Bruising . . .

Allie, Jenna and I are sore in both arms - some bruising, some swelling, and even a little local heat in the areas of 5 different injections for 9 diseases - count 'em: Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Tetanus, Pertussis, Diptheria, Polio, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.

Yesterday, we attempted to get Emmi her vaccinations, but were interrupted in the exam room by tornado sirens. We were escorted to the clinic's "safe room" (which didn't feel very safe). I phoned Donna in our neighborhood to see what was going on, and since we were only about 8 minutes away from home, we decided to make a run for it. I drove 60 mph on Ward Road to get home before the tornado would hit, to find poor Jenna huddled alone in the basement with the bird. She was glad to see us (Jenna - don't know about the bird)! The tornado didn't touch down, and we're all fine, but back to the doc this morning to try again for vaccs for Em. She only had to get 2 shots for Hep A & B, since she was more recently vaccinated.

We're debating malaria prophy, although most China adoption travelers don't take it. CDC recommends it if you're going to rural areas though, and we're hoping to take a river cruise on the Yangtse with overnights at some small-ish villages. Hm.

I'm printing out lists and lists of things to do and buy and pack - all that note-taking is paying off now.

Also, our kitchen remodel is almost complete. No more big projects until we bring MeiLi home! Oh, except to restore the playground and rebuild the swingset out back. Who knew we'd need the swingset again?!?

Next weekend is our nephew's wedding in Wisconsin Dells. We're looking forward to seeing everyone in Doug's family. We're hoping to find our Travel Approval when we get back home!

Article 5 from Guangzhou!!!!!

The U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou forwarded their approval to Beijing this week! That's essentially what the Article 5 is. Now we wait an average of 3 more weeks for Beijing to issue travel approval! We should be on a plane 3-6 weeks after that.

So 6-9 weeks from now we'll travel. Our travel window looks like we'll
                      board an international flight (yikes!)
                                 between . . .
                                             June 24 and July 15!

We're still sending Baobei MeiMei (precious little sister) a letter every Friday. Today our agency is sending her a sticker book and a letter! Allie has been translating for us, but Valda has been checking it and fixing any difficult words, but today, Allie translated all by herself! It's so good to be able to remind her every week that
we love her! and we're so excited about traveling to her! and the day we arrive is coming soon!!

Thank you so much, dear friends, for praying for the Aldridge family, and for caring about us! We couldn't do this without community!!

Very fun update!!

We received an update of information and pictures of MeiLi. Can't express how exciting it is to get new pictures!!! The whole family was napping - I got up and was casually checking email when I saw that we had received pictures of MeiLi! I yelled and whooped until everyone came running, barely keeping myself from taking a peek. We all stood around while looking at EIGHT new pictures of our dolly!!! Needless to say, she is incredible and awesome and adorable and sweet and beeee-autiful! An absolutely precious doll.

We'll post some of her pictures soon.

The info we received was
           her latest height (40.4 inches) and weight (28#),
           latest daily schedule - getting up, eating, napping, etc.,
           her favorite play - baby family, where she's the mommy
           and her nickname - QiaoQiao. How cute is that??!

We'll have to add QiaoQiao to the list of cutesy names we already call her: MeiMei, MeiLi, BaoBei, China Doll, ShiQiao, Cutesy-woo, Sweetie-pie, and the list goes on.

We're getting so close . . . please keep praying for the process, and God's perfect timing, and for MeiLi's heart to be prepared. We're coming! We're coming, MeiLi!!!!

Please pray for our friends . . .

Another dear family that we're in the adoption process with would like prayer for their precious 12-month-old baby boy that will be in their arms very very soon. Pray for strength for their little guy, and complete healing!!

Got a stamp in our passports!

Remember "While You Were Sleeping?" with Sandra Bullock? She wanted more than anything to get a stamp in her passport. Well, it was an exciting day to receive our passports back from the Chinese embassy with our Visa stamps. They're really cool looking!

. . . and we're another step closer to sweetie pie!!!

NVC Letter Delivered to Beijing - End of paperwork from us - WHEW!!

On May 4, U.S. Immigration notified the National Visa Center that we had "provisional approval" to make Shi Qiao legally ours, and that she would become a U.S. citizen the moment we got her home. Then, the National Visa Center notified the U.S. embassy in China that we had provisional approval.

Steps left to go:
     3.   U.S. embassy in China (Guangzhou, near Hong Kong) issues "Article 5"
     2.   China issues us "Travel Approval"
     1.   Holt sets travel date

Wahoooooooooooooooo! All is well!!!