Stars and Stripes

One more step to home

Our amazing guide Grace!!! She is wonderful, patient, and so beautiful. We will miss her dearly.  

Sugar packets are fun!

Local school girls

Courtyard lining the shops

Today was our appointment for the US Consulate. It is where all of our paperwork is filed to bring Charlotte home to the USA. We also applied for her Visa. As soon as we land in Chicago via Kings Park, on Friday, Charlotte is a United States citizen. Our group did the oath together and it was quite emotional. We really have become so close on this trip, it has been a happy extended family. With all of us doing so well with our babies, we have started to relax and dare I say, it has felt almost like a vacation. All is missing is one special little boy who we miss so much. We hear he is making us proud at home, and getting his every Lego and Star Wars wishes indulged, but I can't wait to hug my first little baby!! Hugs and kisses Connor. Oh, and go do your 15 minutes of reading......

Chen Temple

Our morning at the Chen Temple

Our treasure

Red Couch Photos

Felicity, Madeline, Sophie, Charlotte, Vivian, Grace
Bottom Row Amy Lauren

Charlotte, Vivian, and Grace

Charlotte Lorraine Corcoran

What, did you think she smiled in all of them?

Post photo shoot happiness.

I will post more about today later, but wanted to get to post the Infamous Red Couch Photos at the White Swan Hotel. Every adoption group takes these pictures of their children in their traditional Chinese dress. The babies did wonderfully. The paparazzi was abuzz!!

I Heart The White Swan

After a very long delayed flight from Nanchang to Guanghzou and a wired for sound baby who wouldn't go to sleep until 1am, it was wonderful waking up in the infamous White Swan Hotel. I have heard about this hotel for many years during the wait and couldn't wait to experience it for myself and it hasn't disappointed me one bit. Oatmeal and blueberry muffins! Coffee that tasted divine. A/C in the rooms! Waterfalls in the lobby!  It goes on and on. So happy to be here.

Bliss

Uh-oh!

Taking Visa picture

Cute, cute and cute

Adorable

Today was also the medical exam for the babies. What chaos. There are so many families here adopting their children this week and we are all on similar schedules  to get thru the consulate.  Charlotte was running a low grade fever and tired from the night before so there were lots of tears. Who could blame her. But at least it is over and she was able to nap and rest most of the day. We did have lunch with the group at Lucy's, a very western restaurant.  Charlotte is having a bottle now and seems to be falling asleep on Peter's lap. Hopefully she will sleep well tonight. Sweet Dreams.

A Day Off ? Shopping!!

Writing Charlotte Lorraine

How cute is she after a bottle, nap time!

Bunny!

Chopsticks or drumsticks?

Beautiful breakfast room

We had some free time so what's a girl to do? We wanted to buy a few things from Charlotte's province to bring home for her. There is a shop right by our hotel called Tiffanies where you can pick the fabric and they will make the traditional Chinese outfit for you. We also bought a Panda scroll where the tailors stitched her American and Chinese name. Here are few pics from last night. Laura, Charlotte is wearing your outfit today!