Hi Everyone,

 

Sorry I haven't sent updates for a few days but have been having problems with the internet again.  Some days it's easy to connect and others you just can't get a signal.  So here's a recap of the last few days.

 

Friday -  We left Nanchang and it was an extremelly long travel day.  Lily decided to throw the temper tantrums of all temper tantrums on the plane and needless to say we were not popular but there was nothing I could do to calm her down.  Let s just hope the trip home isn't the same.  Gravol anyone??

 

 

Saturday - We did Citizenship paperwork in the morning and a group picture and then went to the Beijing Zoo for the afternoon.  Lily slept through the zoo but Aunt Donna was thrilled with the Panda (and so was I).  They came really close to us and are really cute.  The rest of the zoo was very sad.  The tourist guides translate as an "Animal Prison" and I know why.  They are all alone and have nothing in their cages to keep them busy.  Gerry just joined us too and that made everyone very happy, especially Aunt Donna who now has a drinking buddy since Mommy is useless in that department.

 

 

Sunday - This was a very busy day.  We started out at the Jade Factory and then to the Great Wall .  Lily and I stayed at the bottom since it was too icy for me to go up with her in the sling.  We then went for a great, yes great, lunch and then to the Cloisonne factory.  Those people work hard for their money.

 

Monday -  We had the morning off to watch the Oscars.  Lily and I opted out of the afternoon tour to the Summer Palace to just hang out and take naps (well one of us at least).  We are going for dinner with the group later and tomorrow is Tianamen Square and the Forbidden City.

 

Here are a few pics.  Some of us sad and others of us happy and one of the Panda's because they are so darn cute.

 

Only 3 more sleeps until we come home.  I can't wait. 

 

Miss you lots and lots.  Hugs and kisses. 

 

MC and Lily (and Donna and Gerry)

 

Bonjour,

I’m typing this with Lily on my lap because we are cranky pants this morning so if there are a few additional letters you’ll know why.

Today we went to the Notary’s office for the final completion of the adoption.  It was quite hilarious.  The only question the notary asked is if I was satisfied with the baby?  Huh!  I’d like to know how many people say no, can I have another model.  Anyways, with this document it means all is final and I have to declare her at customs.  I doubt she would get passed the authorities if we stuffed her in the bag anyway.  She’s way too vocal for that.  We are testing Mommy’s patience this morning as we are very cranky  but only for the sake of being cranky.    Oh well.   She doesn’t know that I’m just as stubborn. 

The visit to Walmart was interesting.  They have many products that we don’t have here but I didn’t see the monkeys everyone was talking about.  Guess those weren’t in the diaper department.  Funny but most of the products we found on the shelf had all expired.  Guess the turnover isn’t great around here but we did manage to find chips and snickers.  Those will be dinner tonight.

Lily and I went out for a walk last night on the streets of Nanchang with Chloe and her parents.  We got lots of looks and hello’s from the locals but I have to say we didn’t venture too far.  Even Cory was nervous enough to go back.  Apparently around here it’s okay to drive on the sidewalk with all the pedestrians and the pedestrians do not have the right of way.  It’s more jump out of the way when the cars are coming or else you’re toast. I will never complain about the crowds in Toronto again.

We are heading to the Temple of Teng Wang today.  It’s supposed to be nice weather again.  Will try and send pics tomorrow.

Well Miss Cranky Pants is needing some breakfast and so is Mommy and Aunt Donna.

Bye, we miss you all.

Hi Gang,

 

Sorry but I haven't been able to access the blog at all but finally managed to get this email out so my good friend Linda has graciously agreed to help me and post email to the blog for me.

 

We arrived on Friday and spent Saturday & Sunday touring the Great Wall and Old Beijing.  These people love steep stairs.  We walked about 1.5 miles of the wall.  It was hard walking but we did it.

 

I can tell you I will be losing weight because they have weird food and we have been eating mostly rice.  No worries, I won't be melting away any time soon.

 

Now for the big event ... "Gotcha Day" 

 

We left Beijing for Nanchang at 5:30 am.  Arrived at the hotel and didn't even have time to check in when the Nannies walked into the lobby with the babies.  OM Goodness it all happened so fast we didn't know what hit us.  Lily is a real trooper.  She didn't cry one bit.  She's very curious and just stared at me for the most part.  The other two babies cried a bit but settled down quite quickly.  They are all gorgeous and very different.

 

Lily is going to keep me busy I tell you.  She is non-stop wiggling and isn't walking yet but is close to it so I think she will be walking by the time we get home.  She's a smart little cookie too.  Right now one of the snaps on her PJ came undone and she is trying to put it back. She slept through most of the night but has a little cold so woke up a few times because she was having trouble breathing with her stuffed up nose.  We'll get some meds today and fix all that.  She does get upset when I leave the room so I think she's figured out I'm Mommy but Aunt Donna is pretty good at calming her down most of the time.  I signed all of the official documents yesterday so she is officially my daughter.  Today we are heading to the Notary to get the notarized documents that I will need for the authorities in Canada but that's just a formality.  The big event for today is we are going to Walmart to pick up necessities.  Should be interesting.

 

Well I have to go get Miss Lily dressed for the day.  Its gorgeous here.  Today is going to be 20 celcius but we are expecting snow in Beijing on Friday when we get back.

 

Here are a couple of pictures we took yesterday and this morning.  Will try and send updates as often as I can.

 

Thanks for all of the emails from everyone saying you are thinking of us.  That's very comforting.

 

Take care.  Love Officially Mommy and Lily.

 

 

One More Sleep!!

and then we are off!  Donna and I went for a burger for dinner (since I doubt we'll be eating any of those in China) and then bought snacks for tomorrow.   Can't board a plane without "Skittles".   And must also get "Combos" but I'll have to wait until the airport before I get those.   You can't find those in the stores around here.  Go figure!  

Hopefully I can sleep tonight or else it's no more sleeps. :)   Next time I blog it will be from China. 
Stay tuned!!  

ITINERARY IN CHINA

The bags are almost packed.  Just a few last minute things to add.  Thank goodness Donna donated her 2nd bag to Lily.  She has ALOT of stuff for a little person.   I may have to buy her another bag in China because I know she's going to want to do some shopping over there.

For those of you who don't know this, my good friend Donna is coming along with me to support me, take pictures and enjoy this great adventure.  I love her to pieces for coming along.  She going to be a great help and prevent me from falling apart.  Yeah right!! She's crying as much as I have been.  We are so doomed!

Here's the general game plan for the trip.

Feb 17 -  Fly from Toronto to Beijing
Feb 18  - Arrive in Beijing
Feb 19-20 - Sightseeing in Beijing
Feb 21  -  GOTCHA DAY!!  Today we fly to Nanchang and I meet Lily!!!
Feb 22 -  Formal Adoption Proceedings and Family picture
Feb 23-24  - Sightseeing in Nanchang - Temple of Teng Wang and get Lily's passport and formal documents
Feb 25 -  Return to Beijing
Feb 26-27 - Group pictures, Beijing Zoo, Great Wall, Jade Factory, Cloisonne Factory, Olympic Village
Feb 28 - Lily's medical exam, Submit paperwork to Canadian Embassy for processing and visit Summer Palace
Mar 1-  Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City
Mar 2 - Shopping Silk markets, Receive Canadian documents, Good-bye China and birthday party
Mar 3 -  Beijing Time - Leave for Toronto
Mar 3 -Toronto Time  -  Arrive Home !!!

Our flight home is Air Canada Flight AC0032 and it arrives at 6:35. 
For anyone wishing to come to the airport to meet us, just keep in mind that we will need to clear customs and this may take a little longer than normal with Lily's paperwork.
We would love to see you at the airport and if you can take pictures because we won't be able to.  Just keep in mind that we will all be tired and won't have much time to visit but most importantly we can't overwhelm Lily so lots of hugs for me but you will have to wait to hug her until you see her another time and she's settled in a little.    See you soon!!

New Pictures

Sorry I've been away but was having computer problems but I'm sure this will make up for it. 

The agency sent me some updated pictures and details.  Lily looks so happy and healthy.  I can't tell you how happy that makes Mommy!  I think someone told her I was coming and that's why she's smiling so much.  Well I'm telling myself that anyway!

Baby girl now has 6 upper and 6 lower teeth.   She weight approx. 22 pounds (although I'm not sure if that's with or without clothes) and is approx 29 inches tall. 

I'll send more details about our itinerary in China when I get confirmation from the agency.  For now, please enjoy the new pics.  I know they put a smile on my face everytime I look at them.