Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Double Your Pleasure

What ever do you do when you are sharing SO much fun, SO much happiness, SO much love that you just want more?  How about twice the laughter, twice the adorableness, twice the thalassemia?

Meet R.
(Don't feel bad for asking if it's E when she was little.  Everyone does.)
Yes, here we go again.  Get out your fork and start twirlin'.  Find your chopsticks and start slurpin'.  There's going to be twice the noodles in this house and boy are we thrilled.  Mama and Baba are dancing in the streets, and little E is in on all of the excitement, too.  (No, USCIS, we do not let E dance in the street.  Usually.)

I think somewhere, way in the back of my now dulled SAHM brain, I always knew we'd do this again.  P was a little quicker than I was to get back in the saddle, so to speak.  But not long after things started settling in and feeling "normal" with E, I started looking around at files of children casually.  I knew I wanted E to have a sister (I have one) and I knew I wanted that sister to be from China.  I also knew that I wanted that sister to have thalassemia (mine does not).  But even when I saw a file that seemed to "fit the bill" on paper, I still wasn't feeling it.

Until this:

R.  Born December 1, 2010.  Guangdong Province, China.
Her file says her favorite activity is riding the "Trojans".  Obviously, that is true.

Stop the presses.  We are in love.  Yes, all over again.  Like the song:  "It feels like the first time.  It feels like the very first time."  I knew it the minute I saw her sweet face.  She's The One.  Er, well, the second "The One".

Like with E, we wanted to find our child ourselves rather than being matched with one.  Therefore, we were (again) a man without a country.  A family without an agency.  So when we heard about R becoming available for adoption, we were again in the crazy scramble of not only putting together our LOI, but also signing on with a new agency.  But we worked lightning fast, submitted LOI, and had PA three days (!!) later, on November 13.  We have been in a tizzy of homestudy visits and paperwork madness since then.  Throw in Thanksgiving, a very special Third Birthday, a not-so-special Mama birthday, several colds, a few parties to attend and St. Nick breathing down our necks and you've got one stressed out Mama and Baba.  But every time I feel like I can't breathe, I look at E, and am reminded why the hand-wringing and sleepless nights and anxiety over stupid pieces of paper is worth it.  NOTHING is more worth it.  Yes, I'd do it all over again.  And, we are.

Emmie's now a Jie Jie!

We realize that our daughters are unique and will experience their lives on a very individual level, but we are so happy that they will have each other.  They will have the shared experiences of being adopted, being part of a transracial family, and having thalassemia.   They way they navigate all of this will differ, but they will have someone there as a source of support when they need it.

So now we wait.  And just like with E, we want R here yesterday and will do everything in our power to get her here safely and quickly.  Just like E said, "Emmie, Mama, Baba...Go China, get Roe-rie!"

15 comments:

AnnaJ said...

So very happy for you all. What a great holiday gift - an addition to your family. She is beautiful and Emmie is so fortunate to be a big sister. My daughter always always always wanted me to get her a sister but it was just not possible.
We would love to be "aunties" in New Hampshire if ever you want to sojourn north. Blessings on your new family member and all of you.

Becky said...

My heart fills with joy upon hearing your family is growing!!! I look forward to each and every blog entry. Thank you for sharing!

Ladyblog said...

Awesome news! Congratulations!!!
Rebecca Long

likeschocolate said...

Congratulations! That is so exciting!

The Jiu Jiu said...

How about, "The One, Take Two" or (for the geeks out there) "The One 2.0"?

Whatever silliness you choose for the title, CONGRATULATIONS! 8-D

Kelly said...

Crying tears of joy at One Less!!!! Sweet R landed herself in the perfect little family!!! Praying your process is speedy!!!!

Suzanne Ronkin said...

Tracy -

I am so thrilled for you guys! You are an amazingly strong and loving couple! Emmie and Rosie are so lucky to have you as parents! Keeping my fingers crossed that all goes smoothly for you!

-Suzanne

foreversistersforeverfriends said...

Congratulations on your newest addition! I've been following your blog for a while b/c I see the joy of motherhood in your eyes in every single picture. Bringing another daughter into your family will overflow your heart.
Can't wait to follow your journey to sweet lil R.
Anne (mama of 2 China babies)

Erin Schmidt said...

Congratulations! Such exciting and beautiful news. Have loved following along your journey to E and seeing her blossom.

Anonymous said...

I agree with anna j--we tooo would have loved to get our daughter a sister-- but was not possible! Congrats on lovely Rosalie!! Blessings,Cathy in Illinois!!

Ladybug Dragon said...

I am over the moon for your family! How exciting! I can't wait to see your family grow! R & E will be quite the duo!

groovy mama said...

OMG I know that orphanage!!!!

That is Maia's!!!! ShunDe?
We should chat! Happy dance for you:-)
She is dear & if that is the same orphanage, she is loved!
Poor & lacking stuff but the have love & LWB sponser their formula & they post the kids on LWB Facebook

Hugs
Donna

Unknown said...

Beautiful news!!

Anonymous said...

Soooo happy for your beautiful family! Can't wait to follow your 2nd journey! E is going to be a great jie jie! Kathy

groovy mama said...

I just posted a adoption month video on my blog from Maia's orphange, not sure, but your daughter may be in it...take a peek!

Congrats again
Donna