and especially Pete have been wonderful to our family. They helped us through a stressful time and always answered our questions in a timely manner. At times I am sure they were sick of us calling but they never let on. Thanks CHI for helping me bring our kids home.
Frank and Debbie from Benecia |
KATE
This is Kate at 16 months. We'd been home for about 6 weeks at this point, and after some initial qualms, she decided that swimming was a pretty good thing.
I'm so grateful to CHI for facilitating the creation of our new family. CHI's support and expertise every step of the way gave me confidence and comfort. Many, many thanks, especially to Pete on the CA side and Wendy on the China side. Deborah from Northern CA |
MAIREAD
Mairead loves to play with her new brother Aidan. Mairead is now 2 years old. She is a very special and amazing little girl. She has brought such joy and love to our family during the 6 months she has been with us. She is truly a blessing in our lives.
CHI was wonderful throughout the adoption process. The staff was professional, organized, addressed our individual questions and concerns, and provided the much needed support throughout the entire process. Pete Castiglione, Director of the California Office, was particularly helpful, responsive, supportive and knowledgeable in guiding us through the adoption process. We would highly recommend CHI to prospective adoptive families. Kevin and Anne from Temecula |
JULIA
Julia is such a joy! We recently celebrated our one-year anniversary of “Gotcha Day” and her 2nd birthday! She enjoys all kinds of music and especially loves to sing and dance. Her favorite songs are “If you're happy and you know it” and “Ring around the Rosey”. She is such an intelligent, happy and loving little girl. We are so very blessed.
We want to thank Pete and Kristin, and all of the China CHI Team for all their loving support in guiding us to our Julia Louise Ping Mo. Dan and Jean from Tarzana |
PHOEBE
We are definitely grateful for CHI leading us to our daughter. We can't imagine our lives without her. She's growing by leaps and bounds, and we love discovering the person she is becoming.
Bob & Daphne from Long Beach |
LILIANA
We are so amazed by our beautiful daughter Liliana. We feel so blessed to have been matched with such a perfect and healthy baby.
Michael & Amy from Yuba City |
CHLOE
The joy of watching Chloe growing in our family is immeasurable. Her delight at each new day has awakened Ben and I and we find ourselves taking such pure pleasure in the simple things in life. What a blessing from such a little girl. We often talk about how she is so perfect four family and how everyone at CHI said they match children so well...it's so true!
Erin and Ben from San Rafael, CA |
LE ANNE
Ever since the day that we were blessed with LeAnne, the bonds of love that have formed have forever changed our lives. Every night before we put her to bed, she wants to be held as we play lullaby music—but she won’t sleep if just one of us holds her. We each have to “take our turn” holding her before she’ll go to sleep. It’s funny how even at her age she can feel we’re now “together”.
Mike and Vivian from Chino Hills, CA |
