Greetings from Hefei, Anhui, China!!

[Kimberly H]

We're here!

This is the first chance I've had to get online - free broadband
connection from our room at the GORGEOUS Grand Park Zenith Hotel in
Hefei.

The flight from Myrtle Beach to Charlotte was uneventful and our
Charlotte flight was an hour late leaving because of snow, but made
uptime in the air and we arrived in San Francisco only 15 minutes
late. However our flight from SFO to Beijing was delayed 4 hours.
UGH! We finally met up with our online friends, Laurel and Alex, and
others in our group - what a joy! Then we squeezed into our seats
(some of us a tighter fit than others) and spent a pretty
uncomfortable flight to Beijing.

We didn't get to Beijing until 8pm-ish and our guides had already
checked us into the hotel so we only had to go upstairs and wait for
our luggage to be delivered. For some reason we were given a suite
instead of a room. Yay! After a glorious hot shower, I went to
bed, waking Robert to take off his clothes, and setting my alarm for
5:30am. No trouble sleeping for either of us.

Morning brought a breakfast buffet - dim sum, pineapple yogurt and
pancakes for breakfast - with Laurel and Alex, then back upstairs to
gather carry-ons and off we went. This time our plane was much
newer and we were much more comfortable.

After we got on our bus to the hotel, we found out we're getting Mia
at 9:30am!! Much earlier than we expected, though the time will be
flexible as our babies are coming from different orphanages and the
travel time will be different.

We unpacked and went to a meeting to learn how to make the bottles
our babies are used to, how the money will be handled, and so on.
Afterwards a large group of us met at the Brazilian BBQ restaurant
on the first floor of the hotel and had a blast with good food and
good friends. The tangerines here are tiny and sweet and easy to
peel - I'm badly addicted.

Now we're settled in our room with Robert watching BBC on TV and me
cursing that our plug adapter doesn't fit the outlet properly and
I'm limited on computer time because of the battery. Hopefully our
hotel will have what I need tomorrow.

As I said, we'll get Mia in the morning, head back to our room and
wait for CCAI's local pediatrician to look at her and answer any
questions, then do paperwork in the afternoon.

Love to all from Hefei!
- Kimberly
(13 hours ahead of Eastern Time)

[NEVE and TRISTAN]

I swear pass the the tissue!!!!
I am so excited for you and so happy that the journey there is a wonderful one!!!! If I'm doing my math correctly I think you have Mia now unless you get her at 9:00 "tomorrow" which would be tonight our time...

Thank you so much for keeping us updated we are all cheering you guys on!!!
Neve
AKA "mama2be"-forgot password
and Baby Boy Tristan born @UNC
Feb 25, 2003
Brother to 3 pups "gees" and 2 kitties

[Rachels]

So exciting! That's wonderful!

-Rachel
Mom to Abigail Rose
5/18/02

[ismommy]

How exciting. I can't wait to hear about actually holding Mia for the first time.

Helene
mommy to Isabella 9/19/01

[jojo2324]

Kimberly, congrats!!!! Can't wait to hear the good news! :)

[Momof3Labs]

I have goosebumps!! We'll be thinking of you tomorrow; may it be as magical as you've dreamed it!

[hjdong]

Oh - I'm so excited for you! I can't wait to see some pictures!

[egoldber]

Yeah!!!! Hope to see pix of little Mia soon!