Oh my I really have a daughter!

I got the call Tuesday, September 4th, at about 2:30. It was a long Labor Day weekend and I seriously felt as though I was in physical labor. I was nauseous and couldn't really eat much the whole week before. We had hoped to get the pictures before the long weekend, but we didn't... so we had to wait. I lost 5 lbs.

When Tuesday rolled around we started to hear rumors about referrals showing up. I was e-mailing the other 2 in my group frantically all morning. They had started to give up and just expect them on Wednesday, but I said I was "doing The Secret" (the positive thinking book and DVD) and jokingly told them I visualized the referrals coming at 2:00 or 3:00... and sure enough the crazy Secret worked.

My cell phone rang around 2:00 and it was a Fairhope, Alabama number, and not my parents. I screamed "It's the call." My coworkers, Angela and Sarah, ran in all giddy to hear every detail. Pat, the agency director told me she was beautiful and that she was e-mailing the photo right then. She hadn't gotten her info translated at the time, so she didn't know much about her. She said she is 8.5 months old and healthy. Of course it felt like an hour before the photo popped up in my e-mail and the girls and I all took a look at the cutest baby we had ever seen and screamed. Another coworker in the next office, Rex, had to come over and join in on the excitement after hearing us scream. It was quite a day at Perfect Wedding Guide's Atlanta office.

Soon after I e-mailed her picture to basically everyone I've ever met, and a random man I don't know (I messed up an e-mail address and this stranger in California replied/e-mailed the whole group) said he didn't know me, but "Congrats" - funny!! It was then time for a celebratory drink with the girls from work and then another with my friend, Bob.

It was just a great day!

What we know about Katherine Ruby Yan...

Her Chinese name is Yong Shuanag Yan. Yong means everlasting and is also the name of the city she is from. Shuanag means double and is also the name the Social Welfare Institute she is from, Shuang-Pai. Yan is her given name and means precious, and I agree! I chose Katherine as her name, because it's my mother's first name; Ruby because I just think it's so cute; Yan so she can have part of her heritage in her name.

Yong Shuanag Yan was found on January 17th, 2007 by a worker at the gate of the government City Hall. They have noted that she had light skin, double eye lashes, dark hair and eyes. I am guessing her little head has been shaved before that photo was taken. She had a bottle or milk with her and a container of Johnson's Baby Powder (I swear they told me this!) She was wearing a cotton coat. She was found healthy in every area. I got her nap and meal schedule and was told about all the shots she's had. It really seems that she's been well cared for. They tell me she can raise her head, roll over, grab blocks, switch the blocks from hand to hand and bang them together!... clearly, she's a genius! They said she's eating formula and also liver and fish soup (yum yum). She also eats fruit and biscuits. They mentioned that she likes the outdoors (most likely running and sunbathing like her mom, ha-ha). Her favorite toy is a ball.

I already signed the papers and sent them back to the agency. Sarah and Angela were my "official witnesses."

The other 2 in our group are from the same SWI and have the same first 2 names with a different 3rd name. They are 2 months younger than Katherine. We are all so excited. I couldn't have two nicer and cooler families to travel with. Grandma and Grandpa are very thrilled, too. I seriously could not be happier and can't wait to bring her cute little cheeks home.

Hopefully we'll travel in about 6 weeks.