Selah's Referral

Since I view this blog as an Adoption Diary of sorts, I want to record details that our family will enjoy reading in the years to come.  I also hope that the words and photos here will be a type of keepsake for Selah to read when she is older and ready to digest her adoption story.  Below is the edited version of our referral email (some things are too private even for a private blog).

Referral for Adoption Name: Ping Chen
Birthday:  October 22, 2010
Weight at birth: 1300 grams

Weight at referral: 2800 grams
Nationality: Taiwanese

Personal and Family Information
Ping Chen's mother is 18 years old.  She has no other children.  Ping Chen's mother lives with her mother. 

Ping Chen was born on October 22nd at 30 weeks gestation, via uncomplicated vaginal delivery.  following her delivery she struggled with her breathing and was placed on a ventilator. She remained on the vent until October 29th. She has no residual breathing difficulties or issues noted on her discharge summary. While in the hospital she received weeks of Oxygen and will be need to be followed by a eye doctor for check for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).  This is a common occurrence in premature babies.  Her current ROP is Grade 1 and it should improve over time.  She has had one follow up since discharge that showed steady improvement. Ping Chen will also need to follow up with her neonatologist for brain and heart scans to ensure that there are no residual effects from her premature birth. She spent two months in the hospital and has been home with us at the House of Hope for about one month. 

Ping Chen's mother is a full time high school student and when she is not at school she works.  Even with her busy schedule she went to the hospital most days to visit her daughter.  She was very proud to show her daughter to us.  Ping Chen's family wishes to give her up for adoption because they all want her to have a chance for a great future.  They are very grateful to her future family for caring for her and loving her. 
After praying about it we are excited to refer Ping Chen to you.  In the future, Ping Chen's mother and grandmother would like to have photos of her, and meet you when you come to Taiwan.  Please pray about adding this precious baby girl to your family and let us know as soon as you are able.  

Eric and I do actually have a video we took of us reading the email and viewing the photos.  The quality is crummy since it was taken with my phone, and it also has some embarassing moments.  So I think that will be one video that "stays in the family"! lol