Memorial Day Weekend in Iowa

Mother's Day 2010

A Morning at Lucky Acres!

Sooze, Dan and Caroline invited us to Lucky Acres Farm for breakfast, crafts, animal petting and fun with friends!

When Gwyneth heard that Zoey (her YiYang cradle friend) was going to be in Prescott visiting her grandparents, she insisted that we go on a road trip. Off we went, after all...Gwyneth was bringing her daddy for show and tell.

YiYang girls with daddies

Mothers and daughters. Finally!

Gwyneth's first Easter

Saturday morning brunch with the girls...

Caroline's mom made goldfish carrots for each of the girls. (Mary - Thanks for letting Gwynnie make that phone call)

Easter breakfast before church. I forgot to take photos before church, but we sat in the back pew and she waived at everyone when they entered the church. She also started babbling momma over and over again during the end of the sermon. She was so LOUD.

Gwyneth sat next to the Easter bunny that she received from Aunt Marge and Uncle Merle. She was a little shy at first, but she loves her bunny.

Gwyneth's first Easter egg hunt at Aunt Beth's. Maybe next year we will tell her about the candies in the eggs

Welcome Home Jennifer!

Daddy ran to Starbucks and returned so that we could watch Gwyneth wake up (the sun rise).

Thank you Mom and Dad!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Jet lag

Praise God. We are home!

Ed, along with our family and friends greeted us at the airport on Christmas night.

Life is good.

Merry Christmas!

I will be leaving today to meet Gwyneth this weekend. I will do my best to update my travel journal every day while I am in China. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

My travel journal will be

here.

14 Days

My parents and I will be leaving in 14 days. Gwyneth’s room is almost done. My suitcase is full. The handyman has been busy assembling the crib and highchair and everything else baby needs. I have laundered everything in baby friendly laundry detergent. I submitted my FMLA paperwork. Everynight before I go to sleep I look in Gwyneth's crib. One month from today, she will be home.

Cell phone photo of my living room after gifts from family and friends arrived.

Gwyneth's crib makes a great drying rack for clothes and the walker is a great place to dry hats, tights and diaper covers.

Updated Photo of Gwyneth

&

Tentative Travel Schedule

December 10 - Thursday: Leave the US

December 11 - Friday: Group arrival in Beijing

December 12 - Saturday: Group Sightseeing in Beijing: TianAnMen Square, Forbidden City, the Great Wall

(Juyongguan), Lunch is included. CHI orientation

December 13 - Sunday: Fly to Nanchang, Jiangxi

December 14 - Monday: Meet Gwyneth

December 15 - Tuesday: Begin adoption process, registration and apply for Gwyneth's passport

December 16 - Wednesday: Free Day

December 17 - Thursday : Free Day

December 18 - Friday: Receive Gwyneth's passport and all adoption paperwork. Fly to Guangzhou.

December 19 - Saturday: Medical Examination

December 20 - Sunday: Free Day

December 21 - Monday: Free day and re-check on medical tests

December 22 - Tuesday: American Consulate Visa Appointment

December 23 - Wednesday: Sign the DS230 form in front fo the US Consulate Officer and take oath

December 24 - Thursday: Receive Gwyneth's visa late in day depending on date of ACS appt.

December 25 - Friday: Depart from Guangzhou on this day and return to the US.

Making Friends!!!

click Here!

&

Here

Gwyneth is Growing!

She weighs 16 lbs.

This is what I know about her.

distinguishes between aquaintances and stangers
locates the direction of sound/voice
knows her name, turns her head when called
active and restless
fond of playing with toys
has a ready smile

She doesn't know it, but she is loved by many.

Chinese name: Yi Xiao Yang
Date of birth: 03/05/09
Orphanage: SWI of Yiyang County, Jiangxi Province

photos coming...she is precious