Yellow Crane Tour

 

We just got back from our Yellow Crane Tower tour. It is a famous place in Wuhan City built 1800 years ago. Lainey was a trooper and climbed all the stairs and back down. She has a stubborn side and likes to do things herself. Which is great except when you are in the city! After that our driver took us by the children's hospital where Lainey was abandoned. We got a couple of quick pictures but she was sleeping and it was very crowded. Tomorrow we may go out into the countryside for a drive for daddy's sake. I do believe the city is getting to him as it is me. Tomorrow is Lainey's birthday, she will be 3. Our escort said the hotel will probably make her a cake. The picture of the Lilly pad looking flowers are called lotus flowers. You can eat the roots and the seeds. You see people on the streets selling them. Till tomorrow,,,,,,,

Doing Awesome!!!

 

Thi

 

 

 

This morning we went back to the Civil Affairs office to do more paperwork. Lainey slept very well, just cried for about 5 minutes then fell asleep and slept for ten hours then we had to wake her up. She let out a few cries during the night but never awoke. Her photo book that we sent her in January has obviously been looked at constantly cause it has been taped back together. She carries it around and says our name, we are working on her sisters names and she looks at the pictures of our house and dog. We feel so very grateful and blessed. She loved her bath last night, probably could have spent 2hours in there if I would have let her. There were others children at the Affairs Office this morning and she was not about to share her things with them! We will have to work on sharing! She is a good eater and loves French fries! She is already learning so much and saying things like good girl, hello, good bye, 1,2,3, and she calls us mama and papa. The director said she is a very clever child! She loves things with buttons, music, and dancing and stickers! She has started giving us funny looks and then she cracks herself up. She was even being a little naughty at lunch today standing on the chair and Dave and I both looked at each other and said, she's gonna wear us out! She loves to give the thumbs up sign and tells everyone we see bye bye. We are doing well just wish there were more to do here in Wuhan City, and wish it wasn't so hot! Love to you all!

She has blossomed!!!

 

Had to just share these pictures! Lainey has just opened up this afternoon! She has laughed, squeezed, and ran around and climbed! No tears unless we try to take off her shoes. She is definitely a daddy's girl! The picture with her tongue out is with an Oreo in her mouth. We got so much information from the orphanage and even a baby book with lots of pictures. Wish we could just come home she is doing so well but paperwork does not allow! Girls, she is even trying to say your names! Will post more tomorrow about how our night goes!

Gotcha Day!!!

 

 

Our day has arrived! Lainey has obviously been well prepared for arrival. She never shed a tear and seemed very calm the whole time. She has taken a liking to her father and even after only 4 hours we have gotten a few smiles! She seems very smart and very well behaved and easy going. After leaving the civil affairs office we had to go get her passport picture taken. We stood in line for an hour. It was extremely hot and she fell asleep in her daddy's arms. She loves the frosted Cheerios we brought her so better have the cupboards stocked girls!!! She also loves her little bracelets I brought her and her toy phone. We are just bonding the rest of the day then have to do more paperwork in the morning. Thank you again for your prayers! So far it's going great!

Wuhan City

We flew into Wuhan City today. I thought it was hot in Nebraska but they call this place the melting pot of China. Ten million people live here and it was 90 degrees and 99 percent humidity. The sky just looks like it could pour but it's just the way it is. This is where we will meet our daughter in 14 1/2 hours. Yesterday we were a little nervous but calmer today but maybe because we didn't sleep last night. It was hard leaving our escort Jerry, in Beijing. Great guy and such a big help! He was with us the whole time. We met a lot of families there and will be reunited with them in Guanghzou. It will be so much fun to see everyone with their new additions! The Midwest was well represented with two families near Kansas City and one from Wichita. We really bonded with a couple from Missippi. Our escort here is named Echo, and she seems wonderful too. She is with us this whole week, even in our hotel so she can help us with language barriers when we need her too. Please pray for us and for an easy adjustment for Lainey. We hope she likes us at least a little bit! Also please pray for our dog Maggie back at home. We hear she is not doing well at all. I will try to post pictures tomorrow of our special day!

A Beautiful Sight!

 

 

The most exciting part of today was the red folder we got in our orientation! It had a new picture of Lainey in it and more updates! She is sooooo beautiful and looks and sounds so healthy! It brought tears to our eyes. In the afternoon we visited the Forbidden City and Tienenmen Square and a Silk Factory. Right now we are getting ready to go to a Chinese acrobat show. I have to go but could not wait to post this new picture! Only two more days!!!

Our first day in Beijing!

 

 

We started the day by going to the Great Wall. What a sight it was! It had rained in the morning so it was overcast, foggy, and muggy. We climbed as far as we could until our bodies said, NO MORE! Next we went the Jade factory. It was very interesting. Jade is very important to the Chinese and their culture. Next we visited old town Beijing. It was a very eye opening experience! When we got back to the hotel we ventured down the street to the outdoor market. Here the people sell everything! And I mean everything! So needless to say Dave I decided to forgo supper. Tomorrow morning we have our orientation and then we visit the Forbidden City and Tienenmen Square. We are getting closer to Gottcha Day!!!