Yes, and we were there today at about 3:00 with our new guide, Judy Wu, buying formula and Chinese bottles because we're meeting our child tomorrow. And there was a greeter wearing a Wal-Mart vest stationed at the front door (some things don't change in China), as well as an entire section of live fish in tanks where you can choose your dinner (some things do change).
We're headquartered in the Best Western Premiere Hotel for the next five days. Our room has a crib, a mini-potty, a little tub in the big bathtub, and a sippy cup and child's bowl and spoon on the counter, so they knew we were coming. We said goodbye to one of our traveling companion couples, Todd and Patty, this morning. They're now in Hunan Province waiting to meet Alyssa tomorrow morning. We are still with Sheila and John (the White Bear Lake couple) and Paul and Staci and are bonding with them more and more by the minute inasmuch as we are all in the same thrilling/terrifying boat. We had a great dinner with them and our guide, Judy, tonight in the hotel restaurant. Talked and laughed and laughed. Judy has been an in-country adoption facilitator for six years and had some great advice for us about all kinds of things. She told us that Chinese babies are typically toilet trained from a very young age, especially if they've spent any time in institutions. She thinks that Emma, at almost 19 months, may be almost completely toilet trained, but we'll soon find out. (Joe said, "Heck, she'll probably walk in the bathroom, lock the door, and start reading "Sports Illustrated"; that got some good, giddy laughs. Actually, we were all -- okay, maybe just the women -- laughing a little maniacally tonight. We're kind of on edge. Go figure.)
11:00 is the appointed hour, our date with destiny, tomorrow morning. We'll be bused to a nearby hotel where we'll meet the babies, along with several other groups of adoptive parents. There will be much happy weeping on the parts of moms and dads, and probably much gnashing of baby teeth on the part of the little girls. Judy told us that the orphanage is about 3 hours away and that the bus ride our girls will take will be the first time they've been in a vehicle. She also told us that the girls were brought back to the orphanage just this past weekend in preparation for meeting us tomorrow -- I thought they'd been transitioning for several weeks. So little Emma has only just left her foster family of the past 16 months and is probably scratching her noggin wondering what is going on...
Wow. Hard to wrap my mind around it all.
So...I'll post again after our lives have changed completely and forever! Wish us luck and say a prayer for us!
Love, Denny
P.S.: The above photo is a structure we saw on the drive in from Wuhan airport today.
7 comments:
Denny and Joe:
Am glad to hear there is a Wal Mart in Wuhan! Don't forget to check to see if you have to cut a hole in the nipple of that bottle! I am anxiously awaiting the post of your meeting with Emma. Know your state right now -- savor it and all the joyous anticipation.
Can't wait to see and hear more about the wondrous Emma!
Can't wait to check the blog tomorrow and see pictures and read all about your amazing day meeting Emma!
Can't wait to see Emma tomorrow!
Tiffany
Dear Denise and Joe,
I am really excited for you to meet Emma tomorrow. I bet she is very cute and will love you tons. I will be thinking of you tomorrow when you meet her and look forward to meeting her in Salt Lake City.
Vanessa Mae Rogan
8 years old
Ok, I just checked online for the time difference between China and the US. It's about 15 hours, right, so that means it's already Monday early morning for you over there, which means TODAY'S THE DAY! I am so excited for you and have poured over all your posts thus far. They're about to get even more interesting soon...can't wait for my new little cousin!
You are definitely in our prayers.
Your blog entries are the highlight of our days. (Afton is sitting here reading today's with us. She says she feels like she knows Emma already.)
Thanks, Julia, for checking on the time difference. We've been wondering.
You have everyone's undivided
attention at this very moment.
Love to the three of you
Oh Denny, Denny, I am playing catch-up with your blog. It's already Monday and I know you have Emma, but I am taking this one entry at a time. The suspense is killing me. I cahn't staaaaaan it!
Oh good luck, good lady bug luck. Before I had Ben I had a brief conversation with a grocery store employee in the frozen foods section. She noticed I was pregnant, told me she had 5 kids, I asked her how she did it and she said, so very casually, "aah, ain't nuthin' to it." Yeah, right.
Emma will have so many people in her life who already love her.
I'm driving mom and dad to Salt Lake so I'll get to see her in November!!!
Julie
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