Our Little China Girl

WelcomeHome Li-Na

2007-09-28T22:27:00.000Z

Yay!!! They are home. Just look how radient and happy they look to finally have their gorgeous baby home. We all met them at the airport, with banners and balloons and lots of love.

Li-Na giving us a little wave "Hello"

Saying hello to Aunty Ally and little Lilly.

The whole welcoming party!!

Li-Na in her cot in Laura and Eric's room. Its amazing to think that for nearly three years they waited to fill that little cot and now she is finally home.

A shattered little baby after a trip of a lifetime. Home at last with her wondcrful mommy and daddy.

Last day in China - home tomorrow!!

2007-09-27T22:23:00.000Z

Here she is ready to come home, how cute is that? Laura is a bit concerned that they are over weight, but Im sure with all the prayers covering them that they will be fine.
How exciting, we will be seeing them tomorrow!!

From the Left: Laura, Alyssa...Li-Na...Evi...(Mum - Julie) Violet The last group photo

From Laura:Well our journey is finally coming to an end! It is so strange to be at the end of a trip that we have waited for 3 years to take. Eric and I have had an amazing time in Guangzhou and cannnot wait to return again oneday when Li-Na is older. It has been the most amazing journey for our lives ever!!. Leaving as the 2 of us and then coming home as as the 3 of us! Adoption is just the best!! What a privilige to be invited to be parents and handed such a beautiful little girl. We have had Li-Na in our lives 10 full days now and already she is just an integral part of us. Today we have had all had good fun with lots of playing and laughing and giggling. She just adores the both of us and loves to check where where we both are... best position is of course when we are on both sides of her!! Our packing is almost finalised , a few more items to add this evening.We will be leaving at 06h00 to get to the airport and then chasing the day as it progresses across to the UK where we arrive at Norwich at 21h25. We are looking forward to being at home again, but as I told Julia ... it is to me, the beginning of the end of my precious time with Li-Na before getting back to the reality of life and work. I have so enjoyed just being a Mum and all my thoughts purely on her bottles , food and her sleeps etc... she really has been a full time job. I have just slept this afternoon for 2 hours while Eric played with her. I think it is all catcing up with now!Eric and I went left Shaiman Island this morning for a last wander on the outskirts of Guangzhou proper .... the real China with the tiny streetside shops, basins/ bottles and bags full of various fish, animals, fungi, and wierd "stuff"....what a different world she is leaving. The sights and sounds all so different. The people , their perceptions and ethics all so different to ours. China is truely a foreign land to us and we cannot judge what we see.I still feel sad that we are taking Li-Na away from her homeland, but we can only believe that her life will be full of opportunity now, and that she will return oneday and understand. It has been an eye opener seeing older children adopted, many with special needs ,and I managed to speak to some of the adoptive parents about their histories as known. Life has been tough for many of them. I was so glad Mom and Di were here with us in the first days of Li-Na's adoption. She also loved having all the attention. Li-Na stared hard at Mom through the bus window as she drove off. It was so sad ... We can't wait for her to meet my side of the family again soon. Now she has the Chapman Clan to meet, and all her new Adoptive Family in Buxton/ Norwich and Aylsham.I am so looking forward to you all meeting her. She is such a cutie!!! ( Well a bit grissley at present ! ) I will end off now. It is sad to be closing the chapter of " The Journey" now... but time we started our next .... " Living with Li-Na" :)We are off now for our final wander around and a last meal at Lucy's. ... Yes I am ashamed to admit that normal food has been a great bonus here in amongst all the changes to our life !! :) See you all Sooooon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! here's hoping the plane trip won't be to much of a nightmare !Love Laura

Ready to come home

2007-09-26T18:44:00.000Z

26/09/07
A lovely family photo. Laura says she is ready to come home now. Although, she has mixed feelings, as coming home means the countdown to her returning back to work and leaving her beautiful baby, something she doesnt feel ready for yet. But, she is looking forward to being surrounded by their home comforts and people who love them and getting Li-Na into a routine. A very happy, although rightfully shattered mommy with her angel in her arms. Li-Na has been keeping them awake the last few nights, being rather unsettled and not easily comforted. Laura thinks this could be due to her teething, combined with late nights and little routine as well as a new diet with different foods.

Three generations. Laura's mum went home today and it was a sad occasion. Laura was grateful for her help and will miss her a lot.

A last photo together.

Li-Na having a good giggle with her daddy. She loves to be thrown up into the air.

Riding on her dads shoulders. Li-Na loves to explore her daddy's face and pull his hair while she rides on his shoulders.

Isnt this just precious?

Granny with her beautiful granddaughter.

Exploring Grandma's face.

Laura just loving showing off her brag book to some onlookers, while feeding Li-Na.

Laura and Eric arrive back on Friday night and we are so excited to finally meet this little princess. Hurry on over the sea little Li-Na :-)

Hats and having fun

2007-09-23T21:09:00.000Z

Isnt she adorable??

American families heading into the White Swan Hotel

The white swan hotel at night. Photo taken from the boat trip they did on the Pearl river last night.

Visiting a temple

Their lovely guide Jane.

22 Sep 07

2007-09-22T20:07:00.000Z

The whole family with Aunty Diane in the Victory Hotel. Trying to reach the camera, a lovely close up of our Li-Na princess.

Getting herself up on all fours, it wont be long before she is crawling. Go Li-Na go!!

Statue of American couple with their adopted daughter, complete with cameras and videos.

Li-Na not willing to give up her spoon.

Yesterday they went to see a temple and a government shopping center. Today they went to visit a Jade and Pearl market and then Laura and her mom went shopping for 4 hours while daddy babysat. Laura says Li-Na's feeding has been a bit erratic during the day and that they are feeling a bit tired today as Li-Na had an unsettled night last night.

She is a very happy, content baby, and she is gaining strength in her legs, moving herself around, turning over and managing to move herself around although she is not quite crawling yet. Laura says she cant wait to come home and she has had enough of hotel living now.

20 September 2007

2007-09-20T19:34:00.000Z

Li-Na with her mommy Fast asleep little angel

Daddy getting Li-Na out of the bath

Li-Na and mommy enjoying a bath together.

She looks so happy in the water, is she going to be a fish like our Amy-Li too??

Hello everyone. Firstly I am saying a big Thankyou to Julia for writing up my news on the blog site every day after we have a telephone chat for updates. Eric and I were dismayed when we arrived to find that it is impossible to get onto blogsites from China at present. ( ?? why ?? )Fortunately Julia has 'saved the day'.Well....needless to say, I am totally in love with my georgeous baby! She is so sweet and a real beauty! The Chinese people even tell me so and tonight I had a lady taking photos of just her!! So that warmed my heart even more. Eric and I are managing well with her and she seems happy and settled after 72 hours now. ( in fact she was settled virtually the by the same evening after we got her.) One crying episode the first afternooon (which I sent a photo of to Julia), resulted in a quick crisis management call back with practical advice and hey presto!! Happy baby since then, only cries briefly if she needs a bottle. This is the first evening when I feel I have had a moment to sit at the computer and type. It has been non-stop since we arrived with happy exciting but exhausting days. As you know, the day before we became Parents to little Li-Na, we re-did our Wedding Photos!! What a fantastic way to start our adoption, by celebrating "Just the Two of Us" before our little girl entered our lives at 4pm the next day!! We decided to join in the modern Chinese culture of having Wedding Photos taken for the express purpose of displaying in a fancy Album ...nothing to do with being married, but it is assumed the couple is married or intend to get married at some stage. I can therefore say ,we had a fantastic Wedding Day that matched all my little girl dreams with puffy dresses , trains and romantic poses , as well as as being a model in a professional studio. I had such fun...and I think Eric did too despite his initial misgivings!

Today I left Li-Na (unintentially for so long) for 4 hours with her Daddy, Mom and Diane in order to choose the photos and negotiate prices etc...all quite a rigmarole in China, as anything 'out the box' is difficult for them to deal with... ie: I was their first Western woman who had done this, as well as coming from the UK, and so they just could't comprehend why I wanted to change the set package on offer and refuse the additional huge enlarged photo beautifully framed and a smaller picture frame. To Eric's disgust we still have to go back tomorrow to choose our best 50 for a fantastic album and will get a CD with all 140 pics! :) ... it was hard to not choose them all ...honest!! :)

Despite this abscence from my precious Li-Na ,she had been fine but was apparently starting to get restless and miserable by the time I arrived back and it warmed my heart so much to know that it was ME she needed. :) She settled immmediately when I took her , and she drank her bottle down that they had been struggling with. I was really chuffed! She is bonding so well with both of us and it is so obvious how happy she is, the way she squeals with delight to have a Mommy and a Daddy!

As far as our adoption and transition period is going, we are having very few problems...just the occaisional bottle or food problem which varies daily and we sort out by trial and error. She is so good, and such a sweet little angle. A little minature person with beautiful eyes . She has come to us with a few scars , bites and bumps from her time in the Welfare Institute which demonstrates to me that care was not optimal in her little life so far. She has no hair on the back of head indicating long hours spent lying on her back on a hard cot with no mattress.- which is standard in China. I believe she was in a room of about 20 babies and 2 day carers / 1 night carer. There were another 2 rooms similar and 2 'floating carers' between the 3 rooms. Poor little mite...she has had the least problems since arrival.

I have been acting as the group Doctor trying to sort out eruptions of boils on 2 other infants heads at the back ( Li-Na has scarring from an old one in the same position) , rashes , bites and distraught, exhausted new Mums's. Thankgoodness I was a nurse and midwife before, because I have been able to help a lot, and give advice without them taking offence. I must say it has been draining on me more than I was aware, as last night Li-Na slept the whole night through and I was awake the whole night stressing about all the various medical and attachment issues going on around me with everyone else !! We were fine!!

Anyway..today seems better. Things improving all round. I have had some success with 2 families sharing one bottle of antibiotic and the children now have boils just waiting to erupt..but then at least they will start healing. The one family's attachment difficulties improved by spending some time today away from the group. Adoption is just such a scary event and so individual...one really just has to play it by ear.

I am so glad my Mom and Diane have been here as it has been nice to have a little family in the Lounge of our suite at night etc...and generally all doting on Li-Na. She has kept them entertained all afternoon crawling naked on a plastic table cloth, weeing a couple of times, and generally having a lovely time stretching and enjoying her freedom. Her favourite toy today has been her Nappy sack ( with clean nappy inside ). She just loves scrunching the thin blue plastic crackly bag with her hands. :-)

We went to the Silk Market today and I have ordered a dress and 2 tops in Chinese style to be made for me to collect on Tuesday. I so hope they turn out well. At one stage I was being measured and had to go with the tailor ... Mum had to then finish the bottle I was giving Li-Na when I was called away...and by the time I got back she was arching her back and NOT a happy bunny after her bottle was finished. As soon as I held her she quietened immediately. I know this is so obvious to people who have had their own children ... but in an adoptive situation this is very important to us as we are wanting to build an attachemnt with the child. So yes...I was ecstatic!! Whilst at the Silk Market a Chinese lady came up to us to ask about why I had a Chinese baby! She is a Sculptress and apparently works / lives part ime in CapeTown, South Africa. She was facinated by our adoption story and was thanking us for adopting her, so I was able to show my "brag book" with everything explained in photos and Mandarin to her in order to show her husband who did not speak English. She was so pleased when I replied that I was the lucky one to have been granted permission form China to adopt her! She now has more knowledge and can't wait to tell her friends. Situations like this are common, where when one lives in a country and the local people are unaware of the internal isssues , in this case abandonment of so many little girls".

We went to the restaurant 'Lucy's' again tonight as we wanted to have knives and forks and a quick reliable meal. It was enjoyable, I enjoyed a G&T , singing along to the crooning music and playing with our baby who was fighting sleep. She eventually dropped off and Eric held her in the hammock while we all strolled in the perfect evening temperature along a park/ restaurant area along the edge of the Pearl River with lots of brightly lit up restaurant boats going up and down. All the high rise buildings over the water were lit up, Laser-light shows were happening, buildings were lit up with chnging patterns and images of the upcoming Olympic Mascots etc. We sat and had a Mango Icecream, listened to more lovely music with such variety and then walked the short distance home. It was lovely. Hopefully tonight I will sleep. We are only sending a couple of pics tonight as very late..............

An assertive mommy day

2007-09-19T19:51:00.000Z

19/09/07
What difference in this baby over the last 48 hours. Her personality is peeping through and lots more giggles were enjoyed to day by her mom and dad. Just look at that cute little smile! Yippee! I love playing with my mom and dad! Playtime is proving a big hit and Li-Na especially loves her rattles.

Some on the floor in the nude tummy time.

Li-Na loves to explore her mommy's face (especially her nostrils, ha, ha). She was moving around, turning over, lifting up her body and Laura used this lovely time to massage her baby and practice some baby SMART moves.

Daddy having fun with his little girl, who has found her voice and loves to giggle and gurggle.

It was off to Thai restuarant for supper tonight, with dad having a turn to carry Li-Na in the carrier. She once again slept all the way through their meal. Cheers says Eric with a watermelon and Lemon healthy drink.

Some of the different foods they are trying out.

Li-Na woke up at 2am for a bottle. Her cot is next to their bed and she then started to play with her mom, squeeling with delight whenever Laura looked at her, then looking away and turning towards her mom with a huge big smile and lots of excitement before she eventually fell back to sleep. Laura sounds so excited and so in love with her baby when she discribes their interactions, it is lovely to hear.

Today they had their first poo to deal with and it turned into a bit of a ceremony with a big preparation before the nappy was changed and much excitement and even the odd photo.

Today they had to go and get passports sorted out, which just means more waiting and paperwork. Unfortunately Li-Na fell asleep just before she was due to have her photo taken and so they woke her up and she was propped up on a little chair for the photo and then Laura said she started wailing. Poor baby. At this point Laura jumped into "assertive mommy mode" and got between the camera and Li-Na and refused to let them take a photo of her baby who was distressed, she picked Li-Na up and told the guide they would just have to take the photo another time as it just was not worth upsetting her little girl who needed her sleep and did not appreciate having it disturbed.

The next 4 days are going to be free days for sightseeing and quality family time.

Official Adoption day

2007-09-18T19:54:00.000Z

The happiest mom in the world!
Laura had so hoped for a young baby and as you can see Li-Na is a wee girl and Laura is in her element cradling her baby in her arms. Li-Na has taken to the dummy and is feeding well so far. They had a good first night together and much less tears on day 2 together.

Daddy's girl

Mommy's girl Laura with the SWI director. Isnt Li-Na just so didi?

Eric with our lovely friend Rachel.

Group photo.

Got an update from Laura today....

The day started with the finalisation of the adoption paperwork and a notary visit.

Unfortunately Eric and a few others in the group either ate something or have a tummy bug and Laura was running around being unofficial nurse and GP, dishing out medicyne and mopping brows before they even left to start the day. Laura said the zip bags came in handy in the van : - ) . Poor Eric!! While doing the paperwork they met up and enjoyed chatting with a few people, mainly Americans who had adopted older children. Li-Na found the bus journey less traumatic second time around. Phew!!

When they returned to the hotel Eric went to have a nap and Laura played on the floor with Li-Na, hoping that the baby would agree that they had had an early start and a busy morning and that she would be just as tired and in as desperate in need for a nap as her mom was. Alas, so it was not to be and shattered Laura spent the afternoon gazing into her baby's eyes and playing lovely bonding games together. Laura's mom and her friend spent the afternoon exploring Guangzhou on their own, then they all walked up to Lucy's for supper with Li-Na in the baby carrier and Li-Na slept all the way there and all through supper and all the way home.

Laura says she is proud of herself for mastering her bottle making skills, while holding Li-Na in her arms. Li-Na has decided she likes to be in her Mom's arms and is not best pleased at being put down.

The lovely Rachel came to visit Eric and Laura in Guangzhou and thinks Li-Na is beautiful :-)

It has transpired that Li-Na's latest update is not all that accurate. She cant sit on her own yet, (but with her mom and dad's love and support, she will be soon), she is smaller than they thought, but tall (and growing fast), cant support herself on her legs for very long. But, her aunty Shawn can teach her parents lots of super developemental excersizes and it wont be long before she will be crawling, then walking, then running rings around her parents.

17 Sep 07, Li-Na meets her mom and dad

2007-09-17T14:13:00.000Z

Li-Na with her Gran (Laura's mom who is there with them from New Zealand). Laura said having gran there has been a great help so far, as Laura can now focus just on her baby. Hooray, here is the first photo we have got through of Li-Na. Isnt she stunning??

I will do my best to retell the story.......

They arrived at the Guanghzou adoption offices with butterflies in their tummies. Laura said that as she walked past a door she had a feeling the babies were in there, so she took a little peek and scanned a room full of babies till her eyes came to rest on her little angel and she became overcome with emotion. They then joined a group of Americans who were also waiting to get their babies. The parents were called one at a time to come forward and receive their baby and Laura and Eric were about the 5th ones to be called. Li-Na did not cry when she was put in her mommy's arms for the first time. She grabbed her hair and stared into her eyes and explored the two new faces in front of her. They then got an opportunity to ask Li-Na's carers some questions. Laura had taken along a milk bottle in case Li-Na was hungry when they got her, but the carers told her that she had to make it thicker with added rice powder and cut the hole in the bottle bigger too! But, Li-Na felt there was too much going on around her to have any milk. They then headed back to the hotel and thats when things started to get interesting as Li-Na started howling as soon as they got into the van and cried all the way back to the hotel. Laura felt that she may have been afraid of being in the van, having most likely never travelled before her 6 hour journey to Guangzhou.

After arriving back in the room, hot and tired and a little overwhelmed by all that was going on in her little life, the tears started again. Laura sent her mom and friend to see if they could find the right kind of bottle as shown by the carers and Laura was left alone with her baby. Li-Na was getting more and more upset, so Laura put her down on the floor and she calmed down a little and then the tears started again. After getting some advice from a friend, she walked over to her baby and said: "Now, Listen here, I am your mommy, and I am going to look after you!" Laura said Li-Na stopped crying and looked at her with big eyes as if she had understood just what her mother said. She sponged her down, changed her and offered some water with a cup, which Li-Na grabbed and drank (with alot of mess). They put the TV on and Li-Na was intstantly distracted and all the tears stopped. After that she cheered up and mum and baby enjoyed a play and getting to know each other and Laura gave her some baby rusk and a bit of baby fruit.

Li-Na then peacefully fell asleep on her mommy's lap and after a chat with Julia and Shawn, filling them in on all the news, Li-Na was put in her cot, ready for their first night together.

In China, 1 hour to Li-Na

2007-09-17T06:54:00.000Z

Laura has asked me (Julia) to blog on her behalf as they cannot seem to be able to get into their blog site while in China. After a rocky start with loosing their suitcase and a bit of a room re-arrange, they are now settled in and ready for Li-Na.

To pass the time on Sunday they went to have some wedding photos taken, a tradition in China, to dress in amazing costumes and have stunning photos taken. Well, they arrived first thing in the morning and left at 7pm!! What a day, but Laura says they had lots of fun. Different hairstyles, false eye lashes and more dresses than you can imagine. Laura says she felt very spoilt and they were both shattered when they got back to their hotel. When they arrived back, Laura's mom was waiting for them and they went off to Lucy's for supper.

Laura and Eric have been up since 5am, ready and waiting to hold their baby in their arms today!! How exciting!! We are waiting with baited breath on this end to see that first picture and to hear all about it...... keep reading.....

Last few baby free days!!!

2007-09-13T19:22:00.000Z

From left: Julia, Shawn, Sharon, Laura, and Jannene. Enjoying a fairwell for Laura and a birthday celebration for Amy-Li who has just turned 2. Uncle Epic playing ball with Amy-Li, who is very excited to meet her new little friend, Li-Na.

Laura enjoying her last few baby free days, having a swim in Julia's pool.They are on an aeroplane on their way to China as I type. Laura is planning a last massage the morning she is getting her baby - enjoy it Laura : -)

More Info about Wuchuan SWI - April '07

2007-09-10T22:06:00.000Z

I had a chat to my friend who is adopting her children from the same SWI at the same time ( 6 couples as far as we can tell ) , She spoke to someone who visted the Wuchuan SWI in April 2007.
She was allowed into some rooms. Apparently there were about 100 children of various ages. she saw a room with about 40 cots - children sleep on their own. Another room- she saw about 30 babies in walkers (I asume my little one may have been to small to be in one at that stage) . Apparently there is about 1 carer for 15 children.

She was taken to 3 "playrooms" whichshe felt were more show rooms. A classroom with little desks in rows and pencils etc looked too immaculate - and she saw no children at an appropriate age/ability who, in her opinion, would be able to use the classroom.
( I assume the pictures of the playroom where Wu Chun Tian were taken was one of these rooms . This confirms Eric's thoughts that the room looks too immaculate and the toys/ aeroplanes etc looked in very good condition )
I hope she did get to play a little there ...

Anyway - interesting!!!. All the more reason to rescue our little one ... with all thoses babies.
It makes us wonder why she was chosen to be adopted by us. I can only assume God is Control. :)

Exactly a week to go!!

2007-09-10T08:40:00.000Z

In exactly a weeks time, we will have Li-Na in our arms !!

Hurry on September 17th 2007 !! We want to kiss you...

2007-09-08T09:56:00.000Z

OK !!!! I am tired of seeing Lao Fei holding MY baby... :( It's my turn now!!!
Sweetie - Pie ... we are leaving Norwich on Thursday Sept 13th and flying straight to Guangzhou ...the closest we can get to you. You are so special, your mommmy has even decided to not sightsee on the way ... Now that's SPECIAL!! :) 'cos your Mom loves travelling and adventure. She promises to take you all round China oneday when we are together!! I am imagining what is happening now with you and how it will all be..................

I never knew you when you were this small .... you were so adorable ...

Li-Na is 9 days away from leaving her original place of safety!!

We will leave the Victory Hotel in Guangzhou at 15h00 and will meet our daughter at 16h00 at an unknown venue, for the first time ! How exciting!!

The tiny photos below show the Play Room in the background where she has spent time. This made sense of the background in the original photos we got of her at 4 months old.

We believe she has been fortunate to be placed in an a new modern SWI - a "Rolls-Royce" building opened in about 2002/3 which cares for elderly people and children.

She appears to have been well cared for, for which we are Thankful, but we are looking forward to taking her into our arms and bringing her to her own new HOME... a place where she will belong ... her cot-bed is her own bed, her toys are her own toys .. and she has her own Mom and Dad...... her very own "Forever Family" .

It is now early evening in Wuhuan , Southern China ... she will be starting to settle down, she is probably surrounded by many other children and babies, listening to the chatter and noises of the carers and older children around her.

She has no idea what an enormous event is about to occur in her little world!

She has known no other place - the same rooms , walls, sights , sounds and smells since she arrived there on January 4th 2007.

On Monday 17th September she will take her first journey from Wuhuan to Guangzhou, a 6 hour trip as far as we are aware.

I expect she will possibly travel in a mini-bus, as she will be with carers , the SWI Director and other children and babies who are all to be adopted on the same day , at the same time .

Eric and I will be with at least 4 other couples waiting anxiously to meet our children for the first time. What an emotional event it will be! ( Poor little mites ...they will be scared, confused, tired , thirsty and hungry ...we will be ready to meet her needs from the second we hold her)

I cannot wait to feel her skin, and to see her look at me for the first time ...

We will visit Wuchuan SWI oneday in the future if allowed, and pay our respects to the place where she was first cared for,

but for now... all we want to do is to "Get her out of there !!! " We Love You .... :) our little Li-Na Tian.

2007-08-30T17:02:00.000Z

The De Lucchi Family having a fantastic 2 weeks in Turkey:
Julia, Hudson , Colin , Amy-Li , Daniel and Taylor.

2007-08-30T16:16:00.000Z

This is a photograph of Liu Chunxia - the Director of Wuchuan SWI ( Social Welfare Institute) .
Her 2 Assistants are Cai Wenjing and Liang Jiangping

Map of China, showing Guangdong Province Guangdong Province
Wuchuan SWI - presently taking care of our little Wu Chun Tian. - THANKYOU !
The beautiful new building which was built I believe in about 2003

Gonna Getcha Day - Mon Sept 17th at 16h00

2007-08-27T20:18:00.000Z

YOU ARE MY CHILD

Sometimes I sit and wonder,
How it's going to be
When I can call your name
and You look up to me.
I don't try to understand
Why you've been left alone
But I pray and count the hours 'till I come and bring you home.

I wasn't there when you were born,
I didn't see you start to crawl.
I couldn't watch your first few steps
or pick you up from first fall.
I may not be the one who saw your first sweet smile,
I wasn't there at the beginning
but from now on .... You are my Child.

Everynight I touch your picture
before I can go to bed,
So that images of you will be dancing in my head.
and although we've never met you
and we've never held you close
We're so Blessed to be your Parents
and we thank God we're who He chose.

I reach for your tiny hands,
but you're a million miles away
and I know I love you more with each slowly passing day.
From the moment you entered our lives,
You became a vital part.
You may not have my eyes, but you will always have my heart.

Acknowlegments to : Shawna & Jeffrey Fox (Koopers Song) , Fields of the Fatherless

2007-08-25T22:24:00.000Z

Invitation to Travel - we can officially fetch her!! Hooray!

2007-08-24T20:54:00.000Z

The long slow adoption process has outdone itself with speed!
The DfEs and CCAA have managed to turn all the paperwork around in 10 days!
Theoretically we could go and fetch Li-Na now ...but we have already booked our plane tickets on Sept 13th to Guangzhou. Mom will be joining us from New Zealand with Dianne to be with us for the main part of our stay with all the excitement starting on Monday 17th September 2007 when Li-Na finally is placed in my arms and we become a Family.
Exciting times !!!

We love you Li-Na and we spend most of our time looking at your 4 pictures all blown up as large as we can get them and all over the house, on our phone, and in our "Brag-Mag" ....and looking forward to the day when those beautiful eyes look right as us and we can feel your beautiful skin. We just love your hands, feet, little toenails and beautiful face.
We are so happy to see you looking well and healthy and obviously tenderly held by your carer. We hope that we can find out her name and keep in touch with her over the years and the Wuchuan SWI.
I am now listening to the beautiful song " You are my Child" all about looking at your photograph that we have waited so long for.
I will play it for you oneday so you can experience the emotions and exactly how your Dad and I feel ....

My next blog entry will be the words .......

Updated Information 15/08/2007 about Wu Chun Tian aged 7 months and 12 days.

2007-08-24T19:40:00.000Z

The SWI sent us information followed by the BLAS (Bridge of Love Adoption Service )with slight variation. I liked the SWI translation the best.
We now know she is only wearing 3-6 month size clothes! ... still my baby :)

Height 65cm , Weight 6.5kg , Head circumference 41cm , Chest circumference 43.5cm , Foot size 10cm , Teeth 2.

She can crawl deftly, sit steadily when holding onto something and beat two blocks together. She knows to be cooperative when being dressed.

She can distinguish acquaintances from strangers and would smile to the person she knows voluntarily. She can understand the simple directions,such as "coming over" and "giving it to me". She would turn her head when her name being called.

She has five meals a day at 06h00, 10h00, 1400, 1800 and 2200. Her staple food includes rice milk. we also add meat soup, cakes meat porridge and minced vegetables for her. We cultivate her good habits for not picky about food or having some preference food.

She gets up at 0600, takes a nap between 1200 and 1400 and goes to bed at 2100.
She is an outgoing (open-minded)and naughty girl and loves to take the toys from others.
Her favourite activity is sitting in her go-cart (practicing the walk-learning chair) and her favorite toy is a colourful toy.

VISA's

2007-08-13T19:19:00.000Z

Today Eric and I were queueing outside the Chinese Consulate in London from 06h30 and were 3rd in the queue!! 5 hours later - we walked out with our Visa's - We are so happy, and it was great to actually have completed one of the tasks we have been waiting to do for the last 2 years since we knew about the process. Now we need to book flights, pack and Go!!!

Li-Na Wu Chun Tian Chapman taken on 08/08/07 at Wuhuan SWI aged 7months and 1 week old

2007-08-11T09:39:00.000Z

Information updated on 29/08/2007: Wu Chun Tian has 3 main carers. She is being held by Lao Fei. The other 2 women are looking after her are Chen Jianping and Liang Ajin.

Guangzhou Map- click on picture

2007-08-11T09:31:00.000Z

Guangzhou City - click on picture to enlarge

Wuhuan SWI in Guangdong Province, SOUTH CHINA

2007-08-11T09:27:00.001Z

Thanks............

2007-08-11T09:15:00.000Z

Thankyou so much to Julia and Shawn ... 2 great friends who have spoilt me rotten and helped post on my blog as I have been exhausted with all the emotions and sudden flurry of decisions and activities that suddenly need done urgently.

I really had a suprise when I walked in and saw so many people who all have a part in my life.
Wow!!! I was overwhelmed by everyones generosity and enthusiasm. Thankyou you all so much for wonderful evening.
Eric and I cannot wait to meet Li-Na ... we know she will be unsure at first, but we pray she settles quickly and we all get home safely.... to meet you all!

Love Laura x x x x x x x x x x x x to everyone............................

Its a shower!!

2007-08-10T19:06:00.000Z

09 August 07
Laura and Eric introduce baby Li-Na to their friends, Colin and Julia with Amy-Li and Shawn, who is next to get her baby. Isnt she beautiful, how exciting!! Its celebrations all around. Laura is so attached to her baby's photos that they follow her everywhere and even join her during her meals. How cute is that?

SURPRISE!!! Laura has a surprise baby shower. After a hard day at work, thinking she was coming home to put her feet up.... she walked in the front door to a see all her friends waiting to love and spoil her.

Its a nappy cake, created by Julia and Shawn. Everybody brought a gift with either a rhyme or a baby photo and Laura had to guess either who it was from or what was inside the present. If she got it wrong, there was a forfeit waiting to provide fantastic entertainment for all.

Laura has to find a smartie...

Some amazing presents for Li-Na, its all finally becoming a reality...her baby is on her way home.

Trying hard to guess from a tounge twisting rhyme.....

Ooooh noo, another forfeit, fish out the chocolate poopie from the potty.... (no one was harmed in this stunt, apple juice was used instead of wee :-))

Yay, Li-Na gets some toys.

The last forfeit, a rather realistic looking (peanut butter ) nappy. Laura has to show us her nappy changing skills.... blindfolded!!!

Hysterics followed by all. A baby shower is a great initiation into motherhood, a gathering of friends and family, building memories and feeling loved and cherished.

(Laura is feeling shattered after her baby shower, so asked Julia to post about it and add some great photos)

PLEASE LEAVE LAURA AND ERIC A COMMENT, thanks

HERE SHE IS!!!

2007-08-09T22:24:00.000Z

09 August 07:
Introducing... Li-Na Wu Chun Tian, date of birth 03 Jan 07, only 7 months old, from Guangdong Privince. Isnt she adorable? We think this photo was taken at around 4 months

She is just so so cute!!

AGONY!!

2007-08-04T21:42:00.000Z

Mr Postman ..... look and see....
Is there a letter, a letter for me?????
Oh! Mr Postman.......Deliver the letter, the sooner the better!
I'm sick and tired of all the waiting Mr Postman.......
Sooooo Patiently!
For just a card or Just a letter
Saying you are coming home to me...

He arrived, He left , handing us our Driving Licence renewal forms................... :( ...........what can I say...so hard to be left out when 5 other couples/families were announcing their goodnews about their daughters.

Well I didn't say much, actually I just clammed up inside ...but I did have a cry!!
Thankyou so much all my friends for being there today to support me on this rollercoaster of events. A lovely day had by all on Mundsley Beach did me wonders.
Roll on Monday evening !!

Proud Parents - Just wish we knew who she was!!

2007-08-03T22:16:00.000Z

Well since our last posting we have moved on June 21st 2007 into our lovely new home and have been settling in. This is meant to be a Family Home...and we can now say we are a family - we will fetch our little girl in a few weeks. Typically, just as life goes - we have waited 3 long years since starting this process in August 2004 ...only to find we are not feeling ready now!!!! Panic is setting in!!

On Monday 30th August 2007- I was with my first patient of the day when Shawn called to say it was likely we were in this next batch- Rumour Queen rating - R2.
On the basis of this rather tentative news (which I chose to upgrade to a definate R5 status) ... I promptly burst into tears and proceeded to cry my way through the morning list of patients, gulping sugary tea and emptying my tissue box usually reserved for patients ...all the time reassuring my patients that I was actually very happy!!

Since then I have announced loudly and to anyone who happens to be around that "I'm a Mum!! " .... The news has gradually settled in...but today the worst was that as soon as I knew from CCAA that we were definately in this batch- I had to rush off to a "normal days work" as if nothing significant had happened to me. It was really quite bizarre.
We then spent the evening with family and friends and talked about a variety of topics - briefly mentioning the adoption ....when all I have wanted to do all day is run around screaming with my arms outstretched.... well it is now 23h28...and I can finally sit and dwell on the magnitude of what today really means for Eric and I.

We are parents to a child who at this moment in time is in China , possibly in a SWI ( orphanage) or in a Foster home, with no idea that she is about to have her whole little world whisked away in a moment.
We know that she is going to be so happy growing up with us...but she of course will not understand. Eric and I know that all will be well ultimately when we actually meet and get to know each other , but I am checking myself to see things from her little perspective.

At this moment in time we don't know who she is , or where she is.
There is a possibilty her details were posted in the evening post today...??? to us ??? to the Social Worker.
Will we know tomorrow ? Will we know on Monday? Aaaaghh!!
Monday is a busy day from 07h15 to 18h00 minimum..... How will I be able to wait??

All I know is that I am not prepared to have a quick glance at her details and photo. I would rather delay seeing her to my Day Off on Wednesday , so I can savour the moment that I have waited so long for.

Li Na ....when you read this oneday ..... just know how exciting it is for us now :)
We love you to bits already. I am already planning things to do, visualising you playing in the lounge and garden, and I have been wandering around your little armchairs and toybox all set out for you.
Upstairs your new room is a bit chaotic until your wardrobe arrives in the next few weeks....you have more clothes than you need at present.... and you have a cot/little bed all of your own that noone else has ever slept in. Most of all you have a Mom and a Dad waiting to Love you, protect you and have fun with you as the future unfolds.

We cannot wait to meet you our little darling.
We have waited so long, and we are so happy we chose the adoption path to fetch you home. You are our daughter ..... and don't you forget it.
Your big Sister Natalie has already planned to take you shopping and (threatened) take you toyour first Rock Concert, with a few other ideas which I won't print!!!

Roll on tomorrow or next week. I am actually enjoying this rollercoast trip of emotions, just wish I had more hours to do what I feel I need to. I so wish my Mum & Dad were here to join in the celebrations.

Yahooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!! G'night and Thankyou Lord for bringing us together.

3rd August 2007 - Yahoooo!!! I'm a Mother!!! :) :) :)

2007-08-03T22:12:00.000Z

APRIL 2007 into MAY

2007-05-05T07:45:00.000Z

Wow! What a time ..... It all started when we got completely fed-up that CCAA had (Dared!) to only progress referral by 2 ( Yes....TWO ) measely little days to reach 25th Oct 2005 !!!
I think the Adoption Community as a whole worldwide was stunned.
How did I cope?

Well I did what I do best in these situations and decided to spend money ( Ha! Ha! )..so I bought a House!!
Actually ... what happened was we decided to get on with our lives and stop waiting in Limbo.
It was as if everything was meant ....Eric spotted a house in Dilham, the exact village we were looking for. We then had several viewings of houses in the general area, but always knew it woul be "the one".
Betwen the Easter Weekend and the 25th April we sold our house and had our offer accepted on the house in Dilham!! Since then Eric in his usual efficient way ... has basically packed the house up and we are sitting now in a shell of our first home, surrounded by Boxes. Assuming all continues to go smoothly...we are supposedly moving at the end of the of May ( I think first week June realistically )

Blimey!!! What a change in circumstances. It was actually quite sad taking Li Na's room down as it has been ready for her since Feb 2006. I will now have to get another room ready for her, and am already planning what I want to do .
Today - Sat 05/05/07 - I am about to go off and do "Race for Life" to help raise money for Cancer Research. I am joining the "Coastal Chicks" team with the slogan " Li Na's Mum " on the back - Ever Hopefull that I am!! :)

This last lot of referals has reached Nov 1st 2005 .... soon we will creak along to Nov 21st !!
Cheerio for now.
Laura

March 2007

2007-03-08T12:04:00.000Z

So ..... CCAA have reached October 24th 2005. This is bad news for me as I now think I will only get a referral photo in June 07 and not May.
I am feeling very mixed feelings at the moment. I have moments when I wish I had never started this process and other times when I look so forward to having a child. This wait has been one of the hardest times in my life and yet a rewarding one. Eric and I started this adoption process in August 2004 in the same week as I started my GP Partnership. During this time great friendships have been made and my work commitments have become clearer since the whole process began . Log-in-Date was finally November 21st 2005 and I cannot believe we are still waiting.
I am currently struggling to make decisions as to how I see the future lying and how I will juggle work with seeing and spending time with Li Na. Fortunately Eric is a wonderful man who I know will be an excellent Dad and so I am really fortunate to not be worrying about outside carers for her. I suppose when all is said and done...I wish I could have some more time to just enjoy her and to have longer days with her.
I so hope I look back at this posting oneday and wonder why I felt so blue!!
Laura

Amy-Li

2007-02-04T17:21:00.000Z

Well we had a super time meeting Amy-Li today ! She was fast asleep at the airport on Friday night, and this morning we enjoyed seeing her awake, and enjoying going between her Mummy and Daddy. She is a real sweetie. Colin, Julia and the boys are all delighted.
I have now come home and coped with some more internet shopping for my little girl. She is real now to me. I am calculating a May 07 referral and travel in June. here's hoping...............

2007-02-03T17:59:00.000Z

February Soon

2007-01-28T18:28:00.000Z

Well it's back to work after a lovely week at home - I have been able to enjoy the blogging and have been addicted to at least twice daily checking on Julia / Colin and Amy-Li . I have also learnt a few tips on my own blog - note the Weather reports at the bottom of the page / Time ticker etc... all fun whilst waiting!
February referrals are due in next week all being well. We are hoping for a referral in May , hence the guess at leaving for China in possibly July... but we have learnt to not get too confident!! :(

January 22/01/2007 - De Lucchi's Celebrate

2007-01-22T17:04:00.001Z

Well today was exciting for us all especially Colin & Julia who collected Amy-Li at about 07h30 UK time.
It has been so exciting to follow her blog and see little Amy-Li. What a treasure...and best of all she will be a friend and playmate for years to come with Li Na and Grace. ( Shawn & Chris are waiting too !! )

It is so much more real for all of us now ( Shawn & Chris included ) as we can see the rainbow at the end of our long journey approaching .
I have been in a fantasy land all day - thank goodness I am on Leave and able to just enjoy all the emotions and looking at the blog site every few hours.

Wow everyone!! Eric and I have been waiting for 2 years and 5 months. I never dreamed it would be so long!

Today we have also made our first enquiries re buying some land in Dilham ... just another pipe dream at present of building a house for our future.
Who knows where these blog spots will lead ....
Over and Out for another month!! ( Rumour Queen is my only outlet at the moment!! ) - a pain in the Butt says Eric - says it makes us all depressed!! I don't know!!
Cheerio !

Li-Na Chapman - A precious gift to come!

2006-12-20T20:50:00.000Z

20/12/06: Tomorrow our papers would have been in China 13 months. I have felt quite tearful tonight watching a programme about International Adoption on BBC 1, from different viewpoints , following one particular girl from Kenya trying to trace her roots.
A social worker ( chinese adoptee herself years back ) was talking as well. We actually knew her as she was one of the course organiser on our compulsory pre-homestudy Overseas Adoption Course so long ago in Oct 2004. She runs a support group in London for adoptees who feel they need to discuss the issues around their difficulties of race & identity. There are so many issues to think about and it is hard, because we know or think we know what lies ahead for us as a family and for her. All we know is that we have been wanting this for so long 2 years and 4 months so far!!. We so want our little girl(s).
Her room has been ready and waiting for her since February 2006 and feels a natural part of the house- we just can't wait to actually see her in there and show her all the pictures and toys.

Last weekend we went to Center-Parks in Elveden Forest last weekend to spend time with Julia & Colin De Lucchi and boys. The pictures of Amy-Li were there and she is already a part of the family though she is yet to know it!!
We are looking forward to meeting her at the end of January 2007 when they fetch her.

Whilst there we bought 2 fluffy glove rabbits ( really cute). We are sleeping with them in our bed from now on so they can get our "home smell" on them. We plan to send one over to her as soon as we know where she is and hopefully she will be given it and told it is from her Mummy and Daddy. ( we will take our one with us to China to show her and hopefully she will recognize bunny as a familiar little cute face )

Well enough rambling tonight. Christmas is around the corner .... next year the tree will be up!