9 days to go!!!!!!!!!

Hannah overheard the end part of a conversation that I had today about not getting chocolate from the chocolate factory for the Chinese officials' gifts and Hannah looked at me with a sad look and said "Baby sissy is not coming?" When I said we were leaving to get Emily in just 9 days she gave me a big smile. I asked her "you really do want her to come home, don't you?" and Hannah looked at me with big eyes and answered "Yes, mama. She is my sissy". I wanted to cried some big ol' crocodile tears right then!!!

10 days to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today seemed to be a lazy day at the Chlebowski household. We caught up on some laundry and general cleaning and sleep. This week is going to be busy. Ensuring all the required paperwork is in order, despite looking at it 500 times in the last couple weeks and getting some packing done. We did measure our luggage and are happy to see that we meet the requirements and do not need to buy new luggage. We talked to Hannah today and after saying we were going to miss each other alot, she asked if we could hide her in our luggage-when we said that was not going to work , she ask if China to send us baby sissy in a box. Even though it is heavensent to go get our dtr in China, it is going to be the hardest thisng we ever do to leave Hannah here for 2 weeks.

11 days to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today we bought some gifts for the Chinese officials and helpers. We were supposed to find something for them that represents our area. We have several things in the South Bend area to choose from but we decided on some nice pens from the Notre Dame bookstore. We are planning on getting something else for the gift bag but right now we are not real sure what. We would really liek to put a small box of chocolates from the South Bend Chocolate Factory, which is close to our home, but we are afraid the chocolate may melt before we get there. We are open to ideas. Hint Hint Hint......

12 days to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just 12 days left. We learned today that we have 13 families traveling in our group. We have been talking to several families and we are really looking forward to meeting them. We actually met one family a few years ago at Hannah's adoption reunion. They have been waiting a long time to be united with their daughter, who they have named "Hannah". We are very happy for them and glad to be traveling with them after all this time. Another family that we have been talking to is traveling at the same time, on the same flight, and staying at the same hotel in Guangzhou but is using a different adoption agency. We are happy to meet up with them as well. We hope to gain lifelong friendships like we did with Hannah's travel group.

13 days to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Less than 2 weeks to go. Today we received our itinerary. We hope you follow us on our journey to bring our daughter, Emily, home.


March 18-Leave South Bend to Chicago to Beijing
March 19-Arrive in Beijing. Stay at Kuntai Royal Hotel for 3 nights.
March 20-21-Tours to the Great Wall, Summer Palace & Forbidden City
March 22-Fly from Beijing to Guangzhou. Stay at the White Swan Hotel
March 23-Civil Affairs Bureau of Guangdong Province to unite with Emily
March 24-Complete the adoption registration and notarization procedure
March 25-Apply for Emily's passport
March 26–29 Free time to play with Emily/Shop.
(Have visa picture taken and medical exam performed for Emily on Friday)
March 30-Free time to lay with Emily/Shop. Pick up passport for Emily
March 31-Visa application documents submitted for Emily
April 1-Adoption oath taken at the U.S. Consulate. Receive Emily’s visa
April 2-Leave Guangzhou & fly to Beijing to Chicago to South Bend

14 days to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!

14 more days before we leave for China to pick up Emily. All the paperwork is done, we put in for our vacations, verified days with the house sitter, and purchased the tickets. We have not received the itinerary yet but should have it any day. We have been talking and getting to know our travel group. We have a conference call with our group and our adoption coordinator on March 12 for more specific information. All we can do now is wait.......... (and start packing!!!)

15 days to go!!!!!!

Our flight tickets to and from China were verified today. We are just waiting on our "inside travel" itinerary and hotel verifications, which should be coming this week yet. In just 15 days we will be heading 1/2 way around the world to meet with the new addition to the Chlebowski family. Hannah actually seems to be getting more excited now as the date is getting closer. She said she will miss us snuggling with her when she goes to bed. We just hope she does not grow up too much in the 2 weeks we are gone. Oh-how we love and will miss our "lil' snugglebug".