Guangzhou at last....

We made it to Guangzhou. The last leg of our journey has began.

We left the hotel in Changsha at 6:00 this morning. The alarm was set to go off at 4:30. For whatever reason, I was awake at 4:15. Grace woke up only once in the night and that was at 11:30. She took a bottle and went right back to sleep. I was so glad.

Yesterday was not a good afternoon. Never have I seen such temper fits. I could do nothing with her. Mike had to go to Lineker’s room to find out the plans for today and to get our adoption decree. When he came back, we were all three sitting in a row, crying. I’m surprised he didn’t just turn around and walk back out the door. When evening came, Grace was so tired, but she wouldn’t go to sleep. She took her first bottle (finally) at about 9:00, and Mike laid her down like we had been doing. Oh my, how she screamed. I couldn’t take it. I got her and rocked her to sleep.

I wasn’t sure what to expect today. She’s been very good. She didn’t really fuss when we woke her before 5:30. She was good on the way to the airport and while we waited forever in line. She ate some yogurt while we waited to board the plane. She stayed in the carrier and was very good on the plane. She cried during takeoff until I gave her a bottle, then she quieted right down. She played with her toys during the flight, and when they brought the snack, she dove in with relish. Unfortunately, I had no bottle to give her for the landing. She cried and writhed around, and then she suddenly stopped. She fell asleep. She slept for probably 10 minutes, then we had to deplane. She stayed awake during the walk through the airport (the largest one in China), and on the bus to the hotel. She helped me eat my rigatoni for lunch, plus she had more yogurt and a bottle. Mike took Miracle swimming, and I rocked Grace to sleep. That was at about 1:30. Her dad just got her out of her bed, and it’s 5:00. I pray she sleeps tonight. The rest of us are exhausted!

Miracle is acting like airports and flying are no big deal now. On the way over, she would clutch my hand during takeoff and landing. Now she barely even looks at me, let alone hold my hand. She hikes through the airport with her backpack, acting all big. Of course, in the past week, she’s been through six airports and has flown more than 8,000 miles. I guess she’s a world traveler now.

There is this place in Guangzhou called Danny’s Bagels. They only deliver, you can’t eat in. And they have American food!!! Cheeseburgers, turkey clubs, pizza, subs, hotdogs, French fries, potato skins, chicken nuggets. We ordered from there for lunch and it was wonderful!! I think we’re having pizza from there tonight.

Miracle is swimming again. Matt, Melissa’s dad, called and asked if she wanted to go. She said, “Yeah! Even if it means another bath!” That’s saying a lot for her. She hates to take showers and baths.

Tomorrow is Grace’s medical exam. It’s not like the physical she’s going to get once she gets home. It’s just something we have to do before she can get her US visa. Our consulate appointment is Monday morning at 9:30. Her visa will be issued on Tuesday, and we can come home on Wednesday.