Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Another Day In Changsha






It's Wednesday evening here and we've had another day of bonding. We woke up this morning and went downstairs for breakfast. There we visited with Kim and Blake, and Susan and Shawn. We also tried to feed Miss Olivia but she was more interested in making messes than eating. She had a good time, though.
After breakfast we took a short bus ride to a local department store. It was and interesting trip. The local way of shopping is a bit different than we are used to. If you want to purchase something you tell the sales person who writes up a ticket. You then take that ticket to a cash register and pay. They mark the ticket as paid and then you can go back to the same sales counter and trade the ticket for your merchandise. You certainly get a work out.
We did pick up some shoes and clothes for Olivia but nothing else.
When we left the store it was lunch time so we brought McDonald's back to the hotel with us. Olivia doesn't share Glen's love of McDonald's. Whew!
Olivia had her first play date this afternoon. We, the Peters, and the Newsoms took our girls to the hotel play room. It was enjoyable but the girls didn't really interact.
We've spent the rest of the day just hanging out in the room. We're looking forward to the trip the a local embroidery factory tomorrow.
Olivia is well. She's showing her personality more and more. She's very vocal and active. She seems to continue to bond with us and has shown few signs of grieving. Right now she's tired and calling, "Mama mama mama." Music to my ears!
Take care and God bless!
Chris, Kim and Olivia
P.S.
Connor and Glen
Only 8 more days until we'll be home with your mei mei! We love and miss you!
Mom, Dad, and Olivia


Monday, February 26, 2007

It's Official!!




Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!
She's legally our girl! We went back to the registration office this morning, answered a few questions, and the adoption was finalized.
We also had the opportunity to speak to the director of Olivia's orphanage. She seemed like a kind woman who genuinely cares for Olivia. She asked that we let her know what we learn from the doctors. She also gave us the clothes that Olivia was wearing when she was found. That was such a nice surprise. Now we have the clothes and the note left by her biological mother so one day Olivia will have something from her.
We are all tired today. Although we went to bed before 7:30 last night, Olivia reminded us that babies don't always sleep well. She was up four times. I think she was waking up and realizing that she was in a new place and felt a bit scared.
God is so faithful and has answered all of our prayers. She seems mostly at ease and is bonding to both of us equally. She's healthy, except for a "throat infection," which is being treated with antibiotics. Plus, it's obvious she can hear some things but we haven't figured out which tones, volumes, etc. to use if we want her to hear us. We know this, too, is in God's hands and He makes no mistakes so whatever the outcome it will be perfect.
We miss you all and we're excited to introduce Olivia to all of her extended family!!

Kim

Bonding and bedtime









Kim and Olivia have already found common ground... potatoe chips. The international language of love. They took turns feeding each other and cuddling. What a wonderful day.



It's 6PM here, and Olivia just went down to sleep. She started her day very early to get to us, and has been fighting sleep. It seems she needs to be touched to feel secure... which, at this point, is fine with us. :)





Gotcha!!



This is the first picture we took. Olivia is looking over Kim's shoulder at her nanny.
A shout out to the homies. 'Sup Homies!
Just happy to be here. She is a happy baby from the start.
She does not want to be put down. It doesn't seem like she can hear anything but the loudest noises. Her temperment is very mild.

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Welcome to Changsha





Hi. We are in Changsha, which is the capitol of Hunan province. We were met at the airport by CCAI Reps Daphne and Joanna. They seem very helpful and will remain available to us for the duration of our stay in Changsha.


When we walked into the hotel room we found a crib and baby formula waiting for us. We're so close now...less than 14 hours.
This evening we had fun with some new friends, Susan and Shawn, and Kim and Blake. We went to dinner in the hotel but enjoyed the company more than the meal. We all agreed on Pizza Hut for dinner tomorrow night. :-)

Tomorrow morning we will fill out paperwork for the adoption, then we will be shown how to make Chinese baby formula, and then it's off to the registration office to pick up the babies. We will be back at the hotel by noon and then make a quick trip to a department store for any baby necessities. In the afternoon, CCAI's contracted doctor will be here to check out each baby. Then, finally, we'll just spend some time getting to know our daughter!

We'll post pics tomorrow after "Gotcha"!!!

In Him,
Chris and Kim
Oh...the last photo is the view out the window of our room!

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Wait, wait, wait!!!


Here we are in the Hong Kong airport waiting. You'd think there was no end to it. Our plane was delayed over an hour. Flight CZ-3032 (as you can see). The good news is that there is only one more night that Olivia will be in an orphanage. Don't tell her though... it's a suprise.

Hong Kong Day Two





Hello from Hong Kong!
We had a lovely morning touring Hong Kong. We went to Victoria's Peak, which overlooks Hong Kong and the harbor. It was impressive, however the ride up there was sometimes uncomftable - narrow winding road and big buses, trucks, etc.!
Then we were off to Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter, which is a harbor that provides shelter to the fishing boats during typhoons. We took a tour in a San Pan, a little fishing boat. Our guides told us that some people spend their entire lives on these boats, never stepping onto land.
After our boat ride we were taken to a jewelry factory. We were able to watch some pieces being made before being lead into the showrooms.
From there we went to Stanley Market. It's a semi open air market with many little gift shops.
Then came what Chris would say was the best part of the tour - a dim sum lunch. Being a little less daring than Chris, I probably didn't enjoy it as much as him but it was good.
Now we are fighting the desire to nap until this evening. At 8:00 we will walk down by the harbor and watch the laser show. Our guide says it's the largest in the world. We'll let you know how it is.

Connor and Glen,
We miss you both! Can't wait to tell you all about what we've seen and done.
Have fun and be safe. We love you!! INFINITY!
Tomorrow morning we fly to Changsha. Only 36 hours until Olivia time! Stay tuned. :-)

Friday, February 23, 2007

We made it!



After the grueling flight in undersized seats, we are finally here and ready to post after a good nights sleep.

The photos are of the lobby of our hotel (decorated for Chinese New Year) and our room.

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Happy Chinese New Year!

The Year of the Boar has begun. We should catch some of the festivities while we're in China.
We arrive in China February 23. On Feb. 26th we will hold our daughter for the first time!!!
After that we have bonding time, various appointments, site-seeing, and shopping until March 8th, when we return home with Olivia Faith!
Check back because we will post photos while we're in China.

Sunday, February 11, 2007

The Red Thread


An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle but it will never break.

-Ancient Chinese Proverb

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Picures From November



I'll now try to attach the most recent photos of Olivia. They were taken in early November. She's about 10.5-months-old in these.

Here goes....
YES! Success!!!

Friday, February 9, 2007

Travel Dates

We have our travel information to and from Hong Kong. We will leave here February 22, arriving in Hong Kong Feb. 23. We don't yet have details of our in-China travel but we know we will leave Hong Kong on March 8th, arriving home the same day.
Our agency did tell us that we will meet Olivia Faith on Monday Feb. 26! We are soo excited!
I'll post more information as we get it.

God Bless.

Saturday, February 3, 2007

Trying This Out

We are creating this blog so that friends and family can share with us our exciting journey to Olivia Faith.
Olivia was born December 19, 2005 in Chenzhou, Hunan Province, China. The picture of her in the red sweater is the same one I viewed the first time I saw her face. What a beauty!