Sofia was an orphan with Down syndrome in Eastern Europe and now has a forever family.
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Monday, April 26, 2010

Little Tank

I use this term affectionately but our sweet Sofia is a "little tank"! She is SUCH a big girl and I think that was part of what took me by surprise when I first met her a couple days ago. I was not expecting it! I never had chubby babies (love them...just never had one) and I just assumed that with orphanage living that Sofia would be on the smaller side due to the lack of food and the conditions.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm actually GLAD she is a little tank. That means she's been fed...maybe too much and not the best food...but she's not gone hungry and that gives me such peace of mind. Her basic needs have been met...food, clothes, shelter. Of course, being a bit chubby makes it harder for her to move her body and and sit up...and the 3 extra layers of clothes and ski gear doesn't help with her range of motion either. Poor baby!

Her cheeks are just adorable and always pink! She's a real doll baby. I can't wait to have her back at home...just in time for our hot Sacramento weather so she can wear her cute rompers and have bare feet! Oh the freedom!

This morning, we were greeted by Marina and Sofia in a cab on our way to the orphanage. We took Sofia to get her picture taken for her Visa immigration card, her medical exam with the embassy and her SDA file. What fun to have her for a short while outside of the orphanage grounds. We took her to the mall to have her picture taken and she was mesmerized by all the lights and action inside. She just babbled away at everything. This little girl is going to LOVE life! I think she'll find joy in so many things.

Sofia is called "Sonya" as a term of endearment by the staff. It's a nickname for Sofia here in Ukraine. She has a little cold right now so we went to the pharmacy to buy some saline drops for her nose and some ointment for her chapped cheeks and bum. She has a deep cough too but her spirits are good. She wanted to sleep for most of our two visits today and since she is on a STRICT schedule which only allows for one short nap, we decided to take her for a stroller ride out of site of the staff and let her sleep. It was a pleasure just to see her sleeping peacefully knowing her body just needed to rest. At our afternoon visit, she was still sleepy...loves to suck her index finger when she's tired...but the staff didn't want her outside so she had to stay awake but we just did some relaxing play on her blanket.

Unfortunately the prosecutor was out sick again today. Her child is sick so she has been out for some time. We are hoping she is back tomorrow so we can make sure our file is completely ready for the judge. Marina shipped off our documents to the SDA office today so our 7 day wait begins today. The EARLIEST we could possibly have court would be on Monday...but we still don't know yet. Tomorrow, Marina is hoping to talk to the head judge and find out who our assigned judge will be and then she will ask to speak with him/her and get a date set. PRAYING ALWAYS and until our baby girl is ours officially and at home with her new family. Her brothers (and her grandparents and so many others) are waiting patiently for her!








22 comments:

  1. Oh that pink sweater brings back so many memories!! Don't take her for a walk in the hallway without it OR ELSE!!

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  2. I'm so excited to hear that you are already doing the VISA, medical appointment, etc. I thought that would be much later, so it sounds like some things are moving! And I just LOVE that picture of Sofia laying on her back looking up at you :)

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  3. love the picture of her looking up at you and with her saving sofia bracelet! too cute!

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  4. I just can't get over how lucky you guys are!! I don't think there is a more beautiful baby out there!! And the more I think about it, I am so thankful that you were given that extra year of her life so be out of the orphanage at 1 instead of 2. She looks great and I love that you got to spend some time with her away from the orphanage. It must have really felt like she was already yours for a little while today:)

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  5. Sofia's pictures keep getting cuter and cuter. I'm guessing that maybe without all those layers of cloth's she's probably hot and that why her cheeks are so pink. :-) In that case Sofia will love the hot Sacramento weather!
    Looks like your paperwork is progressing quickly. It probably seems forever to you, but you've been there one week and have made so much progress.
    Good Luck

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  6. I could just eat her up! Oh - she is going to blossom once she get home with you! I'm sure the trip to the mall was probably one of the only times she's been out of the orphanage. I can't wait to hear about her amazement at discovering the world when you start taking her to the park, stores, play-dates and museums here in the U.S.

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  7. Is one of you a photographer or what?? Your photos are beautiful! Of course the subject is quite beautiful too. Funny question, but what type of camera do you use? I can only hope our photos look like yours...

    I am so excited for you both!
    Gretchen

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  8. We love the photo of Sofia lying on her back, looking up a you, Jen (with the four leaf clover necklace!) - she is such a sweetheart! All of the photos are gorgeous! :) Praying for a Monday court date!!!

    JTHTL

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  9. So beautiful.Your journey is just beginning and how amazing it will be to watch!

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  10. She is just stunning! I really can't wait to see her going home!

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  11. She is super cute, alert and very healty looking :) All great things! I am thinking of you and have my fingers crossed that all the court proceedings go smooth!

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  12. Love the pics!!!!! She IS a doll baby. :)

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  13. LOVE the picture of her laying down and looking up at you. It is my close second to her gazing at Hector the other day. Thinking and praying for both of you and wishing you continued progress. Enjoy your time with her!

    -Caitlin

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  14. She is so healthy looking! And gorgeous! So glad that she has been so well taken care of! Continued prayers...

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  15. Gretchen, we have a Canon 20D, we use a 85mm f/1.8 and a 50mm f/1.4. No, not a photographer, it is easy when you have beautiful people to work with =)

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  16. I am LOVING these updates! She melts my heart! I am so proud of you two! I know everybody is asking and inquiring minds want to know! What size is Sofia and what do you need when you get home? Don't be shy! Let us know! :) I always buy big anyway, raising a tank myself!

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  17. Beautiful. Just beautiful. Can't wait to see her home.

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  18. I love these updates! She is so beautiful, she'll have way more fun moving around in her dipe and bare piggies!! You're right...chubby babies are ADORABLE!! Hope you have her soon all to yourselves!!

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  19. These pictures are amazing!! Sofia sure is one beautiful little girl. I just love following this journey........you and your family (like so many others) are truly INSPIRATIONAL!! My heart strings are being tugged a bit more with every child finding their forever family. Landon really would make a great big brother:) I hope your travels bring you home soon. I am sure Sofia's big brothers are anxious to meet her.....and what wonderful big brothers they will be:)

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  20. She is so precious! Just a doll:) Love the pics!

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  21. So sweet. Nika was the same way, chunky and low muscle tone! Like a pile of mush! That changed soon after we brought her home, got her moving and strengthened her. She will thin out!

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  22. I'm just loving the photos and the stories! John Michael was a chunk at that age, too, until he started crawling and then trimmed up. I still can't get over all the layers of clothing... I hope all goes well tomorrow!

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