Day 8 in China

Ni Hao from Guangzhou! Let me start by telling you all about our day yesterday...after we had lunch, we checked out of the hotel in Kunming, Yunnan and went to get Crystina's passport and then we went to her "finding spot," which was VERY emotional for us. She was left in front of the orphanage with a little bit of clothes and a note which had her birth date, so according to the note, we know her exact birthday...which is just so awesome! Usually they have to guesstimate when the children were born. We saw the orphanage from the outside, we couldn't go in because the babies were sleeping. There's an alley-type next to the orphanage, which we are imaging that Crystina's birth mother walked when she dropped her off. It was VERY sad, but we are SO glad that we went. After that, we went to a tea ceremony and we tasted 5 different teas...some were okay, some were not. And then we were off to Guangzhou. Our flight was okay, it got a little bumpy towards the end, there was bad weather here in Guangzhou and we had to circle around for an hour. We saw the moon so close, it was amazing...we saw it 4 times like that. ; ) lol!!! We got to our hotel room at around 11:00pm, and Crystina was so fussy but she fell right to sleep and slept like a princess should. : ) Leaving Kunming was very emotional for us. It's Crystina's birth province, it's the only place she's ever known. Just thinking what her birth parents might be thinking or wondering about, is so emotional and so sad. But one day, if SHE wants to, we will come back, so she can visit where she is from. Until then....THANK YOU KUNMING for the best gift EVER!!!

Today, we had Crystina's medical exam. This is required by the US, in order for an immigrant to go into the country. She passed it with flying colors! She weighs 19.1lbs, of solid rock! She did cry when they checked her ears and throat and when she was measured...not a happy baby at all. But afterwards, she was fine. From there we went to the "Friendship store" where they have everything. We went to the baby section first and worked our way down to the grocery section. We bought...water, juice, DIET COKE ; ), some fruit and crackers. And then we had our "paperwork party," which only one parent had to attend, so Edgar went...just like most of the dads did. He was gone for 2 hours....LOTS of paperwork. And then it was dinner. We ate here at the hotel at a Japanese Restaurant, it was good, but not like back home (Kobe's).

A few things about what Crystina has learned or does...

• She blows kisses...when she wants to!
• Loves to dance...check out the videos below.
• She learned "La linda manita" & "pon-pon"
• She grinds her teeth! UGH!!!!
• She is SO silly and has the cutest laugh!
• She eats like NO tomorrow! But you wouldn't guess it by looking at her.
• She's gotten so friendly!
• She's walking better and better. (check out the video below)
• And the best thing that she has learned...she knows who daddy & mommy are!!!!!

Well, I'm making up for not putting up any pictures yesterday. Enjoy!!!!

**reminder, if you want to listen to the videos, you will need to pause the music first**

Just woke up...eating Cheerios, her favorite!

At breakfast. Her last one in Kunming, Yunnan.
Crystina's "finding spot," in front of the orphanage.
Outside the gates of the orphanage
Outside of the orphanage.
The alley that we think Crystina's birth mother walked to drop her off.
She is from the orphanage, she's the lady that handed us Crystina!
The streets in Kunming.
That adorable look...who could resist that face?
Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!! Crazy driving in China!!
The lady that performed the tea ceremony for us.

Loving Daddy!
Wanting Mommy!
After the Tea Ceremony.
Waiting to board the plane.
Crystina's first airplane ride...

" Check out my tongue"...yep, she's a character!!!!!!
This isn't so bad, flying.
After a long day...
Sleeping like a princess!!!
Crystina fell asleep on the way to the Medical exam and Visa photo.

After the photo...and before the medical exam.
Going into the building where the medical exams are done.
Looking so cute!
Crystina playing with her friend Emma. This is so cute!

Entrance of the examination room, it was very small for 16 families.
Not having fun!

Getting weighed. Crystina weighs 19.1 lbs!!! Solid rock!
Getting checked out by the doctor.
After the medical exam...happy baby!!
It was HOT!!
Crystina...walking!!!!!!!! You will hear our excitement!!

Waiting for all the families...

BIG smile!!!!
So cute!
Letting everyone know that she is a PRINCESS!!!!
strike a pose!
being cute...

She knows how to get off the bed!!
Thanks daddy!!
too much rice for my mouth... ; )
eating with chopsticks...
feeding herself...

At the resturant that we ate at.
Starbuck's!!!!!!!!!!! Crystina dancing!!! It's so cute!! Ayden, you will have a dancing partner real soon!!! ; )

Dancing a little more... ; )

after a bath...

Brushing her hair and "dancing" merengue.

brushing daddy's hair...

Well, hope you all enjoyed all the pictures and videos, there were LOTS of them. Tomorrow we are going to a museum and to (another) tea ceremony. Should be a nice day. Just a few more days until we are home!!!!! And we can't wait!! I mean, we LOVE China for what they have given us but we are SO homesick! We can't wait to see everyone and to see our Lola & Bertha! We miss everyone SO much...you just have NO idea! Sending so much love to all!! God Bless!!