Mmmm, yummy vacuum packed chicken feet

The food here is odd to say the least. We have struggled to find a good meal outside of the hotel, even going to the 7-11 here is a cultural adventure.

What a whirlwind the last few days have been. We went from a long plane ride to the Great Wall, which was beautiful. Then on to Tiananmen Square, which was crazy crowded and filled with many people who wanted to take Madi’s, picture and tell her how beautiful she is. At times it becomes overwhelming and a bit much. The Forbidden City was also so beautiful and huge. It just kept on going and going. It was great being able to walk through and learn so much history about it. I think the best part of the sight seeing thus far was a rickshaw ride through a traditional part of the city. We traveled through an area that is still occupied and got to see how many people live in Beijing. It was a real eye opener and made you really appreciate how much we all have. These people had next to nothing, not even their own bathroom facility. They have to take a bus a few stops to get to the public showers. We also had lunch at one of the locals home. I know it sounds crazy coming from me, but it was actually one of the best meals we had thus far in China. Who would have guessed? The entire experience was wonderful and I loved being able to see the “real” city and not just the tourist sections.

We are now in Guangzhou, southeast China, at a fancy hotel called the White Swan. The tourist sightseeing is over and now the real reason of why we traveled half way around the world to China begins. It is getting our daughter, Amelia. As Chris told you, we finally got her today. It was a funny way to enter our family in the hallway of the building with out Madilyn and I. She is a beautiful and curious little girl. I am not sure I should say little; she is quite tall for her age. My goodness, all of my children are going to be taller than me by 10. She is also quiet. I am getting nervous that once she gets back to Arlington she is going to be completely overwhelmed with our loud silly family. I guess she is just going to have to get used to it. Once again, Madilyn has been great and welcoming of another sibling into her life. She has been playing with her and enjoying interacting with her. She has only been with us for half a day and already she appears to be more comfortable with us then she was at the beginning. I hope this only grows every day.

We still have much to do for the adoption, but know we also will have down time to swim in the gorgeous pool and tour parts of the city. It is quite nice here, but I know I will be more than ready to come home when the time comes.

Much love- Sue

Mei Day

Today was the day that we met Amelia, it was surreal to say the least. After the mayhem of the last 3 days, this morning we woke late then spent about an hour and a half eating breakfast before heading to the pool. We played in the pool for a while (it is very hot here) and went up to take get ready to meet Amelia. We met our guide, Connie, at 1:30 and drove to a non-descript government office building about 20 minutes away. We headed to the 9th floor where Madi needed to use the bathroom, while Sue and Madi were in the bathroom, two women came from the elevator holding a baby and sure it enough it was Amelia. After all the anticipation, preparation and stress it came down to me in the hallway with Connie the guide while Sue and Madi were in the bathroom. Too much.

We spent about 15 minutes with Amelia, Connie, the orphanage people and some random cleaning lady in the hallway because the civil affairs office was not ready for us. Once the office was ready we went into a non-descript waiting room and waited about 10 minutes while the orphanage people did some business and we did a bit of paper work. Then Amelia came out of an office and we were officially new parents. We spent another 15 minutes talking to the nannies about her habits, eating and things like that, then we headed back out to the car and home to the hotel. All said we were gone from the hotel for about an hour.

She has cried a bit but right now is sleeping soundly on Sue's lap.

She is beautiful.

One thing, I cannot see the blog messages and our .rcn e-mail accounts are spotty so the best way to contact us is at ccorvi@yahoo.com.

More later...

Guangzhou

We are now down in Guangzhou after a VERY long day. We were up at breakfast by 7:00, checked out by 8:00 and back on the bus by 8:30. We started at Tiananmen Square (cool) and the Forbidden City (very cool) then went on a rickshaw ride to the Houtong neighborhoods for lunch at a local family house (like nothing we have ever done in our lives). I know you all are thinking we are nuts, but it was the best meal we have had yet save the breakfast.

We then bused tothe airport to come to Guangzhou, flight was easy compared to what we did last week. We are now at the White Swan and it is quite nice. We got in really late ( 10:30) so we grabbed a quick snack and the girls went to bed.

Tomorrow we meet Amelia in the afternoon but in the AM we have some free time so Sue or I will write some more.

-Chris

We Are in China

After a long day of travel, a full 24 hours from door to door, we finally got out to see some of what China is all about.

The flight was long, but we all managed by reading, playing games and finally falling asleep. See picture of Madi snoozing with Bear.

On Saturday we boarded a tour bus that took us to the Great Wall. The travel portion of this aside, it was a great trip. I have posted a few pictures unfortunately it was a bit foggy for pics but it was still really cool.

Tomorrow, Sunday, we go to Tian a men Square in the AM then on a rickshaw Houtong Tour. This should be interesting especially for the rickshaw that has to haul the three of us around.

After that we leave Beijing and head to Guangzhou. On Monday we meet Amelia.

Food is ok, we loaded up on breakfast this AM because we did not eat much on the plane, I suspect we will make breakfast the big meal of the day and see what happens the rest of the time. We did find a Starbucks BTW; they are just like the Starbucks in the states except the one we came across was next door to a live fish stall, which was oddly enough across from a Levi store in a mall. Beats me.

People have been very nice and Madi was a celebrity on the great wall, all types of people asked if they could take their picture with her. I posted one because we found it so funny.

Finally, Madi has been a hero; she has put up with so much and has been such a trooper. Sue and I are both doing well, just trying to catch up on sleep.

I will try to post more tomorrow night as for now it is past midnight and need some sleep.

Few more pictures

New Pictures

Been busy with the new baby and prepairing for our trip to China. It looks like we are going on the 13th of September. Here are a few pics of the family.