"In search of beautiful sights -
I forget the cold" ~Yang Wanli.
 

Her Name
Chen is her surname because she was found in Chenzhou
Jia means fine or beautiful
Mei means plum blossem
Eliana means my God has answered

Referral Day
On Monday, August 16, 2010, at 2:36 p.m., after waiting 4 years 3 months and a day from our log in date of May 15, 2006, I received the call from our agency. Chris asked me what I was doing and if I was sitting down. Since I had been outside mulching and was on my 5th yard of mulch, I went into the truck to sit in the air conditioning. She told me that my daughter’s picture and referral packet was sitting on her desk. I could not believe my ears! Chris said that she had the chubbiest cheeks and beautiful porcelain skin. She told me that she had huge brown eyes and a thick head of hair, and that our daughter was from the Hunan Province. I still could not believe my ears! I thanked her (I think???). The day became a blur, and actually the week has been a blur! I called Tom at work and when I started telling him what I could remember about her, I cried. Tom was so excited and he could not believe that the day was finally here either. He wanted to see a picture. We were finally parents! Earlier that day, the crib had arrived. I guess that I should have noticed it as a sign, but who could believe that the day was finally here!

Her Beginnings
Eliana was found at the gate of Chenzhou CWI by the security guard. She was wearing a knitted cap and padded baby outfit in orange. She was 48.5 cm (19 in) long and 3.2 kg (7 lbs.) in weight. She is very happy and babbles, and smiles a lot when her caregivers play with her. She is very active and could roll over at 6 months. According to the report from June 11, 2010, she is a deep sleeper. She can hold her head up while lying on her stomach and can grasp toys near her. She can locate the direction of a sound or voice and can visually follow moving toys. She laughs out loud and is active and restless when she is awake. She likes to listen to music, read picture books and play games. She can be obstinate and impatient sometimes. She was 63 cm (25 in) and 6.5 kg (14 lbs) in June.

Our agency told us that we should receive an update on Eliana Mei before we travel. This should include updated pictures, height and weight. We also found out that she is residing in a Half the Sky Orphanage. This is a GREAT thing since the nannies receive special training and there are many more resources in that orphanage, than in other orphanages.

 

Celebration dinner with fellow travel parents