Friday, August 29, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Willow Assante-LaBash
Mommy says., "Words are absolutely useless. I cannot even begin to describe this entirely new level of Bliss. Our little Willow Cai Mei is the most adorable, precious, sweet, and pensive little peanut. It is clear that she has not received the best care but we are addressing that. It has only been a short time but we have discovered a bit of her personality and found a few ways to make her giggle. She really makes you work for it and there is a very, very fine line between what is funny and what clearly is NOT!"
Willow Cai Mei says: "Hey everyone! This is me in the picture above about 5 minutes after meeting these people. I have no idea where they came from but they seem to worship me entirely and that's pretty cool. I have discovered that the Dude will hold me and dance with me forever if I just give him this little look like I might cry. And the lady just keeps hugging and kissing me all over which at first I wasn't too keen on but now I like it and I've tried a couple of times to do it back to her. I am getting sleeply so I will write more later when I wake up. Can't wait to meet you all!"
Daddy says: "Here she is. Finally! She is the most precious gem in all of Asia. She's beautiful and so sensititive. She needs so much of our care, compassion, physical contact and love. I never thought I could feel the way that I do about my little girl. Michele and I are so fortunate to be touched by her. I will always love my Willow Cai Mei."
Willow Cai Mei says: "Hey everyone! This is me in the picture above about 5 minutes after meeting these people. I have no idea where they came from but they seem to worship me entirely and that's pretty cool. I have discovered that the Dude will hold me and dance with me forever if I just give him this little look like I might cry. And the lady just keeps hugging and kissing me all over which at first I wasn't too keen on but now I like it and I've tried a couple of times to do it back to her. I am getting sleeply so I will write more later when I wake up. Can't wait to meet you all!"
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Willow in Our Arms in 6 Hours!!
Well, it is pretty amazing to be writing this. It is nearly 5 am in Nanchang and we are set to meet at the Social Welfare Institute at 11:00am. I have been awake for at least an hour or two ....I cannot believe we are here, finally at the end of one journey about to begin another. I will write again as soon as I can and will post new pictures of Willow!!! And...OMG... Pictures WITH WILLOW!!!
XO,
M&R
P.S. there are two other families here from our agency - both from NY.
XO,
M&R
P.S. there are two other families here from our agency - both from NY.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Rick’s Travellog Entry: Last Day in Beijing
So, to recap. Left on Tuesday (8/19), lost Wednesday when we passed over the International Dateline, and had our first full day in Beijing on Thursday.
Thursday, 8/21
Destinations: Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, The City Planning Museum, Temple of Heaven
Weather: Rain
Eventhough it rained most of the day, it was a great day. Hey, we were in Beijing, not New York City!
They say that Tiananmen Square can accommodate 1M people and that would be right. Huge expanse. Well protected against any pesky protesters who might not be aware that their protest would not last more than 30 seconds. Chairman Moa still oversees the square and his tomb at the entrance to The Forbiden City and gets new makeup annually. Mao always looks good.
The Forbidden City is what the French Kings heard about before they decided to build and expand Versailles, sans Marie Antoinette and Baroque. An outstanding example of love for oneself and of fear of one’s enemies, it makes you want to send Hugh Heffner and Donald Trump money to help them get caught up with several badly needed additions.
The Temple of Heaven was interesting. We saw a line of Chinese people waiting to stand on a stone at the center of a circular alter where Emporers once stood to speak to their subjects about bountiful harvests.
Thursday, 8/21
Destinations: Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, The City Planning Museum, Temple of Heaven
Weather: Rain
Eventhough it rained most of the day, it was a great day. Hey, we were in Beijing, not New York City!
They say that Tiananmen Square can accommodate 1M people and that would be right. Huge expanse. Well protected against any pesky protesters who might not be aware that their protest would not last more than 30 seconds. Chairman Moa still oversees the square and his tomb at the entrance to The Forbiden City and gets new makeup annually. Mao always looks good.
The Forbidden City is what the French Kings heard about before they decided to build and expand Versailles, sans Marie Antoinette and Baroque. An outstanding example of love for oneself and of fear of one’s enemies, it makes you want to send Hugh Heffner and Donald Trump money to help them get caught up with several badly needed additions.
The Temple of Heaven was interesting. We saw a line of Chinese people waiting to stand on a stone at the center of a circular alter where Emporers once stood to speak to their subjects about bountiful harvests.
Friday, 8/22
Destinations: Great Wall at Juyongguan Pass, Ming Tombs
Weather: Sunny
The sun shone through Beijing’s sky when we awoke. As we drove out of the city toward Juyongguan Pass, the surrounding air appeared cleaner and the mountains became clearly visible. An Olympic Cycling road race had ended there a few days before. Steep and massive, the Egytians and their pyraminds built on sand flats aint got nothin’ on the Ming.
Speaking of a stop by the local mortuary to plan your last farewell, the Ming knew how and where to party.
Saturday, 8/23
Destinations: Olympic Grounds, Summer Palace
Weather: Sunny
Watching Michael Phelps win 8 Gold Medals at the Water Cube. Attending the Olympic Men’s Soccer Final at the Bird’s Nest to see Nigeria and Argentina contest the final. Being among thousands of crazy foreigners crawling all over each other for official 2008 Beijing Olympics paraphanlia at the officially-licensed product store in the Olympic Park -- Priceless. And they don’t take American Express. Yup, got to the register after wrestling with people of 180+ nationalities and learned that the Visa boys signed a deal that makes you pull every card from your wallet while asking yourself if this is one of those places you really want to be. Luckily, the last one in my wallet -- my ATM card -- is managed by Visa.
The Summer Palace rules, dude! One of the most picturesque parks in the world, bar none.
Destinations: Great Wall at Juyongguan Pass, Ming Tombs
Weather: Sunny
The sun shone through Beijing’s sky when we awoke. As we drove out of the city toward Juyongguan Pass, the surrounding air appeared cleaner and the mountains became clearly visible. An Olympic Cycling road race had ended there a few days before. Steep and massive, the Egytians and their pyraminds built on sand flats aint got nothin’ on the Ming.
Speaking of a stop by the local mortuary to plan your last farewell, the Ming knew how and where to party.
Saturday, 8/23
Destinations: Olympic Grounds, Summer Palace
Weather: Sunny
Watching Michael Phelps win 8 Gold Medals at the Water Cube. Attending the Olympic Men’s Soccer Final at the Bird’s Nest to see Nigeria and Argentina contest the final. Being among thousands of crazy foreigners crawling all over each other for official 2008 Beijing Olympics paraphanlia at the officially-licensed product store in the Olympic Park -- Priceless. And they don’t take American Express. Yup, got to the register after wrestling with people of 180+ nationalities and learned that the Visa boys signed a deal that makes you pull every card from your wallet while asking yourself if this is one of those places you really want to be. Luckily, the last one in my wallet -- my ATM card -- is managed by Visa.
The Summer Palace rules, dude! One of the most picturesque parks in the world, bar none.
We’ve certainly been very lucky to make the most of our first few days in China and in the world’s most populous and sprawling metropolis.
Now it’s time to get serious. It’s 9PM in Beijing -- 27 hours to“Gotcha Day”. Willow will be joining us shortly. The next entry you see will be from Michele telling you all about that.
We’re both very excited, and can’t wait to meet her and to introduce her to you…
Now it’s time to get serious. It’s 9PM in Beijing -- 27 hours to“Gotcha Day”. Willow will be joining us shortly. The next entry you see will be from Michele telling you all about that.
We’re both very excited, and can’t wait to meet her and to introduce her to you…
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Its Raining, Its Pouring, its 8:23 in the Morning!
Ok - Need to meet the guide downstairs in 37 minutes and we're not even showered yet. Here are some quick pictures from the Journey so far. Starting yesterday morning ET in CT (Tuesday in the US) and ending at our first breakfast in Beijing this morning (Thursday AM in China, that is)!! We miss you and love you all! BTW - I need some sizing information for little Miss Maddy and Miss Meg and Miss Isabella so Jeri, Jillie, and Nancy pls. respond in the comments!!
XO,
M&R
We Made It!!! We're In Beijing!!!
We just got in to our hotel...The Royal King. It is brand new and so far very nice. Our flights all went without a hitch and our luggage all arrived unharmed. So now we're heading down to the hotel restaurant for some tea and then sleep! It is 11:40 pm here. We will write more later on... just thought I'd check in -Al, your kidney is safe!!
XO,
M&R
XO,
M&R
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Getting Ready to GO...GO...GO...
We depart one week from Tuesday and the rush is on. I'll be traveling on business this week so we're spending this weekend doing our best to get things in order to avoid a panic next weekend - yeah right. I am sure there will be about 10,000 things that will occur to me as I sit in various airports but today we're focused on....
Getting Willow's Clothes Ready
Installing the Car Seat in at least 1 Vehicle
Signing Some Final Documents
Writing a Letter to the Foster Parents and Care Givers
Creating a Picture Book for Willow
Here are some of the pictures we're including for Willow....
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