I am happy to report the travelers will be home tomorrow afternoon. I'd like to ask everyone reading this to pray for a safe journey for Melinda, her Mom, and baby Katie. It will be a long flight with a babe in arms. Most of us know how stressful that can be. Melinda has fulfilled a personal dream to be a Mom and have a family of her own, but more than that, she has given a future to this most prescious angel. All of us Moms know what a sacrifice motherhood can be. It is a lifetime commitment full of sorrow and joy. Bless you Melinda for what you have done. I am here to help you every step of the way. Thank you for trusting me with your blog. I've enjoyed doing it. Love you very much!!

good morning everyone-
Katie is taking her mid morning nap so I can get on the computer. Yesterday a trip to the zoo was made. Lots of tigers, lions, elephants, giraffes(5), large cats, zebras but lots of uphill walking and Mom hurt her knee- hopefully, it will be better today. Took a nap after the zoo- it was very hot outside with lots of humidity.
Here is Mermaid Katie- found in the Pearl River.
Love you all-
Melinda

Hello all,
I know the travelers are very ready to come home. Baby Katie is to get her visa to the United States today, which I think is still tomorrow in China, Lol. I know a visit to the zoo was made and everyone had a good time in spite of the heat. The new grandmother called home this morning and said they were all getting kind of board. I know this blogger will be happy to get them back home. It's my understanding that the journey home begins Wednesday of this coming week and includes connections in Hong Kong and Tokyo. That's all I know for now. More to follow as it becomes available. Janet

Hello all-
One more week and we will be home. China is kinda boring. We have visited all the shops on the island. Since the rate of adoptions has slowed, there is less tourist travel here and a lot of restaurants have closed. We have had difficulty finding someplace to eat. Subway is about our only option. There is a deli next door to the hotel, but I have not eaten there. Breakfast is our main meal.

Katie is wonderful Happy Baby. Except when you try to give her a Cherrio- then she has a major meltdown. She is content on live on a bottle of rice cereal and milk. No solid foods. Not interested in trying a banana.

She does not like to sit in a high chair. The guide took us to try every day. Tomorrow, we bring a blanket to help support her in the high chair.

She sleeps through the night

Attached please find a photo of her sleeping. Please note the condition of her crib. It is just a board of wood. Then she pulls off the sheets when she plays in her crib.

Today went to the physician's clinic for the physical No issues. Going to the Chinese passport this afternoon. The Chinese folk check everything and double check and triple check the same documents.
Please note that because of censorship, I cannot access Facebook or Blogspot so if you send me a message I cannot receive it.

Love you all-
Melinda

Katie was not happy for a while today. She cried for about an hour before she calmed. Mom made her a bottle. And then we went down for paperwork. Went and got a sandwich. She loves the rings that I had bought. She is now sleeping - she didn't want a second bottle. The cribs are old and almost no mattress, she has hit her head on the crib twice today.

Happy Happy Day

Hello everyone-
Woke up at 3- still on Toledo time. Went down to the gym and walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes. Then mom and I went to breakfast at the buffet at the hotel. Food was good. We went on a city tour of Hong Kong- went up to Victoria's Peak - but it was rainy and vision was limited. Saw Jackie Chan's house. Very opulent. Went on a boat ride- called a saipan- at Aberdeen- saw a lot of fisherpeople's houseboats. Went to lunch at a chinese restaurant. Everyone is very nice and friendly. Our guide, Matthew tries to please everyone. Here is a photo of our group in the lobby of the hotel.

Love you all-
Melinda

This is Melinda's friend Janet happy to report that Melinda and Mother, Jean-Ann, have savely made it to Hong Kong after an ok flight, but somewhat crappy food. Their bodies are still on Toledo time, but all is well. More later as it become available.

Congratulations Melinda! The following is updated information on Song, Xiao Jie born on 07/23/2010

More Packing

More packing and more packing. My buddies Katie and Heather came over and helped sort through the many things that I had set aside to take. Thanks so much for your help.

Packing

Packing, repacking, reorganizing and rethinking I am bringing too much

followers

I would like to get Katie an exersaucer or a walker, but everyone I look at has lots of do-dads- as you see, Katie's walker in this photo is pretty plain. .

Baby Katie on the Floor

new

Debra wrote:
"Any new on when you are leaving?"

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Travel Approvals

Great news- got my travel approvals to travel on May 12 and return on May 25.