Ivy Mei Liang Dickerson

We are working through more paperwork and starting to prepare for our trip. I think after completing one adoption and having done this 2nd one, I could just open up my own agency and get babies for all my friends and family. It is NOT easy folks! Remember that we are not only working with our government, but a foreign government as well. Enough of that...It's all worth it in the end. I wanted to give everyone an update on Ivy's health records that we received from China. Here's her life story up to this point.

"She was born on June 16, 2008 and found that same day in a wrapped package at the gates of the Yugan Senior Citizens Community Center, by a security guard. There was a note attached to her blanket. She was then taken to the orphanage and had a medical examination and found to be " a healthy newborn." After formal approval by the civil affairs bureau, this infant was officially admitted to our institute. We named her Yue Mei Liang. Because in ancient times, our county was called Gan Yue, we gave her the family name “Yue.” We named her Mei Liang, because “Mei” means pretty, and together with “Liang” also means beautiful. Yue is considered has last name and Mei Liang is her first name. All immunizations for Yue Mei Liang are up to date and we continue our wishes that she will grow healthy and thrive."

"Under the diligent care of our loving staff, when little Mei Liang was under a month old, she drank a mixture of reconstituted powder milk and warm water. She ate a bottle every 2 hours, 30-50 ml per feeding. She had a good suckling reflex and slept most of the time. She had a robust cry. Occasionally, when she woke up from her sleep, she would flash a smile on her face."

"At about 2 months, Mei Liang’s physical development made great strides. When lying in her crib, Mei Liang’s four-limb movement was more fluid and her milk intake increased. She started to differentiate between caretakers’ voices and her eyes could track moving object."

"Now little Mei Liang is more than 3 months old. She can look for sources of sound. She knows when her name is called and can stand for short periods of time when supported under the arms. When lying on her belly, Mei Liang can raise her head up high."

"Mei Liang can differentiate between acquaintances and strangers. She enjoys when her caretaker sits next to her, talks to her and plays with her. Her little mouth will move as though she is responding with her own conversation. When happy, Mei Liang makes audible laughs. When sitting in her bouncer, her eyes track her caretaker’s movements. She’ll wave her hands and kick her legs when content and happy."

"Little “Liang Liang” has an active character. She likes watching TV. When the pictures on the screen keep changing, her eyes focus intently on the screen. She also enjoys when her caretaker gives her a bath. When she’s sitting in the basin, her hands will splash water constantly. She also enjoys being held to go outdoors to play and there she enjoys looking at the flowers in the garden. She shows significant curiosity and interest in everything."

"Mei Liang’s life has a good schedule. Her main food consists of reconstituted milk powder and rice gruel. She gets up at 5:00 a.m. and goes to bed at 9:00 p.m.; she sleeps 3 to 4 hours during the day and sleeps soundly. She eats about 7 times per day. Mealtimes: 5:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 12 noon, 3:00 p.m.; 6:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m., 180 ml per meal. We also added rice powder, vegetable juice and fruit juice to her diet. This “little precious” has one bowel movement per day and normal urination."

"Most recent measurements: Weight 5.6 kg; Length: 58 cm; head circumference 39.5 cm; chest circumference 41 cm"

THESE MEASUREMENTS ARE FROM HER 3 MONTH CHECKUP. SHE IS TINY. WE HOPE TO GET UPDATES ON HER WEIGHT AND LENGTH BEFORE WE GO. AT THIS POINT, WE ARE STILL WAITING ON TRAVEL APPROVAL FROM THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND THIS COULD TAKE A WHILE. THE LAST WEEK OF JANUARY IS THEIR NEW YEAR AND EVERYTHING IS CLOSED. MAYBE FEBRUARY. WE TAKE GREAT COMFORT IN KNOWING GOD'S TIMING IS PERFECT AND THIS WILL BE TOO!