Announcement of Annie Dixon

Annie Mao Wen by Janet Dixon

We received our referral for our beautiful new daughter, Annie Mao Wen on
April 13, 2000, but our relationship, and story, had begun months before.

We were introduced to our newest daughter, Annie, while over in China last
June adopting our first daughter, Natalie Su Bai. While in China we had
the opportunity to visit our daughters orphanage in the Fujian Province. We
were touring a very clean and tidy new wing of the orphanage just peeking
into a room with what looked like very young infants. I didn't know if it
would be appropriate to enter so I held myself back at the door. The
aunties called me into the room saying, "Su Bai's sister, Su Bai's sister",
directing me to this particular crib. I peeked in saw this adorable little
bundle in that little crib. She just layed there rooting, for a mommy I'm
sure. I caressed her little head and cheek and the tears just poured. How
could I just leave her there!

Both girls, Su Bai and Annie, were born with albinism, meaning they lack
pigment. Our first daughter has beautiful white hair, fair skin and blue
eyes. Annie has brown hair and big brown eyes, so it's obvious they have
different types of albinism. The biggest thing with albinism, besides photosensitivity, is very impaired vision. Su Bai has 20/200 vision WITH her glasses, so she is considered legally blind. I'm anxious to find out how Annie's vision will be affected, but it doesn't matter. These girls are absolutely beautiful and such a great blessing. Su Bai is very adventurous and her first winter in Alaska tried cross country skiing, sledding and snow boarding. She's now working on riding a bike. She sees things differently than us but she still enjoys life and is willing to try new things.

Back to our story of Annie. After returning home on June 10, 1999 we
started the paper chasing right away, to bring Annie home. Our dossier was
logged in with CCAA on Aug. 30, 1999 and we began our waiting. After having
adopted once before I knew the waiting was really hard, and long, after you
have a picture of your child. Imagine having pictures and a memory of your
baby for 11 long months!! I didn't think the time would ever come! I
prayed constantly that the CCAA would grant us our petition and that we'd be
able to travel before our I171H expired on June 10, 2000.

We received our official referral and travel approval and left for China on
May 17th...stopping for a couple days in Hong Kong. We would be traveling
alone to Fuzhou but would later join a group in Guangzhou. Our CHI
coordinator, Maria, met us in Fuzhou on the 21st of May and we were told our
baby would be brought to the hotel at 7pm (and it was only 5pm...talk about
a long 2 hours!!). I gathered all the gifts for officials and wrapped them
and waited for the call. It came at 7:10pm. We left our room and made way
to our coordinators room. As soon as we exited the elevator I could hear a
baby crying and I knew it had to be Annie! And, it was!! She looked so
petrified!! Poor thing didn't know what was going on. I gathered her in my
arms and could hardly believe that we were finally together...again...and
this time forever!!!

It didn't take Annie long to warm to us and of course she became pretty
attached to mommy right away. She did let Maria hold her eventually, but
she took even longer for Daddy. After about 2 days this scared little 13
month old began mimicking all that mommy did...smiling...patty cake...itsy
bitsy spider...giving kisses...and playing with toys.

After arriving home she regressed a bit with all the new changes again.
But, now after being home four months she is the happiest toddler. She literally dances and runs everywhere. She's finally starting to vocalize words, versus just sounds, and mimics just about everything we say or do. She is simply a joy!