We are in Guangzhou.....

Well we arrived safe and sound to Guangzhou Friday night!

The plane ride was a bit (OK very) rocky....

but...

we made it (very late I might add too).

We hit the Island yesterday after Alex's visa photos and medical exam....

and...

did a bit of shopping too.

Today we ~ I ~ am doing more paper work for Alex's adoption....

with our group & guide, Jocelyn (who we had when we traveled back in 2008 for Annabelle)...

and...

seeing how we are staying on the mainland this time...

at a Marriott....

we figure we do a bit exploring around the streets of the hotel.

Only one photo to share with you all today.

It was taken on our last day in Zhengzhou...

with our dear, sweet friend, Dawn (who we originally meet when we traveled for Benjamin back in 2010)...

and our guide (which we had for the past three adoptions), Yisha.

We told Yisha last time we were leaving Zhengzhou (back in June of 2010)....

this was the last time she would be seeing us in an adoption travel group.

Well you all can just imagine what Yisha did when we said it to her again ~ this time....

"We truly adore you & love you, Yisha and we seriously could not have taken this amazing journey through Zhengzhou...not once...not twice...but THREE times without you!  You totally rock and we will miss you the most.  Can't wait until you come and visit us in the states!  Between, the Fisher family, the Waite family and the Leonard family ~ you are sure to have a great time!"

last day in Zhengzhou....

Around 2:30PM (China time) we will be leaving our hotel for the airport ~ headed to Guangzhou!

Less than a week left!

While I do have a ton of photos to share with you all....

 {our visit to the city of Jiaozuo ~ photo of old Jiaozuo City SWI where we visited back in 2008 during our adoption trip to Annabelle}

 {front door to new Jiaozuo City SWI which  was where Alex was living for the past 2 1/2 months}

 {Alex reunited with his Nannies on Hope's Floor at the new SWI}

 {Alex enjoying the marine animal show at Zhengzhou's Aquarium}

 {Annabelle getting to feed the fish at the aquarium}

{Benjamin trying to catch some of fish}


I haven't downloaded all of them to my computer.

We have been having lots of fun!

Alex is doing amazing!

And....

Ever since visiting his orphanage this past Wednesday (he had a very hard time there)....

He has truly become the "Zhe-Zhe" we were told about!!!! {and yes still very all boy!}

We miss Francesca and Benjamin something terrible....

And...

As I stated earlier, even though we are having tons of fun...

It is not the same without those two tagging along.

Just waiting on Alex's Chinese passport...

Than soon...

We'll be on our way.

{and Mom if you happened to be reading this any time soon ~ please let me know when you reach MD and with the other two....We so need to do some skyping....}

Love you all...

And...

More to come from.....

Guangzhou.

this little boy knows more than what he is letting onto.....

It is truly amazing what a some English speaking interaction can do for one little Chinese boy ~ who is waiting for his Forever Family....

Our little bugger here knows a lot more English than he is letting onto....

He knows the words...

"No!"

"Come Here"

"Go"

"Cars"

"Mama"

"Daddy" (not Baba)

"Cookie"

"Candy"

"Drink"

"Truck"

"Book"

(I could go on forever here but you get the idea...)

He also knew the answer to this question when asked this morning as he was laying awake in his crib...

"Do you want to come into bed with Mama?"  Without any hesitation, he shook his head "Yes" and reached out his arms to me to be picked up.  He has also started to answer when called by his newly given name "Alex"! 

Yes my friends ~ this little boy knows a lot more English that he let onto in the beginning.

{here are a few photos that were taken last night while Annabelle & Benjamin were settling down for bed...I did not edit them so as you will see, Annabelle had another bloody nose ~ seeing how the air is so dry over here & Alex's face is not cleaned off from enjoying some pizza!}

{And in the next few photos it will probably look like our Miss Annabelle is not too happy to have Alexander right in her face  - but - she is actually puckering up her lips so he comes over to give her kisses}

As I mention in my last post, we are headed to Jiaozou today to get some paper work notarized and to see Jiaozou City Orphanage where Alex and Annabelle lived the first few months of their life.  Annabelle is very excited!  For we have told her {a zillion times over} the story about the last time we traveled to her orphanage.  It was one very special little boy they called "David" that captured my heart and lead me down the road to wanting a little boy.....

an afternoon at the park.....

After returning from the Civil Affairs office this morning, we decided to spend the day at the local park not far from our hotel in Zhengzhou with our friends (and fellow travel mates) the Fisher family! All the kiddos had a blast and we (the parents) had a ton of laughs! It seriously was one of the most funniest days I had ever spent in China! Here are a few photos that were taken this afternooon...

Both Alex and Annabelle LOVED riding in the cars!!!!!

Here are a few other photos that were taken by Daddy yesterday afternoon while I was with the group doing some paper work. 

He truly is a ham and I must admit ~ another special little boy has stolen my heart!

Tomorrow, we head into the city of Jiaozuo to get some paper work notarized adn we are hoping to be able to visit his (and our Annabelle's) orphanage (once again). 

All is well here in China!  I am finally feeling better andthe weather has been great!  The kiddos are doing wonderfully well too! 

And as I mention before - we truly have an "all boy" on our hands this time!  He tries to get into everything & anything - he just smiles at the word "No" - he loves to be chased - he is going to be the little bugger that truly keeps me on my toes!

Welcome Alexander David Zhe Leonard!

Well, here he is! 

Isn't he just the most precious tiny toodler you have ever seen! 

And trust me ~ he is all boy! 

He was one of the first babies at the civil affairs office this morning (we actually walked into the civil affairs office with him & his care taker at the same time). ..

I was just about to jump out of my skin when I saw him....

We were also the first family to be united with our child this morning....

And he did great!

So far ~ so good!

We just had lunch at at the hotel....

And I am getting ready to do some paper work with our travel group!

So without making you wait any longer....

Here are some photos from our "Forever Family Day"

We are here in Zhengzhou!

After what seems like forever, we are finally in Zhengzhou, China!

Not only am I very tired ~ but as you can guess it ~ I am sick...

and having issues with connecting to the internet...

But ~

TOMORROW we will FINALLY be united with Alexnader!

Yes the time has finally come....

As for our spicy Annabelle....

She is having a blast!

Heading out....

Well, it looks like we finally made it to this point ~ we will be leaving for the airport at 8:30AM for that 16 hours flight to Beijing!  After a year of paper chasing - stressing - more paper stressing - and a lot more stressing - we are finally here!   Not sure if I'll post our first night (and only night) in Beijing but you can be sure I'll be posting once we arrive in Zhengzhou. 

And mark your calenders for February 20th ~ is the day we finally come face-to-face with our newest addition!  I seriously can NOT wait.....

China Travel Details

Daily CHINA TRAVEL Schedule

February 17th ~ Leave For China!

February 18th ~ Arrive in Beijing

February 19th ~ Fly to Zhengzhou

February 20th ~ ALEXANDER'S DAY!!!!!

February 21st ~ Adoption Registration

February 22nd ~ Travel to Jiaozuo to finish paper work & notary

February 23rd ~ Free Day!

February 24th ~ Leave Zhengzhou and fly to Guangzhou

February 25th ~ Alexnader's Physical & Visa Photo

February 26th ~ Free Day!

February 27th ~ Free Day!

February 28th ~ Consulate Appointment

February 29th ~ Received Alexnader's Visa Packet {so we can come home}

March 1st ~ HOME BOUND!!!!!