So.......

We have now been home for a week and a day. The first meeting with the dogs didn't go so well. Dylan screamed and cried for a while. We slowly introduced them to him and he is much better now. He is definitely not a dog fan like Lizzy was, but he is tolerating them. He is still doing awesome. He has adjusted very quickly to his home and room. He has been sleeping on his own. However, last night he and Lizzy slept together. It was so cute to hear them laughing and playing in the bed.
Dylan also really likes clothes. We took him shopping to Carters outlet this weekend. He knows what he likes! He loves button-up plaid shirts. He wanted to wear one today. When I put it on him he said, "Cool". He also played Starfall this morning. He is learning to use the computer and was repeating the letter names and sounds. I don't use a mouse so he has had to learn to use the pad. He kept doing it too hard and it was not moving. After a minute he looked at me and said, "Easy". Then he gently moved his finger over the pad. He is so quick! He really enjoyed it!
 Lizzy and Dylan are learning to share and take turns. This is not going so well with Lizzy. She has been the only child for three years and is not used to sharing her things. We haven't bought Dylan many toys, yet. We bought Lizzy lots of toys in the beginning and she played with nothing. We are waiting to see what he really likes to do. He mostly likes to draw and play with the kid's laptop Rheannon gave him of Jackson's.
On Thursday, our friends the Johnstons came and visited. The kids had a blast and so did the adults! It was so nice to do something "normal" after being alone in China for so long. There were seven children here and they were all SO good. It is so nice to see children who are so well behaved. (Good job, Amber and Trent!)  They have such good manners as well. Dylan and the kids decided to play Disney Just Dance. It was hilarious to watch Dylan. He was SO serious and was really doing a good job doing exactly the moves he was supposed to do! We recorded it.
On Saturday, Paul took Lizzy to the CVS Minute Clinic because we were sure she had an ear infection. Yep. Time for new tubes :( She saw the DVD National Velvet at CVS and Paul let her buy it. When they got home, we pulled out the couch bed, ate popcorn, and watched it. Lizzy loved it! She was excited that Elizabeth Taylor had the same name as her.
 I am excited because the Bacons are coming to visit Wednesday through Sunday! I haven't seen them in FOREVER! I know the kids will have a blast.
I think that's about it. At least we are finally over jet lag. It was rough!

Love,
Candace, Paul, Lizzy, and Dylan

Home!

So after three plane rides and 30 hours later, we are home! We arrived this morning at 12:30. Steph and Rick picked us up at the airport with welcome signs, food, chocolate, and a toy for each kid. It was so sweet. Dylan and Lizzy did awesome the whole trip. The were both tired, but still really good. Dylan couldn't believe the bookshelf with books in his room was for him. He was shocked. Stephanie told him she was bringing the dogs back today and he said no. We'll see how this meeting will go!
I also have to thank Rheannon. Not only did she go grocery shopping for us, but also made a pasta and put it in the fridge for today. I have the best friend, ever! Sweet Jessica kept the two guinea pigs for us! Without her, I am not sure what we would do with them!
When it was bedtime, Lizzy crawled into bed with Dylan so he wouldn't be scared. It was so very sweet! I read them both Brown Bear, Brown Bear before bed. When I got to the dog, Dylan said, "Pa!" which means afraid. I also asked Dylan what he saw and he said pizza :)
I am so excited to be home! The family is still asleep and I am enjoying quiet time. I can't wait to see how Dylan does at home. Not sure what he will think when we pack up and leave again for IL on Wednesday! Oh, well! I am excited to Dylan off to family and friends :) We'll write again and let everyone know how Dylan likes his new home.

Love,
Candace, Paul, Lizzy, and Dylan

Home!

We finally got Dylan's Visa Friday afternoon! The consulate was so nice and so quick about everything. I have to say I was impressed. Paul had decided at 8:00 pm Friday night that we were going to leave the next day at 5:00 am. I said there is no way! We hadn't packed a thing and the kids were getting ready for bed. Luckily there were flights available for Sunday. We leave at 5:00 am and fly to Shanghai. From there to Newark and then to Atlanta. We get into Atlanta at midnight Sunday night. My sister still said she wanted to pick us up from the airport. We are very excited. She was going to go ahead and have the dogs at our house, but I asked her to wait until Monday. Dylan is not an animal lover and I wanted him to meet the dogs after he's had some rest! Lizzy will go back to school on Tuesday and half day Wednesday. Then we have to repack and drive to Illinois for my sister and brother-in-law's custody case. Whew! It will be exciting for Dylan to meet his family, though. I know everyone will adore him! I will be happy to be back home for good, however, after we get back from IL. I then have to pack up my classroom and move it to my new classroom for next year! I am very excited about changing to second grade. It is a GREAT group of teachers and I am ready for some more maturity from the kids.
I will miss some friends that we have made here: Jim, Tammy, and girls and Liz, John, and family. It has really helped to have people here who are experiencing the same thing you are. We still keep in touch with the friends we made in Ukraine. Well, time to finish packing, get the kids out of the tub, and get some sleep. We'll be home soon.

Love,
Candace, Paul, Lizzy, and Dylan

Thursday

We finally decided today that we were going to get Dylan some clothes. We brought a few things we borrowed from Rheannon and brought some shorts. However, not a lot fit without safety pins. We went to the mall today by our hotel. I almost lost it! There were FOUR ladies trying to help us pick things out. I can't stand that. I finally sat back and let Paul handle it because I was about to scream. They also kept calling Dylan a baby. After we left, with some clothes, I told him to tell people he's not a baby. He is five. He nodded. (He told somebody this later in the day!) It was raining today and Dylan was a little stressed out about getting wet. He was happy we had an umbrella. When we got back from shopping, we received a phone call that we were to have our consulate appointment in 45 minutes! We were so excited. They brought in 100 families and did all the paperwork at once. I thought we were going to be there forever, but we were only there for about an hour and a half. At the end we had the swearing in ceremony with everyone together. If I had tearducts, I would've cried :) Some people did. We still have to wait for his Visa, but they think they will have them by tomorrow afternoon. If this is the case, we will try to leave on Saturday or Sunday! We are very relieved. I am a little sad to leave, however. It will be back to cooking, cleaning, dishes, laundry, etc. It has been a nice break. I will be happy to be in my own bed, however! This evening we went to Pizza Hut to eat dinner. Pizza is Dylan's favorite food, so we thought we would let him pick tonight since he was officially adopted today. He, Lizzy, and Paul are at the pool now, but I didn't feel like going. I think he may be sad that our house doesn't have a pool! :)  Will write again soon.

Love,
Candace, Paul, Lizzy, and Dylan

Wednesday

So our trip has been a breeze. Until Monday. There was a white powder scare at the US Consulate office on Monday morning. The office has been closed since then. Our appointment was this morning to finalize our paperwork and apply for Dylan's visa. We are supposed to fly out Friday. That is now changed. Our appointment was cancelled and at this point we have no idea when it will be rescheduled. We are hoping it won't be long. Another couple we talked to this morning said this happened two years ago and they just gathered all the families together and did the paperwork all at one time. We are hoping this will be the case. Lizzy is ready to go home because she said she misses the dogs and guinea pigs. :)
On a happier note, Dylan is doing wonderful. He is so well behaved. I don't know if this is a honeymoon phase or if it's just the way he is. Our other child was so difficult, and sometimes still is, that we were prepared for the worst! However, he is very sharp and very well  behaved.
Tonight we are going out to eat with another couple from Delaware. We found a delicious Italian restaurant. We have tried to eat the local food, but are finding it very difficult to find vegetarian Contonese food. Oh, well. We have found some awesome food anyway.
We will keep everyone updated as to when we will be leaving.

Love,
Candace, Paul, Lizzy, and Dylan

Monday

We visited the zoo where we saw primates, big cats, hippos, and birds. The lions were mating and roaring excuberantly! It was extremely hot and humid, upper 80's but according to accuweather.com with humidity the real feel is over 100. John admits it is unseasonably hot and humid, but claims he won't turn on his air conditioning yet, maybe in July! When we went back to the hotel, we had some trouble hailing a cab as it was near a shift change and rush hour was beginning. Once we found a cab, I had a little trouble getting the wheelchair in the trunk (shared with the cab's natural gas tank) and the driver tries to tell me to leave the trunk open and it will be fine, I refuse and sit it the seat with me. I've found they tend to get pretty cranky if you take more than 3 seconds to load in the cab :). We got back to the hotel and went swimming to cool off. For dinner, we opted for peanut butter sandwiches in our room instead of the $70 per person hotel dinner buffet!

Dylan proudly displays his frog watch!

Lizzy was happy to find wolves, and Dylan is once again touting his watch!

Sunday

We again gorged ourselves on the breakfast buffet! Before we headed out with John in the afternoon we ate at a Sports Bar Paul found earlier. We enjoyed chickpea burgers, quesadillas, nachos, and some spirits. Then John took us to visit Shamian Island for some shopping. We walked through a beautiful park where locals and tourists were leisurely strolling and couples were taking wedding pictures. We found some traditional Chinese outfits and shoes for the kids and some other souveniers. We enjoyed a great dinner and drinks at the famed Lucy's, then back to the hotel for some swimming to cool off. Dylan has been great; other than protesting about the stinky public bathrooms and blaming the smell on Paul he's had no complaints!

Exploring the garden area outside the hotel

Posing with the children statues at Shamian Island

We enjoyed dinner at the famed Lucy's!

Enjoying a stroll in the park at Shamian Island

Saturday

We got to Gaunzhou late Friday night. Dylan slept through almost the whole plane ride. He was excited about flying and then just went to sleep! I can't believe our hotel is so nice! There is shopping, bars, restaurants, pools, saunas, spas, etc. It is gorgeous! We went today to get Dylan's  medical check-up. Not fun. He screamed when they had to take blood. He kept crying for Mama and Papa and there was nothing we could do about it. It was so sad! Today we took the kids swimming. They have a very nice pool on the fourth floor with lounge beds around the pool. It is really nice. The only thing missing was a bar :) Dylan was scared at first but ended up loving swimming. Tonight we went to a Mexican restaurant. It was pretty good although I wouldn't say it was great Mexican. I did get to have a margarita, however! Dylan, Lizzy, and Paul played pool for a bit. It was too funny because the pool sticks are so much bigger than Lizzy and Dylan! Tomorrow afternoon we are going shopping on Shamin(?) Island. I hope to get some souvenirs and little man some more clothes. No pictures tonight, but I will try to publish some tomorrow. 

Love,
Candace, Paul, Lizzy, and Dylan

Thursday

Yesterday we went to a park. It was a very nice park. It had beautiful flowers planted all around and a lake in the middle. There was also a children's section with carnival rides. Dylan got to ride his first rides. He loved it. Last night we ate at the restaurant in the hotel. The waitresses were so taken with Dylan that they scooped him up and showed him to everyone that worked there. We think they asked him if he wanted to go home with them and he got very afraid and said he wanted his Papa and Mama :) Paul and I then decided to get a drink at the hotel lobby. We both ordered double Jamesons. Later Paul told me it cost 30 American dollars!!!!!!!!!!!  Guess we won't be doing that again! Lizzy then decided to take a bath in our giant bathtub. Dylan has wanted no part in the bathtub. However, he decided that he wanted to take a bath with Lizzy last night. It was SO cute. They played together and had a good time. Neither had acknowledged each other too much before this. When it was bedtime, Lizzy wanted to sleep next to Dylan. (We all have been sleeping on the king sized bed). They then fell asleep with Dylan's head on Lizzy's chest and her arms around him. It was priceless.
Dylan has already started speaking English. Yesterday, as we were getting ready to go to dinner, Dylan said, "Lizzy, ready to go?" Paul and I almost flipped out. He also now says yes and no and right there. He is such a smart boy.
Today we have hung out in the room. We were supposed to go shopping on a famous street in Tianjin, but it is supposed to rain so we stayed in. The kids have gotten a little stir crazy :) We got to Skype with Nancy and Beach and Stephanie and Rick. Dylan thought it was neat. We leave for Guanzhou tomorrow evening. We have to check out at 11 and our plane doesn't leave until 5:20. I am not sure what we are going to do in between. We'll see. Here are some more pictures to show off my adorable family!

Love,
Candace, Paul, Lizzy, and Dylan

The woman below is our wonderful facilitator, Linda. She is beyond sweet!

The last two days have been a blur. Yesterday was good. Dylan has adjusted very quickly! He is very happy and is always joking. He got a little sad last night when it was bedtime. He cried for a few minutes and then he was OK. Today was our day to run around and do paperwork. He waved at everyone he saw. Poor Lizzy was hot and bored all day. The van did not have the air conditioner on and it was HOT. I can't count the number of pedestrians our driver almost hit today.
Dylan has discovered our camera and loves taking pictures. He has taken a million pictures of his feet. He and Lizzy have had some arguments today over the Leap Pad and pens. He loves to draw. At lunchtime, he amused the other patrons at the restaurant by eating with his chopsticks. He looks like he is a year old so they thought this was quite the trick. This evening we walked to Subway for dinner. We had to stop Dylan from eating because he ate way more than he needed and wanted more! 
Tomorrow our facilitator is taking us to a park for the kids to play. Will update again, soon.

Love,
Candace, Paul, Lizzy, and Dylan

Finally!

Today was the big day! We finally got to meet Dylan. I gasped when I first saw him. He is SO tiny. Lizzy is a head and a half taller than him! The 12 month bottoms we brought him are too big! His sense of humor is just like Lizzy's. He is very silly and loves to make jokes. He speaks Chinese as well as any five year old (so we were told). Hopefully, this means he will learn English quickly.He is also extremely intelligent like Lizzy. He figures things out quickly and catches on to things the first time.  He likes the name Dylan and called himself that today. He seems to like his big sister, as well. They have already had a few squabbles over some toys and candy! He loves the computer and wants to sit in Paul's lap and type. He also loves listening to music and playing with Lizzy's Leappad. He has quite the sweet tooth and wanted every type of candy we passed at the market. He had never been outside of the orphanage and was quite overwhelmed by the market today. I think the adjustment has already been a little hard on Lizzy. She seemed quiet and a little sad this afternoon. I stayed in and made Dylan take a nap while Papa took Lizzy out for some Papa/Lizzy time. He is quite the eater and ate spaghetti, fried rice, and mashed potatoes all with chopsticks for lunch. He fed Papa with them, as well. He laughs a lot and you can't help but smile when he laughs. He has the cutest smile! Tomorrow we file some paperwork. Hopefully we make it OK. The driving here may even be worse than Ukraine! Will update again soon.

Love,
Candace, Paul, Lizzy, and Dylan

We made it! The plane trip was good. We all kept ourselves busy with the unlimited number of movies and tv shows. Thanks to Ativan mama enjoyed the plane ride as well! Lizzy didn't really sleep, however, which haunted us later that evening! We then met our facilitator at the airport and loaded a bus to Tianjin. I slept the whole time between the honking and the times we almost hit pedestrians crossing the street. It was a little crazy.Also, the bus driver was very mad at me and kept yelling at me to get off the bus once were stopped. I tried to explain that I was waiting for my wheelchair to get unpacked, but he just kept telling me to get off the bus. We then had to take a Taxi to our hotel. We finally arrived at our hotel in Tianjin and it is very nice. We also had a buffet breakfast this morning with some crazy things on the buffet. Liz and I stuck with doughnuts and noodles. The coffee was crazy strong! I liked it, though. Today we plan on sightseeing Tianjin and exchanging some US currency. We also told Lizzy that we will find a toy for her to give to Dylan tomorrow morning when we met him. Our facilitator will be here at 10:00 am tomorrow to come pick us up to get Dylan! We will continue to update as much as possible. Facebook and our blog is blocked out here. Luckily my awesome husband got VPN to work through Autotrader! Below is a picture of Lizzy posing with a statue at our hotel.

Love,
Candace, Paul, and Lizzy

Today was my last day of school until August. I am so excited, but also a nervous wreck. Our plane leaves at 7:45 Friday morning. We fly to Chicago and then 13 hours to Beijing. I hate flying so that is the part of the trip that I am least excited about. We will then travel by bus to Tianjin. Our hotel looks nice so I am excited. We will get Dylan on Monday!!! I can't believe that the little boy I have looked at in pictures will soon be our son! I can't wait to love on him and kiss his little cheeks :) Lizzy is excited about swimming in the pool at the hotel and about meeting her brother. After Tianjin, we will travel to Guangzhou. The hotel is even nicer there. I am excited to tour both cities. After Ukraine, this trip will be a breeze! I will continue to blog and give updates and pictures as much as possible. Stay tuned!

Love,
Candace, Paul, and Lizzy