Chicken Congee at Home!

I have mastered the recipe for chicken congee. Ava is loving it! We've been home for a little over a week... lots to tell, no time to do it. Will post more later...

Home Sweet Home

It feels so great to finally be home. Ava slept for about 11 of the 14 hours on the trip from Guangzhou to Los Angeles. We left LA at 11:30 p.m. last night after a 3 hour layover and arrived in Cleveland around 6:30 a.m. this morning. That leg of the trip was actually more challenging because Ava was awake almost the whole time, and the plane was small and packed. Jay spent some time holding her in the back of the plane, and I actually gave her my seat and sat in aisle for a while. Good thing everyone else on the plane was asleep!

 

The boys are in love with their new sister. Sydney has been grinning all day playing with her "baby tister A'a." Ava loves all of them too. Sydney helped me give her a bath, and Wyatt helped give her a snack. They are all playing so well with her. Ava just went to bed, and I am hoping to follow soon. We have stayed up most of the day (which feels like staying up all night since our bodies are still on China time). Grandma and Grandpa Greenlees took the boys home for lunch while all of us girls and Jay took a 2 hour nap. We are exhausted but hoping we will be able to fight off the jet lag sooner rather than later.

LAX... again

But this time with our Ava! We are so happy to be back in the U.S. Ava officially became a citizen about an hour ago. We tried to take a picture, but the immigrations officer made us erase it... oops. We'll be home in just a few more hours. Can't wait to see Carter, Cooper, Wyatt, and Sydney!!

Swearing In and One Last Dinner at Lucy's

Yesterday was a big day for Ava. We rode a bus with a lot of other families to the U.S. Consulate and had our swearing in ceremony for Ava. They do not allow cameras there, so we don't have any pictures. She is now a U.S. citizen on paper, but it doesn't become official until she crosses into the U.S. at our port of entry. So... Ava will officially be a U.S. citizen at about 7:00 p.m. on Friday night in Los Angeles! We will definitely get pictures of that! We took a picture with Emma in front of our hotel when we got back from the consulate to mark the day.

 

To celebrate, we had one last dinner with the Linder's at Lucy's. Ava enjoyed one last bowl of chicken congee. If anyone has a good recipe for that, please let me know! Ava has gained an entire pound since we've been here, and I know it is because of the way she eats that congee! When we said good-bye, Carter gave Ava about 10 hugs. They are too cute together. It will fun to get together with the Linders over the years and watch them grow up.

 

We've spent the day today (it's Friday afternoon here) packing and shopping. It's been a rainy day, so we've been in the room most of the day. We are definitely coming home with more than we arrived with. We had to buy an extra suitcase just to fit it all in. Good thing they allow 2 checked bags per person on this flight! My next post will be from L.A. if we can find an internet connection. If not, see you in Ohio!!!

Red Couch Pictures

Today we met the Linders in the White Swan lobby for some red couch pictures. The kids were too cute together!! As I look at these pictures, it is amazing to me how much different Ava is after only 10 days. She has so much personality now, and I think I see the beginning of a double chin! :)

Our Chinese Beauty

We tried for more pictures on the park bench. Ava was not very smilely, but we still got some good ones. We took pictures with the other camera as well, but... we seem to have lost that camera. We've torn the room apart looking, and it doesn't seem to be here. We have no idea what could have happened to it. At least the rest of our pictures (from the last 12 days) were already downloaded onto the laptop... phew!

Lazy Day

Our consulate appointment was this morning, but we didn't even have to go. Our coordinator, Emma, took care of everything and called us in our room when everything was finished. Just a couple of steps to go until we can come home.

 

After breakfast we took more pictures of Ava in the central part of the island where all of the flowers and huge trees are. The backgrounds are so beautiful. We are going to put her in one of her silk dresses after nap today and try for more pictures later! 

 

Also this morning, we stopped by Sherry's Place to buy squeaky shoes for my nephews. Sherry showed me a new style of shoes that she has that have a place for hair clips to be attached. I am going back later to place a large order for my web hair bow business. Jay is out right now in search of a suitcase to bring all of my goodies home!