Wednesday, October 22, 2008

From Blue to Pink - In One Quick Wink

As promised, here is the daily update.  First, before I get started, I have to say thanks to everyone for the wonderful comments.  Your thoughts, prayers and love have meant the absolute world to me the last couple days.  This roller coaster has been crazy!  I am lucky to have a great set of friends, real, cyber (and heck, imagined too!) and family.

And while we are on the subject of family... I am unofficially announcing that the female dynasty sprung forth from Lock and Liz Clarkson is adding one more strong willed female!  

I haven't signed the official paperwork, but I know in my heart that Tatiana is the one.  Yup, folks, you heard it here first, please welcome Tatiana Elizabeth.  I will likely send her documents over to the IA Doctor tonight, but more for a "what could potentially need attention in the future" vs. ruling her in or out. 

She's a pistol.  Imagine that -- another feisty female to add to our crew.  For those of you who don't know the background... I come from a long line of strong women.  My mom is 1 of 5 girls (1 brother too, poor Uncle Larry!), and my father also has 5 sisters (and yes, 1 brother too!).  My Grandma Clarkson (mom's side) is no longer with us, but I am so fortunate to still have Grandma Repp and live 1 mile from her.  Tatiana will make Great-Grandchild #11 on the Clarkson side, and get ready for it... Girl #10.  A Female dynasty in the making!!

One other note and additional thank yous.  Sorry for the outpouring of emotions here, but like all those before me, I am keeping it real.  So that's who this final note is for.  All my blogger, adoptive family friends who have completed their process or are still in the works.  Without you, I probably would have lost my mind with doubt and questions this week.  I feel the need to say some specifics -- and I am sure in my lack of sleep, I will miss someone - so if you are missed... please forgive.  To Tamara and Angie... my LH crutches... what do I say.  You two are a blessing.  Thanks for all your love and support.  To Ondrea, without you realizing it most likely, I am devouring everything you pass along.  I know the road ahead with a feisty little girl will be a challenge, but I think I'll make it.  Thanks for the inspiration.  To Nancy, Karyn, Becky... I've loved reading about your experiences... you helped me prepare for this more than you know!  Jesse and Jason -- wow, I don't know where to start.  You two are the best.  I can't even begin to thank you.  I feel like I have followed you down a crazy path and you prepared me for every step.  Sara, Phyllis & Heidi (and of course, Stephen, Ed and Mike...) my neighbors in the Vlad Inn - thanks for the great times this week and sharing all our experiences this week.  I can't wait to hear more about your kids.

Finally, (whew! yes!) special notes for Amy aka Wong, Pam, Jennifer my cousin/sister and Suzy.  I am lucky to have you in my life.  And last but not least... my partner in travel and soul sister, madam Photog, Rhonda Marie.  I can't thank you enough for everything.  Keeping me sane and grounded and helping with every step.  Even all the steps of the 5 flights of stairs!  I'll leave you all with some of the very talented (but she'll deny her talent everytime) Rhonda.  She took this precious shot today...  Paka!


19 comments:

Mike and Heidi Lee said...

Oh Wow!! So excited for you!! We are so glad we get to be a part of this experience with you! We thoroughly enjoyed every minute getting to know you! You will be a wonderful Mommy! Can't wait to hear more!

tdoepker said...

Amy!!! This is just too exciting. We are all anxiously awaiting the next installment here, as well as your book, and most of all--Tatiana! I am just so happy for you. Stories like this melt my heart. Thinking of you so so much. Oh, and please tell Rhonda "vodka" for me. :) xo

Anonymous said...

I am so happy for you!! I literally lost sleep last night wondering what was going on. I can't wait to meet Tatiana. Natalie and Sydney will be so happy to finally have a girl "cousin"!!

Tiger & Kar said...

Oh yay! Your post brought tears to my eyes. I love the sneak peek of Tatiana. She sounds precious and I cannot wait to hear more about her (and see a full photo!). I am so excited for you & your little girl. WOOHOO!

Anonymous said...

She looks adorable! Can't wait to hear more about Tatiana.

Here's to all the feisty girls who make the world interesting.

Nancy said...

Amy--I'm so happy for you! I guess it was in the cards for you to have a girl! That's amazing! I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip in Vladivostok!!!

Lindsay & Corey said...

Amy - I am thinking of you. I wish you all the best and cannot wait to hear about your trip when you return.

Tamara said...

Wow.. you can still rhyme after all this! ;) I have to say feisty girls ROCK! I too come from a long line of strong women - great grandmother Lucille who was almost 102 when she passed last year was hatcheting up snakes that made the unfortunate decision to go through her backyard, my grandmother who at 50 returned to college to become a minister, my mother, Toni G, master gardener, artist, jeweler and moi. OOh .. all born in April. So for us it's Aries Feisty which I think is double trouble :). Am so excited that you will soon be in the next phase of your adoption journey. I have the bubbly chilling ... :) Y'all should just swing by Chicago and we could have a HUGE party. To quote Sasha, "We could have the BIGGEST party EVER for Miss Amy!". Love and hugs my friend, Tamara

Charlotte in Pa said...

HOORAY! I'm sure that I'm not the first person who gave you this advice... but do you remember long ago when we first chatted about you starting this process? I told you about my friend who tried to adopt from Vietnam and when it fell through at the last minute all of a sudden an American baby girl fell in her lap? When I told you that, I said that I really believe that these things work out the way they are supposed to. I believe in my heart that Tatiana is your child and has been from the beginning. She's just been waiting for you to come and bring her home. I love you and am proud of you!

Anonymous said...

Awesome!!!!

As much as I am gushy and extremely happy for you, you KNOW my practical side is dying over here!!! Give me some specifics -- when may she be coming home?? You know that you will have the most pink-er-ific packages coming in the mail once I get scoop!!!! Girls are all drama and, sometimes, the biggest handful in the world. BUT - I can't think of a better scenario than you and your new best friend walking through life together.....Tell Rhonda to keep snapping pics and send them along!!!!!

Lindsay said...

Welcome to your little Tana; and congratulations.

You are standing at the beginning of a wonderful new life as a mother. I hope your journey is filled with joy.

Becky and Keith said...

What an awesome, awesome story to be able to tell Tatiana one day (and I LOVE the name, BTW!). I'm so very happy for you and absolutely love the picture Rhonda took - it is priceless. What a great picture to blow up and frame in her room-to-be! Your blog is the first thing I look for every morning, so I can't wait to read tomorrow! :-)

Anonymous said...

I love little girls!! Amy, I am so excited to meet Tatiana. I love the name. You know the rule at the Plummer house: Girls Rule, Boys Drool!

Anonymous said...

HI Amy, WE just wanted to say hi and we have been thinking about you since u left. Congrats on finding your daughter!! You have had much practice with girls so u will be able to do it in your sleep :)
Love and Prayers
the Ginthers

Troy and Rachel said...

This is amazing Amy! God wanted you to be the mother to the little girl and He made it happen! I am so happy for you and watch out world for another strong willed woman!

findingourdaughter said...

I am teary again! You have walked such a path of faith in this and I am in awe at how graceful you let faith carry you to your daughter. What a blessing you each are for one another!
I hope fate and the stars align so we can all meet in February--it will be comletely ironic if we are in Russia instead. And I will be so sad!
So many hugs and prayers for you and Tatiana!
Lots of love,
Angie

Nichole said...

I am overjoyed for you!! I can't wait until you can bring your girl home. She sounds precious! Sounds like she will fit right in with the rest of your family.

Nancy said...

Amy--I can't remember if I told you this already, but our son is from the same baby home! Make sure you ask the caretakers if you can see where Tatiana sleeps and plays...we found they were willing to give us a tour of the place after we asked. Also, in case they haven't suggested it, the gym on the top floor is a great place to play during your visits. Lots to do up there!

Michelle R said...

Congratulations! What a great post. And, I LOVE the photo. I think I see a curl or 2 peeking out from below the hat. Those are going to be fun!!! Enjoy the rest of you time in Russia.