Sorry for the lack of post yesterday, we just ran out of time to post.
So, where did I leave off last time? Red couch photos, right? The next day was 2/26, Tuesday and the only thing on our agenda was a visit to the Pearl Market in the afternoon. It was a nice, un-rushed morning, allowing us time to have a Skype computer/video session with our 4 kids back home. This was the first time that Abbey, Marley, Payton, and Ethan saw Lainey in action and not just asleep in her crib. It was wonderful, seeing their faces as they saw their baby sister!
We then went to breakfast, meeting our friends Bruce and Karen from Atlanta. They’ve adopted an adorable little 2 1/2yr old boy, Micah. You’ll see pics of them later. Next stop was the Swan Room, a playroom in the hotel. The room is sponsored and maintained by Mattel (the Barbie company, another reason for the Going Home barbie we received…) Here are a few pics of Lainey enjoying her playtime.
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Next stop was more shopping yes, more. Then lunch and nap, and it was time to meet for our afternoon outing. We met at the lobby and then took taxis into town. We were let off at a huge, outdoor shopping courtyard looked like a cross between the State Fair (lined with counter food places, where folks were getting all sorts of unidentifiable snacks on a stick) and what Times Square must look like.s and KFC…the only fast food restaurants we’ve seen here.
We walked through one mall, HUGE, with many levels and then into another big mall with tons and tons of jewelry stores and kiosks.
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Pic of the indoor mall…6 floors?!
In this next mall, there was ONLY jewelry stores. Our guide pointed us toward the reputable pearl places and we shopped.Â
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Strands and strands of pearls behind the counter.
Randy then decided that we’d walk around a little by ourselves and would catch our own taxi back to the White Swan. So, we window shopped and people watched our way back to the outdoor courtyard. Then, we waited at the curb for a taxi. After watching a few go by and seeing others jump in line in front of us, Randy got aggressive and started running after them since waiting wasn’t exactly working. Taxi secured (and shared with another adoptive mom and her new 13 yr old daughter), we made it back to the White Swan unscathed.
The rest of the day went like this…more playtime in the Swan Room, dinner in the room for Lainey, and then we went to Bruce and Karen’s room to share a Papa Johns delivered pizza. Yum!!! Here are a few pics.
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Lainey and Micah…we’re already talking arranged marriage
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Lainey does NOT like the bus, and after Randy decided that he didn’t want her to use his camera as a chew toy, she decided to voice her displeasure by having a hissy fit on the bus. Sorry, folks. Yes, thats our girl. She continued this fit for a while, in the stroller at the zoo, until we had pity on her and picked her up. After this, and a few cheerios for good measure, she was happy and ready to see animals! Here are some pics.  Â
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(wolf to self…why am I in a cage and he’s out there?)Â Â Â Â
 
A jaquar for you, Marley!
Payton and Ethan, you would have LOVED the lion. He was pacing about in his cage, and roaring his head off…you could hear him ALL over the whole zoo!
Karen and I (Lainey, looking back for more snacks…Micah, reading the zoo map)
Today, our final paperwork was delivered to the US consulate by another CCAI guide, and our guide Kathy had her cell phone with her at the zoo, ready to receive word that all was perfect with our paperwork and that we’d actually be able to officially leave China with this little girl. How relieved we were to see her coming around the corner with this news, we all high-fived and hugged. NOTHING stopping us now! Praise God! We take our official oath at the consulate tomorrow (about a 30 minute bus ride, hopefully Lainey will be in better spirits).Â
Celebrating our consulate victory with Kathy, our CCAI guide!
Mom and Lainey at Monkey Hill
Right now, Lainey and Randy are napping. I’d love to be, but I’m here, tirelessly working to update all our friends and family back home on this blog. I’ll be crashing in bed early tonight. Love to all!! Less than 2 days and we’ll be on our way HOME!!!
**forgot to mention, Lainey has learned to respond to us saying “kiss” by leaning her face in to us for a kiss. And, yesterday, she learned to wave hello and bye bye. She’s really impressing us.Â
February 27th, 2008 at 6:21 am
Great pictures of the zoo! I am amazed that you find time to get such great pics and blog so well- but I know you realize we all are waiting each morning for news. I checked this BEFORE I had coffee this morning, girl. Laiey is so curious and she looks like she is really learning and learning that life is a good and wonderful gift. SO glad to hear about her kiss and waving tricks. We love you very much, guys. Anne for the zoo crew
February 27th, 2008 at 7:17 am
Thanks for sharing this journey with us. Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous. I am so glad that you are getting along so well with Bruce & Karen!
February 27th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Thanks for your great newsy posts. I’ve been enjoying them. Have you any idea how you will handle jet-lag AND a new little girl who will be jet-lagged too? I’m imagining you may feel like a tired mamma coming home from the hospital with a newborn that isn’t sleeping at night. Maybe the jet-lag isn’t so bad coming back. I can’t remember. It’s been 17 years since I visited Taiwan/Hong Kong.
Best wishes,
Cindee
February 27th, 2008 at 11:57 am
The last comments really got to Abbey and me..Lainey can say “KISS” and leans forward and waves!!! As usual, your pictures and stories are fun to watch and read!! Love the monkeys (Payton & Ethan) fighting…kinda favors them!!! Hee hee!! I feel guilty enjoying what you post..you’re TIRED and need a nap with Randy and Lainey!! When you guys were on SKYPE a little while ago on your home computer, you BOTH actually looked quite tired..I’m sure you’re READY to head for home by now!! Uncle Billy (NJ) called and said that he and Karen are really enjoying your pictures and stories! Love the picture of Micah and Lainey…CUTE!! You’ve visited many zoos…did you ever think you’d be visiting one in China?!!! GET SOME REST, if possible and we’ll see ya here in Jax soon!!! Love, love, love, Mom, Dad, & your 4 here waiting for you with open arms!!!
February 27th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
I really enjoyed “chatting” with Randy last night. I had gotten just a little worried when you didn’t post yesterday. If Randy is looking for a “new” momma, I guess a kangaroo would be the only thing he could choose!?!? (you know, regal, exciting, hops around, strong and beautiful. LOL)
All the pics and info were so wonderful. But the thing that touched me so much was the kisses and waves. This just shows that Lainey is smart and learns. To do this with you all shows her amazing trust in you. This has to make you feel so good.
I think the “hissy” episodes are just a test for you. Lainey is trying you to see how much she can do and it is probably the way she got the much needed attention when at the orphanage. As she learns that she can count on you and your love, she will probably learn that she doesn’t need to do “anything” for this love. You both are great parents (as seen in the other 4) and you will do what is best and right for Lainey.
Randy had better get you out of China soon or you will have him and you “shopped out.” I loved the story of him and the taxi. He has never been one for waiting and it doesn’t surprise me a bit that he went running after the taxi. Now that would have been a good picture, too.
Only one more day… then you will be bringing your American Lainey HOME !!! Praying for your safety, jet lag, all the kids as they wait for their Momma and Daddy and new sister, and praising God for his glory and planning in this journey.
I love you, Randy and Lainey so much. It is strange how someone can love someone they have never met so much. But through your blog site… I do know her already. Thank you for being so diligent in keeping us all there with you as you go through this amazing journey.
February 27th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
I have so enjoyed reading & looking at pictures while you’ve been gone! Guess the idea of all the shopping time encourages you all to spend money there and bolster the economy (theirs, not necessarily yours). Sunday I printed out several pictures from last week, and took them to church to show off to some of my friends – – all agree that she’s beautiful, as well as oh-so-blessed to have her new family. I wish I could remember Pastor Donnie’s words in his prayer after I’d asked for prayers of thanksgiving & safe home-coming, but suffice it so say that Aldersgate UMC in Chapel Hill rejoices with you and for you as you welcome Lainey into your (our) family.
Ann, I’d wondered how you’d interpret the picture of Randy in the kangaroo pouch! Funny, I’d never thought of a ‘roo as “regal.”
Donna, Randy & Lainey, be safe, and know that God travels with you as you return home. Love you, Linda Lee
February 27th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Donna,
As I’ve said a thousand times, I LOVE your photos! I had withdrawals yesterday from not getting to see a post :) :) Just kidding. Thank you for keeping us all updated! I am sure you are so missing your 4 kiddos at home! It must be such a relief to know you can officially bring Lainey home and there is nothing stopping you now. Praying now that your flight home will be easy and stress-free ~ no sickness, earaches, irritability, etc :)
BLESSINGS,
Pam
February 27th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
the photos are so precious and they rejuvenate my soul as I wait. I love the updates and can’t wait to be there too. I am so glad that Lainey is doing so well and you can really see a difference from the first posts to now! I hope that you continue to be blessed on this journey! Prayers to you all!
Margaret