Lilly's Gotcha Day!

Today is Lilly's Gotcha Day - the day she became part of our forever family.  We went to the government office building in Nanjing and waited  for Lilly to arrive with her care-givers.

We watched as two of her care-givers walked up to the building with her.  She was wearing the outfit we sent in her care package!  As soon as they entered the room, they handed her to us.  She wanted to jump out of my arms and back into her care-giver's arms.  However, after about five minutes, and a snack, she was fine.

Then, we had to fill out some paperwork.  Lilly just sat and ate her snack.

We got our picture taken as a family - for one of our documents and then we were able to ask Lilly's care-givers questions about her.  Apparently, Lilly was Miss Popular at the orphanage and EVERYONE loved her.  The director even came to visit her everyday.  They called her Yee-Yee at the orphanage, which is about what Liam says.  We got back all the other things we put in her care package as well, like the disposable camera, blanket, and books.

After finishing up at the office we went to the store and bought things like diapers and formula.  Savor, our facilitator, also talked Dave into buying some beer.  She said he had to try it.  When we got home we started playing.  Lilly's little personality starting showing right away.

It was too hard to crawl and play in her dress, so we changed into better play clothes.

Apparently throwing stacking cups is hilarious.

Other than not wanting to take a bottle tonight, things have been perfect (I think we need to get a different special nipple - we can ask her care-givers tomorrow - we will see them one last time).  She did eat her rice cereal and some puffs and yogurt bites.  She has smiled and laughed.  She is still a little timid, but overall she is fine.  She walked around the hotel room holding mom's hands.  Only time will tell how well she is adjusting, but we're off to a great start.  

Nanjing

Today was spent traveling from Beijing to Nanjing.  Our flight was about 1 hour and 45 minutes long.  Once we arrived in Nanjing our facilitator met us at the airport and helped us get checked into our hotel.  Our hotel in Beijing was very modern.  Our hotel in Nanjing has more of a classic, old China feel.  Our facilitator, Savor, made sure we got a big room with a view.  We have Lilly's crib all set up and her toys ready.  Our gift bags are also ready.  We will give American gifts to the orphanage director and Lilly's primary care-takers tomorrow and then we will give two more gifts to the officials that process our paperwork on Tuesday.  Tuesday we will process the adoption paperwork.  Savor says we will officially be considered a family by China at that point.

our room - plenty of room for Lilly to play

After a little trouble we finally got the internet up and running.

Lilly's toys - we want her to get familiar with the other children in the family, so we have pictures for her to look at.

We are missing Liam like CRAZY!!!  We are looking forward to Skyping with him in a couple days.  Being away from him has been the most challenging part of this trip.  However, it is important for us to devote this time to Lilly, and we know Liam is in good hands.  Today as we prepare for Lilly's Gotcha Day, we keep thinking back to the moment we met Liam for the first time.  We waited for what seemed like a lifetime to be parents.  We had Liam in our hearts long before we even knew he was ours.  We prayed and begged God to give us a child, and Liam was that answer to prayer.  The second he was placed in my arms all my waiting and praying seemed worth it.  I was meant to be the mommy of this boy and he was meant to be our son all along.  At that moment, I knew there was a place in my heart that only Liam could fill.  I have been praying for Lilly, even before we saw her face or knew where she was from and I know that just like Liam, God created me to be her mommy, and Lilly to be my daughter.  I know we will have to work through her grief and that her love for us won't be instant, but I know the moment she is in my arms, I will be her mother forever!  I am in awe of God's plan for our family and how it has all unfolded.  
Here is my most recent letter to Lilly...
Dearest Lilly,
Tomorrow is your Gotcha Day - the day you become part of our family forever.  Lilly, we have been praying for you, that your heart will be ready to accept us, and that we will be the kind of parents that you need.  We are so excited to hold you and start life as a family of four.  Your older brother Liam is so anxious to be your big brother.  He loves you already!  We promise to show you how much we love you every day.  Sweet girl, you were given life for a reason and God has a great purpose for your life.  We are so blessed to be part of that journey.  We are so thankful to be your parents. 

Love, Mom & Dad

Sight Seeing Day 2 - Forbidden City and Imperial Gardens

The hotel breakfasts are amazing.  They definitely cater to Westerners and have a great deal of comfort foods.  Dave is able to get coffee, which is good for everyone.

Today we went to the Forbidden City and Imperial Gardens.  It was very crowded and hot.  However, having Peter with us helped.  He knew how to navigate through the crowds.  The Forbidden City was built by the Emperor who moved the capital to Beijing.

outside the gate

The buildings are decorated with lions and dragons.  The use of vibrant colors showed the importance of the emperor.

view of Forbidden City from top of the hill in Imperial Gardens

The Imperial Gardens were breath-taking.  It is peony season and there were fields and fields of various types of peonies.  There were many musicians and dancers throughout the park.  They were meeting up with friends, just to play, sing, dance and have fun.  There were impromptu dance lessons. 

dancing in the park

this one was my favorite

Here are some pictures of us at the shopping center near our hotel.

What's Next -

Tomorrow (Sunday) we will fly to Nanjing.  Nanjing is the capital city in the province Lilly is from.  On Monday morning at 9am, we get Lilly!

Sight Seeing Day 1 - The Great Wall

We started our first day in Beijing bright and early.  Our guide Peter and his driver picked us up and drove us to the Great Wall, which took about 2 hours from our hotel.  It was a perfect day to be at the Great Wall.  It was not busy and there was a slight breeze.  In order to get to the Great Wall, you must take a cable car up to the top of the mountain.  We walked the entire section that was open (about a mile).  The last stretch was brutal.  There were 426 steep steps at the very last section.  However, Dave and I both made it to the very top.  The Great Wall is so impressive, but the scenery around the wall is also breathtaking.  

the beginning - clearly not a sweaty mess yet

Some stones are missing, so climbing to the top of the towers was a bit of a challenge.

the last steep section

We made it!

On a side note - Dave wore his Purdue shirt was approached by two different tourists at the Great Wall who either attended Purdue or knew someone who did.  It never fails.  Our tour guide asked if Dave knew them before and we said no, but this happens everywhere we go when Dave wears a Purdue shirt.

After the Great Wall, we went to a nice little restaurant.  Dave enjoyed a Chinese beer.

On the way home from lunch we stopped to see Olympic Park.

We finished the day with dinner by the hotel and we walked around in the shopping area.  There is a 'high-end' mall very close to our hotel, which a tourist hot-spot.  They have an Apple store, a Gap, Cartier, Rolex, and Forever 21.  We were in bed by 7:45 though.  We're still not quite adjusted to the time yet.

Flying to Beijing

So sorry for the delay with our updates.  Internet security is very strict in China and we had to buy a VPN (virtual private network) to be able to access our blog and Facebook.  Dave's sister Laura and her husband Jason (who adopted Lucy last May from China) helped us out and now we are good to go.  Thanks guys!

Flight to Beijing
Our flight was delayed 4 hours due to mechanical problems, but we were able to spend the day with Anna and Verona, so it was all good.  Rick was able to take us to the airport on time.  We received a flight voucher and food vouchers for our inconvenience.  Spending the day with our darling niece is hardly an inconvenience, but we were glad they were so accommodating. 
We were thrilled when we got on our plane and discovered that our seats were in the front row of the section.  We had plenty of leg room and individual TVs that flipped up.  It was obviously a long flight, but uneventful.  We watched a lot of movies and it seemed like they were bringing us food constantly.   When we arrived in Beijing, Peter our guide met us and took us to the hotel.  We went straight to bed!  We were exhausted.

Our hotel room

In order to use the electricity in the room, you must insert your room key.

Our view from our room

the lobby

Let the Journey Begin

Tomorrow, we set off on an adventure like no other.  After dropping Liam off with Grandma and Grandpa Herman at 7am, we will drive up to Livonia.  My brother, Rick, will drive us to the Detroit Airport.  Then, we take off on a 13 hour flight straight to Beijing.  Here are some thoughts on the eve of our trip -
*  The truth is, I am not fond of flying, and the thought of being on a plane all day is daunting to me, but I will have Dave with me, and he makes everything better.  (I'm also equipped with Melatonin!)
*  I will miss Liam like crazy from the moment I drop him off.  He takes a place in my heart that's only made for him.  I know he will be fine, but I tear up just thinking of being away from him.
*  I am excited to meet Lilly!  I have dreamed of her, prayed for her, and yearned to be her mother, and am ready to hold her.  I know we will have a process ahead of us, but we are so ready for it.  Bring it on!
*  I am trusting God with all the details of this trip.  He has shown us time and again that His plan and timing are perfect.  How blessed we are that He has chosen this to be part of His plan for us!  Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to give you hope and a future."
The next blog post will be from China!

Attachment Period

Those who are familiar with international adoption, either by doing it yourselves, or knowing someone who has adopted, are aware of the Attachment Period.  It is highly recommended that we observe an attachment period when we return home from China.  This means that we will not have visitors over to our house and we will limit the amount of time spent out of the home.  For Lilly's sake, we need to establish our role as her parents and form the family bond.  This will help Lilly become an adjusted child in the future.  She will need to grieve her losses.  Although, her life up until now has been institutionalized, it is the only life she has known.  She has formed relationships with her care-givers.  It is important for us to respect the time and process it takes for her to transfer her affection and dependance to us.  I know it is a lot to ask, but we ask that our friends and family respect this process, however long it takes.  Lilly is the only one who can determine how long this process will last.  I know you will want to share with us in our joy and journey, so I promise to keep the blog as up-to-date as possible.  To our church friends - Dave and I will be taking turns on Sundays, so Liam can still attend regularly.  Feel free to invite us to sit in the pew with you.  We will most likely be exhausted and need the help.  One of the bet ways you can help us is through prayer!  I'm sure we will feel your support that way, even when we will feel isolated and in "lock down" (as my mother affectionately calls it).

Here are some specific things you can pray for -

*  That Lilly will show her emotions and start the grieving process right away.  That she doesn't bottle her emotions for later.

* That Dave and I have patience and compassion.  That we are a strong team.

*  That all our hearts are opened and ready and that the Holy Spirit would guide our actions and words.

*  That Lilly eats well and starts to try solid foods.

*  That Liam feels love for his sister (he already has, but it may be different when we are home and Lilly requires a lot of attention).  That Liam never doubts our love for him.

*  That Liam is healthy and safe while we are gone.

*  That travel for us goes well with no complications.  That Dave and I take time to enjoy the culture and life our daughter is coming from.

*  That we have a great team of doctors and therapists for Lilly and that they view her as the unique child of God she is.

*  And most importantly - Thank God that He has chosen us to be Lilly's parents and has opened every door that needed to be opened in order to bring her home this quickly.  Thank God He allowed us to be parents to two beautiful children, who have been given life for a purpose.  Thank God that their birth-mothers chose life!!!