Jett Laggin at 3 AM

Well, just sitting here at 3 AM with nothing to do!  Jet lag sucks!  Maddie is adjusting well and is enjoying being a rock star.  We are really, really lucky; Maddie fits right into our family and lifestyle.  She has no problem going where ever we want, although she does not like the car seat.  We are seeing great progress with the dogs, she is not rearing back anymore and Timmy looks for any opportunity to run buy and lick her arm.  I am just amazed by how the dogs have handled the transition.  Timmy did look a little disappointed when we went out for a walk and came back with her.  I guess he was hoping we would return her on our way out. 

We did learn some information about China adoptions while we were in China.  Per our guide, don't expect any speed-up of referrals.  They fully expect it to stay 4+ years and a huge shift towards special needs.  At our swearing in ceremony, they announced that in 2010, over 60% of completed adoptions were for special needs.  Of our group of 20ish families only 4 children including Maddie were non-special needs. 

We were fortunate to actually meet Ann from Redthread.com.  She took us on a private shopping trip and was awesome.  Despite what some agencies are telling their folks, she is great and was able to get us updated medical information and photos.  Something our agency did not/would not do.  The orphanage returned the bear and disposable camera we sent, they took 6 pictures for us.  

The Little Package Has Arrived Home!

Finally, after 4 yrs, 1 month, and 19 days, Madison is in the house!!  So far, so good!  Maddie has been a little trooper since we got her!  She has endured 3 plane rides totaling 17.5 hours, a 12 hour weather delay in Nanchang and 8 days of 90 degree weather with 100% humidity.  She is absolutely awesome, as long as Renee tells her it is OK, Maddie will do it. Right now she is not so sure about the dogs, but it's weird, they kinda understand and they are taking it easy with her.  China was nice and a lot different than we imagined.  We found the Chinese people to be very kind and supportive of us adopting from their country.  The trip was really cool, but man are we glad to be home, living out of a suitcase and eating out for a few weeks sucks after a while.  Also, thanks for the great welcome home...we really appreciated it!

NOTE to anyone traveling to China to adopt, buy the baby their own seat!!!  It would have been pure hell flying 13 hours with her in our laps.  Maddie crashed out and slept for about 9 hours of the flight.  That would not have happened in our laps.  It was nice to have the extra space and suitcase allowance because Renee shopped her butt off.

Getting Ready for China!!!

Ok, we we are totally ready to head to China and get our little monkey!!!  Renee has secured 500 pounds of stuff we "MUST" take, yet we are only allowed 88 pounds.  Guess I will be wearing the same clothes for 17 straight days. 

So, our agency told us to not ask for updated information from the orphanage.  What do little defiant Joe and Renee do...contact Ann from Redthread.com and ask for updated information.  It's hit or miss, but they sent us updated pictures, measurements and a health data.  We were so happy.  Renee is not digging Madison's comb over, but hey, she's not the only one with a thin hairline.  Shhhh, don't tell anyone, we might get in trouble...the words bite me come to mind... please don't tell us NOT to do something, cuz we will try to do it, just cuz ya told us not too.

Maddie is pretty small for a 1 year old, but has T-R-O-U-B-L-E shooting from her cute little eyes.  Looks like she will fit right in.  My niece Emily is sooo excited.  Good luck to anyone who thinks they are going to get past her to be with Madison.  We told her she will be a big sister, not a cousin. 

The new pictures really motivated us...4 days and counting.  Feels like forever after 4 years.  We are in contact with our 2 other travel partners, all seem cool and nice.  Hope they can put up with how obnoxious we are.