HK to NNG

Today was a great day doing just what P and I love to do:  travelling and exploring new places.  This sure was a new place for us!

We took the 6 bus to Stanley Market.  The ride alone was worth the trip.  The scenery of the ocean and moutains was breathtaking, weaving along roads that were basically hanging off the side of a cliff.  This road had more twists and turns than the roads we drove on in Tuscany, and would give the Mt. Washington Auto Road a run for it's money.  We took it all in from the top level of a double decker bus.  Needless to say, THANK GOODNESS for the Sea-bands.  No way my weak stomach could have handled it otherwise.

Stanley Market itself was exactly our type of place.  Right on the water, with tiny little booths and shops filled with souveniers.  Not a chain store in sight here.  We picked up a few things, and ate Chinese food on a terrace at a waterfront place.  It was a relaxing and perfect way to spend our few hours in Hong Kong. 

Waterfront walk at Stanley Market

P tried to hone his bargaining skills at the market.  Didn't go so well.

I, on the other hand, did a little better.

We arrived in Nanning pretty unscathed without too many issues.  Just an hour sitting in the plane on the runway before takeoff.  When we arrived we were met by our very softspoken guide, Cindy.  We got a lift to the Marriott in Nanning which is quite lovely.  Cindy gave us some background of Nanning and Guangxi.

We also learned a few things about our Gotcha Day.  Here's what we had previously been told by our China coordinator:
1.  E would go back to the orphanage this weekend before meeting us, and
2.  Gotcha would take place in a provincial office.

Here's what we found out today:
1.  E is it NOT going back to the orphanage because it would be too many transitions for her.  She will wake up with her foster family, and be driven to Nanning with the orphanage staff.
2.  Gotcha will take place in our hotel room, after she has lunch at around 2:30.

WOW.  So, a little different than what we had been told.  We processed it a bit over some noodles at dinner.  It's going to be OK.

Where are those training chopsticks?

Slurp.

 

Hong Kong!

We made it to HK.  I'm not even going to try to write anything witty or interesting given the wacky sleep/no sleep haze I'm in.

It was a crazy long day of travel, and I'm so happy it's over!  We were up until 3am packing, got up at 5am to get ready to leave, and Mom and Dad picked us up at 6.  Our flight to Detroit was at 9am and we had a 4 hour layover.  When we were getting ready to board the plane, we got the most wonderful news ever!!!  The "polar route" was off limits, so we had to take some trans-Siberian long route to Hong Kong via the Bering Sea and Russia.  Kinda like taking the back roads on a fall foliage trip.  Except that this wasn't any foliage trip.  So, our 15 hour flight became over 17 hours!!!!  We didn't arrive at our hotel until after midnight.  So, that's how long?  I don't know, the calculator is still packed.

I will say:  P might get in the Guiness Book of World Records for the Longest Plane Sleep Ever.  I'm only slightly exaggerating when I say that he slept the entire trip.  More than once, I surely thought he was dead so I put my mirror in front of his face to see if he was breathing.  The boy even missed the mid-flight snack!  If that doesn't tell you how tired  he was, nothing will.  Needless to say, the flight was a little boring for me.

Probably the highlight was meeting the Lillie Family!  They were on our flight and we finally met on the jetway getting off the plane.  Christie and I hugged like we were old friends.  Or, like new ones embarking on a very similar journey.  The four of us already have some funny memories of getting yelled at when we tried to take a picture, and the utter amazement that we packed the four of us and all of our luggage in a tiny cab.  The back was wide open and tied with bungee cords and we just prayed that there were no big bumps or else diapers and hair bows would fly everywhere!

I guess one good thing about the long day of travel is that we gained a day (what happened to Friday?!?!) so we are one day closer to our Emmilene!  Patrick just came into the room with what tastes like THE BEST coffee I have ever had.  We have a short day here, so we'll get ready and probably visit Stanley Market.  Looks fun.

Hi to everyone and we miss you already!

Leavin' on a Jet Plane...

Today we leave as T & P.  In two weeks, we return to the USA as T & P & E.  Just like the old T & P, but only better. 

P and I have had what he refers to as the "longest honeymoon ever."  We've travelled pretty much everywhere we wanted to go (so far), chased dreams, lived through some rough times, and lived through some awesome times.  All from a 683 sq ft condo (and I think that includes the outside patio and storage). 

We've taken a different path to parenthood than many, and I couldn't be happier we made that decision.  We are about to embark on the greatest journey of all, to meet the greatest person of all.  We can't wait to have Emmilene in our lives forever.

I'll be honest...I'm sick, pretty worn out, and weary.  I haven't worn mascara in days.  Moving from the condo to a new home in the past week has really pushed us all to our limits.  I'm actually looking forward to the long flight and a sleeping pill.  I'll wake up in Hong Kong, get some lo mein, and be ready to take on the world.  And Emmilene.

I want to say thank you to everyone I've met along the way...all of the RQ people and online friends who have answered every stupid question I've asked, and have posted encouragements for me as I pushed through the final days of madness to meet my daughter. 

I want to send a little "shout out" to Kaylyn.  I've heard all about how excited you are about little Em.  Keep following us in China!

I also want to say thank you to the dear people in my life who have helped us through this.  It's not just a figure of speech...I mean it when I say I couldn't have done it without you.  You know who you are, and I mean it from the bottom of my heart.  We literally couldn't have done it without you.  I've learned the meaning of family over and over again during this journey and have been consistently amazed by the outpouring of love and support that has come our way.  Not in a million years could I ever repay you.

And, hi to Emmilene.  My dear, dear daughter.  I know this is a journey for you, too, and not an easy one.  We will try with every fiber of our being to make you happy and give you a wonderful life.  All of these sleepless nights and mascara-less days are for you, honey. And I know there will be many more of those to come.

So, off we go!  Stay tuned for the next chapter and for the next two weeks, lots of lo mein!

Still packing!

Yes, at 2am.  We leave the house at 6am.

So, why the blog entry?  Just to say that even through the exhaustion and craziness of the past few weeks buying a house, renovating it, packing up our condo, moving into our new house, and getting ready for this trip, we have at least a tiny bit of energy left to be excited to meet our daughter in just a few days.  We remember not that long ago when it seemed like this would never come.  And, here it is.

Tonight at my parent's house for dinner (probably our last spaghetti and meatballs for awhile...), the five of us were sitting around the table and my mom gestured to the empty chair.  She said, "Isn't it amazing?  The next time we are all here at this table having dinner, little Emmie will be sitting right there."  It really hit me then.  Emmie's coming!

Back to packing...

Not too long now

As our trip gets closer, it's funny to think about what it will actually be like to meet E.  What will she look like, what will she sound like, etc.

My sister (E's Auntie Sue Sue) and mother (E's Nana) were chatting about this recently.  My sister shared their conversation with me:

 

Auntie Sue Sue:  I can't imagine what it will be like to actually see E in person, at the airport.

Nana:  I'm afraid of what I might do.

Auntie Sue Sue:  You mean, like, cry?

Nana:  I mean, like, faint.

Of course they went on and discussed how they have to hold it together so they don't scare the pants off of the little peanut with all of their crazy Italian emoting, etc.

Attention Logan TSA:  Get the crash cart ready...I'm sure Nana's not the only one who's going to need it.

Merry Christmas!

Today was a wonderful and fun Christmas with family, but I'm happy to say that it will be our last Christmas without E!  We all kept commenting on how much we wish she were here.

To celebrate the day, I re-wrote a traditional Christmas song:

Twelve Steps to China (sung to the tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”)

On my first step to China my wishes brought to me… a little girl called Emmilene.

On my second step to China my wishes brought to me … two agencies, and a little girl called Emmilene.

On my third step to China my wishes brought to me… three blog members, two agencies, and a little girl called Emmilene.

On my fourth step to China my wishes brought to me … four background checks, three blog members, two agencies, and a little girl called Emmilene.

On my fifth step to China my wishes brought to me…five years of bills!!!  Four background checks, three blog members, two agencies, and a little girl called Emmilene.

On my sixth step to China my wishes brought to me…six notaries, five years of bills!!!  Four background checks, three blog members, two agencies, and a little girl called Emmilene.

On my seventh step to China my wishes brought to me…seven months of worry, six notaries, five years of bills!!!  Four background checks, three blog members, two agencies, and a little girl called Emmilene.

On my eighth step to China my wishes brought to me…eight trips to FedEx, seven months of worry, six notaries, five years of bills!!!  Four background checks, three blog members, two agencies, and a little girl called Emmilene.

On my ninth step to China my wishes brought to me…nine packing lists, eight trips to FedEx, seven months of worry, six notaries, five years of bills!!!  Four background checks, three blog members, two agencies, and a little girl called Emmilene.

On my tenth step to China my wishes brought to me…ten mailman stalkings, nine packing lists, eight trips to FedEx, seven months of worry, six notaries, five years of bills!!!  Four background checks, three blog members, two agencies, and a little girl called Emmilene.

On my eleventh step to China my wishes brought to me…eleven stacks of papers, ten mailman stalkings, nine packing lists, eight trips to FedEx, seven months of worry, six notaries, five years of bills!!!  Four background checks, three blog members, two agencies, and a little girl called Emmilene.

On twelfth step to China my wishes brought to me…twelve-plus hour flights, eleven stacks of papers, ten mailman stalkings, nine packing lists, eight trips to FedEx, seven months of worry, six notaries, five years of bills!!!  Four background checks, three blog members, two agencies, and a little girl called Emmilene.

Christmas Eve

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree

I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
                             -From "All I Want for Christmas is You"

Christmas Eve Celebration.  Pass the vino.

Tonight was another awesome celebration with family and friends, with one little thing missing...Emmilene, we all wish you were here!