Saturday, October 1, 2011

All About Natalie

Seeing our daughter's face for the first time yesterday, magically wiped away our 6 year, 8 month wait since we made the decision to adopt in the beginning of 2005.  All those years of waiting - sometimes patiently and sometimes agonizing over the slow process - make complete sense now.  If we had gotten our child match earlier we wouldn't have been chosen as the parents for Ling Wan Han.  Gary and I both feel a connection to Natalie already.  Even though we haven't met her yet we just sense that she was meant to be part of our family. Her Auntie Leah said the same thing.


The following pictures were taken May 30, 2011.  Natalie was 16 months old at that time.
Nat floor

Here's what we know so far:

Natalie is in the Province of Jiangxi in the Shangrao City Children's Welfare Center which has a nutritional program sponsored by Love Without Boundaries.  I was so happy find out about that.  She drinks milk and a rice-based formula.  She also eats porridge and noodles.

Nat counter

Her favorite activity is to play outside and her favorite toys are the musical ones.

Natalie is a deep sleeper and she is potty trained (her Daddy was particularly happy to hear this).  She can walk if someone holds her hand.   She is a talkative, extroverted girl who likes to play with toys and gets along well with others.  

Nat walker
I am so happy that I have been crying off and on since 10:30 yesterday.  My heart is just so full of joy that my body can not contain it.   Natalie Wanhan is a dream come true.  I am so ready to love her and do my best to give her the nurturing she needs.

25 comments:

Kathleen said...

Charity and Gary,

Natalie is so precious! You are so right - things happen for a reason. We were meant to have this long wait to be matched with our perfect daughters. So happy for you both, Mommy and Daddy! Sounds good, doesn't it!

Just Ramblin' said...

Such a wonderful blessing!

Keek said...

I can't stop looking at her sweet, sweet face, Charity! I absolutely love her precious, innocent expression. There is no doubt this little girl was hand picked just for you and Gary - she is as sweet as you are! Can not wait to meet her!

Princess, Tank and Isaac: The Newfs of Hazard said...

Congratulations!! She's very lucky to have you and 2 newfs to grow up with. And I know she's a dream come true for you.

Orion Count Drulzelot said...

Charity and Gary, I am so happy your long wait has finally come to this, Natalie is a beautiful girl!!! Congratulations, and I look forward to many more pictures and stories of you family!

Kristen said...

Congratulations and Best wishes! I have a Jiangxi daughter too. Natalie is gorgeous - best wishes for amazing journey! ~Kristen, My Story Lifebooks

3cmum said...

Hi
Congrats. Not sure if she is a Ling or a Rao girl. If Ling, we were there in April and I posted my photos in the yahoo group!
Congrats again

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Charity and Gary,

How very exciting!!

Be sure to contact us to send any information we may have on your daughter after the adoption. When do you think you will travel?

Suzanne Damstedt
Nutrition and Orphanage Assistance Director
Love Without Boundaries

Charity, Katie, Louie & Natalie said...

Thanks so much everyone for your lovely comments. All of your good wishes mean so much to us.

Charity, Katie, Louie & Natalie said...

Thank you 3cmum!

Natalie Wanhan is in Shangrao City Children's Welfare Center, but her last name is Ling. I've been waiting for approval to get into the Shangrao group. Hopefully it will come soon.

Research-China.org said...

Congratulations on your Jiangxi referral! When you are ready to get her newspaper finding ad (with a photo of her months younger than the referral photos!) come visit us! We also have a DVD of her orphanage,a s well as other information.

All the best!

Brian

3cmum said...

Hi. She is def at Ling given her name and also I recognise the jackets and room. I have photos of a couple of younger kids in the jacket she is wearing. At Ling they do foster care in the SWI as well as with families who live in the countryside. The director is v. nice and the kids very well taken care of. Groups of 5 per family live in a real family unit in the SWI.

I think but am not totally sure I may have a photo of her - its hard to tell as the girl in question has longer hair. However email me at 3cmum@googlemail.com and I can send you the photos if you don't get onto the ling group quickly.

Charity, Katie, Louie & Natalie said...

3cmum,
I tried to email you but got a failure message.

Please do send any pictures you might have. I would greatly appreciate it. It's been 3 days and I haven't been approved for the group yet.

Thank you so much!!! Every photo of our daughter is a precious gift.

Charity, Katie, Louie & Natalie said...

3cmum,

I forgot to add you can email me at newfoundlands@mac.com

Thanks again!

Kate-Lyn said...

Your Natalie is SO beautiful! And what a loving family she is blessed to be coming home to. I hope your wait for TA comes VERY soon. Feel free to stop by our blog if you have a moment. We are dog lovers too!

http://kate-lynschestnut.blogspot.com/

Kay said...

Congratulations! She is adorable!

Catherine said...

Congratulations!! What a beautiful little one your Natalie is!! SO happy for you!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!
Nathalie looks so sweet.

Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10 said...

CONGRATULATIONs!!!! From all of us over here, Natalie's foster sister's family!!!!
So so happy for you! She is just BEAUTIFUL!!!

nancy-of the crazy 9

Jstar said...

Hooray, hooray, congratulations! She is simply beautiful and we're so happy for you two!

Mary - Another CCAI Mom said...

Congratulations!!! She is so sweet! This is just the beginning!

Shannon said...

She is perfect. Oh I love her sweet face and big eyes. She does remind me of Cici as well. I can't wait for you to go get her!!!
xo

Charity, Katie, Louie & Natalie said...

Suzanne, I believe we will travel the 2nd or 3rd week of November. I will definitely be in touch when we get home. Thank you so much for letting me know.

Mysty and Anthony said...

Had to say hello! Fellow Arkansas person here and Lori sent me the announcement! SO excited for you and Natalie is BEAUTIFUL! We leave this month to go and get our, will be 20 mth old from Henan. She was SN..repaired cleft lip! So, maybe ONE DAY all of us Arkansas families can get together with our BEAUTIFUL children! Congrats and speedy travel!!!
Mysty Langley

Research-China.Org said...

Congratulations on your Shangrao referral! When you are ready to get her newspaper finding ad (which has a photo of her months younger than her referral photos!) come visit us. We also have a DVD of her orphanage.

All the best!

Brian