Numbered...

Earlier than anticipated (but thankful) Ella Grace's social security card came in the mail today.

Questions, Questions & More Questions...

Remember we had decided to conduct a birth mother/family search? We have now compiled a list of questions we would like for our researcher to ask IF he is able to locate our daughter's biological family, extended family, and orphanage.

Here they are:

Questions:

Pregnancy, Labor, Delivery

· Was labor difficult?
· Was Ella Grace carried full term?
· Did you have medical care while you were pregnant?
· Was Ella Grace your first pregnancy? If not how did those pregnancies terminate?
· Did you drink or smoke while you were pregnant?
· Did she have any medical conditions upon birth?
· What were Ella Grace’s birth stats? Length and weight?
· For the 5 months you mothered her, was she a good baby?
· Did she sleep and eat well?
· Do you have any baby pictures of her?
· Is the name you gave her a family name? If so, who did you name her after?

Father’s Information

· Did he know about the pregnancy?
· If he did, was he at the birth? If yes, did he hold her and did he help name her?
· How old was her father at time of birth?
· What is his birthday, eye color, hair color, build, and
· height, weight; and is he right or left handed?
· Is he Ukrainian or another nationality?
· Did he go to school?
· What was his favorite subject?
· Was he a good student?
· Is he employed? If so, what type of employment?
· What type of education does he have?
· Did he have hobbies?
· What are his interest?
· Does he have a favorite song, food, time of year, sport,
· animal, color, holiday, and childhood memory?
· What religion does he practice if any?
· Does his family know of Ella Grace?
· How is his general health both physical and mental?
· What is his relationship with the birth mother now?
· Is he married/divorced now? If yes, how long?
· Does his now or then wife know of Ella Grace?
· If married/divorced, are there any children?
· Are they aware of a half sibling?
· Is there anything he or they would want Ella Grace to know?
· Is there anything he would like to send to his biological daughter as a memento/keepsake?
· What type of relationship would he like to have with us?

Mother’s Information

· What were the circumstances of the pregnancy (planned or unplanned)?
· What were the circumstances which made her place Ella Grace in the child house at 5 months old?
· What is her birthday, height, weight, hair color, eye color and is she right or left handed?
· Is she employed? If so, what type of employment?
· What type of education does she have?
· What was her favorite subject in school?
· Was she a good student?
· Does she have hobbies?
· What are her interest?
· Does she have a favorite song, food, time of year, sport, animal, color, holiday, and childhood memory?
· What religion does she practice if any?
· Does her family know of Ella Grace?
· What does she do in her spare time?
· How is her general health both physical and mental?
· What is her relationship with the birth father now?
· She is married/divorced now… how long?
· Does her now or then husband know of Ella Grace?
· Are there any children? If so, are they aware of a half sibling?
· Any other children given up for adoption? If so, does she know where they are now?
· Is there anything she or they would want Ella Grace to know?
· Is there anything she would like to send to her biological daughter as a memento/keepsake?
· What type of relationship would she like to have with us?

Orphanage/Child House

· Are there any photos of our daughter when she was
· younger?
· Who took care of Ella Grace when she was a baby?
· (Names, pictures, any info)
· What was she like as a baby?
· Did she have a favorite toy, song, game?
· Did she play better with girls or boys?
· How old was she when she sat up alone? Walked unassisted?
· When did she cut her first tooth?
· What was her first word?
· Did she ever ask about her biological mother and/or father?
· Did she have a best friend? Who? Pictures?
· While in the child house, did she have any illnesses?

Extended Family & Relatives

· Please list all known family members – living and/or dead.
· Include names, birthdays, death dates, pictures, occupations, religions.
· Where were her ancestors from? Where do they live now?
· Is there any history of disease or mental illness?
· What is the general health of relatives?
· What are their addresses, phone numbers, email addresses?
· Any special talents in the family?
· Any other background information that might be interesting or useful.

Can you think of anything we have left out?

Life Insurance, Educational Funds, Savings...

Just when you think you have completed all but the last post placement visit and passport...

...you remember the other important things like life insurance, educational funds, and a savings account. Today, we bought her life insurance policy, started her educational funds, and deposited monies into her very own savings. Are we forgetting anything?

Numbers 3-2-4

We have applied for and received confirmation the Social Security Administration is processing a social security number for Ella Grace. We should have it in about 2 weeks.

One more post placement visit and a U.S. passport to go!

Thank You...

A HUGE thank you to the great people at Jacqui's Hair Salon! I was worried I would be stuck playing with my toys and eating the boring healthy snacks Mommy packed for me. To my relief, Jacqui let me help with foil highlighting, I talked to EVERYONE, and I had cake, candy, rice, cheese and a few other treats Mommy doesn't know about! Thank you again for a delightful afternoon.

Ella Grace Ana Payne

Visit Jacqui's Salon http://www.jacquihairsalon.com

Four Months Ago...

...She stole our hearts

AND

Now she has filled our hearts with so much love and joy!

Birth Mother Search...

Jim and I have decided to move forward with the search for Ella Grace's birth mother in hopes we will have answers for Ella Grace when she becomes inquisitive herself. Interestingly, the gentleman we have hired for the job is married to a lovely lady who works at the child house where Ella Grace was living.

~~~~~~~~~~

As the search begins, we have been asked to compile a list of questions for the birth mother and/or her family. We think we have compiled a good list of questions, but we are inviting you to leave suggested questions here on our blog.

~~~~~~~~~~

Looking forward to your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions!

This And That...In Pictures

Look What Santa Left....

Santa stuffed something really BIG into the stockings this year! No, don't be silly he couldn't have put a horse in a stocking; he tried but it wouldn't fit. Santa left riding lessons at the local stable and today was our first day!

This is the way we brush the horse...

Mama! No leavin' Ella! Come back!

Carson trotting with Red....it was love at first sight!

Come on old timer....trot!

I liket it riding the horse!

They had so much fun! We will take our camera next Saturday for updates.