Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Hey everyone! Hope you are all well!

We are coming to you live from Chengdu China! This city has 10,000,000 residents......ummm.....the great state of Michigan has 10,000,000 residents! Let's just say that there are people EVERYWHERE!!!!

Emma was a great sleeper last night! We had to wake her up at 8:30 so we could get her ready and be down to breakfast. Avarie, Evan & Ella you should do as your sister does..........sleep in!!! :)

Emma has decided that she doesn't have much of an appetite. In fact, she really hasn't eaten much other than some cheerios and gerber puffs. She does like her bottle and will drink that, so at this point we aren't concerned. She is still grieving in many ways. She gets a nervous look on her face and beings to breathe heavily. A few times today her eyes filled with tears and she quickly wipes them away so we won't see them. She is allowing us to comfort her, which is a HUGE answer to prayer for us. She also gave me a spontaneous kiss on the lips today! She is full of spunk and likes to play with her stacking cups and pretend she is pouring things into them. She even shakes what she's pouring really hard to be sure and get everything out! She is very bright! She will repeat many words in English and she also has been speaking to us in Chinese. We have no idea what she is saying, but it sure is cute!

We left for the bank at 10:00 am so we could exchange our crisp $100 bills into the Chinese Yuan. The banking system here is so crazy. You actually have to take a number and get in line. We exchanged our $$$ and went back to the hotel for play time and a nap before we were picked up to go to the registry office and the notary office.

After a good nap, we loaded into the van to go to the registrar's office where we signed more paperwork and paid a lot of $$$ to the orphanage as a donation on our family's and daughter's behalf. It was in a building that was falling apart and in much disrepair, but when you got up to the 3rd floor things were much nicer. It felt wierd having to pay for Emma, but we just smiled our way through it and did a lot of nodding! :)

We then went to the notary office to answer a couple of questions and verify some information. We did find out that Emma Claire's finding spot was at a local hospital. I think her mama knew how sick she was with her heart condition and probably because she couldn't afford it, had to give her baby up. I can't imagine that poor woman's grief, but we are so grateful that she made a wise decision with the circumstances she faced.

After finishing at the notary office we ran to the store to get a stroller for Emma. Man, you think Meijers is bad on a busy day?!?! Think again!!! It's nothing! :)

Dinner tonight was pizza and some waffle fries. Emma decided to suck on and then eat one waffle fry! At least it was something! We came back to the hotel and got ready for bed, called the kids and watched a Praise Baby video with Emma. She loved it!

I am once again nodding off and have to call it a night. Last night was too late and I laid in bed for a couple hours with the chills. I am hoping to get some good rest tonight! Please pray for good rest for all and of course for our girl and her bonding with us.

Thanks for your continued prayers and comments! They are helping to get us through!

Jason and Lisa

Love you Avarie, Evan & Ella! It was so great to talk to you! Hope you have a great day! TONS of hugs and kisses to you! Mom and Dad xoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxo