More information about Maelyne...

This morning, we received her Medical Examination Record and Growing Report from CHI that are translated in English. Her name Ling Cha Yi means children from Shangrao have the same surname Ling, Cha represents the Chating old people's home, which is also the orphanage's location. In English, Ling - spirit, Cha - tea, Yi - happy. Her medical examination was done on 9/12/08 when she was 7 months old. According to her record, everything looks normal and healthy.

Here's the growing report on Ling Cha Yi (now Maelyne ChaYi):

Ling Cha Yi, female, was found at the entrance of Chating Health Center of Shangrao County on 2-15-2008, and was brought to the Children's Welfare Center of Shangrao City on the same day. When she was brought to the orphanage , there was a bag of formula, a feeding bottle and a coat with her. On the same day, she was brought to the People's Hospital for medical check and she was healthy. The doctor guessed her date of birth based on her growth. She was born on 2-10-2008.
Ling Cha Yi was put in foster care. When she was brought in the orphanage, she was weak and small. But with the delicate care from the nannies, her development has been getting better and better. And she is a very cute baby now.

At 1 month old - she could not see things clearly yet, but the emotions on her face were many, and her laughing was getting more and more.

At 2 months old - she started to see things clearly and specially liked to watch colorful things. You could tease her to laugh. She could put her fists to her mouth and tried to suck them.

At 3 months old - she could make her babbling and sometimes would laugh on her own. If she lay on her tummy, she could lift her upper body up with her arms and could lift her head up.

At 4 months old - she could grab toys and try to put toys or hands to her mouth. She could also make giggling sound. Her eyesight would follow moving items.

At 5 months old - she would look very happy if she saw food. Sometimes if she was happy, she would wave her arms and kick her legs with joy. She could pick up a toy and bring close to her eyes and check on it. She would stare at a toy in one hand while holding the other toy in the other hand.

At 6 and 7 months - her time of movement and the way of it and her mental development had made obvious progress.

Ling Cha Yi mainly takes the thick mixture of formula and rice cereal. She takes 4-5 times of meals each day and 220 mL each time. Besides this, she would also be fed with some congee, steamed egg, rice noodles, vegetables and fruit.
She sleeps well and bowel movement is regular.

This is translated by Matt's (our neighbor) friend, from the record we received in the referral package:
Wakes up at 6:00 am. Sleeps for 2 hours at noon and goes to bed at 8:00 pm.
Poops 1 to 2 times a day and pees regularly.

Favorite activity: playing games
Favorite toy: musical toy

Shopping for baby stuffs.....

Henry and I have been visiting the Babies "R" Us store, and on-line since we received the referral. Today, we decided we order the crib. It's a white Taylor Lifetime Crib that converts to a daybed and full size bed. The crib will arrive between 7-14 days. The matress was available so we bought it and brought it home. We think Maelyne will sleep comfortably in the crib. We have also bought one of 2 car seats we need (one for my car and one for his car). We agreed to have 2, so each car will have carseat all the time. We bought little things too like clothes of different sizez (6-9 mos, and 12 months), blanket, small diaper bag, Dreft laundry detergent so I can wash her clothes, and wipes, the things we will need to bring with us to China. Another thing we did was to register at Babies "R" Us. We could not believe all the things our baby needs inspite of her age. It's amazing! Scanning from one section to another section was fun, but boy we were both exshauted. We were at the store for 3 hours going around and around making sure we scanned everything we think the baby needs. If we missed something, which I think we did, or want to delete something, we can just go on-line and do it there. When we got back home, we were too tired to even get down from the car, we both fell asleep there for about 15 minutes.
We will post pictures when we have completed the nursery. We will have "lady bug" theme and hopefully we will be able to transform her room the way we??? or I want to be. Not that it matters for Maelyne but it does for me. :) :)

We have a daughter...

At last, after 34 months, the long awaited referral package arrived at 2:25 pm. LeeAnn Thibodeaux from FedEx with all smiles delivered the golden packet. Henry and I are very thankful and grateful to God for his wonderful gift to us. Maelyne is so beautiful and we both fell in love with her the moment we laid our eyes on her cute pictures. Her Chinese name is Ling Cha Yi now Maelyne ChaYi Eguilos. According to her medical report, her health is normal. She is now eleven months 13 days and she's fond of listening to music and fond of playing toys. She is able to sit by herself quite steadily and crawls on hands and knees.

She is waiting for us in Shangrao, Jiangxi, China. We hope to travel in 8 weeks to bring her home. Henry and I are both over the moon and can't wait to hold her in our arms.

Referral package is on the way to San Marcos....

Rebecca Davis from CHI confirmed that the package was sent overnight through FedEx with a tracking number 796277615549. We have been tracking and right now the package is on FedEx vehicle for delivery. The estimated time for delivery is at 3:00 pm but we are hoping it will be earlier. Ring doorbell ring...

Referrals arrived at CHI today....

Wow.... OMG! Did not expect the referrals would come today. But I was super excited when I got the call from Christina Ortwein of CHI today at 1:06 pm that our referral for Maelyne has arrived. No other information was given but I was crying and shaking and I could not think straight. I was at work. Our prayers have been answered!!! I thanked God for He is wonderful and He does great things. We have a daughter!!!
After 20 minutes, Rebecca Davis, also from CHI called to give me some information about her. Still cannot believe the waiting for the referral is over but here's what we know about Maelyne so far...

Name: Ling Cha Yi (no idea what it means yet)
DOB: February 10, 2008 (year of the "Rat")
Province: Jiangxi (presently living in the Shangrao Children's Welfare Institute)
Height: 66 cm
Weight: 6.58 kg
Head circ: 42 cm
Chest circ: 41.5 cm
Measurements were taken in September 2008 (updated after we received the referral package).

Henry has just barely started his work shift at the post office. Unfortunately, cellphones are not allowed in the building so I could not talk to him then. I called and left him a bunch of voicemail and text messages though. I finally spoke with him around 5:00 pm and he was ecstatic to hear the wonderful news! He did not come home though until 10:00 at night and that's the first time we saw each other since I got the great news. We just hug so tight, speechless but overjoyed. We are now a family of three!!!

The packet is being sent overnight from CHI, MO and should arrive sometime tomorrow. Don't know who the carrier is but we'll find out. So, Henry and I are staying home tomorrow to wait for the delivery person. We should have pictures of our daughter tomorrow. OMG! We can't wait to see her pictures. We will share with family and friends as soon as the packet arrives. YEAHHHHHHH...........
We know the night is long but we'll try to get some sleep....

Patiently awaiting for the "Referral".....

It has been 34 months since our 3/2/06 LID. Referrals this month are through 2/28/06.
OMG! We are next in line!!!!!!! We hope referrals will come in before the start of CNY (Chinese New Year), which will begin 1/26/09. If so, we should see referrals as early as 1/26/09. Please, please, please, let it be....