Day 3

Today's start was a little touchy. Lila was on verge of crying immediately upon waking but once she realized we were dressing for breakfast, the smiles started. The only piece of businees we had to take care of today was getting a passport for Lila. After the stress and strain of cutting through the tangled mess of Chinese beaurocracy, nap time was calling.



After getting Lila's passport, we took a trip to the "Big Goose Pagoda". It's a buhddist temple (for those of us who aren't world travelers or religion majors, including Jen and myself).


The Chinese characters behind Lila say "Good Luck", we'll all need it especially Jake and Cade.


Mom and Lila at the temple. Jen burned a candle at the altar of sleepy, new moms; so tonight should be a good one for catching up on a few lost hours.



At the time of writing this (3:15 p.m. China time) Lila has been running at 110% so we're going for a walk. Maybe we'll burn off a little of the excess energy. Going to visit the Bell Tower; which our hotel is named after. Tomorrow maybe we'll post the photos.

Day 2

Well fiesty is the best way to describe Miss Lila.She is very independent and will accept little help.She wants to do it all by herself. She is very smart and a fast learner she is already repeating words I say to her. We finalized her adoption yesterday and she was very sad when we got back to the Hotel. She does not like to be in the hotel. She is much happier out and about. I know this is very hard on her and she has lost the only family she has ever known. The orphange director and her nanny were there and they were so happy to see her. They really seemed to have a deep affection for Lila and I was glad to see that she didn't listen to them either. The director made a small album of Lila's pics from over the years. She is the little girl in the blue jacket with the balloons that I posted awhile ago.It is so nice to have pics of her past she will appreaciate them so much when she is older. The orphange did recieve the care package we sent and brought me back the disposable camera as I requested. I can't wait to develop them and she her everyday life.Cade better watch out bacause this girl can eat!! She gets so happy about food and giggles and talks the whole time she eats. She can use a regular spoon and fork like a pro. We were amazed and she clean us after herself!!

Lila's is in "bath" therapy. When she gets so sad I fill up the tub and toss in some toys and she goes to town. She can wash herself(hair and all). She also scrubs her toys with a toothbrush and sets them out to dry.She is amazing she's like a little housekeeper. I will post more pics later. Lila is an amazing child and although right now it's a bit rocky we love her pieces.

Day 1 with Lila

We met Lila today and it was interesting. A lot of wailing and knashing of teeth. A Lila did a lot of crying. In the hotel room we did it all over again when the only other chinese girl (the CCAI Guide)in the room left. At about 9:00 p.m. things became a little calmer and we got some smiles and talking. We all could use a good night's sleep. Dad(Scott) 



Well I must agree her little tears were hard but right now she is eating Cheerios and laughing. The last 3 hrs have been tense but she is beautiful and a bit sassy if I must say so. She does what she wants to do now she will be just like Jake and Cade!
Post more later. Jen

We made it to Beijing!!!!

We arrived in Beijing on the 26th after an uneventful 13 hr flight. Scott and I were upgraded to better seats and the person inbetween us was a no show so we had some extra room (also was an exit isle). Our guide Helen is super nice and very helpful and tonight will take us to the acrobats show and to a real Chinese dinner @ a 400 yr old resturant. Scott is so excited about the dinner he is much more adventurous with food than I. We will go to the Great Wall tommorow then off to Lila's province on Sunday.We also found out that we would get Lila a day early so now the count down is less than 48 hrs!!!I plan on taking so pics to post tomorrow. Hope all is well at home I already miss it!!

One for the Road!!

Well Robin strikes again!! I just loved the idea of this adorable outfit!! She calls it Hearts of Two Countries. Now how appropriate is that!!We are almost packed and ready to go though my heart already misses my boys!! I will feel very lost without my 2 shadows. Tomorrow they will get haircuts so they will be ready when we get back for the first Lapp family reunion that we all are sooooo excited about. I hope Lila can just roll with it, but that is alot to expect from her. We plan to be able to post while in China so keep an eye on us and our final leg of this journey to Lila!!
Plane leaves Wed @12:31 PM !!!

Cade's 5th Birthday Party!!!

We decided to have Cade's birthday party a week early since we leave for China in 10 days!!!! So we gathered up some friends, slip-n-slide,water ballons, water guns and had a water party. The kids and Scott had a blast. As you would guess it rained on and off but didn't seem to dampen the mood. Scott is the best at entertaining the kids he always wrestles with them and chases them around. They all love Mr Scott. Cade had such a great time and we were happy to be able to have his party before we take the big trip!!!

Have our CA !!! Flights booked !!

We recieved our CA which means the US Consulate appt has been made for July 9th. We have to go through the US Consultae to get all her immigration papers ready for her to be a US Citizen when her tiny feet hit US soil. We have decided that Scott will come back a few days early on July 7th to be with the boys then Lila and I will be home Friday the 11th at 7:36PM.That will be a day to remember for a long time to come. So here is our tentative schedule for China:
Fly to China on June 25th @ 12:31 PM
Arrive in Beijing on 26th
Fly to Shaanxi Province on 29th
Get our little beauty on the 30th
Finalize her adoption on July 1st
We hang out a few days for all the paperwork to be complete
July 5th head to Guanghou for the Consulate appt
Now we get her physical,visa and passport in order
July 9th we have our Consulate appt
We take a group oath on July 10th
Fly home on July 11 @ 6:30PM (direct flight will be 13hr 6min)
Hug my boys until my arms fall off!!!!! I have such meixed emotions about leaving my boys but they will be in the capable hand on Pop-pop, Gigi & Grandma while we're away and I know they love them as much as I do!!!So once again LILA you will be in our arms in 16 days!! Someone pinch me!!