Update

Since we don't have much planned for tomorrow... we should be online for skype Tuesday night for you all.. we'll have the Laptop on.. and we are on now.. Tuesday AM...

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ZaiJian<br>
~Donna

Day 2 TianJin >>with Robyn! August 31

First we want to thank everyone for all the email wishes and prayers. I want to apologize right now if we don't reply right away. it's a bit nuts with the running around we need to do for paperwork and stuff. Things will slow down for a bit before we travel to Guangzhou (Gwang-joe) then it will be crazy when we have our USA stuff to do. i"m inserting some HTML hoping that'll put paragraph breaks in the post. if you don't see any breaks but the occasional < br> .. that's what that is...I'm attaching some pictures from yesterday and today. From today you will see just how oppressive the smog/pollution is here. That shot with the TV tower was taken today.. we could not see that tower from our window yesterday or this morning. It is truly awful. Beijing is not as bad as here. At least they are trying to reduce the pollution.Ok.. So she slept really well. We woke her at about midnight for a feeding and she went back to sleep quite easily.. We had her sleep between two pillows on one of the beds and I slept around here while David had the other bed. Around 4:15am she cried out and I reached over to let her know I was there.. then she settled then another bit of cry and ... phew!! a load. So I decided to change her then. Glad I did.. somehow she pooped so that nothing was on her!! one good thing about a small kid and diapers that are a bit big for her! cleaned her up.. she was a little pissed but then she finally settled back to sleep.I woke up at 5:45, our alarm was set for 6am.. we all started to stir.. David and I took turns showering.. she fussed a bit when I left the room but Dad got it covered! She seems ok with either one of us, which is GREAT! We had to meet George in the Lobby at 8:25 or something like that. **side note** George is great but it's funny the times he has us meet him. Once it was 4:10, another 2:25, or 8:05! ** So we did pretty dang good our first try of getting ourselves ready, a kid ready and fed and down to breakfast by our mark of 7:45am. I gave us lots of time because, truly it was our first time doing all that!! You can see how much she liked breakfast.. so not only did she polish off a bottle of formula she had some of my boiled egg, bits of apple cherrios things and she LOVES pancakes! Our first stop was one official building. sorry all these names and stuff I forget. There we ran into that same gentleman and his son he was adopting, I think I mentioned him yesterday. Anyway we saw the orphanage gal again and we signed more papers, but a red fingerprint on it and one from Robyn. Then we had a family picture taken. and more official papers. Next stop was another civil office where we signed yet more papers and told them we would take care of her and not beat her and all that! Like we could do anything to that cutie!!Back to the hotel, where our baby bird, that's what we call her because of the way she opens her mouth as soon as we have the spoon loaded with food! She is sooo tolerant. I mean we were late for food and she didn't fuss.. just ate like a horse! Then we did another first today,, FIRST BATH!! I think this was her first ever.. It sorta seemed that way. Especially the way she would look at the water on her hands and splash splash splash! I had to sit in the tub with her.. it's a very deep tub and a bit scary so I just sat behind her and we both poured water over her as she splashed and played with her stacking cups. Which is her favorite toy and she really likes the mini pack of Snoopy tissues!We were gonna put her down for a nap but then George called, time for lunch! So we went to Ancient Street. Which is renown here and even Chinese folks from other provinces visit there. We had Baoxi.. yum.. They are dumplings with meat or veggie in them.. Then we had Tomato Egg Drop soup. Which is just would you would think it would be and it was DEELISH!! So much better than just egg drop from back home! We treated George to lunch and he told me his recipe for the soup. It's EASY! I'll share with ya'll soon. Maybe post it at a later date!After Ancient street we headed to Walmart!! It looks pretty much the same just smaller and stuff is even cheaper! We spent about $69 US on a stroller, a baby carrier, food, juice a sponge.. really need one, snacks, a small outfit for her, a instant read thermometer and a few other things I can't remember. oh some bananas.. man they were yummy. Figure she'd like some too.So through ALL of that she never once fussed.., i mean we were pushing it with no nap. She snacked on some dumpling at the restaurant but otherwise she just sat in our arms and watched stuff go on. she held onto the sponge inthe store and was finally starting to make some cute noises!! She "yelled" at when we finally got her back to the room. She fussed a bit and then we gave her her cups.. she was lying on the bed playing and then .. was out. She's been sleeping for about 90mins.. hoping to get her close to 2hrs. Then I'll feed her. I'm sure she'll be hungry.So there's today. Not sure what we are going to do for dinner. Nothing is close by.. and very little english is spoken here. we might just get someting from the hotel and snack and get to bed. early. There's nothing for us tomorrow. We may just hang out here and bond with her some more. We tried to get her to ride in the stroller at the store and she would have NO part of that. She likes to see or feel us against her. So we may play with it and see if we can get her used to it. George has all the paperwork stuff tomorrow. He'll drop something off afterwards. I think it's her Chinese passport? again it's all sorta confusing. I just know we got a very important one today that says she's ours in the eyes of China!! wahoo! Then George has to get back to Beijing to meet 10 more families then a gal named Michelle will be our guide for the rest of our time here. Thursday is a true tour day get packed up to fly on Friday day. Here's hoping the smog is lighter. We did notice it got a bit better this afternoon. That picture of that TV tower.. we couldn't see that from our window in the morning! And I just turned to look and it's gone again. I'll get a shot and post it too so you can see how thick the smog is. Well gotta go. She'll be waking soon and David is now napping! fun fun. I did a happy cry. I can't believe how lucky we are... i mean with family helping us out by watching birdies at home and the wonderful people here helping us, to Robyn. She's a gift from God. A true blessing and answer to our prayers. We are truly blessed. (yes count how many times I used truly in this post!)ZaiJian~Donna

Gotcha DAY!!!! is HERE!!!

She's here and man she is just a cutie.. and teeny tiny thing!! 

 

So we were up at 5am. well I was up at 2:30am.. couldn't sleep.. gee I wonder why.   Then I finally fell asleep about 430am and then the stupid alarm went off at 5am!  We had gotten most of everything together the day before so we changed, ran down to eat breakfast and then met our rep in the lobby at 6:30am to get to the train station.  Our bullet train was at 7:20am. 

 

Bullet train = totally cool!!  Still don't know why we dont have them in the US.  seriously it was soo smooth and just a really nifty experience.

 

We got to Tianjin and off to the hotel for 35mins to gather ourselves together to get Robyn.. we were expected at 9:30am.  So off the to orphanage.. 

 

We walked in and it was very quiet.. to a little room with comfy chairs and then one of the orphanage folks had us sign all sorts of paperwork.  Then all of a sudden there she was.. I was signing stuff and they handed her to David and she was so quiet and mellow..  The nannies were commenting on how she was crying and crying and then when they showed up to hand her over she just got all quiet.  I always said David was the baby whisperer!!

 

She is sooo tiny.. we put her on the scale here in the room and she's about 8-9kg.. teeny thing she is..  and yea she's behind for an 18month old but man I already see her putting things together..  quite the thinker.  She has hardly said anything today tho, very quiet. 

 

So after we got her at the orphanage and I got the lowdown on her feeding schedule and some cough medicine and anitbiotics.. she's got a nasty rasp/wheeze..  we were off to some building for other paperwork.. something for her Chinese passport.  David sat her up on the desk and they took her picture for her passport and we were just there.. George did most of everything.  Met another American who was adopting an 8yr old with leg braces doing the same paperwork.

 

So we finally got to the hotel.  I KNEW we were on borrowed time.. she had to be getting hungry.  I whipped out the applesauce and David fed her.. it was a hit.  She is not potty trained so I met our rep to head to the grocery store to get diapers, wipes and formula.  We are going to start with what she is used to and then slowly add the stuff from home I brought and phase her to stuff I can get at home.. at the same time try to get her to start eating other foods.  When I got back she had just fallen asleep.  She naps between noon and two.  She slept almost 2hrs.  Then got up.. had to change the diaper.. ew.. and she was ready to play.  At 2:30pm David left to exchange our money and give the "donation" to the orphanage .. yey that stress is gone.. not having to worry about that much cash on us anymore.  While he was out it was my turn to play and bond.. I actually got her to giggle some and she loved the little plastic slinky I brought!  I was able to get her to eat some saltine crackers mushed up and she mushed them in her mouth too.

 

She is soo cute.. We can't believe she's hear.. David said it feels like we are babysitting.  That it'll end.  We just did her 5:30pm feeding 15mins late and we were lectured that's for sure.. she inhaled her bottle did some good burps and is playing with Dad on the bed.  She fusses if she is left alone. She likes to have one of us within reach.. 

 

Tomorrow we have more official Chinese paperwork.. we've got to be downstairs at 8:25am (all three of us) for more stuff to do.  Then we have the afternoon free.  I think we are going to try and find a stroller that'll work or one of those baby sling things since she so teeny.  There is a grocery store a block away.. but I think I'm going to try to talk George into taking us to Walmart..

 

So there ya go.. we are a party of three with just the cutest girl you've ever seen.. she is precious.. and she's ours!!

 

oh and Happy Disney Anniversary to David..  20yrs today with the company.

 

Hope we catch ya'll on Skype.. we'll be here tonigth(Mon AM for you all)

 

ZaiJian

~Donna

Beijing.. Rocks

OK.. gonna try and attach a picrure.  Someone please email me to let us know if it posted.  That's us in front of the acutal Temple of Heaven.. they have the copy in EPCOT like I said yesterday.  BIG park.. and it being Sunday lots of locals in the park enjoying the day.  It was really cool.. I mean it's hard to put into words what we saw.  It was a warm day that's for sure.

 

After the Temple of Heaven we went to the Silk Factory where we got a silk quilt/comforter.. to put in our duve(sp) cover.  IT's really nice..  We saw how they get the silk off the worms and got a pillow too.  funny we were looking for new pillows lately!!!  WE didn't buy a duve, it would have been $200-300 .. that's more than I'd pay at home for a comforter.. so we passed on that and didn't buy any clothing either.  You couldn't bargain there and it was about the same price as at home..and we really didn't NEED any high end silk tops or stuff.  We'll see what we see in Guangzhou.. everyone says that's the place to shop.

 

So next on to Lunch.. which was good.. had a show, but they took a break pretty much the entire time we were there.. figures..

 

Next off to Tianamen Square and the Forbidden City/Imperial Palace.  Um Wow..  again words fail.  Things are on such a massive scale.  And the number of people too.. just soo many people everywhere.  We were looked at lots.. and one little boy was very shy and asked to have our picture taken with him.. I'm kicking myself for not handing our camera to get the same picture.. We were just a bit flushed from the attention.  lots of stares and after a bit ya just wish they'd get over it.  Can kinda.. i mean Kinda see what it's like to be a celebrity but with them everyone knows who you are....

 

We are back in the room for a quick shower.. much needed!!!  IT's hot out.. but no where near as humid as it is at home.  We need to meet George in the lobby at 4:10pm or 16:10.  We are going to an acrobat dinner show.  Should be neat.  Then back to the room for some sleep.  We have to check out at 6am to get over to the train station and off to Tianjin.. where we get the gal.  as I type that.. my heart starts to race. 

 

Well.. Gotta get our stuff together to head out.  We MIGHT be online tonight..  8am Sunday for you all...  but we will NOT be online 8pm Sunday..   we will do our darndest to be online for you all Monday 8amish .. with the gal.  It all depends on how she's handling one of the hardest days of her life.

 

Thank you for all your prayers...we can sense it.. it's pretty cool.  Bye for now.

 

ZaiJian

~Donna

 

oh.. who messed up my Body Clock..

Ok.. So now that we know we can post via email.. Here we go!..  pls ignore typing and spelling..want to get this sucker posted.

 

So Friday we were up at 4am to shower and get off to the airport.  We decided to check in at the curb.. oh yea GREAT idea.  Security was well security .. not too bad of a line and off we were to our gate for our first leg to Newark.  we ate some more breakfast, got a bottle of water and boarded the plane for our 8am flight.

 

No drama on this flight.  We had the bulkhead seats.. which was SWEET! and did some reading.  Got to Newark on time and decided to check out the Presidents Club so we'd know were it was for the flight back.  NICE..lots of room, they had continental breakfast foods, quiet areas, bar, tv lounge.  That'll be perfect for our 4 hours layover on the way home.  Also TONS of outlets.. not sure if there is free wifi.. if so we might be able to pull out the laptop and do an update.

 

So next flight..  on a 777.. BIG plane.  No bulkhead seats here.. wish we had them tho!  Our flight was delayed on the tarmac becuase of a caution light of some sort.  So a maint guy came out climbed underneath reset and verified that nothing was up and off we went. 

 

After like 5hrs.. I was done.  I was ready to get off the plane and we weren't even at the halfway point.  13.5hr flight mind you.  I couldn't sleep, I couldn't get comfortable.  THey had tons of stuff to watch on the headrest monitors.  Watched the 2 episodes of Cougar Town they had, other stuff... We had tons of food on this flight.  We didn't need to bring the sandwhiches we made at home.  So finally after the Beef or Fish (Airplane! fans will appreciate the reference)..  there was ice cream and a turkey hotdog snack!   Then they turned off the cabin lights  and everyone had all the window shades down.  This flight was to be in daylight the entire way but they kept the plane dark.  tried to sleep somemore..did a bit.  Then we watched a few movies..  Got very thirsty drank more and more.. peed more and more.  my butt was sort from that sitting.  ugh.

 

They brought up the lights and fed us breakfast 2hrs before landing.  all in all I was impressed with the food.  it was pretty good!  We landed about 15mins early and were ecstatic to be off the plane.  It was warm in Beijing.. like at home.  The airport is HUGE!!  and there was hardly anyone in it!  very wierd.  Immigration went quick, and we made our way to baggage claim.. Both bags made it!! major whew there.. and then we went thru customs easily and looked for our rep from our agency.  Took us about 5mins or so and George took us to the driver and then it took 45-60mins to get to the hotel.  Lots of traffic.. nothing like the stuff onthe news but prob the type of stuff we are used ot at home.. but on a Saturday!  all the expressways were lined with lots of trees.. it was kinda nice.  well at least the one to the airport was.

 

Got to the Holiday inn.. took a bit to book in and finally was able to get to our room.  It's nice, standard Holiday Inn.  Bed is pretty comfy and the air runs quietly.. has a smokey "tinge" to it.  I mean they smoke everywhere here so that'll be an adjustment.  we got the computer up and running.. took a shower.  ahh that was nice.  Then headed out to get some dinner.  George reccommended two places on the way in and they were only a block away.  It was the "authentic" chinese rest or the dumpling place.  We chose the dumpling place and walked over.  We were the "show" as we walked down.  Lots of looks at the foreigners.  Watched one guy make a very subtle move to check me out.  I was impressed it was done well and not creepy at all!  gotta see the tall blonde.. ain't many here.  So were were the only non-asian in the restaurant and it was a bit of a challenge to order.. but we got some fish dumplings for David and beef for me.  Oh man.. DEEELISH.  you get a plate of 6 each, then a bowl of broth to drink.. we observed the locals.. and a littel plate to put your stuff on and a little bowl for dipping.  THe soysauce was yummy, the Chinese mustard was oh man.. the best we've ever had.  we orderd soda water.. oops.  something lost in translation there.. I had brought a bottle of water incase.. so that was ok.  after the meal.. which ended up being .. total for both of us $8.. we headed back to the hotel.

 

We were able to chat with my dad on SKype.. which is just well totally cool.  Technology is just too cool.  So glad to be able to experience some of these nifty things in my lifetime.  Was neat to see him with daylight and us with night.  it's exactly a 12hr difference.  Having problems sleeping.  Not sure why.. I mean I was up for 28hrs or something like that.. with just a few catnaps in between!  as it's 12:05am Sunday right now..  So ti's noon back home on Saturday..  we lost a day coming over.  So here I am posting to the blog & took some benedryl to help me sleep and will try again right after I post.

 

A few things.. we cannot see our blog from China.  Blogger is blocked.  So if you post a comment via the blog... we won't see it until we get back home. 

 

So my first impressions of China.  looks the same from the air.  ;) Not knowing the language is a bit scary I'd have to say.  Wish I had made an effort to learn some manderin.  Most people are very friendly that we've run into.  Have not had anyone talk down to me, well as of yet.  Sitting in a restaurant and not being able to understand the other conversations doesn't bother us much.  We have that at home in our own restaurants and grocery store for goodness sakes.  Just that everyone is speaking Chinese of some sort...not spanish, or french or.. all the other folks who come to Orlando.  Can't comment too much as of yet on much else.   Haven't really experienced it.  Today/later/ we are going to the Temple of Heaven (the REAL one--we have a mini-version at EPCOT.)  then the Forbidden City.  Won't get to the wall.. we just don't have the time.  Monday morning we head to TianJin to see, get Robyn.  Man. that could be another reason I can't sleep!!! haha.. ya think!  i'm very nervous.. but soo excited all at the same time.  I need to relax.. i feel this major need to prep myself for the adjustment. and I should just chill and let things happen. 

 

Well there ya go...I got this out of my noggin.. hoping that'll help me sleep too.. getting this all out of my brain.  So here's another attempt at sleep.  Will try and update the blog tomorrow night.  I think George has us going to an acrobat show in the evening!  That should be cool.  Oh.. we've already seen a few other American families, i'm assuming,  with Chinese daughters.  They could be on a return visit to show their girls their home country or here to adopt another.  We did not have an opportunity to actually talk to them..I find when you see another American face, there's sort of a "hey" yeah there's someone from home.  Each person has either nodded at me or said hello.  I need to remember that when we get home, because Robyn will be experiencing that from the other end.  Looking for familiar type faces.  Maybe we'll go the Chinese restaurant a day or two after getting home.. so she can see a "familiar" face.

 

Well..  days 1&2 are done.  Now for the tour day..and our last day as a party of two.  Soon to be a party of three.. and ya know "Three's a magic number".

 

ZaiJian

~Donna

Test test we are in CHINA!!

Just a quick post to check and see if stuff posts..  we can't see the blog.. so if the formatting is weird.. ya know why.

 

~Donna

Pack Pack Pack...

And did you remember this? and that? oh my how stressful to try to remember everything! We've got this wicked list going of all things to pack and bring. Still working out the logistics of what we are going to carry onto the plane. Just reminds me how much I dislike flying. Driving to a ship is sooo much easier!

So in a week we'll be in Beijing! how cool is that! Here we come girly girl!

ZaiJian
~Donna

We Have a TRAVEL DATE!

Yes it is true!.. We leave for China Friday August 27th! I can't believe it. Part of me is waiting for another road block to happen. It's just starting to sink in that we are finally gonna get to go to China and bring our daughter home and start our family. It's been a long 8 years since we decided to try and start a family. long time.

Well...now it's pack pack pack and try and make sure we have what we need and get the bird/house sitting all set up. and well.. go get the gal!

sorta speechless.. so.

ZaiJian
~Donna

Soon.. I tell ya soon...

Ok.. so the officer at the NBC was able to get our paperwork completed and faxed to our agency Thursday the 5th... a couple hours after my last post. And then our agency sent our letter of intent or something to the CCAA-China Center of Adoption Affairs(the official Chinese Govt Office). This was a document that was prepared WAYYY back in May when we got our match. Both of us had totally forgotten about this part. It has to be delivered to the CCAA at the moment when the USA stuff was ready.. because this is what China uses to give us permission to travel. So.. I talked to our agency Monday and it seems China got it.. and they got a copy but it was a really crappy one so they couldn't see the date. So... as of yesterday our agency was gonna take a shot at requesting our US Consulate appt for Sept 7 or 8. Can't do it the 6th because that's Labor day.. and well they are a Govt Agency and they are closed. Figures our luck.. yet again!
SO.. I didn't call today, figured CCAI(Our agency) would call us if there was any news. But she did say that sometimes it takes a day or two for the Consulate to get back to them. Anway i'm thinking.. ok hoping we know tomorrow. We REALLY REALLY need to get plane tickets.. then start working out bird/house sitting!!

IT's been rush rush rush.. then Wait..............wait.............wait..... rush rush rush... We are in one of those Wait moments now. with a serious rush rush coming. I think we finally have all the silly things we need. power converters, plug thingys.. we bought a cute MP3 player for music on the plane, books. I need to see what's out there to download to my Kindle. This weekend we are going to get the suitcase down from the attick and get packing. fun fun.. it feels like the home stretch.. I just hope that it really is the home stretch!

Oh. WE went to the Magic Kingdom last Saturday night to see the Summertastic.. whatever fireworks and the Electrical Light Parade(ELP). Saw the parade from a great perspective. RIght at the end of Main Street at the Hub.. the circular area in front of the castle. It was neat to have the floats come right towards ya and then turn.


Also we got a Mickey ears for all three of us and plan on bringing them to China and trying to get a great shot. Maybe our Christmas card picture??? would be fun.

Here they are...... funny thing is they are three sizes.. papa, mama and baby bear sizes!


So there ya go. Hoping we have a date..

ZaiJian
~Donna

Car seat!

One fun thing.. We got her car seat! Got a great deal on Toyrus site and used some gift cards. The Britax car seats are supposed to be the best out there. So here it is....


Thanks to Snowden for modeling the car seat.

ZaiJian
~Donna

Update...

ok. We were able to get our fingerprints that day. The folks at the Brandon/Tampa fingerprint office were awesome! The mail got here around 1-1:15pm, we finished lunch hopped in the car and booked on over there. I swear He was looking out for us. There were bands from tropical Storm Bonnie all around but I didn't have to drive thru any of it! We got there 2:30pm and within 20mins we were done. Again the ASC(Application Support Center) hooked us up! As soon as we were done, it was pouring! So our next stop was Mazzaro's in St. Pete. Got some cannolis, fresh pasta to cook for dinner, dried sausage and warm italian bread..which we promptly ate in the car before leaving!
Next stop was a Target. We returned the duplicate items we got at our showers and got the mattress for the crib and a few other things. ALL in all a good day.
Let's skip to the following week. (that was July 23rd)..the week after that we met with our potential pediatrian. And we really liked her. She is from the Philippines and that is great for your DR to have that "asian" perspective.

After I got home I called the NBC(National Benefits Center-Adoption folks) to see how the paperwork was going. So, I think it took the officer saying it three times to where I finally understood that they NEVER GOT OUR HOMESTUDY info to amend our I171H from Tampa!!!!! OMG!! WTF!!!!! So yea, I got upset. The officer on the phone was very nice. Said if I could mail it over I could address it specifically to her and she'd take care of it. I called our agency and they were able to do that on Friday, July 30th.

So it's Aug 5th.. a week later and nothing yet. The stuff was sent via Fedex and got there on Mon.. it took till Wed to get from the mail room her desk. And I think she was working on it yesterday because she called David for stuff. (not surprisingly Tampa USCIS messed up some stuff and she needed some information). Yea..I have no nice things to say about the USCIS office in Tampa. ARGH..

A reminder of why things are getting soo.... icky. Our US paperwork expires Sept 11th. We have to go and come back BEFORE that date. So yea, it's getting close and yea we are stressed. Thus the urgency of the whole matter.

So I'm on my day off, catching up on some things and updating the blog. Now I'm just hoping to hear anything from our agency. Ho hum.

Miss little Robyn. I swear honey we are doing all we can to come to China and bring you home.

Please keep us in your prayers.. as I am going to probably have a heartattack when I see how much a last minute overseas flight is. YIKES.

ZaiJian.
~Donna