Welcoming Natalie: 12/20/09

Sunday, December 20, 2009

2nd Birthday Party

Celebration of Life at Natalie's School

On Natalie's Birthday, they held a Celebration of Life Ceremony at her school. First, they brought in pizza for the whole class, and let her parents and grandparents attend. We played a video that showed some pictures from Natalie's life - all the children were surprised to see Natalie on TV. Next, the teacher read from a book that Natalie brought to class. Then, Natalie got to walk around the calendar circle twice because she was two years old. Finally, everyone sat down to eat their pizza.

Meeting Tom and Karen

During her trip to Chicago, Natalie got to meet her Dad's friends Tom and Karen. First, we got to eat at Tom's restaurant in Downers Grove, which was great. After dinner, Natalie went back to Tom and Karen's house to spend some time with "the boys" - Tom and Karen's 4 Chihuahuas. The boys were a little afraid of Natalie and barked quite a bit, but Natalie wasn't afraid and had a great time with everyone.

Meeting the Winslows

While in Chicago, Natalie got to meet Matt's friend Steve and his kids. Natalie enjoyed meeting with them and had a lot of laughs playing peek-a-boo with Andrew and sitting on Kristin's lap.

Thanksgiving in Chicago

Natalie went to Chicago for Thanksgiving. She always loves to travel, especially when she can travel on an airplane. Natalie loved visiting her grandparents and eating lots of turkey. The trip was overall very restful with a quality time spent with Grandma and Grandpa.

About Natalie

Born on December 6, 2007, Natalie was abandoned the next day at the gate of the Fulin Family Planning Clinic and taken by Huang Hui Zhen to the FuZhou Social Welfare Institute. At the Institute, she was named Fu Na Bao, which means happiness (Fu), graceful (Na) and treasure (Bao).

When we received our referral, we were told that she is active, somewhat shy, loves music, bath time and toys. Ultimately, all of these things turned out to be true, but nothing was absolutely certain in the beginning.

We formally adopted Natalie on March 1, 2009 in Nanchang (Jiangxi Province) China. We brought her back to the US with us on March 12, 2009, where she officially became a US citizen.

Message from our longtime friend in NH - Elizabeth Nanda

Message from Lalit Raichur a.k.a. Dadaji (Our brilliant Dad in India)

"I am enjoying watching Natalie's lovely pictures!

Each picture tells a story about this most beautiful and vivacious little girl!

The latest one's with Mel and Rennie are so touching. There's one picture in which She is looking at Grandpa Mel with a quizzical look which seems to say Well, whadd ya know?

We keep watching a "replay" of the pictures so often.They are so cute and heart warming. I have never seen you both so happy. God has filled your cup of Joy to the brim!

We also love the creative captions with each picture. They make the pictures come alive. We can really experience each moment in this pretty little girl"s life.

Please keep the pictures rolling in! WE LOVE 'EM !"

Message from Nancy (Our Extremely Supportive Step Mom in India)

"I have to tell you.... you can see the difference in her already. She is now lively, full of joy, sweetest little thing you could ever imagine, and that smile .. its darling! Oh, she is winning the hearts of us all and I can hardly wait to squeeze her and kiss her! I loved your comment about ... made for America .... it made me burst out laughing.   

The new pictures are delightful. She is just meant to be your daughter ... she is just the happiest child (is she always this way?) This is wonderful. What a little blessing she is."

Message from Karen Gardner (Our Dear Friend in New Hampshire)

"I truly am thrilled for you and Matt. You have so much love to give and have looked forward to this day for so long that I just know God has good things in store for all of you. Natalie is so blessed to be part of such a loving, warm home and she may be a bit behind right now, but she will thrive and grow and before you know it she will exceed in all things...not because it is expected, but because she can. You will give her the self-confidence and love she needs and like a flower getting sun and nutrition she will thrive and open to all experiences. Just be the kind, loving people you are and all will fall into place. There are no instruction manuals with children (lots of books with other people's experiences) and all children are different and respond differently so trust your instinct and the things you know feel right and all will fall into place. I am thrilled that you can take until June 1st to enjoy your role of mother...that bonding is so important and sets the tone for later years. Enjoy that time and each other. I would love to come visit, and might surprise you next year with a visit. Will check with you if and when I have some vacation time, as I would love to meet Natalie, and see your beautiful home in person. Keep up your blog as it is fun to read and see all the pictures of you and yours...you are correct, Natalie is beautiful!

Much love, memories, and enjoyment are coming your way so relax and enjoy it...remember you will make mistakes, but you will learn from them, and nothing will really hurt her badly as you are too loving a person for anything major to happen."

Message from Judy Marshall (Colleague in New Jersey)

" I wanted to let you know how absolutely thrilled I am about your adoption of Natalie. She is the prettiest baby girl I have seen in a long time. I have become so caught up in your 'journey' that I have been fighting the strong emotions I have been experiencing in reading all about meeting Natalie. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing experience with me. I hope and pray the transition continues to go more smoothly and Natalie adapts to her new loving parents quickly. I don't see how it can be otherwise, because I can definitely see that you and Matt are such loving and adoring people. You are both going to be wonderful, wonderful parents. I wish all three of you a lifetime of joy and wonderful moments together as a family."

Message received on April 6, 2009.....

"I’ve been thoroughly enjoying your Blog. It has become a part of my daily routine.

When I look back to when Natalie first arrived, I can‘t get over the transition and how positive a one it has been. Natalie is adorable and I can’t get over how she’s growing. As you said, color, DNA and blood type doesn’t have to match to know you were meant to be Natalie’s mother. Sometimes I feel there is more love in adoption. Almost anybody can give birth to a baby, but it takes someone very special to adopt. The love in your hearts must be so intense, and I think that children who are adopted are truly God’s children. Natalie has been saved from God knows what because two wonderful people such as yourselves have taken her into your hearts and home. She will grow to be a wonderful person because she has you and Matt, and all your family and friends to help her.

Keep enjoying this valuable time with Natalie, and as a complete family. And, thanks again for allowing us all the opportunity to watch her flourish in her new life with you and Matt."

Message from Diane Roth (Colleague at ABSG)

"I have been keeping up daily with your blog and it is so amazing to see how Natalie has really settled in from the first day you had her, you could see she was really confused and scared but now you would think that you guys have been with her all her life she looks so happy and content. You see how easy it is and how wonderful. She is so beautiful, totally precious, I cannot wait to meet her in person she is the cutest little thing ever. I love her clothing, did you buy everything or was that all from China. I must say you guys were really made to be parents and she is a very lucky little girl to have parents as you and Sandhya. She is a very happy content baby you can see it for miles, she loves you both.

Carry on the excellent work with the blog I love it."