Thursday, December 11, 2008

Kennedy Yu An Elizabeth

We are in love. Like, over the moon, balloon ready to burst, giddy as all get-out, starry-eyed kind of love. Seeing her face--the face we have waited to see for over 3 years--was nothing short of AMAZING. And surreal, because we both felt like we knew her. When I opened the e-mail of her photo today, I thought, "Oh yes, you. You're the one we've been waiting for." And in a strange and magical kind of way, I recognized her. It was awesome. It is awesome. We're still giddy and it's well past bed time, especially for my out-at-9:30 self. :)

Before I post her amazing little self, a run down of today. I called our Adoption Coordinator this morning at 9:15 to ask her a few more questions. She had great news for us! She was able to get updates on Kennedy's measurements. As of a few days ago, she is 28 inches long and nearly 21 pounds. Her head circumference and chest circumference match (that's good I'm told--so much to learn!) and she has 8 teeth. She is healthy and active. YAY! Once our paperwork got done in translation, our Adoption Coordinator would read it through and then send it to us via e-mail.

At 2:47 p.m., an e-mail appeared. Dan and I talked about it last night and decided that because both of our days were kind of crazy today, I should open the e-mail as soon as I got it and then call him right away. For a minute I just sat there looking at the screen, knowing that once I opened it, she would be an image forever in my mind. No more abstract. No more nebulous. After 3+ years of abstract and nebulous, it seemed appropriate to bid those feelings farewell for a few seconds. And then I opened the photo attachment. And then I cried. She is beautiful. Talk about being in awe.

I called Dan and he was just about home, as Hank had a vet appointment this afternoon. He called me back once he was in his e-mail box and then opened her picture while we were on the phone. He started giggling and managed to squeak out,"She's such a cutie!" And man, is she ever. And then we sat there on the phone for a while and just looked at her...our daughter. Kennedy Yu An Elizabeth. And without further ado...



These pictures are likely from late August or early September, but we are relieved that she seems well cared for and are sooooo excited to meet the personality that goes with that adorable face and expressive brow. I keep zooming in on her photos...looking at every inch of her I can see, thinking how much I love her already and marveling that I get to be her Mom...that Dan gets to be her Dad...that she and Dan have the same haircut... :)


There is more info about her personality (she sounds AMAZING, but we're not biased or anything) and other specifics of her life in her report, but we will keep the bulk of that information private for her so that she is able to make the decision about when and with whom to share.

Next on our list, we send her referral to the International Adoption Clinic at Children's Hospital tomorrow so they can review her medical information and give us any insight. They will also meet with us after we get home (typically within the first week or so) to assess her health and address anything needing follow-up. It is good to have such a resource so close to home.

Tomorrow, Dan will be home to meet the DHL delivery guy who will deliver the original paperwork that was overnighted from our agency. Included is her original referral document (all in Chinese), the translation, her photos, and our official letter of intent that we sign and send back to our agency to officially accept her referral. Once our agency has acceptance letters from all 4 families in our travel group, they will send our letters to China who will respond with our Travel Approvals (TA). Once those documents are received, consulate appointments are booked and our travel dates are firmed up. This should all happen within the next 4-6 weeks. Needless to say, we are glad the busy-busy holidays are upon us to help pass the time quickly. I mean, just look at her amazing self. Heck, if we could hop a plane tonight we would. Darn protocol. :)

So many people who are so important to us shared in the joy of finally seeing Kennedy's face today. Our Moms and Dads and siblings, Deanna, Holly and Pat, Cory, Elisabeth, Kenya, Lisa and so many others--THANK YOU for being so excited with us. It means the world to me. And a special thanks to Elisabeth for this crazy, awesome clock that is set to Kennedy's timezone and has a big button on the top that, when pressed, says the time (in a very lengthy manner) in Chinese. It's pretty much the bee's knees. ;)

Okay, off to bed with me. Kennedy's probably taking her afternoon nap right now. Yep, it's gonna be a looooong 8 weeks.



10 comments:

jenw said...

Kennedy, you are so beautiful! I love how intently your little eyes and furrowed brows take it all in. I can't wait to see that expression in person.

Anonymous said...

Dear Kennedy,

Your parents first learned about you on a beautiful, sunny, blue-skied morning. It snowed the day before, so everything...buildings, cars, roads, bushes...was covered in snow. It was a beautiful day to welcome a beautiful child into a beautiful new family.

Knowing your parents, we guess that you are going to have a blessed, happy, colorful life filled with wonder. We don't know you yet, but we already know you'll give them equal measure of blessings, happiness, and wonder.

Wishing you a life of joy and peace,

Elisabeth and Michael

(and wow...we can't wait to meet the little soul that's behind those great expressions and quizzical looks! Come home very soon, please!)

DeAnna said...

Kennedy,

What a ray of sunshine you bring into our lives.

First we had your name and now we have a sweet, sweet face to go along with it.

You are beautiful and I can't wait to squezze you. Please remind me to share with you the "We got Kennedy" dance I did when your mommy shared with me the news of your arrival.

I will always remember the joy in your mommy's voice when she called.

You will be loved dearly and I can't wait to squeeze you and play with you.

Much love,

Auntie De Anna

Maria said...

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF US THAT GOT REFERRALS!! Sharing the love of our new daughters together.

Maria, Mark and Sarah Foley and our newest member: Christina Yu Mei Foley

We got our referrals at the same time, our new daughter is Chong Yu Mei Born 9/19/07 - almost 15 months old, currently residing with Kennedy in Chongren, Jiangxi Province.

Can't wait to see you in CHINA and meet our babies TOGETHER! What a thrill, I'm so happy that you will be our buddies there.

Head over heels, thrilled, happy, congrats to all of us! Maria Foley

Unknown said...

To my darling niece Kennedy,
I am sitting here tearing up in joy as I look at your picture. I am waiting with bated breath to hear your little voice, look into your questioning eyes and see your adorable face. We have been waiting for God to send you to our family and we are humbled to see your quizzical look and knit brow! Aidan and I have been praying for you since he was your age, before you were born (he is four now!) and I can't believe you are here! Uncle Aaron and I have been talking about you for years, about what great parents your mom and dad are going to be, and about how blessed they will be to hear your little feet pattering around! There is so much love waiting for you to get here to the states. We have been loving you since before you were born, waiting, hoping and praying for the day that God would bring you to our family. You were born in China and at the same time your were born in our hearts, especially your parents, but ours too! I am so honored to get to watch you grow up! (I hope your parents have started saving for the car you will need in 15 years! Don't worry Kenny, I've got your back, always and forever!!!) ; )
Kennedy, I cannot wait to see you, to give you a little squeeze and to watch my sis be a mom to you!
I love you!
Aunt Jackie

Carrie said...

Jackie sent me the link to your blog. We adopted our darling Grace from China on Christmas Eve of last year, so we are about to celebrate our one year anniversary. When I opened your blog and saw Kennedy's picture I got all teary. It was like reliving the day we got Grace's referral. Our wait was 2 and a half years so we can totally understand the how overwhelming this whole process has been. You will love your time in China. I am so, so happy for you and the new Aunt Jackie. What a beautiful Christmas blessing you have recieved.

Carrie Wood

Aleece said...

Dear Kennedy,

How wonderful to finally see your little face after so many years of waiting. All the seriousness that shows in your photo will fade away after you meet your mom and dad. They are going to be the best parents one can have - ready to introduce you to a life of creativity, happiness and love. Get ready for lots of giggles and laughs!

Stay safe in these next few weeks until you are united as a family. We can't wait to meet you!

Love,
Aleece, Ryan and Jacoby Vanderloop

holly said...

Hi Kennedy,
What an awesome few days it has been! And how incredible that I got to spend some time with your mom, Jen, on these days. I love her, and your dad, Dan, so much and you are already right in that love bucket with them! We all knew you were out there, somewhere, in China, and we thought of you often, worried for you and giggled about your future antics, and to see your photo was such bliss.

Peace to you little peanut, I can hardly wait to meet you.

xo, Holly

Unknown said...

'baby.'

'hand pickle--throw.'
(re: the little fist)

'flowers--right here.'
(re: design on olympic onesie)

'neddy!'
(kennedy)

'jingle jingle bells, allwaaaay, HEY!'
(holiday greetings)

'pickles!'
(love!)

zhi

Anonymous said...

She is absolutely gorgeous, you guys. I am so happy for you and cannot wait for the day Nick and I get to meet her. Also, Kennedy, you have the COOLEST parents on the block.

Love your new cousins,

Nick and Ashley