Friday, May 30, 2008

Presley Claire Xue Ries

We finally got her!! I won't post much since I don't have time, but it has been a day full of ups and downs (like this whole trip)!! She was delayed getting here because the highways were damaged from the earthquake. She screamed the first time she laid eyes on me and I thought we were in for a long haul. I tried the doll and the bubbles with no success. Finally I got out the Cheerios....success!!

She is from Baoji, Shaanxi, which is a small village and she was in foster care. She has the flatest head I have ever seen with a divit in it. It is hiliarious!! She is very big for a 13-month-old, much heavier than our 19-month-old son and she acts much older too. She will pick up one of her stacking cups and bring it to her lips like she is drinking, make drinking noises and then say "Ahhhhhh." She started smiling after we gave her the Cheerios and hasn't stopped smiling!! She LOVES her Chinese baby doll, though I don't think she has ever seen a doll before. She was picking it up and throwing it around and then was putting her face up to the doll's face and kissing it! She is so incredibly cute and has the most wonderful laugh!!! She is so tired right now, but is loving all of her new toys that I put in her crib with her. I think eventually she will just fall asleep sitting up. She is a wonderful little girl!!

It is definitely a bittersweet day. We do miss our Lexi so much. But we are very thankful that our adoption agency is working hard to look into some sort of longterm care for her. She will be taken care of and that gives us great peace.

She was just taken from her foster home today. There is a foster mom out there that is crying herself to sleep tonight for sure. You can tell how loved she was. Enjoy the pictures of our precious new daughter!!

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

Amy-
Oh my goodess she is so adorable! I am so happy for you and your family!!Congratulations :)!
love,
Brianna Hansen

Blessed Family said...

HI Amy, I am SO happy for you and your family. I hope the rest of your trip goes smoothly and you and your little one have a wonderful time together. Also, keeping your little Lexi in our thoughts and prayers. Take care, Heidi

Anonymous said...

Amy she is precious. What a smile. I hope she is everything you have dreamed of. Praying for Lexi

Rebel said...

I heard a song a bit ago on the radio and thought of you...

"God Blessed the Broken Road that Led me Straight to You!!!"

It was a broken road... but Presley is now with her mother!

I am so happy for your family!

Sweet Dreams tonight!!! You deserve them! Rebel

Karrie said...

Tears of joy, Amy.
Tears of joy!!!!
She is just precious!
Congratulations!
Karrie in IN

Robin said...

Amy she is so beautiful I am so happy for you guys. I have tears of joy!!!
You guys so deserve it!!! Enjoy your new daughter!

Congratulations again to your family!

Robin Martin
from Iowa

Anonymous said...

She is such a doll!! We are all so happy for you and can't wait to meet her!!
love, gina and family

Desiree' said...

congrats!! Our daughter is from Baoji City too. There is an awesome yahoo group.

Laurie McLean said...

Amy, She's beautiful! To be smiling right now means she has a lovely start in life and has been cared for so well! Congratulations! Laurie

Anonymous said...

Yippee! Presley is here! Love her name, love those bright, sparkling eyes...she's going to be alot of fun! We are all so happy for you and Derek, and can hardly wait to read the words," We are home!"
Deb Sorensen

Holly said...

Oh!! She is a ray of pure sunshine! Your little Presley is beautiful! Congratulations!! Love from Colorado, Your CHIWC Friend, Holly

Anonymous said...

Amy!!!! She has a smile to die for!! We are SO happy for you and hope for a happy end to your journey. Rest assured that Lexi will be taken care of and enjoy Miss Presley!

Paul and Jackie said...

Presley is DARLING! You are so blessed! We never quite understand the ups and downs we go through, but you can rest assured that this little girl was chosen for your family! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
Jackie W.

Anonymous said...

Congraulations--she is beautiful!

Lois O'Brien

Anonymous said...

Amy, I am so very happy for all of you. Presley is adorable. She does look like she has been "well loved". Now that you have her, relax and enjoy the rest of the trip.

Susan and Kate
Tampa FL

Amy said...

She is so cute!!! Boy did you get blessed!!! Look at those big sweet eyes and that wonderful smile! I am so happy for your whole family!!! Claire is one of my all time Favorite names.

Jodi said...

Praise God! She is adorable and what a sweet smile!
Thank you for keeping us updated!

Love you!
Jodi Sue :)

Anonymous said...

Amy and Derek,

I have been following your journey and am so pleased you have a happy ending. I am sure that Lexi will receive the best care with all that are pulling for her. Presley is beautiful - so happy! For the record, our daughter from China, age 5 now, also has an extremely flat head with a divit also! Take care and may the rest of your trip be smooth and peaceful!

Jill b in no cal

Heather BT said...

Hurrah!
I'm so happy for you!!!
Heather BT

Andrea said...

WOOOOOHOOOOOO! LOOK AT THAT SMILE!

GOD IS GOOD!


Andrea

DawnS said...

Amy,
She is adorable! I am so happy that you have found your daughter and I hope now you can enjoy the rest of your trip together with your new baby!

Dawn S (CHI)

LJ said...

I'm a new list member/lurker on the CHI list, and have been following your trip. I'm so glad you have Presley in your arms. She's beautiful!
Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Hi Amy,
Presley is precious. What a smile. I am so happy for you and Derek. I have cried many tears for you all. And now, I am smiling. I pray that the rest of time in China goes smoothly. Look forward to hearing more about Presley. Congratulations Amy & Derek!

Best Wishes,
Debra Odell

Anonymous said...

Hi Amy & Derek,
We have been following your journey and our thoughts and prayers are with you as you complete your trip in China . We will continue to pray for Lexi . It was wonderful to see today that you have a beautiful little daughter!!!!! Presley's eyes just sparkle with joy when she smiles!!!!!

Congratulations and blessings to all,

Cindy Fromme and family (CHI family)

Sandi in FL said...

PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!! Oh my goodness, you guys! Presley is GORGEOUS!!!!!! WOW, she indeed looks WELL cared for and oh, SO loved!!! You can see it in her eyes. Great for attachment! =) I can't even begin to tell you how HAPPY I am for you!!!!!! I hope right now you are all sleeping soundly and VERY restfully!!!
Hugs,
Sandi (from CHI)

Sharon said...

Amy & Derek,
Your daughter is absolutely adorable! My husband and I are just sitting here admiring that sweet little face! Love her name! Soooo cute!!!

Congratulations, Mama & Baba!
Sharon

Anonymous said...

Amy.....
She is beyond adorable!That look in her eyes says she will keep you on your toes. Congrats...I know it's bittersweet. Continued prayers for you all and Lexi....
Dawn R (A CHI family member)

Barrett & Angie said...

Can't wait for her and Elizabeth to be able to play together! :)

Janelle said...

Amy,

Congratulations! My daughter is also from Shaanxi (another great yahoo group!). She was so well taken care of in foster care ~ your Presley looks like it too.

We will keep Lexi in our prayers always and add Presley to them also.

Best of travels to you...

Janelle and Sydney
Gotcha 5/15/05 Yulin, Shaanxi
LID for Stella 4/20/07

Janelle said...

Amy,

Congratulations! My daughter Sydney is also from Shaanxi and was well taken care of in foster care. Your Presley looks like she was too! What a beautiful smile!

We will keep Lexi in our prayers always...

Janelle and Sydney
from Yulin, Shaanxi
GOTCHA 5/15/05
LID for Stella 4/20/07

KjerstenGreg said...

Congrats! She is so precious!! I am sorry that it was a difficult road to get here, but I hope it will all be worth it!

ellieshine said...

Amy & Derek,

Presley sparkles with joy and life! She's beautiful!!!!!!! I laugh out loud every time I look at her photo!!!

Congratulations on your new daughter,

Ellie

Karin said...

My Heart is Literally Leaping for Joy!!!! Congratulations, I just want to cry looking into her precious smile and her smiling eyes. She looks so alert and healthy. What a contagious smile! I am so very happy for you. I hope the rest of your journey will be filled with JOY!
Karin Clark

shelley said...

I am so thankful for your family. She is really beautiful. I will pray for quick peace for the foster mother.

Thank you so much for sharing your story.

Unknown said...

Hi Amy,
Congratulations!!!...We are so happy for you..
Presley is beautiful. Much love and peace to you and your family....

Chris...Lulu's mommy

Kris said...

Congratulations! She is beautiful.

LarsonPartyof7 said...

Congratulations Amy. We are so happy for you.
Lisa Larson

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Amy, Derek and Presley, wishing you a happily ever after. I am so happy that you and your family. Presley is beautiful, her positive spirit shines through even in the pictures. I hope to be able to meet her at one of the FCC gatherings in the future.

Kristie Dulaney

Presley's Adoption Timeline

  • 8/15/2007 - Received referral for Geneva!
  • 9/13/2007 - Sent LOI (letter of intent) to our agency
  • 9/29/2007 - LOI was sent to China!
  • 10/08/2007 - LOI was delivered to the CCAA in China
  • 10/29/2007 - PA (pre-approval) was issued!!
  • 1/15/2008 - DTC (dossier to China)
  • 1/18/2008 - Dossier delivered to CCAA
  • 1/25/2008 - LID (log-in date)
  • 4/1/2008 - LOA (letter of acceptance)
  • 4/25/2008 - CCAA issues TA (travel approval)
  • 5/22/2008 - Leave for China!!!
  • 5/25/2008 - Met our sweet Lexi!
  • 5/26/2008 - Discovered Lexi had brain damage
  • 5/30/2008 - Met precious Presley!
  • 6/7/2008 - Arrived home

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