A Lazy Day in Guanghzou -- March 5

Today was a relaxing day in Guanghzou. We did have a change in our schedule. Bruce, our CCAI Rep. called and told us that they have moved our Consulate appointment from Tomorrow to today. So, this afternoon at 2:45 we left to go to the U.S. Consulate. We did the swearing in ceremony this afternoon with many other families. I just wish the girls understood the significance of this small ceremony. It is now official, Kenzie will be a U.S. citizen as soon as we touch ground in San Fransisco on March 7. We actually looked into changing our tickets to come home tomorrow since we had the swearing in ceremony today but it wasn't going to work. Therefore, we have to kill one more day. But, to know that everything is done is a really good feeling. On a different note, Kenzie is extremely ticklish. She has the cutest little giggle and it is so contagious. At this very moment the two girls are playing on the carpet in our room laughing their little heads off. Today we walked around the island and enjoyed the sights, sounds, and smells of China. I also forgot to mention that on March 3, two days ago, our group celebrated Kenzie's birthday. One of the mother's in our travel group, her name is also Kaleigh, also celebrated her birthday on March 3rd so we had wonderful birthday cake after all going out to eat at a Thai Restaurant. The pictures from tonight are from our little outing of sight seeing the Shamian Island and our hotel. Take care, Love,JILL

Days 8, 9, 10--Guangzhou

HI everyone!!! I am sorry that I am just now updating our blog since we got to Guangzhou. It has been crazy the last couple of days. Guangzhou is a much nicer city than Wuhan. Our hotel, the White Swan, is one of the best in the world. There are so many American couples here for the final stop of the adoption process. The U.S. Consulate is just a short drive from the hotel. There are also a lot of stores and souvenir shops just outside of the hotel. The hotel is located on Shamian Island, on the Pearl River. We have done lots of paperwork and Kenzie had her physical exam required by the U.S. Consulate. Let me tell you how good of a set of lungs this lady has! She can really belt it out there, and yes she let the doctors hear about it during the physical. Anyway, we survived and today we had the red- couch photos. I thought the girls looks so nice for the photos. This evening we went on a dinner cruise down the Pearl River. Tonight was the first rainy night since we have been in Guanghzou . Thankfully our dinner on the boat was indoors. There was also an observation deck. The rain let up enough near the end of the cruise so we were able to go out and take pictures. We really enjoyed the boat ride. The girls are really starting to enjoy each other. It is so neat to watch them. Every once in a while I will catch Kaleigh having a big sister lecture to Kenzie about things she can't do. For example, "don't take off your shoes or socks" ( This little girl does not like to wear either one) or, "When we get home Kenzie, you can not pull on Decker's tail. He doesn't like it." We love Guangzhou but are really looking forward to coming home. I am not looking forward to that long plane ride. It will be really interesting with two little ones, but I am ready to do it to just get home. I hope everyone is doing well and please continue to keep us in your prayers. Love,JILL

Day 7--Wuhan

Today we went on a tour of the Yellow Crane Tower. This tower dates back five dynasties. It has burnt down once and was rebuilt a couple of times. It was still raining off and on today. It was nice to get out and see parts of Wuhan today despite the rain. The first picture is of Drew and the girls with our CCAI Representative, Christina. Everyone in China loves the duo stroller. You don't find this kind of stroller here because of the one child policy. We have enjoyed watching peoples reactions to this stroller.

Kenzie is starting to show her true personality. She has a very sweet disposition. Kenzie can sit and entertain herself for a long time. She has the cutest little giggle and loves to talk baby talk. Tonight she ate so much I thought she was never going to stop. I guess she is making up for lost time. She had a total of four bottles and ate like a little pig at dinner tonight. It is amazing how fast these babies start to cope with everything. They are so resilient.

Tomorrow morning we will receive Kenzie's Chinese passport and then we will fly to Guanghzou. I have mixed feelings about leaving. In the back of my mind, I know there is a possibility that we may never come back here(although I hope to come back in several years for the girls to see their homeland). After all, this is both of my daughters' birth place. When I am out on the streets, I can't help but look at all the young women wondering if one of them is one of my daughters birth mother. I will be eternally grateful for China and Hubei province for the most precious gifts they have bestowed upon me.

I hope everyone is well and I hope my kids at Woodland Park Middle School are gearing up for the state assessment test. Take care everyone and please keep us in your prayers. JILL

Day 6-Wuhan (still!)

Hi everyone, the last two days it has been raining cats and dogs here in Wuhan, Hubei. I am starting to get a little bit of cabin fever. Today is our third day with Kenzie. Last night she has a really tough night. She would wake up about every 45-60 min. until about 12:30 last night then she slept until about 6 this morning. Currently, she is taking a nap. This morning has been a tough day so far, as well. She is starting to face reality of the situation and mourn the loss of her foster family. My heart really aches for her, to only try to comprehend what must be going on in her little head.

Kenzie is very small. I have her wearing size 6 months in clothes and they are swimming on her. She has two little teeth on the bottom right in the middle. She is currently cutting new teeth. She can take a few steps on her own if you hold both of her hands.

We were planning on touring the turquoise factory in Wuhan this morning but Kenzie would not stop crying so we decided to come back to the room. She fell asleep as soon as we got back to the room. I am sorry we don't have any new pictures to add at this time. We will add some old pictures from the last couple of days so you can still see our little angel. We finally found out what she likes to eat.....warm milk. She will not touch the formula mixture they told us to fix for her. She woke up from her nap and Drew added some warm water to some milk we got for breakfast and she gulped it down!! Now she is a very happy baby...and we are happy to figure out what to give her!!

Kaleigh is still handling this whole trip with flying colors. She has really impressed me. I am so proud of how well she is handling the time change, different foods and a crying baby. Kaleigh has made me proud!

Kaleigh Says HI!!!

Kaleigh wanted me to post a letter to all of her friends and teachers at both Just For Kids and PAL. She has had a great time in China and I believe this has been a great educational experience for her. She has really surprised me on how great of a big sister she is. She truly loves her little sister and mother hens her with everything. I am really proud of her. She wanted me to send a big hello to Ms. Bonnie, Ms. W, and Ms. Allen. She also wanted me to say hello to Tera, Abbie, Gracie, Andy, Jake, Diego, Mckinley, Emily, Evan, and Edward

"Gotcha" Day!!

We got Kenzie today! We were taken to a nearby hotel to get her. When we walked in, Kenzie was in the lobby with one of the orphanage staff. We recognized her immediately and she was handed over to us. She is a wonderful baby. She has been happy and rarely gets upset. She cannot walk yet, but can stand up while holding on to something. Kaleigh is so proud of her little sister. She constantly wants to hold Kenzie and play with her. It has been a long day. We have to get up early in the morning to go meet with CCAA officials to do paperwork, etc.

Day 3--Wuhan--Sun., Feb. 25

Hello everyone, today we arrived in Wuhan, Hubei. We left cool Beijing where we needed coats, to a very humid Wuhan. We are staying in a different part of the city than we did three years ago. I can see the Yangtzee River from our Hotel room window. We will receive Kenzie tomorrow morning at 10 A.M. It is always a great reminder when you walk into your room and see the little crib. It is just a matter of hours before it will be occupied. Kaleigh has been filling it with toys since we got here!!

I don't know how much sleep we will get tonight. It is just surreal to think the time is almost here. The last two years have been a really long wait. I really need to get some sleep tonight because I know it will be a very busy day tomorrow. For some reason it is taking me forever to get on China time. Three years ago, within twenty-four hours I had adjusted to the time change. This has been a totally different experience.

I also want to thank everyone for the emails and posts. It is so nice to hear from people back home. I hear that Colorado is getting snow.

We will post pictures as soon as possible tomorrow. Take care, JILL