Today was the final step to completing the adoption of Alexis Marie at the American consulate here in Guangzhou. Three buses left the hotel this afternoon and took over 50 couples completing there adoption of a Chinese daughter or son. While the process was quite simple, and only took an hour, it was very emotional as it gave us the visa we needed to bring Alexis home to the United States. Before we left the consulate all the parents had to raise their right hand and swear-in to confirm the information provided was correct. This now opens the way for Alexis to become a US citizen as soon as she passes through the immigration area in Detroit. That will obviously be an exciting time for us; not only because of her citizenship, but it will also mean that we will be home!
This is the final journal entry from China and it is bitter sweet. We could not have had a more rewarding experience and have received so much love and support from our family and friends back home as well as the new friends we met here. The network of people you meet is amazing. With that said we are so looking forward to coming home especially to have the grandparents meet Alexis for the first time. I believe they will all be anxiously awaiting her arrival as she comes through the sliding doors at Metro tomorrow. However, there are no guarantees how good she will be after traveling for almost 20 hours…but I know they’ll love her no matter what! We said our prayers tonight to provide us a safe journey home and that Alexis will have a peaceful trip with out to much crying.
As I look back on this experience here are 10 things I realized this week!
10 Things About Being a New Parent
:
1. Drool on your clothing is the new fashion accessory
2. Holding a 20+ baby in your arms adds a whole new dimension to multi tasking
3. They should consider speed diaper changing as a new sport
4. While you can’t understand a child’s jibber they are quite effective at getting what they want!
5. The diaper bag is your new purse and must be stocked for any occasion
6. Babies can sleep anywhere, anytime… except when you need them to!
7. Cheerios have become a major food group
8. It’s not about buying presents for your child; its about being present with your child
9. No matter how bad you sign; a child still loves to hear the sound of their parents voice so go for it
10. All it takes is the look, a smile or hear the laughter in their voice to make you realize that you are very blessed in life to be a parent
The next time we write will be from our home.
Warmest wishes and love,
Kevin, Rachelle and Alexis
