Consulate Appointment Day and Red Couch Photos

Tuesday we were out the door at 7a.m. for our appointment at the American Consulate.  This was the final step in the babies' immigration paperwork and visa applications.  I've mentioned before that the girls will fly to the United States on their Chinese passports with American visas.  Since we have preapproved everything with the U.S. Department of State, when they enter the United States they will become U.S. Citizens at that point of entry for us, that will be Chicago.

Security was pretty tight at the consulate.  There were no cameras allowed and we went through airport style security checks.  Even our guides couldn't come with us. 

The Adoption Unit came and chatted with us for about 20 minutes while we each waited our turn.  She was an interesting woman and I wish I had gotten her name.  She shared a lot of  statistics and had some other good insights to share.  Interestingly she lives on Shamian Island.  They change posts every few years and she is headed to Helsinki next.

All the parents had to raise their right hands and take an oath on behalf of the babies.  It wasn't a citizenship oath, but an oath that all immigrants to the United States have to take.  I got a little teary and wish I could remember the words. 

We went back to hotel and after the babies had a rest we all met for our red couch photos.  For those of you new to China adoption, it has become tradition for American parents to get photos of their children on the famous red couches at the White Swan Hotel.  Since all Americans have to come to Guangzhou and most stay at the White Swan, thousands of babies have been photographed on those couches.

Wednesday was a pretty mellow day and we didn't stray far from the hotel.  Mommy and Daddy were game but the new boss of the family was cranky and wasn't into going very far.  Usually she is very content in her little pouch (Ergo carrier) and even naps but yesterday she pitched a fit.  We also only slept about 4 hours intermittently last night.  It is 10:45 a.m. here Thursday and she is napping right now.  Hopefully tonight will be a better night because we leave the motel at 6:30a.m. for the big trip home. 

I'd better get packing.

Outside the consulate

Resting up for my photo shoot

Kari, Sophi, and Lillian the seven year olds who became big sisters on this trip

Why didn't my Mommy put a bow in my hair?  I'll just take Savanh's.



Emilee, Ariana, Savanah, Kimi, Rose, and Ella. Missing was little Liddia who wasn't feeling it.



I didn't think about it until I was downloading these pictures but Ariana is the only one of the group who won't have a big sister :(

Enough of this already!

This is our travel group:  Us, The Hirschis, The Glasscocks, The Sislers, The Blincoes, and The Koehns.  It has been wonderful to share this experience with this awesome group of people.

The waterfall inside the White Swan Hotel