Y’all are too much.
I loved reading your guesses.
Some made me smile.
Buying a cow? Not it, but I do kinda like that idea.
Another pony? Hmmmm….
Going blond? The funny part was how I’d look after my over-processed fell out.
Some made me cry.
Victoria getting engaged? Not my baby! Engaged?
Getting a new puppy? Seriously, Seamus is enough puppy for everyone.
And moving… again? Makes me teary just thinking about it.
And some made me positively queasy.
Being pregnant? Oh my. No. NO. NOOOOOOOO!!
Our joyful news is a beautiful little blessing from China. But it’s not a boy.
It’s a girl!
Please join us in welcoming the newest member of our family, Tallula Mae.
Hopefully joining our crazy crew sometime this spring.
Details to follow.
Kathleen says
Big smiles from here!!! Congrats to the entire family!!!!!!
Lori says
Wow, girl! You have way more energy than anyone I know.
She’s positively PRECIOUS!
Congratulations, friend!!
The Gang's Momma says
OHMYWORD!!!!!!! So happy for you. So happy for little Tallulah. What a cool name by the way. Can’t wait to hear the story to your girl…. And so jealous that you can go again so soon. I guess doing them so close together makes re-using dossier and home-study and documents possible, huh? I feel like we’re learning the process all over again with this one. OH – and we announced her name, even though we’re still waiting to see her face. It helps me pray and makes us all feel more connected to the process. Here’s part of our story:
http://whitneygang.blogspot.com/2012/02/rose-by-any-other-name.html
Congrats again. So fun to hear stories of more babies finding mommas. And daddies and lots of sibs, too!!!!!
Hilary says
Congrats! That’s very exciting! I’m so happy for you and your family.
Ginny H says
Oh she is so cute! Congratulations
Eileen says
Her smile is too much! I love her already!
Sue Lucas says
That is so awesome !! I am so excited for you!She is beautiful!! My heart is for Chinese orphans,I was priveleged to nanny for a precious little almost 1 year old just adopted from GuangDong Province and that just did it for me! I will never be the same .I so admire families who also have a heart for these beautiful children.I am going to China inAugust for my “first” missions trip to Marias Big House of Hope.God bless you and your family !
NiHaoYall says
That’s so cool, Sue! Many blessings on your upcoming mission trip!
Terri says
YAY!!!!!! Congrats!!!!! She’s beautiful!
Shelby says
AHHHHH!!!!! SO BEYOND EXCITED!!!!! TALLULA! What a beautiful name! And she is SO cute!! AHHH!
Melissa-Momto5bugs says
AAAAAA! So cute! Will she be Talli or Tallula?
btw, love love love my new Wild Olive tee–it fits great! (:
NiHaoYall says
Ahaha, we’ve wondered ourselves what we’ll call her.
Maybe Lula? Or Tula? Or, as my husband seems to want to call her.. T-Lu ๐
Linny Saunders says
Thrilled to pieces for all of you! She is sooo beautiful! Faithful God! And her name? Beyond adorable!
NiHaoYall says
Thank you, sweet friend. He is SO faithful!
Nicole A. says
YAY! I am so very very happy for y’all! She is so cute! What a smile!
You’re such an inspiration ~ I have loved seeing your family grow. We just got fingerprinted, and our homestudy starts in about a week (finally!). It’s like standing at the bottom of a large mountain! I am so grateful for all I have learned and “seen” by following blogs like yours over the last few years.
Wishing you abundant blessings as you journey toward your newest little girlie! (Love her name, too!)
All the best,
Nicole A., now in LA
NiHaoYall says
So excited for y’all, Nicole! You can climb that mountain! And every ounce of effort will be so worth it ๐
Emma says
Wow! What a cutie!
Congratulations!
Emma
Chris says
Big smiles!!!!
๐ ๐ ๐
Heather says
What a little angel! We’ll be praying she’s snug in your home quickly!
Dusty Drosche says
WOW! That is awesome! So happy for y’all – again! I love the name! Will be following along and praying for y’all as always! Blessings!
juli says
Congrats!!!! She is beautiful!
amy says
What a beautiful little girl! Congratulations on your newest treasure to your family.
Monica Carter says
Congratulations!!! She is beautiful!!
Ashley says
Wow! Congratulations!!
Amelia says
Congratulations! She is positively adorable – and her name? :::gasp::: I love it. You are one awesome Momma!
Ashley says
Congratulations!!! Can’t wait to see your family grow by 1 and Tallula’s life changed forever!
tish says
LOVE IT!!!!!!
Tara says
Congrats! She is beautiful.
jodi says
Soooo thrilled for y’all and Tallula!!!! What a blessing! Guessing y’all are further along then us – would be fun to travel together again! ๐
Jessica says
Big ol’ Hearts Sings for your family!
anything but LoKEY says
She is beautiful! Congratulations!!
Sheri says
Congrats!! she is a doll!!
emily says
SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is way better than a cow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And how are you going so quickly??? darn it– i’ll be there in the heat of July– come one– you know you want to be there in July again– ๐
you rock girl friend! so happy for you and her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NiHaoYall says
Yes. MUCH better than a cow ๐
Jennifer says
Oh. My. Word!!!!! She is awesome! And oh, so beautiful! So happy for you guys. You all are amazing! Love this news!!
Donna says
Yay!!!!! Congratulations!!!! She is just precious!!!!! Can’t wait to hear all the details!!!
Valerie A. says
She is beautiful! What a blessing all around. LOVE the name … love the pink … love the hope and joy your family always has room for..
btw, I am going to post this link in a couple of days and thought you’d get a chuckle of it … since you “out mom” the writer and all (haha!)
Maybe you’ve read it in the past. Although I cannot attest to having 9+ children, I will say going from 1 to 2 and even to 3 were easier than that transition from zero to 1.
Enjoy!
http://www.ncregister.com/blog/to-the-mother-with-only-one-child#ixzz1kLnxjtIe
And can’t wait for you to travel for your newest bundle. *Doesn’t look like there will be a huge transition time to get a smile this time around.
Hugs, Valerie (and SO glad it wasn’t a cow!)
NiHaoYall says
Read it and enjoyed it! She puts it into words well.. any mom with a whole bunch of kids knows NOT to be prideful about ‘doing it all’… we’re all on the brink of catastrophe at any given moment ๐
Wendy says
Wow…Congratulations. I’m thrilled for you and your family. Tallulah Mae is beautiful…and you are amazing! Can’t wait to hear more about your new addition.
Tara Anderson says
Congratulations on another new blessing!!! She is precious!
Liberty says
Absolutely beautiful. I bet I speak for a bunch of us when I say–when you are ready–please tell us the whole story! I am inspired by your energy and love for the fatherless. Did you happen to be an incognito co-author of “Crazy Love” or “Radical”? Your family exemplifies the messages of these books so well–truly inspiring. Talk about leaving a legacy–I think you have it covered…you do realize you are going to have a bizillion grandkids right??
We are actively working on trying to raise our income to be able to bring a little one home from China. We miss the income requirement by a few thousand dollars–so it’s holding us back–this has grieved my soul, but I am praying for God’s will and His timing.
Once again, congrats!!
NiHaoYall says
Yes, a bizillion grandkids would be WONDERFUL ๐ My kids are already talking about wanting to adopt when they grow up, so that should make for some awesome family reunions!
P.S. China will issue income waivers for SN adoptions! I’d call several agencies to find one that will work with you… I know there are several out there that will!!
Liberty says
Thank you!! I will do some research…
Karen says
Oh my, How EXCITING. Congratulations!!!!!!!
Kam says
To copy your words from my post yesterday…YIPPEEE!!! So happy to see this out here and can’t wait for you guys to bring her home! God is good!
Donna Dear says
Congrats!! If our budget could handle it, we might adopt again. We love our little girl we brought home in Dec.
Mary Beth says
Well little Tallula is a precious doll! Congratulations! I’m so impressed you will be traveling again so soon! I’m excited to hear the rest of the story.
Football and Fried Rice says
Love her!! Happy for you guys!
Jennifer says
Oh how sweet. Just love her name and that precious face. Can’t wait to hear the rest of the story. Hugs
Kim says
Rejoicing with you (and your followers)!
And I LOVE her name. Really, love it.
She is just beautiful!
And cannot wait to hear the God story behind her homecoming!
You continue to amaze and inspire me.
With each of your adoptions, I hold on to the hope that my husband will say YES (again).
I left a piece of my heart in Hong Kong.
Love & Blessings,
Kim
NiHaoYall says
I hope he says YES, too!!
Patricia says
What a little beauty! Any details?? We also have a Wuhan cutie. ๐
So excited for you all. And the name….. adore it!
Cheryl says
Wow! How exciting! Can’t wait to hear the details!
Dusty says
Congratulations!!! She is just beautiful!
Sennie says
Congratulations!!! What a cutie<3
Dardi says
SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!!!! That is so, so, SO exciting!!! This Spring?!? Like how soon this Spring? We are hoping for mid/end of March. She is beautiful…WAHOOO!!! Big congratulations!!! :o)
Sarah says
Wonderful news to rejoice over!! Sweet Tallula’s face is just precious!! Such a sweet gift from Jesus to your family.
Can’t wait to hear more of the story!
We are travelling in the spring for our little gal too- maybe we’ll see you there! ๐
Ruthie says
Congrats! We picked up our little girl in Wuhan too!
Crystal Oh says
Congratulations! She is to precious for words!
Diane says
Congratulations!! <3 She looks absolutely adorable and oh-so-happy in the picture! I cannot wait to hear her redemption story!
Praying for you all~Diane
Shallin says
Praise God! Many blessings and love to your family & Tallulah Mae. I can’t wait to hear more!
Shanny says
Yippee, I love it!! One less orphan in the world. Congratulations to your family. She is beautiful!!
Michelle says
CONGRATULATIONS! She looks adorable. I can’t wait to hear her story!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SWEET JUDE!!!!!!
NiHaoYall says
Thank you, Michelle! I’ll let Jude know (we’re celebrating tonight :))
Happy Birthday to YOU, too!
Anna Schmidt says
Oh my! she is so cute:) can’t wait to hear more about her!
Campbell says
God Bless your wonderful family and that sweet sweet girl!! You give me so much hope for my own family.
So excited for you and can’t wait to follow this amazing journey!! Little Tallula Mae will be such ah wonderful addition to the clan!!
Lauren says
she is so beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Londa says
Congratulations Stehanie…She is precious!! I am so excited for you and your family and for sweet Tullula!! I had a feeling when you announced you were going on a 21 day Daniel fast if there might be another little one. But how are you able to go back so quickly? One agency has told us we have to be home with our newest one for at least 6 months before we can even consider another child and some agencies make you wait a year. I’m just curious how you are able to go back so quickly? No matter though, I am so happy for you and your ability to do so! Can’t wait to hear more! God is so good!!
Rebecca says
I kinda figured you’d be adding to your crew. What a wonderful experience it must be to spend a day with your family. All the happy giggles and little feet running around.
Jamie Steele says
So exciting for you all! She is absolutely beautiful. I know you don’t know me but I am a long time follower because I just love what God is doing with your family. So, I just have to ask, how in the world do you bring them home so fast? I think our process takes triple the time as it seems yours take. Maybe its our agency? We brought home our little guy from Zhejiang in March of 2010 and applied again in November 2010. We are still waiting to bring home our daughter from Fujian. I am amazed at how fast you guys seem to get through the process. I already am looking forward to starting the process again after we travel, so I was wondering what your strategy is?! I know you are super busy, but if you have time I would just love to know. ๐
Blessngs!
The Steele Family
Scooping it up says
So jealous. ๐ We are starting the process again but it is gonna be oh-so-long. She’s lovely and so are you all. Congrats!
Christy says
Thi is wonderful news!!!!!!! Soooooo happy for you guys.
Where are you in the process?? We are waiting for LOA which seems like an endless process.
Would live I know where you are. Maybe we will travel around the same time.
Details????? Age???? All the good stuff ๐
Annette says
Oh I pray we can go back some day. Our sweet Hayley wants a sister so bad. Since Vivi has so many sister.
Brooke Richard says
YAAYYYY!!!! How exciting!!! Congratulations! She’s beautiful! We are hoping to travel this spring to get OUR little beauty from the Yunnan Province! Maybe we’ll be there at the same time!!!
martha says
congrats! our girl is from wuhan
Diana says
Well you already know, that I LOVE her!!! And I ADORE her name!!!
Can’t wait to see that bundle of love in your arms SOON!!!!!!
Hugs from MN and a great big CONGRATULATIONS to the expecting family!!!
Love,
Diana
Candace says
You are superwoman (or just a super woman!)! Congrats to you and the family!
Tara Aycock says
Yeah! A little Wuhan Princess! We just got our daughter in Oct 2011 and she is from Wuhan also. Get ready – Wuhan girls have spunK – and it is great!!
elisabeth says
OH MY! OH MY! SOOOOO excited for you Stephanie!!!!! Crying over here in gratefulness that another little one will have a family! She is absolutely precious!!!!!
xoxoxoxoxo
Karrie says
Well AWESOME!!!!!!! I am SOOOO glad it’s sweet little Tallula Mae and not some BORING stinky old cow. ๐
Congratulations!!! So, SOOO incredibly AWESOME!!! What a cutie she is!
AWESOME.
๐
Karrie
michelleJ says
NO! No way!! Congratulations to your family! Can’t wait for the story. Hurry home, Miss T! =)
johanna cannelongo says
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Praise God , one less orphan in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOHOO!!!! Please move closer to DE, I’d love to hang out with you and your precious family!!:)))
Andrea says
Wow! Congratulations, she’s precious!
Yvette says
Oh I could jsut eat her up – she is darling and LOVE her name!!
Kimberly E says
WOW. WOW. WOW! Just LOVE her, her adorable smile and your big heart! She is precious! Can’t wait to hear all the details…
xo,
Kim
Jen McCoy says
WOW!!! CONGRATULATIONS!! She is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. Can’t wait to hear her story.
Blessings,
Jen
Amy says
Congratulations! I’m so happy for you and look forward to “meeting” her in the coming months through your blog. YAY!
To-leen says
Love, love, LOVE seeing Tallulah’s sweet cheeks in your sidebar finally!!!!!! Love that chunky monkey. And love you.
So happy that you get to share your news!
And I thought your big news was gonna be that you were taking me and Amie to the Bahamas. ๐
Danae says
CONGRATULATIONS! She is a beauty!
I can’t wait to follow your newest journey to China!
Blessings.
Paige says
She is precious – Love her name. I am so curious as to how quickly you get through the process. I see that some other faithful followers have asked That question as well. I love your blog and really look forward to reading it each night after I get the little ones tucked in. I can’t wait to learn more about your precious little girl. I know you must be so excited. Thanks for emailing me back a few weeks ago about club foot. I’m grateful. Congrats
Hannah Norris says
What a cutie! I have a Sadie Mae. So I LOVE the name!!!!!
Kelly says
Oh my goodness! She looks so giggly and happy already- can’t wait to see how she blooms one you have her home! Congratulations ๐
~Kelly
Mary DeGennaro says
SO EXCITING!!!!!! Love her precious face and her name…..I am already thinking of her as little Tally!!!!!! Can’t wait to hear all the details. And supporting another addition to the family.
I was excited to learn that you live in the Southeast. I do also, in North Carolina. Maybe some day I can meet your wonderful family in person.
Samantha says
Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you! Tallula is beautiful and I can’t wait to hear all the details. I am also ready for a new “how I do it” post because as I am wondering how I might do it with 5, I think “well, Stefanie does it with 10!!” So , please share!
Amanda says
oh my gosh! congratulations! we are so excited for you!
Eva says
Congratulations! Tallula is a doll! What a smile. A real gem. Can’t wait to hear more about her and to follow your travels. ๐
elisabeth says
Ok I already commented but I have to comment again. I need to tell you that you and your family have ministered to my heart without even knowing it, without even knowing me……the closeness in time to your adoptions (especially Poppy and your latest sweet-pea) have given my heart so much comfort….I have been worrying that our current adoption would be our only one, and thinking maybe I am crazy to already have the desire to bring more home when we are not even finished bringing home our first one! God has used to tremendously to help and encourage me, there is so much joy in your blog! May He richly bless each and every one of you. Much love to you from Canada.
NiHaoYall says
Thank you for sharing, Elisabeth. It is such an encouragement to me to know that our story encourages others! God is GOOD!!
teena says
Congratulations! We also have a little girl from Hubei and LOVED Wuhan! Wow, what amazing, awesome news!!!! Am looking forward to following your journey – again! ;o)
April says
Be still my heart. She is precious! Always loved the name Tallulah.
Cara says
We have a Spicy Wuhan girl!!! Congrats!
LeeAnne says
๐ So so good!! I was just thinking bout you the other day, and wondering if your beautiful family would grow some more?!! Tallula is spectacular. God bless you all!
Branda says
SO SO HaPpY for you guys (somehow saw this coming!!!) Her name is precious, she is gorgeous, and YOU and CHRIS are blessed beyond belief with your babies ๐
Di says
Wonderful news – she looks adorable! What a smile she has! Can’t wait to see her coming home to you!
LaxChinaMom says
So excited for your family and your sweet new family member. I just love her smile! God is so good!
demetria says
UH~MAZING!! she is STUNNING…just like the rest of your lovely family. i’ve followed your blog for a long time now, but i dont think ive ever commented before. yall are such an inspiration and an encouragement to so many! we are headed to guangdong province for our baby girl this spring! waiting on i800 now ๐
can’t wait to hear the details….LOVELOVELOVE her name ๐
NiHaoYall says
Well, thanks for de-lurking Demetria!
Maybe we WILL see you in China… that would be great fun!
Stacy Swartzlander says
Oh Stefanie, she is gorgeous!!!! We are so thrilled for your family and can’t wait to watch you bring her home, too! Although, I must say, that I would much rather be curled up in my bed with a bowl of popcorn watching you bring her home on a TV network show! hee hee
NiHaoYall says
Good one, Stacy. I don’t think there is a network out there that wants to touch this crazy family ๐
Jennifer says
She’s a little beauty. Congratulatiions. What a lucky little lady!
Jessica C says
Praise the Lord! =DDD
Ali says
Wow! You are totally crazy girl! But I can’t blame you; she is beautiful. She reminds me a little of your Jude in these pictures. Can’t wait to see this journey!
Amy says
Love, love, love her name!! She is adorable! I love how God works in your family. You are so good at living out loud for Him! Blessings to your whole gang!
Sheryl says
Happy!!! She’s just beautiful and I know you can’t wait to squeeze her tight! I will be praying for the rest of the process and that the Lord works out all the details. Congrats!
Carrie Allen says
Sweet news. Congratulations! She’s lovely!
Chrissie says
Congratulations … you are an inspiration to all. God bless you on your journey to her!
Heather Peterson says
I said baby, but i ment ADOPTED baby! So YAYYYYYY!!!! I’M SO STINKIN PUMPED FOR YOU! She is absolutely beautiful and I LOVE the name!!! How exciting is this!!!
Heather Peterson says
Oh and you’re gonna come visit us right!? ๐
Shirley says
Congratulations! Wow- Gotta love it! She is absolutely adorable!
stacey milchman says
Wowzers! Congratulations! She is so stinking cute and love her name. Mae is the middle name we chose for our daughter too. Wishing you the best of luck. Cannot wait to hear more details.
Sharon Long says
A big congratulations to you and your family! My hat is off to you, I don’t know how you do it. I have three and some days I want to tear my hair out! She is beautiful and now there is one less orphan in the world. Blessings to you all!
Brandi says
Stefanie you shine for God girl! James 1:27!!!! I know you and your husband are giving all the glory to Him! I will keep Tallula in my prayers as she waits. And you in my prayers as you wait. I’m so excited and happy for you! Can’t wait to read the details of how Tallula joined your family. Praying!
Annie says
Oh Stefanie!!!!! So happy for you all!!!! She is just precious! How did you keep it a secret for so long!!!! I would have been bursting at the seams!!! LOL!!!! A very dear friend of mine was just in Wuhan!!! If I had known, I would have asked her to get some pics for you!! Congrats sweet friend!
Martha says
Thank you for being so obedient to our Heavenly Father. You are such a blessing to this almost forty, never-married girl. It’s hard to explain but your open heart toward these beautiful children touches the “mother” in mine and reminds me again of how sovereign God is in His plans for us. Blessings to you….
NiHaoYall says
Thank you for your incredibly sweet words, Martha! Means more to me than you could know ๐
Cari says
What a sweet smile she has! Congratulations!
Aus says
….a moment of stunned silence….then…..
HOORAH – as only maybe your DH would understand – his prior service to our country and all….
and then a serious thought about a nick name…..
Lula Belle – hurry home!!!!!
hugs – just over the moon happy for y’all –
aus and co.
NiHaoYall says
Ahhhh, Tula Belle. Does have a nice ring to it, Aus!
Babsi says
Congratulations! Even from germany!
Kelly says
What a joy to see God using you once again to bring a child home to her family! Bless you!
Julie D. says
That is awesome! Congratulations! I love her name too.
Traci says
What a CUTIE! So happy for sweet Tallula and your family! Can’t wait to follow your journey to another baby!!
Maybe we’ll cross each other in China!
Many many blessings!
Lisa Murphy says
that was kinda my guess, without really even knowing you. You just seem to have the heart to do this forever:) That baby girl is simply precious. Can’t wait to hear more about her!!!
Christi says
Gorgeous! So happy for you all
kristi says
I figured that your news was going to be something this delightful! Sorry that it took me a few days to get back to making rounds on blogs to see…
She’s beautiful ~ absolutely beautiful! Looking forward to watching her story in your family unfold!
Catherine says
Congratulations! How exciting to hear of God growing your family again! You are a blessing to many and especially your sweet, sweet children chosen by God himself!!!