We made it to Guangzhou today! Early this morning we got up and had breakfast at the hotel in Beijing, then went to sightsee. It started pouring rain, so we weren't able to sightsee long, but we did get pictures of Tianeman Square and Forbidden City.
Highlights from breakfast:
The coffee was bitter and strong! It did the trick, though.
So it was a buffet with little signs for things. 2 that cracked us up were: Fried Greed (which was actually boiled broccoli and leeks), and "Non-Muslim Food."
I tried Congee this morning, since apparently all the babies love it. Picture plump grits that are very watery. And that's about what it tasted like.
They had some black egg yolks on a spoon - we didn't try that - and baked beans.
The bacon was good (Kozmo), and the potatoes were wonderful!
The flight to Guangzhou was on China Air, and it was about 3 hours. On the plane we discovered there are Chinese versions of our friends! We saw a Chinese John G, a Chinese Summer, and a ringer Chinese Alana.
Guangzhou is another large city in China - about 10 million people. Flying in we went over lots of crop fields - rice, maybe? - with little villages that seemed very poor. Once in Guangzhou we drove across the city, and there are tons of highrise apartment buildings that look New York-ish, but with laundry hanging on the balcony.
The Westin is incredible - definitely the nicest hotel I've stayed in! It's VERY modern, and our room is beautiful. The best part was walking in and seeing Vivian's sweet little crib all ready to go! We also have our Going Home Barbie - a white barbie with a little chinese baby. I'm not kidding!
Tomorrow morning we'll go to the bank to change some money, and we leave at 1:45 to go to the local adoption center to get the babies! So while you're sleeping Sunday night we will meet Vivian for the first time. :) After we get the babies we will go to the store for formula and diapers, and then Tuesday we'll do more adoption paperwork.
Our travel group is very nice, and our guides/coordinators are super helpful. Tonight we went to a Chinese restaurant nearby that was authentic. I saw lots of hooves and strange things going by. Our guides ordered for us, so we didn't have anything too weird. BTW, we have met Jason's long lost paparazzi twin! He's in our travel group, and he and Jason are the documentary film crew.
This morning we both woke up and realized it's our last day as DINKs (dual-income no kids), but more importantly, it's Vivian's last day without a family. I hope she realizes soon how much we all love her.
One last thing: there are 3 nurses and a doctor in our travel group, so I feel good in case she's sick when we get her tomorrow. There are also some experienced parents with us, including one with a little girl from China, and they're back to get her sister.
Pray for us a lot as we are in the final hours of bringing Vivian into our lives!!
We love you!
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Beijing!
DISCLAIMER: I'm trying to up date this typing in English, but all the prompts and buttons are in Chinese! Hopefully this will work.
Good morning from Beijing!
We got in on time, and the coordinator and driver for CHI met us at the
airport. They took us to the Great Wall to meet our group, and we
spent about an hour there. The Great Wall is beautiful, and really steep!
It took almost 2 hours to get back to the hotel on our group bus. The
people in our group seem nice - we just got to talk to those sitting
near us. There are 6 families (I think) going to Guangzhou tomorrow.
The others have babies in other provinces, and they'll come to
Guangzhou later.
We were so tired and dirty from flying and doing the Great Wall that we just took showers and
ordered room service. The food was good!
This morning we're up really early to go to Tianeman
Square and the Forbidden City. Then we'll meet our group and go to
the airport to go to Guangzhou.
We woke up this morning and realized we get Vivian TOMORROW! It's like Christmas Eve, but way better! :)
Okay, we'll check in later when we get settled at the Westin.
Good morning from Beijing!
We got in on time, and the coordinator and driver for CHI met us at the
airport. They took us to the Great Wall to meet our group, and we
spent about an hour there. The Great Wall is beautiful, and really steep!
It took almost 2 hours to get back to the hotel on our group bus. The
people in our group seem nice - we just got to talk to those sitting
near us. There are 6 families (I think) going to Guangzhou tomorrow.
The others have babies in other provinces, and they'll come to
Guangzhou later.
We were so tired and dirty from flying and doing the Great Wall that we just took showers and
ordered room service. The food was good!
This morning we're up really early to go to Tianeman
Square and the Forbidden City. Then we'll meet our group and go to
the airport to go to Guangzhou.
We woke up this morning and realized we get Vivian TOMORROW! It's like Christmas Eve, but way better! :)
Okay, we'll check in later when we get settled at the Westin.
Friday, August 24, 2007
The Griswalds go to China and God Bless Kate Clark & FedEx
So I thought I had married out of the Guess-Griswald connection, but apparently not. Little background: Trips/vacations in the Guess family usually involved all varieties of setbacks including speeding tickets, driver throwing up in a coffee cup in downtown Atlanta traffic (thanks, Laura), torrential rain while hovering in a tent, broken toe at Disneyworld, almost dying grandmother causing lateness to Sugar Bowl (priorities, people), bathing suit bottoms stolen from hotel balcony, etc.
Let's just say Jason and I have spent a little more time in Newark, NJ than we expected. This will be funny one day, but not right now. Anyway, Newark is an armpit. If you're from here, I'm extremely sorry, and I can't believe you made it out alive. Everything looks like an old Bruce Springsteen video. And I took a $30 cabride to Walgreens that was probably 2 1/2-3 miles away. Seriously?
I guess you're waiting for the story on WHY we spent extra time in Newark? Let's just say we forgot something very important, and had to enlist the stork, Kate Clark, and FedEx to get it to us. THIS is when you thank God for your friends....and rapid international shipping.
Okay, more later! Bye!!
Let's just say Jason and I have spent a little more time in Newark, NJ than we expected. This will be funny one day, but not right now. Anyway, Newark is an armpit. If you're from here, I'm extremely sorry, and I can't believe you made it out alive. Everything looks like an old Bruce Springsteen video. And I took a $30 cabride to Walgreens that was probably 2 1/2-3 miles away. Seriously?
I guess you're waiting for the story on WHY we spent extra time in Newark? Let's just say we forgot something very important, and had to enlist the stork, Kate Clark, and FedEx to get it to us. THIS is when you thank God for your friends....and rapid international shipping.
Okay, more later! Bye!!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Countdown!
And here we are...less than 48 hours from departing for China. We are excited, overwhelmed, unbelievably happy, and scared. We're going to do our best to blog and post pictures daily while we're in China, but please forgive if technology or tiredness wins!
By the way, we will be 13 hours AHEAD of you when we're in China (for those on Central Time).
Just a few more details on our travel:
We leave Nashville Thursday, August 23 at 6:30 am (YUCK, thanks Shane for taking us to the airport so early). After a layover in Newark, we'll fly to Beijing, and will arrive there Friday, August 24 at 1:45 pm. Jason and I plan to get our bearings, walk around a bit, settle into the hotel, etc.
Saturday, August 25 we have an organized sightseeing trip with the rest of our travel group from the agency. We'll see the Forbidden City, Tianeman Square, and the Great Wall.
Sunday, August 26 we'll fly to Guangzhou, arriving at 3:55 pm.
Monday, August 27 is GOTCHA DAY!! It's also my parents' wedding anniversary, so it's even more special for us. :) From what we've heard, it's quite surreal when you're handed your baby, and it happens very quickly. We're preparing ourselves for Vivian to grieve, fuss, shut-down, etc. for a few days, so extra prayers are needed during this time of transition.
Tuesday, August 28 we'll be starting the adoption paperwork, and will sightsee and have some free days between then and September 5. Hopefully we can enjoy the city and spend our time bonding with Vivian.
Thursday, September 6 we have our American Consulate appointment.
Friday, September 7 we take the official oath as Vivian's parents, and we receive her Visa to travel.
We leave Guangzhou Saturday, September 8 at 9:00 am with a stop in Beijing. From Beijing we'll fly to Newark, and will arrive in Nashville on Saturday at 10:09 pm.
How tired do you think we'll be upon arriving to Nashville???!!!
A special thank you to our families, who have showered us not only with money, supplies, diapers, etc., but with the support and strength we've needed along the way. We love you all very much!!
Look for an update Friday or Saturday from China!
By the way, we will be 13 hours AHEAD of you when we're in China (for those on Central Time).
Just a few more details on our travel:
We leave Nashville Thursday, August 23 at 6:30 am (YUCK, thanks Shane for taking us to the airport so early). After a layover in Newark, we'll fly to Beijing, and will arrive there Friday, August 24 at 1:45 pm. Jason and I plan to get our bearings, walk around a bit, settle into the hotel, etc.
Saturday, August 25 we have an organized sightseeing trip with the rest of our travel group from the agency. We'll see the Forbidden City, Tianeman Square, and the Great Wall.
Sunday, August 26 we'll fly to Guangzhou, arriving at 3:55 pm.
Monday, August 27 is GOTCHA DAY!! It's also my parents' wedding anniversary, so it's even more special for us. :) From what we've heard, it's quite surreal when you're handed your baby, and it happens very quickly. We're preparing ourselves for Vivian to grieve, fuss, shut-down, etc. for a few days, so extra prayers are needed during this time of transition.
Tuesday, August 28 we'll be starting the adoption paperwork, and will sightsee and have some free days between then and September 5. Hopefully we can enjoy the city and spend our time bonding with Vivian.
Thursday, September 6 we have our American Consulate appointment.
Friday, September 7 we take the official oath as Vivian's parents, and we receive her Visa to travel.
We leave Guangzhou Saturday, September 8 at 9:00 am with a stop in Beijing. From Beijing we'll fly to Newark, and will arrive in Nashville on Saturday at 10:09 pm.
How tired do you think we'll be upon arriving to Nashville???!!!
A special thank you to our families, who have showered us not only with money, supplies, diapers, etc., but with the support and strength we've needed along the way. We love you all very much!!
Look for an update Friday or Saturday from China!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Travel Plans!
We have our travel approval and consulate appointment - it's really happening! We leave Thursday, August 23 for China, and will receive Vivian (Gotcha Day) on Monday, August 27.
We'll be coming home on Saturday, September 8. Our plan is to blog as much as we can while we're away so we can share photos and videos of our little one.
Here's a little itinerary:
August 23 - leave the US
August 24 - arrive Beijing
August 24/25 - sightseeing in Beijing
August 26 - fly to Guangzhou
August 27 - Gotcha Day!
August 28-September 4 - sightseeing, free days and adoption appointments
September 5 - medical exam for children
September 6 - consulate appointment
September 7 - take oath and pick up Vivian's Visa
September 8 - leave China and arrive in the US
In Guangzhou we'll be staying with the other CHI families at the Westin - a brand new hotel. Check it out at: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1706
Our hotel in Beijing is the Wangfujing Grand Hotel.
www.wangfujinghotel.com
We'll keep you posted with photos and video while we're gone!
We'll be coming home on Saturday, September 8. Our plan is to blog as much as we can while we're away so we can share photos and videos of our little one.
Here's a little itinerary:
August 23 - leave the US
August 24 - arrive Beijing
August 24/25 - sightseeing in Beijing
August 26 - fly to Guangzhou
August 27 - Gotcha Day!
August 28-September 4 - sightseeing, free days and adoption appointments
September 5 - medical exam for children
September 6 - consulate appointment
September 7 - take oath and pick up Vivian's Visa
September 8 - leave China and arrive in the US
In Guangzhou we'll be staying with the other CHI families at the Westin - a brand new hotel. Check it out at: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1706
Our hotel in Beijing is the Wangfujing Grand Hotel.
www.wangfujinghotel.com
We'll keep you posted with photos and video while we're gone!
Friday, July 6, 2007
it's a girl!!!
Our referral is here!!!
Lei Yi Tai (means "delightful," "peaceful")
Born September 16, 2006 (almost 10 months old)
Leizhou Social Welfare Institute
Guangdong Province, China
She is healthy and beautiful! We think she's adorable!!
On May 11 she weighed 14 pounds and was almost 26 inches long, and no teeth yet.
We're in love!!!
Lei Yi Tai (means "delightful," "peaceful")
Born September 16, 2006 (almost 10 months old)
Leizhou Social Welfare Institute
Guangdong Province, China
She is healthy and beautiful! We think she's adorable!!
On May 11 she weighed 14 pounds and was almost 26 inches long, and no teeth yet.
We're in love!!!
Thursday, July 5, 2007
The Stork is Flying!!!
It is confirmed that referrals are on their way from China - they left July 4. Our agency has confirmed that DHL has 3 packages to be delivered tomorrow, Friday, July 6!! After two years, we are really about to see our baby's sweet face, and to know all about her. We'll update the blog tomorrow once we we get "the call" and are able to peel ourselves from the ceiling!
Thank you thank you thank you to everyone for your support, and thank you, God, for guiding us on this wild and wonderful roller-coaster! Please continue to pray that Vivian is being cared for, and that her biological parents feel a sense of peace knowing their daughter will be loved and cherished.
Thank you thank you thank you to everyone for your support, and thank you, God, for guiding us on this wild and wonderful roller-coaster! Please continue to pray that Vivian is being cared for, and that her biological parents feel a sense of peace knowing their daughter will be loved and cherished.
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