I'd like to introduce my daughter!

[grizzly adam]

Way back in 2005, my wife and I decided to adopt from China. At that time the wait was 6-8 months. Well here we are now just getting home on Nov. 14th, 2007 after completing the adoption process! It was a terribly long wait. And yes, it was worth it! I'd like to introduce to you Charlotte Emanoff - our first child and soon to be cycling star! She us just over a year old and is ham for the camera.

http://static.flickr.com/2056/1813129638_1fbb600a72_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54993679@N00/1813129638/)

http://static.flickr.com/2175/1802718610_97f4a8635f_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54993679@N00/1802718610/)

http://static.flickr.com/2356/1812278195_38393a15cd_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54993679@N00/1812278195/)

http://static.flickr.com/2217/1856128699_29b77e6693_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54993679@N00/1856128699/)

http://static.flickr.com/2376/1857020307_e385311aba_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54993679@N00/1857020307/)

http://static.flickr.com/2085/2051218303_7af6d68761_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54993679@N00/2051218303/)

Being a parent is pretty cool so far. The plane ride home was much easier than we were anticipating. She did a great job. The first week home was rough as she was having a hard time with jet lag. She's over that now and is getting along nicely. She's been to the doctor to give blood and did great. The cats are getting along okay with her. She's already been to a bike race as we brought her along to the MN State CX Championships. The MN weather is just a tad cooler than the Hunan Province she's used to. :D

You can read about our journey on our blog if you like:
www.emanoff-china.blogspot.com (http://www.emanoff-china.blogspot.com)

If you click a picture above, you'll be taken to Flickr, where there are lots more pictures.

[Danimal]

Thanks for the long awaited pics. She's a cutie. Congratulations and welcome to the club guys. I got the diaper changing thing down to 30 seconds flat. At least I did 9 years ago.

I'm happy for you guys. Congratulations!

[El Chupacabra]

Very cute. Did you guys start the adoption process in 2005?

[grizzly adam]

Very cute. Did you guys start the adoption process in 2005?

Yeah. We actually decided a bit earlier, but we had to wait until I was 30. So we started some paperwork and in November of 2005 China had acknowledged our application and we were officially waiting. Shortly after getting our paperwork in to China, the wait times got longer and longer. And longer.

[85911]

Congratulations! You both look very happy. We adopted about 2.5 yrs ago, and remember the whole waiting process. Now sit back and enjoy her!

[Pandl]

Congratulations!!

[bigwheel]

Congratulations, Adam!

[Nickel]

Awesome and congrats!

[jeffgude]

Congrats - Charlotte is our daughter's name.

[grizzly adam]

Congratulations! You both look very happy. We adopted about 2.5 yrs ago, and remember the whole waiting process. Now sit back and enjoy her!

Where did you adopt from? China also?

[grizzly adam]

Congrats - Charlotte is our daughter's name.
That's pretty cool. I don't know too many other Charlottes...

[syntaxjunkie]

Congratulations, Adam.
She's a beautiful little girl.
You and your wife have a lifetime of joy (and a lot of hard work) ahead of you.
And as an adopted kid, I'll tell you now what your daughter will herself someday: thank you.

[85911]

Where did you adopt from? China also?

We considered international adoption, but decided on domestic. We were able to take her home from the hospital, at 36 hrs old. We are in an open adoption, which so far has been great. As it might have seemed weird at first, we are grateful that our daughter will know and be able to have a relationship with her birth parents. Anyways.....beautiful little girl!

[Lezgo Cycling]

congratulations guys, hope the rest of your journey is a great one. good things (or people) come to those who wait :D

[flutterbyes]

Congratulations! Thanks for sharing your story, I am happy for you. <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

[jeffgude]

That's pretty cool. I don't know too many other Charlottes...

The bad news is...you know how you see those racks of personalized key chains, pencils, tiny plastic license plates, etc? You'll never see one that says "Charlotte."

[heavybluechevy]

Congrats! How exciting!
I think Charolotte is a beautiful, old-fashioned name.

[ninjanick]

Congrats to you both. I enjoyed reading thru the blog. It was a cool insight into the adoption experience. Also, as the father of a Gloria, and a Vincent, I'm down with the old school cool names that don't get used a ton these days. Good choice. Have fun.

[manual63]

That's awesome!!!

You guys rock! I think adoption is a great way to go!

[chiquito]

That is great, congrats!!!

[danger!]

Congratulations!

I'll join you in the group who's kids won't find personalized items: We've got an Ada and a Hazel here. :D

[At the Gates 2121]

congrats my wife and i are looking to adopt domestic withing the next couple of years and have a big family group night rides some day

[soupboy]

Congratulations!

[grizzly adam]

congrats my wife and i are looking to adopt domestic withing the next couple of years and have a big family group night rides some day

Will this be your first child?

[TML]

Congrats Adam and Tracy! I'm sure I'll see her at a race or so next summer.

[Ish]

Congrats Grizz. Well done.

[grizzly adam]

Congrats Adam and Tracy! I'm sure I'll see her at a race or so next summer.

For shizzle!

[goatgirl]

Adam and Tracy, you deserve a big round of applause , congratulations and whew! Anything worth while is worth waiting for. I am so happy for your family, I know how much you have put into this wonderful child. She and you are the lucky ones.

She is so cute!:p I love her name, my girls aunt is named Charlotte but everyone calls her Cappy for some reason. I wish you all the best and can not wait to meet her.

My twin nieces from Korea have just started their second year at St. Thomas.... day care and diapers is just a prelude to tuition costs! It is worth every penny.

Thanks for sharing your joy with us....

[Nita]

Very cool :). My cousin has adopted two from China, congratulations!

[Heuy]

I'd like to introduce to you Charlotte Emanoff - our first child and soon to be cycling star! She us just over a year old and is ham for the camera.

http://static.flickr.com/2175/1802718610_97f4a8635f_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54993679@N00/1802718610/)

DAAAD!!! PUT ME ON MY BIKE!!!

http://static.flickr.com/2376/1857020307_e385311aba_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54993679@N00/1857020307/)

Much Better:D



Congrats Adam and Tracy,

My sister is blessed with two uncommon names. Her first name is Charla or Char for short. So Charlotte and her might wind-up with the same nickname.

[fasterfoster]

Congratulations!!!