Wednesday, October 29, 2008

It's a....

BOY!


Today we got some shocking news... meet baby Gum. Apparently in the special needs world, anything is possible. And today we received our referral. (Our paperwork isn't exactly complete, mind you.) But God has answered our prayers and this chunky sweet one-year-old boy (as of October 10th) is ours. Or at least he should be locked in by the time we wake up tomorrow.
His name is Qin Jian (we looked up the meaning in our Chinese dictionary) and the name Qin means close knit or intimate family and the name Jian means building or constructing. Can you believe that??? The workers at the orphanage gave him this name (most likely) and it is about to come true. For him and for us.
It has been a psycho day of running around trying to fill out forms that needed to be completed, talk with doctors, fax them info all in the context of normal life here and NATURALLY in the midst of Internet drama and computer glitches. You see, we were working in a time crunch. We have 24 hours to "lock" him in as ours or else he "goes up for grabs" for others. And according to the doctor in our area who specializes in international adoption cases this is a "KEEPER." She said he looks really healthy- duh! (She even chuckled and said, "looks like he doesn't miss many meals.")
Which actually is rare for 1.) babies in Chinese orphanages and 2.) kids with cleft lips. That is his special need. He has a cleft lip (apparently not a cleft palate, but they said to be ready for anything.) This will require at least one surgery, possibly speech therapy and most likely braces. All in all a very "doable" special need.
Why were we matched so quickly? It seems as though not many people want a boy from China (especially w/ special needs-- which btw-- is really just about the only way you can get a boy from China.) So Turner and baby Gum will be 3 months apart with Turner keeping his spot as the baby of the family. I've never been one to want to dress my kids in matching outfits, but can't you just imagine the two boys running around looking like "twins"? Separated at birth-- by an OCEAN. Love it. More later!

7 comments:

Traci said...

CONGRATS! I am so so excited for you guys. He's beautiful! It's ok to say that right? That he's beautiful? Don't worry, when he gets older and manly I'll make sure he knows he's handsome. So happy!!!

Huge hugs to you guys. Love you both!

bebe said...

yes Traci you may,by all means, call him beautiful!!! Actually I can't imagine anyone who sees that little face would not say the same thing. Well unless they chose to call him darling, precious or maybe the cutest little 1 yr. old in China.

Mommin' It Up! said...

That is AMAZING!!! Praise the Lord!! He is so, so, so, so, SO CUTE!! Congrats!!!!!

KTC said...

Wow, unbelievable!!! So what will the exact age range be of the 3 kids? I'm thinking 3 under 4 years, right, by the time you get him? I think this might call for a "barf bag" a la staff meeting long ago! :) Karen

eva said...

YAY! congratulations! he is so cute. :)

alpenak's said...

We are so happy for all of you! Can't wait to meet our new nephew!He is so adorable! What a precious blessing.

Gina said...

WOW!! congrats! HE IS A CUTEY!! thats so fun that they'll be close in age - brothers :)