We are in Guangzhou now and we are enjoying our new hotel and city. There is less pollution which is very nice. You can actually see buildings and mountains in the distance. The hotel is lovely and the breakfast buffet is awesome. There are more adoptive families here from different agencies and we seem to have less stares. We completed the babies medical exams today for the visa appointment which will be June 17. Ayla is still sick and the visa doctor said her lungs "are not clear" and gave us an antibiotic for her. She really loves taking it. She loves it so much she lets us hold her down and pry her mouth open. Hopefully it works and she will start feeling better. Tomorrow we will take a tour of the city. I missed the description of what we are doing because Ayla was screaming her little face off. Isaac is doing amazing and so funny with Ayla. He is very sweet but will try to close doors to keep her from following him. It's pretty funny.

Below are photos of our small travel group, our Zhengzhou guide Vivian, them in the hotel and at a park in Zhengzhou. We loved our guide in Zhengzhou. She was so sweet to us. In a couple of days we will be joining with a larger CCAI travel group that will be arriving in Guangzhou. We have the same visa appt dates. The beginning of our trip was just a few days ahead of them and it was nice to have a small travel group. I can't imagine completing the first portion of this trip with so many families.

The next few days will include some down time which is much needed. The babies are doing excellent considering we have no schedule due to appointments. Nap time is all over the place, breakfast/lunch/dinner is who-knows-when and we are constantly on the bus/off the bus/in the heat. We have been able to keep night time pretty consistant which has helped. We are working on scheduling our day trips so hopefully will have more fun stories to share.

Last night in ZZ

First off, no pictures tonight. The card reader is already packed away. I promise to upload more photos in the next post. I think this blog may just be bullet points :)

* They are SOOO sweet, cute, amazing and funny
* Ayla knows that she is funny. She will throw her head back and laugh and laugh at herself. She also sticks her tough out when she giggles.
* Isaac is so funny too but in a very different way. He has this funny belly laugh that is hysterical.
* Isaac also relaxes with his little hands behind his head. Sometimes he will cross his little feet too.
* They are both great sleepers, love to play, love to take a bath and are warming up to each other.
* Ayla is the little boss lady. Isaac is chill.
* He is so sweet and will share his toys and food with us. He loves to read books.
* Ayla loves to put on her own clothes, try to wear my shoes and wants to do everything that Isaac is doing. He has taught her a few things. The first thing was how to eat from the squeeze food pouches. She still won't drink out of a sippy though.
* They both eat WELL. He eats almost anything. She eats a lot but still mostly very soft things as her diet was not as diverse as his.
* They are starting to really play with each other. They raced down the halls this afternoon.
* Ayla will hold out her hand for lotion after bath time and rub it on her face, neck and belly. She also wants lotion when Isaac is getting his after bath time.

Both of our children were in a foster care situation. Isaac was with an AMAZING family who loved him deeply and took wonderful care of him. He is the sweet, happy and wonderful kid he is because of them and the care they gave him. Ayla was in a rehabilitation/foster home setting where she too received wonderful care. There are approximately 40 children there at any time and many many adults to provide loving care. Her nanny came with her on family day and was so kind. It was clear they had a close and deep bond. Her foster home had a goodbye party for her and posted it on their blog. I will try to pull the photos sometime soon.

We can see them grieving for the people who have loved them for so long and that they loved. This transition has turned their little worlds upside down. That being said, they are doing very well because of that love they have received from the beginning of their little lives. We can see that very clearly. They are doing things we never expected them to do this soon - really laughing and having fun, feeding us/each other, relaxing in our arms, being snuggly (really surprises me), wanting us vs strangers (they really don't like strangers, people looking at them, talking to them, etc), sleeping well, eating well...these are all wonderful things. Although it is "easier" on us that they are doing well it is more important for them and their own stress. We want this peace for them. This is a stressful transition and we are hopeful. We still anticipate their grieving to continue, as it should, but they are doing well.

We are leaving Zhengzhou tomorrow and will arrive in Guangzhou for the last portion of our trip. We will have a few "free" days while we are there between our medical appointments, visa interviews and receiving their visas to enter the US. We received both Chinese passports today so anything HUGE step down.

I would like to say that I love our agency. The in country staff are so kind, helpful and work very hard for the families who are here. Ayla needed more medicine and our guide took care of it. Need laundry done, they arrange it. Problems with translation of documents. Don't worry because they will pick it up at your hotel room and fix it while you nap. Want to go on a day trip. Just say where are it's booked. Your domestic flight was cancelled? They took care of it before we even knew.

This trip has gone better than I could have imagined. We have two super cute and awesome kids.

Funny little side note. Jake and Isaac has the same birth mark on their heads.

Pictures

These pictures are not in any order. I am having problems with the internet and blogger. Sorry.

Yesterday was really long. We finalized their adoption at the government office then headed off to the notary office. That took a few hours then back to the hotel for a few minutes for a quick clean up. Then we were off to Anyang. That was a long long van ride. It was 2.5 hours each way. It was hot and the littles were super happy about being in the van over 5 hours. At the passport office in Anyang (for Ayla's passport) we were surrounded by people. We have absolutely drawn the eyes of many local people but this was different. They surrounded us, touched her and asked our guide many many questions about her, us and what exactly we were doing with these two babies. Very strange feeling.

This morning we headed to Xuchang to do the same for Isaac. His city is a little closer and the trip was smooth.

So sorry for the short post. The internet is a little difficult.

A & I!

Sorry for taking so long to update the blog. It's been a crazy few days. This update will be short but at least it's here!

We left Louisville at 6:30am Friday and landed in Detroit around 8. Had a little breakfast and walked the airport a few times since our lay over was 5 hours. The flight to Beijing wasn't awful but none of our seats were assigned together so that made the trip a little longer. We were not able to get them switched around together which appeared to be common as many people around us were not sitting with their travel partners. We arrives in Beijing Saturday at 2:40pm (local time) and made our way to the hotel. I would love to say that I took in some of Beijing but I had been up for over 24 hours and was pretty tired. We got to the hotel around 4:30pm and crashed early. All of us!

Sunday we were up early and had a wonderful breakfast at the hotel and headed back to the airport. Again. This time it was to fly to Zhengzhou (in Henan). Nothing much to report for Sunday. We met our lovely Henan guide, Vivian. She is super sweet and energetic. I really like her. She calls my mom and Sandy the "grandmas". "Where are the grandmas?" "Hurry up grandmas". Funny.

MONDAY! We all woke up early again. The time change is very hard to adjust to. We are 12 hours ahead of Louisville time. Once again we headed to the great breakfast buffet in the hotel and actually came back to the room and fell asleep. I just wasn't nervous. I think it was more because I didn't believe it was actually going to happen. It still seemed far away and that I had plenty of time for a nap :) The bus came at 9:30am and we hopped on with two other families. One are the new proud parents of a little girl and the others of a little boy. Both families are VERY sweet. It took us about 20 minutes to drive to the government office where we would meet A & I. It felt like 5 minutes.

We go into this big empty room and just wait. There were a few other families there with other agencies but not too many. It is strange. You just stand in this room and wait. All of the sudden children start coming in through the door with their nannies or orphanage director. They walk in the door, call out the child's name and you walk over. That's it. Seems like it should be more formal or something. Anyway. Isaac was first! He was the first one to arrive. I guess it was because he flew in the day before. He was happy, sweet and just amazing. He took to Jake right away, played, shared snacks, throw a ball around. He never missed a beat. It was strange how well he did in that moment. Lots of people. Lots of noise. He was a champ. A very cute champ.

Ayla was the last to arrive about an hour later. She was very sad. Her nanny from Angel House was with her and it was very clear that they had a close bond. They both struggled. Ayla was very sad and confused but was able to come around in a little while. After she had been there about 30 minutes we all piled in the bus to come back to the hotel. That was it. Very strange.

Back at the hotel they both crashed hard. She slept for nearly two hours and him over two. They are both doing well. He eats like a full grown man. She is coming around. It took me a while to get her to drink. She doesn't want either sippy cup or a bottle. I got her to drink from a spoon (I know, gotta do what works) and then she would drink from the water bottle. Messy but she was finally drinking. She was running a fever yesterday. Isaac is everywhere. Playing, climbing and just being a boy. Ayla is busy watching closely but not ready to just in yet.

Today we finalize their adoption. They are both sound asleep right now (it's 6am Tuesday here). They both went down easily around 7:45 pm and are still sound asleep. Wonder if that will last?

We will be getting them up in a little while for breakfast and then we will head back to the government office to make it official. It is my understanding that this 24 hours was to determine if this is the right choice for you. This is the right choice.

After that we will drive 3.5 hours (each way) to Anyang. That is her home town and we will be complete our portion of her passport process. Then drive 3.5 hours back. Today is going to be a LONG day.

Meet and Greet

To all who have followed us in this journey we are happy to finally present our children to you! On Saturday June 29th we will have a casual meet and greet at Beckley Creek Park to introduce Ayla and Isaac to our family and friends. We are so grateful for your support over the years and wish to share this time with you over cake and refreshments on (hopefully) a beautiful day at the park! Open house style, drop in for a minute or stay for a while!


We will be in the PWC Pavilion from 11am - 2 pm. There is a great park with a splash pad, walking track and Floyds Fork Creek. This park is really nice.

DIRECTIONS TO PWC PAVILION:
SCENIC ROUTE THROUGH THE PARK
• Take I-64 East to exit 19B to merge onto I-265N/Gene Snyder Fwy
• Take exit 27 for US-60/Shelbyville Rd toward Middletown/Eastwood
• Turn right off the exit onto US-60 E/Shelbyville Rd
• Drive approximately 1.5 miles and enter the park on the right across from Valhalla Golf Course
• Follow Beckley Creek Parkway approximately 1.5 miles past William F. Miles Lakes, around the Egg Lawn to Creekside Center
• Follow signs to Creekside Center
ALTERNATE ROUTE
• Take I-64 East to exit 19B to merge onto I-265N/Gene Snyder Fwy
• Take exit 27 for US-60/Shelbyville Rd toward Middletown/Eastwood
• Go right off the exit onto US-60 E/Shelbyville Rd
• Take a right onto S. Beckley Station Rd
• Travel about1 mile to park entrance on left
• Follow signs to Creekside Center

Hope to see you there!!

We leave tomorrow!

We leave tomorrow. We.Leave.Tomorrow. OMG!

We hope to blog on the regular basis but that will depend on the internet access. We will meet the kids Monday (which will be while you are sleeping Sunday night)!

Everyone and anyone is welcome to meet us at the airport on June 19. I can't promise we won't be a hot mess...or cranky....or very sleepy :) I am sure we will be running on adrenaline and will happy to be home.

Flight home is
Detroit to Louisville
Delta 6135
Arrives 11:06 pm
June 19

Here is a little break down of the next few days - fly out tomorrow bright and early, few hour lay over in Detroit and head to Beijing. Due to the time change we will arrive in Beijing at 2:40 pm Saturday. Sleep a little then get back up and fly to Henan Sunday. Meet the kids Monday!!


Off to pack!

What happens next?

We received our travel approval yesterday (but feels like a week ago) and have been busy making plans. Today we received our US Consulate appointment. This appointment is at the US Embassy in Guangzhou and will include medicals, interviews and then the children will be issued visas to enter the US.

What else will we be doing? We will leave on a Friday, arrive in Beijing on Saturday, fly to Zhengzhou Henan on Sunday and Family Day will be Monday! Following family day we will complete official adoption paperwork, visit Anyang and Xuchang, gather passports and some other meetings. We will then travel to Guangzhou for the second portion of our trip that will be centered around the US Embassy appointment. After that....we are headed HOME!

The trip will be approximately 21 days in length. We originally thought our trip would be be 18 days but there is a holiday in the middle that will increase the length by a few days. That is a "delay" we can totally handle!

We are so excited, overwhelmed and still in a little shock that this is actually going to happen! All these years we have been preparing for nothing. Gathering documents, paying money, investing EVERYTHING into adoptions that didn't end in actual adoptions. This is new territory for us and we will be leaving for China is such a short amount of time.

We are so excited and hope to blog while we are gone. More details to come!