Sichuan, China

(November 8 - 12, 2004)

On the bus to the hotel in Chengdu, Sichuan where we will be united with our daughter, Kya Xia Yu, after our 15 month journey to bring her home. 

Debbie and Dawn waiting outside our guides hotel room, where our babies are. Can we get in please?! We want our babies!

And, we're in. It's a busy room with lots of noise and 6 babies, new parents, guides, and foster moms. Bill and Dale could not even get in the room, so family pictures were taken later in the privacy of our own hotel rooms. You can see me from behind reaching for Kya and you can see Debbie holding Abby.

GOTCHA! 

(Where I want ya, in my arms! At last!)

Ahhh, finally in our arms. First photo with Daddy. We are all just taking it in as she gets used to us. This is also her first feeding with us, which she did not eat.

She is passed out on Daddy's chest in our family photo with her Foster Mother.

Kya's first night with mom and dad is coming to an end. She's watching a little TV (CNN) before going to bed.

It's our first morning together, and this bottle she sucked down in about 1 minute and then threw it up all over mom. Can you say "initiation"?! It's Adoption Day and we are headed to the Civil Affairs Office.

It's official now, she's our daughter. (Outside the Civil Affairs Office in Chengdu, Sichuan.)

The day has come and gone, it's hard to believe. Room service anyone for our first official family dinner?

The shopping mall in Chengdu, where Bill and Dale helped to purchase the gifts for the Orphanage. The lady in the white jacket is an employee at the Orphanage and is in charge of adoptions. She went with Bill and Dale so she could pick out the items that the orphanage needed.

It's our third day together, Wednesday, November 10, 2004. Kya is now attached at mom's hip day and night. 

We are heading for the Panda Reserve for a family day. Please check out our photos of the 

Panda Reserve --->