Meeting Miss Tessa Video!

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Recap Gotcha Day!

March 29th

We are still getting up quite early, and this morning was no exception, so we got dressed and headed down to the breakfast buffet. I didn’t get a chance to take a photo of it, but they had pretty much anything you could possibly want.
After breakfast we went back to the room to take showers and get ready for the day.
We had to meet at 9:00 to go to the bank (which is right next door) and switch over our adoption money to Yuan, it took a good while, as there were several families there at the same time. After we were done, we took the money back to the room and put it in the room safe. We decided since we didn’t get to see much around the hotel yesterday, we would kill some time and try to take our minds off of the waiting. We met up with a couple of other families and all went out together. We hit several of the little shops, and I got to start on my shopping for the yearly presents for Tessa. We met Jordan from Jordan’s Place, I had heard of him before, and he is such a fun and happy guy! We will definitely be stopping by his place again. We found a Subway, and it smelt so good, we had it for lunch. We did leave off the lettuce though, did not want to chance it. When we got back to the room, we only had a little while to get the stuff ready to go. I needed to pack the diaper bag, and get the gifts ready for the orphanage director and nannies.
We were suppose to meet in the lobby at 2:00, but could not wait any longer, we got there a little bit early, as did most everybody else.
Everyone is so excited you can feel it in the air!
We all got on the bus, and headed to the Civil Affairs Office. I don’t know what I was expecting, but when the bus stopped, it was not what I had pictured. It was in the middle of a really busy street, with shops all around. We got many looks when we got off the bus, but paid no attention, we just wanted to go get our babies.

We took the elevator up to the eight floor, and when we got off you could hear a couple of babies crying. There was one little boy, about 2-3 years old playing on the floor next to his new parents, but after a few minutes, when he realized that he was going to be leaving with them, he started screaming, and trying to get away, it was so sad!
We were there for a few minutes, and had to verify some information that our guides had. At some point we realized that there were babies in another room, we could see them through a curtain. It was the Yangxi babies, and our Tessa was one of them. At first I could not tell which one she was, I thought I recognized the outfit that I had sent in the care package, but I thought that it had feet in it, so was unsure. Looking back now, the first baby that was on the floor was her, kicking her little foot!
Our guides got the list of what order we would be in, and we were the 6th family to get our baby. Tessa Rose Min was placed into our arms at 2:35.

She is such a sweet cutie pie, I just can’t stand it, had to kiss those little lips! They did have her dressed in the outfit I sent, I was wrong, it didn’t have the built in feet. She came to us without any crying, as did all of the Yangxi babies, it was so unlike I was expecting, but it was nice. I mixed her a bottle, not knowing when the last time she was fed, but she did not want it.

The director stayed for a little while to answer any questions, and all I could think to ask was what they called her. She said that they called her Min Min (our guide said because of the dialect it was pronounced Mon Mon. She also gave me back a couple of other things that I sent over, a blanket, a stuffed ladybug, and a camera. I was a little worried about the camera, because it was not the same one I sent, but I don’t care as long as there is pictures of her on it.
I had to wait, because the other babies from Maogang were not here yet. I felt bad for these parents, we have had to wait for so long already, and now they were late. I missed seeing them get their babies, because I had to go in and hand over the money, I hope to be able to see it on video!
It was pure caos in that room, but it was really exciting too!
I had put Tessa in the baby carrier, and she fell asleep without a word.
Once we all had our babies we got back onto the bus, and went back to the White Swan.
We went straight back to our room, and started to get to know our little girl.

I didn’t want to push it too much, so I did not give her a bath today, although her hands were really dirty, so I wiped her off a little with baby wipes, then changed her clothes. She has a Mongolian spot on her little boodie, it’s not real dark, but is definitely there. I’m so glad I knew about these ahead of time, because I would have surely thought they were bruises.
We got lots of smiles, and some belly laughs too, which is such a contrast to what I was prepared for.

We pretty much stayed in for the rest of the day getting to know each other. She still does not want a bottle, but doesn’t seem to be hungry either.
She does do the cutest thing when she is tired. She puts her arm up to her mouth, doesn’t matter which arm, does it with both, and barely even touches her lips to the sleeve, and starts sucking with her mouth. Most of the time, she doesn’t touch her sleeve at all, but just holds her arm up there. Such a cute little sound, with her sucking with her tongue, it reminds me of a kitten that you have given food to and they are eating and crying at the same time.
We are so in love!

Gotcha day video to follow soon!

March 27th-28th

After a restless nights sleep, due to the fact that they love rock hard beds over here, and that there is no air conditioning, only a fan, I am finally starting to feel better.
I woke up several times last night, but made myself go back to sleep. Finally by about 5:30, I just went ahead and got up. We talked to the girls via the webcam. Madilyn is still sick, I hate being away from her like this, I was hoping she would start to get better by now.
We got ready and went down to get some breakfast. I was relieved to see normal food today. They have a really nice western breakfast bar set up. They also have an omlet station where they will make it to order. I did try some of the noodles, and dumplings here, they were really good, even for breakfast. We met some more people from our group, and they are all very nice. I am so thankful that it worked out for us to be able to travel with this group, I can tell we are going to have a good time.
We met at 9 a.m. for our day of touring. We got on a big bus and hit the road. Our guide Grace is very cute and sweet, and she stood at the front talking and telling stories.
We pulled up to a curb, and she let us know that as soon as we would be getting off the bus that people would be trying to sell us stuff, and told us to just ignore them, or to say wo bu yao, which means I don't want.
And yes, that is exactly what happened, I guess they see us Americans, and they all come running with stuff. DH got hit right off the bat with a guy trying to sell fake Rolex watches. We walked for several blocks and everytime I turned around to check, he was still right there with us. By the time we got to the intersection to cross the street, he had bought one, for $5. It is soooo fake too! And as soon as the others saw that he bought one, they started it up again.
We went to see Tian An Men Square first.

I have seen this place in pictures so many times, it is unreal that we are actually here. I have been to crowded places before, but oh my, never like this. I guess since it is a Saturday, more people are here. There are just lines and lines of people trying to get in. It is really cool today, and I am glad I decided to bring my coat, but it is a beautiful and sunny day.
Grace is leading us all around with this big stuffed flower on a stick, and she is fast too, one minute she is telling us something, the next we see her flower way up in front.

We are getting all kinds of looks and stares, but I did notice if you smile at them they usually do return the gesture.
From here we went under the street through a tunnel and went into The Forbidden City.
There are just as many people in here! At one point there was a group of older Chinese ladies who were getting a kick out of saying “Hi” to me. They would say it, and when I said it back they would all just giggle, it was so cute! We also had people taking pictures of us. This is another one of those places where pictures just don’t capture the magnitude of what you are witnessing in person. This place is huge! We go through one building, and there is a big courtyard, and then another, and another, and another! All of these buildings look very similar, if you are looking at pictures, you probably think it is just the same one over and over again. We went out through the back exit, and passed through a garden area with these trees that were marked by their age, most were either 2-3 hundred, or 4-5 hundred years old.
As we were walking to where our bus was parked we again met up with more folks trying to sell us stuff. We also passed a couple of older ladies with children, the first one was holding the baby, who was about 18 months/ 2 years old. We did not know what they were saying, but they were trying hard to say something. I just assumed that they were asking for money. After a few minutes there was another lady with a little boy who looked about 3-4 years old. When she started doing about the same, I just kind of ignored her and thought she wanted a hand out too.
Until we got to the bus. Another couple had mentioned it, but they said that she was actually trying to hand them the child, that she was holding him, and was trying to make them take him. How very sad.
It was after lunch time now, so our guides took us to a real Chinese place. This is probably a stop for many tourists. It is also a shop that makes and sells cloisonné items.
We ate first and then shopped. I saw lots of things I liked, but this was our first shopping trip, so I did not want to get stuff here if I knew I could find it in other places. Looking back now, I do wish I had gotten a couple of the things that I saw there. I did get a few small things, one being a gift for Tessa. I had heard before that some people buy small gifts from China to give their daughters for the first 15-18 birthdays. I liked this idea, and planned to do the same.
On our drive to the Great Wall, I saw something else that made me sad. We were on a very busy street, with about at least three lanes going each way. We were going over a bridge, with a side walk. I saw a little girl, who looked to be about 5 years old, just skipping down the sidewalk, right next to the busy road. She was all by herself. I looked around her, and did not see anybody. I wonder about her still.
Driving up by the mountains, where the wall is, was very beautiful. It was the perfect day for this. Except for the smog, which I’m sure is here on most days.

First we all got together for a group photo. DH did not want to buy the book with photo, he wanted to just have them take a picture with our camera, yeah right. I don’t have a wide angle lense yet, and we would not have been able to squeeze everybody in. I got the book.
I also had to use the potty, so went to find one. Yeah, I found one alright. It was nasty! I did find a western toilet, but there were prints on the seat. Dirt prints, from shoes! I guess, they think we are weird for sitting down, so when they use this stall, they just jump up there and squat. I am so glad that I packed those paper seat covers! Plus I squatted too. TMI??? Sorry, even though it was covered, I just could not let myself sit.
Anyway, now that I was ready I found the rest of the group, and started the climb.
I was bound and determined to make it up as far as I could. I believe we made it to the second tower. Some of the steps were not so bad, but then others were like two feet tall. Plus really steep. We kept stopping to take little breaks.
The way back down wasn’t too bad, just kind of scary because it was so steep.
My legs were like jello.














On the way back to the hotel, we drove past the Olympic park. We had spent all day out, and did not have any time to stop, but it was neat to see it.
It was about supper time when we got back to the hotel. I wanted to venture out of the hotel, but we didn’t know what was even around, and didn’t want to get lost, so we went down to the restaurant in the hotel (the one we ate at for breakfast) and had an American meal. DH ordered a pizza, and I had a grilled ham and cheese sandwich with French fries, and they brought out a little bowl of katchup.
We pretty much called it a night after this, cause we had to check out and get on the bus by 6:00 a.m.
We woke up around 4:30 a.m. on the 28th. We had to check out of the hotel, and get on the bus that took our group to the airport for our flight to Guangzhou.
We flew China Air, and this was also a nice airline. This was a relatively uneventful flight, and I tried to take a little cat nap.
We arrived in Guangzhou around 11:00-11:30. This is a very nice airport. We got on another bus that took us to the White Swan Hotel. At first this place reminded me of Florida, with all of the greenery and Palm trees, but as soon as we got closer to the center of the city, there is a huge difference. There is not one wasted space in this town, every single little nook and cranny is filled. They try to make this a pretty place, there is plants everywhere, but then some of the buildings look as if they could cave in, in an instant.
It is also funny that on most of the balconies, there is clothes hanging to dry. They have no shame, even hanging out their panties and bras to blow in the breeze.
The streets are lined with rows and rows of little shops, it would be fun to just go out and walk around.
We made it to the White Swan and went to check in, but our rooms where not ready yet, so we sat in the bar, where they gave us a complimentary drink. I chose a non alcoholic fruity slushy type, and it was really good.

After the drinks, our guides took us on a short little walking tour, we did not venture very far, and we actually decided to get something to eat, so we went with some of the others to Lucy’s. They have tables set up outside, and it was the perfect day for it.

After lunch we went back to check in and get settled in our rooms and took a nap.
This is what greeted us when we got to our room!

I forgot to pack wipes, so I needed to buy some before we are to get the babies. We went walking around the island and found some at one of the little shops there.
We didn’t do a whole lot for the rest of the night, I took a bath, in yellow water, and tried to get ready for tomorrow!

Trip recap March 24th-26th

Sorry I have not posted about our trip sooner, to be honest I just did not feel like it. I still wish that I could have while we were there, while all was still fresh in my mind. Now, I just want to play with my little darling.
The jet lag has really not been an issue at all. I was so not looking forward to that part, and I had bought some of those "No Jet Lag" pills. I had planned on using them. I did kind of on the way there, but I slept so did not take them as much as I was suppose to. And then on the way home, I forgot to take them on the international part until we were almost to L.A. But I did take them from there till home, so maybe they helped a little bit. I was tired for the first day or two, and then was back to normal. I think it also helped that our flights (the long ones) were night time flights, so we could (or tried to) sleep. I do think that helped a great deal getting us back on the right time.
Anyway, I will try to recapture my thoughts from the beginning.
For several days before we left I was not feeling very well. The girls had been sick, and I did not know if I was now getting it, or if it was nerves. Probably nerves. I freaked out a little bit about our luggage, and was trying to keep within the weight limits of both the checked bags and the carry ons. I'm sorry but there is just no freaking way anybody could manage to have a 10 pound carry on. Just the bags were at least 6 pounds with nothing in them. Looking back I wish I had just packed them the way I wanted to. If I had only known that they did not weigh them, I would have.
On March 24th, I did not get everthing done that I had wanted to before we left. I wanted to clean the house again, and wash the sheets on our bed. I did manage to wash them, but never got to put them back on. I hated leaving with a mess for Mimi to have to deal with.

We checked Lily out of school so that she could also go with us to the airport. I did not want her to be jealous that Madilyn got to go. At 2:56 we had just sat down after checking in, and were now waiting to board our first of many flights. I had to get something to eat, I had not eaten anything all day, I was too busy, and nervous.

DH about died when I pulled out flat Stanley to take pictures. Everybody was looking, but nobody said anything.

At 4 p.m. the plane took off, and I was so relieved that we were on time, cause our layover in Atlanta was only 45 minutes, and I did not want to miss that flight.

When we got to Atlanta, we were actually early, but then they just sat there. They were waiting for a gate. By the time we got off the plane we only had about 20 minutes till our next flight. We booked it through the airport, and of course it was not in the same terminal. When we got close, they announced that it was the last call for our flight, and we just started running.

I have never flown internationally before, and the L.A. airport was quite interesting. While we were in line to check in for our China flight, we met up with another adoptive family. They were behind us in line, and I figured that they were adopting also, mainly because the four of us were the only Americans anywhere to be seen. I wanted to ask them but didn't. After a few minutes the husband asked us if we were adopting. They were in our travel group, with the same agency also. I was hoping that someone else would be on this flight with us. It was really great getting to meet people face to face that you have chatted with through the computer for so long.

We had a three hour layover here, but it went by really fast, I was starving, and had to get a cheeseburger before we got on the next plane, I did not know when or if they would be feeding us. The terminal for China Southern airlines was packed! I am so glad we went with the premium economy, it kept us from having to wait in the really long lines. The only bad thing was that the plane was on the other side of the airport, and we had to get on buses to go to the plane. We were crammed in there like on a cattle car.

I can not say enough good things about this airline. We were so impressed! As soon as we found our seats they brought us juice or water, and then a warm wash cloth, before we even took off! The seats were so nice and roomy too! For such a long flight, this was the best by far. I was so worried about being on a plane for that length of time, but it really went by quickly. I did get a good bit of sleep. Our seats leaned back pretty good, and we had a foot rest that would come up like sitting in a recliner. Only about an hour into the flight they brought us a meal. And again a couple of hours before landing they brought breakfast. I was still not feeling great, and took a Zofran. I did not want to be throwing up on an airplane!

Oh, I forgot to mention, they also gave us some slippers, earphones, and a little case with stuff in it, toothbrush, toothpast, an eye mask, and lotion.

We had pillows and blankets, and felt quite spoiled! I would highly recommend this airline to anyone! The only down side is the inflight entertainment. It was pretty much non existent. There was a personal t.v. hidden inside our armrest, but there was not much to choose from, and most of it was in Chinese. But, considering this was a red eye flight, it did not matter too much, I slept, and did not care to watch anything anyway. I did check it every once in a while, to see the map of where we were at. About an hour before landing we both took a fever reducer just in case they were still checking them upon landing.

When we landed in Guangzhou it was about 6 a.m. so the airport was not too busy. We went through customs pretty quickly, and found where we needed to be to catch our next flight. Again I am so glad that there was another family with us, we all kind of stayed together.

This is where we saw our first squatty potties! And this is where I took this photo with flat Stanley and the potty. No, I did not use it, they also had western toilets!

The flight from here to Beijing was not as lovely. For one thing, we were back in coach, and the flight was full! I do have to say though that American airline companies could learn a thing or two from the Chinese ones. This flight was just under 3 hours, and they fed us breakfast. And also, they take off right on time, every time! I did learn not to ask for a Coke. When the ladies came around with the drink cart, I saw the Coke bottle, but when I asked for a Coke, she poured me a cup with coconut milk in it. It was tasty, but not what I really wanted.

When we got to Beijing, we had to go collect our luggage, and then found our guide Grace. She had to stay at the airport to wait for other families, but she did take us to our driver. The ride was very interesting to say the least. You have never seen crazy driving until you go to China! We got to the hotel and checked in. We were both tired, and could have called it a night, but I knew if we did, then we would be up in the middle of the night, so we set the alarm clock, and took a nap. I was STILL not feeling great, but knew I needed to eat something, so we went down to a Chinese restaraunt in the hotel. THAT WAS FUN! We could not understand much they were saying, and vice versa, but we did get some nutrition. We ordered some noodles, and dumplings. It was good, but the noodles, in the broth could have used some salt, it was pretty bland. Oh, and I did learn what to ask for when I want a Coke. They call it Cola, or something that sounds like that.

After we ate, we did go back to our room, where I took a relaxing bath, and we hit the sack early.

This was the view from our room at the Poly Plaza.




















Well, that is the first of my recap posts, so stay tuned for more!

We are home

Well, we are at home, tired beyond belief, but HOME!
I had tears in my eyes when I saw the Welcome sign at the airport here.
I am sorry I could not post while in China, I had set it up to send the posts through email, but they kept getting rejected. I know it worked before we left, so I guess they had some kind of block seeing that it was going to a blog site. I don't know.
Anyway, I put all of our pictures on a shutterfly site, you can go here to check them out:
www.Tessarosemin.shutterfly.com/pictures

I will post again soon (as soon as I feel normal again) with details.

Thank you all for following along on this once in a lifetime journey!