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I could not resist posting a few more photos...

Family Photos

We had some family photos taken around our yard and house a couple of weeks ago. Here are some of our favorites. Lena doesn't smile too much for the camera but she sure giggles with us off camera.

Janna's dad worked on this play structure while we were in China. Lena has her own swing already and she loves it! She also enjoys riding in the wagon and playing with our dog, Wrigley.

Holiday photos

We had a nice and quiet holiday at home. Lena doesn't quite get the festivities yet but she sure enjoyed her fresh pasta dish which is a Gilkison tradition. We have had some visitors including her Godparents, Bobby and Christine along with cousins Johnny & Ethan. We also enjoyed New Year's with the Brown family (MB, Erik, Alivia, and Lillie) here in San Diego.

Gotcha Day Video ...

Lena was placed in our arms.  We wanted to share the video of us in China when we first met our little girl.  We, along with 16 other families, waited ... and one by one little kids were brought in the room.

Finally, it was our turn ...

Daily Life with Lena...

We are enjoying being home! We've been home for two weeks now.  Lena had her first haircut and we went to the San Diego Zoo! She is very brave and doesn't scare or cry easily. She did well with the haircut and really liked the comb! The thing she liked most about the zoo was the music - they had a 'bell choir' and she loved that part! The orangutan's seemed to be very interested in Lena though!

Our Travel Group - CCAI 1663!

Here is a photo of our travel group! Yep - we're BIG! We hear it may have been the largest group yet. There were 16 families adopting, near 60 folks traveling! It meant a lot of BIG buses! Everyone was so friendly, patient, and kind that it was FUN traveling with a group this size AND everyone was always on time...how can that be???

The group had 11 boys, 5 girls adopted, all coming to the United States. We were the only family from California.
We hope to post the "Gotcha Day" video soon!

We're HOME!

We went from Guangzhou to Hong Kong, a short 2 hour lay-over, then the long flight to LAX. Lena slept a good portion of the 14 hour flight. She did just great the other hours. She is such a good sport about all the travel and changes she has experienced in the last weeks.

Besides jet lag and colds, we are all doing well. Here are a couple of photos.

We'll post more soon...

Homeward Bound!

It seems too good to be true - but tomorrow morning we leave bright and early for home.  We have lots to share about this incredible experience.  We've learned so much about so many things during this process - and it almost seems bitter sweet to be leaving this place - but as much as we've grown through adoption, about China and its culture, about the amazing families that went through this tedious process for the second and sometimes third time, and how important giving homes to special needs children is, and finally how so many brave children like Lena endure.  Janna and I never expected how much this experience would teach us.

We're all packed and excited to bring our Lena home!

Lena!

Here are some pictures of Lena!

Zhengzhou to Guangzhou

We ended another segment of our trip and on to the home stretch.  We've had time to spend with our daughter in between paperwork and meetings.  We received Lena's Chinese Passport (hard to read but it's definitely her photo).

Lena is doing amazing.  She's adjusting well and parts of her personality are starting to show.  She just turned 18 months on Thursday.

The next step is a doctor's visit, consulate appointment and Visa documents.  We can see Thursday, December 9 quickly approaching - that's when we get to take Lena home!

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!!!!

Welcome Lena - Shower

Our family and friends had a wonderful shower for Lena last weekend. It was hosted at Mary Beth's home and lots of help and creative ideas were given by Joni, Shannon and Christine. The photos will show the beautiful decorations, wonderful food, and fantastic company!

Andy and I are overwhelmed by all the excitement and support! We are so lucky!

Lena,  we can't wait for you to meet your family and friends!!!