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

 

5 seconds we will always remember

In this very quick moment the Nanny and Driver from the Pingdingshan Orphanage hand Noelle to Katy.

We are completely humbled to have such a perfect, sweet, beautiful little baby girl.

Noelle will be loved endlessly!

 

Gene and Katy Cunningham

Kyle, Sean, Ryan & Noelle :)

 

Hello Noelle!

Noelle is Beautiful...
She is simply Beautiful!!!
We are blessed - she is so sweet + very strong... She is running around, playing, and giving Katy + I hugs. An incredible day for all of us!

We Love you Noelle!
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We are leaving our hotel to get our...

Little Sister Noelle!

This is a picture of the crib waiting for her... Only a few more hours!!!

It is 9:15 here in Zhengzhou + we are meeting the group downstairs to go to the government building to meet Noelle. We will not be back till this afternoon (past midnight EST) so check back in the morning for our first pictures with Noelle.

Katy + Gene

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Flat Stanley Says Hi Sean!

Sean's class is doing Flat Stanley + we found him walking down the stairs of our hotel in Zhengzhou...
I sure was surprised when he said hello + asked us how Sean was doing back in America!!!

Before we had a chance to relax with Flat Stanley, Katy + I had a very busy + kinda crazy day. We woke up in Shanghai bright and early for our flight to Zhengzhou. We made it to the airport with time to spare, only when we checked in we found out we were at the WRONG AIRPORT! There are 2 airports in Shanghai and we went to the wrong one. But China East Airlines was great about helping us + booked us onto the next flight (didn't even charge us a fee). But because we were delayed we missed our travel group in Zhengzhou + had to get to the hotel on our own. A very long (non English speaking) bus rid later, and we found ourselves in the center of Zhengzhou trying to figure out where our hotel was. Few people here seemed to know... Until we finally heard Flat Stanley call our name. Good thing he is vacationing here in China!
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Saturday Night

Katy and I had a great day Saturday + met with some more special people that helped Noelle through her first year. We had a wonderful dinner and feel so lucky to have spent some time here in Shanghai. Shanghai is a beautiful + HUGE city. It reminds us of Manhattan in many ways, but it is more spread out. There are over 15 million people living in Shanghai. We have really enjoyed our visit + have many pictures that we will post soon... Right now we are off to the airport for our flight to Zhengzhou. By this time tomorrow we will be getting ready to meet Noelle.

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Shanghai Breakfast with Cathy Sue

On Saturday Morning Katy + I met Cathy Sue with her two beautiful daughters. They also brought little Hannah who they are fostering from the same orphanage that Noelle is from. Meeting with them today has us very excited for our little girl!!!
It is now Saturday night + we will be flying to Zhengzhou in the morning... A day and a half away from Noelle!

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A Pint in Shanghai?

Strolling thru Shanghai taking in the sights + we stumbled upon "An Irishman's Pub"... Time for a Pint of Guinness... Cheers everyone!
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Blogging with the boys!

We just finished breakfast + are on line skyping with the boys and Katy's Parents.

We are so happy to see our handsome boys... We miss them so much! It sounds like they are all doing great! We love you guys!!!

After our skype call we will go to the historic district in Shanghai for some sightseeing.

Bye for now.

Gene + Katy

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Day 2 Shanghai

It is about 8am Saturday right now here in Shanghai. The weather is great - sunny and in the 60s today. Katy + I are going to have some breakfast and do some sightseeing. Here is a picture of our room + Katy down in the hotel lobby.

We are getting closer to meeting Noelle!!!

Gene + Katy

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Can't have enough Yuan!

6.83 Chinese Yuan for 1 US Dollar.
Woo-Hoo!

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1st day in Shanghai was special!

We had a wonderful 1st day in Shanghai & our trip is off to a great start.

Our flight was pretty much on time & after we checked in to our hotel we had time for sightseeing.

We met some very special people who have helped care for Noelle.

We are setling in for some rest & will spend the day in Shanghai again tomorrow.

It's 10pm Friday here - so only 2 more days till we get to meet Noelle!

 

Love you all

 
 Gene and Katy Cunningham

 

Traveling in style!

As word spread of our trip...
Kippen a friend from the neighborhood and fellow baseball Mom, that just happens to be a flight attendant for Continental's Shanghai Flight, went out of her way to make sure Gene + I traveled well. We were treated to a few bottles of champagne as we boarded our flight + were made to feel famous!

Things are starting out pretty well!

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1st Flight done - Shanghai Next stop!

We had a smooth flight from Tampa to Newark. Our next flight will be a long one... We leave Newark at 11:05am Thursday + arrive in Shanghai at 1:45pm Friday!!!
But, It is not as bad as it sounds - Shanghai is 12 hours ahead.

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We are on our way Noelle!!!

We are leaving the house for Noelle. We have a 6:30am flight from Tampa to Shanghai. Decided to stay at the airport tonight to make it easier in the morning.

This is our last family portrait with just 5. The boys are being great about everything!!!

Here we go!
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Noelle's Room is waiting!

We are leaving tomorrow morning.
Can't wait to post a picture with Noelle back here in her room.
It will not be long!

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WE'RE FINALLY GOING TO CHINA!!!

WE'RE FINALLY GOING TO CHINA!!!

Noelle Jiabei Cunningham will be 15 months old when we get her. Isn't she adorable?!
We are scheduled to leave THIS THURSDAY!! 6:30 am we fly to Newark and then on to Shanghai. We meet Noelle NEXT MONDAY!! So this was our last weekend together as a family of 5. It was great. Sean't 1st communion (pics soon). I am busy cleaning and packing and making lists for while we're gone. Grandma and Grandad are moving in to our house and holding down the fort and keeping business as usual. We'll skype in to say hi every night (morning for us), it is 12 hours ahead in China. Thanks in advance to everyone who has offered to help out while we are away :)

Keep an eye on this blog while we're in China to see what we're doing and as we meet Noelle.



Here's our itinerary:

Thursday am - Fly to Newark, then on to Shanghai
Friday - Arrive in Shanghai at 1:45pm Sightseeing
Saturday - More fun in Shanghai
Sunday am- Fly to Zhengzhou, Henan Province, where Noelle was born. We meet the other 11 families in our travel group, spend the remainder of our trip with the group and guides.
Monday am- MEET NOELLE!!
Tuesday - Paperwork...Adoption is finalized :)
Wednesday/Thursday - Free days while we wait for Noelle's passport Tours or Rest.
Gene leaves :( and will see the boys very soon :)
Friday - Fly to Guangzhou Province
Saturday - Medical Exam/Immunizations/TB test
Sunday - Free day...rest, tour, shop
Monday - Free day ...rest, tour, shop
Tuesday - Paperwork
Wednesday - Consulate Appointment
Thursday - Oath
Friday - Pick up Noelle's US Visa
Saturday - Fly to Beijing then Newark then home 11:30 pm!!!

We had a nice time on the cruise

We had a wonderful time on the FUNSHIP!
It was a 5 night Cruise from Tampa to Grand Cayman & Cozumel.
We Swam with the Dolphins in Grand Cayman & Snorkeled in Cozumel.
Spent most of our time on the ship swimming, sliding, singing Karaoke, and eating ice cream.
We all relaxed & enjoyed our time together... Nan and Grandad & Grandma joined us.
It was a lot of fun for all & we realize that our next trip will be to bring home Noelle.
Would highly recomend a cruise with Kids!

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We have some wonderful news!!!

We have some wonderful news!!!

On 2/3/2010 The Cunningham Family was officially “matched” with Qian Jia Bei.

We finally see the other end of the “Red Thread” that has wound thru our lives for the past 5yrs.

The entire family is overjoyed & the feeling is honestly very hard to describe… we are blessed.

We will name her Noelle JiaBei Cunningham & she is waiting for us in Pingdingshan, Henan, China…

She was born on Jan 14, 2009 & is currently living with a wonderful foster family in Shanghai.

From the few pictures we have from our agency, she is incredibly cute, happy & healthy

We have reviewed her medical file all seems good… we have our PA & wait for TA.

(Which means we are waiting for the Chinese Gvt to approve our travel)

In speaking with CCAI, we are expecting to travel in early/mid April.

We are all so extremely happy and in love with our daughter.

Life is Beautiful!

The Cunningham Clan

Gene & Katy

Kyle, Sean, Ryan & (soon) Noelle