Talia is a United States Citizen!

She just landed on US soil in Chicago! We are busy preparing for their arrival back at home. So excited to meet my daughter at 8:00 tonight! Please continue to pray for their safe arrival to Charlotte and for Talia to be just as excited to see Harper and me as she was her Baba! 


Goodbye China Daily! Hello USA Today! Look at that precious face!!! After seeing her pictures for a year I finally get to kiss and hold her! 

Consulate Appointment and Shamian Island

It's Official!

We started early today to make our 8:30 am US Consulate appointment. We were seated at breakfast by 7:00 am. The place was quieter than usual since we were early. I didn't realize it, but it seems I was the only one that was seated in the main dining area while the other families I met up with were seated in the back away from the buffet. It wasn't until one of the mother's asked how I get seated in the "adult" section. I said, "I have no idea! They put me here the first day and keep giving me the same table each day!" Talia was fussy today so we wrapped up breakfast by 7:30am and headed across the street to Starbucks for my first cup of "real" coffee since the trip began. I needed a pick-me-up!

We arrived at the US Consulate early and got in line behind a real nice couple from Texas that adopted a boy from Beijing. We chatted for a bit and then the line started to move quickly. When we got to the room where we would submit our paperwork from the past 10 days, it was a-buzz with about a dozen families and children playing on the toys provided in the back of the room. We were called second, but at first I didn't hear our name. The intercom was so low, we all had trouble hearing who was being called. Luckily Karen Rapp, a fellow DTC facebook friend of Mary Jane's,  was near the front and got my attention to head up to the clerk (thank you Karen!!) Five minutes later, we were official! No more paperwork -- whew! We headed out the door and onto our next destination -- Shamian Island to do some shopping for the girls. This is where the landmark hotel, The White Swan, is located. It's where countless of adopted families have stayed ever since the adoption program opened in China years ago. They are famous for their red couch where adoptive families line up their sons and daughters for a photo op. The White Swan is  also where we stayed with Harper so it is very near and dear to our hearts. Shamian island is very small -- about 5 blocks long by about 3 blocks wide. The English used to occupy this area a few hundred years ago. The island has beautiful old stone buildings with hints of French influence. There are long garden malls lined with trees and plenty of flowers. There are fountains and statues of children, bluegrass players and people taking pictures. Most of the streets are lined with shops that cater to adopting families and other tourists carrying things like traditional Chinese silk dresses, children's shoes, and many other souvenirs. The island is dying, though. The number of adoptions have dropped off significantly over the past 5-6 years. Our guide said a typical month would see about 600 adoptions a month! Now, sadly, that number is about 50 or so (this week alone only 12 adoptions). There are a few main factors causing this decrease: a back log of non-special needs adoptions from 2005-2006 are still being worked; the economy and other reasons. Because of this, the shops are watching their once lucrative revenue decline each year. To make matters worse, the White Swan is under renovation and a complete mess, so all those folks are now staying off the island. In addition, the medical center (where all adopted children must get there general physicals) has moved off the island to a brand new facility. Just another reason for families to stay off the island.

We jutted in and out of the stores picking up a few things here and there for the girls. We ran into another family we met in Nanning the week prior with their daughter Lily. They were staying at another hotel on the island, so they were stocking up like the rest of us at the stores! The traditional silk dresses are extremely reasonable here. They are any where from $2-8 dollars with a majority of them $3-5 dollars. The girls will wear these during the Chinese New Year celebrations and other events throughout the year. It's a good time to stock up since they cost up to 10 times more at home! Of course I picked up some squeaky shoes as well! It was hot, but between the air conditioned stores, we found time to see the statues on the mall ways. There is one statue of a woman playing a violin with a train of children following her. Talia quickly fell into the line holding on to the last child's shoulders. She then tried squeezing between them and finally gave up and hugged them! A little girl about Talia's age came up and they said "Hi" to each other then danced around a bit. It was back to shopping -- Talia was focused on getting more shiny things for her to play with or wear!

Well after about five shops later, we were headed back to the hotel room for lunch, nap and start getting packed for the trip home. I got and an early start just in case something comes up tomorrow unexpected! Talia had fun with the bag of bows and headbands. She put one on and was so proud that she figured it out by herself! She paralleled Daddy as I packed by packing her new lady bug back pack. She has figured out a way to get it on all by herself. She swings it a couple times in front of her, then flips it over her head and onto her back where she finally straps it on her shoulders. It never gets old watching her figure things out. She is something else.

I looked outside and it was already getting dark! We took a break and darted outside to get something to eat. I stopped at Starbuck's to get a China mug (we attempted to bring one home last time with Harper, but it didn't make the trip home in one piece!) After that, we found a tea shop selling fresh teas of every variety. The mother and her 5 year old daughter greeted us. She called her teenage daughter on her phone when she realized I didn't speak fluent Chinese. Her little five year old daughter was such a hostess. She was cute as a button and looked identical to our Karen Rapp's daughter, Julia. She immediately, without hesitation, took Talia's hand and sat her down on the little wooden stools off to the side. Then gave her some candy and kept her occupied while Mommy and her big sister conducted business with me. It was the coolest thing to see these two china dolls hanging out in the tea shop! I wish I had my camera on me to take a picture of the two of them.

Afterwards, I made my almost daily pilgrimage to Oggi's. Yes, pizza again for Dad. I know, I know, we all agree -- I have issues. Talia can't get enough of the penne with pancetta and onions so she got a fresh batch. We bumped into the Rapps at Oggi's and the girls played while I waited for my food. I think Talia is going to miss seeing Julia. They live in South Carolina, so we'll have to try to get the girls reunited at some point after we get home!

Off to bed and almost home!

She reached her arms out to me and wanted Baba to hold her and so I took her out of her crib!
Okay we snuggled all night long...don't tell Harper! 

Now where? This is too early in the morning to be up!

Yay! At the US Consulate in China! We are on American territory!

Hmm...some Subway for lunch?

She walked right over to them and got in line! She is the same size! 

Super cute! Hopefully she will want to hug Harper this hard! 

I spotted another bride for Mary Jane

Mommy and her mugs...grab the China one!

I think she is getting spoiled with her BaBa already! 

Pearl Market on the Pearl River

Today was more my schedule: wake up at 8:00am,  have breakfast at 9:00am, one appointment at 10:30am, buying pearls for my precious daughter  at 12:00pm, lunch at 1:30pm, swimming until 4:30pm, dinner at 6:00pm and pajamas the rest of the night.

We had to go back to the medical center which is an hour away to get her TB test checked. It was fine...whew! I have heard stories of families having to stay in China for months if the TB test was positive so I had a big sigh of relief to know she was fine and we can head back home on Thursday.

Next up was the pearl market! We decided since Talia's province was not known for anything (according to our guide) Talia's gift from China would be pearls she could pass down to her children.   The market is about 4 or 5 stories tall with a huge atrium where you can see all the store fronts selling their wares along the balconies. Talia looked up in amazement. We went to our guide's favorite place where he knows the merchants there. After examining a bolt of pearls strings, we found one we liked. The girls there quickly went to work hand making the necklace and bracelet to fit Talia (with room to grow until she's about 5 or 6 or maybe even older -- she's so tiny, she just may be a tiny peanut her whole life!) It's always amazing to watch them work. They build each piece pearl, by pearl, making a special knot then stringing another pearl until it's done. They do it so fast! They loved all over Talia, draping her with her new pearls. and kept calling her "gong zhu" (pronounced gong jhoo) meaning princess. Talia soaked it up of course!

We headed back to the hotel where we left our guide and darted down a couple alley ways to my favorite local pizza joint, Oggie's. Yes, I had it again...I couldn't help myself...and yes, I do have a pizza problem. Talia got a yummy pasta dish with pancetta and onions. I was a little nervous she wouldn't eat it because she's never seen it before, but I had plenty of backups just in case. I was relieved when she finished half the tub! That's more than Mary Jane would have eaten and this girl is only 33 inches tall and weighs 22 pounds! I think she'll have a few more pounds on her by the time we get back to the states. Harper -- you're going to be the little sister the rate Talia's eating!

Finally we had a chance to check out the pool. The hotel gets better each day -- there's always something new here. The pool is on the 4th floor and outside. The view overlooks the main entrance and the hustling city streets below with the shopping mall across the street. The towering hotel rooms surround you in the back with some other skyscrapers off to the side. The amenities are first class and you would you would think you're in New York city. Talia loved the water. I think it was stimulation overload for her because the pool was huge and she kept screaming in excitement! We had a blast jogging back and forth a few times and then made our way back to the room to get cleaned up and ready for dinner.

Pajamas were the order for the rest of the day while we relaxed and eventually ate leftovers from lunch and a few things from room service. I've been trying to give her greens each day. She inhales steamed broccoli and bok choy. I only wish Harper would do the same.

Tomorrow is our US Consulate appointment and oath taking ceremony. This appointment will put the cherry on top of the cake for our adoption of Talia Mei Youngerman! She'll receive a sealed brown envelope that can only be opened by an immigration officer in the US when she arrives in Chicago this Thursday. Once the envelope is opened, she's officially a US citizen! I can't wait to get home. I miss my family terribly and wish they were here to share this experience with little Talia!

I hear Harper is holding down the fort with Mommy and Nanny. I know the are busy preparing for Talia's arrival! I can not wait to reunite as a family of four! Talia was so excitable today and it just made me think about what her life would have been like if she were never adopted. Everything is new to her and to see her eyes light up with amazement just melts me. I love seeing the joy in her face and am so thankful she is ours!

"There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child.  There are seven million."  ~Walt Streightiff

A whole new world! Her and Poppy are going to get along just fine

Oh la la! A bracelet too?!

Stunning, right? I can almost picture what she is going to look like when she is a teenager

Definitely a princess! 

I take it the peace sign means "thumbs up"! 

She mimics everything! Daughter and daddy bonding at its best

She was getting tired of me taking pictures and eventually turned around, put her hand on her hip and shot me this look! 

Ready for her first swim

See Mama! Wake up mommy we want to Skype

Talia swimming with her daddy for the first time! (Put my music player on pause to hear her giggle!)

Old Guangzhou & Dinner with Friends

Today we saw the temple from the 6th century AD in town. After a couple blocks walk to through old Guangzhou (GZ), we were at the temple entrance. The city is built up around it which is a shame because it seems to take away anything special about it. The temple we visited in Harper's province was much more grand and set away from the city buildings. It had lots of beautifully manicured grounds and made it feel like you were somewhere completely unique.

We left the temple and walked down an alley way which led into a market. The Cantonese cuisine consists of a lot of fresh produce, meat, fish and poultry -- the live hens were a clue things were really "fresh" here! There were plenty of butchers ready to pluck there fish, hens or turtles from the cages or tanks to prepare your next meal. I've been to plenty of markets in cities around the states, but the smells here in China are so unique -- not particularly in a good way. The last stand in the market had fresh lychee (pronounced lee-chee), which is a spiky ball with a delicious, sweet fruit inside. The farmer gave us one and we peeled it back so Talia could try a free sample. It passed so I bought 12 yuan's worth (which is about $1.88). They filled the bag with branches leaves and all!

Talia loved the outdoor market and seeing all the people. She was talking a lot and Richard was trying to figure out if she speaks more Mandarin or Cantonese and then she responded saying, "I speak Cantonese". Well alright then! She is a little fighter and knows when to speak up for herself. By the medical reports we received we did not expect her to be saying more then a few words but she is doing really well. She is so much fun and I feel like we have been together forever.

After the market, we walked through old GZ where Richard, our guide, led us through everyday life in China. We took a couple side turns down neighborhood streets (to us, we would say alley ways) and witnessed the normal routines of the local folks. Life is simple here in old GZ. People generally don't have much and are masters at making do with the resources around them. Truly resourceful and driven to be efficient as possible. Talia enjoyed munching on lychees along the way (she fit right in except for the Lolly Wolly Doodle American outfit with bows and ruffles!) Dad on the other hand looked like a typical tourist with camera in hand capturing anything that seemed interesting. We stopped at an "old" house in China with bars on the doors to keep folks out. I asked how old and he said 80 years. To us that is old but not always historically significant. In China, Richard said the government doesn't care about any old buildings so they typically get destroyed for new ones to be built.

After our afternoon nap, we got ready for dinner at the Italian restaurant across from the hotel. Mary Jane had made a couple of friends through the adoption community via Facebook that were in GZ the same time as me and Talia. Actually they are even on the same floor as us at The Garden Hotel. I guess they group the adoptive families from the United States! There were two families that I met up with in the lobby. One was from South Carolina and met their new daughter, Julia, last Monday who is absolutely adorable. The other family, the Fouts,  had just landed in GZ the day before and were meeting their daughter the next morning. They brought along there biological daughter and adopted daughter. Both girls are super sweet and played with Talia and Julia. We had a great time getting to know each other and I enjoyed meeting such incredible people. Each family has an amazing story and I was lucky enough to spend some time with them. The girls played and we all chatted and enjoyed some Italian food. Mine was okay, but by looking around the table, I should have ordered something else! I knew Talia would recognize the noodles with our spaghetti dish, so I stuck with what she would feel comfortable with. Sure enough, in true Talia style, she had her own plate, found a fork and went to town on the pasta. I ordered an apple juice with her and they came back with apple juice, but it looked like a cocktail with a squiggly straw and all! It was freshly juiced so I had to keep stirring it to mix up some of the pulp. She loved it.

Off to the Pearl market tomorrow and maybe back to the island where we stayed with Harper. It should bring back good memories.