More Pictures (I Hope)

Sleeping Baby in a stroller

Our group at the SWI with the director. (Behind us is a picture of plans for their new center)

What's Up

I was going to write about what we have done till now- but everything before Langley is a blur.
She is beautiful and wonderful- thats not to say we haven't had some rough patches.
The day we got her (which is also adoption day because all the paper work was done) she was so serious- no crying but no smiles either.
The day after- all she wanted was me, which while flattering, was so tiring. If by some chance I could hand her to Jamie she had to se me at all times. By dinner that night we were both exhausted- and she was fit to be tied. (So she can cry- really cry).
Yesterday she was so much happier- came out of her shell. We visited the orphanage and she laughed and played (and of course ate the whole time- did I mention she will eat everything?). She was almost perfect the entire day. The staff at the Fuling SWI (Social Welfare Institute) were great and we toured, met the director and her nanny. Her nanny said she loves noisy toys and to dance (help her stand and bounce her around). The director knew there name and loved on them too. We saw her abandonment spot- right at the gate of the SWI. The birth parents
knew right where to leave her so she would be safe.
Like I said earlier- she will eat everthing- congee, steamed eggs, bits of potatos, cheerios, puffed fruit, and all kinds of baby food. But she will not drink- from a bottle or sippy cup- so we have spooned liquids in. She doesn't fuss she just clamps those 8 teeth down- and if you do manage to get it in there she just bites the nipple.
Well I think I am driving Jamie nuts typing at 6:30 am while both are trying to sleep. (Boys she is a kicky sleeper). So I will sign off now.
Love,
Mary
PS- I will try to get more pictures to work later- the ones I got (I hope) to work are from adoption day. Sorry about the typos.

Pictures (I Hope)

We Are Parents!!!

Well we have had quite a day. We were up at 5:00 to so we could catch the 8:30 plane to Chongqing. We made it here to the hotel about noon and had to meet at 1:15 to fill out paperwork. When everything was done we all got on a shuttle bus to the adoption office. We got there right after 2:00. One of the couples with us had twins from a different orphanage- and they were there waiting for us. After oohing and ahhing over them we wanted our babies- but they were stuck in traffic. But finally they arrived. We have pictures of them getting off the elevator.
I am the proudest Mama ever. Langley was so good- she never cried (but it took us several hours to get her to feel comfortable and giggle). She is beautiful- with hair. She loves Cheerios- we fed them to her at the office. All our paperwork was done today so she is all ours. She is out (we hope) for a good portion of the night. But I know you all want to see pictures so here they are.
Love,
Mary

We made it to CHINA

Hi All,
We made it here yesterday about 3:00- the flight was smooth, but long! ANd all went well.
Daddy- there is lots of intricate neon in Chinese charecters- it is very cool. I will take some pictures tonight.
This morning we went to the Lama Temple it was beautiful and so cool. Lots of Buddhas. We also just wandered around- I love this country- everyone is so nice- the food is great. It is hard to remember not to drink the water- but we are doing well so far. Its a bit after 1pm here- and I am so tired. Must get over the jet lag.
I can't upload pictures until we get to Chongqing on the 28th- but I will try to update you until then I will try to keep you posted!
Lots of Love,
Mary

Sick

What happens to me before ever big event- those of you who know me know what the answer is. Mary gets sick. Every Christmas, most birthdays, and so on... Well here I am- sick.
At least today I am sitting up. I have spent the last 2 days in bed with a wicked sinus infection or cold. My best friends Tylonal Allergy Sinus, Benadryl, Advil, Holly and Sara have been great. Comfort and support and shared misery. I am feeling better, but not great today- so much for going into work this weekend. I hope this will be done by Wednesday.
Talk More Later,
Mary

Travel Dates- WooHoo

OK Everyone- Here is a rough itinerary for our trip. I am not sure what day we go to Guangzhou. But we will get home on the 8th of April. If anyone wants to meet Langley at the airport you are more than welcome to come. We will be flying into Baltimore around 8:50pm- but those details will follow.

March 22: Leave for China
March 23-28: Arrive in Beijing and sightsee
March 28: Fly to Chongqing and get Langley
March 29-April 5: Finalize Adoption, Sightsee, Shop, Fly to Guangzhou Sometime
April 6: Consulate Appointment in Guangzhou
April 8: Arrive Home

I am so excited I don’t know what to do. The house is a wreck- I have everything to pack in an area- but haven’t packed much of it yet. But those of you who know me know that I have inherited the master packer gene from the Whidden side and if I have to slide deodorant into shoes that already have travel toothpaste in them I can do it and everything will fit!
We hope my parents and sister arrive early enough (from Kentucky) to clean the house for us before we get back from China. Just Kidding .

We Got Our Travel Approval!!!

YIPPEE! Now all we need to do is get our Consulate Appointment and we are off to China- hopefully we will leave before the end of the month! We should hear back in the next day or two when our Consulate Appointment is. We will be off to get Langley.

Counter

OK- the counter disappeared- oh well. I may or may not try to get it back. I have decided there are more important things to worry about- so it may or my not be there.
Mary

Still No Final Approval

Well while most everyone else her in the US is getting their final approval- ours is still in the main office of the CCAA- and probably won't be here for a few days- meaning next week. I am pretty bummed. Another group from our agency got theirs in and are leaving next week. This won't happen for us. We will have to wait a while longer.
There are others in the same boat we are. And no nothing is wrong- but there was a big group this month and it is taking a while for the approvals to come in. Some groups just got lucky and some did not.
We just got the email that we won't be going with the other group from our agency. But there will be a group of four couples- all from our area- going together. So we won't be alone.
This wait is much, much harder than I thought- I really thought I could do this with out a "Big Ugly" breakdown cry (you know the kind when your face gets all contorted and everything gets red)- I found out today I was wrong. But now that my self-pity party is done it is time to clean the house and make it presentable for our daughter. I am feeling much better now!
Just wanted to keep you updated.
Mary

PS- I added a counter to the sidebar- so send all your friends so I don't look like a loser.

PSS- The agency just emailed (7:45 pm EST) and hopefully we will still leave by the end of March- please send happy thoughts and prayers!