Day 4 - Medical Exam & Baiyun Mountain

Lucy Rose had her medical exam done today in order to get her visa to enter the U.S. Of course, she was not very happy about being poked & prodded by a stranger.  She is quite a peanut - 7.7 kg or 17 pounds and 76 cm.  She actually is smaller than Lilly was at her adoption but Lilly was 4 months younger & had a heart defect to explain her low weight. Hopefully Lucy Rose will put on some serious pounds once we get home. Katie has introduced Lucy Rose to Oreos & Skittles so far.

Next Katie and I decided to be adventurous as we have been quite bored sitting around the hotel so much. After we finished the medical appointment, we had our driver take us to Baiyun Mountain also known as White Cloud Mountain. I had never heard of it until this trip when I asked our guide to tell me of some places to visit that aren't typically on adoptive families itinerary. I am so glad we went - it provided some magnificent views of the city despite the smog!  We took a cable car up and walked back down. We certainly got our e excise for the day!  Thankfully we had no trouble finding a taxi to take us back to our hotel.

Missing the blue skies of South Carolina & definitely missing David & the children! Only 6 more days!

Day 2 and 3 with Lucy Rose

Day 2 with our girl. . .

Chen RunYuan, 1 of an estimated 1 million orphans in China, officially became Lucy Rose Ruyuan Bryant, a loved and cherished daughter and sister today!

Day 3 - 

This girl eats like a bird! The orphanage said she liked meat and this morning at breakfast she proved them right. She devoured the slice of ham. Tolerated scrambled eggs and pineapple. Enjoyed chicken at Tekilas tonight for dinner. 

Our sweet girl loves Dumbo which we sent in a care package to her, the stacking cups, & books.

Floor time is a lot of fun for Lucy - she scoots mostly on her bottom but crawled a little today and took a few steps by herself!! We have large mirrors in the hallway of the room.  She loves to look at herself in the mirrors.  She talks and talks to herself and the. Laughs - so precious!

She is starting to talk more and more as she becomes comfortable with us. We don't understand much though!  She repeats a lot of our words - Katie, mama, hello, bye bye.  She has the sweetest voice.

She has such a sweet smile & such an adorable laugh!!! 

Lucy is mostly a very happy and sweet girl unless she is hungry or sleepy.  

No her teeth are not rotten - she's simply enjoying her 1st Oreo!

I am loving having Katie here with Lucy and me. She has been such good company and of course, a great help to me.  And she keeps Lucy and me both laughing with her crazy self!

We had another great day today - had lots of play time in the room, did some exploring at a nearby park, met a new friend for some shopping and dinner. Little Lucy woke me this morning at 4 30 so I am going to bed as soon as she does tonight!  Good night from China!!!

Gotcha Day

An office worker brought Lucy to meet us.  Lucy was the only child from her orphanage to be adopted today.  The lady was so kind and shared with us a lot about Lucy.  She described Lucy as well loved by all of the orphanage staff.  She also said she was a smart and cheerful girl.  She asked me to please send pictures of her with her family and also shared with me that they were so worried about her hands. They all hoped we could help her get surgeries or treatment to help her. I assured her we would do everything we could to help Lucy reach her full potential. It was a sweet moment.

Even Cherrios failed to comfort her. The tears came hard and fast for close to an hour. 

Once the orphanage worker left, Lucy tolerated me and stopped crying. 

We finished up paperwork so we could leave quickly hoping Lucy would feel better.

On the van ride back to the hotel, we began to see a glimpse of her personality.  

She could not quite figure out the sippy cup I brought but did manage to get some apple juice through the straw of the juice box we picked up at the supermarket. We had to make a quick stop for formula and a few other items. Katie spent her money on several outfits for the children at the orphanage. We asked what was most needed and were told outfits for little girls ages 2 to 3. Our guide and drive kept telling Katie what a kind girl she was for working hard and saving her money to spend on the orphaned children. Katie has always been a cheerful giver and had a huge heart for those less fortunate than herself.

Back at the hotel - Lucy enjoyed her first book - upside down and all!

Our 1st meal with Lucy was none other than McDonald's!! We were tired and hungry, and it was the closest!  Lucy is a meat eater per the orphanage worker & she did enjoy a few nuggets.

She cruises really well and is starting to stand up on her own. She has a good time with most anything - very easy to please.  

The stacking cups were a huge hit before bedtime.  She can manage them pretty well.

Starting to get sleepy after a very big day!

1st bottle with Mama!

Thankfully Lucy slept great all through the night.

It was a hard day emotionally for all of us but especially for Lucy and the other children who said goodbye to all they knew to go into the arms of strangers.  Thankful for this little one and how God called us to be her forever family!

We Made It

Saying goodbye is always hard!

As expected, Katie has been a fun travel companion. My only complaint- every time I tell her something, she has earbuds in & does not hear me.

Waiting to depart from Hong Kong to our final destination-Guangzhou, China!

Katie was here a little over 8 years ago when we were adopting Lilly. She is glad to be back. We already ran into our favorite guide ever- Elvin!!! Katie recognized him before we even got out of the van at our hotel. It was so good to see him!

Our 1st meal in China - The Coffee Club. Western style food by default because we could not find the noodle restaurant which is a favorite of adoptive families. Planning to venture back out this evening and hoping to have dinner there - now that we have better directions.

We meet Lucy tomorrow around 3.  Excited and nervous all at the same time. Praying that God gives Lucy strength and courage to leave all she has ever known and to part from her nanny into the arms of a stranger. Praying she learns to trust us quickly. Love speaks all languages and love always wins! And praying that Katie and I can get a full night of rest so we will be ready for the big day tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers and support!!!

Adoption and Redemption

This morning as Katie and I were talking, I began to despair over the brokenness and sin in this world that are the direct causes of the orphan crisis today. Then I turned my thoughts to our mighty God and have been reflecting on my own adoption & redemption by my Heavenly Father through the death of His son on the cross. Praise God - adoption & redemption are His plans for His children. How blessed and thankful I am that God has chosen to use David and me to be a part of the adoption of 6 of His children here on earth! Words truly can not describe the state of my heart!  I am in awe of His goodness and His mercy.  Overwhelmed by His relentless love for me. Honored to be His vessel of Redemption for another of the least of these. Praise His Holy name and may He alone be glorified today as children all over China meet their families and begin the journey of becoming cherished sons and daughters!

"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you with his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17

Loving Lucy

First picture we saw. . .

 

First time she saw us!

 

First time playing with her toys!

 

September 14, 2015

Our two worlds will become one!

Stay Tuned. . .