Friday, November 29, 2013

Friday :)


Sorry I didn't post anything yesterday, but it was a hectic day on the move to Guangzhou.

Day started out like any other; difference was that Ann-Jolie had her first "melt-down". She is a wonderful sweet little girl, but she was testing some boundaries and when I stood firm on laying down those boundaries, it broke her heart. We worked through it, and in the end, she saw that Mama loves her BIG BIG no matter what. 

Our flight to Gungzhou was awesome! Nice big plane, individual TV screens, cool air, no stinkiness (lol!) ....No, seriously, it was very nice and the girls did well. Ann-Jolie did amazing for her first plane ride. I was handing out suckers to her and Peighton like a mad woman! 
Peighton's and my ears kept acting up, so that was annoying, but other than that, perfect!

We are staying at the Garden Hotel....Can you say luxury? WHOA MOMMA! This place is NICE!! We are staying in a suite which will be SO nice for thes 2 little girls who like to play, play, play!!! And it will save our bed from crumbs, spills, and markers ;)

Today is Ann-Jolie's medical appointment, which is really a formality for getting her home. After that, our guide, Lily, will show us the surrounding area of the hotel so that we can get food & supplies as we need them.

Lily is the sweetest, btw! LOVE her!!

It's so funny, bc Peighton cried when we left our last guide, David, in Shanghai, lol! That girl!
I'll leave you with some pictures of the day (Friday)

In the lobby of our hotel!















Thursday, November 28, 2013

Thanksgiving Day

Today was a "chill" day; but is there really such a thing with 2 little girls? 
It was nice to go at our own pace and not have to be anywhere, it was all around much better than yesterday.

It was Thanksgiving, but over here, it was just like any other day....weird.

I was up at about 4:30 this morning and Scotty woke up about an hour or so later. The girls woke up a little bit after Scotty. We took it easy for a while then went to breakfast around 9:30; after that we took the girls across the street to play in the park. They had a blast! 
I did notice at one point early on, there was this grandmother with her grandbaby & she didn't seem to want Ann-Jolie by her grandchild. Ann-Jolie was calling out to me constantly "Mama! Mama!", so it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out we had adopted her. Ironically, though, everyone there, grandmother included, wanted Peighton to play with their child. They were taking pictures and videoing the children playing with her. Ann-Jolie was right in there, but it just hurt my heart. The thinking just baffles me....I would like to note that Ann-Jolie was oblivious and was no worse for the wear.
   We ate lunch after the park and then chilled out in the room until dinner time.
Great day!

Ann-Jolie is doing so well! She's coming more and more out of her shell. This morning after breakfast, out of nowhere, she hugged me and said "Wo ai ni, Mama." That means, "I love you." I couldn't believe it! It was completely unsolicited! She just did it on her own!
Wow!!! 

She started a new little thing yesterday, where she is sort of pouty and whiney. You can tell it's a "tactic", and I find it fascinating. I'd love to get inside of her head for just a little while. What is she thinking?
I had to look up the phrase, "No more pouting." Lol! I'm going to have to video it to show y'all. 

She seems to be opening up more and more, although there have been no tears yet...Wondering when and where that will happen...Scotty and I think it may be once we get home, but maybe it'll be on the way home. I don't know, but I do know that there will be some sort of grieving sooner or later. Praying that Scotty and I can give her comfort when that day comes.

Well, tomorrow we will be flying to Guangzhou...I.can't.wait!!!!

It's been great, but Guangzhou is just a step above in the adoption process for several reasons, but mainly bc it represents the last leg of the adoption trip. YAAAYYYY!!!!

I'm pretty pooped, so I'm going to join the others in sleep, but before I do, here are a few pics :)












Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Wednesday

Well, today was our first "touring" day, and while I had looked forward to it, I soon came to regret it, lol!

First, Ann-Jolie was carsick and filled up a plastic grocery bag with the contents of her stomach...yay...

Then it was freezing butt cold and windy. I took pictures of where we went, but it's a blur...Our guide was moving at lightening speed and just about completely discouraged us from buying anything bc it was "too expensive". Not complaining, I'm grateful that he was concerned, it was just weird to rush through a place that is for shopping...Moving on...

By the time we got back the kids were hungry so we went to Pappa John's again bc Peighton was BEGGING for the cheesy  bread. Ann-Jolie is not a fan of pizza, but ate the cheesy bread.

Once we got back to the room, Ann-Jolie wanted her noodles!!

We are all exhausted! Ann-Jolie is obviously pooped and slightly grouchy...I can't blame her! She needs to take a nap, I'm sure, but doesn't want to bc there is FAR too much to do and play with. I'm looking at the clock and wishing it were time to go to bed, lol! Ann-Jolie does NOT want me out of her sight and is calling for "Mama" about every minute or so.

Peighton is being...well...Peighton, lol! She is so funny! She is completely oblivious to being in another country. When we're out and about, she sings, dances, jumps and twirls around like no one's watching. She gets a LOT of attention from everyone bc of her hair color and eye color...They treat her like she's a movie star, and she doesn't even realize it. 

Ann-Jolie has done so well, it's really been amazing. I'm just in awe. I can see her comfort, though, when we are with our guide bc he can communicate with her. She hasn't shown any frustration yet, but I know it's coming...Unless she is supernaturally patient, lol! I feel guilty that I can't understand all that she is so willingly telling us. She talks to us like we CAN understand us, and I wish I did. I knew a very little bit before I got here and am picking up on things here and there from Ann-Jolie, but I'm missing a lot. She's super smart, so she's going to learn super quick. 

Shanghai has been great, but I am SO ready to get to Guangzhou. I'm just ready to get to the next part of this trip. I'm ready to get the in-China flight over with and hoping and praying that Ann-Jolie doesn't get motion sickness. It's going to be nice to be in the same hotel as other adoptive families, and I'm a little more familiar with Guangzhou, so I'm looking forward to it. I'll be glad to do some shopping and walk around Shamien Island.

Ultimately, I'm ready to go home, but I still have quite a ways to go before that...9 days to be exact :/ I'm going to forget that I said that number now.

Well, I'm going to go now as I have 2 little girls who are demanding my attention ;)

EDIT: Just thought I'd add this little gem of info--We've been leaving the windows open in our room bc there is no AC and it gets stuffy. So just now I'm in the bathroom with the girls while they're brushing their teeth, and a woman comes to the door, Scotty lets her in and she proceeds to close our curtains and put slippers by the bed........................Then...she leaves...Ummmmmmmm, ok. Weird!

Pictures from today :)
The above picture is Peighton with our guide, David. He calls her "Pate", lol!
At the Bund



















Monday, November 25, 2013

Made it Official!!

Today was the day we made it all legal! The adoption was finalized today, and let me tell you, when they said it was just as if she were my biological child, it took all I had not to cry right there.

Poor little Ann-Jolie was carsick at the moment, but has since then perked right up and is currently on her 2nd princess dress.

If I had to describe Ann-Jolie, I would say she is a child within an old soul within a child. I don't know if that will make any sense to y'all, but it is a completely accurate description.

She definitely is a girly-girl. Loves lip gloss and nail polish and bows and princess dresses and fixing hair...Oh! And dolls.

She went to sleep very well; slept next to me and Peighton...I was in Heaven.

I cannot emphasize enough the astounding bravery that this little girl is showing. Amazing...She's my hero.

We are playing and bonding and we are SO glad we brought Peighton! It helps!

Ok, enough with the words! Here are some pics!

This girl can eat! And she needs to!! Tiny and skinny!
And here's Peighton's food of choice--peanut butter crackers
Putting her thumbprint on it to make it official!










Gotcha Day!

Ok! I finally have a minute to put something together for all of you who want to see something from today!

First, let me say, she is perfect...She's precious...She's sweet and adorable!!!

Ok, so the day went down like this, we left the hotel @ 9:00 this morning & took a 15 minute van ride to the civil affairs office. When we arrived there was another family in the room with us and we proceeded to do the paperwork. We chatted and waited nervously and the other family's little girl was brought in. She was precious and a bit reserved.
Then in came our beautiful Chuan Si, or Si Si (pronounced Suh Suh) or, as you all know her, Ann-Jolie.
She had gotten car sick on the ride over so she was a bit pale and quiet.
I was told I could hug her so I did!!! I have a video so I will see if I can post it.
We stayed there with her for a little while and we were presented gifts and told all about our little one. One thing that both her nanny and the other woman from the orphanage said is that she is exceptionally smart! They said she seems to be one of the smartest children they have seen!!! Our guide also noted that he has never met a child this age that had such good communication skills--advanced language. He said he could easily converse with her no problem!
She already knew a few words of English, but not the ones that are important for us to communicate. She knew cat, dog, cow, banana, apple, and red.
She LOVES the Disney princesses!!!
She has been playing with everything and just loves the girly stuff!! She's a girly girl :)
She seems to be doing well & I'm hoping when bed time comes, she's still good. 
I could tell there was a bit of a connection between her and the ayi (nanny) that brought her. There was some hesitation when it was time to leave, but she was brave and never shed a tear. 

Peighton is SO excited for Ann-Jolie to be here! It's funny bc she keeps talking 90 to nothing to her as if she understands her. 

I'm sure I'll think of other things that happened that I forgot to mentioned, but right about now my brain is mush...and it's only 4:30 in the afternoon!

Here is what you REALLY wanted anyway....PICTURES!!!