Born on October 4, 2008, our Hailey, was born. She was given the name Xiu Hua Xiao (pronounced "shoe wah sheow") by her Caregivers in the Orphanage (we're still deciding upon a middle name at this time and will let you know!). Xiu = her surname, Hua = "gorgeous/prosperous" and Xia = "thin bamboo".
She is from Chongqing, the largest and most populated municipality of the People's Republic of China (31.5 million people!). We are told the area is very pretty and mountainous, and is about an hour's flight inland from Hong Kong.
When these photos were taken on March 19th, 2009, she weighed 12.76 pounds and was 15.75 inches. She's such a little doll and we can't wait to hold her!
We received a copy of all of her medical records translated from Chinese into English and she appears to be a healthy baby girl. They say that she is active, knows her name when called and laughs out loud. :) They gave us info regarding her eating and sleeping habits and her medical records that are all written in Chinese.
So, we are told our travel will take place anytime between 5 to 7 weeks from now, and we will know more in a two week's time. Of course, this has both Dad and I on pins and needles, so all we can do right now is get ready and also send a care package to her at the Orphanage.
Needless to say, we've both been grinning ear to ear today, and we were so thrilled to call our close friends and family to give them the great news!!! We're pretty well exhausted from our "Hailey Tour" today, but it was so priceless to see the look on everyone's face! Both my Mom and Brent's Mom were so overjoyed to see their baby grandaughter, and we hooked up with Brent's Dad and his wife Teresa along with my Mom at a Chinese Restaurant in Monument. Tears of joy were definately shed and we all had a fantastic time! They couldn't stop looking at the photos of their little granddaughter. And at last, Hailey is such a lucky girl, that she has another set of Grandparents that were patiently waiting all day in Oklahoma to receive her photos late this evening. Thanx, Dad and Mary, for putting up with me being "technologically challenged!" :)
We figured out that Kelsie (Mark and Barrie's baby girl) is about 11 months older than Hailey, but they will soon be the best of friends and we can't wait until the day they can play together!!! Uncle Mark and Auntie Barrie...glad you live close to help share in babysitting!!
Thank you again, all, who have sent your prayers and good thoughts our way. Brent had a wonderful Father's Day one day late!! We'll be sure to keep you posted of our journey ahead. We are truly in love with her already.
To end with, I've always loved this video. Hope you enjoy it too:
17 comments:
Oh happy day!!!! Congratulations!!! She is beautiful!
Lisa
Yeee Haaaa!!! Hailey is finally coming home! She is beautiful! Kelsie is anxious to meet her playmate! Wishing you the best in China - it will be such an amazing journey to GOCHA DAY! Congrats Melanie & Brent (A.K.A. Ma & Pa Henn)
Love you guys,
Mark, Barrie and Kelsie Mei
We have a Xiushan girl too! If you have not joined us at Xiushan@yahoogroups.com, please do. Great place to get questions answered. Xiushan is a great orphanage from all of our reports!
Congratulations on your beautiful new girl! We just arrived home in May with our Chongqing beauty and are loving every minute. I would love to share some Chongqing tips, if you would like them, to help you be prepared for what it's like in that province. Please feel free to email me at lauriewied@comcast.net. Congrats again - and many blessings in your days to come.
Laurie Wiedenmeyer, Olympia, WA
Congratulations on your Chongqing referral! When you are ready to obtain her finding ad (with a great photo of her months younger than her referral photos!) come visit us at www.research-china.org.
Have a quick and safe trip!
Brian
Congratulations! She is adorable.
Looks like we are with the same agency with the same login date, with a match from Chongqing! Different orphanage, but I bet we will be in the same group. Look forward to meeting you.
Jodi
Awe, so sweet. Congratulations. She's an itty bitty thing!!! Stephe
Congrats on your baby girl! She is beautiful. I love seeing other CCAI families bringing home Xiushan babies. You will have a great time in Chongqing. Have questions ready for the nannies, you should have a chance to ask questions. Be sure to join the Xiushan SWI yahoo group already mentioned.
Safe travels, Kerrie
She's a cutiepie! CONGRATS :)
Congratulations. She is beautiful. And you will be walking on cloud 9 for DAYS!
Jenn
This is the best news that I have heard all week. Congratulations on impending mom and dad-hood!
:),
sam
OH! Another Xiushan beauty. I could tell she was from Xiushan!
Irena (mom to a Xiushan GIRL, now 4)
Congratulations! She is adorable!!
She is beautiful! Congratulations... I know it seems like forever, but she will be in your arms very soon. :)
Oh you will LOVE Chongqing. It's a GREAT city. It's known for all the H's: hilly, hot, hazy, humid, and HotPot, their most famous dish. Our little one is from Chongqing. We stayed at the J.W. Marriott hotel near the pedestrian shopping area. It felt like being in NY City. If you have any questions, just let me know. I love to talk about CQ. By the way, have you been told yet that CQ girls have very "spicy" personalities? They are called Spicy Girls and are known as the most beautiful girls in all of China. I have pics of CQ on my blog if you'd like to see them. We traveled in July/Aug. of 2007, so you'll have to go back to older posts to see them. http://waiting4karsynn.blogspot.com
Congratulations! What an adorable little girl! May God give you a speedy journey and a lifetime of happiness together!
Karmen
www.babybernacchi.com
Hey, she is so beautiful. I am a single mum to be. Going to china and Chongqing this week. Meeting my beautiful baby girl in 1 week from today. She is 18 months old and look a bit like your girl. This is so big. Total chaos in my head and all the papers and things to bring. But soon I have her in my arms. Good luck to you and hope you will travel soon.
Best regards
www.123hjemmeside.no/lillegull1
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