The shoe problem is solved

Like I told you guys earlier today we went to the Lotus store and I was totally impressed with the store and Meng Meng that girl loves to shop . She was smiling through out our whole shopping trip . And yes we bought her new shoes and without a peep she let me take her old shoes off . We were so happy about that her old shoes smell really bad and they were way to small for her as well . So we packed her shoes in a box and will bring  them home with us as a keepsake for Meng Meng . Still can't quit figure out why she wouldn't take them off before . After the shopping and the taxi ride from hell we went back to the hotel to play and hang out with Meng . She loves to sit on the bed and play with us for such a tiny girl she is pretty strong you should see her throw a ball . Christian you better rest before coming home Meng will keep you busy and laughing all day she is so funny . Tomorrow we'll take Meng Meng to the park again if the weather is nice and maybe stop at Macds hope they sell chinese dishes as well I am not planing to give her any fast food in the near future . 

Only a sponge bath

Last night I was trying to give Meng Meng her first bath , but she let us know she wasn't ready for it yet . So she had a sponge bath just like the french did it hundred of years ago NO wait I think they didn't even do that . She likes water I thought it was the big bathtub she was scared of  so we asked Yisha and she told us that since she was in foster care she should be used to the big bathtub so will try again tonight . With the shoes we're making really small progress I was able to change her socks , but had to put her shoes right back on she slept with her shoes again . The shoes must mean something to her and give her comfort I don't want to push it and make her as comfortable as possible .  Today will buy her some new shoes and see what happens when she has another pair . And yes she is potty trained when we met her she was wearing a diaper , but her nanny told Yisha she was potty trained and only needs a diaper at night and that is true . We think she was really upset about having to wear a diaper for Gotcha Day , but we understand why they did it . When she has to go to the bathroom she gives us that look it's a Guys I am really uncomfortable here take me to the bathroom look . We're so glad we took all the parent training classes at CAAI and that I found our group and I want to thank everyone for sharing their blogs  all the information we had before hand is making this journey so much easier on us and Meng Meng . I think the other family thinks we're crazy because we knew about the park next to the hotel before we even got here , the 7 eleven and thanks to Emily hat the food at the Holiday Express is better and cheaper . So NO they don't belong to our Yahoo group I think they are a lot more people receiving matches who don't belong t0 our group as we think . Christian I am just as thrilled as you are that your dad is going to get his hair cut . We really miss you and your sister a lot and wish the both of you could be here with us . Bill will post more pictures later in the day .

Zhengzhou Walk

Meng Meng loves the stroller: 

We walked down the road to a nice park and saw a chinese couple taking wedding photos

The park is on a river

Then back to the hotel Crown Plaza

On the way Meng Meng got an ice cream

Then back to the room where she went to the bathroom and now is happily playing with a punching ballon and laughing with mom.

This little girl has done something that even Leland or her brother could not, She doesn't like my hair so its going to be cut!

All for now as we are plum warn out.

Zhengzhou

Today we took Meng Meng for a walk not to far from our hotel is a nice park . She loves to ride in her stroller and we're so happy about this . She looks totally different then in any of her pictures and she is pretty tiny . Her foster parents gave us a little photo album with some pictures and Meng Meng just loves to look at those pictures . We also got the two cameras back I send can't wait to have them developed in the States . She is so adorable and easy going just like her brother and sister . And we don't have to worry about Meng Meng not being used to christmas she just looked at the dancing Santa in the hotel lobby and really liked it which made her dad so happy since christmas is his favorite holiday . Yisha who is really nice as well told us that the young chinese people brought christmas to China . Tomorrow will take a trip to the department store I need to buy some smaller cloth for her since most of the cloth are way to big the winter jacket we bought for her she wont be able to wear for another two years . She looks like a two year old but she is smart like a four year old  and her fine motor skills are amazing . Bill will post some more pictures later by the way the weather in Zhengzhou is great to day it was so nice that we could wear T -Shirts .

Dec 8 Gotcha Day is here!!

We awoke at 6 am and cleaned up and waited till 10 AM to go to the PRC Adoption service. We walked to the office. Once there we could hear the kids and when we got to the office we saw Meng Meng and it was her crying! It took a good hour for her to calm down and then go to Marion. She didnt want anything to do with me. 

We were there for about 2 hours and then we went back to the hotel. After we got back Meng Meng opened up to us and laughed and played ball, and mom read her a book. She can say ball, and back, socks and snow. She plays with her tassel, and she can EAT!!!!!

Then John the other dad and I ran to the store to buy strollers, diapers, butt cream, fruit and water and diet coke. Then it was back to the notary to finalize the adoption. At 5 pm on Monday Decemeber 8th LUO, HONG MENG became our Daughter, Faith Elisabeth Hong Meng Cornell.

These are the two ladies from adoption services who made it happen.

We got back to the hotel that night and relaxed and played with Meng Meng.

She fell asleep at 7:30 after eating rice, fruit, bear crackers, and drinking water. She would let us change her clothes, but we could not take off her shoes, so she slept in them. They smell as bad as my sneakers, but she is happy and thats all the matters!

So ended our first day with her...words cannot express how much she is loved.

Tomorrow is the big day

Tomorrow is the big day we'll meet Faith at 10 0'clock we're very excited and a little nervous . I am sure she has no idea that her world as she knew it will change forever tomorrow . Bill and I are praying that she will learn to love us as much as we love her already . We'll let you all know how Gotcha Day went . 

Beijing Tour day 2

Today was a get up early and go to a very nice Jade Factory first:

Then we were off to the great wall. Just the sense of when it was built and why it takes your breath away. Holly the spaceman made it!

After the Great wall we toured a factory that makes enamel vases and had lunch there:

We then stopped by the Olympic Village

We then made our way back to Beijing and went to see a real Chinese Red Belt Acrobatic show:

Oh and by the way, Santa and Christmas are ALL over the place in china! See our hotel:

Barbara our wonderful tour guide and Alexander the best driver from Beijing . They really made us feel right at home and answered all our questions . We miss them already and still can't believe how nice everyone was to us in Beijing we aren't used to be treated with such kindness .

So for everyone who will be traveling next week you're in for a real treat .