Smiles

We are starting to get lots of smiles and today I got my first hug that was initiated by Miah. Boy that felt good! Going to sleep is not her favorite time of day though...she is a great sleeper once she falls asleep, but cries the moment we put her in her crib. Mama has to lay down in the other bed in her room in order for her to calm down...as long as she can see me, then she is ok, but if I try to sneak out before she is asleep, she notices right away.

She likes to Swing

Today we ventured to the park to meet up with a group of other parents who have adopted from China. It was nice to meet Miah's new friend Sylvie. They are 6 months apart in age. I can't wait to see these two grow up together.

First Days at Home

Miah has been home for two full days now. We are working on getting into a routine. She has pretty much adjusted to our time zone and is sleeping well. She still has moments where she is crying for Mama and I am not the Mama she is looking for, but we are making progress. On day one she wouldn't let me near her when she had her bottle, but today she has been coming over on her own and climbing up and laying in my arms while she drinks. I am however NOT allowed to touch the bottle yet! She eats well, noodles and rice are her favorites. Drinking is still a bit of an issue as she is not able to suck from the bottle (due to her cleft palate)...she basically chews on the nipple and gets some milk or water out that way. A very long process for a few ounces of liquid. We are trying to encourage her to eat watermelon and apple sauce to get some additional liquid into her. We are seeing more and more of her personality each day.
First Sunday at Church
Watching my sisters swim lessons
Smile!
Coloring at Red Robin
This is "the look" her sisters often get...especially if there is food involved.
Yummy...noodles..my favorite!

Our new little Canadian!

Words can't even describe the first moments that I saw and got to hold my daughter. It is nothing like a delivery room experience, although not that different either. Pure joy is what we felt as Drew walked up to us in the airport. Daddy was beaming, the girls eyes lit up like it was Christmas morning...and mom was just well....emotional. It took a few minutes of examining us from the safety of Daddy's arms, but then was open to letting mommy hold her. We all played at the hotel and slowing she began warming to us and tonight at dinner she cried when i took the girls to the washroom and didn't settle until I was back at the table. She then gave up the highchair and insisted on eating while sitting on mom's lap. She is doing very well this evening despite the fact that she has only slept 3 hours in the past 24 hours. Hopefully she will get a good rest tonight.

Getting Closer

The girls and I are hanging out at the hotel until we head to the airport. The girls have already been in the pool twice and ordered room service for breakfast, which they thought was a huge treat. Drew's plane left an hour late, so currently they are scheduled to land at 1:00.

Who are the Waiting Children?

Update from Drew

Summer Palace

Stretching Silk into a sheet...looks easier than it is


Hello everyone
Just wanted to update you all quickly.

Today we received both Miah's entry visa for Canada, as well as a confirmation letter on her Canadian citizenship!!! These are the last two pieces of documentation we required for Miah to be brought back to Canada!! Only one hurdle left, the 11 hour flight home, ouch......

Over the past couple of days, we have been touring the Summer Palace, the Pearl Factory, a marketplace, and the Silk Market, making sure I purchase everything on Kim's list!! The marketplace was a lot of fun, as it is 5 story building that has 40-50 stalls on each floor, all of which are selling everything, and I mean everything!!! The other families negotiated 2 full size suitcases, branded, from $400 down to $80, and it included the shopkeepers chasing them down the isle, pulling the suitcases behind them, and pulling on their arms trying to make them stay!!! Hilarious!!! For the fun of it, I was negotiating on a pair of sandals that started at 850 yuan and I had her down to 100 yuan (about $18) before I walked away, as I realized I didn't have any money!!!

Keep praying for a safe flight and easy travel with Miah!

Thanks all

Drew

Almost Ready

Today we put the car seat in the car and did some finishing touches in Miah's bedroom. Tomorrow we dig out the stroller, playpen and highchair. On Thursday we drive to Vancouver and pick Drew and Miah up on Friday around noon.

New Photos

Beijing

Drew, his parents and Miah are doing great. They are in Beijing working on the final paperwork for Miah's Visa and Citizenship. They have climbed the Great Wall, visited the Jade factory, shopped at Walmart, and today they tour the Summer Palace, a Pearl Market and get to go and view the outside of the Bird's Nest and Water Cube. Drew promises more photos tomorrow.

Some things they are learning about Miah:

She loves to sleep and really needs her afternoon nap.
She loves Bananas, Rice, Noodles and Watermelon.
She likes to look at herself in the mirror.
She loves to try on Grandpa's Hat and laughs
She thinks riding in a stroller is great!
She loves walking up and down the stairs.
At the beginning she was hesitant of elevators, but now it is a fun game to go up and down.

Beijing Bound

Hello everyone

Today we received Miah's Chinese passport and Article 23 paperwork, and left Nanjing via Chinese Eastern to Beijing. Miah was good for most of the flight, although as the seats were packed together even worse than Westjet's early years it was tough to control her not so good times, as she did not have a seat. No issues with ears hurting or being enclosed for the 1:45min flight, so that was good. She loves a Chinese cereal we picked up in lieu of Cheerios, which I would name for you, but alas I still can't read Mandarin even though we have been here a whole week!

Once in Beijing, we hooked up with our guide Jennifer, and met our travelling companions Wanda and her new daughter Hanna, and Wanda's sister in law, Julie. Their no so good experience (ended up in the hospital with Hanna, who had a 102 degree temperature the first day) has highlighted to us how easy and blessed we have been with Miah's easy going attitude and relative health. She has had a bit of a cough, nothing serious, due to the temperature changes between outside Nanjing (36 C, with 95% humidity) and the hotel rooms which we keep warm for us, but colder for her. She still goes down for her naps and bed time with little or no fuss, and sleeps the night!!!!!! This allows Mom and Dad as well as me to rest and recharge, something the other family has not been able to do very much of (max was 6 hours straight sleep all week).

We will set out today with the other families, Christine and Jon arrived late last night, and do a little shopping and exploring, depending on how hot it gets. We are in downtown Beijing, approx 15 min walk from Tienanmen Square, so everything seems quite accessible. There is, heaven sent, a shopping mall 15 minutes from here on foot, a great place hopefully just to wander and get out of the hotel.

Monday we will start the paperwork for Miah's Canadian visa, as well as her citizenship application, so pray for no complications and friendly staff at the Embassy!

Drew, Miah, Grandpa, and Grandma

A Girl Who Likes Her Sleep

This morning our little sleeping beauty slept in until almost 8:00. Let's hope that continues!

Bet You Can't Catch me Daddy!

Ming Tomb- Nanjing

This morning the crew ventured out on a short tour of the Ming Tomb in Nanjing.

The Ming Tomb is the tomb of Zhu Yuanzhang, first emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

Its construction project, undertaken in 1381, lasted for 32 years until the "Stele of Great Merits" was erected in 1413, and the emperor was buried here in 1398.

Making It Official!

Drew's Update:

Miah slept through the night without incident!

We left to go back to the civil affairs office to sign the permanent adoption order, have our interview, and sign the notarial documents. Miah was great through it all, as she was seeking me out to be comforted, even with the orphanage staff in the room. We paid all our fees, and received the permanent order which confirms Miah is ours! We were able to talk with the director for quite a while longer, and it was evident that she cares deeply about Miah and all the children she looks after.

After leaving the office, we all went to have a visa picture taken of Miah, which Miah did not enjoy.... She is still quite tired, and it was right around lunchtime. We haven't found a drink for her that she likes, but the director said they would put some sugar in water, and she would take that. We are also going to try milk tonight, as she isn't really taking to the formula. With the hot day (instantly sweating once you leave the room), and her being tired, it was quite the experience getting her to nap. The hotel we are in has circular floors, so I went around and around until she had dozed off, but couldn't get her into the crib without waking her. After 15 minutes of crying for "Mama", which is the orphanage director, she finally fell asleep.

Gotcha Day!

I prayed for this child and, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him.
1 Samuel 1:27

On July 13, 2009 Miah Fu Ni was placed into our arms....a day to be celebrated as Gotcha Day!






Drew and his parents waited at the Civil Affairs Office in Nanjing for Miah to arrive from Taizhou. She was an hour late, but made it safely! Drew said she cried most of the time they were at the office, but since they have been back at the hotel she has eaten well and really enjoyed her bath! The stacking cups are a hit! She only napped for 15 minutes and Drew says she starts to cry as soon as he lays her down. Hopefully she will go to bed easier for him tonight. She should be tired, it has been a long day for her! Drew says she is doing great!

A Fast Way To Nanjing

After making it through a very chaotic Train Station in Shanghai Drew and his parents caught a bullet train to Nanjing. These trains are new and very fast. They apparently travel close to 300 km per hour. They were greeted by the guide Jin who Drew said seemed very competent and helped ease his nerves. The guide they had in Shanghai was a bit confused and didn't even know how many families she was picking up. They are safe and sound and went to bed early. They will be picked up by Jin after breakfast to be taken to the civil affairs office where they will meet Miss Miah at 10:00am (around 7:00pm our time).

I think of Miah as she is spending her last night in the orphanage. Her last night with the caretakers and friends that she has grown to love, the last night feeling comfortable before she is thrust into a world of unknowns. Please pray for her...it breaks my heart to know she does not understand and will be fearful of the changes that are occurring that are out of her control. Pray that God would calm her spirit and heart and that she would have a sense of peace and wonderment of the new world around her. She will be traveling by van to meet Drew...a three or four hour drive from Taizhou with NO carseat. Pray for safe travels for her.

They made it!