Trip to Xiang Yin County Social Children’s Welfare Institute

Today was an emotional day—we didn’t know how Charlotte would react to returning to the only home she’s ever known. We had decided that we would take Charlotte into the orphanage, as we knew the visit would be very short and wouldn’t likely cause any irreparable damage.

The director met us on our way to the orphanage to stop off at the department store to help us select an air conditioning unit that our children’s families are donating to the children’s playroom.

When we arrived, we were greeted by the officials. Several people and workers fussed over Charlotte and called her by name. A few asked to hold her, but she fussed and was returned to us. Introductions were made in a little waiting room. We were then invited to visit the room where the children slept and to meet the nannies who looked after our children. The director pointed out where Charlotte slept (the middle bed in the photo of three beds in a row). I’m curious as to how they kept her in this crib, as it is not as deep as the one we have in the hotel room and she climbed out of it the second night she was with us.

We met Charlotte’s nanny and presented her with a gift. I wrote a letter of love to the nanny that our guide translated for me and attached it to the gift. She read the letter and was very appreciative.

This orphanage has only one room of children, which is located on the 8th floor—our 3 who were adopted and the rest of the beds were filled with special needs children, mostly mentally challenged. This building is also used as an old age home. This orphanage has 30-40 children in its care; however, most of them are in the foster care program. These children must return to the orphanage once a month for a check-up.

This visit was really quite upsetting, at least for me; however, Charlotte seemed so disengaged from it all. She just observed everyone and didn’t get upset.

We then returned to the meeting area and enjoyed tea and watermelon with the key officials. We met a lot of key people but I can’t remember their names or titles right now. I did wonder why so much attention was being showered on us. The officials could stop thanking us and asking us to help improve relations between Canada and China.

Gifts were then presented to the director, vice-director, and for all the staff and nannies to share.

We were invited to have lunch with the high official—we went to a restaurant where we tasted a lot of local favourites and specialties: shrimp from local river, duck soup, eel. There were a lot of things that we didn’t try. It was difficult to fit so many people around the round table in a small room. The highest official in the area then joined us for lunch. It was quite an event. Of course, the girls were totally oblivious to all the hierarchy and power that was in attendance. They just wanted to be fed.

We then went to each child’s place of finding: outside the civil affairs office for the county (Luanna), outside the gov’t offices (Kate), and outside the gate of the orphanage (Charlotte). A woman walking on the sidewalk in front of the orphanage was quite taken with Charlotte and wanted to hold her. She had tears in her eyes as she spoke to her. People around didn’t translate for her so we can only guess what her story might be.

We returned home emotionally exhausted late in the afternoon. It was a good day and well worth all the tears that mommy shed. Not all travel groups get the chance to return to their daughters’ orphanage, so I feel really blessed for the experience but at the same time I’m extremely saddened. I’m really glad that Charlotte is ours forever and that she’ll never have to spend another day in the orphanage again. I found the experience in the children’s room to be a little overwhelming with sadness for those mentally challenged children left behind.

Trip to the park

We apparently have quite a walker—Charlotte hasn’t shown any signs of wanting to walk in our hotel room, so we thought perhaps she's just standing and perhaps may do a little cruising. Not so. We met our group down in the lobby of the hotel to go to a park. I went off to the washroom. I returned to the group in the lobby to see Charlotte beetle right past me on foot. She's not just strolling, she's walking briskly. I don't think it will be long before she's running. Unfortunately, I think Charlotte is slightly bow-legged. Hopefully this will improve with age.

The families travelled to their orphanage that is 6 hours away. The rest of the group went to a beautiful park. It was extremely hot, even in the shade. It was nice to take the girls out of the hotel for the morning.

We had a late dinner at the hotel buffet—it had a lot of things that I wouldn’t even consider trying: snake, turtle, duck’s tongue, eel.

Tomorrow is a big day—we’re visiting the orphanage our daughter resided in.

Charlotte has arrived!

Wow! What a day! We arrived slightly early at CCAA offices. There were a couple of families in the office who had just received their children. As soon as I walked into the room, the three children from our orphanage were immediately to my left. I think my heart skipped a beat and then the tears started to flow. The process could not commence until the two babies that had to travel 6 hours away arrived. I left like a child who was allowed to enter a candy store and told that she cannot touch. I just wanted to run over and scoop up Charlotte. The children sat so patiently. We’re not sure if they even understood what was going on.



Charlotte is dressed in the little dress that we sent to her through Ann at Red Thread China. The orphanage provided her with new pink shoes—I guess mommy and baby are going to share a signature colour. Well… I guess I helped that a little, as I asked Ann to purchase a red or pink dress for Charlotte and she sent one with both colours.

Once the official delivery of the children began, it all went so fast. Thankfully we hired a professional videographer to capture everything for us. We still tried to take as many photos and tape as much as we could.








After returning from the CCAA office, we had about 45 minutes to get to know our daughter in our hotel room before we had to reconvene in a meeting room to complete the necessary paperwork for today's agenda—adoption is finalized. Charlotte fell asleep in the meeting. I thought she would go down when we returned to the room; however, she didn't. For the first day since we arrived in China I was more than ready for bed. We played with her and fed her and then put her down. I was close behind her. I was able to get about 5 hours sleep last night. I have a wicked headache--partly from the sleepless nights and partly from the thunder storm we have right now. I sent Dave out in the rain to find something that is open to buy drinks and munchies—he's returned unsuccessful. Right now Dave is sitting on the side of the bed watching Charlotte sleep—he is such a good father.




Today is another big day—payment to be made, solemn oath and promise to China's official that we will never abuse or neglect our child and that we will do everything to give her the best life possible. I think today is going to be very emotional. In general, I think Charlotte is adjusting quite well—every once in a while, she has a little whimper with little tears. She even gave a little giggle to Dave last night.

We are so very blessed.

Just hours away from Charlotte!

We arrived in Changsha yesterday afternoon—it was a rather emotionally strenuous day for me. We are so close and yet the waiting continues. (I can feel the heart strings pulling—it could also be the awful pollution here.) At least now, we are in the same province that Charlotte resides. It is incredibly hot and humid here—I’m not sure that we’re going to walk on the streets all that often. With the heat and humidity, coupled with the exhaust fumes and pollution, it is rather uncomfortable.

We continue to meet other families that receive their children on Monday—most are special needs families. Families are fairly easy to point out. We all have a glow about us and a yearning to love one of China’s greatest treasures—their beautiful girls.

Last night, a few of us went out for dinner. Some of the food was a little spicy, which Hunan is known for. I enjoyed some Chinese beer in the hopes of encouraging sleep. I also had an hour traditional Chinese massage. I can report that both were unsuccessful inducing sleep. I’m not doing too badly given the lack of sleep. My worry is that I’ll want to sleep when I’m supposed to be awake once Charlotte is here. I think I’ll be relying on my family a lot to help us through the first few weeks upon our return.

We just returned from the Bank of China, exchanging our currency into Chinese Yuan. Only a little more than 2 hours until our first meeting with our daughter (3:30 pm). Time is weighing very heavy on us—time seems to be moving so slowly. The crib was delivered to the hotel room last night, so the room is all ready for our delivery. So now we wait.

We’ll try to post an entry and photos as soon as we can, but we’ll have to work around our daughter’s comfort quotient.

We just received approval from CCAC to tour the orphanage this week.

We’re off to Changsha, Hunan

Yesterday, we went to the Beijing zoo—I have never ever seen so many people in one place at the same time. I’ll share some photos later of the line-ups (used loosely) to purchase admission tickets. We were the entertainment for the locals—I’m not sure how often they see a tall blonde. I received quite a few looks and one couple and their child asked if they could have their photo taken with me. I was told later that some likely speculate that I’m a movie star.

Last night, all 5 families and our guide Thomas met up at a wonderful dumpling restaurant. Even though most of us were sleep deprived, there was a lot of energy and love for our daughters in the room. After dinner, a few of us walked to Walmart—very similar and yet different from what we are used to at home. We purchased more diapers to leave at the hotel for when we return to Beijing.

Another somewhat sleepless night; however, now it’s only 1 more sleep until we meet our daughter.

This morning we leave Beijing for Changsha, Hunan—I believe the duration of the flight is 2 hours and 10 minutes. The baggage limits for domestic flights are much more restricted. Fortunately, the hotel in Beijing has offered to lock up extra luggage for our return visit in 6 days.

Updated Photos of Charlotte

We received updated photos of Charlotte just moments ago. How timely, as time weighs heavy on our hearts and minds while we are so close and yet so far away from her. Just 3 more sleeps until we can hold her in our arms and never, ever let her go.

Arrived in China

We’re here, with all luggage intact! Wow! It’s hot, sticky, and humid.

The flight was great—it hardly felt like 12+ hours, as I was able to sleep a lot. The flight attendants were excellent—they kept us fed and hydrated. I tried to watch the same movie 3 times, but kept falling asleep. I managed to read 10 pages of my book and fell asleep again. I know I won’t have this luxury on the flight back.

We’re staying at the Renaissance Hotel in Beijing—it’s absolutely beautiful.



Despite going to bed at 10:30 the night we arrived, we were wide awake at 2:30 am. After laying in bed for some time, unable to sleep, we decided to get up. At 7 am ,we went to Starbuck’s for coffee. For the most part, the city was still asleep. In a few hours it will be quite busy—cars, buses, motorcycles, bicycles, and people will be travelling in all different directions.

We’re trying to adjust to China time—for the most part, we’re okay, but we get waves of sleepiness, partly due to the humidity and pollution. My breathing is quite shallow while walking outside—I can feel a slight heaviness in my chest. We’re told that breathing will be a lot easier when we return to Beijing for the 2nd leg of the trip after spending 6 days in Hunan where the humidity and temperatures are considerably higher.

It’s hard to see the sun for all the haze. This week, Beijing is expecting a break in their heat wave—it should be in the low 30s; however, Hunan is still expected to be in the low 40s.

Time is weighing heavy on our hearts and mind—we can hardly wait to meet our daughter. We’re told that the meeting is scheduled for Monday at 3:30 pm—that’s 3:30 am your time. I should be bruised for the number of times I’ve asked Dave to pinch me and wake me up from this dream—but it’s real. I can’t believe we’re finally here and preparing to welcome our daughter into our family.

At breakfast in the hotel restaurant, we met 3 families who are returning home today with their daughters with special needs—one has a hole in her heart and one was born without a left arm. It’s easy to see that these families are totally in love with their daughters. All the girls seem to be really well adjusted with their new families—these children were in the foster care system, not orphanages.

It’s just 3 more sleeps until we meet and hold Charlotte for the very first time and promise to love and care for her forever.