Ended the night w/ ice cream!

We leave tomorrow for Guangzhou where we will spend Sat-Sat then fly home. I probably won't update much tomorrow (Saturday) since we'll be flying and traveling. Noelle and I had a nice dinner to celebrate our time here and finished with some yummy ice cream. She was loving it. Now she is sleeping.

We miss Dad but know that right now he is home and getting the boys ready for school. Bet they are all happy this morning!

Walking through the park...

 

Family Day Photo and McDonalds

Here's a nice shot of us on family day. It is our official picture on record with the Chinese gov't. Today we walked through the city a bit and visited McDonalds w/ the Grabowskis.

She's up and ready to skype

Finally Noelle woke up this morning...sleepy head. We are waiting for Kyle to get home from his baseball game so we can skype with them all back home and wish Grandma a Happy Birthday. It is already 9am April 29th here!

Wanted to let our Shanghai friends know we miss them and are thinking of our wonderful time with them. Noelle is wearing an adorable shirt today given to her by her foster family...check it out in this picture we took of ourselves.

Hope the ladies back home are having fun at their PJ party Book Club gathering tonight at Gail's, miss ya!

Sweet Noelle picture on my Phone!

Katy Cunningham

my new phone screen

I hope this post comes through, it is the new picture on my cell phone that I look at all day long :)

Pizza Party

Back on Wednesday some of the families of the group had a pizza party. We were going to have it outside but it was a bit chilly and we wanted to stay away from the mosquitos! So we set up in the 3rd floor lobby. The kids had fun. There are lots of older siblings are travelling with us, mostly big sisters so thrilled to be getting their little sis or bro from China. Noelle loves watching and playing with other children. She comes off as shy at first but once she warms up she is dancing and playing and in the middle of the action giggling away.

thursday's breakfast, a walk and a nap

First off I had a terrible time trying to post today. Finally after 14 hours of trying I am getting through.

This morning we had to say bye-bye to Daddy. Sad :( but happy he'll be seeing Kyle, Sean and Ryan soon.

It was a beautiful breezy, cool sunny day in Zhengzhou. Noelle and I had breakfast together. She learned how to drink the yogurt out of a straw as some do here. She wore her "Little Sister" outfit and looked so cute. We practiced walking by the fountains outside, she is walking around very well and is going to need a lot of chasing after once we are home. As soon as we got back to our room she crashed. Tonight we had dinner with 2 other families and a few local Chinese students who are studying english at the university here. It was great to talk with them about China and America and share perspecive on both countries and life experiences. Noelle had fun playing with one of her new friends Annika after dinner. Poor little Noelle is the favorite around here w/ the mosquitos...she has gotten a few bites on her face and ear but they don't seem to bother her. I keep her skin covered with long pants/sleeves and they bite her still.  The mosquitos here are a nuisance. But we are having fun exploring and hanging out together nonetheless! 

On my way to see my boys!

I miss my girls already, but I can't wait to see these 3 guys. I'll see you guys Friday Morning!

Dad

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On my way home...

I am sad + nervous leaving my 2 beautiful girls in Zhgengzhou this morning. But, I know my girls are tough + will do well with the help of our travel group. And I am so excited to see my boys tonight! It is 7:30am Thursday morn here... I will be home by midnight Thugs EST!

Gene

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Hotel Playroom

The staff at the Crown Plaza, where we are staying in Zhengzhou set up a playroom for us!

I can not stress how nice everyone has been to us, through this whole process.

Can you imagine a hotel setting up a special room for us to use???

Noelle loved it as they had plenty of balls to throw around!

There is one picture where she has her left hand raised...

That is her little dance move... so cute!!!

She raises her hand & shakes around.

Gene and Katy Cunningham

 

Lunch & another stroll

We had a quick lunch in the hotel & went out with our girl again.

This time we let Noelle ride the stroller & were happy to find she liked it.

We went to along a canal behind the hotel & just enjoyed the fresh air!
 

Gene and Katy Cunningham

 

Walking Around in Zhengzhou

After breakfast we walked around a beautiful little park here in Zhengzhou with the Grabowski's.

They are one of the 11 other couples here to adopt a child through our agency this week.

There is a picture of Katy & Noelle with Liz & Lilly Grabowski in the park today.

Our approvals to adopt were both logged in on 5/30/06 & we finally have met.

All the couples are very nice & it is interesting to hear everyones journey.

It is a large group, but it's great to have so many others with us.

 

Gene A. Cunningham

 

Happy Anniversary Grandma & Grandad!

We all wish we could be there with you guys!

We woke up early today so we could skype with Grandma & Grandad and the boys on GM + GDs Anniversary.

Sweet Noelle was so happy she clapped her hands, gave them a little dance & a big smile.

When she is happy with herself, she likes to clap her hands & give smiles.

Here are a few pictures from the room - she is just the cutest little lady!

   
 Gene and Katy Cunningham

 

Our CCAI Guides here in Zhengzhou

While in Zhengzhou, Yisha (pictured on the bus microphone) and Rita (pictured with Katy & Noelle) have been our guides.

They both work with our adoption agency Chinese Children Adoption International (CCAI).

They have been so incredibly helpful (& funny), making our time here very easy!

There are 12 families in our group, so they have been very much appreciated!

Gene A. Cunningham

 

Sean's First Comunion

Here are 2 pictures I just found of Sean's 1st Communion day back before we left on April 17th.

We did not have a chance to post pictures before we left, but we had a very special day together.

Sean was the very first boy in the procession & was asked to take the bread up to the alter. 

Mom & Dad are so proud of Sean & as you can see he was very handsome in his suit!

We will post a few more from the day when we get back. 
 

Gene and Katy Cunningham

 

1st Piggyback Ride...

Noelle took her 1st Piggyback ride on Daddy's shoulders today.

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It's Official

Here Katy + I are receiving the official documentation from the Chinese Government that declares Noelle is officially our daughter.

Butterflies!!!

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She loves to throw things!

We are going to buy a ball for Noelle as it seems she likes to throw things. Sean is going to like that Noelle seems to be a lefty!
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She loves to throw things!

We are going to buy a ball for Noelle as it seems she likes to throw things. Sean is going to like that Noelle seems to be a lefty!
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Katy reads to Noelle

We brought a few books so she would get used to our voices as we read to her.

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She loves flowers!

These flowers are just outside our elevator... Every time we pass Noelle wants to smell + touch them... Tooooooo Cute!

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Noelle's 1st bottle from Katy

When we got back to the hotel Katy enjoyed a special few minutes giving Noelle a bottle. There is a nice chair here in the hotel + they looked so cute!

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Noelle decides Dad is OK as well!

It took a few silly faces, but Noelle is digging her Daddy now!
 

Katy Cunningham

 

Noelle Is quickly loving Mom!

Noelle took right to Katy...

She is so sweet & loving, she loves being held!
 

Gene A. Cunningham