We are home!

We made it home late on Friday, after a 27 hour journey. Hana did very well on the plane, and she only really fussed a couple of time, which was mainly from boredom. I think I would have too if it were socially acceptable. The trip started off a little rocky. When we checked in with China Southern, they had no record that we purchased a lap ticket for Hana. So, we gave our guide some money to buy another one. While she was purchasing that, the clerk who was helping us left, and passed our info to another agent, who found Hana's ticket, so we then had to get a refund. We did make it to the gate as our flight started to board. So... we could breathe easy, until we sat at the gate for an hour and a half past when we should have left. So, we arrived in Beijing late, where we had to get our bags and change terminals. That took about another hour, so Brian was getting a bit nervous. When we arrived at terminal 3, we had to check in with Continental, and there was a really long line. Luckily, Brian's status allowed us to go through the fast line, so that took a small bit of the edge off. We then had to go through about 6 layers of security, and we made it to the gate just as they began boarding our flight. But, we did make it to the plane that would get us back to the US, so we were able to relax a little. Until we realized that Brian got pick pocketed and his passport holder was missing. Luckily, the passports weren't in it since we needed them to get through security. There were two of our credit cards in it, which we reported stolen once we arrived in Newark, and the banks identified the activity as fraudulent and declined the charges, so we are not on the hook for those charges.

I do have to say, I was never so happy to arrive in New Jersey in my life. Immigration was our first stop, where we gave them all of Hana's paperwork from the consulate. The immigration official then stamped her passport, which officially made her a US citizen. The customs part was pretty quick, and we then went to our gate, where we waited for our flight. Even though our flight home was delayed, I knew that we would eventually get there. Even if we had to rent a car and drive the rest of the way home. Our flight did finally leave, and we landed it to Richmond around midnight, and finally made it home about 1:30 AM. Here is a picture of Hana as her first day as an US Citizen:


We are still struggling through a bit of the jet lag, but I think I am finally getting Hana's days and nights straight. I don't know that I will see a full nights sleep for a while, but as long as I get some of my sleep at night, I will happy.

I want to thank everyone for all of the wonderful comments that you left for us while we were in China. We couldn't actually access our blog while we were there, so I enjoyed reading all of them upon our return. I hope everyone enjoyed reading about our adventure. I'm glad we were able to share that with everyone. Now, onto the next chapter....

Our Last Day in China

Today we went to the US consulate to pick up Hana's passport and for the swearing in ceremony.  As most of you have dealt with some sort of federal, state, or local bureaucracy at one time or another, you can pretty much get the idea of what the first 45 minutes of this process was like.  The consulate is on the fifth floor of the building, so we navigated through the maze of escalators to get there.  At the first checkpoint, we waited in line so they could check our passports.  We then went to the next line, where we had to go through security.  It was almost like airport security, but they didn't make you take off your shoes.  However, they did not allow any electronics past security, so we had to "check" our camera.  I was a little disappointed because I would have liked to get some photos, but I guess it's all in the name of security.

Once we cleared the checkpoint, we then went into this big room with a bunch of chairs and about 25 teller windows.  Basically, just envision DMV, with the exception that the clerks at the consulate are behind glass.  And like the DMV, we all just sat around and kind of waited until it was our turn.  Our guide handed us a copy of her passport and our passports to verify everything looked correct.  When it was our turn, we went to window 22, handed the clerk our paperwork and returned to our seats where we waited for another 15 minutes or so.  Finally, the consulate official in charge of the adoptions came out and asked that everyone take a seat.  She gave us a quick speech about the brown envelope and what to expect when we go through customs, as well as some things that we should do when we get back into the states.  After that, she had the adoptive parents stand, raise their right hand, and take an oath that everything we provided is true to the best of our knowledge, etc... and once we were done, that completed the American, and final, part of the adoption.  Of course, this is where we all got teary eyed.  It's was just so overwhelming.  Finally, after so long, these beautiful babies are finally and completely ours, and we are finally able to bring them home.  Of course, Hana is still somewhat in limbo until we land in Newark on Friday evening.  We will have to go through immigration when we arrive, but the second that they stamp her passport, she will officially become a US citizen.

It's with mixed emotions that I type this since it will be my last blog from China.  There are no words that can even begin to describe how wonderful this experience has been.  I'm so glad we got to spend this time in China and learn about the customs and culture of her heritage.  Tomorrow we begin our long trek home.  I'm dreading the 26 hour trip, but I know that once we get to Newark, we are only a short flight away from a nice soft bed and lots of family and friends who waiting for Hana to make her debut!   

Consulate Appointment

Today was our consulate appointment, but we didn't actually have to go to the consulate.  Our guide collected everyone's paperwork, and she took it to the consulate.  The only thing we needed to do was be in our room between 10:00 and 11:00 in case there were any questions.  She called and let us know that everything was fine, so the rest of the day was free.  Unfortunately, after being on this island for 10 days, there really isn't much left to see.  We walked around for a bit, trying to get Hana used to the stroller before the long layovers on the trip home.  She did stay in it for about a block, but after that, I carried her and Brian pushed the stroller.  We did walk through Shamian Island Park, where there is always something going on.  There are always people in the park doing Tai Chi, although earlier in the morning is the best time to catch that.  Today there were a group of kids playing what I would call Chinese hackeysack, although it's not really a sack, but it is kicked the same way.  There was a group of people who were singing, while one woman was standing in the front pointing to the words.  It reminded me of music class as a kid or singing hymns in church.  A little further up the path was another  group of people who were ballroom dancing.  There was one couple who was really good, and we watched them dance the Tango.  Then there was the old ladies playing the high stakes mah jong under the White Swan bridge.  I think we are going to try and go out again tomorrow with the video camera so we can try and capture the experience as best as we can.

I also started getting everything sorted and ready to be packed.  I have a pile of things that thankfully, we didn't need, so I will leave them for our guide.  I also made up some bottles for the trip home just in case we needed to make a formula run.  We did cut it pretty close, but I think that we do have enough to get home with a couple extra just in case we get delayed.  We also went out to dinner with one of the other families tonight, and then stopped to pick up our laundry.  I bought another little outfit for Hana to wear to Chinese New Year when she is a little older, as well as a few more pairs of squeaky shoes.  Brian did tease that I am going to force him to buy another suitcase for all of her shoes, but I told him we would be fine.  I did work on packing after Hana went to sleep, and with the exception of what we will need tomorrow and Friday morning, I pretty much have everything packed and ready to go.  And there is still plenty of room left in the suitcase, just in case I feel like doing a little more shopping.  :)

Red Couch Day

Today was Red Couch photo day.  For those of you who have know idea what I'm talking about, the Red Couch photo has become a tradition for Chines adoptions.  The babies are usually dressed in a traditional Chinese silk dresses, and they are sat on one of the red couches to get their photos taken.  First we took pictures of each individual family, and then we put all of the babies on the couches to get their pictures taken.  For our group, this part was slightly complicated, very funny, and extremely cute.  I think there is only one baby in our group who can actually sit up by herself, so all of the rest of the babies needed some assistance.  We put all of the babies on the couch together, and we managed to get them all wedged in so that they managed to support each other enough so they didn't all fall over.  However, one of the babies in the group decided to move, and then the others started to fall over like dominoes.  It was really quite funny... a bit like slap stick comedy.  Luckily, I used a bit of strategy and placed Hana on the corner, so she was supported on both sides and didn't fall over like the others.  I am also very proud to say that our girl behaved so well.  She did not cry at all during the photos, and I think she and Josie were the only two babies who didn't cry.  However, in the defense of the others, she has had Brian sticking a camera in her face for the past week, so she has actually become a bit of a ham.  Anytime a camera comes out, my girl strikes a pose. 

Since the photos weren't until this afternoon, we had most of the day free.  We all slept in this morning, and yes, I got very lucky with a good sleeper.  We got up and walked to Starbucks for Mommy and Daddy's morning fix, and then we went to breakfast.  After Hana's morning nap, we decided to give the pool a try.  I was a little leary because she HATES a bath, and I think if she cried at the pool as much as she does when she is being bathed, China may try and take her back.  But the pool went ok.  I don't know that she actually liked it, but she didn't hate it either.  She didn't cry when we put her in the water, but she did have this look of concern on her face.  After a few minutes in the pool, she did start splashing in the water a little, but that laugh never really came out.  We stayed in the pool about half an hour, but we decided to get out while she was still somewhat content.  So, I think we will need to build up to actually loving the pool, but at least we don't hate it.  We brought her back and thought that maybe a bath would be a little more tolerable after the pool, but it seems her opinion on that has not changed a bit!


We are pretty anxious to get home, and we started our packing during Hana's nap time today.  We wanted to assess whether or not we would need to buy another suitcase, but I think Brian managed to keep my shopping enough under control that it won't be necessary.  We did buy a small carry on, which we kind of thought we would need to do anyway.  Because we were told that there was a weight restriction for carry on bags (which isn't checked by the way), we didn't bring a carry on suitcase over, and I used her diaper bag as my carry on.  Since we have her on the way back, she gets a personal item, so I can now bring on the wheeled bag.  I also think that with 26 hours of total travel time, I am going to need the extra space for diapers, formula, and a change of clothes for everyone!  Plus, it was pretty inexpensive, and it can't be worse than the Samsonite we already have.  If we make it home with the zipper intact, then it is even better! 

Guangzhou Zoo and Bus Troubles

Today we went to the Guangzhou zoo, where we spent about two hours this morning.  It's not a huge zoo, but it did have a giant panda.  However, like the rest of us, he thought it was too hot to do a whole lot today.  He was just lounging in the corner of his cage.  Every now and then, he'd get up and walk from one side to the other, which I think was just to please the spectators so they would go away and let him get back to his lounging.  I guess I can't blame him for that.  After the panda, we wondered around until we found the bird section, where we probably spent a majority of our time.  Of course, it was our love of birds that drew us there in the first place, but it was the abundance of cool, shady spots that kept us there so long.  And there were plenty since trees are essential to any good bird habitat.  They had peacocks, which they actually translate into Pea Foul in English.  There were a few males walking around, but none of them were inclined to give us a show of the beautiful feathers.  There were also a lot of parrot varieties, especially macaws.  There were a few scarlet macaws, blue and gold (although they call them blue and yellow), and there was even a grey.  However, the grey was no where to be seen, so I think it was inside the nesting box, and there was no coaxing it out.  Shocking that it just didn't want to cooperate.  I really was hoping to show Hana so she knew that she had one of those waiting at home.  One thing that I found a bit different than zoos in the US is that this one also had an amusement park.  I know that Busch Gardens has some animals, but I have never seen it the other way around.  The zoo is currently right in the middle of the city, but Kelly did mention that the zoo will be moving to the mountains in 2012 so they can get the animals away from the pollution of the city.  Makes sense, especially the birds since they have such sensitive respiratory systems.

By noon, we were definitely ready to get on that bus and head back to the air conditioned hotel.  However, we seemed to run into some very interesting bus troubles.  Our bus driver pulled close to the curb so we could all get on without having to dodge traffic.  However, he got a little bit too close to the tree on the side, and he took out about half of the windows on that side of the bus.  What was worse is that once the tree branch broke the window, it was then basically inside the window just enough that the bus got stuck on the tree.  He started to rock it back and forth, which then took out the last window remaining in the back.  After a few more minutes of rocking, he finally managed to get the bus loose, but as he pulled out, he hit the mirror on another bus.  The driver of the other bus came running out of his bus, shouting at our driver.  Very much like a crash in the US, except I just didn't understand what I assume were Chinese profanities.  I felt so bad for our driver because he really didn't damage the other bus, but you know that he would have some serious explaining to do about what happened.  Kelly quickly called to arrange for another bus to come and pick us up, and we waited in an air conditioned building at the zoo.  It was Kelly's first bus incident, so I assured her that this will make for a very funny story for us to tell about our trip.  Of course, we definitely got pictures of the bus damage to go along with the great story!

Hana had another really good day.  Each day, I can see her come out of her shell more and more.  She is getting more and more chatty, even around other people.  Today she has been laughing non-stop at everything.  I had her laughing so hard at dinner that she got the hiccups.  I wasn't even doing anything, but I guess she just realizes that mommy is silly, and laughs at me along with everyone else.  She did fantastic at dinner, so there is hope that I may actually get to go out and eat every now and then.  The first few times in a restaurant didn't go so well, so I assumed that my days of eating out are over.  However, since we pretty much have to eat out for most meals here, we are working out a strategy, and she is able to make it through dinner without getting too mad.  So I'm crossing my fingers that I will get a break from cooking every now and then.

We don't have anything planned until tomorrow afternoon.  We finished up most of our shopping today, so I think that I will start to think about my packing strategy so I can get it all back home without going too far over our weight limit.  The baby doesn't get a checked bag since it's a lap ticket, but she does get a personal item, which leaves us with an additional carry on.  so I think we are going to get a wheelie carry on for some of the breakable stuff, as well as extra clothes baby stuff since our trip back will take so long.  I also think I may try to squeeze in a little pool time as well, just to see if she likes that a little better than a bath.  Tomorrow afternoon is the traditional red couch photo, and we will all go out for our final group dinner afterwards.  Kelly will take all of our paperwork to the US consulate on Wednesday (gotta love that we don't have to go to our consulate appointment), and we go to get her passport and for the swearing in on Thursday.  That will finish up the US part of the adoption so we can get on the plane and head home on Friday.  I have really enjoyed my time here in China, but I am ready to get home, sleep on a soft bed, and eat a big, huge salad!