Our Acceptance Letter is on its Way!

On July 23 at 2:30 pm, the day after our referral, my father said, "I see a FedEx truck outside!" We all jumped up from playing a game (Up and Down the River) and ran to the door. We grabbed a camera and were ready to tackle the FedEx driver but would you believe he just dropped it on our porch and left! We took some pictures anyway and ripped open the pouch to find the cutest new little pictures of our sweet Grace.
After carefully reading the translated documents, sending copies of the medical records to our friend who is a peditriatian, and getting word back that she was healthy and well, we filled out the acceptance agreement letter to China! We had it on its way to our adoption agency by 5:30 pm in another FedEx overnight envelope!!
We've counted the layers on her and can see at least 4 layers on her upper body (not including the bib). She has on a quilted jacket that is rolled up at the sleeves creating yet another layer! On her bottom half there are 2 layers and there's no way to tell how many socks she has on!
These pictures were taken in the dead of winter (Feb) and we're thinking that they probably don't strip all of them off of her to do the exam we got a report about. All of that probably adds up to the 14 pounds they state is her weight at 3 months of age. I think there's a peanut in there somewhere!
And do you see the little smile forming on her face? Do you think she realizes how funny it is to plump her up like a linebacker? :-)
We're so glad that we have these pictures that really will show her what Chinese custom was in dressing their babies. We've heard that when you go to China, people come up to you on the street and try to convey to westerners that we are not dressing our children appropriately. They dress their babies this way even in the summer!
In about 3-4 weeks we will probably receive some updated info about Grace and maybe even some newer pictures. I can't believe she's 5 months older than these pictures but I'm thrilled to have these young pictures of her so that she'll know what she looked like at an early age.
I don't think I wrote in yesterday's blog that we were told we will travel in 5-8 weeks. Until then, there is paperwork to fill out, lists to complete, and some clothes to buy for our little angel.
Thank you to all of you who have sent us emails, signed this guestbook, and wrote on our Facebook. All of them made us feel so loved! When Grace is old enough, she will read them too and I know it will bring great joy to her as well.
We will be praying for smooth sailing in the days ahead and that we might receive our Travel Approvals speedily. We are all eager to kiss her and love up on her!

Sharon