Gotcha Day!

This is what it sounds like - gotcha! We have our Lena. She is absolutely perfect.
We can't describe the emotions of being in a room full of parents waiting for their children to arrive. You reflect on how long this process has been. And the 16 families who before this journey had never known each other - but after 4 days together working through the final preparations had become one big family. We waited and one by one a family's child is carried into the room.

It happens sort of randomly - when representatives from various orphanages arrive with kids in their arms. You hear chants of baby names and then emotional screams of joy
Of course, Lena was in the last group. We knew it was her in an instant.
One of the most emotional days ever.

Crib

We arrived in Zhengzhou and we have our room all ready for Lena! We had a crib delivered to our room and Janna put some of Lena's toys and blankets in there to make it look like home.


We get her this afternoon!!!

Hello from Beijing!!

This morning we visited (more like climbed) the Great Wall. What an amazing site. It was cold but clear and was quite an accomplishment climbing those steps.


And then we stopped by Olympic Village and saw the Bird Nest.
At night we went to an acrobatic show.

Tomorrow morning we leave for Zhengzhou (2 hour flight) and in the afternoon we have to complete some paperwork before we prepare for "Gotcha Day" on Monday.

I think our next post and photos will have us with our Daughter Lena!!!

Ni Hao

We had a busy day touring Beijing. We visited the old quarter ancient neighborhood called Hutong outside Beijing. We toured the area on a rickshaw. After, we visited Tiananmen Square and then the Forbidden City (Imperial Palace).


Today, we hike the Great Wall and stop by the Bird's Next (Olympic Stadium). Tomorrow we travel to Zhengzhou and prepare to get Lena!
Here are a few pictures:

We Arrived!

We arrived in Beijing - with a brief stop in Hong Kong. We are staying at the Traders Hotel in the financial district of Beijing. We are looking forward to some sights tomorrow and will post photos soon!

China Itinerary

We finally received our Travel itinerary today (5 days before we depart). Here it is:

11/23 Leave U.S. for Beijing via Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific.

11/25 Arrive in Beijing - Happy Thanksgiving!

11/26 Tour Beijing - Tiananmen Square/Forbidden City.

11/27 Tour Beijing - Great Wall/Ming Tombs.

11/28 Depart Beijing for Zhengzhou.

11/29 Take a bus to the registration office to MEET LENA!!!

11/30 Adoption Registration in the morning. Adoption is finalized at this time!

12/1 Free time

12/2 Free time 

12/3 Receive Lena's passport in the morning. Leave Zhengzhou for Guangzhou.

12/4 Physical, Hague-required immunizations, and visa photo taken this morning.

12/5 Free time.

12/6 Consulate appointment.

12/7 Free day while paperwork is being processed.

12/8 U.S. Consulate and receive Lena's visa.

12/9 Leave Guangzhou for USA via Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific. When we land in Los Angeles she will become a US citizen!

Hang on Lena, here come Mommy & Daddy!

Leaving on a Jet Plane!!!!

We just got word that we will be leaving for China on 11/24! We will meet Lena on 11/29!

Here is the email from our agency:

"Your Consulate appointment is confirmed for 12/6/2010.

Based on this Consulate appointment date, CCAI requires that you arrive in Beijing on, or before, 11/25/2010*.

CCAI will provide an airport pick-up for anyone arriving on 11/25, your group’s arrival date.

You will fly to Zhengzhou on Sunday, November 28th. CCAI will arrange the group’s in-China flights and hotels - details will follow in your Final Travel Packet.

Your group will take the oath on the afternoon of 12/6/2010.

Your group will receive your child’s visa on the afternoon of 12/8/2010."

Gotta go book some flights!

It has FINALLY arrived - the much anticipated TA (Travel Approval)

We received our TA (Travel Approval) today from the CCAA. Here is what our agency sent to us...

"Please note that the options below are according to the earliest possible dates to travel based on Consulate appointment availability.
Option 1
Leave around November 24th and return somewhere around December 9th - 11th.
Option 2
Leave around December 1st and return somewhere around December 16th or 18th.
Both options involve a 3 night/2 day tour in Beijing. Please note that travel dates will not be confirmed until we have a Consulate appointment for your family. The Consulate takes anywhere from 1-5 business days to reply but they try to respond within 1-3 business days."
 
SO, AGAIN we WAIT for confirmation of our CA (Consulate appointment). We are hopeful that it will come on/by Monday. THEN we can make our flight arrangements.
 
Gotta run, I have packing to do!!!!