4 New Pictures Added

Hi everyone - sorry we have had limited time to post. I put 4 new pictures on the blog, this time to the right so please look at them. We really can't even tell you how much we are bonding as a family with Ella. Laura just can't help staring at her and she adores Evan. She comes to all of us with a great personality (not afraid at all, though she is learning to cry if she doesnt get her way or if mommy leaves the picture - thats OK!). She is an outstanding little baby - what more can we say (we could not be any happier). And we are happy for the emails and comments as its our connection to home - and we cant wait to get home either. Things we've done - and I wont post every day, cause I can only tell you so many times that we went to McDonalds for dinner last night (yummy!) and there is a new Starbucks 1 block away that we frequent every day. McDonalds much cheaper / Starbucks not. Both nice to have around. Enough about Food - more about Ella - - She loves to suck her thumb (DeDe). That is her source of comfort. - She has 4 teeth (Dad, can you delay retirement till braces?) - She has two big Mongolian birthmarks (these fade as Asian children get older and are completeley normal) - She has a skin tag by her ear that we need to have removed - it doesnt bother her, though (just her mom who wants to style that hair diffently). - She has a cute laugh (not what we are used to, but she laughs/smiles a lot). - She is somewhat restless, but still calm (loves to move around, so we'll continue to sit in back row at church, Donna). - She's strong and solid. - I said it before but cant stress enough, she LOVES her big brother - he is such the help on this trip and cant get enough of his little sister. - I'm sure I am missing things too - Laura needs to do some of the writing. OK everyone - I will try to post tomorrow - tonite is Thai dinner with group (travel group) and I really dont know about tomorrow yet but there are scattered meetings and plenty of free time ahead. We visit the orphanage next week (3 hours away in same province - Guangdong). We miss everyone. Bye.

Its Official

We went to the adoption agency again today to make the adoption official and it's official - we passed the interviews (OK it wasn't a hard test!). So now we are an official family of 4 (the certificate arrives tomorrow). The day got off to a rocky start, and it was't due to Ella at all. I misread the time and got the entire family up an hour early, including Ella (not a great start). But we overcame that obstacle along with Ella throwing up twice today (it seems as if the formula isn't agreeing with her totally) and Ella is very congested/coughing while Laura has a sore throat (and we hope that is the extent of it). Other than that, Evan and I are feeling fine. Even finding some spots for ice cream and American food. The rest of the day is free time. We plan to do laundry and walk around the island we are staying on today with the McFees and their beautiful daughter Maya. I am also attaching an 2 email pictures that we received from Ella's caretaker today showing her and Maya preparing to leave Yangchun for Gotcha day yesterday. More pictures to follow. Evan and Ella especially are really getting along terrifically. Evan is going to be such a good big brother. Until later on....

1st Pics of Ella - She's Here and Adorable!!!

Hi everyone, well we are getting set for the evening after a wonderful first afternoon with Ella. I have to tell you she is so cute and has a great disposition. She immediately took to us and hasn't cried or been scared once. And she is so playful - it won't be long before she is crawling around. It's now 8:30 and based on Ella's schedule, we thought she would be going down for sleep around now, but she doesnt appear quite ready to go down to bed in her crib quite yet (sorry Laura!) Let's see what else. We got her about 3pm China time today (have this on video). She has 4 teeth (2 top and 2 bottom) and lots of hair - she has a cold but the medicine we gave her seems to be controlling the symptoms welll. We also got a wonderful note and book about Ellas stay from her caretaker Sandra. OK well I am going to go get ready for bed when Ella falls asleep - I am exhausted! See you later everyone and will post more pictures.

Saturday in China

Well we made it to China yesterday and have spent a good part of the last two days recovering from jet lag. It's almost 10pm now so that puts me on a good schedule. Laura conked out an hour ago (no surprise there - she definitely realizes it may be her last full nights sleep for quite a while). Highlights of today included a great breakfast buffet at the hotel downstairs. I'm afraid our food experience goes down from there. Though many in our travel party like the local Chinese food, I'm afraid I side with Laura and Evan and already crave for Wendys. The hamburgers here are awful too in addition to the Chinese (OK, who are we to criticize!!!) We went shopping and picked up some chocolates to be given as gifts as well as a card reader from the local department store (Guangzhou Grand Buy). The store reminded me of Macy's Herald Square - 9 stories high in the middle of an area that resembled Times Sq. We're going back during the week and will take some pictures at that point. Suffice it to say, we were the only non-Chinese in the entire store, but we certainly learned the shopping routine (pick an item, get a receipt, take it to the cashier and return for your item - shopping is the universal language after all). Then tonight we went to a local Chinese place and dare I say we are really not looking forward to two more weeks of this cuisine. Even the smells and all the assortment of fresh selections in the front of the store are much to handle. OK well that all doesnt matter really as tomorrow is the day we have been waiting for. We leave for Ella (for a city council center) at around 2pm, which is 3am Atlanta time. I will be sure to post some pictures by morning time or no later than lunch). At this point, I plan to video the Gotcha moment with Laura I am sure receiving Ella. Until tomorrow and we thank everyone who is following our trip. More pictures tomorrow I promise!! Paul

Day One with Nothing to Show for It

Well we made it to China today, Friday 2-23 but you'll have to take my word for it. Let me explain: After an initial scare, where the travel agency and Delta didn't communicate clearly on our tickets, causing our itinerary to be canceled the day of our trip, the rest of the trip couldn't have gone more smoothly. We left Atlanta at about 5:30 Wednesday evening and arrived in Guangzhou, China at Bayun International Airport at 6:50 am Friday. Included in that time difference are a 13 hour time difference and a 5 hour layover in LA, so the net flying time was about 19 (almost 20) hours...but it didnt feel that long. After arrival this morning, we checked into our hotel, The White Swan in Guangzhou (actually located on an island right alongside the city). The view outside our window is beautiful as is our room. I wanted to post it right here....BUT....didn't realize our new camera takes a special USB adapter that I did not bring along. Laura does not know this yet, but I am sure when I tell her tomorrow, a shopping excursion will be mandated. The rest of the day was spent shopping and wandering around the Shamian Island (home of the White Swan). It's 5:15pm now and I am exhausted (Laura is sleeping and Evan on the way) so we are still adjusting to the time change. Less than two days till we get Ella in our arms (and I know I better have pics to prove it). Thanks everyone for sharing in our incredible experience. Laura or I will post tomorrow. We met some really great new friends in Jill and Mike McFee from West Virginia whose new daughter Maya and Ella were born just days apart (and found 1 day apart). Maya is absolutely adorable. Their blog, if you want to browse, is mcfeesgirl.blogspot.com. OK until tomorrow, thanks - Paul, Laura and Evan Lazar

2/11/07 - Almost on our way to China............

Hello to all - I apologize for not updating Ella's blog sooner but we have been so very busy...... Last Wednesday (1/31), a group of my wonderful friends gave me a surprise baby shower. First, they decorated my car with balloons and ping crepe paper while I was attending my Wednesday Bible Study class and then I was escorted to the restaurant where everyone was awaiting my arrival. I received such wonderful gifts (stuffed animals, blankets, travel items for her and lots of gift cards). Thank you all so much for thinking of me and Ella!!!! This Wednesday (2/7), we finally received our consulate appointment with China which means we could make our travel plans. We are leaving for Atlanta on Wednesday, February 21st and will be returning back to Atlanta on Saturday, March 10th. We fly from ATL to LAX and then on to Guangzhou, China on Saturday, February 23rd. We will have a couple of days to adjust our sleep schedules to China time (they are 13 hours ahead of us) before we get Ella which will be on Sunday, February 25th - FINALLY!!!!!! This weekend, we purchased/installed the car seat, put together the booster seat for the kitchen and the stroller. I compliment Paul because I kept him really busy this weekend - thanks honey!! At this point, we have to begin the task of packing.