My Sweet Little Ladybug!

Aubrey Mei had a wonderful 1st Halloween! She wanted to be a ladybug so it was a good thing that Aunt Shanghai Sharon picked out the right costume -- thanks so much Sha, she looked precious! We went to see Goppy to show off her costume and got a goody bag with cookies and dollars from Goppy- that got big smiles and kisses for Goppy. She loved all Goppy's stuffed animals-so many big teddy bears, she loved Bubba Bear and his flashlight. She didn't want to leave, but we had trick or treating to do! First stop at Aunt Mo's and Uncle Rob's where she stood at the front door with her cute costume and pumpkin bucket with Mickey Mouse ears and got all excited to see Katy at the front door barking like crazy. My girl loves dogs! She got a goody bag from Aunt Mo and Uncle Rob too- think she is starting to like this Halloween thing - so many treats. She had so much fun playing with Aunt Mo and Uncle Rob, I think she would have stayed the night if I let her. Starting to get dark - so off to Uncle Timmy's and Brian's house to go trick or treating around the neighborhood - she did great, just took it all in and had a great time with Uncle Timmy and Brian. She says thank you to Uncle Timmy for holding her pumpkin bucket and getting her all that candy! Thank you Brian for inviting us to go with you, Aubrey Mei and her Mommy had a great time! Oh--and she loved Mickey too. Think I may have to get her a dog!!

My sweet little ladybug





She loved her ladybug wings - never tried to take them off!

Let's go already, Mom!

I could get used to being at goppy's house - cookies, teddy bears, dollars, rides in the walker and of course lots and lots of hugs and kisses from Goppy!

HOME!

We made it home! Thought I was going to miss the flight - totally misjudged the time, how could I forget the wait at security at JFK! Aubrey was amazing again at the airport and during the flight- her Mommy was another story! I am standing in line at security pacing and thinking, I only have 30min to get through security and to our gate -- and it is a long line! A security officer took pity on me and guided me to a shorter line (or she was just annoyed because I kept repeating my baby's grandma is waiting for her and we have to make this flight!) Took about ten minutes to get through and with about 18 minutes to spare,did not want to even take the time to get my shoes back on -so Aubrey's crazy Mommy ran through the airport in her socks to make the flight! Aubrey thought this was all great - she was in the carrier and giggling the whole run through the airport! Well we made it and Aubrey slept for about 20 minutes on the flight and spent the rest of the time entertaining our new friends next to us - what a happy child! We were greeted by Goppy, Aunt Mo, and Uncle Rob - Aunt Mo got the ANGRY face at first, but that didn't last long- as soon as she was given her new USA Teddy Bear, Jing, she was all smiles! We came home to big balloons, cake, presents, food in the fridge and lot of hugs and kisses -- How lucky are we! She entertained her new family for awhile and then was off to sleep around 8:00pm. She did her usual playtime wake up at 05:00am for 2 1/2 hours (she could not stop laughing at her Goppy's voice coming from Jing and Bridget)-- and slept until 12:30 after that. Now that we are home we will have to work on that, not sure how because her Mommy can't help but smile and play with her precious daughter no matter what time it is! Thank you to everyone for your love and prayers. Thank you God for this incredible gift and for keeping me, my daughter, and my sister safe in our travels.

Goppy waiting patiently to meet her new granddaughter!

Goppy has waited a long time for this day! - Aunt Mo did a awesome job on your Welcome sign.

Goppy's first look at her precious 21st grandchild!

Aubrey kissing her new Teddy Bear, Jing!

Think I like it here!

Welcome home Aubrey Mei

Good to be Home!

5am playtime- Aubrey loves her new friends Jing Bear and Bridget

Last day in New York

Today is our last full day at Aunt Shanghai Sharons. Poor Lindsey was not feeling good :) -- so she had to stay home from school --Yeah for us!! Aubrey Mei played and giggled when she woke up to Lindsey and her buddies - Clover and Bella Bear. We got up late- 12:40! My girl just wanted to play during the night and I'm sure she woke up the whole Cimino house with her babbling at 3:00 in the morning. We got Emily off the bus and played in the house until Aunt Sha came home and we all went for a walk and fed the ducks-- Aubrey loves it here! Lindsey says Aubrey's baby talk sounds like the gremlins, she thinks it's funny too! So to prove a point Linds got the Gremlins online and Aubrey just went crazy laughing at them - Linds is right, they sound like Aubrey - she seemed to be talking to them! Aubrey Mei is going to miss it so much here - so much excitement and attention! Thank you Sharon, Larry, Lindsey and Emily for loving my sweet Aubrey Mei. She loves you sooooo much!

Mommy -- Can I have a dog, please!!

Sloppy kisses from Bear always got her smiling!

Lets go for a walk, Uncle Larry!

Hey cousin Em-- You sure you know how to drive this thing??

Yum!! Mexican for dinner.

Party Girl!

Think my little girl was just little tired from her trip--she slept for almost 13 hours! Just woke up once for her baba and diaper change and right back to sleep. She woke up to see Lindsey and Emily and immediately gave them a big smile and laughs. She also loves the dogs Clover and Bella Bear- She was a little leery of Bella at first, but that lasted all of about an hour. She now can not get enough of the sloppy wet kisses from those sweet dogs! Sharon had a few friends over this evening to meet my Aubrey Mei. She was great -- as long as she was walking or eating. She loves walking in her squeaky shoes. Everyone was so nice and gave Aubrey wonderful gifts- she is a very lucky girl and so is her Mommy! She had a smile for everyone. Lindsey gets her giggling all the time - she can't get enough of Linds. Emily is amazing with Aubrey - I think she really understands she needs to be gentle with her and she is, she is very patient with her. Aubrey had a toy that Em wanted to play with, she dropped it and Em picked it up and instead of keeping it, she picked it up and handed it right back to Aubrey Mei! She has also been holding  Aubrey's hand as we walk or play - so sweet! Aubrey Mei is going to miss it here so much!

You are not getting another turkey sausage from me, Bear!

What! No breakfast buffet at  home - I think I want to stay here!

Sweet, Sweet Emily - so proud of my precious niece!

Aubrey's special Welcome cake!

Aubrey Mei is crazy about her cousin Lindsey!

Beautiful arrangement and card from Uncle Larry, Lindsey and Emily - 6 red roses for Sharon, 6 pink for my girl, and 6 lilac for me. We feel very loved!

The most adorable new US citizen!

We arrived back in New York today- 16 hours on the plane! The flight was pretty bumpy for the first 4 hours - seems like as soon as poor Aubrey Mei would dose off the seat belt light would come on and they would make me attach Aubrey to my seat belt -- poor girl only got about 3 1/2 hours sleep the whole flight, but she was great. Got a little fussy at times, but so did I! So gald we had Aunt Sharon with us - would have been really difficult without her. We tried to get the bulkhead seat for more room, but they were taken-- so they upgraded Aubrey to her own seat so no one could sit between me and Aunt Sha. It was so great to have that extra room! We landed at JFK at 8:05 pm and the minute we stepped out of the plane and onto US soil- my sweet girl became a US citizen! Oh, and Mom, want you to know Aubrey's Customs Officer who processed her paperwork in the states is Officer Feeney!!! She  loves her Uncle Larry and cousins Lindsey and Emily -Linds gets her laughing like crazy and she even laid with her head on Emily in bed drinking her baba- so sweet to see the kids together! Sooooo great to be back in the US - thanks for the prayers that got us here safely!

On my way to the US!

She loves her shrimp appetizer from Aunt Sha - no stranger to chopsticks!

They did tell me she drinks from a bowl- no kidding!

They took one look at my beautiful face and just had to give me my very own seat-- for free!

Think Aunt Sha grabbed the wrong bottle!?

I could get used to this-- so many movies to pick from!

Last day in Guangzhou

Today we decided not to do any touring and just stay close to the hotel. It was nice not having to rush out to be anywhere. So glad we did not make plans because Aubrey Mei slept until 1000am -- and so did her Mommy! She woke up around 5am and of course wanted some playtime with Aunt Sha and Mommy. Back to sleep after about an hour - but poor Aunt Sha was up for the day! Had another great big breakfast and then went back to Shamian Island. We love just walking around the island and of course had to do a little more shopping -Aunt Sha is teaching her some bad habits! Aubrey needs to learn her Mommy is not much of a Shopper. We said goodbye to the Lyman family today. It is amazing how close you can get to some people in such a short amount of time. We are going to miss them so much! Hoping to get together with them in Boca Grande - I really want Aubrey Mei to keep that connection with her cousin Gracie Lin. We need to learn to skype! Missed saying goodbye to the Valcheff family today- miss them already! I hope we keep in touch and some day we get to meet the twins. My sister and daughter are sleeping in the bed together - can't even begin to express the love I feel for both daughter and sister! My precious Aubrey Mei loves her WahWah Shang Sha! We leave for Hong Kong tomorrow at 10am for a 4pm flight to JFK -I may not be able to update the blog until we arrive in NY. Thank you to all our family and friends for your love and prayers. I am so looking forward to going home, but must say I am sitting here crying as I realize I am taking my daughter away from her birth country, all she has known for 13 months- wish somehow I could let her birth parents know just how much this beautiful child is loved and cherished, could never imagine the deep pain they must of have felt having to give her up. I know I will give my girl a wonderful life in the states, but just a little sad to leave her country. I know her foster parents must be sad and missing this sweet girl, but I know I can update them on Aubrey's life with me through the orphanage - hopefully that will give them some peace and comfort as they see how much she is loved by this whole big wonderful family.  Hope to one day return with her so she can see the beauty of her China. Thank you, God, for my precious China girl- please keep all of us safe on our journey home.

Another day of shopping -- Yeah!

Beautiful statue in front of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic church on Shamian Island

I was in tears over this picture - this man reminded me so much of Aubrey Mei's grandpa in heaven! I really felt his presence today looking over my sweet daughter.

precious!

Aunt Sha and her shopping wore me out again!!

Big Day!

We had another great day in China!! First we were off to take the "Oath" at the US Consulate--Aubrey was dressed in her special red, white and blue outfit from Aunt Sha for the occasion. She looked so sweet. We had to answer a few questions at the window and Aubrey Mei was blowing kisses and waving to all the Consulate workers through the window. What a sweetie!! Poor Aunt Sharon got a little emotional and was crying along with Aubrey during the Oath! Then back to the hotel for our big breakfast-- when I say big, I mean it. They give you anything you want- a huge buffet of food. Had a 30 minute group meeting and Aunt Sha once again stayed with Aubrey. She did great again and was fast asleep when I got back to the room-- she just loves Aunt Sha! We went to the Pearl market at @ 2:30 and I got a Pearl necklace for Aubrey Mei. Then off to the famous White Swan on Shamian Island for the group photo on the red couch! Could not believe Aubrey cooperated for the photo - well cooperating may be a stretch, she did not cry, but poor GracieLin sitting next to her got alot of pushing around by Aubrey Mei. Both these children are from the Fuzhou orphanage and we believe they are very familiar with each other - I am sure they played together many times! Many of us went to Lucy's on the island for dinner --Yeah, some American food! After dinner -- more shopping. Bargains, Bargains, Bargains - we think!? Tomorrow we are just taking it easy and enjoying the hotel - Some of the families are leaving tomorrow. I was so emotional today - so excited about coming home soon, but also in tears over having to say goodbye tomorrow to such wonderful new friends. Lucy, Eric with cute little Maggie and John, Paula, Parker, Carter and precious GracieLin leave tomorrow. I will miss them so much and will be forever grateful to them for all the kindness they have shown me and Aubrey Mei during our time in China. I hope so much we all keep in touch! Having trouble downloading images -- will have to try tomorrow am. Sorry Mom!

Aubrey Mei in her "American Girl" outfit, giving Mommy a big kiss!!

Group photo at the White Swan

Aubrey Mei loves her Aunt Sha

Baby group photo - Aubrey picked out her beautiful teal dress.

Aunt Sha says Aubrey is telling GracieLin a secret - and little Maggie wants in on it!

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Aubrey Mei with her Fuzhou cousin GracieLin- their birthdays are only 3 days apart.

Happy Birthday Aunt Shanghai Sharon!!

Aubrey Mei had her medical exam and visa photo today-- On Aunt Sha's 29th birthday!??. Thanks to Aunt Sha she was not crying in her photo this time! We had to have another routine medical exam today - 3 parts to the exam. ENT (ear, nose, throat). Body check with listen to lungs and heart. Then finally Height, Weight (17.7 lbs) and temp (97.4). Glad we had a little check up - Aubrey has had an intermittent cough and runny nose, but all seemed good with my little girl. After the required photo and med exam we were off with Aunt Shanghai Sha to explore Shamian Island. What a great place! Aunt Sha was her usual self and taught Aubrey how to bargain! Aubrey Mei got some pretty dresses and finally some shoes that fit her! When we got back to the hotel we put Aubrey's squeaky shoes on her and walked around the room holding my hand-- everytime she took a step her little shoes would squeak and she would laugh and laugh!! What a great way to encourage walking. At 2:30 I had a 90 minute appt to fill out Visa paperwork for Aubrey- with Aunt Sha here I was able to fill out all the paper work while Aunt Sha explored the pool and playground with Aubrey. I was so worried she would cry and miss her Mommy - when I was finally able to finish and meet up with them again, I thought I would find a crying or sad  baby -- what I got were big smiles and complete contentment and  happiness with her Aunt Sha. Can not even begin to express the overwhelming joy I felt knowing how safe my precious daughter felt in the care of her loving Aunt Sharon! Thank you so much Sharon for loving us both so much and so much thanks to Larry, Lindsey and Emily for sharing your wife and your Mommy with me and Aubrey Mei! When we got back to the room there was a birthday cake for Aunt Sha from our CCAI guides Jocelyn and Maggie -- must say CCAI has the best guides -always so nice and always there for us when we need them. We then went to dinner with the group --guess who made a mess again. Aubrey loves to feed herself! Poor Aunt Sha must be starving, they serve lots of pork and beef here! I am so glad we had dinner with the group today - Sharon had a chance to spend time with some of the group and to see just how great everyone is! Both my precious daughter and my loving sister are asleep now and once again I am sitting here amazed at how blessed I am -- to have such a sweet, beautiful, happy daughter and a wonderful family that loves us so much!

Love my little girl soooo much!

Aunt Sha - please tell Mommy to stop with the pictures!! It is time to SHOP!

love my red shoes from Aunt Sha - think I will wear them tomorrow for the OATH!

Happy girl ---- before the medical exam!

Aunt Shanghai Sharon

We arrived in Guangzhou around 3:00 today. Aubrey did great on her first plane ride. She cried initially when we got in our seats, but then quickly dosed off and slept for most of the flight. We were so excited to see Aunt Shanghai Sharon. She was a little upset at first meeting of her very generous aunt, but I think we may have scared her because we were just so excited to see each other --can not believe my sister is really here in China!! Did not take long for Aubrey Mei to warm up to her very special aunt, before long she was dancing, clapping her hands, laughing and showing off for her Aunt Sha ( I'm sure it had nothing to do with all the goodies her aunt brought her!) So glad my sister is here safe and sound and sharing this special time with us. Both my daughter and Aunt Sha are sleeping right now, so I am off to join them. Thank you, God for getting us all to Guangzhou safely!

Group 1770 - last day in Nanchang. Aubrey did not want to cooperate for group photos!

What a fun toy from Aunt Sha!!

Aubrey Mei loves her Aunt Shanghai Sharon -no angry face here!!

Aunt Sha wore her out!!!

Last day in Nanchang

We had alot of fun today. Starting with a big breakfast, Aubrey Mei just loves her breakfast. We had eggs, pancakes, yogurt and she tried rice crispies today-- she loves it all and loves to feed herself! Then back to the room to call Aunt Shanghai Sharon just to make sure she was ok and getting ready for her big trip to China-- We got Lindsey on the phone and my girl could not stop smiling and grabbing for the phone! She can't wait to meet her cousins Lindsey and Emily. She has been kissing my cell phone every time I open it up to the picture of Linds and Em. She is so excited to meet her Aunt Sharon and made it clear when she spoke with her today. Then she talked with Aunt Mo and Goppy and was all giggles and wooos! She kept kissing the phone for her Aunt Mary! We walked around a little park near the hotel today, and got some ice cream at the store next door--She loves ice cream, but I have not found anything she does not like. Then we were off across the bridge to the New City with Eric, Lucy and Maggie. Wish so much we found out about this place last week- what a great part of Nanchang. The streets are lined with trees with wide sidewalks, beautiful statues along the river. Their was a woman singing on the walk along the river - Aubrey loved it, she loves music and loves to dance! We went to the Rainbow Department store - Sooooo much better than Walmart. A little playtime in the hall with the other families before bed and then off to sleep after talking with Aunt Sha at the airport -- so far she is still getting on that flight to Hong Kong! What a sacrifice-leaving her family to be here for me and her new niece --We are so blessed! Almost forgot - I got Aubrey Mei's Passport today, one step closer to getting home! So it is now off to Guangzhou tomorrow for the final part of our journey in China..

Walk in the Park, my cookie and Aunt Shanghai Sharon on her way to China -- Life is good!!

I love to brush my own hair with my little ladybug hairbrush. Don't I look pretty!

In New City - We really like this part of Nanchang!

Eric, Lucy, Maggie and my sweet Aubrey in New City- thank you Maggie for sharing a diaper, My new Mommy needs to remember the diaper bag next time!!

But I don't want to go to sleep yet!!

Mmmm - I love my ice cream just like Goppy! Chocolate is my favorite!