our first weekend home

Well we have now been home for 3 days and are beginning to settle in. After arriving home on Thursday, Maggie didn't sleep much and we were up by 5 AM on Friday morning. On Friday afternoon she fell asleep in the late afternoon, woke up for company, and went back to sleep at around 8 PM. We were up at 2:30 AM on Saturday!!!!! She finally took a good nap on Saturday afternoon and slept all night Saturday night. We have had a number of visitors and Maggie has done great. She is always shy at first but is coming around. My mother came to visit us today from Knoxville and Maggie was playing with her within the hour. She even gave her a kiss. We have had several children visit with their parents and she has started opening up to them a little more. We continue to be overwhelmed by the family and friends we have, and just know that we think of you often. We can't wait for everyone to meet her. I am off work the next two weeks, and as you know, Barbara will be staying home full time. Please feel free to call or stop by to visit. I think that the jet lag we have experienced is beginning to wear off, and tomorrow we will get Maggie out of the house for a little while. I guess she needs to get used to the car seat at some point. I am posting some pictures taken since we came home. The one with Maggie asleep on my lap was taken this evening. After dinner we played for awhile in her room and then came downstairs to have ice cream. Within seconds after Maggie handed me her empty bowl, she was asleep in my arms. It's amazing what a feeling that was.

We're home!!!!

Well we finally made it home, and it seems that we have had Maggie forever (I couldn't imagine being without her). Yesterday was a long day, but I have no complaints about our experience. I was able to read the comments from everyone, and am thankful that we have such great friends and family to introduce to our precious daughter. The flights were uneventful, although Maggie got a little cranky during the trip from Tokyo to Detroit. She did sleep the last four hours. We drove home from Atlanta and got home at 11:00 PM. We went to bed at midnight, and Maggie and I were up by 5:30 AM. I guess it's gonna take some time to get used to the time change. Barbara actually slept until 9 AM. It's great to be home, and Maggie seems to like her new house. We played all morning. We had a welcome home sign on the door when we got home, although I'm not sure who it is from, but we thank you. We can't wait to see everyone, and can be contacted any time. I will take more pictures of Maggie as we settle in and will continue to post to our blog. It's amazing how many people have been following our incredible journey. It is one that we will never ever forget. Our trip brought us closer together and we made some great new friends. We do feel truly blessed to have the opportunities that we have had and this is truly a dream come true.

It's Official!

Yesterday afternoon we went to the U.S. Consulate and took the oath that we will care for our daughter. After that we received her passport and visa, and she will be a U.S. Citizen as soon as we enter the United States. On Tuesday we went to the playroom at the hotel and then for a stroll around the grounds. The Goodyear blimp flew right over our heads. We ordered pizza from Papa John's that night. Yesterday we shopped around the island and had the group photos taken. It is tradition to take the girls picture on the red couch at the White Swan hotel - I posted it and hope it went through. After we returned from the consulate we went with two other families to a market off of the island. The walk was long and we saw what we would view China to be. When we got to the market, which was like an outside mall, I had three people begging me for money. We felt very uncomfortable and didn't get to shop. We ate at McDonald's before making it back to the island just after dark. We all breathed a sigh of relief. Today we will pack, relax, and get ready to come home. We will leave the hotel around 5:45 AM for the airport, and we hope the flight goes well. The next post you read will be coming from home. We can't wait to see everyone and we are anxious for everyone to meet Maggie. She is more amazing everyday, and has started giving both of us kisses when she wakes up. What and amazing feeling!

Ready to come home

Sorry I've only been posting every other day. We've been busy and it seems that I don't have alot of time on here without my little princess wanting to help. Barbara is playing and keeping her occupied right now. Yesterday we went to the folk art museum and the pearl market. The museum was basically a historic site here in Guangzhou and a tourist area. We then went to the Pearl Market - 5 stories of jewelry stores! We bought Maggie some pearls to give to her at age 16 and a jade necklace when she turns 18. We also got her a bracelet to wear now and a few other things. We also got Barbara some nice pearl earrings. They were very reasonably priced. We then went to the grocery store for bottled water and back to the room for a nap. Barbara went to get her hair washed, but made the mistake of going before Maggie fell asleep. Maggie cried for her mommy and finally slept. For the first time, she wet the bed. I think it is because she drank too much apple juice. For dinner we went to a bakery/deli next to the hotel. They have Haagen Daas ice cream. We have been eating more of our meals at Lucy's, but I hope we can go to a thai restaurant called the Cow and Bridge before we leave. We were to go with our group yesterday, but Maggie was still taking her nap. Well Maggie misses dad, so I have to finish this up. I hope to write more soon. We are ready to come home, but we are enjoying our time with our precious daughter.

Nanning to Guangzhou and medical exam

Yesterday was our last day in Nanning. Barbara treated herself to a hair shampoo and straightening at a local salon while Maggie and I tried to nap (we really played the whole time). Us and another couple were brave enough to take a taxi to the local McDonald's without incident and we visited People's Park in the morning. There were a lot more people there this time, and we had about 20 curious people at one time stopping to look at us. It was an interesting experience. Our flight left Nanning at 6:10 PM. Maggie did great on the plane. It was only a one hour flight, but a good test for Thursday. We are staying at the White Swan hotel at Shamian island (I think that is how it spelt), in Guangzhou. There are a log of americans here with adopted children. Everyone adopting from China goes through Guangzhou to complete their adoption, as the U.S. consulate is located here. This morning we went to the medical clinic. Everything with Maggie is great. She does have wax build up in both ears, but that will be treated when we get home. We went to lunch AND dinner at Lucy's Bar and Grill, located next to the hotel and serving western food. I had a cheeseburger and fries for lunch and Barbara had a grilled cheese sandwich. Maggie had fruit. For dinner I had spaghetti and meat sauce while Barbara had steamed rice and a piece of garlic bread. Maggie shared our food. Maggie is still doing amazing. It rained all day today, and she insisted on holding the umbrella. She got a little fussy this morning for the first time, but I think that is because we stayed up late last night (we had Papa John's pizza waiting on us when we got to the hotel - our guide ordered it from the bus). The White Swan is very very nice. We have HBO and ESPN, but haven't watched much t.v. After we returned from lunch today, there was a barbie doll with holding a Chinese baby for Maggie. She loves it. We had the crib removed from the room, as it was uncomfortable for Maggie to sleep in (she will be sleeping with Barbara the rest of the week - Barbara doesn't mind). We also met three more families from our agency today, and completed some paperwork for our consulate appointment on Monday together. They are all very nice, and all the children are beautiful. We are doing well but we are ready to come home. Tomorrow we are going to a local museum and then to the pearl market. Our hotel is on the Pearl River, and we have just hint of a view from our room. I will definitely take pictures.

Nanning Zoo/McDonalds!

Today we went to the Nanning Zoo. It was very nice. They had all kinds of monkeys, gorillas, lions, kangaroos, dolphins, and more. We watched a show featuring dancing and bike riding bears. I have never seen anything like it. We also watched a dolphin show that was very nice. After the zoo we went to a local market and bought a few souvenirs. It was then off to McDonalds! I had the best Big Mac I have ever eaten, tasted just like they do at home. Barbara ate all of her chicken nuggets and french fries and Maggie ate her share. We discovered that she likes eating ketchup with a spoon and corn (comes with a happy meal). We also learned that she has no interest in orange juice. After lunch we ate delicious cake before coming back to the hotel for a nap. Tomorrow we leave for Guangzhou at 6:10 PM so will probably just relax. Barbara is comtemplating getting her hair washed and straightened at a local salon as well as getting a massage. I may go play ping pong with the guys from our companion families between now and tomorrow afternoon. I hope the pictures came through today, especially the last where I got one of Maggie with a big smile for a change. She smiles all the time, just not for the camera. Also today, Maggie really came out of her shell outside of the hotel room. She ran and played all day. She is taking to Barbara more, wanting her to hold her when she wants to be held, although she still comes to me often. It is an amazing experience and we are enjoying every second of our time with our sweet princess.