We Made It!!

Well after a 4 hour delay in Chicago, something wrong with the hydraulics on the plane. (Umm, very important thing to have working properly and that's another post) we FINALLY arrived in Beijing!
Loren did great and slept a good 6 hrs. straight.
Once we got to the hotel we exchanged some money, Auntie Mitch got internet access all settled and we went straight to the room and crashed....well I did anyway.
I woke up in the a.m. to a lot of hustle and bustle in the room. Auntie Mitch and Loren were wide awake at 5 a.m. ready to start the day...me on the other hand slept another hour.

We had breakfast at the hotel and and off to the Jade Factory and the Great Wall.
Here are a few pictures of yesterday and today.




Getting our luggage


Looking at the lights on the ceiling of the new airport in Beijing. Loren thought it looked like stars in the sky and the water fountain below.


Loren and I in the hotel lobby before leaving for the Great Wall


Loren and I on the Great Wall!


Some friends we met along the way.


Not sure if I will be able to post tomorrow but I will try to post on Sunday.
Thanks everyone for your comments and well wishes.
Forever Day will be Monday!

Our Journey Begins

Later today we will start our journey to Abigail.
When Loren gets home from school we will get ready to meet with family and friends for dinner at a local restaurant.
After dinner we will say our goodbyes (lots of tears) and Loren, Auntie Mitch and myself will be chauffeured by Uncle Kenny to a hotel near the airport for the night. This way we can sleep a little longer in the morning. Yeah right...I won't be sleeping much but hopefully Loren will.
In the a.m. we will be shuttled to the airport.
Our flight leaves at 9 a.m.

I am hoping to be able to blog while in China. Auntie Mitch is bringing her lap top.
If not, then I will e-mail a friend of mine (Amy) and she will post for me.
I probably won't be posting anymore until we are in China!
So....... See Ya All in a few days!

Not too much to say. Finishing up packing. I think I will be finishing up right to the very end. I think I'm all set and then I remember something else I wanted to take along.
I better be careful, my suitcase is already at 42 lbs.!

Today I need to finish up on the packing.
Becoming a little more nervous/anxious each day.

More Days!

It was a successful luggage weigh in.....42 lbs.!!
Carry on limit is 11 lbs. My carry on weighs 11 lbs. Whew!
Loren's carry on weighed in at 8 lbs.

I am starting to get a little nervous now that it is getting so close.
Not looking forward to that very long flight again. : (
BUT...so worth it when I get to take Abigail in my arms!

Countdown to Travel!!

6 MORE DAYS!

Until we're on our way to Abigail!!

I am trying to bring EVERYTHING with me and keeping it at 44 lbs...Impossible, so I have to AGAIN go through the things and TRY to decide what can be eliminated.
The official "weigh in" will be tomorrow at the Vets ( I use their scale).
I sure hope I've got it under 44 lbs.

How did "they" come up with that number anyway??

Earthquake

My heart sank this morning when I heard about the earthquake in China.
The 7.8 magnitude quake was centered in Sichuan province. Abigail is in Jiangxi Province.

My friend Karyn emailed me an update on Hunan Province that she received today, see below...

"Hi all,
I know you will be worried about your children's first homes so I have just gathered some info from our folk on the ground in China.
Yvonne our LWB Hunan Director who lives in Changsha reported that she felt the quake this morning but did not know what it was until she heard the news.
Shirley our LWB Loudi monitor has also been in touch and reported life as normal.

Our Henan Director has also checked in to report Henan province is OK too.

Our education manager in Sichuan province reports all cell phones are down and she has been unable to make contact with several college student.

Please keep all in your thoughts and prayers."



I am hoping since Hunan is ok, Jiangxi will be as well.
I am also hoping to get some info from our agency today.
My prayers are with all who were involved.

The Weekend

This Mother's Day weekend was spent with family and friends.

Saturday Loren and I got together with our "China Friends". Our plan was to go kite flying and cookout at a nearby park.
However the weather did not cooperate, so we went to Plan B.... Bring the food (of course) to Kristen and Richard's and the girls can play indoors.

After we ate Richard whispered..."go get the bags". So I started whispering too, not sure what we were talking about.

Well the bags were for Abigail! It was a mini baby shower!



These are just a FEW of the gifts! Notice the sweater!! Karyn found a sweater for Abigail. Ya know, the sweater I have been on the search for?


Disney outfits from the M Family.


Sweet Libby with her Mama Karyn. Love that smile.
Karyn bought Loren a bunch of gifts and wrapped them for her to open at intervals while on the flight to China! Karyn's boss (Yes! Her Boss!) did this for her daughter Tori when they traveled last May for Libby and she said it was a great idea!
Thanks so much Karyn.


The weather started to clear and the girls went outside to play.
Loren, Addyson and Tori.


Tori's trick!


Loren


Mia


Of course I had to include the M Family's Fur Babies!!
Guiness


and Lucas!


The weather became Sunny and fairly warm so we decided to go to the park for a couple of hours to fly kites, walk along the "rocky beach" and make S'mores!

Group Shot.
From left to right: Jordan's friend C, Jordan, Addyson, Tori, Libby, Loren and Mia.


Karyn collecting shells with Libby.


Loren searching for the perfect rock to throw into the water.


The Throw.


Taking a rest break waiting for the others to catch up.


It's always a good time when we get together. Looking forward to another kite flying expedition. Next time with better weather and with Abigail!

When I got home there was a box waiting for me!
Lisa sent these beautiful gifts for Loren and Abigail!

For Abigail


For Loren. She loved the cameras and is ready to bring them to China!

Lisa , Thank You so much! I love them all!!
Your kindness and support have helped me greatly during this long and sometimes torturous wait.
I am blessed to have met you (through blogging) and am honored to have you as my friend.
I hope we are able to meet ( in person!) someday.


Mother's Day was spent with family. We went to a favorite Chinese Restaurant for lunch and then back to my house to open gifts. The girls changed and played outside the rest of the afternoon.
Here are a few pics of the girls and Nick outside.

Loren


Kayla


Strawberry Picnic



Loren looks angry here, she really wasn't!


Nick just waiting for me to grab the very deflated basketball and THROW IT!!


On his way back to do it again!



My nieces,Stephanie and Jessica were my "kids" when I didn't have any. I was there for both of their births and was blessed to be able to be involved in their lives and watch them grow into beautiful, responsible and loving adults.
(Stephanie will be babysitting my girls when I return to work. Thank You very very much Steph.)
These girls always remember me on Mother's Day, each and every year.
The card that Stephanie gave me this year brought a few tears....

"What can I say to an aunt who's like a second mom - loving, caring, being there through the years. What can I say when there's no way to tell you how much you mean and how much you're loved - except to hope that in your heart you know."


....I know and I love you too.
Kayla, Stephanie and Jessica (my other girls)


Note:
I will see Jessica tomorrow. Jessica had to work this Mother's Day.
Welcome to the world of Nursing Jess!

No Blogging While in China?

I recently heard that China will not be allowing any blogging until after the Olympics.
How can this be?
http://sugiero.blogspot.com/2008/05/china-blocking-blogger.html

Yahoo!!!

Thank Goodness!! The visas came this morning!!

I was just sitting down at the computer to check on them ( fed ex tracking) when my mother said "There's a Fed Ex truck here"

I quickly went to the door and hooray!!!! I was very happy to see these "babies".

And I was quite relieved to have Loren's Chinese Passport back.

Now I can just worry about getting everything packed and cleaning the house!

We're 1 step closer to you Abigail!

I Just Love This Face!!

Flight Arrangements

Flight arrangements have been made.
We leave on May 22nd to Chicago then onto Beijing!
Coming home..Hong Kong to Chicago to home!!
Don't have the itinerary for In-China flights yet.

Don't really want to repeat myself but....WHERE ARE THE VISAS?!!!!!!
If I don't hear by this weekend I will call on Monday. Thanks Wendy!

Travel Confirmation !

Got another email from my agency! It's official!
We got our consulate appt. for June 2nd. So travel is May 22- June 4th.
I'm thinking that Forever Day will be May 26th! That's when I will FINALLY have Abigail in my arms!!

OK,... Now I want the visas!!!! I sent them out on April 8th! Where the %^&* are they??
I am starting to get "a bit" impatient now!!

Travel Approval

Got an email from my agency today that we have Travel Approval!
Next is the consulate appt. and then flight and hotel arrangements!
I am thankful that my agency does all this. One less thing (and a very big thing) that I don't have to worry about. Thanks CAWLI!
It's looking like travel will be May 22 - June 4th. Not official yet.
Now where are the visas???

I have been on the hunt for a hooded sweatshirt or sweater for Abigail. I know it will be hot and humid but wanted to bring something with me "just in case". Sometimes the air conditioning can be a little cold. Not that I would EVER complain!!
Try and find a sweater or sweatshirt! I looked in Walmart, Target, Macy's, Kohl's, Baby Depot, Old Navy, to name a few, and FINALLY found 1 in Baby Gap!!
While in the store Loren came up to me with a pair of flip flops for Abigail.
"Abigail needs these" I told Loren that I didn't think Abigail could walk yet but she was insistent.
Well...because I sometimes feel like I am betraying Loren with a little one coming into our family ( I know, I know. Loren will be fine) and I want Loren to be a part of preparing for Abigail I bought the flip flops.

Aren't they cute!!
They may be a little big but I will try to put these on her while we are in China. I'll make sure I take a picture of her cute little feet in these!

Care Package Delivered

Looks like Abigail's care package was delivered today April 25th at 5pm.
Now fingers crossed that it will be delivered to the SWI.

Next the Visas. My friend Karyn, who traveled the same time last year, told me she sent out for Visas Apr. 12th and received them May 2nd.
So hopefully next week I should hear something.

The Kitten and The Crow

This is why I love animals.
You have got to see this video on YouTube.
This is absolutely heartwarming.
Leave it up to animals to teach us how to treat one another.

Some Stuff

This part of the wait is very long. Everytime I look at "Miss Abby's" picture I just want her home! I constantly wonder what she is doing and hope she is happy.
The question has gone from "Did you get your referral yet?" "Have you heard anything?" to "Do you know when you are leaving?"

I have been doing some shopping. Clothes, crib bedding, baby toys, some summer clothes for Big Sister Loren and of course, a few new movies for the portable DVD player, music for CD player, games for her NINTENDO DS.
Loren hates to color. Doesn't mind arts and crafts too much but cannot be bothered with coloring and since we cannot bring scissors or glue on the plane we'll stick to electronics. Anything to keep her occupied during the long flight.
My friend AnnMarie traveled with her daughter in March and her daughter slept 7 1/2 hours on the flight!! Oh Joy!! I can only hope.

My friend Amy gave me some adorable baby clothes that she had bought for her daughter Maggie during this long wait. Amy was in my LID group but switched to the Waiting Child list and got her referral of a 21 month old BEAUTIFUL little girl in June 07 and traveled in Sept. 07. To Jiangxi no less!!
She is always happy to talk to anyone who has questions regarding the Waiting Child Program. So anyone with questions please ask away!
I had to give Maggie a picture of Abigail because she was carrying around a paper copy of her picture! Amy says Maggie is always looking at Abigail and carrys her picture around everywhere! Maggie is so darn cute and what a smile! Just perfect.

Loren's hair (bang area) has grown out enough (from her "do it yourself haircut") where I can easily put it all back in a ponytail. Which will be great in hot hot hot and humid Jiangxi...and I am sure, Guangzhou.



How do you spell S T R E S S ??

I sent Abigail's care package out last week. The "post office person" would not let me declare $0 on the form. She said that they (China) would not accept it. So I had to list what was in the box and give a $$ value. Now I am not sure if Abigail will get it.

Where are the Visas?? It will be 2 weeks since I sent them out.
I am starting to get a little nervous not hearing anything.
It just seems like everything is moving in S L O W. . . .M O T I O N

Abigail's Care Package

I finally got Abigail's care package together.
I am sending a blanket (the background), a soft cuddly doll, a teether/rattle, a disposable camera, a photo album and some tootsie rolls for the nannies!
The agency gave us preprinted pages of questions to ask the caregivers.
We just need to have the answers translated when we get home.
I have a friend Christina who will do that for me.
I hope that I get these back along with the camera. I don't care if they keep the blanket and toys.
Here are a few pics of her care package.


Christina was kind enough to write who was in the picture. Thanks so much Christina!
I know that Abigail is not going to understand any of it, but at least the nannies will.

Mother (Mama)and Big Sister


Big Sister and Grandmother


Big Sister and Grandfather


Family Dog Nick

Growth Update

I received an update on Abigail.
She is now 17.6 lbs. and 25.19 inches.
She is a good size! However I have been hearing that they weigh them with clothes on.
I figure I will bring 6-9 mo. clothes with me. Loren was 13 mos and 20 lbs. and she fit into a size 12 months.
I also got some information on her development and her daily schedule.
The care givers call her ShiShi.
It says she is a timid baby. She likes to listen to music and laugh! Sociable and bright. A playful and outgoing disposition.
Not sure where the timid comes into play.
She is fussy sometimes....aren't we all? : ) and feels closest to the caregivers.
They end the update by saying:
"Baby ShiShi, we truly wish you grow in the sun and grow up happily."

Now that brought tears.
Oh sweet ShiShi, Mommy can not wait to bring you home.