The Finding Ad Dilemma

When we met the orphanage people to do EG's paperwork, we were given the finding ad. At that moment, my heart sank. The ad marked as EG was a picture I had never seen. It wasn't even a clear picture... so I couldn't tell if it was her or not. But, what really got me upset was the ad under EG had the picture that was attached to EG's medical file. We questioned it at the time, but due to the limited ability to communicate, we didn't get anywhere. This left us questioning if we got the right file for the right child... if the other 3 pictures on the file were even her, etc. It stirred a lot of emotions for this mama!

Thankfully, she had spent the previous 6 months at PHF. All of the medical info was consistent with what was reported from the orphanage. Also, once we got her home, her blood work was consistent with the medical file. Clearly, the other 3 pictures in the file are her. She has such a distinct nose and fat cheeks, that we just know it is her. So, we feel confident the file is correct and most of the pictures are, too. It is just this one picture that we can't figure out.

Some people tell me to let it go, but I just can't. If this picture is EG (the one attached to another child's finding ad) then it will be the youngest picture we have of her. That is priceless to me. So, I emailed my coordinator and she said they would look into this for us and contact the appropriate people in Ch*na to see if we can get some answers.

In the meantime, I ordered a copy of the paper that her ad ran in so I could get a better look at the pictures. The picture next to her ad looks like HER. I am certain it is her. But, a big part of my heart feels like that other picture is her too. Her left nostril is so distinct (the shape of it from her cleft lip). Both pictures have that same nostril. Also, when you look at the distance of the eyes, the shape of the forehead, the shape of the fat cheeks and chin.... I swear it is the same child! I will probably never know for sure if this little baby is my Emma Grace. But, I figure it is worth the battle in trying to find out. At the very least, I feel that my daughter deserves to know if a picture is her or not.

I have even been searching for the family of this other little girl so we can compare files/pictures. Were they given this picture on their file? Or, are they treasuring a finding ad picture of someone they believe to be their daughter and it really isn't? It is sooooo my personality to get to the bottom of this. Wish me luck!

This picture was on her medical file BUT attached to another child's finding ad.

Here is a scanned copy of the finding ad. The one on top is EG's ad. That picture is certainly her...it looks just like her. The ad on the bottom is of another child born about a week later with almost an identical description. That picture was the one attached to our file.

My gut tells me both of these are EG. I am almost afraid to ask the CCAA because what if I don't like what I hear. I would love to find one of those places that can compare pictures to see if they are all the same child. Anyone know of a place like that?

This is the youngest picture we have of EG from PHF.