We're Back

We are back and everything is going good. Rhiannon seems to have bonded to us pretty well while we were up there. I had planned to update this blog while there but since I didn't bring a laptop it was a little harder, plus the fact that when I did get on, blogger was coming up in all Chinese. I had to go by memory as to what was where.

Here is Lisa walking at Tian'amen Square. We didn't get to see the whole part because they had practices for the upcoming children's day which is on June 1st. there were kids all over the place in brightly colored costumes.

Next we went over to the Forbidden City. This place was massive. Never mind what you see on tv about it, you have to see this place in person. This was built in 1426, older then the U.S has been around.

We're off!!!

So here's our plans:

May 29 - Leave Honolulu for Beijing with a stop over to change planes in Narita, Japan.
May 30 - Arrive Bejing in the evening.
May 31- June 01 - Visit Great Wall, Tian An Men Square, Forbidden City, Ming Tombs, Acrobat Show, Summer Palace, Temple of Heavens and a Peking Duck Dinner.
June 03 - Off to Wuhan, Hubei, where Rhiannon is.
June 04 - GOTCHA DAY!!!!!!!!!
June 08 - Fly To Guangzhou.
June 13 - Leave Guangzhou to Nagoya and then HOME!

TA's and CA's

So we got our TA on Mon. 05/01 and just today found out from our agency that our CA is set for 06/11, 9:00 am at the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou, China. Now the ball is rolling....we can book the flights. Now it gets really exciting!

Where in the world is Rhiannon?

Here is a map of China and all 22 provinces. Rhiannon is in Hubei.

Here's some of the Translated Growth Report

This is what we know from her growth report. At 3 months she can hold toy w/her hands. 4 months she can stand w/help & her eyes can trace moving objects. She talks to herself when she sleeps and likes to be carried by foster mom. 5 months she began to eat non-staple food such as: yolk, gruel and fruit paste. 8 months she can sit by herself &can hold toys w/both both hands.

She can now say "mama". The foster mom takes her outside and she likes to look at the chicks, dogs and little kids. She smiles at familiar people in a "busy place". She will laugh and make a sound like "yiya" to show happiness. When anyone calls her name "Jingni" she turns her head quickly. the neighbors like her and always give her hugs.

Jingni loves to talk and laugh, they think she is an extrovert. the latest report that just came in has her at 18.04 lbs. and 68cm.

We're told her Chinese name "Jing" means "peace, beautiful" and "Ni" means "little girl". We are already head over heels in love w/her and can't wait until the day we can hold her in our arms.

Her full name will be:

Rhiannon Sayuri Jingni Wong

We Got The Call...Mon. 8am. 04/09/07

And Here She Is. We are thrilled to introduce our daughter, Rhiannon.

We got the call this morning at 8:00am. So far this is what we know about her: Her birthday is June 20, 2006. She is from hubei Province. And as you can see, she has lots of hair. We'll post more after the translation comes in. Watch Out World, Here I Come!

REFERRALS ARE HERE!!!!!

I called Katie at HIC at 8am this morning to find out when their DHL driver comes by......Guess What?????!!!!! Their office manager walked in WITH the referrals in hand this morning!!!! :) They were closed on Fri. but do get Sat. deleveries.

I have to go down and pick up the packet. This is what we know so far: Chinese name is Li Jing Ni, born June 20,2006 (9 months, 20 days old) in the Hubei Provence.

I'll post pics. later. I can finally see the light at the end of this 17 month, 2 week tunnel.