We've come to realize that the only pictures we have of our daughter, were taken around 3 or 4 months ago. The medical information given to us with the referral is dated 9/20/05. It's a diffucult thought to acknowledge that our child looks comepletely different by now. Four months have gone by since the pictures were probably taken...four months. It was noted in the medical referral that she had 4 teeth then, and was barely standing. The pictures we were given were probably taken when she was 11 or 12 months old. She's now 15 months old.
Knowing this, it seems that with all the waiting we went through, Cady was ready for us several months earlier. But with the slowdowns that occured with CCAA, we believe her information sat, waiting for ours to catch up. Fortunately, we have an adoption agency that is small, and they tend to get travel arrangements with the US Consulate in China, to happen in about 5 weeks. This is fast compaired to larger agencies. It means that we should be holding Cady as soon as March 1st.
I have no doubt she's well taken care of. Her legs look strong and she looks very healthy. And one common theme I've heard about our daughters, is that they are resiliant. Knowing that she's 15 months old, I was releived when I saw that
Half The Sky is active in the orphanage. Half The Sky was started by a woman in Berkley, California, who's daughter was also adopted from China. And from all the research I've done, they are also the most active right there, in Cady's orphanage. She is hugged daily by grandmothers, and played with. Here's a link to a couple of
news documentaries that tell more, thanks to my frined
David.
I've also gotten to know Christina, who's going with her husband to the
same SWI (Social Welfare Institute), to get their child next week. Our daughters are only 2 months apart in age, and most likely, they're playmates. It's a lofty thought, but I'm hoping she can take updated photos of Cady. She's going to do what she can, and it's probably a 50/50 chance that she'll succeed, as the director of the SWI has to agree to taking any pictures of children other than her own, but it's worth a shot. And we are greatly appreciative that Christina will try.
