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J gave Elias his first oreo and then put him on the pristine white bed.

I put him down and he hid, savoring it…

It was so cute, he really enjoyed it.

As you can see, we’ve been eating really well and nutritiously.

Tonight we are going to a Portuguese-Cantonese restaurant with the group.

Oh yes we did do some other things today.

Apparently Guangzhou is about 2800 years old.

Our guides are phenomenal. So friendly and knowledgeable.

We went to an arts & crafts museum where they had ivory and bone carvings…

and embroidery…

… and porcelain…

Tomorrow we go for Elias’ physical.

Missing everyone but staying busy helps. We’re almost through!

We made it to Guangzhou! Thanks for your prayers…

Super nice hotel

The flight was… interesting. These fellow adoptive fams are so great. Someone gave him a lollipop and a toy phone, it helped for a few minutes…

Had his first flight today

That was just a practice run for the lo-ong flights home.

Looking a little rough... It's been a long trip!!

Anyway, we haven’t seen much of this city yet but it seems very multicultural and multilingual. We look forward to seeing more of it, getting Elias’ visa and medical, and preparing to come home a week from today!

Today is our last day in Zhengzhou. We should get Elias’ passport today.

Tomorrow we fly to Guangzhou to complete the final leg of this trip.

We’ll be there all next week getting Elias’ visa and his medical exam, etc.

Once we get there, the countdown will begin… (for me anyway)

Countdown to the long journey home. Please pray for our safe & smooth travel to Guangzhou. Thanks.

Next post from Guangzhou!

Bearing in mind his whole world has been turned upside down, Elias is doing really well.

He doesn’t cry that much, he just whimpers a little in his sleep.

He is a busy 1 year old, getting into drawers and everything else.

He’s a great eater and a great sleeper.

He’s very smart.

For example, I pound the floor with my hand twice. He does it twice. Then I do it three times. He does it three times, etc.

Yesterday I was putting dirty laundry into a bag. He almost ran across the hotel room and retrieved one of his socks that was sitting on the desk and brought it over to me to put into the bag.

He babbles a lot and has a lot of sounds, growls.

Although he likes to be held, he likes walking and exploring.

He uses his short arm a lot. I’m positive there’s a bone in it. He carries stuff under it. He’s extremely strong.

Yesterday a little girl came up to him and asked me a question in Chinese, clearly wondering about his arm. I couldn’t answer her of course. How do you say, God designed him that way, in Mandarin?

All the blatant close up stares attention will be good practice for when we come home. Strangers want to touch and hold him but he’s not having any of it.

I love it!

He’s a sweet boy. Can’t wait for him to meet his siblings!

Today we drove to Puyang City to apply for Elias’ passport.

It was a 6 hour round trip with 2 babies in the van. Thankfully our English-speaking guide accompanied us.

We crossed the Yellow River.

After we finished applying for the passports, two of the orphanage staff (who also accompanied us to the passport office) invited us to lunch at a nearby restaurant.

Elias fell asleep right at that point (thank goodness) but when he woke up, he ate a ton. He is a really good eater.

We didn’t get to see Elias’ finding place since it’s in another county and would have added a couple of hours onto the already long drive.

But we did get to see some of the countryside and the city where his orphanage is.

What challenge are you facing today?

Mine was travel anxiety, fear of the unknown, tiredness. But, He pulled us through. And here we are. Whatever it is… “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”

Tomorrow is a free day… I need to tell you more about Elias + his little personality!!!

As of today, we are officially the legal parents of Elias.

We received the adoption certificate today which makes the adoption final!

I was a little concerned about Elias seeing his ayis again but it was fine- he stuck to me like glue, which was really good. They gave him a bracelet with words that means they hope he stays with his family forever.

He was really loved and well-cared for.

After going to the notary’s office, we came back and we all napped.

Then we went to the Lotus Center which is like a multi-level mall, with food.

We had our guide translating and most things had pictures, but some things were still unbeknownst to us.

We got the essentials covered though!

Diapers, baby snacks, plus other random stuff.

Tomorrow we travel to Puyang City to apply for his passport.

This morning was so emotional. The scene was chaotic and the Puyang kiddos were the last to arrive.

Comforted by Mandarin but crying

Apparently Elias was very well-liked and all the nannies cried when he left.

Hard time saying goodbye

So he understandably had a hard time when he met us.

Still really upset

So we stepped out of the chaos and outside. He calmed down… a lot. He likes being outside.

Then on the bus back to the hotel, something miraculous happened…

Elias took a few bites of his cracker and stared up at me.

Then he relaxed… a lot.

When we got to the hotel, he was all smiles and he snacked on Cheerios and played.

Then he walked around and ate some congee and beef dumplings.

He is very, very smart.

He giggles at J.

And seems equally comfortable with both of us.

Did I mention he is really smart? He was imitating patterns with his hand.

And now he’s sleeping soundly in his crib.

He is a beautiful child.

Not much else to say except PTL!! Oh and thanks for the love, kind words and prayers.

Every time our plane lands somewhere, I feel like crying.

The fact that I am even here is nothing but a work of God. He equips you when needed. As Corrie ten Boom wrote, it’s like getting your ticket right before you get on the train.

Beijing at night

Now we are in Zhengzhou (capital city of province where Elias is from), things are getting really real.

Zhengzhou

We got an update on Elias- it says he is very naughty! Eats a really good variety of foods. Doesn’t like taking baths. He naps at the exact time as Seb.

Our hotel

I know I have been soliciting a lot of prayers from you lately! Please bear with me! Prayers for Elias’ safe travel to Zhengzhou would be appreciated.

Famous hand-pulled noodles

Tomorrow is the day! Elias day!

Today was another awesome day. This is just one of those iconic things that you’ve always wondered about and never imagined you’d ever experience.

J climbed pretty high, he reached the tower on the far right. I reached, umm, the first tower.

There were so many people there, from all over the world.

The day started out gloomy and rainy and then it turned into this:

Then we visited a Jade factory where I picked up a couple of family heirlooms. I mean, future heirlooms for the future.

Then we headed to see some Olympic buildings and an amazing Chinese acrobatics show.

Kind of like Cirque du Soleil but way, way crazier…

like 7 guys speeding on motorcycles inside an iron ball…

They started out with one and added them one by one. They were criss-crossing each other at full speed. I stopped taking pics after 2!

Anyway, tired. Please pray for safe & smooth travel for us to Zhengzhou tomorrow.

Ciao for now. Next post from Zhengzhou!

Since it’s 5am and I’ve been up since 2am, I think I’m a little messed up in the time zone, I thought I’d post some more pics from yesterday…

J is such a cultural warrior.

He just speaks the language and gets right in there.

I still can’t believe we’re here. I know I said that already.

Heading to the Great Wall today and tomorrow we fly to Zhengzhou to get ready to meet Elias.