A Letter from Your Mama

November 29, 2008

Dear Talia,

This is the first posting from your mama. I've been very busy working on your afghan. Long, long ago, when mama and baba first moved to North Carolina, and long before we thought we would one day become a mama and baba, mama made two quilts. One hangs in your sister's room, and I made her an afghan to match when we waited to bring her home from China. The second one will soon hang in your room, and I'm making you an afghan to match. I hope you'll like the colors I chose: a soft purple, an aqua, a cream color and a taupe, all colors from the quilt. Baba and I have been talking about getting your room ready, as we get closer to the time that we will travel to China to bring you home. You'll get to sleep in the same crib that Lydia did--it will be good to see that crib again, and a baby in it. Your afghan will have 48 squares, just like Lydia's. I just counted, and I need just five more squares until I have enough. Five is your big sister's favorite number, she'll tell you all about that. She's already wondered what your favorite number will be! I've also been looking for a special comforter for your crib, to keep you warm and cozy. Lydia sleeps with her crib comforter every night still, even though she's been in her big girl bed for quite a while now. While I work on your afghan, I think about you, and what it will be like when we meet you for the first time. It was so exciting to get a picture of you last week. As soon as we get our "LOA," which stands for "Letter of Acceptance" from China, we will post your picture so all of your family and friends here can get their first glimpse of you, such a pretty baby. I'll also post a picture of your afghan and quilt, so everyone can see what your room here will look like. It will look just right, once you're here. More later.

Love, Mama

Info about Fu Tao

This is some of the information that we received about our girl. Other info will be posted after we receive final approval from China.

Name: Fu Tao; "Fu" translates as "lucky" in English, while "Tao" translates as "beautiful as peach flowers"

Current residence location: Chongqing City, China

Date of Birth: January 29, 2008

According to her Growth Report completed in April 2008, she smiles proactively when being cuddled and smiles when teased, and understands her name. She is a good sleeper (and we hope that such continues for at least the next 18 years!) She has been eating milk paste and rice cereal, with some vitamins, trace elements, and some other foods, like eggs and bean powder.

Fu Tao is described as an outgoing girl, who likes playing with adults. She likes music a lot. (She will probably be dancing in the aisles on the air plane. When listening to music, the report says that it is the most quiet time of the day for her. (Hmmm?? Wonder what that means?) She laughs aloud, and is also described as active. (Sounds alot like her jie jie - not one to let life pass her by!)

From Lydia Grace Wen Pei

Dear Talia An,

When we adopt you at the airport, we will have lots of love for Talia An. We can't wait to have you at our home. We will have lots of hugs and kisses (XXXXXXXXOOOOOOOXXXXXXXOOO) for you.



We cannot wait to have you. We cannot wait to take pictures of you. I am going to take pictures of you, Talia An. We cannot wait to have you, Talia An. We cannot wait to have lots of pictures of you when you're here. [By the way, here is a picture of me, making a "pretty" face at Topsail Beach.]



Talia An, you have not met some of our neighbors. You have only met the China people. You might not like this: you need to take naps in the morning. We are going to have a movie and popcorn while you're napping.

You are going to have naps in the afternoon too, and I might take no naps.

Goodbye, Talia An.

Love,

Your Sister, LYDIA GRACE SKILLMAN ECCLESTON

Waiting for Talia An Fu Tao

Oh Talia An Fu Tao, it is so very hard to know that you are in Chongqing and living the first year of your life without your momma and baba and jie jie. We wonder what you are doing, how you are spending your time, hoping that somehow you know that we are coming to get you. We see that sparkle in your eyes from the photographs that we received and we believe that that sparkle will grow into a fire of hope and longing for us and eventually into the indescribable knowing warmth that you are loved forever.

Your sister, Wen Pei, is waking from her nap now, as you are probably sleeping in your crib so many miles away. Sleep sweetly and peacefully, wo de nuer.
Wo ai ni.
Fu Tao (mei mei) he Wen Pei (jie jie) de baba [Daddy of Fu Tao and Wen Pei]