Independence Day

For some strange reason, the 4th just isn't the 4th in China! :) But we are all doing really well.
Kaycee is starting to show some signs of grieving. She cried a lot more last night when we were trying to go to sleep. In foster care, they have the kids sleep with them, so that is what she is used to. I am not ready to fight that battle yet, so that is where she is sleeping! Right beside me. But she is a good sleeper. She had a 3 hour nap yesterday afternoon and slept another 10 1/2 hours last night.
We went to a park on Tuesday and then shopping. That is what the pictures are from. Then yesterday, we went to her orphanage. All of the nannies were happy to see her again and happy to see her with her family. They all loved her, and talked to her. It was good to see that but very sad to see the other kids in the orphanage.
This orphanage is for special needs kids, some like Kaycee are only slightly special needs, while others are severe. There were only about 60 kids in the orphange, but most of the others are in foster care. It was clean and it was evident that the nannies loved the kids. They knew all of their stories! The picture of me, Kaycee and the orphange director is also included.
I am not sure of our plans today. I think we are going back to the park, with the other family that is here. I am homesick for my family.

We will be getting Kaycee's paperwork back tomorrow from the Chinese. That will be a really good feeling!

Introducing Kaycee Abigail Xi

It has been an incredible whirlwind since we left!!
We got to Beijing on Saturday and met up with some other adoptive parents there. On Sunday, we went to the Great Wall, the square and the forbidden city!
Then my mom and I were supposed to fly out on Sunday night, but after waiting for about 4 hours at the Beijing airport, the flight was cancelled!!! That is a complete story in itself!
HOWEVER!!!
WE HAVE KAYCEE!! She is beautiful, full of life, and very easy going! She has three words in her vocabulary and there is hearing there!!! The first word out of her mouth when she saw me on the road was MAMA!!!!
She is very happy, loves her stroller and slept for 11 hours last night! Of course, she went to sleep at 5 p.m. but oh well!
All of our paperwork was completed last night and it is a relief! As far as the Chinese government is concerned, Kaycee is ours!!!

a tad bit of a change

We found out that we will actually be leaving on Friday, June 29th. Our flight is out of Denver at 6:00 AM! We have to be there 2 hours early, and we live about 1 1/2 hours from the airport. When the travel agency called, the person actually chuckled at the times!!

But you know what? It didn't matter, it just means that we are SO close to getting Kaycee - it is a feeling that cannot be described!

The next time I post, I will be just hours from leaving! Just pray that I get everything done that needs to be done!!! :)

Itinerary

June 30 - Depart for China (still don't know when exactly)
July 1 - Arrive in Fujian Province - this is where Kaycee is from
July 2 - GOTCHA DAY!!!
July 2-7 - China Adoption Processing
July 8 - Flight to Guangzhou
July 9 - Doctor's exam for Kaycee
July 10 - US INS processing - Consulate appointment
July 11 - Pick up Kaycee's Visa
July 12 - leave to come back to US

Somewhere in here, I need time to shop!

Please don't let us fly on Friday the 13th. I am NOT superstitious, however, I am scared to DEATH to fly over the water! At least they are about 16 hours ahead of us, so we should leave on the 12th and get back to the US on the 12th.

IT IS HERE!!!!!

I can't believe it!! Our TA is here! (Actually it was here two days ago, but I have been so busy, I haven't had time to enjoy it!!!)

We should be leaving on June 30th and our Consulate Appointment should be on either July 10 or July 11!!

This means in just under three weeks, Kaycee will be our FOREVER! What an incredible feeling!!

Let me tell you how it happened!!

I have another lady that I have been emailing back and forth that is also adopting SN with the same agency. (She is wonderful!)

Anyway, Monday, we emailed wondering if anything was going on. I had received phone calls and one email from my agency for small pieces of information, so I knew something was up...

But nothing came on Monday.

Then Tuesday morning came. Emailed again to see if anything was happening - nothing.

Then my friend emails out of the blue and "I GOT THE CALL!!" You should be getting yours any time.

So the clocked ticked and ticked.

Nothing...

I had to pee so bad...

Still nothing...

I had to go!

I put my cell phone in my pocket.

Walked to the bathroom.

Closed the door.

Started to sit down..

Ring, ring, ring.. Sure enough it was them.

Hello? .........

What do you think Kaycee will think about this story when I tell her?

TA

Rumors are spreading like wildfire out there in the land of Yahoo groups that TA's should be coming tomorrow. I had three phone calls from our agency and one email today alone. I think something is up...

One lady received her TA today and she leaves Friday.

What if that happens to us? I CAN'T leave Friday!! I have WAY too much stuff to do, there are not enough hours between now and Friday!

(Im)patiently waiting for the sun to rise tomorrow...

So it begins...

I have to laugh...I have started the dreaded task of packing my suitcase for the trip...

Why is is dreaded? MAny reasons, of which one is the size of my suitcase and the restrictions on suitcase weight.

I am trying to pack a light as possible but honestly it is not ending up that way. I know some of the things I can get in China, that is great - but honestly, there are some things I just want to get here, so I can do the "fun" shopping there.

My list:
diapers
bottle
pacifier
little plates
sippy cups
rabbits for the orphange
gifts for everyone
clothes for Kaycee
clothes for me
books
toys
medicine
wipes
papers
camera
charger
laptop
camera cards

I know there are other things, just can't figure them out right now...

As I get more things in order, I will post a picture of the beginning and the end :)