We're Heeere!

We finally arrived in Beijing around 5pm tired, hungry and in need of some showers!  So, after checking into our room and freshening up, we set out to explore. 

We spent the evening perusing a mall and finding dinner.  It was fun being back in China and adapting to life here. 

However, we quickly remembered that pedestrians do not have the right of way when we witnessed a little girl being plowed over by a bike (luckily she wasn't hurt!).  Note to self:  Watch out for the bikes!

Our first meal in China - Yum!

Ok, don't judge us in these pictures!  We were tired and just finished a 20 plus hour voyage!  I think it is a

miracle we were still awake.

Poor Eric gave up on the chopsticks and went all American on us!

Nesting!

We all know that pregnant women nest.  Well the same goes for expectant mothers who are adopting.

I got bit by the bug the week Emmett had his surgery.  When we returned home, we were home bound for a few days as he recovered, so I took the opportunity to work on setting up Lilly and Hazel's room.  I am very pleased with the results!

My favorite part were the quilts.  It will come as a shock to most of you to learn that I MADE THEM!!!

About 6 months ago as I began shopping around for bedding, I was disappointed to learn that there was nothing that I loved.  Everything for tween aged girls was either done in pink and black skulls, or purple and turquoise rock star.  Not my style.  So I went to Etsy - the place where designing dreams come true...for a price.  $250 a quilt to be exact.  I just could not see myself spending $500 on bedding, so I took desperate measures.  I decided I would make quilts myself.

All I can say is I am so thankful for YouTube.  I have learned that I can learn to do anything through YouTube videos.  These quilts are proof!  I LOVE THEM!!!

I hope you enjoy the room as much as I do!

I love this huge dresser - just perfect for sharing!

Empty shelves waiting for Hazel's treasures!

China, Here We Come!

We are so excited to announce that we got our Consulate Appointment today!

But, I'm getting ahead of myself.  Let me back up.

On Friday the 7th we got a call from Wasatch informing us that we got our Travel Approval (TA)!  We were so excited.  This was the final step of the 14 month journey!  All we had left was to choose 5 dates that we wanted for a Consulate Appointment at the US Embassy in Guangzhou, China.

After a lengthy discussion, we decided that we would ask for September 27th.  We knew it was a long shot.  For several reasons.  First, it was only 20 days away which meant we would have to leave in just 7 days.  Second, it was the last appointment before the whole of China shuts down for about 2 weeks to celebrate The Moon Festival.  And third, it was really short notice to make arrangements: Plane tickets, hotel reservations, Eric's work, school, Grandma and Granddad Sharp, etc.  It seemed crazy to request that date.

But, we did.  We knew that if we didn't get to go in September then we would have to wait until November to go because of scheduling conflicts in October. 

And of course, against all the odds, we got it!

I actually sort of knew we would get it because it seems like most things in our lives end up being done in the craziest, most inconvenient manner.  Why should this be any different?

So, we leave for China in just 4 days.

We get to meet Hazel on Monday, September 17, 2012.

She becomes a US citizen on Thursday, September 27, 2012.

We bring her home on Sunday, September 30, 2012. 

Luckily, I feel totally prepared since I had the round of nesting right after Emmett's surgery.  And of course, we have done this before.  Experience brings confidence.  So, I know we can do this!

We can do this!

What a Stinker!

Looks like the swelling went down in Emmett's legs and he can now get his little fingers in there to scratch.  The result: he needs new casts! 

Before

After

Much Better!

Emmett's Surgery

Today was Emmett's surgery.  We are hoping it will be the last.

He had some major reconstruction done today.  It included having tendons moved/stretched in his right foot, breaking and resetting some fused bones in the same foot, and (my personal favorite) rotating the shin bones in BOTH legs.

He has casts on both legs for 6 weeks.  Plus he has permanent plates and pins in each shin.  The doctor assures me he will not set off metal detectors...we shall see.

Of course, Emmett did beautifully.  He was as cute as ever and won the hearts of all the nurses in Recovery and on his floor.  He really is a lady killer!

Matching bracelets!

A kiss for luck

Post surgery and looking adorable!

Even Patrick the Panda got in on the action!

Enjoying a Popsicle

Personalized door sign made by a volunteer

Check out those beauties!

It only took about 2 minutes for him to master the wheelchair that he will have for the next 6 weeks!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to our Hazel!!!

She is now 8 years old! 

We love you!

A New Name!

I know we told everyone in the world that Yue Lan's name was going to be Elizabeth Jane. 

But that was, like, months ago!  And we got tired of that name.  So, we have been tossing names around for the past few months. 

I have always like Hazel; Eric has always thought it sounded like a witch's name.

Until yesterday.

We finally had to make a decision - a name was needed for her immigration paperwork.

What would it be? 

I asked Eric what we should put down and he casually responded "Hazel."

"What?"  I shrieked.  "Why?  You hate that name!"

"It's been growing on me over the past few months.  I like it now."

"Are you sure?"  I asked suspiciously.  "I don't want you to just give in and accept a name you hate."

"No, really I like it.  I want it to be Hazel."

"Ok, then"  I replied and filled in the paper work before he could change his mind;)

So, our newest daughter's official name is Hazel Yue Lan Sharp!