Just so you will know - the internet connection can be sometimes slow, so I went ahead & posted the pics in groups (in order of actual events) because I know all of you just want to see the pics anyway. So, go ahead, scroll down. But beware: there is some serious cuteness coming your way & there is no way for it to be stopped. SERIOUSLY. Our girl has enough personality for about 10 people then some. She's the oldest of the group & she understands (well, you know what I mean) what is happening. One of our prayers was answered today - she has been looking at our pics for quite some time. She knew us & even showed us that we were in her book. She also quickly corrected how we were pronouncing her "gie gie" (big brothers). OOPS.
I guess I need to start from the beginning since this is her journal. For those of you who could care less, just go ahead & skip to the pics. They are the best part anyway. For those of you getting ready to come over here - I'll try to give specific details, but they may be out of order & show up when I remember them (sorry).
As you all know - I don't sleep on planes. So, from the time we got up & left the house to the time I hit the bed on whatever day that was - I went for 33 1/2 hours without sleep. My eyes were hurting so bad. It didn't help that we were tired from all the weather related happenings of the weekend. BUT - if you stay up & don't sleep on the plane (like Andy did) & you crash when you get to your hotel at night time (make sure you request this) you will sleep the entire night (unlike Andy) and get up better acclimated to this time zone. As I am typing this the other two are sound asleep. Andy will probably be up early tomorrow because he went down a little after 8.
If none of this makes sense, come back after we get home - I plan on editing it for her journal when I am thinking more clearly.
We left the hotel around 8 this morning. It was very cloudy then. While we drove to the SWI our guide Shiyan gave us lots of info & lots of advice. She really is amazing, just like our SW Debby has told us. She has been able to help us with the communication, which by the way has been amazingly good. HG lets us know really quickly when & what she wants. That girl is very dramatic.
Okay got off topic -again sorry-
We pulled into the SWI driveway & our van wouldn't fit so we had to turn around & go way out of the way to get to the complex. We ended up going to the old entrace which I have posted a pic of below. Because of this they directed us to a different area of the SWI than I have seen on people's blogs. While we were filing out all the paperwork they brought the girls to the benches outside of the room. We were all peeking out at them. We immediately saw & recognized Hannah Grace. She is just precious. She actually caught Mama peeking at her. LOL
That little girl strutted herself in the room first (of course). The caretakers pointed to us & she immediately walked our way & called us out. It was precious. Everyone else was receiving their babies & I honestly can't say what happened with them - SORRY. I lost all focus except on this precious child. We took her over to the end of the room where all her stuff was & just has some fun listening to her talk. Heath, buddy, your little sister is going to give you a run for your money on the talking. She is so articulate (boys have grandma define that for you today for your vocabulary.) Everyone Everywhere we go can't get over how well she talks. Her fine motor skills are subperb . We quickly discovered that she isn't shy around a camera. If you take her pic she has to see it to approve it - which she usually does in the form of a laugh. We have to totally distract her from the cameras at time because she is constantly getting either the video or the big one out & before we know it she's taking pics or videoing. LITERALLY. She knows how to take the caps off or slide the little button, then she'll turn them on. Then she zooms in - can't take a pic far away!!! That's a given that I wasn't aware of. She can open any kind of wrapper, hard to open bottle (you know those child proof kind - Yep again she amazes us) She is one busy little girl. She is definitely keeping us on our toes.
She also discovered that if you put your arms up that Mama & Baba will carry her anywhere she wants to go. I was really worried that she would be independent, but we are good in that area. Any time we get off the bus - she immediately starts it. She doesn't want to walk until she has seen that the area is safe & secure.
I am thankful that today has gone well. I know that we are in for it sometime. And we understand & are ready for it, but I am thankful that it didn't come today - these family days are stressful enough as it is.
She never stopped today - in Beijing it takes longer to process the passport so you receive your child in the morning & start the paperwork in the afternoon. The younger girls gave it up but not her.
Speaking of being busy - here we go. She is tossing & turning something fierce in the bed. She has turned a complete 360 & now back another 180. So much for me sleeping in that bed. I guess I need to get off here. I'll update more later.
I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS HAS FINALLY HAPPENED.
Thanks to all of you who are praying. We have been feeling it. Just because she isn't grieving now doesn't mean that tomorrow's prayer isn't still valid. Her grieving will come & it may hit without any warning.
Boys: We love you & were so glad we got to see you. We are working on our computer connection. HG loves to look at your pics. We are working on teaching her your names. She is going to have so much fun with you guys & Boy, will she keep you all busy. Talk to you soon. We love you so much.
Later alligator.....
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Hannah Grace & Grace leaving together to become friends forever.
And so it begins - she has already figured out how to work both cameras - NOT JOKING
Look who else has a pouty face when she doesn't get her way.
Awe. Dad got the first kiss. Don't worry - Mom's is coming up just a few minutes later.
Hannah Grace took this pic with Mom's good camera. Oh my. I think we may have an expensive obsession/hobby on our hands.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)