Friday, November 28, 2008

More Pic's

Below are some pictures from our trip to a botanical garden and Bai Yun Mountain. Emme loved the gondola ride on the way down. Also, some pic's of grandma, grandpa and me with the little Em.



























What? 12:30 am!!

Hello friends and family. I do have pictures to post since we have had the chance to get out and do some more exploring. I will get to it later today. Just thought I would show you what a little one looks like at 12:30 am. I put her down around 8:30 and thought she was out for the night. She woke me up, chattering away and reaching for me in the bed. I guess she thought it was time to get up and play. The bottom picture is the look I'm getting a lot of with my camera. She will be smiling and laughing and we just can't seem to get it on the picture. Our cameras have a light flash before the picture actually takes and I think it startles her. So, we get this look from her which does not show her vibrant personality. I can't wait for all of you to meet her.





Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Orphanage Visit

On Tuesday, we went to Dongguan to visit the orphanage where Emme has spent the last 13 months. I was surprised to see how nice the orphanage was. It looked like a small resort compared to the area around it. My guide told me that it was one of the nicer orphanages managed by the government in China. He said they are very proud of this place and what it offers abandoned children.

When we entered the building, there was a large marble lobby. To the left was a library with lots of childrens books for the families currently fostering some of the children from the orphanage. From the lobby, we went up a flight of stairs to the area where Emme stayed. We saw about 30 babies in cribs. To my surprise, only one baby was crying. The director immediately went to pick her up. The nannies were running around doing the noon feedings and were thrilled to see Emme. They were all touching her with warm smiles, trying to have her come to them. She would reach out with one hand, look and me and pull her hand back. She didn't want to go to them. I could tell that her nannies loved her a lot. I got their email address and promised to send updates with pictures. It was an emotional day, thinking that a week earlier, Emme was one of these babies. Anyway, I could tell she was happy to leave with me. As we got in the car, she gave me a huge smile and sang (well, we think it was singing). She is such a happy little girl.

We filmed the orphanage with the video camera and only got 4 actual pictures. The first photo is of her crib where she slept. The second is with her main nanny. I didn't get her name, but she is a lovely woman and actually had tears in her eyes when she saw Emme. The third picture is the place where she was found at 10 days old (in a box behind the shrubs). It is about 20 feet from the front of the local government building (picture 4). Our guide said that it looks like an ideal place to put a child if you want it to be discovered quickly.

Anyway, I'll post more soon. Sorry for the delay of updating the blog. Emme is active and the only time I have to post is after she goes to bed and I usually fall asleep then too.












Friday, November 21, 2008

It's official

Emme is officially a DeLong girl!! We have done all of the paperwork and waiting for her visa and passport. Dec. 1st will be our last appointment and will pick up her visa on the 2nd. She is such a sweetie. She laughs, giggles and is a very happy and ACTIVE child. I think I will have my hands full-)
We have done a lot of walking around. She loves to be outside! Last night we went on the Pearl River cruise and saw all of the lights of Guangzhou. It was an hour and a half ride and she did great.
Not much to say, keeping very busy hanging with her. She has bonded beautifully with me. She is even starting to look for me and cries when I leave the room. She is a very deep sleeper. She is sleeping about 12 hours a night and even takes a nap from 12-2. I'm learning her "signs" of hunger, wet diaper and sleepy. She can sure throw a fit if I don't figure it out in time. My parents said, "she has a set of lungs on her!". She throws her head back and arches her back....and away she goes. Anyway, enjoy the pictures and I'll post more soon. Hugs to all of our family and friends.














Thursday, November 20, 2008

Monday, November 17, 2008

Hi from Beijing











We are having a fabulous time in Beijing. Great city! We fly out in about 7 hours to Guangzhou. Guangzhou is approx. a 3 hour flight. We are supposed to get Emme today, but I don't know what time. I will try posting pictures late tonight or tomorrow. In the mean time, here are some pictures of some of the things we have seen so far.