We started off the morning at the breakfast buffet. We are staying at the Sheraton here in Changsha and it is an incredible hotel. The buffet and everything else is top notch! We got plenty of smiles and giggles out of Phebe this morning, over breakfast, which was beautiful.
After breakfast, we met our guide and completed all the paperwork to finalize our adoption of Phebe, into our family. Which means we are now (legally) a family of four! We spent the morning doing paperwork in the same Civil Affairs office, where we got our Phebe girl yesterday. I could tell she was unsettled about seeing the girls that brought her to us, from the SWI yesterday, but she didn't cry and promptly fell asleep on my lap on the short drive back to the hotel.
It was a million degrees here today. Obviously that is an exaggeration, but it is SO hot and sticky and when you are also carrying a hot and sticky baby, man oh man it feels hotter than hot! We were planning on walking to a local park here in the city, but changed our minds and decided today would be a good day to check out the indoor pool. The pool is beautiful and when you go in, everyone is given a swimming hat to wear. They really suited out adorable little girls, but not so much for the older generation, Colin and I, I mean! Phebe liked the pool, she really seems to like baths too, which is great.
It sure is nice to see our beautiful girl's happiness shine. This afternoon/evening, it certainly turned out to be a rougher time - our little girl was feeling overwhelemed with everything. Of course, we expect this and know that if she didn't grieve, it would not be a good outcome. So I am thankful that she is grieving, even though it breaks my heart and at times I just cry with her, because I feel so sad that a little innocent (almost) 2 year old should have to go through such trauma. Our Lilah girl told us that she doesn't like to see her sister sad. So sweet. She really stands up for her sister in everything.
Your kind thoughts and prayers are especially appreciated... for Phebe's little heart, both emotionally and physically.
It was a very emotional day, in every way. Full of nerves, happiness, sadness, love, joy, worry - at times my emotions completely overwhelmed me.
We arrived at the Civil Affairs office early, only to walk through the door and see our little girly, sitting on a big bench, waiting for us. She and the two ladies from the SWI office had taken the long 3 hour (public) bus ride there, that morning. Sweet little Phebe, not being used to travelling, had thrown up over herself and one of the ladies. Poor little baby girl.
She was shy and timid and very fragile - exactly what I expected. And her sobs were almost muted - she had the softest cry I've ever heard. Hearing her cry, made me cry.
Lilah was so so excited to see her sister, in fact, she'd been awake from 3am! And she was bouncing off the walls singing songs about her sister, shouting at the top of her lungs, "It's Phebe Day!" I honestly couldn't believe it, she was more amazing today than I ever dreamt possible. I only had Phebe on my knee several minutes when Lilah was asking if she could hold her - I couldn't deny her that! She sat and fed Phebe snacks and rubbed her back. I could just tell, from their interaction, that they'd be friends for life. We couldn't have been more proud of our biggest girl - she truly was born to be a big sister.
We came back to the hotel room and our guide (Amy) told me I should bath Phebe and change her clothes right away, because of the sour milk smell. It was hard for me to do this... I felt like I was washing away everything she'd ever known... the smells, etc. It hit me hard, because I could tell how upset she was when I first removed her shoes.
She is very possessive about everything and she certainly has a right to be. I was explaining to Lilah earlier, how everything she has ever known was taken away from her in an instant, this morning, which is why she is having a hard time letting anything we give her go. Everything Lilah gave her, she wanted it all, but she couldn't hold it all - it was heartbreaking. We had to tell Lilah to go easy on the amount of toys and things she was giving her.
Lilah fed her noodles for lunch. They both had a nap. We took a few walks outside. They shared snacks together, again. We ordered in supper. And finally, I changed her into pajamas at bedtime... suddenly, in the blink of an eye, her personality changed. The shy-timid-fragile-limp-sad little girl we had seen all day, suddenly changed! I took her to the mirror to show her that she and her sister had matching pajamas. Well, she started looking at herself, touching the mirror and chattering! And shortly after, she started walking around, exploring, checking everything out - especially the carpet, my oh my, did she ever examine the carpet! And then she started giggling at some of our funny antics! By the time she was ready for bed, a happy spicy girl was fully emerging! She came through so much today, more than we'll ever understand... we are so proud of her. We love her so incredibly much.
I just want to say thank you for the comments you've been leaving and also the prayers - they've meant so much to our family.
Please continue to keep us all in your prayers...especially little Phebe.
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[ the flickr set is here ]
We spent our second full day taking in the Summer Palace, here in Beijing.
The last time we were in Beijing, was in December, so the Summer Palace wasn't an option!
We got a taxi outside our hotel, pointed to where we wanted to go on the map and we were away! We seem to be getting more brave as time goes by! Half an hour later we were paying the taxi fare, I think it was 60RMB, which is less than $10 - for the three of us! We also waved off the English tour guides at the entrance of the Summer Palace, we didn't feel like a history lesson and just wanted to relax and enjoy it all at our own pace.
After we paid the entrance fee, we walked straight to Kunming Lake, rented a pedal boat and spent a beautiful hour just pedaling around the lake, photographing all the different points of interest: The seventeen arch bridge, Yu Feng Pagoda, Longevity Hill and the absolutely beautiful Summer Palace itself. It was so peaceful and relaxing, especially compared to the crazy taxi ride we took to get there, in which we thought, either we or a few other people were going to lose their lives!
I think you can tell from my pictures how hot and hazy it is over here, we are getting into the time zone nicely and can you believe it? Tomorrow we fly to Changsha, Hunan! It's so exciting and surreal. We can't wait to meet our baby girl!
We had a good flight over. 14 hours long. Lilah did amazing. We arrived in at 6pm last night and went to bed at 8:20. I don't think I've ever been to bed at that time! Maybe when I was a child! Ha!
We did wake around 3am and had a snack! And then we woke again at 6:30. When Lilah woke, she immediately told me about how much she misses Phebe. So sweet. And then proceeded to tell me about how she is going to take Phebe's hand when we go to The Great Wall, because it's so steep and she was afraid of Phebe falling.
She is ready to get her baby sister. Only two more days!
We enjoyed a delicious breakfast buffet this morning, I'd forgotten just how good the breakfasts here are! We had a window seat, sitting watching the children all being taken to school, most on the back of bikes or little motorized bikes - it was so neat to watch.
We were told that Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City were just a 25 minute walk away, so we walked there today, it was a lovely day to be out and about. There was lots of things to see along the way, including a market with all kinds of things on sticks - let me just say "Yikes!" After seeing that, we went all out and had a McDonalds for lunch, just some fries since we weren't that hungry! Ha! And then we had a meal in Pizza Hut this evening, for supper. Can you tell we're completely immersing ourselves into the culture here?!
Wow! One more sleep and we board the plane to China tomorrow morning.
I can hardly believe it! Actually, I've been saying that a lot lately!
Another dream of ours is coming true... and we are amazed that the Lord has given us another beautiful girl to raise in His word. And to love and cherish with all our hearts. We are so thankful and truly blessed to be taking this journey again.
Lilah jumped out of bed this morning and ran straight to the calendar on the fridge to 'X' off the last day before we travel. She is beyond excited! We've been packing over this past few days and like always, any time we are packing for a vacation, she is just beside herself with excitement, running and jumping and talking non-stop. She simply can't wait to meet her sister.
I have downloaded VPN, so I am hoping to be able to blog while in China. In the mean time, I'll post our itinerary...
September 05th - Fly Ottawa/Toronto/Beijing
September 06th - Arrive in Beijing
September 07th - Free Day
September 08th - Free Day
September 09th - Fly to Changsha (Hunan)
September 10th - Forever Phebe Day!
September 11th - Apply for Phebe's passport
September 12th - Sight Seeing in Hunan
September 13th - Visit Changde SWI (Phebe's home for her first 2 years)
September 14th - Pick up Phebe's passport
September 15th - Fly to Beijing
September 16th - Apply for Phebe's visa
September 17th - Phebe's medical examination
September 18th - The Great Wall
September 19th - Hutong Tour and Drum Tower
September 20th - Free Day
September 21st - Pick up Phebe's Visa
September 22nd - Summer Palace
September 23rd - Fly Beijing/Toronto/Ottawa
Yikes, it all looks kinda busy! I guess that's all part of life now, so I better get used to it!
[ the flickr set is here ]
