Gotcha Day!

So about 2pm today, our group ventured over to meet our children. We are a group of 4 families so far. It was a very emotional day. We saw Autumn before we met her. I recognized her instantly. Then, we got to meet. Her nanny told us that she was carsick on the way over. It is a 4 hour bus ride from Guangning to Guangzhou, and her first time traveling. She also missed her nap time. We first noticed lots of small scars all over her body, her face. Turns out that she was hospitalized late August through September with chicken pox. It looks like she is healing, but several spots nonetheless. She is VERY quiet and shy. She sat in our laps no problem. She whimpered a little, not loud, very soft cries. I think more than anything she was tired. She tolerated the bus ride back to the hotel, no problems. She seems to have good sight, good hearing. She watches everything you do. She has not spoken, but I understand she was talking very minimally at the orphanage. She sucks her fingers constantly. She loves to be held. She loves a blanket. Her hair looks very healthy - and quite a lot of it. She hates shoes. In fact, she was wearing a new pair today, and her nanny said that otherwise, she does not like them. She seems to like cartoons. She does have a cleft palate - I cannot tell how much affected, her front gum line is affected. She has had no surgery.
So back at the hotel, we finally got her to nap. She sleeps with her eyes half open. Mike is a little amazed at this. He has now gone to get supper. I hope that she will eat with no problems. Will try to update more in the next couple of days. Hopefully she will open up a little more, but for now, very quiet and shy.

New shoes and BIG TROUBLE!

So, our guide in Beijing said "no trouble buying shoes - take taxi to Carre Four - like WalMart - then taxi back - take a card with hotel name on it." Sounds pretty easy, right? Well, getting there - no trouble. Found shoes - very nice, not expensive. We also got a case of bottled water. Water here, not palatable. Anyway, we got back out to the sidewalk. No taxi. I literally stood for about an hour trying to flag one down. No taxi. In flagging taxi cabs- I also sparked interest in very questionable locals. I called our friends at the hotel - to try to get the hotel to send us transportation. Not successful. So I said a little prayer, or actually, said a big prayer. And about that time, here came a man on a rickshaw scooter built for 3. HALLELUJAH. We were saved! But, I can tell you, the ride back was very scary. There is not highway patrol here.In our ordeal, did not see the first policeman. The cars drive like maniacs. Buses almost running us over. Going the wrong way on a one way street. But in the end, here we are safe and sound. Will not be taking another taxi anytime soon! :) One story hopefully to laugh about someday.

We had a wonderful breakfast this am. The hotel serves a mix of Eastern and Western, so I had bacon and noodles. Topped it off with some cornflakes. The fruit here is exceptionally sweet. And after breakfast - we found some local shops - met Stella and Jordon who will help us hopefully with everything from diapers to gifts and laundry. Also found STARBUCKS!!

But the good news - we meet our guide at 12 (in two hours) to go get Autumn. And to answer other questions - yes, she is in our care after that. We have many days and appointments coming up in order to finalize the adoption, but in two hours, she is officially in our care. Exciting, and scary all at once!!

Now in Guangzhou!

Trying to see if downloading pics works. Here Mike and I are in the rickshaw touring the Hutong.
Mike and I have now arrived at the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou. We had to get up this morning at 345am to catch our van to go to the airport. We are very tired. We have to exchange our money, find Mike some shoes (long story) and hopefully find some lunch. I hope that we are able to get lots of rest this evening because tomorrow will be a very busy day! We don't know what time we will meet Autumn, sometime in the afternoon, I think? And after that, she is in our care. We just had the crib delivered.

A little about Guangzhou. I am so amazed at the rows and rows of apartments. I have often wondered how you can fit millions of people into a small area, now I know. It was truly amazing. Life in China is very different than what we are used to. Hopefully this week we can get out and explore the city.

Touring Beijing

Mike and I started with our group at 8am this morning for our tour. We first went to the Cloisonne factory where they make the copper chinese vases. It was very interesting. Then we went to the Great Wall. Unfortunately, it is raining today, but we made the best of it. We got an umbrella and poncho and did OK. The Great Wall is so amazing- it is so much more than what you see on TV. I did my best with the climbing..... step after step, and none of the steps are even. I wish it had of been more clear- lots of fog. Then on to the Hutong ricshaw tour, olympic village. I don't remember a time when I have ever been so tired. And the traffic here... oh my goodness. No traffic patterns in the US match what we have seen here. It is just crazy! All the time, not just at rush hour. Tomorrow, we will be leaving at 530am to catch our flight to Guangzhou. Will update when we get there.

Greetings from Beijing!

It is Thursday, 9/16 7:10 pm. Mike and I arrived earlier today, 240pm. It was a little bit of a process getting through immigration, and then a long bus ride to the hotel. I don't know very much right now, other that I am very tired. We are eating dinner and plan to call it a day soon. We will be doing some very quick sight seeing tomorrow, and then off to Autumn's province. Beijing has a lot of smog, a little rain, but for the most part, temps are cool and a nice breeze. Will update more later! Thanks for the prayers and well wishes.

It is finally time!

Well, today is September 14, 2010. We will be leaving in 18 hours to go to China. I am feeling a lot of emotions. I am excited, terrified, happy, sad, all wrapped up in one. I guess that is normal. I am wondering what our life is going to be like when we get home? Mike has all the carseats in place, safety gate up, and a nursery for a little girl half the world away is all ready. Please continue to pray for Autumn. Her world as she knows it is about to be turned upside down. I can't imagine what it is going to be like for her. I pray that we will be able to meet her needs emotionally because I know it will be hard for her. But with a lot of love, hopefully things will all be OK.
We will try to update our blog while in China- stay tuned.

Itinerary

We got our itinerary today. We will be in China during the mid-Autumn festival. There are lots of holidays in China. This one will run from 9/22-9/24. So, lots of government offices will be closed. So what does this mean? We will get Autumn one day sooner! We will not be in Beijing as long. We arrive in Beijing, stay a couple of days instead of three and then fly to Guangdong to meet Autumn. We are so excited. It will be a whirlwind of activities after that, not to mention getting to know our little girl!!