Bree Mei age 4yr

Bree Mei    age 4yr

OUR HEARTS ARE FILLED WITH JOY

OUR FIRST DAY WITH BREE

QIU QI - AGE 1

QIU QI - AGE 1

BREE MEI - AGE 3.5

BREE MEI - AGE 3.5

Monday, August 18, 2008

WE'VE HELD HER IN OUR HEARTS, NOW WE HOLD HER IN OUR ARMS




We praise God for this day. At 2:30 this afternoon, He placed our third daughter into our forever arms. We were at the Civil Affairs office with the other couple in our group and at least 15+ couples from Holt Intnl. Agency. It was mass chaos, with babies being brought out one by one. We were the second family to recieve ours. It was to say the least a rocky start. Bree cried for the first 45 minutes, making us all sweat mongruls. We tried to talk to the male vice director of the orphanage (who brought her with a nanny), but her cries outweighed all! Finally, the last paper was signed and we left to return to the hotel. Once in the van Bree was either too exhausted to cry anymore or she was just better getting her away from her orphanage staff. She was actually reaching for the v. director and calling him "ba ba" (which means da da). It was heartwrenching. Once back in the hotel we gave her a nice bath and then have played since. She is so smart! She repeats all kinds of words in English (mama, dada,ball,bye bye, thank you hello,puppy). She loves playing with balls-has an awesome throw, knows exactly what to do with a play phone, and shares anything with you. We fed her cheerios and puffs and then made some rice cereal, which she devoured -actually fed herself with the spoon. Then I offered her a banana and she ate the entire thing! When Doug left to go pick up some laundry, she waved and said bye bye and then leaned toward him and gave him a kiss!! It was so precious and awesome.
As far as her physical state-her hands look great, she can do anything with them. Her left leg is fine except for the foot of course. Her right leg however does not bend at the knee, when she crawls she swings her entire right leg outward. She prefers to scoot on her bottom and will even bear weight and take steps holding onto you. The rest of her exam is absolutely perfect. She comes to all three of us without any problem. We are so blessed to have this beautiful child and cannot wait for everyone to meet her.

10 comments:

Vicki said...

The Eagle Has Landed!
Heavens -- she's a doll. It's wonderful that she seems to have been loved so well by the SWI staff and now has a family to call her own. Are you in awe?
Congratulations times 1,000 -- and we cannot wait to continue reading updates.
Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me!
Vicki in Mississippi
P.S. Tell that Vice Director I'll be seeing him 2 weeks from today. Ya Hoo. :)

Rina said...

Tracy,

What an awesome feeling, hey? She is so yummy.Our journey is so sweet, God is good. we are blessed.

Rina
Its all sugar from here on out..

Donna Forrester said...

Congratulations!!!! What a wonderful feeling!! All is well. Bree is absolutely adorable and Tracy you look radiant in the pictures. The love in your heart shows on your face. LIFE IS GREAT!!! We can not wait to meet her.

Love and prayers,
Donna, Patrick and Lily

Celeste said...

CONGRATULATIONS! I am so happy for you! I could not wait to check the blog first thing this morning to see if you had updated it yet. The slide show choked me up. I hope the rest of your journey goes smoothly. Take care.

Celeste

Rina said...

Tracy,

I have looked at your pictures a gazillion times. What a special little lady you have there. She is simply gorgeous. I am very excited that your mom is here with you. a very special day for all involved.

Rina

Anonymous said...

Doug and Tracy,

She is absolutely beautiful. The pictures are priceless. She looks like she is adjusting really well. How awesome that she will go to all of you and she is already talking. Enjoy every minute. We are so excited for you, the kids love to look at your blog.

From the Rickles
Stephanie, Brad, Kyle, Paige, Kevin, Olivia and Isabella

Paulette said...

Beautiful, Precious.

Bree Hoffman welcome to our family. You have many cousins and Aunts and Uncles who are anxious to meet you. We Love You

Mom and Dad,
Precious, Precious, Precious.
The slide show was blurry due to tears on the 2nd slide. I watched it several times. Can't wait to show Scott and the kids later (after school). You are blessed. God is Good.
We'll see you soon
Love Paulette and Scott, Lucas, Nicholas, Joshua, Caroline, Lily and Grace

kayaksailor said...

Congratulations !!
It brings back the wonderful memories of our 1st day with Lily.
It was such a incredible day and I am glad to know you get to experience it. Its nice to live vicariously though you. It gives me goose bumps. Its good to know she is in such good hands. Lily, Donna, and I are really looking forward to meeting her.

Here is a picture of our 1st moment with Lily.
www.patrickforrester.com/photos/china2007/IMG_1021.html

Good luck. Enjoy this experience. It is one of the best things in life. When we see all this we want to do it again.

Patrick, For Patrick, Donna, and Lily.

jessie16 said...

Tracy & Doug,
Today I look to see Bree in you arms and my heart is jumming with joy and tears are running down my face. She is so beautiful and looks so happy as well as you are too. I am so happy for you. I went running in the Doc's office to tell everyone to come look and see we are all so excited and can't wait to see you all
enjoy every day.
Love Kim L

Momtofour said...

Oh she is so beautiful!!!!!!!! I tell you what, they must practice throwing a ball at that SWI cuz those Meizhou girls can THROW! My Livie could throw and kick a ball like a pro even when she could hardly walk across the room! Oh, Bree is absolutely a precious gift....God is so good. Hugs to all!

Angela

Dear Family and Friends
We are so happy to share with you this wonderful journey we are taking to bring home our daughter
.

Those beautiful rosebud lips!