Welcome to our blog...we hope to be pros at this in time to go to China so we can keep connected on the trip of a lifetime. Please see the end entry if you haven't been thanked for all the support over the last few years. Jenny
Lilypie Waiting to Adopt tickers

Sunday, July 12, 2009

We got her!!!

Well they had me go with the first group at 6:45pm and wouldn't ya know she was the last one to arrive...guess they just saved the best for last!!!  She is perfect.  It was a rough start I won't lie.  Her foster mom and brother brought her and that was very emotional for us all.  We are so blessed however that she brought a photo album with tons of pictures of Shelby.  She's had her since she was 20 days old and I don't think she could have been more loved or better cared for.  It was traumatic when I took her to leave.  We then had to go and get a picture and they really wanted her happy and she was as mad as a wet cat.  We finally left and got back to the hotel at about 9:10pm.  She doesn't like elevators...today anyway.  As soon as we got in the room she settled down.  She sat on my lap for the longest time and we slowly eased into things.  Her foster mom had a backpack with her favorite animal book and an outfit.  It was awhile before she got down but once she did she was on the move exploring everything.  Her first smile was from Val Val's bear I got almost 4 years ago when we were celebrating getting to get started on this journey.  She is so smart and if you show her something once she has it down.  Oh did I mention she likes to eat?  She's gonna fit in fine with our family (haven't tried chips and salsa yet Sally but I bet she will be a fan).  She has liked everything so far (thanks for all the goodies Nikki they are coming in handy).  The funniest was mom was eating trail mix and gave her a raisin  Then came an m&m.  Well she came back for more and shook her head no to the raisin...guess what she wanted...you got it another m&m.  I did get her clothes off and into some jammers and she didn't seem to mind (improvement because I had tried to get her shoes off and she wasn't happy).  We (mostly mom) are worried because she hasn't peed.  She is potty trained for the squatty potty and when I put her on the regular one she just leaned towards me to get her off.  I then tried naked in the tub saying her potty word and got nothing.  At least at this point I did get a pull up on so hopefully we are set for the night.  As I type this she is in the crib and almost asleep...not bad since it is 11:30pm and we have to be in the lobby at 8:30 or so.  Ok I'm gonna stop typing so I can post some pictures. 

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6 comments:

Producer J. said...

Hey. This is the Pathfinders class and we are in sunday school and just read your blog. We are so happy for you and are rejoicing with you. We love you and Shelby and will pray for safe return.

Unknown said...

Congrats, I'm so happy for you Jenny! Shelby is so cute! I loved the pic of her sleeping with her leg propped up on the crib railing...too cute! My mom says congrats too and that Shelby is a cutie! I can't wait to meet her, I hope all 3 of yall have fun on the rest of your trip!
Love,
Kendall Crosslin

Sheri said...

What a beautiful family that you have! I couldn't be any happier for you. Such a long journey , that caused you so many tears...look at what you have know.I can not wait to finally meet her in person.

Love,
Sheri

Lorie said...

Yay! I'm SO excited for you. I could just scream. This day has been about adoption for me. Some friends at church found out this week, after waiting for 4 years, that they're getting TWIN boys from Ethiopia. Ack! I've been sending up prayers of thanksgiving all morning. I'll pray your flight home goes smoothly. Have lots of snacks ready for that flight.

nikkimccullen said...

We are so happy for you! She is absolutely beautiful and you are glowing....a natural mother! We have prayed for this day for so long...and it is finally here! We just got in from FL. late last night; so needless to say I am up early trying to get caught up on Shelby festivities! (Mom had to keep me posted thus far!) I can't wait to give her a big hug from Aunt Nik!
We love you!
Nikki, Joey, Kenzie

nikkimccullen said...

We are so happy for you! She is absolutely beautiful and you are glowing....a natural mother! We have prayed for this day for so long...and it is finally here! We just got in from FL. late last night; so needless to say I am up early trying to get caught up on Shelby festivities! (Mom had to keep me posted thus far!) I can't wait to give her a big hug from Aunt Nik!
We love you!
Nikki, Joey, Kenzie

Still waiting for Shelby...

Our wait for Shelby began on September 13, 2005. We are now very close to being with our angel. We hope to travel in early 2009. This has been a journey filled with many highs and lows. I want to take this oppportunity to thank everyone who has stood by me and prayed for us. My mom-she has been on this roller coaster from the first informational meeting and we take turns keeping each other grounded, my family-my grandma who helped me have the best nursery ever and my LA gang-for not giving up that they will soon have another niece and cousin, friends-way to many to name but I'm going to try (and if I leave someone out don't fret we will call it a paper pregnancy moment)-Lauri (all the cards), the Wardskis, Jen., Lisa, Sheri, Tiffany, my Hillcrest UMC friends...always patiently letting me cry, vent, and forever guess at what China will do next, and last but not least my work family-I can't even begin to express how they have kept me lifted up...from Sally starting her hair bow collection, Chinese New Year celebrations, Sebrina always keeping up with the rumor queen and marking the days off as we get them, and finally all the cards and pick me ups left quietly on my desk at the most needed times. They always know when the end of the month comes (referral time) I need a shoulder and pep talk and never waiver in staying positive. So thank you all again for what you have done and all that I know you will do until we have "Shelby Marie from Tennessee" (from the famous ? my dad had for her in her quilt scrapbook "Shelby Marie are you really from Tennessee...you look Chinese to me")