Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Our most recent picture of Pearl

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Pearl's baby picture

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Pre-Approval

On February 17th, our family of three received word that we have PA, that's Pre-Approval from the People's Republic of China, to adopt Yang Yun Shan from Chengdu Children's Welfare Institute in the Sichuan province.

We plan to give her an American first name of Pearl, but we also affectionately refer to her as Shan Shan. We have been told that the English translation of "Shan" is "coral". Pearl has spent over two and a half years in what appears to be one of China's most well-run orphanages. She is in foster care, but also spends her days in preschool with a class full of other children.

Her medical report describes her as follows:

At two years old, Yun Shan's memory is very good. She remembers all 25 of the kid's names in her class; she is still a quiet little girl. She enjoys playing quietly by herself with cotton dolls. Compared with her peers, in many aspects, Yun Shan does better. She can feed herself, go to the bathroom by herself and can put on and take off her clothes by herself. She can also climb into her bed and sleep by herself. Her teachers and caretakers delight in having her.

Yun Shan can imitate her caretakers. She also uses her doll to entertain other little kids. She's also very able, likes to help adults to do chores such as: help foster mother fetch things, help foster mother to feed younger kids and so on. Yun Shan likes music and will often move her body according to the rhythm. Yun Shan is a pretty, lovable little precious who loves to smile. Everybody loves her.

We feel so honored that we will be entrusted to care for and love this little girl as our very own. We know that she will make a wonderful big sister to our very lively and adorable Chloe.