The Birthday Surprise

The picture speaks for itself









Can you believe this cake?









Overwelmed? Sugar High?

The January Update

Here are the latest pictures of Ansley. She is now 28 inches tall and 20 pounds. Notice the Stricklin hairline and the Morris front-tooth gap.

The 1st Birthday

Ansley is celebrating her first birthday today, January 5. We won't be able to celebrate with her today but we'll make up for it on the next zillion birthdays she has! We sent a box with a toy and clothes and pictures.

The Paperwork

Finally! Our paperwork headed to Taiwan on December 30. That is such a huge milestone. It means we've done all we can do and it is now in the hands of the Taiwanese government. The process from here on goes something like this:

1. A hearing is scheduled. (Hopefully with a fast judge) We won't know when this hearing is until after the fact. At the hearing it will be determined whether there is enough information to make a ruling. This step has been taking anywhere from 4-12 weeks to schedule.
2. Then we wait for the 1st ruling. This usually happens within a few weeks of the hearing. Again, we won't be contacted until after the first ruling, most likely. After the first ruling we will be scrambling to get our travel plans together.
3. Our AIT appointment will be scheduled to coincide with the 2nd ruling. AIT is the agency that will issue exit visa and other paperwork for Ansley. The travel dates will be scheduled around the AIT appointment.
4. VOILA! Randy and his mom, who will be doing the traveling, will get to bring Ansley home.

We couldn't be more excited. More later.

Jan