Travel to Guangzhou

Yesterday was all about leaving Hangzhou.  We had to finalize the notary paperwork and pick up Arianas passport.  It was very simple Vivian did part of it with just a letter from us.  We went by the orphanage to get her passport and never even had to get ot of the van.  Then we took our massive pile of luggage and went to the airport.  It was a smooth trip until right before we arrived Ariana decided she had to go pee.  She started crying, and she got louder, she doesnt understand enough yet that I know what she needs and we were moving quickly to get her there.  Vivian instructed the driver to park fast and let me out.   I was jumping out and hudling suitcase lol. By the time we got inside the airport we were running and she was screaming and it probably looked like the crazy american woman was stealing this baby girl.  Everyone was staring, and all I could think was, If security stops me they are gonna have to follow us into the potty to chat.  She made it, thank you God and stopped crying quickly.  We made it through security and onto the plane easily, although we did take a bus to the plane from the gate and walked up the stairs outside to get on the plane.  Ariana loved the flight, we got delayed for take off a bit.. She then decided she wanted the seatbelt off, but food was a good distraction :)  My favorite was landing, it was a little rogh and the pilot hit the brakes hard, as soon as it stopped she looked at us and started giggling.  Sigh..., I love this kid. 

 

We are now at the Victory Hotel in Guangzhou. The room is nice but a bit smaller that the last hotel.  We do have a water purifier under the sink in the bathroom, this is super nice, no more having to use bottled water to brush our teeth.  We were able to get them to push the two beds together last night. (did I tell u a standard room has twin beds here?) Anyway doing that helped us all sleep better. Ariana is doing so well and we have gotten comments about how quickly she has attached,  We know that is all God!  Today we go for medical and our baby has to have a TB test :( I don't want them to have to stick her) Grrrr. We will also be doing her visa picture.  Only a few more days and we will take an oath at the consulate to love her as our own child... so easy.  Then HOME,  sooo ready for home.....

 

Karen I am getting your responses, and I LOVE reading them.  Oh and the peein out side is girls squating... or being held out... so funny I will share later. I love that you are following along with us,  you are precious to me.

 

Lisa I knew that response was from you, and I love you, and I cannot wait for you to meet your niece, she is a sassy little thing...

 

I love you all so much I am so excited to get this little one home to meet all the amazing people who love her so mch.

 

Well she is awke now and I need to dress her for breakfast. 

 

Mom and Dad, thx for all you are doing... I love you.

 

Ashlyn and Destin,  I love you both so very much and I miss you more than you know... soon our family will be together,  but look out this one has sass!!!

 

Love, Me

 

ejjhdekkejkfjjjjghkphjdeassddmvkjekcjmvjcm (Arianas input)

 

It is final

Today we got dressed up and went to the government offices. We went through a small ceremony and were given our adoption certificate. I cried as the lady read that it is final effective today. She is ours, and we are hers, I cannot wait for her to meet the best big sister and brother in the world!! Look out kiddos she already has the same strong will and spunky personality. We were told she is shy, and she is at first but she is also a ham!! She keeps us laughing.

We ate lunch and napped and now we are trying to decide how to spend the last night in this beautiful city that has given us so much. The Chinese are a wonderful ppl, they are kind and hard working. I will make sure our daughter knows where she came from. She has a beautiful story that is still being written. Thank you God for this little princess!!!
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Wednesday

We had a lot of fun today. Ariana is doing better with us, she had cried during meal times a little before but the today she did great, we are trying to make them less "sit down and eat" and more "eat as we do other things " so it is less intense for her. She is such a smart little girl, she is signing several words already, and understanding a few more. She likes to call everything beautiful, and she actually showed us more what she likes today! Yay! Funny how we are looking for the defiant toddler to come out :).

We did have a rough time at nap time today, I think we had a night terror during the day. She started crying uncontrollably and nothing would console her, she fought me to touch her but I knew she needed me. We worked through it and she was sweaty and exhausted but she was clinging to my neck when she fell asleep. She woke up tired but with her beautiful smile.

Today we went on a boat on West lake to an island in the center, it was beautiful. Oh and Ariana is a pro at these crazy Chinese pottys. I however have been able to avoid them so far! We also went to the silk market, which was fun Vivian helped us bargain the prices down. We bought Ariana a couple traditional chinese dresses very cheap and a few other items too. It was fun. We are somewhat celebrities here, ppl have asked us to take pics with them and if they know English they yell hello. Most ppl are very positive about us adopting. Although we did have one lady "turn her back on us" it was funny.

Tomorrow is our last full day in Hangzhou, our daughter is from a beautiful city and we have many interesting stories to tell her. (And some funny ones too, about babies and kids peeing outside!) Tomorrow also finalizes the adoption in China!!! Then off to Guangzhou for 5 nights then Hong Kong for 1! Then home!!!!! Oh and btw, I need DrPepper!!! Only coke products here so far and a nasty version of MtDew! And cracker barrel on the way home pls??? Can't wait to see u all!

Love u guys!


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Day two (part 2)

we were concerned at how she would react when we went to the orphanage. We didn't want her to think we were going to leave her and we didn't want her to cry to stay. When we got close she started smiling and pointing, and practically jumped out of the van. ( I was concerned) she however held my hand and we played as we exchanged gifts with the orphanage. During the tour she held on tight and didn't leave my side. It was beautiful, she is truly beginning to trust us.

She seems to get emotional when we eat, I figured out if I keep her close to me she does better. We are learning, slowly all about each other. This child is so precious... I can't wait for you guys to all meet her!

Ok so for the momma/ daddy results?

I WIN!!! She said momma! Not only with her hand but her voice as well! I got so excited the whole van knew about it!!!

Love u all!
Kathy

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Day two

Ariana woke up well today. She didn't cry or get scared just slowly woke up. She has this beautiful smile that just lights up everything around her. David and I have been trying to teach her mama and daddy in sign. I was saying daddy to her all the time but reminded david yesterday to call me momma a lot too. So today in the van going to the orphanage she used one of them first. I am going to wait til the end to tell u which one. (Heehee mean I know)

We went to a kids amusement park close to the hotel, it was a lot of fun. She seems a little unsure when we leave the hotel, so we didn't know if she was gonna like the rides or not. She loved them, we took turns riding with her, except when my butt was too big for the tiny cars :). She would pull us toward the ride as we got close.

She hasn't really shown us her likes and dislikes to much but that seems to be changing. I am looking forward to her being comfortable enough to tell us no. (Cont)
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Gotcha day (pt 3)

After her nap which was short but later than normal we play some more. She want her dolls to have lots of ponytails, just like her big sister did. Oh and she is like her big brother was too, when we turned on the tv, that was it nothing else mattered, she was in the zone! We gave her a snack of some crackers, kinds like rice cakes with a little sweet on top. She is soOoooo amazing and I cannot wait until my family is all together. I KNOW they will love each other. She is very shy at first but we have learned how to pull he out and get her to play. I am so in love with this little girl. So blessed God picked me to be her mommy. This day is much like the birth of our other two kids, so amazing and full of love and wonder. I know God is holding us and answering our and all of your prayers. Thank you guys for carrying us to our daddy, He is with us, this whole thing feels drenched in Him. Beautiful perfect day! Thank u God for the 3 children u have given us.

Back to sleep now, love u guys!
David, Kathy and Lan Ariana Grace

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Gotcha day (pt 2)

She seemed a bit scared of david but not for long. We found the book we had sent her in her bag and we showed her our faces and the pictures, u could just see it on her face as she put it together. We started showing her some of the things we brought her and she wanted to hold all of the at once. It wasn't long before we started to see a smile coming across her beautiful face. David got the first full blow smile. We were laughing and playing pretty loudly very quickly. Probably disturbing all the business going on, but we didn't care! It was so awesome and so God. She thought David was soooo funny and she kept turning into me to cuddle. She has continued to connect to us all day. It is like I am her comfort and he is her favorite play partner. OH and she is already mimicking signs back to us... And we got our first kisses.

We went to walmart and got some milk and yogurt (the kids drink it everyday in the orphanage). She had never been there, I could tell by the way she reacted to the angled moving sidewalk u take to get in. She is quiet about her wants for not, being shy and not showing us if she wants a toy or certain food. Her face however gives her away when it comes to food. (I'll explain more later)

She cried a little again at lunch, I think mostly because of how tired she was and things being different than she knew upset her. She calmed quickly as I rocked her to sleep. (Cont)


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