For those of you familiar with the Steven Curtis Chapman book titled “Shaoey and Dot – Bug Meets Bundle”, I love the beginning. It begins with “The day started out like all the days before…” But just like in the book, something special happened today. It wasn’t “business as usual” or “keep the status quo” here in Guangzhou, this city in China with over 8 million people. Today was the day that rocked the little world of the Lane household with tremors that we are sure will be felt half a world away. For today, an angel was dropped from heaven and landed softly in her Mother’s arms for the first time.

Ruby was as enamored with us as we were with her. Jada was the epitome of what a big sister should be. She is loving and nurturing and we are so glad we brought her with us to see Ruby for the first time exactly when we did. I believe the bond between them will be made stronger because of the time they spend together here in China.

Ruby doesn’t seem to have changed at all from the referral pictures we received which were supposedly taken 7 months ago. She didn’t cry, but a few times, I did see a small tear run down her little cheek. That seems to tear at the ol’ heartstrings even more than a full-out, crying-so-hard-I-can’t-even-keep-my-eyes-open outburst.

After we returned to the hotel with the babies, Ruby fell asleep on Sheila and slept for a little while. While she slept, I took advantage of the situation and took a few pictures while she was still. Brittany, the one of Ruby’s feet are for you. The one of her little hand in mine goes to show you just how tiny she really is. After her medical exam, we should know how much she actually weighs, but I’m guessing it will be about 15 pounds or so. I believe Ruby was the smallest one out of the five girls received from our travel group families. Jada looks like a G I A N T beside Ruby.

After the nap, we prepared a bottle and while Sheila fed Ruby, I had to go complete paperwork for the various governmental meetings tomorrow. I’m not sure what ALL happened, but when I returned, Ruby was not wearing the same clothes she had been wearing when I left.

Sheila here to tell the rest of the story…..I’m thinking Ruby decided to check out my qualifications. It all started when she wee-weed through all her clothes and mine. After I got through cleaning that up, it was time for the dreaded ‘first bottle’. As many of you know, getting it right the first time is critical. Well, that went over like a lead balloon! Ha. After a major struggle and 4 oz down, she threw it all up – EVERYWHERE. I knew it was bad, but when Jada said “Mommy, that stuff is dripping off your chin”, I knew it was really bad. So…after stripping her down to just a diaper and while getting myself cleaned up, my new ‘baby monitor’ said “Mommy, I smell something.” Upon further investigation, we discovered Ruby had her first diaper blow-out. So, I cleaned that up with Jada’s head blocking most of my view (she’s loves to be right in on the action). While attempting another bottle, she had blow-out number 2. All this, while screaming to the top of her lungs.

I called it all good when she drunk about 3-4 more oz and nothing came out either end :]

I’m hoping I passed her test.

The great news is she allowed us to put her in the crib with no fuss, played just a minute, and FELL ASLEEP ALL BY HERSELF. Now folks, that’s nothing less than a miracle right there!! Rumor is, she will sleep for 12 hours. We’ll see….

She can roll over and also crawl. She is so very tiny and petite. The 12m clothes are way too big. However, I know she will pick up pounds quickly.

I know you are all wishing we would shut up and just POST THE PICTURES, so that’s what we will do now.

Thanks for all your continued love, support and prayers.

We love you so much,

Richard, Sheila, Jada and RUBY!