Monday, November 05, 2007

Referral day Recap

Today was absolutely amazing! I woke up at 7am, then 8am then finally got up at 9am. Checked my email first thing and as you know from my various posts it was a while before I heard anything. But not really just felt like it :) My Mom was on me to get over to her house so she would not miss anything. I truly did not even expect to hear anything til this afternoon so I was just hanging out. I would do one thing then check my email, check RQ and check my blog. Then do something else and run through the same checks. I showered and put on a little makeup and then heard my cell go off. Sure enough it was THE CALL. They gave me her name Lin Ping An, Birthday November 13, 2006, her Province Jiangxi and orphanage Yihuang County. Then he described her too me and told me there were pictures coming via email. I told him to describe her because I had promised my Mom I would wait to Abby's face with her. He told me she had a good amount of thin hair, said she was wearing several outfits in 3 photos. Told me she had on green shoes and was smiling and eating a cookie :) he also said he thought the pictures were about 4 months old. I am wondering if the walker picture might be more recent tho cause she looks older and has a little more hair. Anyway basically after that I brushed my hair but did not fix it hence the wild look in my pictures. And drove over to my Moms while calling people as I went. I don't know how I survived the drive cause I don't remember seeing the road. Anyhow I was able to reach my Dad and Mel (Step mother). They were in the car en route home from their cabin and Mel Had her laptop so I told them I would email the pictures as soon as I saw them. I got to my Moms and we opened up the pictures. I set my camera on record but the angle is so unflattering. It shows all 10 of my chins :) Don't know if you really want to see that. Will see. Anyway there she was! Beautiful and perfect in every way! Then basically my Mom and I split up. She was on her computer printing out the pictures and I was on Hugh's (Step dad) computer emailing and blogging and still making and taking phone calls. Dad and Mel called back multiple times :) I waited for Hugh to get home and showed him and then we took pictures. Then I headed up to work. I had called them earlier and told them I wanted to bring the pictures up in person and see their reactions. They said absolutely not. so I sent them one and listened as they opened it up. Lots of hollering went on then I told them I would bring the other two pictures up. So anyway once at work I showed off the rest of Abby's pictures. They proceeded to show them to the patients and visitors. It was fun :0 Then I went home and called my sister. i had emailed the pictures earlier that day but did not want her to show the kids until I was on the phone to hear the reaction. So My Niece Erin answered and they had just walked in the door from school. I listened for their reactions and it was priceless. I wish I could have taped it. Last I put two of Abby's pictures in frames on my mantle :) Then I checked my email and blog and had so much fun reading all of your comments :) I feel like I just won the Oscar. I just want to Hug you all and thank everybody!!!!

This day has been surreal! I am a Mommy! I didn't eat dinner til 10PM tonight. Just took some Tylenol PM too. I don't know how I am going to sleep tonight. I love her already. Those cheeks and those lips :) Her eyes speak volumes. WoW.!!!


Mom and I! She was happy I promise :)


Hugh and I.



Proud Grandparents :0

30 comments:

Johnny said...

Congrats on your Mom-day.

Unknown said...

Wishing you a speedy,safe and memorable journey to your little angel.
Donna

Christy said...

WHAT AN AMAZING DAY!!! You will remember this day forever. I still remember mine like it was yesterday. She is just amazingly cute!! I agree she looks older in the walker picture. She is 15 days younger than my Mia (you commented on my blog www.tomiawithlove.blogspot.com) so if you need any size advice let me know. I am just so happy for you!! She will be such an amazing addtion to your life. I cant wait to follow your journey!!!

Christy :)

OziMum said...

It just goes to show, that even when you don't even really know someone, the thought of them seeing their child for the first time brings tears to the eyes! (yes, I'm weeping, whilst reading about your day!!!)

Congratulations! Abby is perfect. She is cute as a button!

Amy said...

I got you beat sister, I think I had about a DOZEN chins in my referral day video but WHO CARES! GIRL BE PROUD OF THAT MOMENT, IT'S ALL YOURS! Anyways, who is EVER flattering when they're wiggin' out over hearing the BEST NEWS THEY'VE EVER HEARD, PERIOD?@?! Hee hee, she truly is SWEET AS A PEA! *hugs* to you my friend, Ruby saw the pic & said "Momma, look a pretty baby..." and I told her she was absolutely correct. =)

-Amy & Ruby Cate

John & Michelle said...

Could not be happier for you! You have won better than an Oscar...you are a mom!!!!WooHoo! Looking forward to sharing your journey! She is precious!

Truly Blessed said...

Oh Jenny,

Your day sounds awesome! I love that you have it all recorded here for posterity (and especially for Abby).

So now we have a couple of things in common:

1) We're MOMs!
2) Our daughters are 1 day apart in age (this would be our second daughter, the one for whom we're waiting on PA -- she was born 11/14/06)
3) Our girls are both from Jiangxi province
4) We're both delerious with joy over our incredible blessings from God!

Keep floating today -- the earth will still be here when you gently float back down!

Anonymous said...

Looks like a winner to me! She is beautiful.

Catherine said...

Oh Jenny! What a fabulous day!! I started crying when I read of how you shared your news and the reactions people had to Abby's beautiful face! She's too cute for words!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Kim said...

YEAH!!!!
I am sooo excited... WHAT A DAY...
How amazing...
SHe is sooooo adorable...
Can't wait to see her in your arms..
You are going to have sweet little Abby home before Christmas...
Hugs girly
Kim

Marla said...

Awwwww, thanks for sharing your fabulous day! I cried as I read it too, because I know how thrilling it is to finally see that beautiful little face. I will look forward to following you on the trip to get your precious Abby! Good luck with the packing!! :)

Shelly and Family said...

I found your blog through a friend & I just had to post! Congratulations on your referral and just to let you know...our darling Francesca is from Yihuang as well! I know that not a lot of babies are referred from this SWI so I am so excited to see one that was. There is a Yihuang yahoo group that was very helpful to us when we were planning our trip to China. If you have any questions, I would be so happy to help you out!

Again, congratulations...she is beautiful!

Sincerely,
Shelly Leonard

Eileen said...

Thanks for sharing your day! It is a day like no other for sure.

Congratulations again, MOM!

tonyap said...

I am so happy for you. I like the detail of your day. Makes me feel like I was there. She is a cutie.

tiffany said...

Congratulations! She is just beautiful. :) Wishing you safe and speedy travels.

C's Mom said...

Beautiful! I'm not sure I could have waited to look at her sweet face. You have much more discipline than I could scrape up.

So very happy for you. Abby knocks the socks off an Oscar.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I have been following your blog from the RQ!

She is just perfect!

Deb G

Lori said...

CONGRATULATIONS!! She's perfect!
So happy for you! :)

kitchu said...

Jenny... thank you SO much for sharing this day with us! PLEASE tell me we'll see that video, you know we are all living vicariously through you (well, those of us still in the long line to China Check Out, ha)! I am SO happy for you. She is just adorable, isn't she?!! What an incredible day. Hope you were able to get some sleep! :O)

Anonymous said...

Couldn't be happier for you. Enjoy every moment. You're a Mom!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! She is beautiful. Wishing you safe and speedy travels.
The Abel's
LID 4. July 2007.

Anonymous said...

How sweet this is!!! Just awesome. I too have had so much fun reading everyone's comments to you. I am your blogger stalker, Jenny!! I can't say it enough...Congrats =)

Liz and Ava said...

Jenny, I am so happy for you! Love that you have recorded everything in pictures for Abby...I regret not getting more pictures of my referal day.

Anonymous said...

I have been following your blog for the last couple of months. Thank you for sharing this time with us!!!! :)
Congratulations with your daughter, Abby. She is just precious...and she's all yours! How exciting this time is and I hope the time will fly by so you can hold her very soon.
Wishing you all the best in your journey to bring Abby home.

Nicole (from Canada)

Briana's Mom said...

Terrific recap! Congratulations!!

Shannon said...

Love the pictures and your recap! What an AMAZING day! Just imagine when you are actually holding your sweetie! =)

Shannon said...

CONGRATS!!! i'll be seeing YOU in China!! WOOO HOO!

She is absolutely gorgeous too! Such happiness for your family!! I'm so excited for you!

Special K said...

Oh I'm just bawling over here.

Maryellen and I kept checking your blog for the pics. We were down in Cincy in her hotel room last night when we finally saw it. Soooo very happy for you!!

And show the video. I have 12 chins on a normal day. We don't care. We just want to see your magical moment. I bet it was one you'll never forget.

Unknown said...

Referal day is something you will never forgot. The feeling is overwhelming. It comes back to me everytime I read a new referal.
Our little girl also came from Jiangxi. The town is very nice. Be sure to visit the Wal-mart.

Congrats again.
Susan

AmyO said...

Abby is beautiful! Congratulations to your & your family. Have a wonderful trip.