February 22, 2008
February 21, 2008
Last Day in Guiyang, China
Tiffany and Daddy hung out all morning while Mommy completed the last bit of paperwork that I believe will be given to the American Consulate in Guangzhou, China. We are going to be staying at the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou. Here is description of the Hotel from their web site -
We will have about an hour flight from Guiyang to Guangzhou (Canton). This will be our first flight with Tiffany so it should be interesting. THe above map should give you reference of where we have been staying, and where we are going.
We have had a great time so far and Tiffany is improving every day. She is a handful. She likes to laugh, point, eat, and say hello to people. Her mind is always moving and ready to explore something new.
Lauren has been a great mother catering to Tiffany's every nervous need. Lots of Love.... Tom and Lauren.
February 20, 2008
In an Instant
I'm not sure where to begin? This has all been the most fascinating, emotional, exhilarating,exhausting, blissful and memorable journey of a lifetime. The moments of overwhelming joy have, by far, outdone the scattered feelings of frustration.
Tom and I just completed our third full day with amazing Tiffany and we are blessed beyound words. Let me jot down my thoughts of our "family forever" day...the day Tiffany was put in our arms for the first time.
After taking a three hour flight from Beijing to Guiyang, Guizhou we were escorted to the hotel which took a quick 30 minutes. My heart was racing the entire ride, my eyes were set on the sites as we zoomed down the busy city streets, my hands were clenched within the comfort of Tom's palms and my head was a bit dizzy. As we approached the hotel the most powerful feeling of truth and reality swept through me like a tidal wave. We arrived at 5:30 pm and a group dinner was served at 6:00 pm. Dinner was almost impossible to enjoy. To be completely honest, I felt a bit quizzy. I couldn't stand the anticipation much longer.
"Please all gather in the 3rd floor lounge to meet your children at 8:00 pm," instructed our guide Jenny. I looked at my watch. It was 7:15 pm! Tom and I made a mad dash to our room where we gathered our camera, video and gifts for Tiffany's foster family. My heart was racing! At 7:30 pm Tom and I decided to go to the second floor main lounge to wait since sitting in our room was pure torture. From the 2nd floor lounge we could clearly see the 1st floor entrance and lobby which was bustling with activity. We decided to watch the people below until 8:00 pm. We figured this would distract us well.
As I looked at the lobby, one floor below us, I noticed one particular child playing with her family. This little girl was captivating. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. She was dressed in a bright orange coat with a mouse hood and blue pants with checkered cuffs. Here hood was draped over her head so I couldn't see her face. What I saw was her walking, like a drunk duck. One little step at a time. As she moved across the large lobby floor her grandmother cheered and clapped to reward her every step. The grandmother was loud and charismatic. The little girl, in all her charm, was magnetic. I was drawn to her every move, so much so that I began to film her interacting with her grandmother and taking great pride in her conquering the walking game. She would make strides, turn to her grandmother and extend a gigantic smile.
I couldn't stand being away from this amazing child, I wanted to go closer. I went downstairs to just watch her every move. As I approached the little girl, in her mouse attire, she immediately noticed me. She didn't hesitate and just as quickly as I could approach the bottom step she was walking toward me with her arms extended and a smile from ear to ear to greet me. I extended my arms to receive her welcome and just as quickly as she touched my hands she turned and retreated back to the familiarity and comfort of her grandmother. The grandmother nodded her head with pride and I returned the gesture. The power of this child cannot be explained. She warmed my heart in an instant and took all my worries away.
"Lauren, it's nearly 8:00 pm," shouted Tom from the 2nd floor, "we should go to the third floor to meet Tiffany now." I had lost all track of time. My connection to this little girl had captivated me. I had been so taken by her funny nature, her fresh first steps, her love for her grandmother, her warm welcome to me, her happy eyes, her full checks, her enormous smile and her little mouse outfit.
I was keeping the special and unique interaction I had had with this little girl in my thoughts as I walked back up to be with Tom. He had been watching the whole thing. "Do you think that could be Tiffany," ask Tom? The thought hadn't crossed my mind but as I processed his question I secretly hoped that I would feel the same immediate connection to Tiffany as I did the little girl who walked like a drunken duck.
As Tom and I began to walk away we heard Jenny's voice. "Lauren. Tom. Tiffany is here!" Jenny had noticed us at the top of the stairs, she was standing in the lobby now. "She down here. Wait there, we will come to you." Jenny called. I began shouting for Tom to get the camera. I grabbed the video. I could hear the stampede of feet climbing the steps and they were almost to the 2nd floor where we stood. Hearts were pounding. My eyes were glued to the top of the stairs. Suddenly faces appeared. It was the same grandmother that I had been watching only moments ago and in her arms was a little girl, the same little girl in the mouse outfit. The same little girl that took her fragile first steps towards me. The same little girl that I had jumped into my heart upon my first sighting of her.
The grandmother extended her arms toward me, only this time she was offering me the little girl in them. That little girl WAS our Tiffany! In that instant our prayers had been answered and my heart, which had been broken for too long, felt full again.
Ancient City Tour
We had a great day touring one of the most unique places we have ever been...
Tiffany was born close to this little town which makes us very happy.
She is still scared of Daddy but she warms up on occasions, especially, when we are eating together.
Check out the pictures by clicking here
Lauren is the greatest Mother in the world. Tiffany pretty much will not let go of her without crying. It has been a lot of work on her part but she is loving it. Hopefully she will be able to get some rest tonight.
Please keep sending the comments they have kept us going.
Lots of Love,
Lauren, Tom, and TIFFANY!!!
February 19, 2008
It's Official
Sorry we have been offline a bit but as you know we have been tending to Tiffany's every need. We are headed to an ancient city today with Tiffany to tour. It is the crossroads of many of the minorities in China....
Here is a picture of Monday's ceremony where Tiffany became our daughter under Chinese Law. The other picture is a
Lots of Love.
Tom and Lauren
February 18, 2008
February 17, 2008
Guiyang, China - Our Daughters Birthplace
We had a great morning at Tienanmen Square in Beijing and then we got on a plane for a 3 hour flight to Guiyang. 
This is where our daughter was born and we will be picking her up in 2 hours.
The time now is 6:30 PM and we get her at 8:00 PM (Sunday night). We are very very excited to say the least. A bit nervous as well.
Lauren is getting the room together and preparing us for our new BABY TIFFANY...Wow. .
Great Wall
- We had a great day at the wall as you can see. We burned a few calories which was also good as we get ready for Tiffany.
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