Update - Finally!

I have taken some heat for not having updated our blog in awhile, even though I have wanted to, time never seemed to let me. After running into Kim and MaryKate at UP Mall today, I knew I had to do it!

Well, we have been home 8 weeks and Kaia continues to adjust very well. It seems like we have had her much longer. Hannah isn't nearly as jealous as she was, so they are getting along better. Kaia's English is also progressing faster than we could have hoped for. She has a cute personality and has a certain look and smile that lets you know she is up to something. :)

One issue that has come up is that she is sicker than what we were told from China which I guess should not surprise us. She is having some problems with her liver due to her blood problems which has caused her liver enzymes to skyrocket.

Our doctor has referred us to Riley's Childrens Hospital in Indianapolis with our first visit on Jan. 26th. Fortunately, we were able to get Dr. Jean Molleston as her specialist who as many of you know is one of the tops in her field. We will know more after Monday.

SO NOW YOU HAVE IT! Please enjoy some more pics. - Tim

COMING HOME!

Boy are we ready to come home. No one more so than Kaia the way she is telling everyone. It is always bittersweet for the adopted child in my mind. On one hand she is coming home to a pretty good life, on the other hand, she is leaving the only life she has known up to this point.

We never made it to the orphanage either, kinda bummed about that. Hope everyone enjoyed my stab at doing a blog....my first.

She you soon!

US Consulate Day

Greetings! Our guide called us yesterday morning from the US Consulate to tell us our paperwork was in order and that: "by the way, your oath appointment has been moved up to this afternoon instead of tomorrow!"

So we walked to the White Swan where we met up with a TON of families heading over. We ended up with 3 large bus full of kiddo's, Mama's, Baba's, Grandma's, Grandpa's, aunties, etc. etc.

It was quite the site, but since no cameras were allowed...no pics :(

Today is our last full day here. Kaia is so excited to be coming to America. She is telling all the maids, servers, bellboys, etc that she is "heading back to the States" in one day. They all laugh knowing she has never been there. Our favorite server at Lucy's, Joy, says Kaia is doing much better than most newly adopted older children. She says Kaia is "Happy in her Heart" to be going home with us. She is quite the jabber-jaw when she talks to various Chinese speaking people.

We can't wait to get home!

Some Local Pictures

We are in the room this morning waiting for the "all clear" from our guide who is at the US Consulate applying for Kaia's VISA. Once she calls, we can get out and do some walking around the island.

I took some pictures of the sites on our way to the Safari Park yesterday and thought they might be of interest.

Safari Park Day

We went to the Safari Park today which is pretty cool. They let you get MUCH CLOSER to the animals than any zoo back in the States. We got to throw raw chicken meat to White Tigers, Darlene was in 7th Heaven as they had many Giant Pandas of which you could get pretty close to. Made for some tired girls. Kaia went on Kiddie Rides, a first for her. She almost broke her face from smiling so much. It made me, a grown man, want to cry to think such a simple thing makes her so incredibly happy. Just wait until she gets home.

We tried the Chinese/Thai restaurant down the street. Interesting, since the wait staff speaks no English, you just point to pictures and hope for the best. I had a rice dish with a lot of tentacles in it. Kaia eats like every meal is her last which is sad. She will eat so fast and so much that she will vomit at times. We have even found food in her sweater pockets. We are really liking her little personality. We can't wait to see how she reacts to her new home, bedroom, etc.

Only a couple more days!

Chill Out Day

Didn't do a whole lot today. Lee (Li), our guide came to our room this morning so we could fill out all of the forms for the US Visa. Tomorrow, we are going to a Safari Park about an hour away that many families have raved about. Sounds like fun. Can't wait to get out of the room.

Kaia is in the best mood we have seen her in. Not wanting to even be touched up until now, she is all of a sudden coming up to us and hugging us and now gives a kiss on the cheek! You can see a twinkle in her eye for sure. She is a total flirt with the doormen. Counting the days until we leave, although it is 20 degrees back home and calling for heavy lake effect snow!

Mountain Trip

Our guide took us to the Baiyun Cableway which takes you up to the top of a mountain with an incredible view of Guangzhou. We keep forgetting that everthing Kaia is doing is a first for her. Like taking the Tram! She was scared to death! She was a pro on the way down.

Kaia and Hannah got into a little altercation and Kaia put the knuckles to Hannah's face. Didn't leave to bad of a mark :) It will definately take some adjustment time.

There are quite a few families around also adopting which makes it nice since we are here alone this time. Very nice people.