Consulate Appointment

 

We had our consulate appointment this morning. All went very well. I do have to say that the new consulate is very secure and very industrial. It seemed much easier to navigate this time vs at the old building....or maybe it is just me.

 

We should be able to pick up Ayla's visa tomorrow afternoon, and then shortly after we can start our trek home.



GZ Zoo

We decided this morning to take a very quick trip to the zoo just so we could get out a bit. Ayla was not impressed, but she was content to sit in the stroller. We were only there an hour or so, but it felt good to get out.

 

A little update from GZ and some pictures

 

We are very happy to be here in GZ. The hotel is beautiful, and the staff is great! We have met so many great families . It has been fun getting to know some of them and meet their sweet children too. There are lots of great food options around and the hotel breakfast is great. I think the best part is our guide- he is so funny and just lots of fun to be around, not to mention incredibly helpful and thoughtful too.

We are missing our kids back home. We skyped with them last night and they are missing us too...there were lots of tears.  Just a few more days and we will be heading home. As much as I love it here, we are ready. We really want to get Ayla home so we can start getting her the medical treatment she needs too.

In the hotel lobby-going out for dinner

 

The little "park" behind our hotel

Joel and our awesome guide at dinner

 

 Ayla was awake quite a bit yesterday, which was great to see, since she has been sleeping most days. She ate very well yesterday too. We taught her how to play peek-a-boo and she LOVED it! She really is just so sweet.

So sweet

You stack them like this, Daddy.

See, I can do it!

peek-a-boo

Again!

That's fun!

Ready for bed...

Park, Museum, Temple and few random pics

 

 

 

 

 

Officially ours and more.

As of this morning Ayla  became ours officially. Such a bittersweet day.

 

I know I look like a gigantic giant in this pic, but it really is the best we have. The CA office is moving and it was incredibly crowded in there. Our guide, who took the pic, was literally standing right in front of me. Giant or not, I am thankful to have a picture to remember this day.

 

 

Since Ayla is napping I thought I would catch up on everything as well. I was hoping to upload some pics of the outside- it is incredibly beautiful here! But, since I am having trouble uploading, I decided to pick the best ones. No one wants to see the outside anyways...right?

 

 Here is one that I was able to upload.

Here is one pic taken right outside our hotel

 

 

First moment with our daughter



 Meeting our daughter was amazing. She is simply stunning. We were a bit nervous as we had been warned several times that she does NOT like strangers...we prepared for the worst. Much to our surprise she took right to Joel and has not let go since. Thank you God! We have had very few tears. Yesterday she was extremely shut down. I started to become worried that it may be her health.

 

First moments with Mommy. She LOVES towels, so we collected every single one
we could find in our hotel room



Napping with Daddy

Collecting towels with Mommy

This morning Ayla was a little more alert and also played a little more. She had a bit of a crying fit when I picked her up, instead of Daddy, this morning. I hate that...never makes you feel good, but I was thankful to see some spunk.

 

Our older kids meeting their sister for the first time...

She loves the magnadoodle and love the headband too.

Showing off her rolling over skills.



After we finalized her adoption we had to finish up some other paperwork. When we arrived back at the hotel Ayla fell fast asleep. I am so thankful for this day.

Tomorrow we will be heading to a local park in the morning. We are looking forward to it.

Thanks everyone for the prayers- they are working!