~ Settling In ~

We are officially settling in and recoverying from Jet Lag ... or should I say that Mommy is recoverying from Jet Lag. Yes, that is more appropriate. This morning I feel better than yesterday. Oddly, the third day I hit the wall! Quinn did wonderful with the time adjustment and couldnt have asked for anything better. He went to bed the first night when I tucked him in and slept until he saw me walk by the next morning. It has been smooth sailing ever since. Alexandra on the other hand had a few rough nights but slept good again last night. She is a night owl anyway so is a little tougher on her.

Quinn seems to be doing wonderfully with the exception of 1 melt down. Other than that he is a perfect child! :) He seems so excited about his new family which we are extremely excited about. He now says thank you to the littlest things and is really loving his new clothes and toys too. Amazing the things that we take for granite in our daily lives. For example ... drinking from a straw, opening an automatic window on the car, a microwave, which pair of shoes to wear, etc. As we go through these little things we watch him as he is totally amazed. He cant seem to get enough hugs and kisses and calls "Mommy" all through the house if he doesnt see me for about 3 seconds .... hugs me and goes back to what he was doing. He is just too cute!

We had our first doctors appointment on Friday. It seemed to go well and felt positive vibes from it. The most positive thing out of the visit was that the doctor felt that the bleeding disorder was not severe since he is not bleeding all the time!!! Of course, we have to undergo the blood work and Hematology appointments to get accurate information. This week we should be hearing from the childrens hospital about a date to come in and when to go have his labs done. We are anxious to have a few answers and feel like we can move forward.

We Are HOME!!!

Yes, we have finally made it home after being in the air way too long to count and almost missed every flight that was scheduled except the first one. Once we hit Tokyo we had less than 20 minutes to make the flight to Detroit after we cleared security. Once to Detroit, we stood in line at Customs for about 1 hour 20 minutes and then had to re-check the luggage, and juggle the lines to make the flight. Of course, it was one of those check points where you had to take your shoes off to get through. I have never ran this fast without shoes on in my life. My children learned the meaning of "We have to hurry or we wont get to see Daddy and Janie!" I heard "Final Boarding Call" more than I wanted too! Someone special from above was certainly with us or we never would have made them all!

Quinn was sick on the international flight towards the very end but quickly recovered!

Once we got to Kansas City, he was sleeping and I tried to wake him... no response. Finally, I said we are almost in Kansas City and your Ba Ba and Mei Mei are here waiting for you. He immediately sat up in the seat and started putting his sandals on and was ready to go before the plane touched the ground! :) Walking out the gateway, he saw his Ba Ba and immediately there was a connection. It seemed like they had always known each other to. What a sweet sight to see! :) Of course, he was ever so excited to see Janie.

Since being home, he amazes me every minute of the day. He is an incredible child and I feel so blessed to have him in my life! He understands about 99% of what I tell him and get a response from him. He repeats English language well and is remembering things that I tell him and using words them properly. He eats like a horse which is excellent!

I had to take him clothes shopping because absolutely everything in the closet except socks were too big on him! He was so cute in the store and understood that he was getting new threads. He would look at something, hold it up and make a decision whether he liked it or not and was even thinking about the size that would be good. Tomorrow I will take him again for more. We managed to find 3 pair of jeans for his small size 4, 33 lb body that actually fit. It is hard to remember that he is actually 7-1/2 years old at times!

Finally, another day that I have been waiting for - his first Doctors appointment! Tomorrow first thing in the morning, and hoping for a good response and a quick referral to the Hematologist!

Will try to post photos soon of our arrival!

Home Bound!!!!

I thought that this time would never come!!! Tomorrow morning we awake @ 4am to get ready for the airport and off to Tokyo we go ... From there we have a 12 hour flight to Detroit. We are extremely hopeful that we make our flight for home from there. Before we can get on the plane we have to clear Immigration with Quinn and Customs then re-check our luggage. We only have 1 hour and 50 minutes to make it all happen! Hopefully, the tailwind will be on our side and help us to arrive a few minutes earlier. If not, then Daddy is coming to Detroit to get us if there isnt another flight leaving!! I am so ready to come home I cant describe it. I feel like I am going to bust out crying!

The US Consulate appointment went well today and we received our brown envelope! Yeah!!

Chen Temple

Not sure if the video will play for you or not ~ Good Luck!

New Photos

I have posted a few new photos on the sidebar. The video is not uploading at the moment.

US Consulate

Today our papers went to the US Consulate to finalize the adoption. Tomorrow we go to take our Oath and do our packing to come home!!!!! I am absolutely ready to get home to my family! GZ is so hot and humid and miserable feeling at times. Still raining off and on.

We toured the Chen Temple today. It was nice but have been there twice before. Quinn didnt seem too interested at all and had a melt down on me again! Alex felt pretty uneventful about it. Later we visited another temple and was able to see the Chinese visit the Buddist Temples in honor of the Moon Festival that is coming up. Very interesting stuff. We were blessed while we were there. Alex decided that she would rather not participate in their service and save her worship for church back at home. Beautiful art work in the temple too.

I taught Quinn to say "I'm Mommas Boy" today... He kept repeating it and then my little clown all of a sudden says "I'm Ba Ba's Boy" .. He laughed and knew what he was saying! He is a clown that is for sure. He laughs and giggles all the time except when he is having a melt down. What a blessing this little guy is! I am so anxious for his family to meet him. His Pa Pa will be so in love with his new addition too ~ Quinn loves fresh vegetables so you might have a helper in the garden! It is amazing how the red thread has weaved through all this time for us to be united! PERFECT!!!

New Photos

I had added a few new photos of the kiddos. The one with Quinn and the pink thing on his head is actually a napkin. My little clown decided that it looked better on his head than the table~ Wait until his Ba Ba sees him in pink.

We are doing well and waiting for Wednesday morning!

2 Days Left ~ YEAH!!!

Two more days before we head out for home! I will be so glad to be in my own softer bed and see my husband and daughter!

Today we went to the jade and pearl market and did some local shopping on the Island. Tonight, we went to an italian restaurant and it was very yummy. Quinn refused to eat his pizza and told the guide that the food smelled bad! :) Ok, so how funny is that! It was raining again so we asked if they could call a taxi for us. They sent the waitress out in the rain with an umbrella to hail a cab for us ... 20 minutes later she came back! We felt terrible and had no idea that is how they did it .... Well, I guess we arent in NY or anything like that so should have known better.

Tomorrow our papers will be submitted to the American Consulate so that we can finalize the adoption. Tuesday, we take the Oath and leave Wednesday morning at 8am or Tuesday Night American time!

Shopping

Today we were able to take in a little shopping in spite of more rain here on the Island. Quinn did not want to spend the few yuan that he had ... he kept wanting me to buy everything for him. How quickly he learned that! While we were shopping a merchant gave me a fake 50. I had no idea until I went to the next merchant! Not that much American money but still the point. I guess that will be a momento.

Tonight we went to dinner with group after being separated all week. What cute babies! A trip down memory lane with the girls. Quinn is so small that I can hold him on my hip so brings back memories :) All was good except having no sleept caught up with them! Trying to get them to bed for a good sleep!

Cuteness Alert!!!!

I have posted a few new photos out on the sidebar!

We are in Guangzhou!!!

Yeah, we have finally made it to the White Swan! It was an adventure getting here and to be stranded in the midde of problems with no English speaking people. Actually, I think there was an English recording but you couldnt hear it because all the other people were mad and talking over everything. Our flight was due to leave @ 7:55pm. We sat on the plane for probably 40 minutes then we get off because the there was a storm in Guangzhou and planes were not allowed to arrive or depart. Then a loud announcement comes on the speaker in Chinese ... I have no idea what was said but can assume it was some type of security check or something as they came around and checked everyone's tickets while we stood in the walk way in the heat for a while longer! I would assume probably close to an hour .. We then boarded again sit there a while longer. Finally, we fly out and arrived at the hotel around 1am. What a long few hours it was. The kids did pretty well and of course Quinn was over the top with excitement. However, he decided was going to test his boundaries with me lets say! He had a half way good nights sleep and picked out a new toys so he is good now! Alex is doing fine for the most part.

We are glad to be at the White Swan .... it is more western here. However, the thing I am not happy about is that Danny's Bagels has moved to a new location and is 30 minutes by cab and they dont deliver to the hotel anymore!! Papa John's has moved into town I hear and of course Lucy's is still here. Quinn seems to be adjusting well to western food and particularly likes sausage links and potatoes! Most importantly, the hospitals are better here than in Changsha. The better one is about 30-40 minutes away by cab but has Western Doctors if we happen to need one.

We have finished that paperwork and all the necessary items ... so, now we just wait for the Consulate Appointment and prepare to go home later!

One Day Closer to Home ~

We are one day closer to coming home ~ We have had a slow afternoon and have been trying to keep Quinn quiet. Problem is that Alex is wired up and he naturally wants to play with her. So, he is trying to rough house with her. You should see the two of them together ~ Amazing let me say! They act like they have known each other forever.

He has learned a few English words so far .... the other night he told Alex that I gave him money .... Today he said "Thank You Momma" .... very clearly. He has learned the English words for each part of his face. Very smart boy. I have no idea what he is saying to me but he sure does understand me!

Hoping by the time that we reach Guangzhou we will be good and able to get out more. I havent spent any money yet except for food and a hospital bill! :)

Group Photo

Here is a group photo on Gotcha Day of Alex, Quinn and myself! What a cute bunch I have ... If Janie were in the photo it would be even cuter! :)

Quinn is doing well today - he has ate and slept like nothing before! He should have some good muscles when we get home!
Tomorrow morning his passport will be ready and we will leave tomorrow night for Guangzhou. This part of the journey will finalize the adoption for the USA.

A few bruises ~

We have had a rough start to the day .... Quinn woke me early this morning with a nose bleed. It didnt stop so we went to a Chinese Hospital for assistance. His nose is still packed to slow the bleeding. He is such a wonderful boy and maintains a great sense of humor during this. He is learning how much he loves "Finding Nemo" and drinking Sprite!

Ok, so to lighten our rough morning ... ever been outside of a hotel in your jammies and walk around a hospital for a while in them ... then to a 5 star hotel breakfast buffet? :) It was so hot in there I was drenched so that meant the hotter I got the curlier my hair got! Not a good thing! :) It hasnt been this curly and frizzy in a long time back in Missouri. China humidity and weather is much hotter and humid!

I cant say enough wonderful things about our agency for their assistance and to Love Without Boundaries!!!! These are terrific organization that I would highly recommend making a donation to at some point in the future. They truly love the children of China! Thank You So Much for your Help!!!!!

It is OFFICIAL!!

We are back from the Civil Affairs Building ... It is Official .... We have a son, cousin, brother, grandson, etc in the Roberts family ... Quinn Michael FuQi Roberts has entered the family!!!!! I absolutely can no wait to see him with those 7 little Princess!!

P.S. Sophie, Bella and Ava ... this is Quinn you are seeing in the pictures below ... Soon he will be home to see you! I will post a family photo of us later today hopefully.

A tale of Two Hunan Dollies

Happy Labor Day!!

On this day 16 years ago US time I met my wonderful husband ~ Happy Anniversary Sweetheart! This day will forever be marked as our Anniversary and a Gotcha Day for Qi! :)

Yesterday I took the kiddos to Wal Mart. They did wonderful. I bought Qi a new pair of sandals and both some toys! The fighter jet and transformer were both a hit! Quinn is amazed at his light up shoes!

He is just an adorable little boy in so many way ~ He is perfect for our family! Pa Pa he is Gabby II. He probably has a sore throat from all of his talking :) I have no idea what he is saying most of the time. A few times, I clearly understood. He told Alex last night ... "Momma gave me money" Ok, it was 2 Yuan and you would have thought it was GOLD! He put his wallet in his front pocket.

This morning we go to the Civil Affairs building to formalize our adoption in China @ 9am! What an emotional stop this is. Now, we wait for his passport and then go to Guangzhou Friday night to formalize the adoption for the US.

Janie & Owen .... we miss you!