20 months after my log-in date (10.28.2005) and 31 months after my initial application (11.24.2004), we (Mom, Sis and I) finally departed on 06.28 and arrived in Beijing late the next evening. We were met by our guide, Veronica, who was very knowledgeable and spoke English very well. The following day, we met our travel group of 9 families (6 adopting from Bengbu and 3 from Hefei). The families were from all over the U.S. It poured rain during our Beijing city tour, but it was fun just getting to know one another.

We flew to Hefei, the capital of Anhui Province on Sunday, but had to wait until Monday, 07.02, for Gotcha Day. I recognized Qin Jie right away when she arrived with her traveling nanny at CCAA (China Center for Adoption Affairs). She and all the other girls from Bengbu wore brand new tank tops and shorts with little sandals. It was VERY hot and they had traveled that morning for 3 hours from the orphanage. When she was placed in my arms, she didn’t cry at all! She must have known that I was her Mommy and we bonded instantly. I was so blessed that God had brought us together.

Meetings and more paperwork followed to finalize the adoption process. After much deliberation, I finally decided on the name “Isabella” (consecrated to God) at this meeting when I was instructed to “write down your daughter’s American name.” When Veronica took her footprint, it was the first time she cried. The next day, she was officially my daughter.

Qin Jie (I continued to address her by this name, since it was all she knew) was pretty easy going and cooperative. She ate everything I fed her. In fact, she ate everything in sight (the breakfast buffets were yummy)! Please note that she likes to keep both hands occupied. She loved her baths, didn’t mind brushing her teeth, enjoyed riding in her stroller and was cooperative during diaper and clothes changing. She was my little angel, but that would all change soon enough.

Our next stop was Guangzhou, where the U.S. Consulate is located. All the business related to Qin Jie’s immigration and citizenship occurred here. These photos were taken on the Red Couch in the White Swan Hotel. The girls are (clockwise from top left): Qin Jie (California), Billie (Texas), Olivia (Arizona), Esther (Texas), Addison (Iowa), Elizabeth Jie Jie (Big Sis) & Catherine (Maryland), Sarah (New York) and Sarah (Virginia).

One more stop in Hong Kong. She liked the panda display at the airport - or maybe Mom liked it more. Looks like she preferred her snacks.

We were fortunate to travel in business class on Northwest Airlines. Qin Jie seemed to enjoy it! She certainly enjoyed the endless supply of food and snacks! She got her own seat on the Hong Kong/Tokyo leg, but sat on Mom’s lap for the transpacific flight. U.S.A. here we come!

Juliette, from Texas, was picking up their second daughter and returning to Bengbu with her 3-year old. She took this photo of Qin Jie in the walker they donated. Looks like she just got a fresh buzz cut! That is Director Song on the right in the first photo.

Lois, from Arkansas, took this photo at naptime during her homeland trip with their 10-year old daughter. She didn’t look happy and it was a sign of things to come, as she still hates going down for her nap. On Gotcha Day, she showed up with the toy that is in her cribmate’s hand.

These were taken by the Bengbu staff on the disposable camera, delivered by Lois. I love seeing these because they offer some insight into her everyday life at the orphanage, where she spent 20 months of her life: waiting for her turn from the communal jook (congee) bowl, in the walker with the bear I sent her and playing on her favorite rocking horse [with her roommate, Shun-Shun (Olivia), behind her]. Of course, they dressed her up in a special outfit for the photos, so she is not wearing the usual tiger T-shirt “uniform.”

I received the call from GWCA (Great Wall China Adoption) and the follow-up email with photographs on 05.01. Qin Jie (purity) was born in 10.2005 and had been insitutionalized at the Bengbu Children’s Welfare Institute in Anhui Province since she was found at the Bengbu railway station in 11.2005. Her medical report, done at 14 months old, stated that she was 16.5 lbs. and 26.77 in. long.

I joined the Bengbu Families Yahoo Group, where I met some really nice people traveling to Bengbu and offering to deliver items and/or take photos of my waiting daughter.

Jeff, of Packages of Hope, was kind enough to take some photos and a video on his trip to deliver provisions in May. It was so exciting to see a glimpse of Qin Jie in her environment. I could already see that she loved snacks and had a bit of attitude!

This photo was taken in January 2007, prior to my referral, and posted on the Yahoo site. They are all bundled up for Winter and Qin Jie is on the far right. Is that Ning Fei (Sarah) in the center? It is interesting to see the condition of the orphanage. They moved to a brand new building in June 2007.