Getting Adjusted

It's been quite an adjustment our first couple of days back home. We had a couple of rough nights with Anna trying to get her back to sleep when she's wide awake at 1:00am. Though she is getting better. The last night she slept almost 10 hours! We've learned to just leave her in her crib and she will cry herself to sleep. She's usually out within a few minutes, and if she fusses during the night she will also put herself back to sleep. She sleeps with a pacifier and a little wash towel clutched to her cheek. It seems to comfort her for some reason. She still needs to get used the car seat. We've gone on a couple of outings and she starts out okay but when the toys get old, she wants out. We are enjoying every minute of her, even the late nights/early mornings don't bother us. She brings us so much joy.

This was waiting for us when we got home.

Practicing walking. She'll be ready soon.

Our newest Charger fan.

Charger girls.

Such a ham!

A view from behind.

Look at those big feet for such a little girl!

Home!

Merry Christmas!! We made it home at about 8:45 pm on Christmas Eve. It was a very very long trip. Guangzhou to Beijing, Beijing to LAX, LAX to San Diego. Anna was very fussy most of the way. Cheerios will only go so far. She was fine when we were walking from terminal to terminal. She likes to people watch, but once we got on the plane she was restless and irritable. We drew a lot of attention on the plane. I would like to apologize to those people. But we made it home safe and that's all that matters. It was so good to see Ric and Donna at the airport because that meant home was only a car ride away. Anna has never been in a carseat before so she was not happy about being restrained. I told her she better get used to it. Our internal clocks are all messed right now so Anna didn't fall asleep until 1:30 am. For us, we could not wait to sleep in our own bed after 2 weeks of sleeping on particle board mattresses. We had a lovely Christmas here at home with my family. Anna was slowly warming up to everyone, especially big brother Ryan. They looked so sweet together. Later we went to John's parents house where Anna got to meet Grandma, Grandpa, aunts, uncles and cousins. She opened up a little with them, but it had already been a long day for her and she was about to meltdown. And she melted down all the way back home, poor thing! Today is Friday and we've been up since 2am! Poor Anna she's been through so much change it's no wonder she's so cranky. When we first got home she took a good look all around the house and the look on her face was like she was saying "Where am I now?"

Bundled up for Beijing. It was 37 degrees when we landed there.

Enjoying her first meal at home. Thanks for the highchair, Cousin AJ!

Napping in her own crib as Pooh watches over her.

Already melting big brother's heart

Entertaining Uncle Ric, Uncle Manong and cousin Wendy

Loving Aunt Debbie

She loved meeting Aunt Roxanne, Aunt Lisa and Grandma, but stayed close to Daddy.

Last day in Guangzhou

Today is our last full day in Guangzhou. The weather changed quite suddenly yesterday and was cold and windy. Today was a little warner but still needed to bundle up. We had our last group meeting this morning to go over everyone's travel schedule. In the afternoon, we all took a bus to the Civil Affairs office for the oath ceremony. There were about 45 other families there. The ceremony took all of maybe 10 mins. We also received Anna's passport and visa. It was there that we said goodbye to 2 of our travel families as they were taking the train to Hong Kong to catch their flights home. The rest of us leave throughout the day tomorrow (Weds.) We were already talking about a reunion and visiting each other. I think we've made some lifelong friends. This has been the most incredible trip of my life. And we're bring home the best souvenir. We have enjoyed sharing this experience with you. There was great comfort in knowing that you guys were with us every step of this amazing journey. We'll be home soon!

 

Red Couch & Group Photo

Is she Daddy's girl or what?

The hotel has a play room where Anna enjoyed a horse ride on Kyla with dad Hal.

Our group photo.

Li Na, Gracie, Juliana, Jossie, Anna, Zia and Zoe

These girls stoled the show.

Anna, Jossie & Juliana

Especially from behind.

But she's Mommy's girl too.

Hanging out

We've had alot of downtime these couple of days in Guangzhou. Nanning was very organized and we had a set schedule almost everyday. Here we've all been pretty much on our own. We've really bonded with the other members of our group. We're all very supportive and helpful with each other and all of us were worried when Zoe got sick and had to go to the doctor - she's doing better. Yesterday we took a nice long walk along the water with Madi, Jimmy & Juliana. Then we shopped and had lunch. There are so many other families here going through the same process as us. It's amazing to see all the kids with their new families. Today is Red Couch Photo Day. It is a tradition in the White Swan Hotel to take a photo of the girls wearing Chinese outfits on their famous red couch. We'll post those pictures later. Here's some other pictures to enjoy.

White Swan Hotel

View from our room on the 15th floor

The city across the river.

Finally, a decent cup of coffee.

We met Gia and her Mom Cathy at Starbucks. They're from Manhattan Beach.

Hanging out at Starbucks.

Walk along the water.

Local police station

With Madi & Juliana. The girls had nicknames in the orphanage. Anna was Xixi (Shi Shi). Juliana was Tong Tong.

Me & my girl.

The girls day spending dads money

Don't be confused by the dates on the blog since were actually a day ahead. Today is Sunday the 21st in Guangzhou. We had a lazy day today and the girls spent lots of dads money buying shoes and clothes. Dad did spend a little money on junk. Its nice being in a place that has decent food and a Starbucks. Dad got a little freaked out yesterday when I read an article about the thousands of cats disappearing every month and winding up in local restaurants. I don't know if Lisa mentioned it but were on a small island that has a lot of European influence in its architecture. Ryan, I'm still trying to find you something "cool." I've found several things but I'm still looking for the right one. Tomorrow we have another busy day and go for Anna's Visa and more paper work. Lisa (she's napping) will post tomorrow.

 

Anna with a big smile after spending money on new shoes

Mommy trying to find shoes that her and Anna can share

Anna exhausted after a day of shopping cooling off her big feet.

Guangzhou - Medical Exam Day

Sorry for missing yesterday. We had a busy day. In the morning we took a cab to this store (I forget the name) but similar to Macy's. There was this huge crowd waiting  for the store to open and our guides said it was because there was a big sale that day - lucky us! It was a mad house just like the day after Thanksgiving. We just bought Anna a couple of outfits. She's so tiny that most of the clothes I brought are too big. In the evening we caught a flight to Guangzhou. It was less than an hour and Anna did fine (so did I, in case you were wondering). We are staying at the White Swan Hotel which is famous in the Chinese Adoption process. This morning Anna had a medical exam. You can see from these pictures how much she enjoyed that.

We had a little scare during the exam. Anna was crying so hard she was holding her breath and her little lips started turning blue so they rushed us off into a secondary exam area where they checked her for a heart murmur. Luckily, she stopped crying enough that the doctor could hear her heart and all checked our o.k. We'll try to take more pictures of Shamian Island  which is where the hotel is located. It is beautiful. No smog. Great weather - mid to high 70's. And the best part is that everyone speaks English.

She wakes up so happy.

Our wonderful guides, Cindy, Jane and Amanda. They were the best.

Anna, Juliana Zia and Jossie - the Guigang Girls all from the same orphanage. Anna seems to be the runt of the group. 

The clinic was very busy with other groups and their children.

Getting acquainted

Hating it. She weighs 15.5 lbs. TINY!

We ran into our friends from San Diego - Kim, Joe and JJ.

Yiling Village

Thanks for all your loving comments. I can't wait to read your comments everyday.  Sorry we're missing the bad weather back home. Nanning has been quite comfortable. In the 70's and sunny everyday, but hard to see the sun in the smog. It's worse than Manila. Today we went to visit a village in the country about 50 mins from the city. The scenery was beautiful. The village was a cross between primitive and modern day living. I wish we could post more of these amazing pictures, but we'll be home soon enough. Anna is asleep now so no interruptions tonight. We're finally getting into a groove with her. She hates getting a bath so that's the last thing we do, then give her a bottle and right to sleep.

Good morning!

Moon Mountain

Anna's first stroller ride. She liked it!

I think I met him in the Phillipines.

We think these were rice fields.

Entrance to the laundry mat.

Inside the laundry mat

The stove inside a villager's home.

Stairs to the balcony. Horse stalls along the right side.

View from the balcony

 

And this was in their horse stall. Yes he was alive and smelly.

Good night!