The Decision

After months of deliberation and conversation and weighing the pros and cons, Chris and I have finally come to a decision.  We have decided to go back to China to adopt another little girl.  We considered another country, but there are so many reasons to go back to China.  We filed the paperwork with CAWLI (the same agency we used to adopt Saiya) last week and we have been working on gathering all of the paperwork and arrangning a social worker.  We would have liked to use the same home study agency as we did for Saiya's adoption, but China has changed its foreign adoption regulations and now requires that the home study be completed by a Hague Accredited agency, which Florida Home Studies and Adoption is not.  So we found another agency that is (Embraced by Grace) which was willing to complete our home study for us.  I must admit, the second time around, the process is so much easier, and considerably less stressful.  I'm not sure if that is because we already have a wonderful daughter who we can enjoy while we wait or because we already know the process and therefore there should be few surprises.  Maybe a little of both.  We already have the vast majority of the paperwork completed and ready for the social worker.

We are so excited to be opening our home to another little girl.  We have talked with Saiya about bringing home a sister and she is all for it!  I think one conversation went something like this:

Me:  Saiya, what do you think about Mama and Baba getting a sister for you?
Saiya:  A sister?  From China?  YES please!
Me:  are you sure?  it means you will have to share all of your stuff, all your panda bears and your room, and you will have to share time with mama and baba too.  So when mama rocks you, she will have to rock her too.
Saiya:  I do share, i share with syrafina, but she not sharing with me.
Me:  baby, this will be different, Syrafina doesnt live here, your sister will live here, are you sure you can share with her?
Saiya:  Um... yup!  I try hard mama.  I promise, I share with my sister!

Now we are in the process of looking for new furniture (Saiya has a queen bed in her room which we are trading out for two twin beds) and deciding on a name.  So far we have:

Adlae
Kiori
Nyomi
Xylie
Yumae

At first, we picked out Nyomi,  but I am really liking Xylie so much better.  Chris is indifferent to Xylie, hence the predicament...  Ideas are always welcome.  :)