US Consulate Appointment

We had a 10 am appointment at the US Consulate Office so headed out right after breakfast. But before that, we Skyped with Jaden and Diane, which made me very happy! Not much longer now until we are home. We headed upstairs to the consulate office about 30 min before our appointment - they have two times each day to process 12 families each. Our friends from the first province (single mom with two kids in tow) had the 8:30 am time, which would have been awfully early for us since it was quite a distance away. There is an oath that the parents take collectively on behalf of their child, and then each family meets with an officer to review the paperwork that is required to get the visa for the child's Chinese passport. Our officer was fairly smitten with Harper and she was impressed we were able to visit the SWI. Everything was in order and Michael should be able to pick up Harper's passport with visa tomorrow afternoon. That is the last thing we need to depart China.

Surprisingly, it did not rain today. We took advantage of that and made many mini-excursions from the hotel. On one occasion, we happened into two families with another adoption agency that are familiar from the various required adoption stops. We chatted in front of the hotel for quite a while and then a woman with her 17 year old daughter, whom she adopted 16 years ago, made a point to join us and ask about our girls - they were on a heritage trip that included the daughter being able to review her Chinese adoption records (since she was at least 16). Harper and I then went along with the families (with the newly adopted girls) to do some shopping on the island - it was nice to have English-speaking adults to talk to, and Harper always likes the people in the shops who speak to her in Mandarin. But it seems like she is understanding more and more English (I tell her to get her shoes and she does it), and she will mimic some of what I tell her. Today she was working on "happy" - she just thought it was the funniest word. And then I was making it "happy Harper" and that was hysterical. We went to the Thai place on the island - Cow and Bridge (!) - and ordered take out (she had no nap today and I am weary of what she might do in public - see picture #1 below). It was delicious (more vegetables than I ate all last week, combined) and we both ate a lot. She then had her bottle and I think she may have stuffed herself, but she is sleeping soundly so I guess she will digest it all just fine. And likely be hungry in the morning (she eats a lot!!!).

Harper entertaining herself (and others) while we waited in the lobby of the
building with the US Consulate Office. The more I pulled her dress down, the more she
pulled it up (of course...).

Getting ready to go upstairs for our appointment.

Harper practicing her kisses in the van back to hotel after appointment.
I am warming her up grandma!

Posing in her red, white, and blue outfit special for the day.

And she's off!