Madeline, We are coming to pick you up soon!

Now, that we received our Letter of Approval from China to "officially" adopt Madeline we need to get into full gear mode and get our acts together. Madeline, I am not sure how much you are going to like your new stressed out, sleep deprived parents who do not have a clue as what we are doing but we will do our very best to provide you with plenty of hugs and kisses. Abby will too. Try not to pull on her tail and ears too much at first please because she is a delicate flower. Give her a couple of months and then she will let you ride her like a pony around the house.

I went to the store this week and luckily with grandma and grandpa Miyake's help we bought a lot of medicines and general supplies for our trip to come and pick you up. Good thing they were with me because I needed some advice on some of the stuff as being a first time mommy, I had a tough time trying to figure out what to buy. Also, we went to the Carter's outlet and we bought some clothes for you. Some very cute matching outfits. We can't wait to see you in them.

We need to paint your room, decorate, and get our stuff together to come and pick you up. We need to make sure that your home is safe so that no one shocks themselves by doing things like putting forks into the light sockets (remember, Justin) or have dressers fall on them (I did that and gave my parent's a heart attack). We went to REI last weekend to look at clothes that would "breathe" well while we are in China. It is going to hot and humid. The average temp right now is in the 80's so we are anticipating that it will be very warm while we are in China but it is better than going in the latter part of the summer when it is typhoon season.

We are looking forward to siteseeing and have been reading up on our info about China (history, current info, narratives, etc). Hopefully we have a descent grasp on Chinese culture. We are going to try to learn Chinese as well.

We have been reading up on our child rearing books but we are not so sure that we have done such a good job comprehending the information. Madeline, you will have to let us know. Also, I have been a very studious student and watching Super Nanny every Wednesday night (ABC). After I watch every episode, I go to bed thinking to myself or every so often waking your daddy up and exclaiming: "Supper Nanny may be making a visit or two to our house." Maddy, just so you know Dad rules with an iron fist. I wanted to be the first one to warn you do not cross him. He won't let you get away with anything. I, however am the softie in the family so you can come to me about anything. =) Okay, we can all joke about it but everyone who really knows your mom and dad know that it is the other way around. Abby is your father's little girl. She follows him everywhere. I just exist so if you are partial to daddy I will not be too jealous since I am already used to it. Daddy will have his own little parade of followers.

This weekend while your dad is with grandma Downie as she is recovering from her second knee surgery. Yay!! She will be able to keep up with you and take you to the beach since daddy, grandpa and uncle mikey do not like to get sand in their shoes. I will be with grandma Miyake as it is her birthday and I will be trying to get some stuff together for our trip to come get you and also get your room and the house ready as well.

Since it looks like we will be traveling before the Olympics it looks as if we will make it to the Great Wall, Forbidden City, etc. in Beijing. Then we are to Guangzhou to meet Madeline.

Yesterday, we received a video from Yangdong that I ordered. Yangdong is where we think Madeline is from. She is at the orphanage in Yangdong county. The video was fabulous! We learned a lot about the area that Madeline is from -- it looks as if there is a lot of farming. The video showed the hospitals, civil affairs office, frequent finding places, orphanage, etc. It was very beautiful and scenic. This area of China was very green and lush!!

We are very excited that we will be traveling in 10 weeks or so and we can not wait to meet Madeline so our family will be forever together.