Return to California

Meeting the grandparents in Bakersfield.  Christy's mom Maria and her husband Roberto.

Meeting the grandparents in Ventura.  L to R:  Yelena (caregiver), Christy, William's father Cliff, Alaina, and Cliff's wife Lita.

Christy with Alaina and our friend Eva with her daughter Abigail.

Alaina reading mom a bedtime story after a long day.

Happy Time!

Chillin with Santa.

You know you've been at the mall too long when...

Wearing antlers from Santa's workshop.

Haven't posted for awhile.  Been busy with our little bundle of joy.

The flight back from Hong Kong went much better than expected.  With only a lap seat for Alaina, we were a bit nervous about how that would really work out.  While it's 15 hours from LAX to HK, it's only 12 hours back due to the wind direction.  Still, that's a long flight with a little girl we just met.  Everything went fine.  Alaina played with the remote from the screen in front of the seat, ate meals, and slept.  When she needed a moment, we just went for a little walk.  It's amazing how far you can walk on a plane at 36,000 ft. without really going anywhere.  Alaina managed to sleep through the takeoffs in both Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

The biggest issue back home was the time change.  While we were trying to adjust to west coast time, Alaina was still on China time.  China is currently 16 hours ahead of us, so she would be awake when we were trying to sleep.  That made for some very long and tiring days.  After about 1 1/2 weeks, we finally got her sleep schedule to change.  She's now sleeping through most nights just as she did in China.  What a relief!

Alaina is doing well.  She's standing up easier, crawls everywhere, and likes to dance to music.  She's quite vocal at times and smiles & laughs much more now.  Her appetite has always been great and she eats just about anything we feed her.  Her curiosity about the world around her never stops.  She's had one visit to the doctor, received two shots, and will return for another visit after Christmas.

Last Post from China

Yesterday we walked off the island again.  We went through the Qing Ping Medicine Market, through the pet market, and found a huge outdoor shopping mall.  It was very crowded, but we managed to make it all the way to McDonalds.  Yes, the hamburgers and fries taste just the same over here.  You simply point to what you want on a menu card and tell the girl how many of each.  We walked over with some friends who soon departed.  Once again, we were the only americans to be found as far as the eye could see.  Another amazing adventure and well worth it.

The dinner cruise on Monday night was wonderful.  While the food was mostly aimed toward the asian crowd, the views from the river at night were spectacular.  Everything was illuminted for the Asian Games.  We saw the Guangzhou Tower, the second tallest tower in the world... the tallest being in Dubai.

Monday afternoon, we took the oath for Alaina.  You basically state that everything on her visa application is true and correct.  Pretty simple, but a very big deal.  This afternoon we'll receive her visa packet... which can only be opened by US Customs when we arrive in LA tomorrow.  From the time we wake up tomorrow to the time we arrive iin Bakersfield will be well over 24 hours.  Flying with a 16 pound souvenir should prove interesting.

See you back home...

William, Christina, & Alaina

Friday News!

Joy between a mother and child!

Good morning all,

Is's Friday morning over here.  Just getting ready for breakfast down in the coffee shop.  Our hotel is right on the Pearl River.  It's the 4th longest river in China.  Guangzhou, where staying, is the 5th largest city with about 13 million people.  Things are going well for the three of us.  This is the first day that we don't need to go anywhere.  That's a big change from the other days.  Just have more paperwork to complete this afternoon.  Alaina sleeps well throughout the night.  She's also starting to eat some mashed up scrambled eggs, banana, a nice bowl of warm congee.  Doesn't like yogurt.... too cool.  She cries sometimes, but is happy and very curious most of the time.  She has also sneezed a few times (like some of the other girls) and we hope she isn't getting a cold.  We've had her for just over three days, but it seems much longer.  Our days have been so busy... things go by very fast and we need to think to remember what day it is.  We went for a walk around the islands last night and found a small grocery store.  It doesn't compare to the big grocery store we visited in the city two days ago.  Shopping in a big Chinese grocery store is... an experience.  We took a tour in the city yesterday and visited a Buddist Monestary.  Alaina was blessed by one of the Monks.  Between the crowds, the nice buildings, the poor areas, and the Asian Games (Asian Olympics)... it's alot for all three of us to take in.  Our room here at the White Swan feels like home.  It's the place we come back to and crash out after all of our outings.  There has been alot of visits to different government agencies on the Chinese side to complete the adoption.  However, we now have her adoption certificate which means she is officially ours.  Now we just need to work on the visa and passport so that we can return wth her.  It's almos 8:30 here and time to get ready for breakfast.

William, Christina, and Alaina

Daddy's Girl already!!!

Curious

Sweet Baby Girl!

 

Monday Morning Update

Yesterday morning we visited the zoo here in Guangzhou.  Because it was Sunday, it was rather crowded.  It's always nice to watch animals taken from the wild pace in circles in their new homes.  Still, it was nice to get out of the room and see more of the city.  Later in the afternoon, we walked across the bridge off the island into an area known as Qing Ping Medicine Market.  I believe that's what the refer to as "immersion".  We were the only Americans around.  Naturally, Alaina received some attention.  Her eyes are big and her skin lighter than many Chinese babies.  However, as the tall, white, American, I received more stares than the rest.  Many people glanced up to stare at the white man in sunglasses taking pictures.  The area is much like the pharmacies in Chinatown in LA, but along the sidewalks as well as in shops.  It would probably be safe to assume there are a few things available here which you won't find in the US.  It was quite an adventure.

Now... we're waiting for our US Consulate appointment later in the afternoon.  There, we will take "the oath"... since Alaina cant.  The Consulate appointment is what all other travel plans were based upon.  We'll then have some free time while await Alaina's US Visa sometime late Wednesday.  After that, niine families will depart Guangzhou.  Some will spend the night in Hong Kong... others will only spend a few hours at the airport... waitiing for their flight home.  We will leave Guangzhou by air at 9:50 AM on Thursday on the short flight to Hong Kong.  We'll then leave Hong Kong for LAX at 1:05 PM.  Our scheduled arrival time is about 9:35 AM on the same day.

Alaina is napping now... getting ready for her big appointment at the Consulate.

William, Christina, & Alaina

After our appointment at the Consulate this afternoon, we're going on a dinner cruise on the Pearl River.  I believe the dinner is buffet style & it will be a great chance to see Guangzhou from the water.  It seems like we've been here so long already.  Many of our days have been filled with appointments and activities.  The down time we have is a nice break.  We run into many families from our group and others as we stroll around the island.  It's funny... two weeks ago we didn't even know each other.  Now, we greet each other like old friends.  We've all been through alot together here in China.  It's hard to believe our days abroad are finally winding down.

Have a good day.

William, Christina, & Alaina

GOTCHA Day!

Hey everyone,

The blog is blocked here in China. We got Alaina this afternoon (Monday) and we're hanging out in our room. It was a very busy afternoon. Alaina was very cranky when we got back. Lots of crying... but it's amazing what a little sleep can do. We've done our first feeding and diaper change. No problem! Alaina is very inquisitive and likes to crawl around and touch things. The nanny said she was very afraid of strangers... but she was ok with us after a few hours of sleep (it's been a busy day for everyone) We had Papa John's pizza delivered this evening and just ate in our room. Tomorrow morning it's back to the civil affairs office for registration and notarization. After that, we'll be visiting a grocery store for supplies. The White Swan hotel where we're staying is located on Samian Island along the Pearl River. The Asian Games are being held here in Guangzhou this year, so it's extra crowded in town. There's also extra security. However, here on the island, it's very pleasant & peaceful. We saw many brides taking wedding pictures in the area because of the nice setting. There's also a big show out on the river each night until midnight. Music, light show on the river, boats lit with neon. It's all part of the celebration for the games. It's about 11 now and Alaing is going to sleep again. I think we'll follow her shortly.

Candice... Christy asked if you could post the attached pics on our blog... since it's blocked from here. Also feel free to share the pics.

More later... goodnight...

William, Christy, & Alaina

On to China

While Hong Kong is China, it's not Mainland China.  Under British rule until about 1997, it's considered a Special Administrative Region by the Chinese government.  As such, it does not fall under the government laws of Mainland China.  Hong Kong is also much more "Westernized" than the mainland.  Most people here speak both Chinese and English.  Even the water is safe to drink.  Entering Mainland China is like entering a different country.

We leave for Mainland China by bus tomorrow morning at about 11:15 AM.  The border is about 30 minutes from here.  Once there, we'll leave the bus with our bags and go through Customs again.  Unlike Hong Kong, China doesn't allow any newspapers to be brought in from the outside.  Also, any magazines with political content are not allowed.  If caught bringing them in, you can be jailed.  As such, the magazines we bought at LAX will probably find a home here at the hotel.

Once we clear customs, it's about two hours on the freeway to Guangzhou.  We'll stay at the White Swan until we leave China.  The White Swan is a large five-star hotel frequented by adopting families.  While we hope to continue updating this blog, there's a chance it may be blocked in China.  Guess we'll find out when we get there.

Hong Kong Sights

Traffic in downtown Hong Kong.  It rained all day long.

Vendors at a road side tourist stop.

Hong Kong from the lower part of Victoria Peak.  The top of the peak was all clouds.

Along the road to Victoria Peak... trying to stay dry.

The captain of our Sanpan while touring Victoria Harbor.

A famous restaurant in Victoria Harbor.

Victoria Harbor skyline.

Statues on our way to the beach.

Cool Chinese dragon.

Beach along Victoria Harbor area.

Shark net protecting the beach.  Looking out toward the South China Sea.

The infamous 7-11 at University Station (near The Chinese University of Hong Kong).  It's about the size of a large camping tent.

Our hotel:  The Hyatt Regency at Sha Tin.  Very nice...

Hope you enjoyed the pics.

Hong Kong

We arrived in Hong Kong under cover of darkness with light rain at 7:06 PM Friday night.  That's about 4:06 AM back on the west coast.  It was a long flight, but not that bad.  The seats were more ergonomically designed than most found in economy class.  The entertainment was hard to beat:  Over 100 movies, 350 TV shows, and a multitude of CD's and radio available.  A small screen in the seat just ahead proved much more interesting than the same movie shown to all.  The food was nice too.  Lunch consisted of salmon with mashed potatoes along with a glass of white wine.  Dinner was equally enjoyable...so far removed from the small airline sandwiches we've paid for on the way to Hawaii.  We only slept for a short time during the flight.

We met up with some of the other families upon arrival at the airport.  Four families have adopted previously and three brought their girls with them.  This is quite a large travel group compared with most previous ones.  About 30 families all together.  The CCAI rep who met us at the airport, JoAnn, told us most groups have been much smaller.

We had our first interaction with the locals outside of our group last night at about 11:00 PM.  Next to our five-star hotel is a large bus station with a 7-11 next door.  The 7-11 probably measures all of 15 x 15 feet, including the cash register.  It was very busy.  We ventured there in the light rain and darkness, searching for bottled water to take with us today.  We had previously exchanged some USD for Hong Kong Dollars (HKD) at the hotel.  The rate is about $100 USD to $730 HKD.  We bought eight bottles of water for $56 HKD... or a little less than $8 USD.

It's almost 6:00 AM on Saturday morning over here.  We're getting ready to have breakfast at the hotel restaurant.  After that, we're leaving for a tour of Hong Kong from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  Somewhere along the way, we'll enjoy a dim sum lunch.

China Visas

We received our China travel visas today.  That's a very good thing.  While you can leave home without them, you can't enter China without them.  They're multiple entry, good for one year, and allow us to stay for up to 30 days at a time.  Not that we'll actually be doing any of that.

We've also learned a bit more about our daughter.  On February 3, 2010, she received the approval and consent of the Liangjiang City Civil Affairs Bureau.  She then entered the Guangdong Province Liangjiang City Welfare Institute for guardianship and rearing.  Her umbilical cord was dry, but had not fallen off yet.  "Judging from the condition of her growth, development, and umbilical region, her birth date was estimated as January 28, 2010, and she was given the name:  Lian Yin Ye."

Today is also our 12th wedding anniversary.  What a deal...

Itinerary

Here's our itinerary:

11/4     Leave LAX on Cathay Pacific at 12:20 PM

11/5     Arrive in Hong Kong at 6:45 PM (15hr 25min flight)

            Go through Customs & Immigration

            Check in at the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong Shatin Hotel

11/6     Tour Hong Kong… shop… try to get some rest

11/7     Leave Hong Kong for Guangzhou via bus

            Go through Customs & Immigration

            Check in at the White Swan Hotel

11/8     Gotcha Day!  Go to the Provincial Civil Affairs Office at 3:30 PM to fetch Alaina

            Shopping at a local department store for supplies

11/9     Complete Adoption Registration and Notarization

            After this point, the Chinese government prohibits relinquishing your child in China

11/10   Receive adoption registration certificate

            Check all details very carefully

11/11   Alaina’s visa physical and visa photo in the morning

11/12   Free time in Guangzhou… rest… tour… shop…

11/13   More free time…

11/14   Receive notary certificates and Alaina’s passport

            Again, check all details very carefully

            Prepare paperwork for US Consulate appointment

11/15   Visa application document packet delivered to US Consulate

            Go to the US Consulate and take the oath in the afternoon

11/16   Free time in Guangzhou

11/17   Go to US Consulate to receive Alaina’s visa packet

11/18   Depart Guangzhou on Dragon Air for Hong Kong

            Depart Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific at 1:05 PM (12hr 30min flight)

            Arrive at LAX at 9:45 AM… on the same day… what’s up with that?

            Go through Customs & Immigration

New Photos

Our adoption agency received two new pictures from the orphanage in LianJiang.

It looks like they're actually letting her hair grow a bit.