We're Home

The last few days of our trip were very busy, so we're sorry we haven't posted anything for a bit. On Thursday, we finalized the adoption and Nina's paperwork with the US at the Consulate in Guangzhou (which funny enough is right next to IKEA). That was followed by the traditional picture of the girls on the famous red couch at the White Swan (see below for their reaction to that!). Then, we hurried to pack and organize paperwork we'd need upon arrival...oh, and of course, get ready for a 13-hour flight with a 10-month old baby! It was pretty much as bad as we thought it would be (thank goodness for another family's mother, who happened to be a pediatric nurse--much better at giving Benadryl than we were).
When we finally got home, we sailed through customs and immigration (whew), and only managed to lose one bag (Terri's clothes!) (we think it may arrive in the US on Tuesday). Traci and Gene (Todd's sister and brother-in-law) kindly picked all of us up at Newark airport (our first chance to show off Nina in person!). We made it back to beautiful KOP by about 8:30 pm, showed Nina her room, ordered greasy American food from our favorite deli, and tried to get some sleep.
The weekend was a little tough--Nina's perfect schedule that she had in China went out the window of that plane! It's now Monday night though and fingers crossed that it is worked out by tomorrow.
We've had some visitors--Nina is already taken with her grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, and of course, her cousins! We weren't as careful with picture taking since we've arrived home, but we promise to remember to use the digital more often.
We're so glad to be home, and can't wait for all of you to meet Nina. The postings are all so wonderful to read and we've been printing them to save for our daughter to read some day (she is a genius of course, but not that advanced yet!). Thanks for all of your good wishes.

Some pictures...
(In case any of you is crazy enough to waste your day looking at all of the pictures from our trip, you can find them at the following link: http://www.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=40363255/a=5225021/t_=5225021)

Traditional picture of girls at the White Swan:



IKEA next to the Consulate:


Nina actually looking at the camera for a family photo!:

Nina likes her high chair:


Nina at her new house:


One of our early favorites: