Sarah's Story

2011-02-06T16:19:00.001-08:00

Now fast forward to Christmas 2010...and she puts me in the SAME red dress! Can you believe it? And then she takes MORE pictures. Thankfully she isn't showing you all of the pictures she took.

Same dress, different me! First off, I have hair! Whoo whoo!

I am 6 inches taller.

I speak English.

I can count to ten in both English and Chinese.

I know my numbers and colors.

It has been a busy year for me.

You, know...I make this red dress look good!

Christmas now and then

2011-02-06T11:08:00.000-08:00

Well, I got here last year....exactly one week and one day before Christmas. One of the first dresses my mama bought for me was a fancy red dress. She took a bunch of pictures of me in it. I posed next to the Christmas tree and in front of the Christmas tree. Then mama sat me on the bay window bench for more shots.

Cute, huh?

Now fast forward to Christmas 2010...and she puts me in the SAME red dress! Same dress, different me! first off, I have hair! Whoo whoo!

I am also 6 inches taller and I understand English.....I can even speak words in English! It has been a busy year for me.

For some reason, my mama cannot upload my new pics.....she will try again later.

sfz

Me and My Dog

2010-10-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

I have a dog. His name is Gibson. Gibson is a black, standard poodle.

I wasn't too sure about him when I first got home, but I gradually got used to him. I think he started getting used to me too.

Maybe Gibson started liking me because he figured out that I would give him bits of food when Mama wasn't looking!

Or maybe it was because he liked my toys. That dog is always trying to steal my stuffies!

Gibson likes to play ball. Well, he likes to steal the ball from me.

Gibson is getting really good at eating off of my fork. Who knew that doggies liked veggies?

I do love my doggie!

Inside or outside, we have a great time.

May 2010

2010-10-03T04:51:00.000-07:00

I have been home for almost five months. I understand pretty much everything my Mama and my Papa say to me. I am not ready to tell them anything yet, but they don't seem to mind. I manage to get what I want when I want it.

Life is getting VERY interesting. It is also much warmer outside and I have been exploring my yard, even in the rain. There are tulips in the garden and dandelions in the grass. The best thing about dandelions is when the yellow flower turns white and I can blow it!

There is lots of music going on in our house. My Mama teaches kids how to play the violin. Sometimes I get to watch their lessons...if I don't make too much noise. My Mama made me a violin out of a little box. I know how to balance my violin on my shoulder and do the A E A song/dance. My Mama has a real violin for me to play when I get bigger. Not sure why she won't let me play it now...she keeps it up really high on a shelf where I can't reach. Oh well, I will have to make do with my box for now!

My Papa plays in a Classic Rock band with some of his friends. They practice in my house every week. Mike, the keyboard player always says something to me to make me smile when he walks in the door. Brian, one of the guitar players gives me a high five when he comes up from practice. Jason, the bass player gives me a knuckle bump and John, the drummer, lets me sit on the throne and whack the drums! My Papa has let me talk into the mic and hear my voice come out of the speakers REALLY loud! Fun! Most of the time though, I just dance to their tunes!

I have to say that life is good.

sfz

April 2010

2010-09-26T06:38:00.000-07:00

Mama was very excited when I started stacking blocks. Not sure why...but I do enjoy stacking things. I also love making music! Mama bought me a harmonica in April.

The weather got warmer and we were able to play outside more. I love playing with my Papa! He is tons of fun!

I got better at my dance class. I especially enjoy tap. Those tap shoes make lovely loud sounds! Did I mention how much I like music? I am the one in blue. My friend, Karen is in the red dress.

March 2010

2010-09-26T06:22:00.000-07:00

I started school in March. I go to a school just down the street from my Mama's school. My class is called Little Lambs and my teachers are Miss Stacy and Miss Ceresa. I wasn't too sure about my Mama leaving me at first, but now I am okay with it.

I also learned about Easter eggs. I invited three friends to color eggs and then have a egg hunt on Saturday. Mama took lots of pictures of the hunt, but forgot to turn on her camera for the egg coloring. I think she was trying to keep us from coloring each other!

Mama made an egg hunt for me on Easter Sunday. I love my Easter dress!

I've Been Home Nine Months!

2010-09-26T06:17:00.000-07:00

As of 9 days ago, I have been home nine months! I am doing great, but have been very busy!

I have so much to tell you since my last post in February. I think I will write a bit about each month....complete with pics. Just to get you caught up!

sfz

February 2010

2010-03-06T08:51:00.000-08:00

February started off with parties! Lots of parties. First, my whole family, Mama, Papa, Gibson (the dog) and I went to our friend's house for a Superbowl Party. We ate hamburgers, (didn't like them), macaroni salad (loved that), beans (yummy) and chips (I ate a few). After dinner, the boys (the dads and the dogs) went in to watch the Superbowl. I watched for a few minutes, but was more interested in exploring the Witz' house.

The next day I went to a birthday party for my friend Maddee. Now that was a fun party! I ate birthday cake for the first time. I discovered that I like cake! I also jumped in this jumping house thingy.

My Mama forgot the camera, so no photos. Here is a photo of me and Maddee playing the piano together!

Then, the next weekend was the biggest party of all, Chinese New Year! I had a ball! I played games, ate as much Chinese food as my little tummy could hold and watched a program. The rest of the photos are of the party....oh, the little boy in one of the pics was my first kiss! He kept grabbing me to kiss me. Mama was very slow on the camera and could not get her finger to push the little button fast enough to get him in action!

Mama went back to work on February 22 and I had to go to child care. I wasn't too happy the first week, but, now I am fine with it.

January 2010

2010-02-01T09:21:00.000-08:00

I have been home six weeks! There have been so many "firsts" this month, I don't really know where to start.....

First friend

I have a friend named Karen. She lives on my street. I play with her several times each week. Her grandparents watch her while her mama goes to work. They only speak Chinese. I understand more of what they say than Mama does. Karen and I have fun sliding, playing ball and running around her house.

First trip to the Public Library

I played with puzzles, looked at books and climbed up to the reading nook. I have since been back to the library to check out books.

First time dancing with my Papa

My Mama signed me up for a dance class on Saturday mornings. My teacher is a good friend of my parents. We dance in ballet slippers and tap shoes. My favorite dance is the scarf dance. Our teacher gives us all scarves and we wave them around in time to the music. My friend, Karen joined my dance class with me. Her mama dances with her!

First trip to the Children's Museum

Mama and I went to the museum with some friends from church. I shopped at the kid's grocery store, played with computers and knocked down block towers.

First ride on a merry-go-round

I wasn't sure that sitting atop a wooden horse was such a good idea. Then everything began to move and I realized that this ride had it all! I can't wait to ride again.

First swim

Mama & Papa took me to the YMCA to try out swimming. What were they thinking? Me, in water???? I let them know right away what I thought by hanging onto Mama's neck with my famous death grip and yelling really loud. But my crazy parents persisted and in a few minutes I let go and splashed water. I went to the pool the other day. I liked floating in the pool with Mama. Now I can't wait to go again.

I had a great January. So did Mama. She took more than 200 pictures of me. I hope you enjoyed the few she posted.

Now on with February!

Happy Birthday Big Brother!

2010-01-06T13:41:00.000-08:00

Today is my brother's birthday. Happy Birthday Dave! Today he is 23. Dave came home for a few days over Christmas. He is a great brother! I really miss him. I can't wait to see him again. Yesterday I found a picture of him in the study and it made me very happy! Mama says we will go visit him soon.

Today is also my half-birthday.
Today I am 18 months old. Hooray!

I'm Home!

2009-12-24T08:55:00.000-08:00

Well, I have been home almost one week and I am getting used to my new life. I met my papa (who is very cool) and try to spend as much time as I can playing with him.

I found out, to my great surprise, that I have a dog. His name is Gibson. Even though he bigger than me, I have no trouble pushing him around. I am learning to pet him gently and he is learning to let me pet him.

We cut down our Christmas tree the other day and I had a ride on my sled. It was very cold that day!

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

Day 13 – Our last full day in Guangzhou and my last post in China

2009-12-16T17:26:00.000-08:00

December 15 – Today was our last full day in Guangzhou. After breakfast we walked over to Sha Mian Island to do a bit of shopping. We were just coming out of a shop when we bumped into a family we had met in Lanzhou. They are from Chicago and are with a different adoption agency from us. We visited their hotel room at the Victory Hotel and then they came by a visited our room in the Holiday Inn. We showed them the pet store street on the way to our hotel.

While we were walking back to our hotel, it started to rain. Bummer. I wanted to see those kitties again, but they were all covered up to keep them dry. Mama took some pictures of me and Julia playing. After Julia and her parents left, I took a short nap. My Mama woke me up way before I was ready and dragged me downstairs to meet the rest of the families in our group. It was time to go to the American Consulate and finalize our visas.

I will be traveling to the US as citizen of China. My mama had to take an oath to get my visa for me….obviously, I don’t speak English yet. When I get to the US, my dad (who couldn’t travel with us) will have to adopt me before I can become an American citizen. Then I will get my US passport. Hooray! Even though my mama was happy to be at the American Consulate, I found it very boring and almost fell asleep….remember I didn’t finish my nap. I was ready to get on our bus and head for our Pearl River cruise.

The Pearl River is colorful at night. We ate at beautifully decorated tables while watching brightly colored buildings and boats go by. About halfway through the cruise a girl came out on the floor, dressed as a clown. She was a talented juggler! I tried to get close to her by wiggling out of my mama’s arms and running toward her. My mama is very quick and caught up to me. She held me much tighter after that! Hmmm, maybe I will learn to juggle, it looked fun. I fell asleep on the ride home and didn’t even wake up when Mama changed me into my pjs. I guess missing that nap did me in.

Tomorrow we leave Guangzhou. We will be taking a train to Hong Kong with the other families on our trip. Then, the next morning we fly out of Hong Kong to HOME. My mama is not looking forward to 15 hours in the air and a four hour layover before boarding a plane to Rochester. I don’t know why… I like to travel. J

I hope you have enjoyed reading about my adventures this past week. I hope to keep posting after I get home….but not every day. See you soon!

Day 12 – Consulate Appointment Day and a free afternoon

2009-12-16T17:04:00.001-08:00

December 14: I am getting more and more used to my Mama and I am not screaming quite so much Today was our Consulate Appointment. Our local guide and our trip guide went to the American Consulate for the appointment while Mama waited in the hotel room. She had to wait there just in case there were any problems with my paperwork. I did not want to be cooped up in the hotel room, so Aunt Terry and I went out to explore Guangzhou. We returned at noon and I went down for my nap.

After my nap, we met the other families in our group and walked over to the Pearl Market. Guangzhou is known for pearls. I wasn’t too interested in the long strands of shiny pearls, so my Aunt Terry took me for a walk in the mall. I am getting very good at climbing stairs, so while Mama shopped for pearls, I practiced my stair stepping skills (holding tightly to Aunt Terry’s finger).

Aunt Terry wanted to buy a tablecloth, so after Mama was done spending money on pearls, Guilan took us on a hunt for a tablecloth. First we went to the cloth section of the mall we were in. It was one floor up from the pearl section. No tablecloths, only clothing. Guilan asked one of the shop girls about where we could buy a table cloth and the girl gave us some vague directions. The directions were so vague that Guilan requested a hand drawn map. We left the building and headed down a busy street. We walked and walked and walked. Finally we arrived at the market area where we could buy tablecloths. Mama and Aunt Terry recognized where we were; we were across the street from the grocery store they had been shopping in earlier this week!

I enjoy our trips out of the hotel. Everyone comments on how well behaved I am. I sit quietly in my stroller and look at everything. There is so much to see and smell! Sometimes I get sleepy and have been known to take a little nap while Mama or Aunt Terry pushes me. There is a street near to our hotel that sells pets. All kinds of pets: dogs, cats, bunnies, turtles, fish and birds. They sell all types of pet supplies including dog food and doggies clothing! We even saw chicks and baby ducks for sale. I wasn’t too keen on the chicks and ducks….they jumped at me when I looked into their box. I think I liked the kitties the best.

Day 11 – Shopping and a visit to the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees

2009-12-13T19:58:00.001-08:00

December 13 – In the morning, Mama, Aunt Terry and I went to the market to buy more formula for me. We walked five or six blocks through very crowded streets lined with vendors selling everything from shoes and clothing to strange looking food (well, it was strange looking to my mama). It was very noisy with vendors yelling from their stores, bicycle bells and loud music blaring. There were lots of interesting smells as well.

We had to go to the second floor of a large building to reach the market. My mama had a bit of paper with the name of my formula written in Chinese. A very nice shop girl helped find it and we bought one for us and one for Jenny. Jenny and I really like our Chinese formula. Guilan, our guide, says it is very good formula and we were very lucky that we were given it by our orphanage.

On our way out of the grocery store we saw fruit. I LOVE bananas. So we got a bunch for lunch. Mama thought I might like Kiwi fruit (I didn’t), so she bought three. We got up to the checkout and the girl told us that we needed to weigh the fruit first. We went back into the produce area and saw the weighing station. A woman was standing behind a small counter with a scale. She was weighing vegetables. The next woman in line had several brown eggs that needed to be weighed. Then it was our turn. She weighed our fruit, slapped a sticker on it (I also like stickers) and handed the bags back to us. We walked back to the checkout and paid for our purchases.

In the afternoon we visited the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. The temple is called the Liurong Temple. It has a long and interesting history. I liked the very tall pagoda in the middle. Even though my mama was interested in the cultural relics of the temple, I was more interested in running around the courtyards and climbing up and down the steps. Mama gave up trying to take pictures of the various statues and chased me around with her camera. All of that running made me very tired and I fell asleep on the bus ride back. I was so tired that I didn’t even wake up when Mama put me down for a nap.

In the evening we strolled along the pedestrian street just outside of our hotel. All of the shops we open and the neon signs made the street very colorful. I watched people shopping, eating and taking pictures. I was too full after dinner (steamed egg, rice and noodles: Singapore style) to do much else.

Day 10 – Medical Exam Day

2009-12-13T05:36:00.000-08:00

December 12 – Before I can apply for an American visa, I have to have a health exam. I did this today. Jenny and I (and our families) boarded a bus bound for the medical offices. It was a long bus ride; we could have walked there quicker. It was hot and crowded in the medical office. We had to stand in a long line with other American parents and their newly adopted children. I was ok with being weighed, having my head measured and having my hearing checked. I was not okay with the doctor checking my mouth.

Mama was not feeling well all day. She had a terrible headache. So Aunt Terry and I wandered the streets around the hotel and looked at all the interesting shops. There is so much to look at here! It is also very warm and I don’t have to wear my winter coat.

Later in the day, Mama was feeling better, so we decided we would find a place to eat supper. We chose a Thai restaurant a short walk from the hotel. Actually it was very close to the medical offices we visited earlier in the day. Now I realize that walking would have been quicker, but I am glad we took the bus because it was easier on my mama and the other families.

I am enjoying our hotel. It is the Holiday Inn. The room is huge and I have lots of room to play! Our window looks out over a walking street. It is very colorful and it is fun to watch the people walking, shopping and eating.

Day 9 – Travel Day

2009-12-13T05:35:00.002-08:00

December 11 – Today we got ready to travel to Guangzhou. We couldn’t leave until our local guide had picked up my Chinese passport. It took three days for it to be ready. My mama says that my picture on my passport is really cute.

While we waited for Sally (our local guide) to bring my passport to the hotel, my Aunt Terry took me for a ride on the escalator in the hotel. We went up and down and up and down. I really enjoy riding the escalator! I even tried to stand myself (with Aunt Terry’s help of course) for a few rides.

The airport was an hour and a half drive from our hotel. I fell asleep, but was ready to run around once we arrived at the terminal. My Aunt Terry took me for a long walk. We saw lots of interesting people and a man playing with a remote controlled helicopter.

Our plane was delayed about an hour. But once we got in the air I fell asleep. I woke up when I smelled food. Did I mention that I LOVE to eat? Anyway, my mama ordered noodles for herself, but she ended up sharing most of them with me. Did I mention that noodles are one of my favorite foods? I am very good at eating noodles.

We arrived at our hotel in Guangzhou really late, after 11:30. My mama was very tired, but she decided to make me take another bath before giving me my bottle. I think we feel asleep after midnight.

Day 8 – I take a bath

2009-12-13T05:35:00.001-08:00

December 10 – I found out what that funny orange thing in the bathroom was….it is a play area with water! I wasn’t too sure of it at first. Mama put my cups in the orange tub and let me play with them in my clothes. Then when she thought I was ready, she started to take off my clothes. Let me tell you, I was not happy about that; what in the world was she doing?

Suddenly Mama picked me up and put my feet in the warm water. Curious. I realized that my cups were floating about, so I reached down and picked them up. I was amazed that water came out of holes in the bottom of the cup! I started to enjoy playing in the water. Then, Mama tried to make me sit in the tub. No Way! I let out a big scream to let Mama know that sitting in the warm water was not for me.

Mama grabbed a wash cloth and rubbed me with it while I stood. She even made a wash cloth shower on me while I played. After a while the water began to cool and Mama lifted me out of the orange tub and wrapped me in a towel. I guess taking a bath isn’t so bad.

Day 7 – Hanging out in Lanzhou

2009-12-13T05:34:00.000-08:00

December 9 – Lanzhou is a very interesting city. The city is long and narrow, just fitting into the valley along the Yellow River in the Gansu Provence of .China. The city has an interesting history based on its geography. It was part of the Silk Road that brought China’s unique goods to Europe. It also lies between Tibet to the south and Mongolia to the north.

Even though it was really cold outside my mama bundled me up and we went with our group to the Water Wheel Park. The water wheels were invented in Lanzhou to carry water from the river to the fields. This invention was so successful, that other communites along the river began using this technology. If we had visited in the summer we could have riden on a sheepskin raft. We saw several rafts with deflated sheep skins lying near the river. I takes 13 skins to make raft. Until the first bridge was built in the early 1900’s this was the only way to cross the Yellow River. As we strooled through the park Jenny and I looked very stylish in our pink coats. Unfortunately I can’t show you any picyures yet because Mama left the memory card in the laptop and the few pictures Mama was able to take with the little bit of memory are stuck in the camera.

Instead you can see pics of me in the hotel.

Day 6 – I am Officially a Zeigler!

2009-12-10T04:45:00.000-08:00

December 8 – Today I was adopted by my mama and papa!!!!! It happened in the Civil Affairs Office with two other families. I have to say, it wasn’t much fun for me, even though my mama brought toys and books for me to play with. My mama had to sign a bunch of papers with a lot of Chinese written on them. She had to rely on Guilan to tell her what to write and where to sign. It took forever for her to write everything. Finally I put my foot down (literally) and made it all official.

One of the things I am sad about is that my papa can’t be here in China to hold me. However I do know what he looks and sounds like because I get to see him every day on Skype. I can’t wait to meet him. He looks like he will be a lot of fun to play with. I have also seen my big brother, David, on Skype. I will meet him when he comes home for Christmas.

Just around dinner time today, my aunt Terry arrived in Lanzhou. She was supposed to come in yesterday, but she missed a connecting flight in Shanghai and had to wait to fly here until today. Aunt Terry is very entertaining and I am having lots of fun with her. Speaking of dinner, I love to eat! I especially love beef noodles, a specialty in this part of China. Somehow my mama can’t always find my mouth with the spoon and gets almost as messy as me during dinner!

Day 5 – Where I meet my Mama

2009-12-09T17:42:00.000-08:00

December 7 – Today I met my mama. The people from the orphanage brought me into her hotel room. She was standing in front of the window waiting for me. She smiled at me a held me in her arms. After the people who brought me left, mama put me on the bed to take look at me. I was dressed in two layers of clothes; orange and white pajamas and a quilted red outfit.

Mama told me that I smelled good and then she kissed me. All I wanted to do was play with my stacking cups. After a while mama gave me a small bottle of water that I could carry around. She was very surprised to see how well I walked around. I even climbed into the crib that was in the room.

Then we went upstairs to visit Jenny and her family. Jenny and I came from the same orphanage. She is younger than me and doesn’t yet walk. She does pull herself up and I had a good time watching her.

My first day with my mom was pretty good…I didn’t cry too much; only right before I took a nap. I did fall asleep on the floor in Jenny’s room.

Day 4 – Beijing

2009-12-06T16:54:00.000-08:00

**A request: If you post comments on the blog, please click the box to send an email to Mom so she can see it before she comes home. She can get emails but can't see Blogspot. Thanks! **

December 6 – By today, my mom was ready to get on a plane and pick me up. Unfortunately, she had to wait until her friend’s son arrived on the 3 PM flight out of Newark. So, after two of the families left the hotel for the airport to go meet their children, my mom and the Aragona’s hung around Beijing for a few hours.
After lunch, they took a long walk. They were thankful that it wasn’t quite a cold as it had been. Mom saw a Starbucks on the way to Tiananmen Square and had to stop for a cuppa joe. It didn’t quite taste the same as home, but it was hot and lasted until Tiananmen Square.

They started back to the hotel and decided to walk back through a more traditional neighborhood instead of taking the main streets. They saw a beautiful park, bicycles, and everyday people going about their lives. They took a shortcut (not) down a Hutong, a small neighborhood pathway. Along these small streets are courtyards where many families share living quarters; one family/one room. These families may also share public bathrooms. The Hutong was like a maze and they wandered about for while, trying to find their way out. It was peaceful in the Hutong; surprising in a city of 15 million, and it was a memorable experience.

Later in the day, at 5 Pm they arrived at the airport, found Dan (Sandra’s son) and boarded the plane to come get me and Jenny!!!! Their plane landed at 10 PM. It was snowing when they landed. My mom could not get to sleep. I think she is excited about meeting me!!!

Day 3 - Forbidden City and the Summer Palace

2009-12-06T15:55:00.000-08:00

December 5: From the hotel to the southern gate of the Forbidden City was a short, but freezing cold, walk. There were fancy hotels and large digital billboards. At one of the street crossings, in front of a department store, there was a temporary sculpture of Christmas ornaments with a sax playing Santa Claus on the side. People were using it as a backdrop to photograph each other.

The Forbidden City was home to the last two dynasties; the Ming and the Ching (Qing). Twenty four emperors lived here with their wives, concubines and children. It was a place of power, intrigue and sadness. Guilan told stories about the lives of some of the inhabitants.

My mom could not believe how big the Forbidden City was. It truly was a city. First she and her friends entered the outer courtyard and took photos, thinking that the building in front of them was the only structure. I wasn’t. It was only one of many ceremonial gates. The moms-to be posed in front of the mama lion guarding an entry way.

The group left the Forbidden City by the north gate and found a small restaurant for lunch. One of the dishes they ate was noodles in soup. My mom took a picture of one of her traveling companions, who is in China to pick up her little sister, eating noodles. They had fun learning how to count to ten (very loudly) in Mandarin, Cantonese and in Guilan’s dialect. The wait staff was very entertained.

After lunch, the group boarded the bus and drove to the Summer Palace. The Summer Palace is located on a beautiful lake. Even though it was freezing cold, and the trees were bare, my mom could imagine how calming and peaceful it would be in the summer. One of the more interesting sights at the Summer Palace was the boat made from marble that the Empress had ordered made.

Day 2 – The Great Wall of China

2009-12-05T04:54:00.000-08:00

December 4: Mom and her new friends visited the Great Wall. It took a while to get there from their hotel, but it was worth every minute. The area of the Great Wall that they visited was in the mountains and there was a cable car ride up to one of the towers.

My mom met people from all over the world on top of that 6,000 kilometer long wall. She met people from Australia, Canada, Morocco, Ireland and Alaska. The girl from Alaska was wearing sandals…and the temperature was below 30 degrees!

There were vendors on the narrow roadway leading up to the wall. They were very pushy and kept trying to sell their goods to the small number of tourists brave enough to venture out in the cold weather.

The most surprising thing about the wall was how tall it wasn’t. You will be able to see this in one of the photos my mom took. My mom enjoyed her visit to the Great Wall of China. Maybe the next time she visits it won’t be quite so cold!

Day 1 - Travel to China

2009-12-04T18:01:00.000-08:00

December 2 & 3: Finally, my mom is on her way to pick me up. She left home at 4 a.m. with a backpack and two bags. First she flew to Newark, where she met up with the three other families in her travel party. Two of the families are adopting older children. The third family is adopting a baby from the same orphanage as me.

Here is a picture of my mom on the airplane, she is really excited to come get me!!!

They arrived in Beijing after thirteen hours of cramped quarters. They had no problems entering the country and as they exited Customs, they quickly found their guide, Guilan. It was 39 degrees outside, which felt really comfortable after the stuffy warmth of the airline’s cabin. The group boarded a small bus which took them into the heart of the city. They are staying at the Novotel (Peace) Hotel, a five-star hotel located on the famous Wang Fu Ching Boulevard. My mom can see a Louis Vutton store out of her 6^th floor window.

After settling into their rooms the group met in the hotel lobby to walk about one block to a restaurant to eat their first meal together. They sat in a private room with a round table in the center. On the table was a glass lazy Susan that took up most of the table. The wait staff brought in dishes one by one and set them on the lazy Susan. They ate duck, chicken, beef, pork, white rice, fried rice, eggplant, spicy green beans, eggs with tomatoes, celery with lily, broccoli and chow mein. Everything was tasty and well prepared.

After dinner the group returned to the hotel. My mom, unsuccessfully, tried to turn on the shower. She ended up taking a sponge bath before collapsing in bed.

My mom is coming to get me!

2009-12-01T05:29:00.000-08:00

Today my mom is taking a day off from work to finish packing and run last minute errands. She has to have everything packed by tonight so she doesn't have to think too much tomorrow morning. She is not too sharp in the morning.

About three weeks ago mom found out that her Travel Approval had arrived from China. She was very excited and jumped up and down when she heard the news. The Travel Approval is a document that allows her to come to China to get me! No wonder she was happy.

Unfortunately, she couldn't make plans to travel until her agency made an appointment for us at the American Consulate in Guangzhou. Finally, on November 16th she heard that the date of our Consulate Appointment was set for December 14, 2009. That was 13 days ago.

Tomorrow, at 4 o'clock in the morning (poor mom), my mom will leave the house for the airport. She will fly to Newark where she will meet up with the other families in her travel group. They will get on the airplane and ride for 13 hours until they arrive in Beijing.

She will stay in Beijing for 3 1/2 days getting over jet lag and playing tourist. Then she will get on a plane and fly to Lanzhou. I will get on a bus and travel from my home town (Wu Wei City) to Lanzhou. We will finally be together on December 7, 2009. I can't wait!!!!

My mom is hoping to post text and photos of her trip. Stop by to see what she is up to.

Hello World!

2009-10-15T03:32:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. I am Sarah. I can roll over.
I also sit by myself and pull myself to standing. My parents are excited and happy to finally see pictures of me. Now they have to wait a few more weeks before they get to hold me and take care of me.

They are hoping to have me home before Christmas!!!! I can't wait to meet my family, although I am not so sure about the dog. I hear he is very sweet....
I will keep you posted about my arrival, so stay tuned.

Where My Parents Find Out Who I Am

2009-10-13T19:09:00.000-07:00

Today at 12:30 PM, my mom and dad talked to their adoption agency who told them a little bit about me.

I was born on July 6, 2008 in the Gansu Provence of China. The Gansu Provence is close to Mongolia.

I currently have the name Wu Ao Jia. Maybe my parents will find someone who can tell them what my name means.

They are still waiting to see the papers from China that will give them more information about me...and photos they can scan and upload.

My parents are very very very happy! Their friend Sandra took a photo of their file and emailed them three small pictures of me. I think they are going a bit overboard with the multiple prints on their color printer. They promise to put up pictures soon!

Preparing to Match!!!!

2009-09-16T13:52:00.000-07:00

I am SO excited today!!!! Soon I will be matched by the CCAA to my parents, who have been patiently waiting for so long to see me.

My mom hasn't done much to fix my room....I think she thought that they would never get THE CALL. I sure hope she gets busy so I can relax once I get home.

I wonder when my mom and dad will see my face for the first time?

My mommy is going crazy

2009-01-20T06:56:00.000-08:00

So now we are at January 20. Inauguration Day...and my mommy cannot keep her fingers from checking Rumor Queen's site every hour, just to see how close she is to seeing my face.

I hope she gets some news soon, even though it could be a few more months until she finds out who I am.

And now it is 2009

2009-01-17T19:30:00.000-08:00

Today is January 17, 2009....almost two years since my last post. At the end of 2008, the CCAA finished referring the last of February LIDs. Now onto March 2006, my month!

My mom and dad are anxiously waiting to see how many days of babies get matched with their parents.....They hope it is a lot, then they will get to meet me sooner!!!!!

We are out of Review!!!

2007-03-13T16:16:00.000-07:00

My parent's documents are finally out of the Review Room at the CCAA! This means that the Chinese government officials have reviewed their paperwork, put the okay on it, and sent it on to the Matching Room.

My parents are one step closer to seeing my face!

At the rate that we are being matched with families, it could be another 9 or 10 months until my parents know who I am.

And so we all wait.

January 2007

2007-01-07T04:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone!

CCAA referred babies to people who were LID (logged in) up through September 27, 2005. At the rate the CCAA is refering babies, my parents will not see my face until the end of this new year.

They are hoping they will get my picture in December 2007. The cool thing is that I am alive somewhere in China. Can't wait to meet my parents.

Late November/EarlyDecember 2006

2006-12-18T08:55:00.000-08:00

And the wait continues for my parents. Other parents have just received referrals for their babies! Those parents were logged in on or before Sepetmeber 8, 2005. One family from my parent's agency received their referral in this group.

November 2006

2006-11-12T14:56:00.000-08:00

So now it is November and my mom and dad are in a very long, slow line. Referrals arrived at the beginning of the month for parents who were logged in between August 10 - 25, 2005!!!!!

My mom keeps from going crazy by frequenting rumor blogs and yahoo groups devoted to adoptions from China. She is learning alot about International Adoption; specifically China.

She is also keeping busy by learning Mandarin.

March 2006

2006-11-12T14:53:00.000-08:00

Finally, after many delays, my parent's paperwork was sent to China on March 14th. Their paperwork was logged in on March 27, 2006. They were so very excited; they thought they would see my face by the end of the year.

2005

2006-11-12T14:42:00.000-08:00

By the end of January, most of the paperwork was complete. Then my mom found out she had to have a serious operation and the Adoption Agency said they had to wait to do the Home Study until my mom was recoverd from the surgery. The surgery was in June.

The Social Worker visited my mom and dad's house in September, but didn't send in the Home Study until December.

Then my dad had major surgery and the papers had to wait until he was better. 2005 was over and my parents were still paper chasing.

2004

2006-11-12T14:34:00.000-08:00

In May of 2004 a visiting pastor came to my parent's church. He spoke of his new daughter from China. My dad was very quiet on the ride home. My mom asked him what he was thinking about and he said "I want to adopt a baby girl from China." My mom said " I was thinking the same thing."

At that point, my mom decided to talk to some people at her school who had adopted children from other countries. They gave her the phone number of a friend of theirs who had adopted 4 children already! That lady put my mom in touch with an Agency that handles adoptions from many countries around the world.

In September, my mom and dad made the decision to adopt from China. Then they started working on the pile of paperwork needed for an International Adoption.

2003

2006-11-12T14:32:00.000-08:00

My story started in the summer of 2003 when a friend of my mom announced her upcoming adoption. My mom called my dad and told him and he said "Let's adopt!"

But they had alot of trouble figuring out how to adopt a child and gave up.