It’s a beautiful morning in Wuhan and our Xiu Xiu woke up smiling at us for the first time all week! I was right there when she opened her eyes and I said “Good morning little Xiu Xiu” and she smiled right back at me. I cannot describe how good it felt to see her awake so gently and naturally. She must be finally recognizing her surroundings as familiar and safe. Ken missed it because we awoke before her and he hurried to take his shower. The first shower he has been able to enjoy without a baby screaming in the background since Monday! He said it was great! She continued to be very happy all morning. Her personality is starting to come out more each day now that the sadness that over-shadowed her face has been lifted. When she has had enough sleep she will sit on the bed with her toys and talk to herself . . . . . it is so funny, it sounds like baby Chinese!
Several couples in our neighborhood had babies around the same time a few years back. The fathers would bring them over to visit and talk "baby talk" to them. You know how you change your voice to a high pitch when you talk and don't speak correct English. Well it used to really bother Ken and he would say "Why do they talk to their babies like that? I'll never do that if I every have children." Well let me tell you, he owes all of you an apology. You should hear him now! Oh yeah, the other thing he used to say is people shouldn't talk so soft when babies are sleeping because that will make them "light sleepers" and they won't get used to sleeping with noises in the background! Ken whispers to me so soft when Anna is sleeping I can hardly hear, even when standing right next to him! Shhhhhhhhhhh! He tells me this all the time!
Breakfast went well this morning. We found another one of Anna's favorite foods . . . . . noodles! It is hilarious how she eats them. The other babes just chew them up, Anna takes one in her mouth and sucks it up! Ken got some of it on video to share with you later. After breakfast we went back to the fourth floor to pick up Anna's Chinese passport which will give her permission to travel with us within China. We also received our official Adoption Certificate with our family photo they took on Tuesday. They told us she is now "officially ours". It's a good thing she likes us now, because no turning back! It's on to Guangzhou for her Visa and U.S. clearance to bring her home!
The ride to the airport was uneventful. Anna does really well traveling so far in snugglis, buses, and strollers. I hope she likes carseats when we get home! Packing for the flight to Guangzhou was very difficult. Our suitcases were already over-stuffed and we had to add our purchases in Wuhan! We were all busting at the seems. It's a good thing in Guangzhou we will be able to purchase an extra piece of luggage for the way home. (Our intercontinental flights only allowed us to check one each!) I have to say it was a struggle walking to the boarding area . . . . . . Ken had our two carry-ons and an over-stuffed bag with purchases . . . . I had the backpack and Anna! Whew ! After we got to our seats, Ken said "If we can do this, we can travel with her anywhere back home!"
After everyone boarded we were happy to find out that all of us were given the extra seat in our row for our babies . . . . . in the back of the plane of course. This was really nice. We purchased an extra seat for the long flight home but didn't think it would be necessary for the 1 1/2 flight to Guangzhou. The Favor of the Lord continues to follow us on our journey! Anna seems to be doing well on the flight so far . . . . . eating goldfish crackers and playing with her leap frog "Hugs and Learn Globe". . . . . . it is so cute, you press down on Leap sitting in a plane and he sings "Three little friends set out to see, just how big the world can be, looking high and looking low, round and round and round we go!" Very appropriate for our journey to China and back with Anna!
As I looked out the window with Xiu Xiu and said good-bye to Hubei Province, I couldn't help thinking about Xiu's birth mother. My eyes swelled with tears thinking about how hard it must have been to give this precious gift up. I prayed that God would fill her with peace and somehow let her know that she is happy and well in the arms of her new mother. Someday I will tell Anna that her birth mother loved her soooooo much and because of this love she gave her to us because she wanted her to have a life blessed with happiness and opportunities she could never provide. I will teach her about China's beauty, culture, and people, and share with her how God sent us to China to bring her home!
The flight attendant is announcing to turn all electronics off in preparation for the descent. We are arriving safe and sound in Guangzhou!
Ken & Sharon ><>
Anna's first visit to Pizza Hut. . . "I heard there's one of these places at home!"
The luggage cart. . . perfect for luggage and babies.
Proud Moms and babies at the Wuhan airport
(L to R: Kathy & Emily, Cindy & McKenzie, Sharon & Anna)
