Update on Noah

Today we received an update on Noah that was quite unexpected- On September 19th he had surgery to repair his lip through the Smile Train program. Unfortunately we have not yet gotten any updated photos. We also got a growth report update stating that he is walking well now, crawling on/off furniture and going upstairs. I am forwarding all the updated information including new weights and measurements to our Pediatrician. Hopefully we will get some updated photos soon.

On the documention end- we are going to get our paperwork notarized this weekend here, then next week I am going to take to the county clerk's office to have verified (they'll do it right then and there) and then it's off to get the dossier to Albany to the Secretary of State's office to have verified. THEN we send it to our Chinese Consulate's office. When we get it all back we send it to our International Adoption agency and as soon as they have our 1800A back from Immigration (3-4 mos estimate) they will send the whole packet to China. The 1800A has not yet been sent out as it has to contain our Homestudy which should be done in a week or so...

Back at home...we went out on Sunday to cut down our X-mas tree- it was VERY cold! While searching for the perfect tree as quickly as possible Ephram stated "just pick one and cut it down so we can go...I'm cold!" I dont know which would have been worse trucking off into a muddy field in nice warm weather or the beautiful fresh snow and bitter cold.

The kids helped decorate it last night and it looks great- Every time Frances walks by it she says "Ephram's christmas tree" though most people may not understand what she is saying this is big news that she is putting 3 words together.