Who needs the same language to communicate?

We started our drive to the airport Thursday evening, a little more than an hour before their scheduled arrival time. Five minutes into our drive I received a call from a close family friend that the plane would be there 25 minutes early!!! Praying for no cops on the way, we may have went a little faster than normal and ran in to see if we had caught Matt and Jeremiah before they got off the plane. Thankfully we did. I had text Matt and told him to try and be the last ones off the plane, and I think Matt took that literally, as we even saw the pilot before them. And then there they were....

I didn't know who to hug first!!! I went for a quick kiss for my husband and then bent down to Jeremiah's level. My son was home, he was right in front of me!!!! I held my arms out, but he wasn't quite ready.... So I smiled, kissed him, told him I loved him very much, and then stood to let the amazing group of friends and family that had joined us to welcome him home, see him for the first time.

There were lots of flashes, and I think it was maybe a bit overwhelming, so Matt picked him up to let him know everything was ok. I reached my arms out for him again and this time he came to me. I felt like time literally stood still. It was amazing. I was in love.....

We stayed at the airport for awhile talking with everyone. Jeremiah and I bonded through him taking pictures of me and everyone else. He thought it was hilarious. 

My sister brought some toys and he sat in my lap on the airport floor and played while everyone talked. Everyone started to leave slowly and then it was time to head home. A few walked out with us, and as we packed every seat in the van full of our kids, we realized we had no room for the luggage! Guess we'll have to rent a 15 passenger van the next time we go on vacation....

The back seat was full with the 3 oldest boys. Elijah and Jeremiah giggled and talked the whole way home. One speaking English, the other Chinese, and they seemed to know everything the other was saying. Matt and I laughed right along with them. When we got home they continued to play like two long lost brothers. Matt bought them all swords in China, so Jeremiah passed them all out, and the sword fighting began.

Jeremiah also shared books that he brought home with him from the foster home and orphanage. They're amazing and obviously very special to him. He jabbered away telling us all about all the pictures, and the way he would point and talk, we all really understood what he was trying to tell us. The boys all played while Matt and I caught up on stories from our time apart. At 2am we decided it was time to try and get everyone to sleep. Jeremiah and Elijah share a room and are in bunk beds. We didn't know how this would work, but like everything else, it went off without a hitch!!! I kept waking up all night to go stare at each kid sleeping, and my hubby too. I couldn't soak in enough. It was like a dream!!

Elijah and Jeremiah woke up first Friday morning. I heard them get up and go in to watch cartoons. I got up a little after and found them at the table. Elijah had fixed them both a bowl of cereal and they were sitting there eating and watching tv, no big deal that they had only met a few hours earlier!!! 

They played all day, with Micah and Samuel joining in here and there. Elijah taught Jeremiah how to play the Wii, and he picked it up extremely fast and is now beating him at some games!

Daddy and Elijah also began hunting lessons with Jeremiah. He LOVES it!!! He's absolutely fascinated with Matt's taxidermied deer head.

We began to have some brotherly tiffs, but we got them figured out pretty fast. Friday, everyone was ready to go to bed by about 10pm. We got everyone tucked in, sang and said our goodnights. All was quiet.  Jeremiah woke up in the middle of the night a little distraught and needed a drink.  I got him one and he laid right back down, I tucked him back in and he slept soundly until 10 o'clock this morning. 

Daddy went and got donuts this morning. Boy did Jeremiah love those!!!

He has been extremely open to trying all the food I've fixed so far. He has eaten everything! Cinnamon rolls, macNcheese and little smokies, quesadillas, chili and donuts!!! Pretty amazing kid to try an all new menu. I don't know that most people, adults or kids, would be as open and accepting of whatever is being put in front of him at the table. 

So our first 48 hours are in the books! They've been fun and exahausting for all of us. We've bonded and loved and gotten to know our newest son very well. He is beautiful and smart, inventive and loving. I can't wait to see what the next 48 hours holds!!!

Monday morning we go for his first doctors visit. We are anxious to find out what all they have to say. 

Almost Home!!!!

When a mother learns she is pregnant it is a magical moment. Knowing you have a life that is growing inside of you that relies fully on you to protect and feed them is a heavy responsibility. The father sits by and can only see from the outside as the baby grows and who's every movement is felt by its mother. As an adoptive parent, our love is no different, we wait and wait until we get to meet our child, anticipating all of those first moments and dreaming of what they will become.

Our journey to Jeremiah has been just over a year. A year of wondering with excitement what our lives will be like when he joins our family. This entrance into our family has been different than with any of our other children. You see, from day one I have always been the first one to take over their needs and to comfort them. But this time, daddy got to be the one with the firsts: meeting, holding, feeding, spoiling, saying goodnight. 

It has been amazing watching Matt and Jeremiah bond over the last two weeks. I know, as many of you have shared as well, how amazing it is that Jeremiah has adapted so well already. Matt is an amazing father, I'm sure Jeremiah could see and feel the love his daddy had for him immediately. 

I watch Matt with our son and I can't wait to physically hold him as well. I can't wait for the many firsts I'll have with him. I can't wait to see him interact with his siblings. I can't wait for him to learn and believe that he is a part of a family now, our family.... Forever. 

Jeremiah, mommy can't wait to meet you, to hold you for the first time. I can't wait to sing you to sleep and watch you wake up.  I'm counting down the hours until your arrival. Mommy loves you big guy. You and daddy will be home very soon, I can hardly wait!!!

The boys have started their long trip home. 27 hours to be exact. From Guangzhou to Shanghai, Shanghai to Detroit and finally Detroit to Kansas City. For those of you who would like to come to the airport tonight, please get ahold of me and I will give you the flight details. 

Subway, Zoo, and Noodles

This will be the last post from China!

Today we went to the Guangzhou Zoo.  Like other things before, we were there 2 years ago.  I was excited to take Jeremiah.  If nothing else, for the giraffes :)

We took the subway, which was a first for me while in Guangzhou!  There is a stop right outside our hotel.  So we walked there and two stops later, we were at the zoo.

Jeremiah loved it from the time we walked in the gates.  In fact, we probably wouldn't have made it past the first few animals if it was up to him.  He didn't want to leave any of the animals.  Just kept repeating "wow!" in a super dramatic voice :)

At the very end of our visit . . . finally the giraffes!  For 25 RMB (about $4) you get a bundle of leaves to feed the giraffes.  In case you can't tell, he LOVED it!

I wanted one more dose of wonton noodle soup from the noodle shop before we left, so that is where we headed after the zoo.  We picked up the big brother from the other family we are traveling with.  He wanted in on the adventure and Jeremiah and he get along well.  We all chowed.  9 RMB a bowl (that's $4.50 for all 3 of us).

China has been great.  Travel and health have been good.  Bonding and attachment seem to be going smooth.  But boy are we ready to see the family!  2 weeks, whew!  Early tomorrow morning we began our trek home . . . and finally the family will be together . . . all of us :)

Last 2 Days

Catching up on the last 2 days!

Yesterday we went to the silk market and Shamain Island for shopping and exploring.

Here is one of the hallways of the silk market.  I probably could have taken 10 more pictures of different hallways . . .but they all looked very similar.

Here is Jeremiah on the island checking out the Pearl River.   

A picture with these statues is a tradition for adoptive families . . . so here it is!

A pretty picture of the island.

Today was our appointment at the consulate for Jeremiah's immigrant visa, some time in a garden, and a river cruise.

We had to leave the hotel at 7:40am and somebody was still tired.

No electronics are allowed in the consulate.  So a picture outside is the only option.

Our hotel is "The Garden Hotel" (nicest hotel I've ever stayed at).  Back of the hotel is ??? . . . a GIANT garden!  It is absolutely beautiful.  Aaaaaand here are a couple of pics from the parts of the garden a 6 year old likes :)

We finished the day with a cruise on the Pearl River.  We did this 2 years ago with Samuel.  Probably wouldn't have done it again, except I had a feeling Jeremiah thought it would be cool.  And he did!

Tomorrow we go to the zoo and Thursday we head home!

Busy Day

We had a busy day today.  Started out at a very nice park.  It is mostly shaded and very pretty.  There is a giant goat statue at the top of the hill.  It has deep cultural meaning to Guangzhou, but I don't remember why :)

Retired people gather to play hacky sack in the park.  They are really, really good at it.  They let us play for a few minutes, but we were clearly dragging down the game.

Wonton noodle soup was on the menu for lunch.

And a haircut to finish!

Another day of activities unrelated to adoption is on the schedule for tomorrow.  Tuesday is our appointment at the American Consulate, Wednesday we get Jeremiah's visa, and Thursday we are outta here!

Guangzhou

We left Hohhot on Friday morning.  It was a little over a 3 hour flight from Hohhot to Guangzhou.  By the time we got checked in, it was about 4pm . . . so pretty much an all day deal.  Jeremiah and I ran to the supermarket for some needed supplies and called it a day.  That is why there was no blog yesterday (worn out and not much to talk about anyway).

Guangzhou is beautiful this time of year.  Highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s.  Today was Jeremiah's medical check.  He will be an immigrant on his way in to the US, so medical checks are required.  All went well.  He took the blood draw like a champ.  Tomorrow we go to a very nice park and then do some shopping.  Hopefully some good pics.

Super glad to be here.  Super ready to get home to the fam.

This is Sandra.  She was our guide in Hohhot.  She was very helpful.

Our first plane flight.  Yep . . . that's a gun and a peace sign.  Ummmmmmm . . .

The Guangzhou skyline from our hotel room.  Our hotel is the nicest I've ever stayed at.

At dinner.  We go to Pizza Hut.  He orders chicken.  Did you know Pizza Hut serves chicken? . . .and way stranger things when you are in China!

We found the playroom at the hotel.  Way cooler than the last one!