Bladder Stones

Nan has a 7mm bladder stone. I know she isn't a 65 year old guy with prostate issues, but I have it on tape. It's pretty common in children in developing countries. So we spent the morning at the hospital. We're going to try to get back earlier if possible, we'll see what we can do. She's still going potty okay so if anything changes we'll go back to the hospital.

We had so much fun yesterday at the Civil Affairs office that we decided to go back today. Nan's orphanage director was there and the scene started shaping up similar to yesterday. She snuggled up to the director and wouldn't look at us. The director was talking to her in Mandarin and Nan kept shaking her head. Then suddenly she was back to the girl we got to know the night before. The director left and everything was fine. Our coordinator told us that the director told Nan that since she didn't want her family, was it okay to let another little girl go home with us. Nan told the director that she liked her family just fine and didn't want any other kids to have us. (Apparently they play hardball in China) It's not the approach I would've taken, but the director put her in the position to choose us, and she did. The adoption certificate was signed and Nan's official name is now Brennan Xiao Caldwell.

The director advised us not to visit the orphanage with Nan. Tomorrow Dallas will go visit alone and take pictures of the waiting children and get whatever updates we can.

Gotcha Day

Here we are at Gotcha Day. By the time we left the Civil Affairs Office everyone was crying. Nan was terrified. She screamed at us, threw her bracelet at us and cried for her Nannies to come save her. It was by far one of the toughest mornings I've ever had. Our coordinator said we would have a very tough night. I knew Nan was my daughter when she tried to take me out with a right hook on the floor of the Civil Affairs Office. We were meant to be!

Back at the hotel, after screaming herself to sleep, Nan woke up pretty subdued after her nap. She and Aslen took a bath and Dallas and I dried her off, put lotion on her and got her dressed. I put on her stride rite shoes that light up when you stomp them and it was the first smile she ever gave me. (Should've known the way to her heart would be shoes) She seemed to like her new clothes. The coordinator came back to the hotel room to help us complete some paperwork and I anticipated another monster tantrum, but she let Anna come and go without begging her to save her. We decided to push our luck and take the girls toy shopping. Nan took my hand and didn't let go until dinner. She ate very well and smiled at me alot. Back at the hotel room Aslen and Nan played with their toys while Dr. Gong examined Nan. She has an ear infection so he brought us some drops and medicine. Nan started laughing and running, dancing and playing. She says "hello" "shoes" "Aslen" and "water." Right now she and Aslen are giggling and pretending to try to go to sleep. They are turning into sisters quickly.

What a day...

We're here

We just got to our hotel. Dallas and Jolean's luggage did not make it all the way to Nanjing. Somehow Aslen and Brennan's luggage did. As luck would have it we're across the street from a mall, where I was worshiped as a goddess. We're definately a minority here. Everyone stares at us and if Aslen's head is within arms reach the older people will compulsively touch her hair. We're waiting to hear from our coordinators and find out how the week will go. Hopefully our luggage will show up soon. We'll write more later.

Message from Brennan

"I want to wear a dress. Come get me faster. I miss you."

The Year of the Mickey Mouse

In a few weeks it will be the year of the rat but cute, plush rat toys are rare, so we went with Mickey Mouse. Brennan is sitting next to her Ayi. Linda Huang took this picture for us yesterday. She is a coordinator and also has business called China In Country Assistance Services. Her website is http://www.china-ias.com/. She provides many services to adopting families.

Linda said that Brennan is VERY excited about coming home. She requested "apples, oranges and skirts." She's a west coast girl already! We will leave on Feb 15th and will meet Brennan on Feb 18th.

We have approval to travel!!

We are waiting for confirmation of our consulate appointment, but it looks like we will leave for China on February 15th! So just like Sabra, I'll be getting another daughter for my birthday! No new pictures or updates. We will be the next to travel and bring updates to other families who are waiting. I guess this is really going to happen!