AT LAST...NO MORE PAPERWORK TO SIGN!!!!!!!

We have been in Guangzhou since Sunday, 05/22/11and it was like entering a totally different place.  It is called the Shamian Islands and it is beautiful.  It is almost a tropical feel.  The area  has beautiful trees and flowers.  People come here to have their wedding photos taken, models come to have their pictures taken...it is really a gorgeous place.  There are shops everywhere and you can get just about any kind of souvenir that you want.
 
On Monday, we had appointments to have Sophie's visa picture taken and her physical exam.  She was 26 inches long and weighed 17.2 lbs with her clothes on.  The rest of the day and Tuesday were free time and we went to a "walking street" where there was a big mall that had all kinds of jewelry: pearls/tourquois/crystal jewelry that they will string for you into a necklace and there were many different shops as well.  There were many people there, but Louise our guide said that this was nothing compared to the weekend...many more people would be there on the weekend...can't imagine!!! We went down a "snack street" that had all kinds of vendors selling Chinese foods from open stalls...unique smells were encountered...ugh! ha!  We did not venture out and get those kinds of snacks.  We walked back to the hotel and as we were on our way there we went down many different streets where they were selling live animals..fish, cats, dogs, bunnies, frogs, salamanders, turtles and birds.  Odd...they were like an outside pet store. Sad...to see all of the animals in cages outside in the heat.  Then we went down a street where they were selling Chinese herbs.  Louise said that they sell them for soups and cooking.  She said that they sell them to the entire city and hospitals.  As we were going down this street some ladies stopped us and took Sophie from Tony and just talked to her and us in Chinese...which we didn't understand.  They had Sophie just laughing.  Louise said later that they were commenting on how beautiful she was and they couldn't believe that someone had abandoned her and that she was lucky to get to go to America with us.  It made me teary-eyed.  We are the lucky, blessed ones...to get to be a part of this precious little baby girl's life...wow...we are definitely the lucky ones!  After we got back to the hotel, Sophie and Tony took a nap and Mom and I went shopping with Nicole and Jeff Massey and Nicole's dad Rick and then we went to the White Swan hotel to look around. The White Swan hotel is where many adoptive families stay. We are staying at the Victory hotel which is not quite as nice, but is much cheaper and we are very satisfied!!! 

Today is Wednesday 05/25/11 and we had our Embassy appointment at the American Consolate, where we had our official Oath Taking Ceremony and we TRULY officially became three Wardell's instead of two...and FINALLY signed our last piece of paperwork. Now all we have to do is get Sophie's Visa tomorrow, head home Saturday, and when we arrive at the airport in Chicago, Sophie Jane Sheng Wardell becomes an American citizen...YAY!!!!!

Another day with our precious BABY!

I love the soft bunny blanky that Nana gave me!



Sweet dreams...  or gas?




Daddy says this is definitely my cutest outfit!



Going down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast with Dad!

 

This is Louise Liu, Mom & Dad's guide.  I think she likes me!



After breakfast.​.. nap time!

Folks, it looks like we may have to wait until we get back to the USA to post more photos or videos of our time in China.  The upload and even the connection process just takes so long, that we could easily spend all our time trying to post photos or videos of Sophie Jane.  But we have better things to do... like take a gazillion pictures and videos of her as we enjoy each day with this precious angel. 

I cannot tell you how good she has been.  I think she doesn't know what to do with all this newfound attention.  She is definitely a happy baby, and seems to relish all the extra attention we've lavished on her.  I think she's becoming a camera ham!  Camera comes out...  it's showtime baby!  -  Tony, posting for my wife who is getting some well deserved rest!

Bonding With Baby



Going out for a stroll folks!




Somebunny loves me!




I'm so happy with all this attention I'm getting!  I think I'll become a ham for the camera!




When I'm sleepy, one thing I try to do to stay awake is rub my head!



Rubbing my head causes me to have crazy hair!







Asleep at last!




 This week has been a very life changing experience for both Tony and me! We are still in Nanchang, China and will fly to Guanzhou tomorrow morning to spend the next week there. Then we get to cmoe home...one week from today...yea!!! We have spent the greatest portion of our week just spending time loving our little precious baby.  We have gone out to eat a few times and gone to the market to get baby supplies and bottled water/soft drinks. We have had some funny things with baby experiences this week.  The orphanage started their potty training of the babies at 4 months old, so the hotel sent up a baby potty and we have actually been sitting Sophie on the baby potty just to see if she would do anything.  She will cross her little feet and rock back and forth!  The first two or three times...nothing, but then low and behold, we put her up there and she actually pee-pee'd in that little orange potty.  Nothing since, but I was amazed!!!  She is very active and has been trying to turn over onto her tummy everytime she is lying on our bed...on Wednesday, she actually turned over onto her tummy!  Hasn't done it since, but keeps trying and trying.  She is mostly a very happy baby...smiles and goos...makes good eye contact...grins when you talk to her...very alert...VERY PRECIOUS!!! We have taken MANY pictures of her, video taped every cute little look, changed diapers, fed her bottles, cleaned up BIG blow outs...(question...how does something so small produce such massive messes?)  Ha!!!  Not gotten much sleep and feeling very inadequate at this parenting thing...being totally responsible for this tiny, little, beautiful gift from God....yep...worrying about every little cry, hiccup, whether she's too hot, too cold.  Mom has laughed at me because I get so worried...she is the most wonderful help to me.  I just don't know what I would have done without her during this time...not that Tony is not a big help...but you just need your Mom...or I know that I DO!!!!  We were supposed to get our passport for Sophie yesterday, but somehow, they made a mistake with her Chines name and did not write the correct character for her name and they have to do it all over again...we are supposed to get it by next Tuesday...one more thing to worry about!!!  But you know what????  God is in control of ALL of this and it is all going to work out according to His Plan...so it's gonna all be OK!!!  I just can't get over how much He has truly blessed us by bringing this precious bundle of joy into our hearts and lives.  GOD IS SO GOOD!!!!!

May 16, 2011 - Our official Adoption Day in China



Daddy and Sophie going to get adopted "FOR REAL!"




Saw this on the way to the Civil Affairs office...h​ad to take a pic!  Walmarts are EVERYWHERE​!  ha!



Adoption is "THIS WAY!"



Nana...pat​iently waiting on us while we become a real family!



Look...Dad​dy has me again!  I think I have him wrapped around my little finger already!




The Massey's with little precious Lily and Grandpa...​waiting to make it all official too!!!




Many families were here waiting too...no air conditioni​ng...very humid...bu​t oh soo worth the wait!



I know I know...the pic is a little blurry...b​ut it's her little official FOOTPRINT!​!!



See my cute little foot...I got the red dye on Daddy's pant leg from my footprinti​ng...oooop​s!




We are officially a family!!!




Look...my Nana loves me and I love her!




Mommy and beautiful little Lily




Proud Parents!



At the Notary's office with our official documents!

On the streets of Nanchang..​people coming up and looking at Sophie with Daddy!

Proud Dada's!

Pooped out after a long day...It's a tough job being so cute!

All stretched out and sleeping good!

Hi Ya'll!  This was actually written yesterday(Tues 5/17/10)  But I didn't add pics until this morning, so I am a little behind!!!

Today is Tuesday, 05/17/11 in Nanchang, China!  Sunday night...our first night with Sophie went great.  Yesterday, 05/16/11 was our OFFICIAL Adoption Day!!! Sophie slept until 5am and did really well.  We fed her a bottle and played with her and she went back to sleep.  We were given overnight to decide whether or not we wanted to keep Sophie...WELL   DUHHHH....of COURSE we are keeping this precious angel gift from God.  No questions, no doubts...she is ours!!!!  We got ready to go to the Civil Affairs Office and the Notary Office for our official adoption paperwork.  Well...we got Sophie ready, all cutesy and pretty in this really cute pink outfit with ruffles across her little tush and with matching hairbow and blanket, and as we were going out the door...it happened...our very first BLOWOUT!!!  Needless to say, we had to rush to change her and change out her little pink bow to match her new outfit...yep we ended up being late...seeee Sophie really is gonna fit in really well her new family!!!  We finally headed out and went to the Civil Affairs Office where Sophie got her foot print made and we gave our orphanage donation, had a family picture made and Sophie had a picture made for her passport.  We were officially asked questions about the adoption and were given an official thumbs up, OK she's yours.  Then we went to the Notary office and we were given a certificate with the family photo in a little book that said we were an official family!  Yep...I cried!!!  Poor little Sophie was such a trooper!!!  She did not fuss and Tony had her in the baby carrier and he looked sooo cute carrying her!!!   It was a long day and afterwards we ate dinner at an official bonafide Chinese restaurant...chopsticks, no forks, kind of place.  It was quite funny trying to eat with chopsticks!!!  Today is just a day of REST!!!!  Thank goodness!!!





Video from "Gotcha Day"

Video of "Gotcha Time" 

Go to link above to see video of our introduction to Sophie.

May 15, 2011 - Sophie's "Gotcha Day"

KK & Nana in the Beijing airport, awaiting our flight to Nanchang to meet our angel.



Nana & Louise Liu, our guide, have become fast friends!




Expectant parents - KK is having contractions!



The Masseys are anxious too!



Dad brought along the world's best diaper changer to help!




Team Lily & Team Sophie




Lily with Mom Nicole.  Dad Jeff can't stop smiling.




Mission accomplished for Team Lily!



Orphanage Director (left), Sophie & Lily's "Nanny" (right) & the proud parents.



Together at Last!



Daddy, what big ears you have!



I guess I'll take these two, but that Nana person sure looks nice!

My first bottle from my Mommy!



Sophie in her pajamas, brought all the way from America!



Today has been the best day ever in my whole entire life!!!!!  We started out at 9am leaving our hotel in Beijing and heading to the airport.  Our flight to Nanchang left at around 11:30 am and we arrived at the Nanchang airport around 1:15 pm.  When we got to our hotel -The Gloria Hotel and Resort, we only had about 15 minutes to get to our room and then we walked to the Bank of China and exchanged our money into Chinese currency for our orphanage donation fees and other adoption expenses...lots of money...this process was a little stressful...to have that much money on you at one time and to be walking back to the hotel...which we did very quickly.  We only had a few minutes to get ready before the director of the orphanage and the nanny arrived with the babies.  We came upstairs...got ready...said a little prayer thanking God for His wonderful gift...and down to the lobby we went.  They arrived at 4:30pm and handed her over to ME!!!  Such a beautiful baby...I can't believe that she belongs to Tony and me!  Our very own precious angel.  We are gonna post some photos of us getting her (on facebook too)!!!!   Gotta go and love on my baby girl!!!!

Beijing Day 3, Saturday May 14th, 2011

This statue is also standing gaurd at the entrance to the Summer Palace and is holding down a ball and I absolutely can't remember what that stands for... except maybe prosperityl




 

This is where the entertainment programs were held todat inside of  the Summer Palace.



Beautiful music!




Young Chinese dancers...they were soo beautiful!





I climbed many steps to get this beautiful picture/view.  Still at the Summer Palace.





 





Here we are at the silk factory seeing how a silk quilt is made!



Mom, me an Tony at Tian'anmen Square.

 


 




The Forbidden City



Well, today is Saturday, May 14th…my birthday, and what an amazing day I have had full of sightseeing we have had!  We started out going to the Summer Palace and a funny thing happened to me as we were walking to the entrance...a little Chinese woman patted me on the back and stroked the back of my hair.  She then put her olive skin toned arm next to my very white arm and just laughed.  She kept patting me and talking to me in Chinese...couldn't understand a word.  She was very friendly, I guess she had never seen anyone quite like me...ha! 

Anyway...I digress... the Summer Palace is where the Emperor of China would go to live during the summer months.  It is the famous classical royal garden in China.  We saw beautiful buildings, as it is known as the cream of Chinese classical architecture.  We saw 3 different performances; one was music with several young Chinese adults playing historic musical instruments and Chinese music.  It was beautiful.  The next was 3 young Chinese girls dressed in long robes performing a beautiful Chinese dance, and the last performance was by two young Chinese men as they acted out an ancient battle.  These were all very good.  We then climbed a gazillion steps to see the beautiful view of the Summer Palace.  We walked through the garden and through a famous “long corridor” and were going to take the “dragon” boat trip back, but the wind was pretty bad and they cancelled all boat rides…so we had to walk to our bus!

Our next stop was to a silk factory, where we learned how silk was made.  They showed us the process of the silk worm and how the silk comes to fruition through its cocoon.  It was a neat process!  After the silk factory, we went to another Chinese restaurant and had more authentic Chinese food and it was VERY good.  We all ate well!  But unfortunately….after lunch…we had to go to the restrooms.  Here in China, in the women’s restrooms, you are lucky to get one Western toilet…the rest are what we refer to as “squatty potties”! Ha….these are little porcelain holes in the floor where you have to squat to use the potty.  To be honest, it is a little traumatic to use them…hahaha…but we have had to adapt.

We then went to Tian’anmen Square.  This is the largest urban square in the world today, with an area up to 44 acres and can accommodate one million people for holding a grand opening.  It was very impressive!  One of the things that we saw in the square was the Monument to the People’s heroes, which honors those individuals who gave up their lives fighting for their country.  The square is a large open, outdoor space and we walked through it to get to the Forbidden City.  The Forbidden City was the imperial palace that the Monarchs of the Ming and Qing dynasties had used for handling state affairs and living.  It is the largest and best preserved ancient palace complex in the world.  It is called The Forbidden City because common people were not allowed to enter…only the Emperor and his family.  It is an amazing, beautiful place!

We have had a full, busy and wonderful day of seeing Beijing!  Our next few hours will be spent packing up and getting ready to head to Nanchang in the morning.  Our flight leaves out at around 11:30 am and we will be arriving there around 1:30pm, going to the bank there to exchange money, getting to our hotel….and THEEEEEENNNNN…….at 4:30pm(4:30AM Knoxville time), Sunday May 15^th…WE WILL GET SOPHIE!!!!!  YAYAYAYA!!!!!!!!!   Welp gotta go and get ready… ready… ready!!!!  Love to all!!!!