We haven't dropped off the face of the earth!

We are home and getting used to things. Sleep has been interesting getting used to the time change but it is improving daily it seems. She loves her room and hasn't made it half way through either toy box yet. She also hasn't repeated any clothes not that anyone will be surprised at that. She loves to boss the dogs around and tell them shh. She wants them inside but not to close to her and definitely not in her room. Here's a few more pictures...

Last post from China!!!!

Well it's official...we have her passport with visa for entry into the USA!!!  It was a simple procedure.  We all were pretty emotional after the oath (not that it was that sentimental) because of the reality that these kiddos are ours and we can take them home!  We had to say farewell to one of our families last night and another tonight.  As much as I want to get home I'm really going to miss this travel group.  I'm lucky to have one family that lives in Franklin and we can't wait to get together back home.  Shelby is asleep (no nap today and she was up at 6:45am).  She got a 15 minute cat nap on the bus...maybe this will be a blessing since I have to get her up at about 5:15am...don't want to think about my rise and shine time.  Before I sign off I want to give a big thank you to Amber for letting me bring her laptop...if not for her I wouldn't have been able to share this journey with all of you so all together now let me hear you---THANK YOU AMBER!!!!  For those of you still thinking about the airport remember the flight is Continental 2747 out of Newark and arriving in Nashville at 10:28pm on Friday July 24th (Continental's # is 1-800-523-3273 if you want to double check the flight status)...one more sleep until we head home! 

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Rock star

She loves playing with my glasses so I can't wait to get home and see if she will wear hers (she has several pairs thanks to the girls at the check in and check out desks at work...I love it). 

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A stroll in the park

We walked to a local park and they had a mini amusement park in it and she took her first merry-go-round ride...she's not to sure about it.  I don't think we have to rush to Six Flags anytime soon.

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Productive day!

Even though we didn't have to do much today it was productive.  We had to stay in our rooms from 10-11:30 in case the US Consulate had any questions regarding our paper work and we all passed.  Our 2 chest x-ray kids passed!  I can't remember if I mentioned this or not but we still had 2 kids passports that were MIA and they were to arrive at the airport at 6pm tonight (have to have those to get a visa to get the kiddos home).  I went for a massage...are you ready for this it was $8.50 US money for an hour and that's with the tip.  It was a good one and hopefully I drank enough water today that I won't be to sore tomorrow.  Mom wimped out and didn't go with the second shift but it's probably a good thing because I had the medium pressure and there were times it was tough.  We had a group picture at 5pm and that's what all the cute pictures are from in her new dress and shoes.  As you can see we have a great looking group of girls and one rooster for the hen house.  Yes that is Shelby's finger in her nose...I swear I haven't seen her do that yet but couldn't get it out for the mom/daughter picture go figure.  We all went to the Italian place for dinner and Shelby wasn't to keen on the lasagna.  She ate some pizza but was quick to find her noodles and fruit cup when we got home.  I'm off to bed-2 sleeps before we head home! 

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First no comments on the bottle...we know she is to big but she was still getting about 2 a day and it's a comfort thing so no worries.  If you can't tell she's kicking in the one picture.  There was music on the tv and we were gettin' down in the bed!

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prayers please!!

Before I forget (because I did last night) we have 2 kids who need some prayers.  We had 3 that had to have a TB skin test because of their age (Shelby missed this by 2 months) and this is a new rule for our government.  If they are positive then the kiddos had to have a chest x-ray.  So prayers of thanksgiving that Clare's was negative!  But we haven't heard on the x-rays for Sally and Christopher yet.  I'm sure they will be ok but it's nice to try and get a little extra love and prayers in for them I think!  We had a good day.  Did a little shopping and had Italian for lunch.  The picture in her pjs is her making a disco for us and turning the lights on and off.  I guess one of us (hopefully mom) will start to be the bad guy soon and saying no a little more often...but darn that smile it gets us every time at this point.  The other picture is one of 2 boxes that we have in our room...I guess in case we are attacked by the enemy with some sort of toxic gas...just what you want to be thinking about as you roll over to go to sleep at night.  I'll take prayers too that tomorrow all our documents check out ok at the US Consulate and they approve Shelby's visa without any issues...I'll let ya know.  Well only 3 more sleeps to go!  I'm ready to start packing now!

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These are some shrieking pictures.  She gets up in my lap and just baby talks to herself in the mirror.  She thinks it's so funny she gets to shrieking.

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So many bathing suits so little time...

Here's her 2nd ensemble for your viewing enjoyment...another good day at the pool.  She is such a daredevil...jumping off the sides just holding on to my fingers!

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Cuddles this morning!!!

I got cuddles this morning!  We laid in bed for the longest waking up and I got lots of lovin!  It was the best yet until on the bus this afternoon I got my first kiss and trust me she's not handing those out freely!  We had a quiet morning...mom took the subway with the group to the grocery store (it is rough and not safe with the babies).  We hung out here and played and had lots of giggles.  After a long nap it was off to shop.  I got her some pearls-necklace, bracelet, and earrings, and a jade necklace at the first stop.  We then went back to the island where I got some more treasures but our time ran out to quick.  I think we may take a cab tomorrow when we don't have to be rushed.  We came back to the hotel and went out for a group dinner at a Cantonese restaurant-I had said no Chinese food today but didn't want to miss time with the group.  The stroller picture is in the lobby and she loves to ride.  The next one is Shelby just a babbling and telling the table some valuable info with the finger going and everything.  She had a good time on the ride back.  She was silly during bed time-mom taught her how to do a zerbert and she was blowing on my arm like crazy...even got mom and I tickled a few times with some really good ones which didn't help the going to sleep situation.  Oh well she is down now.  I got a stomach and face whack last night so I wonder what tonight will bring.  4 sleeps until we head home!

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Shelby already knows how to handle the paparazzi when she's famous one day..she almost has the camera block down.  The second picture is where she decided to make her own soup (we've had it for the last 2 nights and I guess she was inspired).  She started with her water cup and added some noodles, rice, green beans-thought at first she was bored and playing but she drank/ate it all and wanted more.

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dinner...choices, choices

I'm not sure if the alligator picture will show up well but I'm not sure if they eat those or not...they were in a display area with a fountain.  However the snakes were just in the doorway with a variety of other swimming things.  Don't know if we got any of this good stuff or not...

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WARNING...huge smiles ahead!!!

Hope you can stand the cutest smile in the world because it's here!  We had a great day with lots of playtime.  I couldn't believe we captured so many smiles on the camera because usually when she sees it she brings out her serious "watcha doin?" look.  This morning she did great with mom because I had to spend about an hour getting paperwork ready for our consulate appointment and for her visa application.  Then we played until nap and then we played some more.  We did take a walk around outside the hotel (we missed the museum with the group because she wasn't awake yet).  We visited the playroom and that is where the slide picture was taken.  Miss Independent did it with me a few times and then she led me back to the mat and sat me down (I thought we were gonna play with the blocks some more).  Oh no she wanted to do it alone (don't worry while I was sitting mom was on stand by).  She didn't fall but wow it has me worried for her daredevil tricks that may be coming on the real playground.  We had dinner (ok I hate to say it but I need American food-may have to hit the McDonalds tomorrow) and then we checked out the bakery.  She likes doughnuts and cheesecake but we weren't surprised.  Well that's it just a day of love and smiles.  5 sleeps until we are headed home!

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I'm back!

Did yall miss us?  Sorry we couldn't post yesterday but I've done it now I've kept it in order so you will have to go down for yesterday's adventures.  So lots of posts and pictures to get your withdrawal symptoms in check!  This morning was a beautiful thing...do you think it's the big bed she slept in?  She woke up happy and smiling (mom still got a few grunts but overall a happy girl).  We got dressed and rushed to breakfast (we had high hopes).  It was delicious-to good in fact!  Our whole group now feels we will survive this trip.  We left at 10am to go for the visa photo for Shelby and her medical exam.  She did great and didn't even need her sucker (guess I'll save that for her first visit to the doctor at home...Sheri do you remember you owe me?)  After that we had some free time to walk and shop on the island.  First things first a stroller and she liked it.  We also got a ball, a car, and a pair of squeaky shoes at the first stop.  Scary to think what we will buy when we really go planning to shop.  It's so humid here that most of the families found the Starbucks.  We were told that the ice is filtered here (as well as at the hotel) and we did a cheer.  That was the best shaken tea I've ever had (except for the maiden voyage with Tiffany in Oregon of course!).  We wandered around and I found 2 more pairs of squeaky shoes and it was time to go (don't worry Sally I found the Charity/Friendship store and will be checking it out Monday with your list and mine on Monday!).  She had a good nap and it was off to the pool.  We had room service and it was delicious- Shelby loves corn crab soup.  So now I'm off to see if Shelby will give me a corner of the bed since her and mom have been out awhile now.  6 more sleeps until we are home!!

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So it was very busy waiting for the exam.  We were in the middle of another group who all seemed to have older kiddos.  This is a new friend who shared her pastry with Shelby...she did accept.  There was also another girl very eager to share and mother on her...precious!  The other picture is the first stop on the medical-the physical exam-she measured her head, listened to her heart and did a visual exam (she liked Shelby's dress by the way).  I got a little worried because she made us go to another room but she wanted someone else to check out Shelby's mongolian spots...seems to me if I'm not worried they shouldn't be either!  That didn't take long and we were off to the next station.

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These 2 pictures are for the ENT portion of the exam.  They did actually use a scope to look in her ear and it was really fun trying for he oral exam (she had those teeth down like a vise grip...can't say as I blame her!).  They took her temp from her ear and under her arm...normal they were happy to report!

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Weight and length

Weight-22.1 pounds, Length- 33 inches

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Queen of the castle!

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1st swim-warning Jenny is in a swim suit too!

She loves the pool (now I really can't wait to get her to Louisiana to the farm to swim with the family and to Mt. Juliet to check out Chris' pool...still gotta get some water wings!!).  I thought she might because she loves bath time so much but have you guessed how things went when it was time to leave...flashback to first bath...ah the memories.  It didn't take long to settle down though.  She just knows what she likes!  She threw her ball and kicked and tried to swim like the big girls.  I think she will be jumping off the side before we know it...no fear...yikes. 

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Forgot to tell you about the pictures from the last post.  The brown thing she is holding is a top that plays music and lights up as it spins .  We got that on our walk on Thursday and she loves it.  Mom had her clapping and singing to the music.  I wish I could post a video...that laugh and smile would steal whatever part of your heart you have left that she hasn't already captured!!!

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A day late...

So what do I say about Friday...we survived!  The morning was rough again.  I got her out in the hall and we did laps up and down and up and down.  Don't know how many laps are in a mile but I think we got close.  It was early so we did sshh (finger to lip and everything) while we were walking.  Finally coaxed her back in the room with a banana.  It was a long day.  We hung out in our rooms until 3pm and then we got kicked out.  We had a choice to go for some more sight seeing but I didn't want to get us all hot and sweaty with a flight in front of us.  So several families went and hung out in an empty lounge.  That's when I broke the stickers out.  She enjoyed those for a good long while.  We finally headed to the airport and managed to get all 8 families through intact and with all the children counted for.  The flight went smoothly...after we got to leave...there was a man in the front of the plane who got escorted off by 2 Chinese policeman.  It took forever to get him off and several Chinese people were giving him there opinion while we waited on the police.  We think he threatened a flight attendant.  Shelby fell asleep about 20 minutes before we landed (she was really good on the flight and just wiggled trying to find a comfy spot...she likes to kick that leg up).  We got to the hotel and I swear we all heard angels singing.  It is night and day compared to our last city.  No honking is allowed, no motorcycles-so they aren't there to weave in and out, and not a lot of traffic because it was so late.  Well if you haven't guessed Shelby was wound up by the time we got to the room.  She had to check it all out-figured out how to turn the clock radio music on and off, made a few phone calls, and loved the big soft comfy bed (that's correct this hotel believes in mattresses!!!!!!).  So I gave her a snack and then it's off to bed right?  Wrong-the last 5 nights I've but her in the crib without much fuss at all but on Friday it was a different story.  She went a little crazy-now the part I liked about this is that I felt like when she was calling mamma she wanted me to get her out because she was reaching and climbing for me(the other times she's cried this out she isn't looking or reaching for me just kinda pushing away and wanting down).  So of course that lasted for about a second because I can't stand that.  I got her and put her in my bed (who won the bet on how long that would take?).  She didn't move just hung out there with me and went to sleep.  Now I really needed sleep after the last city but didn't get much because I was worried about her but she didn't fall out.  However I was so comfy that it didn't matter-baby girl next to me, soft bed, and air conditioning what else could I need?
 

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Stickers...a new discovery!

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