September 8, 2008

Metcha Day!!!

Today we meet Jade! Last night we each had a very good night's sleep, except for our 1:00am wake up call. We had a Chinese fellow knocking on our door at 1:00. After listening to several words we didn't understand, and having additional employees show up - we discovered what the "problem was". One man said in English - "The problem is - you did not lock your door". "Lock it!". The hotel door locks automatically, but there is a second lock. If you do not lock it, they can tell from the outside, and they wake you up to do it! Ok...well, that was an experience, and luckily we fell back to sleep!

One of the families in our group used the safe in the room to secure their funds. They made a mistake in entering their pin number, and the safe wouldn't open. Tim called the front desk and they came up with a "magic wand" which they simply waived in front of the safe and it opened!! Yippee...So - you secure your funds in the hotel safe, and that way your family can't get it - but the hotel employees can! Perhaps only a manager has this wand, so the security is based on the honesty of the manager. I assume this is the same in the USA. However, I will be keeping my money on my person, I think. We will be rid of most of the cash this morning at the Civil Affairs office.

Part of the process requires a mandatory orphanage donation in the amount of $3,000. This money must be in brand new, unmarked $100.00 bills without any creases or wrinkles. I ordered most of my money from the First National Bank of Dryden, and many of the bills have small stamps on them. According to the bank, the Federal Reserve does this. Anyway - these bills will not be accepted, and so we have scrambled to swap and trade among ourselves to come up with the fee. All of the other fees must be paid in Chinese Yuan. This fee will help care for the children who will not be adopted or those waiting for adoption.

Megan thinks it is very cool that the name of Chinese currency is in fact her Chinese last name - Yuan. She took pictures of many of the kinds of bills with her camera.

We are about ready to go to breakfast and then meet the group in the hotel lobby to travel to the Civil Affairs office. There we will meet all the children. Jade, Sophie and Emma are all coming from an orphanage 4-5 hours away, so please keep them in your prayers for a safe trip.

We will write back again later with photos! Stay tuned!

We have her!! We received Jade at the office of Civil Affairs at 9AM this morning. She is beautiful! She came to us in the body suit I had sent to the orphanage, but they added some leggings and a long sleeve shirt under it. She had tiny shoes on, and they are precious. Her feet aren't as long as we had expected from the referral photo. Most of the babies were upset when we met them but all seem to be adjusting well. Jade was sparkly clean and meticulously cared for. She can not crawl or stand. She can not walk of course. We are told she loves her walker, but mostly she loves to be held! We forgot our Ergo carrier so we are making due with an el' cheapo...Not easy on the back but we will make do!

Jade does not care for the stroller yet. Already today she has had 3 - 8oz bottles ,and she drinks them down very fast! We tried some congee and snack crackers, but she doesn't seem familiar with these types of foods. We just got her down for a nap (at 5PM) - we might regret this at bed time!

Jade sucks both thumbs and can't seem to decide which she prefers the most. We have completed our paperwork for the China side of the adoption and will wait until Friday to pick up all the documents. Most of the rest of the week will be spent bonding and touring Kunming.

The orphanage returned to us the disposable cameras we sent and we are looking forward to developing the photos. They also brought to us the teddy bears and doll I sent, as well as the blanket. We had sent a list of questions, and they answered all and brought that to us. Our guide, William, is translating it for us.

We left 8 gifts for the nannies of the orphanage, and we have a photo here of Jade with one of her nannies.

All of the Chinese say "lucky baby" - we say "lucky us!". She is perfect in every way.

Megan got a massage today because her back is bothering her. She really enjoyed that.

Crazy Grandma has been blowing bubbles this afternoon, and Jade watches every move closely but we rarely get a smile.

We are hoping for a restful night and a easy transition. As far as we can tell Jade is teething, but she is healthy. The nannies called her "Shan Shan" or Zhao Xiao Shan. She loves Megan very much and seems to be bonding well with all of us.

We can't wait until the adoption is final, and we can say, "She is ours!"

Note to Emily:

Your a BIG SISTER now! I can't wait until you can meet your little sister. She is going to love to play with you!

I miss you so much and hope the time goes by fast so I can see you soon!

Love you to the Moon,
-Mom

Good Night!

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