Our last day in Hangzhou

It was a little cold and drizzly today, but we just bundled up the baby and went out anyway. We started with a stroll through Westlake park. There is an area called the English corner where Chinese come hoping to meet with English speaking people to practice. We took a picture of Jake by the statue that marks English corner. On our walk, we found a Starbucks and kettle corn, it was a great taste from home! Since it was chilly, I put Lilah-Kate in the Boba carrier, which kept her warm. She really seemed to like it. We went to a small children's amusement park and rode a few rides with her, it was a blast! She didn't seem phased by any of it, but we are sure it was the first time she has ridden anything like it.

As we headed out of Lilah-Kate's province, we had to stop by the police station to pick up her passport. In the time that we have known her, she hasn't been as happy to get her hands on anything more than that passport. We don't know what was going on in her little mind, but it was as if she knew the significance. We were so excited to be taking her, but a little nostalgic to be leaving her home that she has known her whole life. What a big step!

We said goodbye to our guide Wena (she was wonderful this week), as she dropped us off at the airport. It was 4pm. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 7:30pm. We actually left at midnight...2am arrived at Holiday Inn Shifu in Guangzhou, tired and done! The hotel is the best yet, our room is huge and very nice. We start the U.S. portion of the adoption tomorrow.

Some more things about our girl:

she is becoming brave and walking around the hotel room by herself

she loves to feed us baby puffs and crackers

she is starting to think Jake is pretty funny and fun

she will go to each one of us easily most of time now

she doesn't talk, but she can let us know what she wants

she likes to honk noses and eskimo kiss

she kicks her feet when she is happy

she has a great laugh

Finally, a leisure day!

It was the first day we didn't have any appointments or paperwork to do, so we had an easy morning around the hotel.  In the afternoon we went to the Lingyin buddhist temple.  It had many impressive sights and the grounds were beautiful (and they had kettle corn!).  We also walked around a portion of Westlake, which was gorgeous with willow trees hanging over the water and little pedestrian bridges.  We thought we would get a lot of great photo opportunities here, but Lilah-Kate only took a short nap and wasn't really up for a photo shoot!  We finished our touring at the largest tea plantation in the province, famous for Dragon Well Green tea, which is the national gift of China for government officials.  The plantation was very peaceful and one of the few times we have not been surrounded by people!  After dinner, Lilah-Kate got her second wind and we caught her laughter on video to share with you.

Some things we have learned about our girl:
she loves to eat and rarely refuses anything (except ice cream and potatoes)
she is a great sleeper and has slept through the night since we got her
although she is two and a half, she is still very much a baby which is fine with us, it gives us an opportunity to meet her needs in a way that she never experienced in the orphanage and it is giving her a chance to be nurtured and bond with us
mamma is her go to for safety and sleepy times and daddy is definitely the go to for giggles and play time
by the end of today, she was happy to be with all of us
we see her blossoming more and more each day...

It's Official! day 5 and 6

We have been very busy here finalizing Lilah-Kate's adoption with the People's Republic of China and getting to know each other.  We started Tuesday with the Civil Affairs office and receive our official certificate of adoption.  Right after the appointment, we left for Wenzhou to visit her orphanage and file for her passport with the local police station.  This was a five hour drive one-way and we found out that we have the best traveling baby!  She sleeps or is content to sit still and didn't ever fuss.  Everyone in the van commented on how good she was!

While at the police station in Wenzhou, I got her laughing, which helped us all feel a little less tense.  We then let for the orphanage.  It was a very emotional visit.  We visited the toddler room that Lilah-Kate stayed in and saw the crib she slept in and met her nannies.  We also visited the baby room and had the chance to touch and talk and pray for them.  Most of the babies smiled and were happy to have the attention.  We also visited the playroom and saw the little wicker stools that the children sat on.  I asked if we could find one to take home and the orphanage director kindly gave us one to take home.  What a treasure that will be for Lilah-Kate to have as she grows up and learns more about her beginnings.  At the orphanage we left a gift of money, clothes and some books, which were very appreciated.  Laurel and I thank you all so much for your help in doing this.  We found out that they have 400 children from 2 to 14 that they care for.  They only allow picture of the building and workers, but not of the children, so trust us that they were very very cute!  We saw two of the boys in Lilah-Kate's celebration pictures and found out that a US family had come last week to adopt the girl that was always right behind her in most of the photos.  We hope to make contact with that family!  After the tour, the director of the orphanage took us to a traditional chinese lunch.  We had a family style meal with some delicious entrees and some "interesting" ones.  I tried "fish parts in gelatin"??? and chicken feet (not bad).  Laurel and Jake did not... 

Five hours back to Hangzhou, we drove through the very beautiful mountain ranges with villages scattered throughout.  Still our girl was a champion traveller.  We wrapped the night with KFC (where they did not serve the feet of the chicken) and walked the shopping district.  Tomorrow we promise more pictures of why you read this blog, Miss Lilah-Kate!