Happy Birthday Olivia....and they all lived happily ever after.....

.....how time flies - Olivia has been with us for a month now and we have been home as a family for over 2 weeks - and I can't remember what life was like before (OK, I can a bit....) but everyone has settled in very well and we continue to be busy - only now we add an extra 10 minutes onto our leave time, ensure that we have a stocked diaper bag and bring a stroller - carrying a very active one year old can be a challenge!

Olivia can now walk, she continues to eat whatever we put in front of her and she LOVES her big brothers....she waits for them to come home every day after school...and like any good little sister stands in front of the playstation screen when they are playing games to drive them crazy......

While our journey to travel and complete our family with Olivia is now behind us, it is as they say the beginning of the rest of our lives.....thank you for : following the blog, your support over the past 2 years while we waited for Olivia, your generousity and kindness to her ...and I think now this blog will end off...and we will look to create a van der Kooy family blog.

Stay tuned.....

We're Home!

....whew after 22 hours of travelling with an "Amazing Race" like sprint in the Vancouver airport, we are home - here are a couple of pictures I thought people might enjoy - I will post about Beijing in the next day or so - while we loved our trip - we are glad to be home...now just trying to recover from the jet lag....

Alst full day in Nanning

Hi everyone

Just a quick post today - first off - we can't actually see the blog entiries we are posting or the comments - we will have to see them when we get home - we do have computers in our rooms however a number of the programs are blocked or not accessible.We can only access our home email or the page to post to the blog.

Today we went to the caves - they were beautiful - but what a lot of walking we did! This being a mother of a one year old at 40 is much tougher than at 29 when Max was born!!! And of course since Olivia is still a little hesitant to go to Mike - the bulk of carrying her falls to me! I am hoping by the time we hit the Great Wall that she has bonded more with Mike - but that is Sunday - so lots of work to be done! These historical sites are not too stroller friendly so Olivia has spent lots of time in the baby Bjorn (thanks Stace!) and along with a sore back am hoping that I have developed some new muscles.

We aren't sure that we will have the same computer access in Beijing as we do here in Nanning so will post when we can....our flight tomorrow is not until 5 PM...and then on Sunday morning we are off the the Great Wall....Monday is the medical and then more tours on Tues/Wed....we want to get back to the Silk Market one more time and then home on Friday -

Only a week to go and then we are home Max and Riley!

Guigang

Today we travelled 2.5 hours north east of Nanning to what we all thought was the village of Guigang - in reality Guigang is a village of 4.3 million people - of whom only 300,000 actually live in the city - many are famers and labourers and it is the town where most of the girls were found and where the orphanage is located.

We were able to visit the outside of the orphanage and take some pictures - then we were taken the locations where each of our daughters was found . We were happy to be able to take a picture of where Olivia was found to share with her in the future - while we may not understand the circumstances - she was found in a busy place where I am sure she was not alone for long.

It was a beautiful scenic drive and all the babies were so good.

Tomorrow we are off to the caves and a local park.

Olivia continues to be more comfortable with us each day - she is very busy and active - into everything and can't sit still for too long...she loves to hear the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" (over and over!)

She dug in with both hands at the chinese restauant last night and created quite a mess but loved every minute of it - for those of you wondering how Mike fared - he ordered the traditional Chinese steak and spaghetti dinner.....while we are enjoying our time here - we miss everyone and are looking forward to moving to the next stage of our adventure - back to Beijing on Saturday.

Nanning

Nanning is the capital of the Guangxi - our guide was telling us that over 90% of China is made up of the Han nationality however Guangxi is actually home to the most Chinese minorities - it is not actually called a province - it is referred more to as a region. It is fairly industrial - similar to Beijing there is lots of construction all around and it seems to be changing from old world China to more new world.....we are quite a site for the local people - although Nanning has over 6 million people, is the capital of Guangxi and the central political location for the area - 8 chinese babies being strolled and carried through the local Walmart by non chinese parents can cause quite a commotion! Our guide Sara helps us with the translations when we are buying things - which is a good thing since yesterday Mike and I were ready to buy what we thought was apple juice and was actually peanut oil - we have become very creative with an electric kettle, ice bucket and mini fridge and prepare food for Olivia here in the room sometimes - her reputation of never meeting a meal she doesn't like is quite true as she is willing to pretty much try anything ...although the Atkins diet won't ever be a option for her - she loves her carbs!

She is settling in very well and although prefers to come to mommy is opening up to daddy a bit each day.....she is almost walking and has figured out how to climb out of her crib - she loves toys that make noise and is a very sound sleeper.

Today we visited a park that was somewhat like Centreville as well as a temple - tomorrow we are travelling to Guigang which is the city where 7 of the 8 babies lived until Monday - they will take us by the orphanage as well where possible by the spots where our babies were found.

Tonight we will venture out of the hotel for authentic chinese food with the group - not sure how adventurous Mike will be - he has been depending on the cheeseburgers served here for many meals!

November 13th in China

...today was a busy day of paperwork and process to formalize the adoption. It started early as we had to meet by 8:30 to return to the department of civil affairs....after many mornings of being awake at 5 AM trying to get over the jet lag - I actually had to wake Mike and Olivia up to ensure that we were on time.

At our first stop we were interviewed by the civil affairs staff and our adoption was made official - the orphanage director presented each baby with a gift and we now have a number of photos of Olivia from her foster family and pictures of who believe to be her foster parents - these will be important to her in the future and Mike and I are very thankful for the wonderful care they provided - she came to us healthy and well looked after - we hope to somehow be able to send some pictures back to them from Toronto.

Our next step was the notary office where additional documents were signed and as of now all of the local paperwork has been completed, we are just waiting to get her passport.

A little later today we will all be travelling to Walmart to purchase all the things we should have packed but didn't!

The next few days have tours of the area planned as well as a visit to the town where the babies were born - Guigang....we expect to participate in all of them...Saturday we return to Beijing.

The hotel here in Nanning has devoted an entire floor to adoptive families and at any time night or day you can open the door and see someone walking their stroller or bouncing their baby

Olivia has warmed up to us and is already trying to walk and has figured out how to get out of her crib...her favourite toy is a stuffed bear that Mike and I had sent to the orphanage - it was the only thing that calmed her yesterday and now goes with here whereever she is.....she has 4 teeth and by the way she loves to chew on things I think more are on the way.

Max and Riley - get ready - as I am sure by the time we are home she will be looking to keep up with you ....

We have Olivia!!!!!

We were advised a couple of days ago that the group would be receiving the girls on Monday the 12th at 3pm.

Before it was time to leave Sarah, our guide, took the group on a bit of a road trip. We walked from the hotel to a park in the middle on Nanning for a tour. After the tour Sarah took us to the super market so that we could stock up on supplies of diapers and formula. By the time we got back to the hotel it was around 1pm, which only left us with a bit of time before our 2:30 departure.

We arrived at the Civil Affairs Office just before 3 and when we walked in the lobby the girls were there with their caregivers. We were all quite anxious to try and spot our daughters although no one in the group was able to determine for sure which precious girl was their's. We were told to go to the 4th floor and that they would be bringing the babies up. Prior to receiving our daughters a provincial representative from the Civil Affairs Office spoke to the group about adoption, the process and thanked us.

One by one our names were called and we were finally presented with Olivia. From the moment we received her she was in tears, not just crying tears but heart breaking sobs where she would just scream and refuse to look at either of us -, at one point I'm sure the room was full of elated parents and crying babies. We were able to ask the orphanage director a bit about Olivia - she told us that Olivia was very funny and active, that she never saw a meal she wouldn't eat and that she didn't like fish or vegetable congee - but loved meat congee.

We were back at the hotel a little after 4pm which gave us a chance to try and settle in. Olivia continued to sob uncontrollably as she was adapting to her new environment. At 5pm we were required to have pictures taken for passports, not sure it's going to be one of her better photos. We decided after that to join Murray and Cathy, their daughter Emily and new daughter Hayley for dinner. Just as dinner arrived Olivia decided to fall asleep.

When we returned to the room she had some apple juice and was beginning to settle in as her and Steph played with some toys. While playing with Steph she gave us her first smile. The paper work required to complete the adoption tomorrow was filled out and tomorrow we will return to the Civil Affairs office and visit the notary to complete everthing. Olivia is now sleeping soundly in her crib and Steph and I are trying to remember everything that happenned today.

Lot's of love to Max and Riley from Mom and Dad. We will try to post or distribute some pictures of Olivia tomorrow.

OK, we tried to post some new pictures howevever...

blogger won't let us, actually we can't even get onto the blog for some reason - we will try to send pictures over the next few days ...

Have a great weekend!

The Silk Market

Hi everyone


What a day - we spent the morning at the silk market trying to bargain our way to some great deals - we aren't sure if we actually got them however our bags will definitely be fuller on the way home. The experience is hard to describe however when the vendors see westerners - the cries of "hey lady" and "you the boss" were all we could hear - Mike of course loved the attention however that is certainly not shopping for the faint of heart - we were exhausted after a couple of hours.

We are off to Nanning tomorrow so not sure when we will get to post again - here are some additonal pictures....it is an amazing scene of new world and old world colliding here in Beijing -

Max and Riley - 3 days down - 13 more to go! We know that you are in good hands!

We're here!

Ni hao every one! We made it - we arrived in Beijing on Thursday afternoon after a great flight that was about 13.5 hours - our guide Sara was at the airport to greet us and got us settled into our hotel - we tried to sleep off and on last night but ended up at around 5 or so and have had a very busy day...

First we jumped in a taxi and went to what we thought was Behei Park - we still aren't quite sure where we were but it was a beautiful walk, we saw the drum and bell tower - and walked the steps - WHEW - they were steep. We then took a pedi cab through the Hutong district and are now at an internet cafe writing this! We are looking forward to meeting Diana and her family for dinner tonight and the rest of the group arrives tomorrow afternoon - and then Sunday off to Nanning. Sara our guide said that we would be meeting Olivia at around 3 PM on Monday at the civil affairs office - she has checked to see if we can visit the orphanage but looks like that may not happen.


Max and Riley we miss you lots but know that you are having fun with Stacie, Mieke, Grandma, Uncle Martin & Hannah - be good and listen to them!!!

We will talk to you soon.

And we're off!

....the lists have been checked, the kids schedules posted, the carpooling arranged and luggage over packed- we are ready to go...our flight leaves tomorrow morning and we arrive Thursday afternoon in Beijing - we have plans lined up to meet some of our travel group for dinner on Friday and are looking to go to the acrobat show on Saturday night...thanks in advance to everyone who has offered to pick the kids up, drop them off, do up their skates, cheer them on and keep my mom and sister in the school homework loop....

While our long wait to meet Olivia ends tomorrow - a new and exciting chapter begins on Monday when we meet her and she joins our family.....we can't wait!

We will try to post from China when we can......

When Olivia gets home....

all she is going to know is hockey - I think that her favourite team will be the same as mine - the Colorado Avalanche - on her first day home she can come to Riley and my hockey games to cheer us on. We won't make her go to practices - yet.

I bet she will also like shopping at stores that I do like Hollister and American eagle

Love - Hockey Dude - Max

Happy Hallowe'en!

.....only a week to go!





Here are the boys ready to go for a night of trick or treating - I am guessing next year they will joined by a butterfly or princess!!

Thank you to my friends....

who hosted a baby shower for me this week....a surprise shower at that (it really was!)......a lovely dinner party with no shower games, no shower hat and no mint green or yellow sleepers to be seen. That is the sign of true friendship!!! There was lots of good food, perhaps a little too much wine and most importantly lots of great company and laughter.....

Thank you - for a memorable evening - and if I ever get the pictures from *****'s new iPhone - I will post some here......

Thank you also to my colleague's at work who hosted a shower before I went on leave - your generousity was overwhelming - I have made a small dent in the gift certificate - and will be heading back this week to finish off my checklist of what Olivia will need for both travel and when we get back - I was thinking of you as I headed out to babies R us and it feels like I have been gone for a long time even though it has been only a couple of weeks.

Thank you to my fellow hockey moms who have also ensured that when we get back from China, there will be no reason for Olivia and I to miss any games and practices for lack of "not having a thing to wear" - she now has a number of outerwear options to consider!!

And thank you to those who have dropped off gifts, cards and kind notes - your thoughtfulness is very much appreciated.

While we often hear from people about how lucky Olivia is to be joining our family (and we really think we are the lucky ones to have found her through this journey) this experience has reminded us us how fortunate we are to have such supportive friends, family and colleagues - on behalf of Mike, Max, Riley, Olivia and I - THANK YOU!!!

Five Hockey games and a Travel Meeting.....

....whew what a weekend....there was the usual craziness around hockey games & practices that this time of year brings - yes between them the boys had 5 games from Friday at 6 to Sunday at 3 - not to mention a practice for Riley - we actually got off lucky because their weekend practices were cancelled on Saturday -

But the other big event was that we had our travel meeting for China....it is now less than 4 weeks before we go so it was time to meet with people who have done this before and get all of our questions answered and checklists in order. Most important news from that meeting - we will meet Olivia on November 12th.....our itinerary looks like this:

November 7th we leave Toronto to Beijing - arrive November 8th (we decided to leave a little earlier than the group so that we can recover from the jet lag)

November 11th we leave Beijing for Nanning

Meet Olivia November 12th

Stay in Nanning until November 17th

Back to Beijing on the 17th where we will get a chance to visit The Great Wall, Forbidden City & Summer Palace as well as other unscheduled places that we can decide when we get there

Home on the 23rd

Our travel group is a mix of first time parents and families with 2, 3, and 4 children already - it will be a good sized group with sisters, aunts and grandparents in addition to parents all travelling and based on all the chatter and laughter at the travel meeting I expect that we will have lots of fun on the trip.

Well, I am off to starting working through the list of things that need to be done before we go....

and for those of you wondering - 2 wins, 1 tie and 2 losses.

A letter to Olivia

While people wait to travel - they can try to send things to the orphanage - we discovered an organization who send packages on your behalf - the neat thing is that they are sent from inside China so there is no duty to be paid which means the orphanage is much more willing to accept the package when delivered and we were able to track and see that our package did indeed arrive on September 23rd and was signed for at 3 PM -we sent 2 disposable cameras and asked the nannies or foster parents to take pictures for us and return the cameras to us when we travel in November - we also sent some candies and treats for the caregivers and older kids as well as a blanket and teddy bear that we hope Olivia will have received and can bring with her when we meet her.

I have attached the letter that was sent to the orphanage.

my sister

I think my sister will be the best sister in the world

love,

riley

Travel dates!

It's official - we have our travel dates - we leave on November 7th and are back the 23rd....we don't have all the details yet however will be attending a travel meeting on October 14th to get filled in -by then we should have a detailed itinerary.....almost time to start counting down the days!

Where Olivia's From

Olivia is from the city of Guigang in the province of Guangxi. Guangxi is located in Southeastern China which is north of Vietnam, west of Guandong province, east of Yunnan, and south of Hunan and Guizhou.

Guigang is located in central Guangxi province. It's location makes it a major transportation and business hub, connecting central China with the south, especially Hong Kong and Macau. Guigang has a rail line, several major highways, an expressway, and most importantly a large port on the Xi River, its direct connection to the Pearl River Delta.

Guigang's population is approximately 4,400,000 people. More than 10 million tons of goods pass through its ports each year.

The captial city of Guangxi province is Nanning and this is where we expect to spend most our time in Guangxi. Guangxi province is also known for one of China's legendary tourist cities, Guilin, located on the Li River.

We are anxious to hear about our travel dates and hope to have a better understanding in the coming weeks. Once we know when we are going to travel we will post our itinerary.

Olivia's brothers....

When Olivia joins us - she will be very busy keeping up with her big brothers - Max & Riley - here they are!

A little more info....

Hi everyone

We finally have our pictures.....here she is....Olivia is described as healthy and as of June 2007 she wieghed 7.5 kg. she was in foster care at 3 mos...and could roll over and rock back and forth at 4 mos...she loves pictures, toys and other children - she is described as introverted, quiet and quick to respond...she loves toys that make noises.

As of early September she has 3 teeth.

We can't wait to meet her!

We got our referral - Jiang Yi Xi - born December 3rd 2006 - she is currently at Guigang SWI in Guangxi Province...we won't have pictures until the weekend...hopefully earlier!