We are so happy to announce the arrival of our daughter Noelle Yongwei from the People's Republic of China (Guiyang City). Our trip to China was absolutely wonderful and we are grateful to the PRC and America-China Adoption Association (ACAA) for making it all possible.
Noelle has adapted well to her new home and brings us so much joy. The first 24 hours of our time together was a bit challenging. Noelle had been with a foster family since she was 8 days old (and had become quite bonded to them). Here she was at 11 1/2 months of age (the peak of separation anxiety?) being introduced to two people she would now call momma and daddy... it wasn't that easy. She refused to come to her new momma for the first two days. Finally on the third day together she decided she liked me enough to let me hold her and feed her... then she wouldn't go back to her daddy for at least 3 days or more. But everything has changed since the first few days of our "forever family" initiation. It's actually hard to believe that we ever had that experience with her. She is so loving and happy now... thank God!
We will be forever thankful to the wonderful foster family that Noelle had spent such formative months with. Noelle is right on the mark developmentally (if not advanced) and is extremely healthy and self-confident. The first few days with her were so emotional for all of us.... but what a blessing to have her as part of our family now.
Our dossier was received at the China Centre for Adoption Affairs on November 4, 1999 (DTC 11/4/99). We received our referral (officially) on August 16, 2000... but ACAA was kind enough to notify us by telephone on the 15th that the referral had finally arrived. Noelle was in our arms for the first time on October 25, 2000 -- "Gotcha Day."
Noelle was 6 months old here -- she's a big girl (and very healthy).
