Name Change

We have decided to make one change to our little one's new middle name. We are keeping the Lee but changing it to the Chinese version "Li". According to the internet, Li means:

From Chinese 理 "reason, logic", 立 "stand", 黎 "dawn, black", 力 "strength, power" (which is usually only masculine) or 丽 "beautiful" (usually only feminine).

We think the name fits her BEAUTIFULLY!

More Information about Alisha

Now that we have received our Letter of Approval (LOA), we can tell you a bit more about Alisha.

Her chinese name is Qi Xiao Zhu. According to our facilitator in China the name Qi is the county name Qi Chun, her given name Xiao means knowing, her given name Zhu means bamboo.

Her newest measurements (no date on new measurements):
height - 68cm or 26.6 inches
weight - 7.3 kilo or 16.1 pounds

Next Step: We are hoping to get our Travel Approval in approximately 2 weeks and leave sometime after Thanksgiving. YIKES, we have alot to do before we leave. Let the lists begin.

WOW & CRAZY

It's OFFICIAL, China has approved us to adopt Alisha. We received the approval in 12 days. Yes, 12 days.....It just may be a new record. It was an amazing way for us to start our vacation. We arrived at the San Fransisco airport and we had a voice mail from our agency. Not knowing what they wanted and assuming they needed additional information, I called back immediately (at the Baggage Claim). Not the ideal place to have this conversation but that's where we got the wonderful news!

Next Step: We will sign our Letter of Intent upon our return from vacation. If everything goes according to plan we could be in China after Thanksgiving!

Introducing Alisha

After a very long wait, we have accepted a referral from China. Her new name will be Alisha. Our agency has asked that we limit the information we tell people until we are formally accepted by China. Here is a few pieces of information on our little princess:

DOB- December 12, 2006

Currently in Foster Care

Some Things to Know about Alisha (as of May 2007)

Height: 64cm (25.2 inches)

Weight 5.8kg (12.78 lbs)

Personality

• Active and Restless
• Fond of Imitating
• Quick in Reaction
• Fond of Listening to Music (just like her Daddy)
• Laughs Out Loud

We accepted a referral from China through there Waiting Child Program. Therefore, we have a few more steps to go through before we become parents to Alisha. Below is an outline of the next steps to be taken over the next several months.

Letter of Intent (LOI)- Our LOI for Alisha was sent to China Center for Adoption Affairs (CCAA) on October 2nd.

Letter of Acceptance (LOA) - Once CCAA accepts us as parents we will receive our LOA ( this step can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months).

Letter of Confirmation (LOC) - When we receive the LOA, we sign and return it to CCAA.

Travel Approval (TA) - Once they receive our LOC, CCAA will issue us TA.

Consulate Appointment (CA) - After we receive TA, our agency will contact the US Embassy in Guangzhou and request a CA.

TRAVEL- Once the CA is set we can make our travel arrangements. Our agency expects that we will travel in January and be in China for approximately 14 days.