Counting down the days....

.....until we are home!!  Now don't get me wrong; China has been a wonderful experience, and something I will never forget, but I have 3 babies at home that I have not gotten to see, hold, touch, hug, squeeze, kiss, tuck in at night, cook for, love on, play with, drop off and pick up from school, lay with, etc. and I'm really, really missing them right now.  I miss my BaiLee, Ethan and Graci!!!!!!
China really has been cool.  Brian and I have enjoyed the experience and are thankful we have gotten to experience it.  We're just ready to see our babies!!!
Yesterday we had our consulate appointment at the US Embassy.  We took our Oath and signed the paperwork for Alli's Visa...the final piece of paper we are waiting on so we can board the plane and head to the US.  Alli will be an official Citizen of the United States when we hit US soil....which will be in Chicago Ill. :)
She is still the sweetest little thing, but she's also a little pistol. She knows what she wants and doesn't want and is not afraid to let us know when something is not pleasing to her. She gets pretty fussy when we are out in crowds and on the streets, but as soon as we get back to our room she is all smiles and laughs.  She just doesn't do well with strangers.
Everyone knows Graci's nickname is "Sassy", well Brian and I have already discovered Alli's nickname, which fits her oh so well...."Spicy"  She is one Spicy girl. :) Of course she's going to need that spice to fit in with her brothers and sister. :)
She's a bottomless pit and can put away some food!!!  She's starting to slow down, somewhat.  I'm guessing she is realizing the food is not rationed like in an orphanage and we will always feed her and feed her good proportions.  She loves to eat, just like her big sister.  She still says "Mama" a lot.  Brian will look at her and say "Dada" and she will smile and look at me and say  "Mama"  I think she is a joker, and likes to aggravate her Daddy. She sleeps good at night and loves her naps. 
She and I both have a cold.  I'm starting to get somewhat better, thanks to the medicine's others have given me.  Alli sounds rough.   We both have real raspy voices and a cough.  Lots of congestion. Hoping she will be all better before we get home.  She seems to be bonding very well with Brian and I. I pray that continues when we get home and around all the people who want to love on her.  Adoption is so different than giving birth, and I have to remind myself of that sometimes.  Right now Brian and I are just the most awesome Nannies she has ever had......she's bonding very well, the attachment will take time.  I'm eager to get her home in her new house with her siblings and start life as a complete family.
The people here always ask me if she is my first child.  They are all so shocked when I tell them she is our 4th! In a country where you can only have one child, 4 is unheard of.  They are all very supportive of the adopting families.
Keep us in your prayers. Tomorrow we get her Visa papers and then we fly to Hong Kong for the night before flying home to the states.  Pray for safe travels and for Alli to do well on the flight (me and Brian, too)....it's a LOOONNNGGG one! 14 1/2 hours on one air plane is a LONG time!!!!  I feel like a runner who is almost to the last mile mark.....so close, yet so far away!!!  Not much longer until I can be with my babies! (and eat my Mama's cooking!!!)  Actually the food here is not bad. I've enjoyed it and want to learn to cook some Asian dishes.  Brian ate squid last night and I tried it...not bad at all!  That's where it stops for us.  They had ostrich kidneys and forest frogs on the menu...yikes!  today walking around Brian and I took pictures of turtles, eels, frogs, and all kind of things (live) in front of a restaurant for you to pick out to eat.....we have not went that extreme! :)
See you all soon.  I better rest while Miss Alli girl is napping.  :)
Love you all,
Amanda & Brian