Meet Our Families

Where do I begin to tell the story of a beautiful Chinese baby that has changed our lives forever? I guess I will start at my husband's cousin Christine's baby shower. Christine was opening a present and I commented to the woman next to me on the unique wrapping paper. It was decorated with children of all nationalities holding hands. She told me that it was Carey's wrapping paper, a woman who adopted a baby girl from China. Coincidently, my husband Dave and I had just discussed adoption for the first time the night before. I spoke to Carey who proudly produced the picture of an adorable three year old Chinese baby. We chatted for quite a while and then she referred me to "New Beginnings."

Our next step was to attend a seminar at NB where we were introduced to adoptions from several different countries. Some countries were not available to us since they had restrictions such as age limits, length of marriage, etc. However, we were still left with several options. China stood out to us for several reasons. To mention a few, there was virtually no fetal alcohol syndrome or drug related problems with children. Additionally, there are no worries with regard to the birth parents returning to reclaim their child. On an emotional level my heart was being tugged toward China since the day of the baby shower. I felt as if it was a good omen.

Next began the tons of paper work to prepare and even more brutal, the long wait to receive what is called "The Assignment." This is when you receive a picture and information about your baby and travel to China approximately six to eight weeks later. The day we received our assignment we stood in the kitchen with the package in front of us. We wanted to see our baby for the first time together. I opened the package and pulled out the picture of our beautiful baby girl. She was so perfect! After hugging and crying we e-mailed her picture to almost everyone on the planet. The title of the e-mail read, "Introducing for the very first time Lorraine Zhao Lei Wimpleberg. The eight-week waiting period seemed like an eternity as the face of Lorraine Zhao Lei was imprinted in our hearts. We could not wait to hold her, love her, and take her home.

The flight to China was long and tiring. Dave and I waited in the hotel room while our hearts pounded. This is the moment we had been waiting for almost two years. Two caregivers holding two babies came down the hall and I recognized Lorraine immediately. When I held Lorraine for the first time, my emotions were overwhelming. She was beautiful. She even gave us a smile right away! Soon she bonded with us and didn't want to go to anyone else except my husband and I.

Within our two weeks in China she said "Momma" and "Dada". We couldn't wait to come home and see our families. They were all so excited to meet our new bundle of joy! She absolutely adored her older brother right from the start and she immediately fell in love with our four rather large dogs.

Lei Lei has been with us a little over three months, yet I feel as though we have never been without her. My heart swells every time she gives me one of her big, wet, sloppy kisses. There are parts of motherhood, of course, that are not so fun. Like sleepless nights and stinky diapers, but I wouldn't trade one minute for all the tea in China.

A couple of months ago was Dave's birthday. I lit the candles on the cake and asked him to make a wish and blow them out. He lovingly looked at Lei Lei in her high chair and said, "It has already come true."