The Day is Here!

It's still the middle of the night here but surprise surprise, I can't sleep. Even with a sleeping pill.

We had a great day yesterday. We took a cab to Shaiman Island. This is the the island that the Chinese allowed Europeans to use as a shipping/trading post years ago. For some reason, the European architecture survived the cultural revolution so it's a beautiful and historical place to visit. This is also where the White Swan is, the famed "White Stork" where foreigners have been coming to stay for over a decade to adopt. They are doing renovations and since the U.S. Consulate moved off the island, our agency decided for us to stay at the Westin during the renovations. The area surrounding the White Swan is completely geared for families adopting with all kinds of little baby shops. We decided we would get a head start on some shopping but picked up only a few things. We know we'll be back again to buy Magnolia much much more.

It was like 100 degrees and the humidity stifling. We peeked our heads inside a park to see groups of 4 Chinese people talking as they were playing a kind of hacky sack....where you kick a little ball in the air from one person to the next. I turned to come back out seeking some shade until I realized George wasn't behind me...instead I saw this big 6ft.2. guy playing the game with them! It was a sight I won't forget. Of course, they wanted to sell him one. He bought a hot pink and purple one for Magnolia to give to her when she's older. :) He also picked out the most adorable bright yellow leather crib shoes, like mary janes with appliqued apples on the them and little bells on the straps, they are adorable! Hopefully she'll fit into them now.

We had lunch at the Bridge and the Cow, a Thai restaurant and met the most adorable family adopting their daughter, we had fun talking with them.

Yesterday we met everyone in our group. Our guides took us out for dinner to let us get to know each other. While it was very exciting, it was very emotional for me. This experience is blowing my mind and it's hard putting words to the emotions right now. Another experience that will change me forever, beyond becoming a mother.

We have a group meeting at 10:30am. We pick up our daughters at 4pm! Simon, our guide, is going to take us shopping beforehand to get formula, diapers, and whatever else. All I can think of is Magnolia waking up in the orphanage, getting her last bath, getting dressed, and carried onto a bus where an auntie will hold her for the 3 hour bus ride to get here. She has no idea what is about to happen... Time cannot pass soon enough for us!

12 hours from now we should have Magnolia and it's 5pm in the U.S. right now so by tomorrow morning keep checking our blog. I will post the news as soon as I can!

Signing off for the last time as the Judy Family of 2! :)