Greetings from Nanchang!

Just wanted to give you a short update as to how we are doing (mostly because I want to go play with Laine!) Laine was already at the hotel when we arrived on Sunday, we quickly threw our carry-ons in the room, grabbed the cameras and went to meet our children. Laine was beautiful and perfect that day, she didn't cry, just looked around in amazement at the chaos and was laughing before we left the ballroom.

Yesterday the adoption was finalized, it was a lot of 'hurry up and wait' at the different offices. I think Laine handled it better than mommy. When we got back I told her that she was adopted and her name was Laine Fong Tinklenberg and she started to cry (but with Tinklenberg as a last name, who can blame her.) Mommy and baby took a nap to recover.

Today has been a much slower pace, just playing, bathing and eating. Overall Laine is doing really well, she makes great eye contact, really only cries when she is tired and is very active. So far she has puked, pooped and peed on me, so I'm well initiated into motherhood.

Love Julie (and Laine)

More Pictures

Prayers Answered!

This is Julie’s sister, Wendy, with the exciting news that Julie received her precious daughter, Laine, today! Julie said that the transition went better than she ever dreamed —- Laine came right into her arms! Laine is eating well, pooping well and sleeping well -— everything a mother hopes for! Plus she is smiling, cooing and playing as an added bonus. Her hair is a little longer than in the pictures and she has two teeth. My mom described her as a “little angel.” God has answered a resounding, “Yes!” to many, many prayers so far. Please continue to pray for God’s grace and mercy over Laine, Julie and my mom in the next couple of weeks. (And keep praying for healing… my mom is still struggling with the stomach flu…). We are all so grateful!

First Pictures from China

Ni Hao

Just a quick note before I head to bed. We have arrived in China after very long flights. Yesterday morning started with a cancelled flight, but we were easily changed a flight going through Chicago and arrived in Beijing around the same time as our previous flight.

We are settled in the hotel and we are scheduled to go to the Great Wall tomorrow.

Happy Valentine's day!

Ready to go!

I had the best of intentions of updating the blog when I received news of Laine’s updated growth info, when the kitchen was finished, for Chinese New Year and when the travel plans were finalized. Alas, I have missed all of those occasions and now we leave in 2 days. I will try to capture all the things that I have missed in this one post.

Travel: My mom and I leave on Wed for Beijing, here is a break-down:
Feb 13: Leave from Philadelphia
Feb 14: Arrive in Beijing
Feb 17: Travel to Nanchang
Feb 17: Receive Laine
Feb 22: Fly to Guangzhou for US Visa
Feb 27: Fly to HongKong
Feb 28: Fly from HongKong to Philadelphia!

Right now I have things in large piles, I’m not sure how it is all going to fit in a few bags. I’m vacillating between knowing that I will be able to purchase most of what I need in China and the calm of knowing that I have packed what I will need. My mom arrives Monday, so I can put off making final decisions until she arrives. It is such a relief knowing that my mom will be there with me, I keep telling people that I’m there to take care of Laine and she is there to take care of me!

Updates on Laine:
I received updated info on Laine, she is 18 lbs and 27 inches at 10 months. She has stayed around the 25th percentile for height on the US charts and has jumped up in weight from below the 5th to around the 12th. She seems to be growing well, she doesn’t have any teeth yet, so I will get to enjoy all of her teeth coming in!

Kitchen:
My kitchen remodeling is done and it is beautiful, I’m so glad that it is done before I leave. The kitchen will be a natural family gathering place, which is what I really wanted. I’ve attached some pictures so you can see the new look.














I will try to update the blog from China, if I have trouble my brother-in-law has accepted being volunteered to update it for me, assuming that I can send email. I appreciate all of the interest and support that you have given me on this journey. I covet your prayers for our journey and for my precious girl as she goes through this tremendous change.

Cheers!
Julie