More Pictures!... and a little info.

This was on Gotcha Day, 3/17/08, the first time XuXu let her new PaPa hold her with out crying.


Me and both of my babies... at last.


This is the family portrait taken on Gotcha Day that was put on XuXu's adoption certificate.


We took a picture in front of the Chinese Flag at the CCAA on the day XuXu officially became a Denzel! 3/18/08


3/19/08 On Wednesday afternoon we finally had a free day and walked to the park across the street with the other two families here in Hefei with us. It is a beautiful park that is around a lake. It is early spring here and the willow trees in the background are just beginning to get their leaves, and other trees are blooming.


From left to right this is: XuXu and I, Jennifer Johnson and Noelle, Amy Woods and Adaiah. We have really enjoyed our time with these two wonderful families. Both are so loving, kind, and generous. I'm so thankful for them. They have enhanced our experience here in Hefei exponentially.


Zion and XuXu! a first measurement of size for the Ge Ge (big brother) and Mei Mei (little sister).


I just love that face... what else can I say.


We conked out after breakfast while waiting for the Johnsons to join us on a trip to the "Carefour" a Chinese mall. 3/20/08 AM


We went to visit XuXu's orphanage today (3/20). I started crying when we got out of the van. But then the orphanage tour became a bit of a whirlwind, and we just tried to keep up. (Hanni, we got great video and pictures of the "girl in pink". And Kim S. your little girl was the first girl we met when we got there, almost at the entrance walking with her nanny. She is beautiful. We got pics and video for you too.) First we went to the 0-2 rooms. The Hefei SWI is open bright and clean and colorful. All the nannies shouted out "Jia Feng!" (XuXu's name in China) happily when they saw her. There was a lot of staff who all seemed to be engaged with and love the babies very much. The are all kind and friendly. It is so reassuring to know first hand the XuXu was so well cared for for the first 16 months of her life. At the babies activity room (where her referral picture was taken) we met her caregiver from the "grandma" program that they have at this orphanage (in the above picture). It was her job to play with certain infants one on one for a while every day. She also is the one who created her life book. She was so happy to see her again and went to take a memento photo with her for herself. It was very obvious she loved her a lot. I found out that her sur name is Xu. What a wonderful connection and reminder that is for us.


This is the crib XuXu slept in, in the her foster family's apartment. She was placed in the foster care village in October of 2007.
She would spend her evenings and nights at their apartment with about 6 other kids. She would go to the infant play and activity rooms during the day.


This is Zion and XuXu playing in the tub together tonight. He really makes her laugh. She love to play games and be silly. She'll fit right in in our family. We just have to do something about those tantrums... hmmmm.



Tomorrow we leave for Guangzhou. Here is where we get her visa for her to go to the USA! Six days left. I am so tired and ready to be home, but know I really understand what I have read in other blog about leaving being bitter sweet. It is hard to leave a place that is so much in my heart.