Olivia Is Officially Ours

It's official! Olivia is ours in the eyes of the Chinese government. This morning, we returned to the adoption center and finalized the documents.

The above photo was taken with the director of the orphanage that had Olivia. We learned that she was actual with a foster parent for approximately 5 months after she turned 6 months old. Apparently the orphanage holds the kids until they are 6 months old and then will put them in with a foster home. About 1 week prior to being adopted they move them back to the orphanage. We also learned how to pronounce her Chinese middle and first name, Min Ya (sounds like "me yah"). She didn't speak any english but she seemed like a very caring and likeable women.

Olivia is really starting to bond with Colette. Just as I was typing this, Colette was playing with her and Olivia leaned in and gave Colette a kiss. I have to say that the bonding has definately begun! For me, she tolerates me enough to let me hold her but I'm still working on her.

Bob

The 2nd Day

What A Face

Walking

Look Back on Gotcha Day!

I have been having a hard time putting my thoughts down on paper. The emotions are just so hard to describe.

When we got to the adoption center we went up the elevator. Right after we sat down, I looked over to one of the families in our group and they already had their baby. In our group there were 10 families. 9 of them were from 3 different orphanages and one was a special needs (cleft lip pallet) 2 ½ yr. old, from another orphanage. Anyway, after the family with the special needs girl, they announced the families with babies from the Xinhua orphanage to come. We walked over a little and they said "Robert & Colette Walker". We were the first in our group. I was shocked, didn’t think we would be first. They just handed her to me. Bob and I walked around the corner to make room for the next family to be reunited. I didn’t want to cry, but the emotions just came flooding. Bob and I both cried. This didn’t startle Olivia. She kept looking around at the crazy chaos. She didn’t look at us. Or at least I don’t think she did.

I sat down with her and held her on my lap while the rest of the people got their babies. Most of the babies were crying. Olivia, just kept looking around, eyes wide open. She wouldn’t look at me though. She was being so good that I didn’t want to startle her, so I kept quiet and didn’t look in her face. This seemed to work wonderful. She never cried at the Adoption Center. We then all got loaded up in the bus and headed to the the grocery store. Half way through our shopping I handed her to Bob and he held her and she did fine. After that we came back to the room in the hotel. She did not cry until I put her down, she wanted to be held. It still though wasn’t a bad cry. We then hung out in our room. We put her down on the floor and she was grabbing the different toys. She wanted something in her hands. Then we stood her up and she walked. YES, SHE WALKED. We couldn’t believe it. She is 11 ½ months old. Megan didn’t walk till she was 13 months. This was so unexpected, I expected her to be more delayed. Olivia is very curious about things. They had said this in the info that we got back in January, but I didn’t know how much to believe. Well, they were right. She took a 2-hour nap and I went and did some paperwork. Which was giving us temporary custody for 24 hours.

Bob & I were exhausted and went to bed at 9:30. We put her in her crib, which was right next to our bed. Bob fell asleep right away. Olivia would fuss a little. I put my hand through the crib bars then took it out. She then put her hand through the crib bar and grabbed my hand. Then she would let go, so I would take my hand out, then she would grab my hand again. She kept doing this over and over. Then she started laughing & laughing. She was smiling and giggling. So, much that it woke up Bob. Olivia continued to do this for ½ hour. It was precious.

Colette

Daddy & Daughter

Bob's a father again!

First Food... at least for us.

This is taken shortly after we got back to the hotel. I am feeding her congee. Which is a rice type cereal. I also gave her some diluted apple juice. Wanted to give her some of the formula, but didn't know how to mix it. Everything is in Chinese. Our guide is going to show us later.

We Have Baby!

These pictures were taking in the "adoption room" after we got Olivia. She was very quiet, didn't cry. She was looking all around at what was going on around her. Which was quite chaotic. Many of the other babies were crying. She hasn't given us eye contact yet.

Today Is The Day

We just got back from breakfast; our group will meet in the lobby at 9:30. The bus will drive us to the "meeting place". We get our babies around 10:00 a.m. Our agency has 10 families each getting one child. We were told that with all of the different adoption agencies there would be 100 families receiving a child today. WOW! We are all staying at the Dolton Hotel, most everyone is staying on 2 floors here in the hotel. This place is sure going to look different after everyone receives their child.

I can't believe today is the day! The day we get Olivia! I am so excited! After the long wait…. we are finally here. "Olivia, I can’t wait to finally meet you, you are already loved very much, and your sister Megan is so excited to meet you".

We want to thank all of our family and friends for all of the love and support you have given us. We love all of you. Please keep Olivia in your prayers.

The next post we post will be after we get Olivia!

Colette

Katie

Sunday I got to meet Katie & Marc. It was so nice after all this time to finally meet in person. I have talked with Katie on the phone a few times and emailed a ton of times. This is the first child for them. It will be so neat to see them become parents today.

Colette

The Start of The Paperwork

After we were all checked in. We had to meet to start the paperwork. They needed one of the parents to fill out the papers. We thought I should do it since I was the one who had did all of the paperwork and was more familiar with it. Bad decision, I was brain dead for lack of sleep. I felt like an idiot. It can be hard filling out legal forms when the instructions are in Chinese.

Leaving Beijing

Sunday morning we left Beijing and headed toward Changsha Hunan. The flight was around 2 hours. We flew China Southern, the seats are not as wide as the US airlines, 2 inches smaller then US economy seats. The flight was full, so it was a little tight. I guess it is because the Chinese people are generally smaller.

Summary for Feb 24th

We started out with an awesome breakfast. The hotel had all of the common western breakfast items plus some Chinese type (dimsung(probably spelled that wrong), fried noodles, spring rolls, etc.). We visited the Forbidden City, TianAnMen Square, and the Great Wall. We had some awesome Peking Duck at a local restraunt and are trying to sooth our aching muscles from walking up the Great Wall. On the way back to the hotel, they drove us by the outdoor arena being built for the 2008 Olympics. It looks like a birdcage and is really pretty neat. We could not get a decent photo from the bus but you will see that next year.

Tomorrow we fly to Changsha in the Hunan province and will meet Olivia for the first time on Monday. Stay tuned!
Bob

Walking Up the Great Wall

We are starting our trek up the Great Wall! Actually, it is only a little piece of the wall since it is many miles long. Going out of Beijing, you start to see mountains in the distance which is a big change since most of the topography we have seen so far has been flat. And I really thought from a distance that the mountains were actually thunderheads building up on the horizon.

Wow! What a feeling of being on something that is so old and historic. This is the most favorite historic site that Colette and I visited so far.

Bob

A neat thing is dealing with the white stone over my left shoulder in this picture. The Chinese people think that you are a hero if you visit the wall so all of them were taking their picture with that small monument.

Vertigo Has Started!

Wow! We started wayyyyyyyy down there at the bottom and climbed up this far. Everybody is pretty winded by this spot (as you can see by the first guy in the picture).

The steps up the wall are very uneven. At this point, we are thinking going back down might be harder than going up.

Up Too High!

As I was standing here wishing I had a bottle of oxygen, I snapped this photo. Colette is down somewhere close to that tower. These photos do not really give a good idea of how steep this really was.

I was impressed with myself that I made it this far and could have gone up even higher but I do not like heights and this was really giving me some serious vertigo!

The Union Tree

This is called the "Union Tree" that is in the Forbidden City. It is two trees that join as one. It is good luck for a couple to stand near the tree. Here’s to many more years for us together.

Squatty Potty

Don’t laugh at me for taking this picture. I just had to. This was a first for me. When was your first time (talking to all females) peed in one of these? They are called "squatty potties". Yes, it is as bad as it looks. I was told that this was a "clean one". Bob said "what’s the big deal?" Guess men are just use to this.

Colette's Alive.... we think!!!

Good morning, or good afternoon, or whatever. But, it still is a "Good" day. I am in China and will get my baby in 2 days.!

Boy are we screwed up. It is 2:00 pm. for you folks and 4:00 am. for us. There is a 14 hour time difference. We have been awake since 2:30 a.m I went to sleep last night around 7:30 and Bob went to sleep an hour latter. UGHHHHH..... this feeling is like no other. We are so tiered but unable to sleep, even with the help of sleep aids (for Colette) My guess is our adrenalin is working over-drive. Being in an airplane for 15 hours is unreal. I don't care to ever do it again, but will make an exception to get us home in 2 weeks.

At 7:00 a.m. we are meeting some friends (Matt & Mary Howard) for breakfast in the hotel. This is a couple that I have been corresponding with for about a year now. They are with our same adoption agency and have the same LID as us. They live in Illinois. Their baby is from a different province so tomorrow we will head our separate ways, but then catch up in Guangjou for the last week. I have talked and emailed with Mary but have never met, so I am looking forward to breakfast. This is the first child for them.

We get complimentary breakfast everyday at the hotels we stay at. Hope it is good. We skipped dinner last night and ate some chips. And, YES in answer to someone’s question about the beer, "some of it was Chinese... but not all". They sell it warm, so we were trying to get it cold in our little hotel frig. I should have brought my Koozi. Who knows maybe I will find one when we are out and about.

A note for Megan. Mommy was getting motion sick. I never threw up but came close. This was even with taking motion sickness medicine. I'm going to take something today before our tour. I said to Daddy, "if Megan were here she would definitely be getting sick". Love you Megan.

Colette

Friday night in Beijing

Never thought we would be in China! Bob here, we made it in to Beijing around 3pm (1am in Tulsa). The flight over was uneventful but damn it was long!!!!! Unfortunately for Colette and I, we could not get any sleep on the plane so we are running on fumes. You will probably notice the pictures below of a local market which would out do the local Super Walmart during Christmas rush (as in number of people in the store). This store actually sold more lines than a Walmart (it sold large applicances along with everything else you can think of). But, we only went for the essentials, BEER and water.

Anyway, we are pretty much dead tired since we have been up for more than 24 hours but are really thrilled to be here. Tomorrow we are going to Tieneman Square, The Forbiden City, and the Great Wall. Working our way to Monday when we meet Olivia for the first time.

Bob

We're Here.....

Packing.....

It is official...... I am starting to freak out. I can't believe we leave in less then 24 hours. WOW! After all this time, I just can't believe it. It is a very surreal feeling.

This packing thing stinks. I must be pretty weak. I can't get the air out of these packing bags. Guess I will have to wait till Bob gets home. I am sure he will give me a hard time.

Well, I am off to pick Megan up from school to take her to lunch.

Packing.....

You know what has kept me up most nights? You guessed it... packing. We can only check in 2 suitcases for the whole trip. The max weight is 44 pounds per bag. That is 2 suitcases for us together. Even once we get Olivia we can still only have 2 because we are just buying a lap ticket for her.

Can you tell I am stressing about this??? It is very difficult. We are going to be gone for 17 days living in hotels. Plus, I am not sure what size Olivia is.

Well, that is what I will be doing the next few days, making final decisions on what gets packed. Wish me luck.

China Itinerary

Thur, Feb 22 - Leave Tulsa
Fri, Feb 23 Arrival in Beijing (Radisson Hotel)
Sat, Feb 24 - Sightseeing: TianAnMen Square & Forbidden City, and the Great Wall
Sun, Feb 25 - Flight to Changsha (Dolton Hotel)
Mon, Feb 26 - Get Olivia! (Gotcha Day)
Tues, Feb 27 - Do adoption procedure (registration & notary)
Wed, Feb 28 - Sightseeing: A kindergarten and YuLu Academy
Thur, March 1 - Sightseeing: Hunan Provincial Museum
Fri, March 2 - Get all the paperwork back
Sat, March 3 - Flight to Guangshou (White Swan Hotel)
Sun, March 4 - Free day
Mon, March 5 - Sightseeing: Baiyun Mountain
Tues, March 6 - Medical exam for children
Wed, March 7 - Free day
Thurs, March 8 - ACS appointment; Farewell dinner
Fri, March 9 - Go to ACS to take oath and get visa late in the afternoon
Sat, March 10 - Fly Home! Megan gets to meet her sister!

Diaper Bag

My good friend Susan, who I have known since we were 6 years old, sent me this adorable diaper bag for Olivia.

Busy, Busy, Busy.....

Gosh, I shouldn't even be posting (since I am so busy).... but I am a great procrastinator.

Tuesday I volunteered my last day at Catholic Charities Adoption Center. The ladies were so nice, they got me a pretty floral arrangement. I will miss seeing them once a week. Wednesday, I got my hair cut & colored, then I ran errands.

So, today I am home trying to get stuff done around here. I need to go up to Olivia's room. Silly me started the packing in there.... big mistake. I need to put all the stuff in a suitcase and move it to the guest bedroom.

Well, I need to get busy. By the way, I am doing laundry, so I am getting something done.

One week from today we will be on a plane heading to China. YEA! I can't believe it is almost here. YEA!

Colette

Can you say shoping????

I went to Gymboree yesterday and found these adorable clothes. I sure hope I did ok on sizes. I can't wait to try them on Olivia.

We have booked our plane tickets.

We leave 2 weeks from Thursday!

We finally got our consulate appointment. This is our last appointment we will have in China. It is with the United States Consulate. We will then get Olivia's passport the next day by 6:00 p.m. This is a day later then our agency was trying to schedule. What that means is we will be in China one more day. We will leave China Saturday morning (March 10) and be home Saturday night. This is with gaining 13 hours, with the time change.

We will be gone a total of 17 days. UGHHHHHHH! It will be worth it, but I hate to be away from Megan that long. I am sure going to miss her.

Itinerary for our trip to bring Olivia home!

Confirmed travel dates are as follows:

Thurs, Feb 22 - Leave the US
Fri, Feb 23 - Arrive in Beijing China
Sat, Feb 24 - Sightsee in BJ (TianAnMen Square & Forbidden City, the Great Wall)
Sun, Feb 25 -Fly to Olivia's province (Changsha, Hunan)
Mon, Feb 26 - meet Olivia (Gotcha Day)
Tues, Feb 27 - adoption procedure with registration and notary
Wed, Feb 28 to Mon, March 5 - sightseeing and free days in the province
Tues, March 6 - Fly to Guangzhou, (date to fly to GZ is subject to change)
Wed, Mar 7 - medical exam for children
Thurs, March 8 - ACS appt
Fri, March 9 - receive our child’s visa about 6:00pm.
March 10 - departure from Guangzhou (going home)

Baby Shower

My friends the Two Debbie's gave me a baby shower for Olivia.

I received lots of nice presents for Olivia. Megan also received some nice gifts too. Megan was at the shower, she just isn't in any of the pictures. I am a bad mom.

Janie, Debbie, Kelli, Amanda, Olivia, Sherri, me, Karen, Debbie & Julie. Stacey was there too but she left before we took the picture.

Olivia..... look how much fun is waiting for you!

Things are sure looking different around here..... can you say "toddler"?? When I walk downstairs in the morning I am startled to see baby furniture. I never thought this day would come.

In this corner there use to be a big desk. I was planning on buying a kid's rug but found this rug. The print is similar to our curtains in this room. There still is a "Little Tike's" toy-chest upstairs in Olivia's room. I guess I will leave it so she will have something to play with while we are upstairs.

Process to make a baby paper ready.

1. When a child is found, the local police conduct an investigation and the local adoption center assists in placing the child in an orphanage.

2. The department of civil affairs make an announcement in the adoption of abandoned infants and children whose biological parents can not be ascertained or found. The finding ads are in place for 3 months.

3. Once the 3 month period is over, the orphanage director and the local adoption center prepare the child's abandonment certificate, birth certificate, medical report, orphanage report and the child's daily schedule.

4. The child's paperwork is sent to the CCAA to be processed and then matched to a family's dossier.

Not all children are abandoned at birth. This can affect how old the child is at referral time. Also, it is up to each orphanage director to determine which children's paperwork will be gathered and sent to the CCAA. They refer children as young as 6, 7, 8... months old.

Another Picture

I forgot to post this picture of Olivia. This was the first picture that we seen of her, it was in black and white.

Olivia

Xinhua Orphanage

This is where Olivia is.... waiting for her family. From what we understand we wont be able to see the orphanage. They will bring the babies to Chansha (the capital of the Hunan Province) to meet us.

Olivia, Mommy is coming to get you soon. I can't wait!

February?? Maybe??

When we received our referral we thought we wouldn't be leaving for China till March. Well... our agency is actually saying (maybe) we could leave as soon as February 22nd! At first I was excited! Then I started looking at expenses. If we travel the last 2 weeks of February, it will be higher for our airfare (because of the Chinese New Year,). If you know me very well... you know this is killing me, because I am such a penny pincher (or as others have called me.... cheap).

Oh well, we have no control over the process of the adoption.... I have found that I need to let it go and try not to control the process. It is not possible with the adoption process. I have heard that adoption is not for the weak (or cheap) of heart... boy is that true. But, after going through everything we have with Rachel I will do anything to bring home a healthy child.

Colette

Sleep.....

WOW! What a last few days. Last night Bob and I went out to dinner to celebrate our new daughter. We both still have grins from ear to ear on our faces.

We got up early this morning went to church then to the grocery store. I think that was Bob's hint of saying we needed some food in the house. As I told you before I haven't been doing my household chores. My goal for the week is to have all of the Christmas decorations & dishes put away and have a spotless house by Friday. Do you think I can do it?? It will be hard to focus, since all I can think about is Olivia

I guess I really haven't been sleeping well these last few weeks with the anticipation of receiving our referral. Anyway, I just woke up from a 2 hour nap.... it was lovely. I need to make sure I get my rest I don't want to get sick before or during our trip.

I guess I should get off this computer and get some stuff done.

Colette

Olivia Xin Walker

Still waiting...

I have been very patient today waiting for the UPS man to deliver our package. The package will have 3 more pictures of Olivia. Well, I am no longer patient. Hurry up UPS man, there is a mommy that wants to see her baby.

We finally received it at 7:30. As you can tell by the background, I still have up my Christmas decorations. I guess someone has been preocupied lately to get anything done around the house.

Colette

Map of China

Olivia is living in the Hunan Province. It is toward the bottom of the map. More then likely we will fly into Beijing then to the Hunan Provine, then to Guangdong Province.

It's a girl..... Olivia Walker

I just gave birth.... at least it feels like it! We got the call at 11:30 a.m. This is what we have been waiting for.... our REFERRAL!

Chinese Name: Xin Min Ya
Translation: 'Min' means people and 'Ya' means elegant
Birthdate: March 12, 2006
Province: Hunan
City: Changsha
Medical: (as of September when she was 6 months old)
16.6 pounds and 27 inches long and has 2 teeth

We chose to name her Olivia, we are not sure on the middle name yet.

We are all so happy!
Colette

PATIENCE

I am having a hard day today. It feels as though I will never get to see a picture of our baby. No news on packages today. Hope to hear something soon. Still hopefull that we will receive our referral next Thursday or Friday. Below is a poem that I keep on my frig to keep me going. Colette


Patience is a hard discipline. It is not just waiting until something happens over which we have no control: the arrival of the bus, the end of the rain, the return of a friend, the resolution of a conflict.

Patience is not waiting passively until someone else does something.

Patience asks us to live the moment to the fullest, to be completely present to the moment, to taste the here and now, to be where we are.

When we are impatient, we try to get away from where we are.

We behave as if the real thing will happen tomorrow, later, and somewhere else.

Let's be patient and trust that the treasure we look for is hidden in the ground on which we stand."

--Henri J.M. Nouwen

Christmas Morning

Here is Megan after opening some of her presents!

Christmas With The Walker's

We celebrated Christmas with Bob's family. Bob's mom (Earlene), his brother (Todd), Bob's dad (Larry) and his wife (Diana). Bob made turkey, dressing, potatoes & gravy, pie, etc.... YUMMY!

Christmas Caroling

Megan is in Honor Choir. Friday they went to the airport and a hospital singing Christmas carols. Megan had a small solo and did wonderful!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGAN!

Megan celebrated her 11th birthday bowling with her girl friends! The cake was an ice cream cake, yummy! Meg received lots of nice presents from her friends! It was a fun day!

December 14th 1995

11 years ago today I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, we named her Megan Julianne.

HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY MEGAN!

I can't believe you are 11 today! You will be a great big sister!

Love, Mommy

PATIENCE

This means patience in Chinese, something I am needing a lot of these days!

Even though it is December and there are so many things to get done, the days seem to crawl by. It seems like it will be forever before we get our referral. PATIENCE! Can you see me chanting "patience, patience, patience"?!?!?

Christmas Cookies

Happy Holidays from Tulsa!

Megan and her friend (Natalie) made sugar Christmas cookies tonight. Fun was had by all.

Colette

100 Wishes Quilt

It's done! YEA! After collecting all 100 squares & cutting them, I turned my squares over to my friends (Debbie & Olivia). The two of them put in many, many hours sewing all of the squares together and then sewing the back fabric to the squares.

THANK YOU DEBBIE & OLIVIA (pictured above). Without you two this could have never been done.

Also, I want to thank all of you who sent a square. Our child will have this quilt to remind her how much she was loved even before she was brought to America!

Colette

Kansas City!

This was taken while I was in K.C. with my college friends. Tom, Mark, Rose, Vonnes, and me.
We call the 2 Susan's by their last names. This pic was taken in an Irish Pub down in the plaza.

We had a wonderful time catching up with one another. Tom is the only one of us that still lives in Nebraska. Mark lives in Chicago, Vonnes lives in Phoenix and our host lives in K.C. The last time we were together was in Phoenix 4 years ago. We try to get together every few years, but it had been 7 years since all 5 of us were together. We hope to all get together in 2008!

Colette

Megan riding a horse!

Wanted to post a picture of Megan. She is 10 and will be 11 next week.

This picture was taken in October on our Girl Scout camping trip. I even rode a horse!