Yesterday was so much better than we ever imagined

Jake and I had discussed so many times the different ways Emma could react when we got her. She could cry for days, she could shut down and show no emotion or sleep to avoid the whole situation. But instead we got a happy, smiley, laughing girl.

This is what we know so far about Emma...

*she loves chocoloate chips cookies

*she does not like to share said cookies with other children and will let them know

*she likes to sing and sings whenever we walk

*she is very observant and likes to watch other children

Today I think the excitement from yesterday has taken its toll. She woke up with a slight fever and has been exhausted the whole day.

Tomorrow we are planning a trip to a temple just outside of town.

Here is what you have been waiting for, pictures...

A little about Taiyuan...

Taiyuan is the capital of Shanxi province. It is a city of 3 million people and its largest industry is coal mining. The weather is sunny, but there is an obvious haze in the sky. This area has the highest cancer and black lung rate in the country.

Yesterday we went shopping at the open market. We bought some odds and ends for cheap. We are going back today with Emma (so exciting!) to get some clothes for her.

We are scheduled to get Emma at 3pm today. Our goal is to stay as busy as possible until it is time to go get here. The only problem is that it is 4am now. That is a long time to fill!

Here are some photos of the city last night.

Our hotel

Christmas decorations

flower lights at the city park

bicycles

gifts for the orphanage Director and nannies

Emma's crib

December 12th & 13th

We are in Taiyuan (where we get Emma)!

Our "day" started at 4:00am Friday when we checked in at Sea Tac and ended at 9:30pm Saturday night when we landed at the Taiyuan airport.

Today we are going shopping to get last minute stuff and hopefully meet up with the other family that is adopting the same day we are.  

I need a nap.

A Good Cause

Robeez, a company that makes shoes for infants and toddlers, is donating up to $250,000 in shoes to the organization Kids in Distressed Situations. All you have to do is go to www.seasonofgiving.robeez.com and send e-cards to friends and families. You will also be entered into a drawing to win a shoes and socks set, which would look great on Emma.

I do not like cold!

It is supposed to be 28 degrees when we arrive in Taiyuan. We will be in Taiyuan for 6 days then we move onto Guangzhou where the weather is sunny and 75 degrees. Can you say packing dilemma? How do you pack for a 50 degree difference?

Any suggestions?

We are FINALLY going to China!

Here is our itinerary...

December 12th - Leave Seattle at 7:30 am

December 13th - Arrive in Shanghai at 5:45 pm (Spend the night in Shanghai)

December 14th - Leave Shanghai at 10:35 am and arrive in Taiyuan at 12:30 pm

Try to relax!

December 15th - Get our daughter!!!!!!!

December 16th - Interview with Civil Affairs and Justice Dept and apply for Emma's passport

December 17th - Tour of Taiyuan and shopping

December 18th - Pick up our notary documents

December 19th - My birthday! Pick up Emma's passport and fly to Guangzhou at 4:00 pm

December 20th - Emma's medical check up

December 21st - Guangzhou Zoo

December 22nd - Interview with US Consulate

December 23rd - Pick up Emma's visa

December 24th - Free Day

December 25th - Leave Guangzhou at 8:00 am

Arrive in Shanghai at 10:00 am

Leave Shanghai 1:45 pm

Arrive in San Francisco 8:00 am

Leave San Francisco 10:30 am

Arrive in Seattle 12:45 pm (yeah home)

We are going to go get this cutie!

The end is in sight

I spoke with our woman at the adoption agency yesterday and we should be traveling in about two months!

Now all of those things that I said I wanted to do before she arrives, I really have to get started on.

Here is my list (This way it is written for the world to see so now I really have to do them)

1. paint and add a pad to the top of Emma's toy chest
2. refinish the rocking chair (it is the one from when I was a baby and is 1970's dark brown)
3. paint Emma's room and put it all together
4. finish her blanket (I just need to put the finishing touches on it)

And put the rest of our new house together. Oh by the way, we've moved.
Don't worry about me, I'll be fine.