Here She Is

This, as you can probably tell from the very clear labeling, is Kim Se Ra.  She is going to be our new daughter.  Well, not officially, since we have yet to actually sign the papers accepting the referral, but we've made the decision, and that's that.

Some of the basics from her referral information:  She was born January 13, 2008, and was about seven pounds at birth.  At 6 1/2 months, she is currently about 13 pounds, which puts her in the third percentile, so she is small on average, but, we think, may still be bigger than The Shmunkin by the time we get her home.

She was born in the city of Pyongtaek, which is in Kyeonggi Province.  That, of course, is in the eastern portion of north-western South Korea.  Seriously.

As is the format for Asia, Kim is her family name.  Her given name, Se Ra, is Korean for, "Little Girl with Bob's Big Boy Hair."  Or "Fruit of the World."  It depends on the translation.

According to the referral paperwork, "She is cute and adorable.  She is healthy, and has been growing well under her foster mother's loving care and love in the foster home.  Her feeding, sleeping and stool condition are good.  Her smiling face is cute."  It also says, she drinks formula "...in a good sucking way."

I should also note, when I first saw the picture of Kim Se Ra and her foster mother, I thought, "Wow, that is one big baby for six months old."  Then I read about her actual size and weight, so now I think, "Wow, that is one small foster mother.

As for the questions that seems to be the first thing everyone asks:  We don't know for certain when we go get her.  Probably in the neighborhood of three months, give or take a few weeks.  And, no, we can't just go and get her now.  There are procedures that need to be followed.  Paperwork needs to be filled out and turned in, the courts need to get involved both in Korea and in the U.S., and she needs to be readied.  Sure, we would love to just jump on a plane and head out now, but, keep in mind, we are transferring responsibility of a human being, not just from one person to another, but from one country to another.  I've heard so many stories about babies in some other countries essentially either kidnapped or stolen from their mothers, sold on the black market, and adopted overseas, that I am willing to make sure everything is legitimate and legal before we actually bring her home.

As for a name, well, we don't actually have one yet.  There was one name we had sort of been locked on for a while, but when the pictures arrived, decided she didn't look like that name.  So, we're open to suggestions.  Let us know who you think she looks like.

Comments

[Global Librarian]

1. We hereby claim the names Abigail, Amanda, Cassandra and Maria (in case our baby ends up being a girl). So back away from those.

2. I highly recommend you not give the Schmunkin free reign this time round.

[Jennifer]

I think she looks like an Ebba, after dad's grandma. I've always loved that name and she the first person I've seen that looks like an Ebba.

[Joe, Jane, Jia and Willa]

YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY!!!!! Oh, she is just stunning! She is almost exactly two months younger than Willa, so of course they will be friends.

She looks entirely regal just sitting in the throne with her big hair. Good luck choosing a name!!! We are thrilled for you guys!!

[Kara]

Actually Jennifer may be on to something here - I kind of like Ebba.

[Jennifer]

By the way, if it weren't for Ebba; mom and dad would have never met.

[Kristin]

She is precious! Name idea: Sara? Close to her Korean name, means "princess".
Best wishes, guys! Did you show the picture to Helen? What was her reaction?

[Pointless Drivel]

We did show the pictures for HM. She was most delighted, and very excited to take them to day care the next day to show everyone.

As for the name, we are definitely considering keeping Sera (I think it's pronounced the same as Se Ra). We also want to keep Kim, since that is her birth mother's family name. Unfortunately, the two really don't go together.