Yesterday we visited a local village. It was not as rural as the farming villages we passed on our way to the orphanage but more like a small neighborhood. Some of the house were actually pretty large but then they would be next to a very small primitive home. The younger generation will leave the village to go work in the city and then send money home. As they earn the money they build their homes, so it can take a long time. We had the opportunity to go into one of the homes and although it was spacious there were very few furnishings. They leave their front doors open so the house was infested with flys. We brought candy with us to pass to the kids and as word spread that the foreigners arrived more children would come out to see. In the afternoon we took a walk around the hotel without the guide and we caused quite a scene. People could not figure out what we were doing with these babies! Lily was all about daddy yesterday and giving us lots of smiles and giggles. We are still trying to figure out her stomach issue and I am wondering if its the formula. We gave her a bottle in the middle of the night and so far she has kept it down. I will try again after breakfast. We leave Nanchang tonight for Guanzghou and although I am ready for a more "western" city it is sad that we are leaving Lily's home. We have had an amazing time here and we have enjoyed the people and experiencing the culture. I am also really missing the boys and I can't wait to see them with their baby sister!

Home in local village

Orphanage Visit

Yesterday we were able to visit the orphanage. This was something I thought would not be bale to happen so I was very excited to learn we could spend time at the place Lily called home for her first 8 months. It was a long day full of lots of emotions and some things I will wait and share with only Lily when she is older. It took us over 2 hours to get there and the drive is a memorable one. As we left the city of Nanchang we drove through the countryside and it was a lot to take in. Water Buffalo were in the fields and chickens roamed freely. The house were 2 story brick structures that looked half finished. Some had no doors or windows. We entered Yugan City and that is a small city but not as built up as Nanchang. When we arrived at the orphanage we were fed lunch and although I was unable to eat most of it I tried to be as polite as possible. We were then shown the floor with the babies rooms. I has seen a video of the orphanage so I was prepared and that defiantly helped. Lily's room was the last room at the end of the hall but her nanny had gone home for a few days and took the 2 other babies with her. I was disappointed I was unable to meet and thank the nanny but we did get pictures of Lily's crib and the room. Lily was held by the the assistant director and other nannies and she seemed happy to see them but was happy when she would come back to Patrick and myself. It was very difficult to see the other babies still there and to know this was where my baby spent her first 8 months. Although it was nice my orphanage standards and is not where I would want to spend one night. There is no doubt Lily was loved and well cared for and she is healthy (other than fighting a stomach thing) so I guess it shows you how little we really need to survive in life. She had the most important things; love, shelter and food.

Lily is still sick and can not keep anything down. She will drink the ceralyte so she is hydrated. Even is spite of this her personality is really shining through and she is really a happy baby!

Video

Getting to Know Each Other

Yesterday was a busy morning and we started our day at Walmart. Walmart in China is a whole new experience! We picked up some essentials, like snacks and a few diapers. We visited a local park and took a nice walk. After the park we went to a local restaurant for lunch. The food was amazing! Fried lotus and steamed pumpkin were my favorites!

Unfortunately, Lily is a little sick. She is fighting a cold and has something going on with her stomach. She has only had diarrhea diapers and threw up yesterday. She is so brave and only whimpers a little and I know she is having stomach pain. We have given her some Ceralyte and hoping she can work whatever she has threw her system. We were still able to get laughs and smiles from her and they are priceless. She smiles just like her referral picture!

Today we are off for a visit to the orphanage. I can't believe we get to go and I know it will be an emotional day.

Oh, I am getting all emails and I appreciate them! For some reason I can not send them, I am getting an error message. Sorry!

Officially a Devine

I just have to say that Lily is perfect! Yesterday was so smooth. We arrived at the office before the babies and were brought into a big room. All the families sat down and prepared for the babies. We made bottles, took out toys and of course had the cameras ready! We waited about 20 minutes and they they started calling the babies names. A baby would enter the room with a nanny and then each family would be called. We were the third family called and I just remember trying to hold back the tears so I wouldn't scare Lily. The nanny told Lily I was her mamma and then placed her in my arms. She came right to me and never cried. I just held her close and couldn't believe that after all this time we were together. She fit perfectly in my arms and was exactly the size I expected. Pat was so patient and it was a few minutes before I realized he still had not held his daughter. She went easily to her daddy and they had some bonding time together. We stayed at the office for about another 30 minutes while the nannies gave us some things back that we had sent including the 2 disposable cameras and a book of questions I had sent there were all answered! We also receives another photo album and a necklace as a gift from the orphanage. The caretakers are truly amazing and we are so thankful for pictures from right when she was found. We got on the bus and she guzzled her extra warm 4 oz. bottle right down! Once back in the room she had another 4 oz. bottle and we just stared at her in amazement! We spent the rest of the day filling out paperwork and getting everything ready for her Chinese passport. We went back to the Provincial office to take our oath and to make everything final.

She has not cried and has just been soaking everything in. We think she is probably internalizing everything. After a nap yesterday she was defiantly scared and sad but we took things slow and brought out the Cheerios. Cheerios are our friend!! She had a great dinner and she LOVES to eat! She ate tofu and noodle soup and could not get enough! During dinner she even had her first poop which is a big deal because sometimes babies hold back when stressed. After dinner she seemed more relaxed so we decided to try the bath, she really needed it! She LOVED her bath and though splashing was very fun. She had another bottle and went to bed at 8:00, woke up at 3:30 for a bottle and is still sleeping at 7:00!

She is very strong and can sit completely independently and can crawl!! We have a mover!! We are hoping for a few more smiles today and hopefully we can get some pictures and video of smiles today. Here are a few more pictures to hold you all over. Her nannies told us she was "good and perfect" and we couldn't agree more!

We have Lily!

Here are the pictures. She is in shock and has not cried but doing well. Took a bottle great! We are in LOVE!! I'll post more later but here is what you want!

Arrived in Nanchang

After another looong day we are now in Nanchang, hours away from having Lily placed in our arms! Our day started today at the Forbidden Palace. The only words I can use to describe that is magnificent and massive! It was very cool to be in a place that is 500 years old! While there I received a few extra looks and one couple wanted their picture with me. It was very funny!! They do not see to many blondes over here! After the Forbidden Palace we went to "Old Beijing" that was very cool! Each couple had a rickshaw ride and we saw the oldest part of Beijing that is the original downtown area. The roads were very narrow with courtyard style housing. It was close to a river lined with quaint shops and restaurants. We had the opportunity to visit a family's home. The area was very cool and there were even quite a few pubs and bars. Unfortunately, we did not have a lot of time there so no time for a beer. I will let you all know that Pat is liking the Tsing Sao beer and is having plenty of opportunity to drink a few glasses at each meal! We headed to the airport for our 5:30 flight and arrived at the hotel around 8:45. All sorts of emotions ran through me as we walked into our room and saw the crib. We quickly got busy and unpacked our things and so we know have a diaper station, bottle station and clothing station all set up in our room! We hosted a little pre baby gathering in our room to go over diapering and bottle instructions with all the first time parents. Our group has a whole lot of nervous energy going on right now. We are scheduled to leave the hotel tomorrow morning at 10:00 for the provincial offices and should have the babies around 10:30. We have lots of paperwork to fill out tomorrow so I am not sure when I will get a chance to post. We are very excited right now and hopefully we will get some sleep tonight! Please pray that Lily handles the transition as best as possible and that we can comfort her.

Forbidden City

This man and his wife wanted to pose with me! It was very funny and I think it's a riot that I am so much bigger than him!