It is official!

I officially signed the adoption papers! I was asked why do you want to adopt her. I said because we love her and she makes our family complete. They looked at how many children we had, and looked at me very perplexed. They can have only 1, and I will have 5 in my home.

We are learning more and more about Mara. She can look so serious, and then she cracks herself up. She is very observant. She picks up on things very quickly. She has great problem solving skills, and good fine motor skills. She likes books, photo albums, and the magna doodle. She cannot hear us.

We did notice that she does not like to share with others. This should be fun when we get home.
We have three more days in Wuhan. We are exploring the area around our hotel. I did ask if there was a Subway near here. I had to explain it was a restuarant not a train. We did not find it, but Katie did have a Starbucks coffee.

Mara Min

I had prepared Katie and myself for the worstcase on "Mara Day". Outside the room we could hear a baby crying loudly, and I thought that was her. I was wrong. Mara was playing when I arrived. She looked at me and I hope she recognized me from the albums we sent.She was led to me and did not fuss. She loved the lamb that I brought for her. (We are still waiting on the "other shoe to drop").

The foster family did not have heat in their home, so Mara was dressed in many layers. (A coat, 2 heavy sweaters, a vest and a sweatshirt, 3 pairs of pants the outside pair was lined.)

She is a very smart little person. She is able to get her wants and needs across. I have started teaching her simple signs (more, ball).

She is not feeling 100%. She has a little cough and she did throwup in the night. She is not running a fever. The orphanage did send medicine for her. We will continue to watch her and give her plenty of fluids.

Great Wall and Wuhan

Our group went to the Great Wall. Katie and I decided to do the "easy" side. Let me tell you it was not as "easy" as you think. It was obvious that it had been rebuilt, but the steps were still very steep and uneven; some were 2 high others 4 high. The 4 high were up to my knees. It was fun and later we had a traditional Chinese lunch. I am attaching a photo of the fish we were served.

We made it to Wuhan, Hubei. It is a busy city. I do not think that they see many Americans here; just by the curious looks we get. They do have a Starbucks and McDonalds.

We meet Miss Mara tomorrow at 10:30. I am beginning to get anxious/nervous. Pray for her little heart as her world is going to be turned upside down.

Beijing

We made it to China! The flights were long, but ok. There was hardly anyone on either of them. So far we have been to the Forbidden City, a silk factory, Tienanmen Square, and took a richshaw ride through the Hutong. Today we are to see the Great Wall, a jade factory, acrobat show and The Cube and The Bird's Nest.
I am attaching pictures of Katie and I on the riskshaw, our rickshaw driver and part of the Forbidden City.

China Itinerary

1/25-1/26 Detroit>Tokyo>Beijing
1/27 -1/28 Tour Beijing (Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, etc..)
1/29 Leave Beijing for Wuhan, Hubei
1/30 Meet Mara!
1/31 Complete adoption registration and notarization
2/1-2/2 Free Days
2/3 Leave for Guangzhou
2/4 Mara's physical
2/5 Free Day (shopping!)
2/6 TB test checked
2/7 Consulate Appointment
2/8 Leave for Hong Kong via train
2/9 Leave Hong Kong for Detroit

Winter Birthdays

We get slammed with winter birthdays. Chandler in December, Mia and Tim in January, and Carter in Febuary. We always make the day special. Wake them up singing happy birthday, make their favorite meal for birthday supper and of course cake and ice cream. Generally we have a family party (just us and grandma) and as the kids get older they have friends over for a party.

New pictures of our little lady

She is holding an album of pictures that we sent to her. I am beyond excited! We will see you in a matter of days, little one.

Tickets

Purchased the plane tickets today. I am not brave enough to do that on my own. Our agency recommended a couple of different travel agents. I used Todd Gallinek again. He was great. Got the tickets for much cheaper than I could of. We are heading out of Detroit>Tokyo>Beijing. On the return Hong Kong>Detroit.

Mara is 2 1/2, so I am trying to think of activities for her to do on that long flight home. I have a Magna Doodle, Mrs. Potato Head, crayons/coloring book, Hot Wheels cars. Thought about the little containers of Play-Doh. I am open to suggestions.

I feel like I should be packing or cleaning. (Mara's bag has been packed for a month).

OMG!

My brain is swirling right now. Very close to booking the flights, should finalize that today/tomorrow. So many little things that need to fall into place in the next 20 days. That's right we are outta here on Jan 25th!

Up until this point the adoption has felt like a steady jog. That all changed on Tuesday, now it feels like an all out sprint. (The kind where someone is chasing you.)

The best 2 letters

TA!