Day 2

Today was better than yesterday!  Everyone stayed healthy enough to tour ALL of Beijing!  The hotel lobby was filled with American families when we got up this morning.  There is another adoption group here besides CCAI, so lots of people waiting to get their children.  I was excited to meet up with some of the women that I have come to "know" through yahoo groups and the waiting process.  Sierra quickly hooked up with another 8 year old girl.  We headed out at 9am for a rickshaw tour, the silk factory, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, lunch at a local restaurant, the Imperial Gardens.  It was wonderful and we learned so much, but arrived back at the hotel at 6pm completely exhausted!  We got beautiful silk dresses for all of the girls, a few little knick-knacks, and some cool postcards for Sierra to take to class.  We were able to skype with Laurel and she is very happy with the fun weekend ahead! Pics include our guide, Devon, Tiananmen Square, Brad & Sierra are superstars (they keep getting asked to be in locals' pics), and the Imperial Gardens. ( I have to attach pics one at a time due to the size)

Day 1

We slept for a few hours this morning then had breakfast at the hotel buffet.  We ran into another couple who I knew was getting in a day early like us!  It was nice to be able to communicate easily with someone else... the barrier has been both challenging and humorous!  Brad, Sierra, and I decided to walk around the city.  No particular destination, just checking things out.  Around dinner we decided to head back out to attempt the subway & meet a fellow baldie (she shaved her head for St. Baldrick's the year before I did and is now teaching in China).  The plan was to meet her at the silk market where she could barter some good deals then take us to a "good" place to eat.  Unfortunately, I have gotten sick... already.  We didn't make it, sadly.  Fingers crossed that there is a quick recovery tonight.  I'll try to attach a couple of pics.  I can't see the blog (blogspot is blocked) so excuse any typos or general weirdness.   Pics are of the real time video flight path on the plane as we were going over the north pole, the view from our room (note the smog), and a funny advertisement.

We're here!  Flights were all on time & we got all of our luggage! Sierra made a friend on the airplane. I slept some on the plane and we are going to try and nap now since it's the middle of the night.  Hope to feel more grounded in the morning.  More tomorrow!

We're off!

I can't believe that I am writing that we are (almost!) all packed up and ready to go! We leave tomorrow around 11am to head to Richmond. My dad is driving Brad, Sierra, and I to the airport so we'll be able to avoid parking fees! And be greeted by smiling faces on arrival home! We have a couple of stops & lunch then head to the airport for our flight (fingers crossed all is on time). I think we've managed to get ourselves packed into 2 big suitcases and one small one. We'll see if we fit on the way home! In one week we'll have Cadence in our arms!!

Thank you so much for all of your well wishes and support. We are lucky enough to have an amazing family and group of friends who have seen us through this journey! We love you!

Timeline and Intinerary info

China itinerary


August 31 - Depart Richmond 4:50pm, connect to Chicago, leave Chicago at 9:25pm to fly over north pole!

Sept. 1 - Arrive in Beijing at 11:55pm (yep, we lose a whole day!)

Sept. 2 - free day in Beijing

Sept. 3 - Tour Beijing - Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Hutong Tour, maybe acrobatics show.

Sept. 4 - Tour Beijing - Great Wall & Ming Tombs.

Sept. 5 - Leave Beijing and fly to Hohhot, Inner Mongolia.

Sept 6 - GOTCHA DAY!!!! Cadence is in our arms!!

Sept. 7 - Adoption registration & notarization. At this point we can't "relinquish" Cadence in China - like we would!

Sept. 8 - "optional shopping trip to local department store"!

Sept. 9 - Wait for paperwork.

Sept. 10 - Receive Cadence's passport. Leave Hohhot and fly to Guangzhou.

Sept. 11 - Cadence's physical & shots :-(

Sept. 12 - free day

Sept. 13 - Consulate Appointment! (CA)

Sept. 14 - Take oath at US Consulate

Sept. 15 - Get Cadence's visa (AKA - our ticket home!)

Sept. 16 - Leave Guangzhou at 10am for Beijing

Sept. 17 - GO HOME!!! Leave Beijing at 6:55am, arrive in Richmond at 1:45pm!!



Timeline

LID 06-10-09

MCC 07-01-09

Referral 04-23-10

LOI 04-25-10

Pre-approval 05-05-10

LOA 06-02-10

I-800 Prov. App. 06-28-10

Cabled 07-12-10

Article 5 07-26-10

Travel approval!!! 08-13-10

Toys!

Sierra wanted to do something for the other children in Cadence's orphanage, so she sent a letter to a fabulous friend of ours who heads up a knitting group - K1D2. The wonderful women in her group made some adorable toys for us to donate to the orphanage! We cannot wait do bring some joy to the kiddos! Check out the link below to see some of the items.

http://www.k1d2.com/index.php/blog/comments/toy_importing

Sierra is celebrating her 8th birthday this weekend! Every year, for her birthday party with friends, she has chosen someplace to donate her "gifts". The first year it was items for the animal shelter, later on books to the library, and then bingo prizes for a nursing home. It has always been fun deciding what to do each year and we've always come up with a way for Sierra to take an active part in the giving process (ie. being able to actually drop the items off herself). Of course, she still gets plenty of presents from family & close friends, but she enjoys the giving too!

It was obvious what she would do this year... something for the orphans in China. Sierra wanted to collect toys & clothes to take with us, but luggage space is at a premium. So, we are collecting monetary donations for any party-goers who wants to participate and plan to buy items when we get over to China. Sierra is very excited about the things we will be able to give to the children who won't be coming home with us!

Gift of life

I have been a mess of emotions lately. Quite similar to how I felt at the end of each pregnancy. I am so excited to be meeting Cadence! I want to know what she looks like, what she likes to eat, how her laugh sounds. I want to know what makes her happy & laugh, how to comfort her when she cries, the sound of her breath as she sleeps. I know these next 2 weeks will fly by with all that needs to be done, but on the other hand they feel like the longest 2 weeks of my life! Again, quite similar to how I felt at the end of each pregnancy. I love this little girl who, right now, is on the other side of the world, asleep in her crib. I can't believe she will soon be in our arms! I found this poem on another blog... it's short but says so much.



The Gift of Life

I didn't give you the gift of life,
but in my heart I know
The love I feel is deep and real,
as if it had been so.

For us to have each other
is like a dream come true!
No, I didn't give you the gift of life
Life gave me the gift of you.

-Author unknown