Our last care package for Anna Mei before we meet her is a combination birthday and Happy Spring Festival package. While the "corn" candies chosen by our courier service look a bit odd to us, everything else seems just perfect. We managed to get some updated measurements: height :78cm (about 31 in), weight :9kg (about 20 lb), foot:11cm, head :45cm, chest :47cm, teeth:8/8 by sending this package. They indicate that she is just moving out of 12 month clothing into 18 month clothing, so now we know what to pack for the trip. Soft PJ's, and cuddly blankie, a Kai Lan doll, and a Hello Kitty backpack to hopefully pack all of her good stuff into for her trip to come meet us at the provincial office on March 14. We are hoping the camera will bring us a few more photos of her, her friends, her surroundings, and her caretakers at the institute. In the meantime, her bedroom her at home is taking shape, and we are making preparations for the big trip.
Here is the letter we sent off to BaoDing Children's Welfare Institute with this last care package:
February 2, 2011
Dear Orphanage Director and Caretakers of BaoDing City Social Welfare Institute,
Happy New Year!!! At this time of family and celebration, our hearts are with you and Qing Qing. We have good news to share! We have our approval, so we travel to you in March!
We are saddened to miss Qing Qing’s second birthday on February 15, and hope you will give her some extra special love and hugs coming from us. Hopefully this New Year she can wear her new set of PJ’s, cuddle up in her blanket, hug her doll and know we are coming very soon to bring her to her new home in America.
As this is the last time we may have this opportunity, we wish to thank you deeply for your care of Qing Qing. If you would not mind, we would love photos of Qing Qing now, but also of you. We would like to have these for her as she grows up so she knows as much as possible about her first few years of life. If you can take pictures of her in bed, in her play area, with her friends, or anywhere and with anyone else that she spends time. These photos will ensure she never forgets her time with you and where she is from.
Thank you for your responses to our requests for information about Qing Qing’s development and hearing. We have an excellent support team of doctors here in the States ready to meet Qing Qing and provide the best care possible. While they were not able to read the hearing tests, I am confident we will be able to meet all of her needs. I am hoping she is recovering well from her palate surgery, and her hearing is enough to allow her to be gaining new words. Any additional information you may have is always greatly appreciated. As I begin the packing process, I am wondering which size clothes to bring along. If it is not too much trouble to send along a few recent measurements, I will be able to purchase the correct sizes.
Christopher, Alex, and Wil can not wait to meet their sister! We talk about her every day. Her room is nearly ready, with lots of things a girl will love.
Mama and Baba think of her very day. We are coming...
With Love,
Tiffany and Chris
