It's Official!

Yesterday we signed all of the adoption paperwork and William FeiJia Contant is officially our son! He slept for most of the day as we visited several office buildings to complete the paperwork. He's a very quiet content baby, but I suspect he will learn to find his voice when he meets the rest of his siblings, especially his two little (big!) sisters who are prepared to meet his every waking need (whether he wants them met or not!)

First stop of the day- getting our family picture taken for our documents

Our travel group- ready to sign paperwork!

 Fingerprints- Liam didn't like this too much

 Making this official!

Waiting while our paperwork is being processed....

Liam, welcome to our family!

After we completed our paperwork we walked on the Bund and got to try a local favorite, Xiao Long Bao, which are steamed buns (dumplings) filled with meat or veggies and a soup broth. They were SO good. We need to find where to get these in Chicago!

  

We are a family! Can't wait to have five other special people join us in this picture!

Tristan, Ella, Aidan, Maeve, and Mairéad, we love you and can't wait for you to meet Liam!

Liam!

We have our little boy! He is precious and we are so thankful to have him in our arms. He's very tiny and fragile. We are hopeful to see what love will do. Thank you for your prayers- please keep praying!

 

After meeting Liam we were able to visit Shining Star Foster Home, a wonderful home for orphans who have visual impairments. We were hoping Liam would be able to go here while he waited for us to come. We met Julie, the director, and her amazing staff. It was such an honor to meet these women and learn about the work they do at Shining Star. We were treated to a lunch that was amazing! It was such a special experience for us to celebrate Liam's adoption day with them.

We're in Shanghai!

We made it! Shanghai is a beautiful city and we were able to enjoy a day of sightseeing before we meet our little boy tomorrow! Today we saw the financial district, the Bund, ate lunch at a fabulous restaurant, visited a fabric market, and did a lot of walking! 

We are so looking forward to meeting our son, Liam, tomorrow morning. Please keep us, and especially Liam, in your prayers. This is such a special day for us, one that we've waited for and prayed about since March. We know, though, that as wonderful as this day will be for us, it could be quite traumatic for Liam as he will be leaving everything familiar. Please join with us as we pray for calm hearts and a clear sense of God's presence. Tomorrow one precious little boy will be an orphan no longer, but a treasured son. John and I are humbled and truly grateful. 

Liam

John and I are excited to welcome home our new son, Liam! We are leaving tomorrow for Shanghai and will meet our little boy on Monday morning. Thank you for your prayers and support while we are gone- it is so appreciated. We will will be home the day before Thanksgiving, completely tired out from travel, but definitely with much to be thankful for.

Pictures!

Look at this picture!! Everyone is smiling! I am giddy with happiness- I never thought this was possible. (I may have issued death threats to the older ones before we arrived at the shoot, but the two little ones- that was completely up in the air!)

We have had our precious daughter Mairéad with us for a little over two months. And Maeve, who brings endless energy into the mix, has been with our family for over two years.

We have been adjusting well as a family and have been enjoying all the antics that two little girls bring into our lives. Never having children this close in age before, it's been a real eye opener at times!

The older kids are so protective and loving toward the little ones. John and I are enjoying our front row seats to the daily rhythms of our family. It's quite chaotic, but we are so happy listening to little giggles and baby babbling mixed in with discussions about trigonometry, what dish was made at school in FCS, and noises made from constant  interaction with the whoopee cushion!

We are tired, but we wouldn't have it any other way. 

Last Day! Coming Home Tomorrow!

It's our last day in Guangzhou! This afternoon we are taking a van to Hong Kong and then flying home tomorrow. We are so excited to come home! Please pray for a safe flight and for a sleepy baby!

 When it's 95 degrees in the shade, you need a milk shake!

 Another trip to the tea shop!

 Daddy's girl!

 the iPad is our friend!

 I think we might have a redhead!!

 the toy room at our hotel

 toesies!

stretch! someone is a lot more flexible :)

 Ella has been rocking a bun every day- I'm so jealous!

 We went to a toy market and Ella made out like a bandit!

Our Bethany group