Today Is The Day

We just finished breakfast and at 9 am I am meeting with our other guide, Anita, who will take us to the bank to exchange our "perfect" American currency :) into Chinese currency as we prepare to pay adoption fees. We were very fortunate in that we were able to wire the actual adoption fee (sometimes called "child rearing" fee). It's been a relief not having to carry the additional cash around with you every second of every day while on the journey.
Aly has prepared all our Red bags and envelopes so we think we are ready on that front. At 1 pm today Aly will meet with Marie (in the hotel conference room) to complete our adoption papers that we will submit to the Chinese registry.

The little ones will begin arriving at our hotel at 2 pm with some arriving as late as 4 or 5 pm. The exact time depends on their train schedule or the traffic they encounter if arriving by bus. I don't want to call it tension but you can definitely detect a shift in the mood of the families. Every one is still smiling and friendly but you can sense the anticipation. The anxiety. Our nervousness coming out in a myriad of subtle yet visible emotional glimpses.
It's good to see that if only to let us know we are not alone in feeling happy and scared... All at the same time.

Once we have Alyzabeth and are back in our room, I'll work up a short (unedited :) video of Alyzabeth as she was placed in her mother's arms for the first time...
It may only be a video minus any actual posting. Then again, you may not be able to shut me up :) I think you all know what I mean.

Included in this post is a short video of this mornings breakfast and a very quick peek of the bank exchange. I wasn't too sure that filming in the bank was a cool thing to do so it's quick and somewhat jerky. And it was HOT and HUMID in there!

The next time we post, we will be sharing our ALYZABETH AN with you.
Imagine that!!!
peace
ac & fm