4/28/08

Announcing......



Yup, I got home from some errands today to find an email from our agency...we received pre-approval from China today!! I'm so excited I don't know what to do with myself! I'm also kinda speachless (I'm sure I'll recover my power of chatter soon enough) so for now...Here she is!
She just turned eight months old (although I don't know when these pictures were taken), and her medical condition is an unrepaired unilateral cleft lip and palate. She is currently in Xuzhou city in the province of Jiangsu in eastern China. We are OVER THE MOON!!!! That's really the only way to describe it. I mean, just look at those eyes!!... And that grin!! It bowls me over.
I'll tell the whole story once I've regained my breath again.
(btw, the name given her by the orphanage is Chu QiuQiu, Chu being her surname. I've switched the surname and the given name so as to avoid confusion for those who aren't familiar with the Chinese order of names.)

58 comments:

  1. AlanaApril 28, 2008 at 4:08 PM

    she is GAWGEOUS!!! ooh I wanna kiss her...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jen & BillApril 28, 2008 at 4:29 PM

    she is beautiful. Love the Grin!

    ReplyDelete
  3. StacieApril 28, 2008 at 4:36 PM

    breathtaking!!! AMAZING eyes and her hair is going to be so thick and gorgeous! What province is she from..... she has a darker complexion like z- z is from southern jiangxi- just curious!

    So happy for you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. StefanieApril 28, 2008 at 4:40 PM

    I have been checking and rechecking... YIPPEEEE!!! She is JUST GORGEOUS... just what I would have imagined for your beautiful family :)
    I am so thrilled for you guys and can not WAIT to hear more about Miss Flynn Qui Qui!

    ReplyDelete
  5. BarbaraApril 28, 2008 at 4:42 PM

    She is absolutely darling! I love her smile. Big congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  6. 4DApril 28, 2008 at 4:43 PM

    She is precious! What a sweet grin and bright eyes.

    Keep smilin!

    ReplyDelete
  7. CariApril 28, 2008 at 4:51 PM

    What a smile!! Can't wait to see her sitting on her awesome chair!
    Cari

    ReplyDelete
  8. tracyApril 28, 2008 at 5:03 PM

    Oh Maia, she is just gorgeous! and those eyes - she's looking right thru me, she is! you've got a happy beauty on your hands :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. MelanieApril 28, 2008 at 5:04 PM

    I was hoping you got your PA today - I kept checking your site and Yahoo! Flynn is so beautiful - I am over the moon for you! Congratulations, Mama!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lost and FoundApril 28, 2008 at 5:16 PM

    Yipee! Love the grin. Priceless.

    ReplyDelete
  11. LaurieApril 28, 2008 at 5:20 PM

    What an amazing smile...and you are right about her eyes. She's darling. Congrats, mommy.

    Laurie

    ReplyDelete
  12. Fliss and Mike AdventuresApril 28, 2008 at 5:34 PM

    Oh my... what a gorgeous little girl and that smile... so big... Mike and Maia I am SO happy for you both and to be able to see the photos of here - about time... congrats again to both of you... huge hugs to you both... take care

    ReplyDelete
  13. TBG HappeningsApril 28, 2008 at 5:54 PM

    She is just beautiful!

    Congrats!!

    Here is to a speedy TA!

    ReplyDelete
  14. polkadotApril 28, 2008 at 5:54 PM

    she's so teeny! congratulations on your beautiful girl!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Mei Mei JournalApril 28, 2008 at 6:13 PM

    Wow, she is breathtaking! What a beauty. Congratulations. Aren't Deniece, Pam, and Sarah some of your new favorite people?
    Congratulations!
    April

    ReplyDelete
  16. Margaret MApril 28, 2008 at 6:18 PM

    I checked your blog as soon as I saw all of the announcements. She is beautiful!!!!! I am so happy for you and Mike. I hope you get your LOA so fast it makes your head spin!!!! You have so much to celebrate this Mother's Day!!!! Enjoy!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousApril 28, 2008 at 6:21 PM

    WOW!!! She is utterly beautiful and so precious. What a wonderful day for you, my friend!! Congratulations on your sweet daughter.

    ReplyDelete
  18. RhondaApril 28, 2008 at 6:25 PM

    Congratulations on your beautiful daughter!

    ReplyDelete
  19. bamboosproutsApril 28, 2008 at 6:32 PM

    She is perfection! I know you can't wait to get your hands on that sweet baby. :) Big huge-a-mungus congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  20. "M2"April 28, 2008 at 6:44 PM

    Happy Day!
    Flynn has the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen.
    Congratulations mom!

    ReplyDelete
  21. YoliApril 28, 2008 at 6:44 PM

    Look at those large liquid eyes. Oh my God Maia, she is to die for, absolutely beautiful. She is YOUR Flynn. Congratulations to you and Mike, you both must be so in love that you must be giddy. This little girl has the most wonderful and sweet parents in the world. Wishing you all the best and all my love.

    ReplyDelete
  22. MamacitaApril 28, 2008 at 6:59 PM

    She is amazing. And her eyes are so beautiful! She looks like she knows a secret....Her grin is spectacular!

    How do you say her Chinese name?

    Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  23. CarrieApril 28, 2008 at 7:21 PM

    I love her eyes they are so beautiful-Congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Snowflowers MumApril 28, 2008 at 7:28 PM

    she's a Larkin alright! look at those EYES!! and than smile is to die for!

    woohoo!

    ReplyDelete
  25. JulietteApril 28, 2008 at 7:40 PM

    WWooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Maia, Mike congratulations again! Your daughter is such a sweetheart, I love her grin and her beautiful eyes. Flynn Ava QuiQui, what a beautiful name too!
    Can't wait to know more. So happy

    ReplyDelete
  26. CindyApril 28, 2008 at 7:58 PM

    A BIG Congrats!
    She is absolutely precious!
    Very happy for you!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  27. fourlittlehawksApril 28, 2008 at 8:13 PM

    Oh My! I've been following your blog for such a long time and checked back in tonight to see if you had gotten PA. Now I see that your daughter is in the same SWI that we just adopted our son from six months ago!!! Unless there is more than one in Xuzhou?
    How exciting! Congratulations!
    I don't know if you've joined the yahoo group for the SWI, but if you email me I have some info you might be interested in!
    ~ Jen
    hawkfamily2@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. M@rgrietApril 29, 2008 at 2:06 AM

    O Maia, it's only 11 in the morning here and you've got me crying already! I was hoping for a 'sneak preview' in my mailbox, but found so much more... I can't tell you how happy I am for you both. happy happy happy happy happy And such a pretty little charmer Flynn is already! Let the countdown for September begin :-) XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX M.

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousApril 29, 2008 at 2:40 AM

    congratulations -- she is a beauty! I'm so thrilled for you all!

    ReplyDelete
  30. (her name is Torrie)April 29, 2008 at 4:41 AM

    What a sweetheart. Her eyes are so penetrating! We are celebrating with you!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Vivian MApril 29, 2008 at 5:08 AM

    Congratulations Mama and Papa on your PA, and I am now praying for a quick TA so you can bring that cutie home!
    Huge hugs! Start packing!!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. DianeApril 29, 2008 at 5:38 AM

    Congratulations! She is beautiful with those giant eyes and adorable grin. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that you travel soon.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Mom-of-BeanApril 29, 2008 at 6:14 AM

    She has the sweetest smile. I'm so happy for both of you! Autumn babies are awesome! Geraldine

    ReplyDelete
  34. JulieApril 29, 2008 at 6:47 AM

    She is amazing. What a smile. Congrats!!

    ReplyDelete
  35. AnonymousApril 29, 2008 at 8:45 AM

    That is AWESOME!!!!!!! She is AMAZING!!!!
    Congratulations from a German lurker :-)
    Dagmar

    ReplyDelete
  36. kitchuApril 29, 2008 at 9:39 AM

    Goosebumps, head to toe. THOSE EYES!! She is just like you said she was- beautiful. I am so very happy for you three!!

    ReplyDelete
  37. AmandaApril 29, 2008 at 10:30 AM

    Congratulations! What a sweetie! Come on LOA!!!!! :D

    Amanda

    ReplyDelete
  38. kerriApril 29, 2008 at 10:58 AM

    YES!!!!!!!
    Congratulations on the referral of your beautiful baby daughter!!!!
    Our eldest daughter is also from Jiangsu Province.
    Congrats MOM!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  39. JMCSApril 29, 2008 at 11:33 AM

    Congrats! She is just gorgeous. I am so happy for you and your hubby. Our daughter also had a unilateral cp/cp. i hope you can travel soon. What fantastic news!

    Hugs,
    Jonni

    ReplyDelete
  40. JMCSApril 29, 2008 at 11:33 AM

    Oops, I meant cp/cl, sorry

    ReplyDelete
  41. JMCSApril 29, 2008 at 11:51 AM

    Hi,

    Oh, I am sorry I know the post was deceiving, we only have one daughter right now but are in the middle of a perchase for another. That is my friend's daughter on the post. Your baby girl is just beautiful and I know you must be so ready to leave to get her.

    Cp/cl is so easy to fix and it really is good that she is so young. That way she can get it fixed before she startes talking and will have less of a chance to need speech intervention. I wish you and your husband best of luck with everything and your blog is beautiful. :)

    Hugs,
    Jonni

    ReplyDelete
  42. mommy24treasuresApril 29, 2008 at 12:08 PM

    oh precious precious!!!! many congratulations!!!!! She is so so beautiful!!! She is perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  43. CarolApril 29, 2008 at 12:22 PM

    Congratulations!! Those are some beautiful eyes!!! Bet you are still jumping up and down!!

    ReplyDelete
  44. OperationtigerlilyApril 29, 2008 at 12:30 PM

    I'll say it again. She is the cutest little cupcake. How SWEET is our Flynn?!?!?!

    ReplyDelete
  45. KayceApril 29, 2008 at 12:35 PM

    CONGRATULATIONS!!! She is just precious! LOVE THAT GRIN TOO!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. TamaraApril 29, 2008 at 12:59 PM

    Maia she is beautiful! I definitely see what you mean about those eyes. I'm so glad you're allowed to share them with all of us now. Congratulations again mama (and daddy too, of course!).

    ReplyDelete
  47. NikkiApril 29, 2008 at 7:06 PM

    Congratulations!!! She is dreamy...and a dream come true, for sure!
    I remember that "over the moon" feeling that comes with referral...and we have been home with our daughter for over three years now and I'm STILL pinching myself!
    Again, congrats on your beautiful daughter!

    ReplyDelete
  48. chrissieApril 29, 2008 at 8:27 PM

    You know I just can't get enough of this! She is just so adorable! I can't wait! You can't help but just stare at her eyes and smile because of how happy they look!!! Give each other a hug from us!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Duchess of LanierApril 29, 2008 at 9:20 PM

    So very excited to meet her! Congratulations again! Trena (another lucky XuZhou mom / Chu Wei is waiting for us)

    ReplyDelete
  50. Steffie B.April 30, 2008 at 3:15 AM

    Congrats....she is beautiful! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  51. BeebApril 30, 2008 at 7:12 PM

    I've been out of touch with my bloglines! Ihave missed this amazing news! Congrats! She's beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  52. insanemommyApril 30, 2008 at 7:47 PM

    Maia, she has eyes as black as coal. Simply breath taking. I am so excited for you to begin your journey. Congrats girl!!!

    ReplyDelete
  53. HeatherMay 1, 2008 at 6:58 AM

    CONGRATULATIONS! I've been out of town for business and I came back to this fantastic news! Flynn's little smile warmed my heart and her hair is already so thick! She's absolutely beautiful! I'm so happy for you all. What part of China is she from? Any chance you will travel before the Olympics?

    ReplyDelete
  54. MMay 1, 2008 at 4:53 PM

    Oh! I just stopped by to see what was up here and look at this! She is SO beautiful! Congratulations! How utterly fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  55. CavaticaMay 1, 2008 at 5:43 PM

    Awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  56. RamblingMotherMay 2, 2008 at 9:22 AM

    Adorable!! Congrats!!

    ReplyDelete
  57. bbmomof2boysMay 2, 2008 at 10:38 AM

    She is a sweetie pie!!! Congratulations!!

    Carla

    ReplyDelete
  58. Jie Jie to Sarah Lu and Chayah RuMay 2, 2008 at 7:39 PM

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Flynn is absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!!! I bet you can't wait to get her home! :)
    ~Staci

    ReplyDelete