Beijing Day 3

Hi all,

Wow, does it ever rain hard in Beijing!!!!! This morning we took the babies for medical exams at a clinic licensed to perform them for immigration. I am happy to report that Caitlin is normal developmentally (I think that she is gifted, of course!!!), although somewhat small for her age. She is in the 50th % for height, and the 10th % for weight. That won't last long considering the amount of food that she packs away in a day!!!!!! But the doctor was very pleased with her, and her bonding as well. Whew!!! That means that she is now cleared to come to Canada!!!!!

We then went shopping at an indoor market. The standard practice there is to barter.....they give you a price, and then you tell them what you want to pay for it. Of course it is in Yuan, so it is hard to remember exactly what you are paying, but things are really cheap in comparison to Canada. I got a cute pair of chinese slippers for Caitlin for 20 yuan (that is about $2 - and they are silk!!!) Dad was hilarious bartering......he picked up a few trinkets too.

This evening we went to a Chinese acrobat show - it was incredible! The children that are performing range from 6 - 18, but most appear to be about 10. Talk about flexible! Caitlin loved it, she was smiling and dancing through most of it.

For some reason, I can't post pics tonight, but will tomorrow. Love you and miss you all......

Grampie, Mommie, and Caitlin!

Beijing Day 2

Ni Hao from Beijing!

Today we travelled to the Jade Factory and the Great Wall of China. There were many beautiful pieces at the jade factory, but out of my price range for sure!!! Mao once said that you were not a great man until you climbed the Great Wall, so I guess we are now great! It was 38 degrees today, and very humid. Additionally, it was actually sunny! You hardly ever see sunshine here due to the smog.....it is almost better that way - it is WAY too hot with the sun shining! The grandeur of the grat wall is beyond words - there is no way to describe the feeling of standing there looking at the centuries of history. We decided to take the trolley up and down - it would be way too grueling to walk the wall, and with my knees and Dad's toes, we thought that it would be best. Best idea we ever had - there is no way that we could have done it. The steps are very steep and very uneven....quite dangerous actually. Nannies were available today, and Dad and I decided that it was too hot and too long of a day for the baby girl, so we left her in the hotel room with a friend of Yulin's. She was great - she said that Caitlin is VERY clever - no surprise there! She certainly has come out of her shell - tons of smiles!!!! She is also maneuvering around the room like a maniac - walking holding on to the furniture and crawling like crazy. When we came back to the room after the trip, she was very glad to see us (whew!). We decided to eat in the hotel today - kind of expensive but well worth it - I had pasta and meat sauce, and dad got RIBS!!!! in addition to a lot of other great Canadian favourites (the Chinese food is getting a little old).

We did go for Peking Duck last night, and it was very good, along with some other dishes. Tonight we decided to have an early night - it was a really long day, and VERY hot!!!! I have sweated in places that I did not know I had sweat glands!!!!!

Goodnight from Beijing........

Beijing Day 1

Hi all,

Fortunately we did not have to get up too early today, as we were up so late last night. We did some paperwork for the immigration today in the morning, and left for the Beijing zoo at 12. Boy, are those pandas ever lazy!!!! The pics show them laying around. Again, it was really hot and hazy today - the visability was quite poor all day. That did not stop it from being really hot though. The zoo and the summer palace were packed with tourists.....we never see the crowds that you see here!!! You almost have to forget your manners, and shove on through!!!! The other pictures attached are of the marble boat at the summer palace, and a boat that takes passengers across the lake. There is a huge amount of history attached to this place - I am looking forward to learning more about it.

Love to all from China,

Grampie, Mommie, and Caitlin

Changsha to Beijing

What a long day! We had to be out of the hotel room at 3, checkout at 4, leave for the airport at 5. Our plane was supposed to leave at 7:50, but it was after 9:30 when we left! We did not get to the hotel until after 12, and to bed after 1. Glad to be in tonight, and going to bed.

Caitlin has decided that her mommy is pretty cool - thank goodness!!!! We had a tough couple of days, but she was also not feeling well, and I think that the meds are working. She is a really happy and smiley girl - but she sure does know what she wants!!!! Very stubborn!!!!!

Enjoy the pics - the one with Grampie and the backpack is from the oldest university in China!

Changsha Day 4

Hi everyone,

Big breakthrough last night - Caitlin has decided that her mommy is not so bad! Big stress reliever there! We have decided to put the kaibosh (sp) on the stroller, and I am carrying her more, and she likes it! Just a quiet dinner downstairs (Dad went first while I put Caitlin to sleep, and then I went down.

We all had a pretty good sleep - up at 6:30. Had some breakfast - the breakfast buffet is good in the hotel. We then took a trip to the oldest university in China - Changsha University. Mao studied there, and in early days Confucionism (sp) was taught there. It has been around since 900 AD, but during WWII was mostly destroyed. During the cultural revolution, it was rebuilt to be exactly as it was prior to the bombings.

We had a good morning - complete with Cheerios!!

Grampie carried Caitlin in the backpack carrier - see attached photos. It was REALLY hot there - all outdoors. We have to drink constantly to stay hydrated. We stopped at a shopping centre on the way back - interesting! They did have some chocolate bars there, so we could get a chocolate fix. We then ate at KFC - that was an experience! The food was just like at home, but Caitlin decided that she wanted everything on the table, and I forgot her bottle on the bus. Grampie calls her the Tazmanian Devil!!!! LOL!!!!!!! Got back to the hotel and had a bottle, and Caitlin is sleeping, and I think that Grampie and mommie might join her. We will probably go out for more water and then out for dinner at the restaurant from last night - I guess that it was really good!

I seem to be unable to see the blog - Mike thought that it might be because of China's political state. But PLEASE keep posting comments - I can't wait to read them when I get home, and save them for our baby girl!!!

Love from China,

Grampie, Mommie, and Baby Girl Caitlin!

Changsha Day 3 cont.....

Hi all,

Pretty quiet afternoon - we all had a nap, and after we woke up we went to the local store for water and sprite - and ice cream! It was actually pretty good.

We had a bit of a rough afternoon - Caitlin was a cranky pants. But things have straightened out, possibly because the antibiotics and tylenol are doing the trick.

We opted out of the dinner excursion - last night's dinner was not all that great, and while the restaurant downstairs is quite often the same food, at least there are some western options. Dad felt that it would be a good idea to stay back, and he was right!

Hopefully another good night - kind of tired this evening. Here is a picture of our sleeping angel, Daddy - hold it close to your heart until we come home to you!

Changsha Day 3

Today we were able to sleep in a bit - we all had a good night's sleep. We did not have to meet for the bus until 10, so we had a somewhat leisurely morning. It was really great to hear from home - it doesn't make you seem so far away.

We went to the Embroidery factory today - Hunan province is famous for its embroidery. The pictures show some of these pieces - the look exactly like paintings, but are actually stitched from silk! The attached shot of a panda actually has a panda embroidered on one side and a tiger on the other - onto the same piece of translucent fabric! It was just incredible.

Nap time for all - we do not have any more excursions today besides dinner - we had leftover pizza for lunch. We might venture out to the store this afternoon, depending on how Caitlin is doing. One of the other Moms (who has 4 other children!) thinks that Caitlin has an ear infection, since she is playing with her ears quite a bit. So to be safe, I am going to give her some Zithromax.

She is also pretty cranky, but I am not sure if that is partly from the ear infection or if it is just the grief over losing her foster mother.

Enjoy the pictures!

Chansha Day 2 cont.....

We went this morning to the Civil Affairs office and Caitlin officially became our daughter!!!

It was steaming hot there, and she was ok until I had to hold her for the official footprints and picture.....you can see by the attached that she was none too thrilled. She seems to be beginning to mourn her foster mom - kind of crappy for me, but great in the long run - it proves that she is able to attach, and eventually she will attach to us as well.

We went to a baby store and I picked up some diapers, formula etc. as well as a soother - Caitlin is a soother girl!!! Dad says that I might be sorry once she gets home, but at this point, whatever makes her happy, she gets!!!! Don't know what I would do without Dad - he is being so great (and a packhorse to boot!!!) I always say that I am incredibly lucky to have the parents that I have, and this just illustrates it again!!!!

Caitlin is having a nap right now - so tired from the journey this morning.....



We ordered Pizza hut for lunch today - it was really good! Starting to get tired of the restaurant downstairs already - pretty good but pretty much always the same.

Love you all!!!

Marie Caitlin and Grampie!

Changsha Day 2

Hi all,

Last night was fairly uneventful. Caitlin slept most of the night through, only slightly waking a couple of times. She was up for the day at about 5, and drank a bottle and a half!!!! We got ready for the day, and went down to breakfast.

Caitlin is a great eater - this morning she had pumpkin, watermelon, and rice congee. After breakfast we had to go to the Civil affairs office to sign documentation - Caitlin is officially now the daughter of Jason and Marie Phillips!!!!!!!!!!!

Caitlin sends these kisses to her new Daddy!!!!!

Here She Is!

Finally, the wait has ended!

Today was a crazy day! We flew out of Beijing at 7:45 this morning, and took a 2 hour flight to Changsha, the capital of Hunan province. We had a little bit of time to get organized prior to going to go to get the babies, so Dad and I packed up the diaper bag and the camera bag, and unpacked our suitcases, as we will be staying in Changsha for four days.

We met to complete some paperwork, and then caught the bus for the Civil Affairs office. When we originally arrived, there were only 5 babies there, and we discovered that only the babies from the 'Changsha orphanage were there. We then went shopping and picked up some water and other essentials, and headed back to the office.

The babies had arrived!!!!! We all peeked in the room, and could pick out Caitlin right away! She had obviously been crying - she was doing the crying hickup. As you can tell from the attached pictures, she was slightly upset. We did not stay at the office for very long, and headed back to the hotel. She was very thirsty, so we gave her a bottle of water, and she drank almost the entire thing! She started to come out of her shell, and played peek a boo with Grampie. As we were heading up to the room, she started to cry again, and for the next while, she had some formula, and 2 poops, and fell asleep. We needed to complete some paperwork again, so we took the babies upstairs. Dad had a great idea - he had seen some strollers in a baby room on our floor, so we tried putting her in that. She really liked it!

We went down for supper and Caitlin ate some beef and some watermelon. We went back to the room and she had a bottle, and is sleeping peacefully right now. Enjoy the pics!

Love to you all.......especially Daddy!!!!

Changsha

We met for breakfast at 5:15 this morning, and boarded the bus for the airport. Another smooth flight. Changsha is a beautiful city, and we arrived at the hotel in time to unpack a bit and blog some too!

We are meeting at 2 to complete some paperwork, and receive the babies at 3:30!!!!! It is finally going to happen!!!!

Lots of love from Changsha - more posting later!

Here is the picture that I meant to put on the last post of Dad and the driver.

We're Here!!!!!! con't

Hi All!

After a LONG flight (it was really not too bad, although there were only catnaps to be had - there was quite a lot of leg room, so that was not a problem...) we arrived at Beijing Airport. It was VERY busy, but uneventful - no problems with customs. We navigated our way through throngs of people all hurrying toward a destination, and boarded a bus to our hotel. We received our luggage in our room, and tried to get organized for the next day.

At 2:15, we met and went to a local supermarket to purchase some bottled water and other snacks, and went back to the hotel. Dad and I were pretty tired, having been up for many more hours than we were used to, so we took a quick cat nap.

Dinner was at a local restaurant, and it was delicious! Afterwards, it was pouring, so we took a local conveyance back to the hotel (see attached picture of Dad with the driver).

We went right to bed and had a good sleep.

Love and miss you all, especially you, daddy to be!

We're Here!!!!!! con't

Hi All!

After a LONG flight (it was really not too bad, although there were only catnaps to be had - there was quite a lot of leg room, so that was not a problem...) we arrived at Beijing Airport. It was VERY busy, but uneventful - no problems with customs. We navigated our way through throngs of people all hurrying toward a destination, and boarded a bus to our hotel. We received our luggage in our room, and tried to get organized for the next day.

At 2:15, we met and went to a local supermarket to purchase some bottled water and other snacks, and went back to the hotel. Dad and I were pretty tired, having been up for many more hours than we were used to, so we took a quick cat nap.

Dinner was at a local restaurant, and it was delicious! Afterwards, it was pouring, so we took a local conveyance back to the hotel (see attached picture of Dad with the driver).

We went right to bed and had a good sleep.

Love and miss you all, especially you, daddy to be!

We're Here!!!!!!

Hi all,

New Pics!

WHAT A FACE!!!!!

Does it get any better than this!!!!

If we did not love her to distraction before, we sure do now! We cannot wait to get our hands on this precious darling!

Jason thinks that she has his hair and cheeks, and my mouth and nose. You always wonder how they decide which child belongs with which parents, and I think in our case they did match her somewhat to our looks.

In addition to the new pics, we also received some updated information:

Height: 72 cm
Weight: 8.75 kg
Feet: 11 cm (the new shoes that Gramma bought will fit!
Teeth: 3!

The Paperwork begins (again!)

We were able to contact our social worker to arrange for a time to review the referral, and visited our doctor to ensure that Caitlin was as healthy as her pictures made her appear. She confirmed that Caitlin was a healthy little girl, well in line with developmental milestones. Our social worker wrapped up the acceptance of Caitlin, we completed the additional documentation, and sent the documents back to FOI.

The next few weeks were consumed with receiving emails from FOI and getting prepared for the trip. It is hard to believe how much there is to do (but not surprising considering that we are travelling half way around the world to get her)!

Referral Cont.

What they say is completely true - it seems harder to wait to see your child once you have pictures! She quickly became VERY real to us.......how could you help but love such a sweet face!

We have decided to name our daughter Caitlin Abigail Lian Phillips (keeping Lian from her orphanage name). She has been Caitlin Abigail for a long time, but we felt that it was important to include a piece of her heritage in her name.

By Monday, we were contacted by FOI regarding departure dates - we leave for China on July 22nd!!!! The planning begins - calls to the travel agency to book tickets, etc. and the beginning of the huge task of packing! Jason's brother Chris decided that he would like to travel with us to China, and we were excited to have him along!

Caitlin's Referral

May 26, 2006

The day that we have waited a lifetime for has finally arrived! Under the direction of a great friend (you know who you are!), we called FOI to see if they had any information regarding our little sweetie! Bob shared her name (Zhao Jin Lian), date of birth (August 7, 2005), and place of residence (Foster Care under the YuanLing SWI, Hunan Province, China). Due to technical difficulties, he was unable to send pictures right away, of course promising to share ASAP!

Through the night, the email containing her pictures arrived - WE ARE IN LOVE!!!!! Could any child be as precious as this one?

Immediately I raced to Shoppers to have 8 sets of pictures printed (you never have printer ink when you need it - LOL) - and called the family to tell them that we had pics. These were quickly dispersed, and various emails were sent to share the pictures with friends and family.