I'm on the front end of another busy week but I have no complaints because that makes the time until I see my girl go by all the faster. It has been two weeks today since I first saw that adorable mug of hers. Hmmm...in another week or so I hope we hear some rumblings about the next round of referrals. I DO have some gals out there who need to know how this 'seeing your baby' thing feels.
I spend a lot of time thinking about PIPA and her beginnings. I want to know more than will ever be possible. But, I did come across a very timely situation that I could not pass up. Brian S. can create a lot of controversy and ruffled feathers in the China adoption community. Yet, he also provides a service to those of us wanting more information on our children. So, I have opted to utilize his services to the hilt. I'm not asking anyone's blessing regarding my decision. You don't have to agree. Anyway, he is just starting a project in my daughter's city. His history-collecting trip was planned long before I received PIPA's referral and the travel/filming is supposed to take place this month. He will attempt to locate my daughter's 'finder' and get additional information. As well, I will have video of her finding location and the city/area in general. An attempt will be made to fill in a number of the blanks (if they can be filled in). The finding ad/paper will be included in this collection of information and it will all be bound into a book for my child when she is older. A number of families with girls from my daughter's SWI are included in this project. I realize I am not putting a lot of the specific details and that is with intent. The fine points of my daughter's history are hers. If the time comes that she wants to share them, that is fine. I just won't take it upon myself to do it for her. Just to have that footage and history of the area where she has spent her early days makes the project so worthwhile to me. One day, I hope those puzzle pieces will be so valuable to her.
I am still in awe of the fact that I get to say the words 'my daughter'. How fortunate I am to have the gift of her.
Monday, January 12, 2009
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35 comments:
I understand completely. I wonder about my girls' beginnings ALL the time. The one thing I wonder about the most is if there is a birth family history of hearing impairment where Jazzie is concerned...
And then Tahlia - well, you know about her beginngins and I wonder what more there is to it.
So many things I'd love to know.
Your daughter! Can you believe you have a daughter?!?!?
Amazing! I hope you can find out as much as you can. How tremendous for her that you can do this.
If I could get more information about Sera's past, I'd jump on it.
I think it is really cool that you can be a part of this project and may end up with some good information. I'm sure PIPA will be happy that you have this at some point 20 year from now.
Very cool, Pipo. That info is going to mean the world to your girl. I say get it now while you can! We have Jaden's finding ad and lots of photos of her finding spot and I treasure them.
How neat..
That is amazing..
That is a great gift for her in the years to come..
Just think you will be traveling soon..
Have a great week..
Have also used Brian's services for finding ads of both of my kids. He was doing a project in my daughter's province and I did the same thing you are doing. My 6 yr.old is now asking many, many questions and I think the more info you have the better for our children.
Who cares if he causes some rumblings in the industry? He also does some very worthwhile things to bring joy to families, like yours! I am ecstatic (and a bit envious) for you that you have this opportunity!
PS I have not forgotten about sending you the item from my blog contest back in January. I was hoping you were going to be getting a referral and was holding out a bit. :o)
Wendy @ Adoption & Fire
You do what you feel is right for your little girl. =)
WOW - what an amazing thing for PIPA to have! I hope you find peace in the answers you receive :o)
That sounds very interesting. Brian S. commented on my blog a few years back, but (back then) I didn't know who he was.
Fortunate, indeed. Don't u just wonder what u did to deserve the pleasure of calling urself her Mom? Just wait till u see her in real time - the sun peeks through the clouds, angels sing, hearts skip beats . . . I could go on & on & on =)
We used Brian's services to get the finding ad when we adopted our little one. This is a piece of information that I cherish, and I know that it was really worth it to me to get it. Congrats.
Go for it!!
How many times a day do you say "my daughter..." I know when we got our sons picture we would say it A LOT and just smile:)
We also used Brian (but not to the "hilt"). He provided us with the finder's newspaper, photo, negative, etc. We were grateful.
Alyzabeth's Mommy
That's incredible that you can attempt to fill in the missing pieces.
I think it's cool if you can get all the info you can. I wish I could have had more on Maddy. I'm sure the time is just dragging by now too.. but.. can you believe you will be on your way to China in just a few short weeks. ! Waahooo! :0)
I would give ANYTHING to learn more about our daughter's first and second families (she was in foster care).
Our SWI group does a few things -- we have a photo CD with over 500 photos on it that we pass along to newly referred parents at no cost... it includes photos of the most common finding places, as well as shots of the surrounding area, exterior SWI shots, SWI staff, etc. And we also keep a fairly comprehensive list of the number of children adopted from the SWI (limited info to reduce privacy concerns).
Rumblings, schmumblings. Who cares? You have a marvelous opportunity available. I say go for it.
At first I didn't want to know about Erin's history. That was before she was real. Now? I do wonder.
I too used Brian. I wanted as much info as I could get so she will have as many memorys as you can in this type of situation.
Are you still going cary-on or have you come to your senses? (you know me:)
How great is that!! However, just the fact that you stated, you are not asking for anyones blessing...people tend to 'offer' their opinions when they are not asked for...
YOU ARE THE PARENT (how cool is that) and you are going to do whatever YOU think is best for Pipa and everyone else can...well you get the picture!!
C'mon TA!!
Oh Pipo!! What a wonderful gift this will be to both yourself and your daughter!! I understand that Brian S can ruffle some feathers (some of mine are still settling down from past rufflings ;o) but oh my, how could you ever pass up on an opportunity like this?? SO happy for you and this precios blessing of information and film that will be yours!
I think this is such an amazing opportunity -to know more about PIPA.
can't wait to see PIPA in your arms..soon! :)
I used Brian too - to get Briana's finding ad. I think it is an amazing opportunity!!!
I just watched your slide show of your daughter and she is so beautiful. Congratulations. I am so happy for you and little Claire too!
I am right there with you. I want every small detail of my 'future' daughters history that I will utilize all resources. What a great opportunity for PIPA.
Now I'm crying again.....
I totally get it, and in fact am doing the same for my daughter. I feel like we owe it to them to get as much information as we can about their families. And, if we wait too long, the information is harder to come by as memories fade...
You are such an awesome mama already!
How I'd love to have more info about my daughter's past!! That's one of the things I struggle with... those unknowns. Not even for my own curiosity but just so that SHE knows her story. It breaks my heart that our daughters will always wonder. But it's the reality I signed on for with China adoption.
So good for you, girl! That's amazing that you'll have a little extra info. It's priceless.
I think that this is a beautiful idea. What an incredible gift for your daughter.
Love, Kristy
OK... I must live under a rock... coz I have no idea what you are talking about (Brian ruffling feathers!!!) ~ I think he offers an amazing, unique service. I thought I'd wait til we get home, and pursue the same thing.
:) Yes... to actually say "My daughter"... still gives me goosebumps!!! DREAMS DO COME TRUE. (even when I thought they wouldn't!)
I would LOVE to know more about my children's life before the orphanage too. If only I could.....
I wish you the best of luck and hope you can get more information from this project!
And I love seeing you write the word "daughter" in your posts. It's official, you are now a Mama!
What an amazing momento of her beginnings and a treasure for her when she is older. No excuses needed...I would jump on the chance too.
Keep smilin!
Although I also used B.S. for my 1st daughter's finding ad & translation, we didn't (yet) for our 2nd daughters -- she's a Jiangxi girl, too, and we got a free ORIGINAL copy of her finding ad plus a photocopy of the newspaper it was printed in from Tiffanie's shop in Nanchang. I believe there are three Tiffanie's locations, each one conveniently near one of the large adoption friendly hotels. You just need to stop in, provide them with Claire's CN & dob and the next day they will give you the original ad & newspaper copy.
Nanchang in March will be lovely -- in June it was over 100* every day, horribly hot and oppressive.
I got a CD from Brian of my daughter's area and love it!
She is going to be digging on that exersaucer. We borrowed one for about 6 months but she would still love to crawl in one (at 3 and a half) if she could.
Thanks for mentioning that Brian does that kind of work. I did not know that. He did obtain Sofia's finding ad and I would love to see if he could get more info. I am so excited that you may be able to find out more about Pipa's early beginnings.
Hugs,
Jonni
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