IN LOVING MEMORY OF KIMBA

Kimba
July, 1992 - April 12, 2006





Our loving sweet kitty Kimba "Kimmy" was diagnosed with chronic renal failure in October, 2004. In April, 2005, Jon started to give Kimmy sub Q fluids (like an IV injection) every three days. Kimmy's body started to get worse as he did his best to stay alive and surprised everyone. He had a few very close calls but he was determined to live. Unfortunately, Kimmy's body was too weak and he took a turn for the worse, as painful as it was, we had to do what was best for him. We had to put Kimmy to sleep. Jon and I were both with him when he passed peacefully and calmly. We gave him lots of love and we thank him for all the wonderful sweet memories and love he gave us and his brother Tigger. Kimmy will forever be missed, but will forever be in our hearts. Our daughter Stefanie will get to know Kimmy through the wonderful stories we will share with her about him and we are deeply saddened Kimmy is no longer with us, and our daughter will never meet Kimmy.

We will miss our Kimmy…..

On Wednesday April 12, 2006 we had to put our kitty Kimba to sleep. A year and a half ago Kimmy was diagnosed with renal failure and we were told that he only had a few weeks. But with the constant care Diana gave Kimmy he happily lived on for an extended period of time and surprised his doctors.

Pets like Kimmy have a way of becoming more than pets and become a part of the family. For us, since up to this point we have not had children, Kimmy and Tigger have been the kids in the house and Diana’s constant companions throughout our several moves. Kimmy would follow Diana from room to room always staying close, even getting mad if she went outside to work in the yard. Kimmy loved to sit in the window and sunbath or watch the birds. His favorite gifts at Christmas (yes they get presents too) was always the bow on any gift. He would love to lay under the Christmas tree and watch us from his secret hiding place. He was always ready to greet you at the door when you came home no matter what time of day you came back. Kimmy enjoyed seeing the world from a different prospective. He preferred to be held upside down and Diana would often dance a little jig while holding him. Kimba was always watching Diana just keeping an eye on her. It was his way of being close even from across the room. Diana could simply wiggle her eyebrows at him and Kimmy would give her a meow just to respond and say yep I see you. During the summer months Kimmy preferred his water with ice, well actually he just liked the ice. He was always ready to help you finish a meal or snack and would get very disappointed each time he was not included in your dinner plans. Many years ago Diana’s sister Theresa would cook kimmy chicken and he became accustom to getting his fill. He was a very gentle kitty preferring to cuddle whenever he could. Kimmy loved people and enjoyed meeting and getting pets from guests who came over to the house.

Kimmy was more than simply a pet….he was a confidant, a playmate, a best friend. He brought life into our home, provideded comfort and enjoyment each day…. We will miss our Kimmy.

STEFANIE'S FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!

Today is Stefanie's first birthday in China. Jon and I will be celebrating tonight with Chinese takeout from Sampan Restaurant and for desert a wonderful chocolate cake. Here is the birthday girl!

STEFANIE'S NAME CHANGE!!!!

Jon and I just made a decision to change Stefanie's name. Her new name will be:
Stefanie AiYing Fischer. We decided to leave out Nicole. Ying as previously thought, was not her middle name but actually part of her name. Ying is actually what separates her from other babies from her orphanage. It appears most of the babies names start with Ai and then the second part is different.

UPDATE ON STEFANIE

Stefanie's nickname is Ying Ying. Today, her medical file was evaluated by Dr. Dana Johnson at the International Adoption Clinic located in Minnesota. Ying Ying is considered to be healthy, with the exception she might be a bit short for her age. This was not really a surprise considering she is Chinese and most of the people tend to be a bit smaller. We have been told Ying Ying will receive a birthday cake this Saturday, April 8, and they will take a photo for us. YEAH!!!

Here is Stefanies latest update:

Height: 27.5 inches
Weight: 18 lbs
Head: 17.3 inches
Feet: 3.9 inches
Teeth: 2 upper and 2 lower

Dr. Johnson believes if our Ying Ying grows at the same rate, and her information is accurate then he thinks she may be a size 8-9 month by the time we travel in May.

Our agency is pushing for us to travel from May 19 - June 1. Everything will be up in the air until we receive our travel approval from China, (A letter inviting us to come to China to adopt Stefanie). After the travel approvel (TA) arrives, our agency can then take assigned numbers from the document and find out what consulate appointments are available at that time. After booking the consulate appointments, our agency can book our flights to travel. I will post the updated information as soon as we know more.

Jon and I are waiting to find out if we will receive any updated photos of Stefanie before we travel.

ALL ABOUT STEFANIE

This photo is Jon's favorite.

This week has been a very busy week. Things have happened so fast with Stefanie's photo arrival and there is a lot to do. We would like to say thank you to everyone again for all of your support, letters and telephone calls. I was so busy the first part of the week I did not have a chance to tell you more about Stefanie.

Personality: Gentle, Calm and Loveable
Favorite: Toys with Sound
As of January 11, 2006, Body Measurements: Height: 66.5 cm (26 1/2 inches)
Weight: 7.8 kg (17 lbs 2.5 oz)
Head Circumference: 42.5 cm (16 3/4 inches)
Chest Circumference: 43 cm (17 inches)
Foot Length: 10 cm (4 inches)
Teeth: 2

Stefanie arrived at the YiYang Children's Welfare Institute as of April 15, 2005. We have just discovered she is in a program provided by Half The Sky Foundation, The Infant Nurture Care Program. Half The Sky Foundation is here in the United States, and has raised donations to build a facility at the YiYang Children's Welfare Institute and YiYang Social Welfare Institute in June, 2005. Several families from my new Yahoo Group YiYang CWI and SWI, and many other people volunteered time and money to travel to China and help build this new facility. This basically means Stefanie has been in the equivilent of an American daycare. The families on my YiYang yahoo group have all adopted children from the CWI and SWI Orphanages. We are so very greatful to everyone who helped to donate money and time to care for our daughter.

The Infant Nuture Care Program has trained Nannies how to work and stimulate the children. The rooms colors have soft pastel colored walls, many toys, along with crawl mats and an assigned Nannie to interact with the children. Our daughter is taken to the room every day. We could not be more grateful to everyone who has shown our daughter such kindness and love. This explains why she is so healthy and able to do so many things.

Stefanie is a deep sleeper.

Motor Development: Holds her head up while lying on stomach, rolls over from her back by herself, grasps toy in hand, holds toys in both hands, tears paper, sits alone quite steadily, stands with her hands holding onto support, picks up small things like beans with her fingers, crawls on hands and knees.

Adaptability: Locates the direction of sound/voice. Visually follows moving toys, holds blocks in each hand at the same time, looks for the dropped toy, reach and grasp a toy beyond, transfers a block from one hand to the other.

Language and Sociality: Follows you by moving her head from one side to the other, laughs aloud, distinguishes between acquaintance and strangers, sounds directed at someone or something, knows her name and turns when called. Eats biscuit without help, imitates sounds.

Personality: Quiet, fond of imitating, fond of playing with toys, fond of listening to music. obstinate at times, closest to her caretaker.

Stefanie can wave goodbye and when she sees caretakers she is familiar with she will wave her hands with excitement like she is dancing. We can not wait to meet our little angel.

DINNER CELEBRATION, BECOMING PARENTS

Jon was leaving to go out of town on business this week, and the call came in about Stefanie. This was exactly what I predicted would happen. Some things are just out of our control. Since Jon and I were unable to go out and celebrate becoming parents on Monday night, we decided to do so last night Friday, March 30, 2006. We went to one of our favorite restaurants a Japanese Steakhouse Bonsai. Last nights dinner was the best we have ever had!