Thank you to all those who have slipped envelopes into our hands with your very kind donations. We also appreciate the anonymous donors through paypal and Facebook causes. You have truly been an answer to prayer and we are so grateful to you!!! We spend many days crying as you sacrifice on our behalf. We love you!
We are only $3000 away from raising the money we need!!! If you can donate even $10, we would greatly appreciate it!!!!
We are still trying to arrange a Jon Schmidt concert. We will let you know asap. Our place for the May 5 fell through, so we are looking at the beginning of June.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us!!!! We should be leaving for China the end of June (maybe the beginning of July)! I can't wait to hold my baby!
Our Little Zheng Lan
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
I-800 Provisional Approval
Got it today....after many prayers that it would come quickly. I am so grateful that things continue to go smoothly! Can't wait to get Lizzie!!!
I found the most darling Asian baby doll to bring with us...perfect size for a 2 year old toddler. I also bought a swimming suit (we love to spend time at the pool in the summer), some swim diapers, and a swim diaper cover (required in Utah to swim at public pools) to include in her Easter Basket. I know, she's not even here yet, but it was fun to get some of those things we need.
I also bought some A&D ointment with a coupon the other day from Target. My husband found humor in the fact it brought me so much pleasure. It is something I can control as we prepare, and it also means we are one step closer!!!
I found the most darling Asian baby doll to bring with us...perfect size for a 2 year old toddler. I also bought a swimming suit (we love to spend time at the pool in the summer), some swim diapers, and a swim diaper cover (required in Utah to swim at public pools) to include in her Easter Basket. I know, she's not even here yet, but it was fun to get some of those things we need.
I also bought some A&D ointment with a coupon the other day from Target. My husband found humor in the fact it brought me so much pleasure. It is something I can control as we prepare, and it also means we are one step closer!!!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Zhengzho
So, I learned something new today. I've been saying the name of the city she is from incorrect. It is pronounced Jin-Joe. So, our girls name would be pronounced Jin Lon (Zheng Lan). I have so much to learn!!!!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Moving Forward!!!!
Message from CCAI (our adoption agency):
Thank you so much for sending in your I-800 documents-we have sent everything off to NBC!
Now that your I-800 and supporting documents have arrived at the NBC, it is time to work on the next step in order to process all of your immigration documents. Once you receive the "I-800 Provisional Approval", we will send this document along with a handful of additional documents to the US Consulate in Guanzhou. Please read the attached document that briefly explains the next step and also how to fill out form DS230 (the US visa application). I have also include4d the DS230 that you will need to fill out and mail back to us. Please let me know if you have any questions and we will hope for a speedy processing of the I-800!
Right now, the process is taking 18-21 days, we've been waiting for 15 days!!!
Below is the time-frame they have given us:
Hague process between I-800 Provisional Approval and Travel Approval
The next step in the Hague process involves the US Consulate in
In order to avoid any delays with the below process, please complete the following 3 items and send them to CCAI within 5 business days:
1. DS-230 form part I & II (Part II not signed)
*Please see next page for instructions on how to complete this form.
2. Visa Application fee paid (USD $414 per case)
*Please send us a personal check made out to
3. FedEx Mailing Fee (USD $35)
*Please send us a personal check made out to CCAI for $35 to cover the expense to FedEx your documents to
Please read below for a short outline on the upcoming steps that will occur prior to traveling to
1. I-800 Provisional Approval
Once you receive your I-800 Provisional Approval contact CCAI as soon as possible as well as send us a copy via email or fax of the I-800 Provisional Approval. Once we have received a copy of the I-800 Provisional Approval we will mail all items to our
2. NVC Letter
After you receive your I-800 Provisional Approval, please look to receive a letter from the National Visa Center (NVC) stating that your immigration information has been sent to the US Consulate in
3. Article 5
The US Consulate typically takes about 2-2.5 weeks to issue Article 5. Our
4. Travel Approval
Once your Article 5 is delivered to the CCAA they will begin the process to issue your family’s travel approval! The CCAA takes about 2-4 weeks to issue the travel approval. This travel approval is what we are waiting for in order to request a Consulate appointment and receive confirmed travel dates for your family’s trip to
Hydrocephalus
When Zheng Lan was abandoned, her head began to grow in size quickly, so they sought medical help. It was found that she had Hydrocephalus. We weren't sure what this was or if we could handle it, but we did some research and below is a little information about her condition. We had 2 different doctors (Dr. Christine Anderegg & Dr. Toran J. MacArthur) look at 2 of her CT Scan results. She has NOT needed a shunt, and her last CT scan showed that she no longer has the condition. In addition, her last doctors update states "healthy". However, we are aware that there may be future complications, and she will work closely with our doctors here at home to monitor her progress and make sure that she will not need any further treatment. Hers does not seem to be genetics.
Hydrocephalus (Water on the Brain)
Hydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid inside the skull, leading to brain swelling.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Hydrocephalus is due to a problem with the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. The fluid brings nutrients to the brain, takes away waste from the brain, and acts as a cushion.
CSF normally moves through areas of the brain called ventricles, then around the outside of the brain and the spinal cord. It is then reabsorbed into the bloodstream. Buildup of CSF can occur in the brain if its flow or absorption is blocked or if too much CSF is produced.
This buildup of fluid puts pressure on the brain, pushing the brain up against the skull and damaging or destroying brain tissues.
Hydrocephalus may start while the baby is growing in the womb. It is commonly present with myelomeningocele, a birth defect involving incomplete closure of the spinal column. Genetic defects and certain infections that occur during pregnancy may also cause hydrocephalus.
In young children, hydrocephalus may also be associated with the following conditions:
*Infections that affect the central nervous system (such as meningitis or encephalitis), especially in infants
*Bleeding in the brain during or soon after delivery (especially in premature babies)
*Injury before, during, or after childbirth, including subarachnoid hemorrhage
*Tumors of the central nervous system, including the brain or spinal cord
*Injury or trauma
The symptoms depend on the cause of the blockage, the person's age, and how much brain tissue has been damaged by the swelling.
In infants with hydrocephalus, CSF fluid builds up in the central nervous system, causing the fontanelle (soft spot) to bulge and the head to be larger than expected. Early symptoms may also include:
*Eyes that appear to gaze downward
*Irritability
*Seizures
*Separated sutures
*Sleepiness
*Vomiting
Symptoms that may occur in older children can include:
*Brief, shrill, high-pitched cry
*Changes in personality, memory, or the ability to reason or think
*Changes in facial appearance and eye spacing
*Crossed eyes or uncontrolled eye movements
*Difficulty feeding
*Excessive sleepiness
*Headache
*Irritability, poor temper control
*Loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence)
*Loss of coordination and trouble walking
*Muscle spasticity (spasm)
*Slow growth (child 0 - 5 years)
*Slow or restricted movement
*Vomiting
Signs and tests
When a health care provider taps fingertips on the skull, there may be abnormal sounds that indicated thinning and separation of skull bones. Scalp veins may appear stretched or enlarged.
Part or the entire head may be larger than normal. Enlargement is most commonly seen in the front part of the head. Head circumference measurements, repeated over time, may show that the head is getting bigger.
The eyes may look "sunken in." The white part of the eye may appear above the colored part of the eye, given the eyes a "setting-sun" appearance. Reflexes may be abnormal.
A head CT scan is one of the best tests for identifying hydrocephalus. Other tests that may be done include:
*Arteriography
*Brain scan using radioisotopes
*Cranial ultrasound (an ultrasound of the brain)
*Lumbar puncture and examination of the cerebrospinal fluid (rarely done)
*Skull x-rays
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to reduce or prevent brain damage by improving the flow of CSF.
The blockage may be surgically removed, if possible. If the blockage cannot be removed, a shunt (flexible tube) may be placed within the brain to allow CSF to flow around the blocked area. The shunt tubing travels to another part of the body, such as the abdomen, where the extra CSF can be absorbed.
Antibiotics are given if there are signs of infection. Severe infections may require the shunt to be removed.
Another option is endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), which relieves pressure without replacing the shunt.
Removing or burning away (cauterizing) the parts of the brain that produce CSF may reduce CSF production.
Follow-up examinations generally continue throughout the child's life. These are done to check the child's developmental level and to treat any intellectual, neurological, or physical problems.
Visiting nurses, social services, support groups, and local agencies can provide emotional support and assist with the care of a child with hydrocephalus who has significant brain damage.
Expectations (prognosis)
Untreated hydrocephalus has a 50 - 60% death rate, with the survivors having varying degrees of intellectual, physical, and neurological disabilities.
The outlook for treated hydrocephalus depends on the cause. Hydrocephalus that is caused by disorders not associated with infection has the best outlook. Persons with hydrocephalus caused by tumors usually do very poorly.
Most children with hydrocephalus that survive for 1 year will have a fairly normal life span. Approximately a third will have normal intellectual function, but neurological difficulties may persist.
Complications
The shunt may become blocked. Symptoms of such a blockage include headache and vomiting. Surgeons may be able to help the shunt open without having to replace it.
There may be other problems with the shunt, such as kinking, tube separation, or infection in the area of the shunt.
Other complications may include:
*Complications of surgery
*Infections such as meningitis or encephalitis
*Intellectual impairment
*Nerve damage (decrease in movement, sensation, function)
*Physical disabilities
Hydrocephalus (Water on the Brain)
Hydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid inside the skull, leading to brain swelling.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Hydrocephalus is due to a problem with the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. The fluid brings nutrients to the brain, takes away waste from the brain, and acts as a cushion.
CSF normally moves through areas of the brain called ventricles, then around the outside of the brain and the spinal cord. It is then reabsorbed into the bloodstream. Buildup of CSF can occur in the brain if its flow or absorption is blocked or if too much CSF is produced.
This buildup of fluid puts pressure on the brain, pushing the brain up against the skull and damaging or destroying brain tissues.
Hydrocephalus may start while the baby is growing in the womb. It is commonly present with myelomeningocele, a birth defect involving incomplete closure of the spinal column. Genetic defects and certain infections that occur during pregnancy may also cause hydrocephalus.
In young children, hydrocephalus may also be associated with the following conditions:
*Infections that affect the central nervous system (such as meningitis or encephalitis), especially in infants
*Bleeding in the brain during or soon after delivery (especially in premature babies)
*Injury before, during, or after childbirth, including subarachnoid hemorrhage
*Tumors of the central nervous system, including the brain or spinal cord
*Injury or trauma
The symptoms depend on the cause of the blockage, the person's age, and how much brain tissue has been damaged by the swelling.
In infants with hydrocephalus, CSF fluid builds up in the central nervous system, causing the fontanelle (soft spot) to bulge and the head to be larger than expected. Early symptoms may also include:
*Eyes that appear to gaze downward
*Irritability
*Seizures
*Separated sutures
*Sleepiness
*Vomiting
Symptoms that may occur in older children can include:
*Brief, shrill, high-pitched cry
*Changes in personality, memory, or the ability to reason or think
*Changes in facial appearance and eye spacing
*Crossed eyes or uncontrolled eye movements
*Difficulty feeding
*Excessive sleepiness
*Headache
*Irritability, poor temper control
*Loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence)
*Loss of coordination and trouble walking
*Muscle spasticity (spasm)
*Slow growth (child 0 - 5 years)
*Slow or restricted movement
*Vomiting
Signs and tests
When a health care provider taps fingertips on the skull, there may be abnormal sounds that indicated thinning and separation of skull bones. Scalp veins may appear stretched or enlarged.
Part or the entire head may be larger than normal. Enlargement is most commonly seen in the front part of the head. Head circumference measurements, repeated over time, may show that the head is getting bigger.
The eyes may look "sunken in." The white part of the eye may appear above the colored part of the eye, given the eyes a "setting-sun" appearance. Reflexes may be abnormal.
A head CT scan is one of the best tests for identifying hydrocephalus. Other tests that may be done include:
*Arteriography
*Brain scan using radioisotopes
*Cranial ultrasound (an ultrasound of the brain)
*Lumbar puncture and examination of the cerebrospinal fluid (rarely done)
*Skull x-rays
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to reduce or prevent brain damage by improving the flow of CSF.
The blockage may be surgically removed, if possible. If the blockage cannot be removed, a shunt (flexible tube) may be placed within the brain to allow CSF to flow around the blocked area. The shunt tubing travels to another part of the body, such as the abdomen, where the extra CSF can be absorbed.
Antibiotics are given if there are signs of infection. Severe infections may require the shunt to be removed.
Another option is endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), which relieves pressure without replacing the shunt.
Removing or burning away (cauterizing) the parts of the brain that produce CSF may reduce CSF production.
Follow-up examinations generally continue throughout the child's life. These are done to check the child's developmental level and to treat any intellectual, neurological, or physical problems.
Visiting nurses, social services, support groups, and local agencies can provide emotional support and assist with the care of a child with hydrocephalus who has significant brain damage.
Expectations (prognosis)
Untreated hydrocephalus has a 50 - 60% death rate, with the survivors having varying degrees of intellectual, physical, and neurological disabilities.
The outlook for treated hydrocephalus depends on the cause. Hydrocephalus that is caused by disorders not associated with infection has the best outlook. Persons with hydrocephalus caused by tumors usually do very poorly.
Most children with hydrocephalus that survive for 1 year will have a fairly normal life span. Approximately a third will have normal intellectual function, but neurological difficulties may persist.
Complications
The shunt may become blocked. Symptoms of such a blockage include headache and vomiting. Surgeons may be able to help the shunt open without having to replace it.
There may be other problems with the shunt, such as kinking, tube separation, or infection in the area of the shunt.
Other complications may include:
*Complications of surgery
*Infections such as meningitis or encephalitis
*Intellectual impairment
*Nerve damage (decrease in movement, sensation, function)
*Physical disabilities
Friday, April 8, 2011
I-800 Filed
I called our agency this morning (www.chinesechildren.org) and asked them what I needed to do in order to file our I-800. This document states that the child we want to bring home from China is Zheng Lan from Zhengzhou Children's Welfare Institute in Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China, and that China has approved this adoption. The US Government then records the information and sends information to the US Consulate in China.
When I asked the agency what I needed to do, they said they already sent everything off 2 days ago because they received the approval a couple days earlier than we did. WOW!
My monkey boy prays every night and morning that everything will go fast. I've probably already mentioned that....but his prayers continue to be answered. He is so excited to get his little sister home!!! My Princess Girl walked past her picture this morning and just said, "Oh mom, I love our little Lizzie. I can't wait to hug her". Me, too!!!!
When I asked the agency what I needed to do, they said they already sent everything off 2 days ago because they received the approval a couple days earlier than we did. WOW!
My monkey boy prays every night and morning that everything will go fast. I've probably already mentioned that....but his prayers continue to be answered. He is so excited to get his little sister home!!! My Princess Girl walked past her picture this morning and just said, "Oh mom, I love our little Lizzie. I can't wait to hug her". Me, too!!!!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
I-800A Approval
YEAH!!!! We received our I-800A Approval today!!! 3 weeks from the date of our fingerprints!!! We can now send in our I-800 petition (tomorrow) with Lizzie's information from China and then we are on our way!!!! We already have our LOA (Letter of Adoption....China's approval for us to come and pick her up), so it should move quickly. We can plan to travel in 11-15 weeks!!!
We're on our way!!! (Or, on our way to the next big event....VISA'S).
My mom and dad are still planning on coming with us. I am so excited. It has been a very good day! (I also had a loan close....good news!)
We're on our way!!! (Or, on our way to the next big event....VISA'S).
My mom and dad are still planning on coming with us. I am so excited. It has been a very good day! (I also had a loan close....good news!)
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Update 4-6-2011
We continue to be blessed in so many ways! We appreciate so many of you who have donated to our cause, large or small. We have now raised close to $8000. We've already put in around $5000 of our own, and the cost is around $20000 total. We still need to raise/earn $8000.
I am constantly amazed at the answers to prayers, and the generosity of friends from so many different arenas. We truly are blessed. THANK YOU!!!! We truly appreciate it and love you!
We are still waiting on our immigration approval. We were hopeful that it will come this week....but it might be next week. The longer it takes, the longer it will be until we can go and get our little girl. Right now, we're looking at the last week of June or first 2 weeks of July....but each week delays us a week. We ask for your continued prayers.
We have sent 2 care packages, which we hope reached her. Each contained disposable cameras, that will hopefully be used and returned so we will have memories of her days in the orphanage for her "Baby Book". We also sent photos of our family, cats, birds, grandparents, etc. so that she will become familiar with our faces. And of course, some American candy (we've been told it is their favorite) to share with friends and nannies, and a few clothes that will be donated to the orphanage. We continue to collect clothes to take with us and donate, as well as use for her when she comes home.
I have been making her baby bedding. I have sewn it, but it needs to be quilted & bumper pads finished. Now, I need a white bedskirt & sheets, and of course, a mattress. It is so much fun!!!!
I cannot wait to hold you, Lizzie!!!
I am constantly amazed at the answers to prayers, and the generosity of friends from so many different arenas. We truly are blessed. THANK YOU!!!! We truly appreciate it and love you!
We are still waiting on our immigration approval. We were hopeful that it will come this week....but it might be next week. The longer it takes, the longer it will be until we can go and get our little girl. Right now, we're looking at the last week of June or first 2 weeks of July....but each week delays us a week. We ask for your continued prayers.
We have sent 2 care packages, which we hope reached her. Each contained disposable cameras, that will hopefully be used and returned so we will have memories of her days in the orphanage for her "Baby Book". We also sent photos of our family, cats, birds, grandparents, etc. so that she will become familiar with our faces. And of course, some American candy (we've been told it is their favorite) to share with friends and nannies, and a few clothes that will be donated to the orphanage. We continue to collect clothes to take with us and donate, as well as use for her when she comes home.
I have been making her baby bedding. I have sewn it, but it needs to be quilted & bumper pads finished. Now, I need a white bedskirt & sheets, and of course, a mattress. It is so much fun!!!!
I cannot wait to hold you, Lizzie!!!
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