WE HIT THE JACKPOT!

Never in our wildest dreams did we think this would have gone so well. "Kai Kai" as he was called is the sweetest, chubbiest, and funniest little guy imaginable. But I digress...

First we had to fly for two hours to Kunming. And in order to fly domestically in China we are only allowed one 44 pound check-in bag each and 11 pound carry on - and this is STRICTLY enforced. So we found ourselves last night and this morning balancing out our luggage and packing one to leave behind at the White Swan in storage until we get back next Friday. I mentioned in a previous post we packed for eight with all the gifts for orphanage and foster family. That added to the necessary things we needed to pack for today. We will unload all of that this week and be OK for the trip back to Guangzhou.

This morning, our group of five families traveled to the airport and our tour guide escorted us right up to the ticketing desk bypassing a throng of travelers. Guangzhou airport is huge - we literally taxied for 15 minutes in a hot plane until we were lined up on the runway. It was 95 degrees with at least 80% humidity in Guangzhou. So it was a hot time getting off the ground.

Landed in Kunming right on time, met our escort from Holt, got our luggage, got right to a bus and made it to the hotel at 2:00. Had to take another 30 minute ride at 3:30 to get to where the children were. Aidan was the only boy of the bunch and the only one walking. The group of kids arrived and one by one they called our names and we got to hug him tight for the first time. Lots of crying and upset babies as would be expected. Aidan? One brief cry when he was handed to us and then he warmed up incredibly.

We quickly got him playing with a Thomas train and took pictures. He is a little ham! He knows when to smile and pose for the camera. After some more paperwork on the spot, and once all the kids were finally settling down, we got back on the bus and back to the hotel.

The cutest thing was Aidan came to us clutching the small family photo album that we sent over weeks ago. He pointed to "Baba" (me) and "Mama" (Angie) and even "Gu Gu" (brother). He would not let go of the phtoto book as if it was his only worldly possession - which it actually was besides the clothes on his back. Now he owns us!

We ventured across the street to the Blue Bird restaurant where we were able to get some Italian food, go figure. Thanks Carole and Pierre for giving us the tip it was there. Aidan eats everything in sight!!! He certainly knows his way around a plate of food - he's so chubby. Got back to the hotel and bathed him, which he loved. Put on his PJs, gave him a bottle of milk, and by 9:00 he was asleep. So far no terrible grieving issues other than while falling asleep he was murmuring "Mama, Mama, Mama..." We don't know what to make of a child that actually falls asleep easily. Maybe he can teach Alex a thing or two.

Weather in Kunming today was about 75 and overcast. It is raining right now at 10PM. This is rainy season but it sure beats 95/80 in Guangzhou. Tomorrow more of same. We work on more paperwork for Aidan's passport tomorrow morning and then venture to WalMart in the afternoon for supplies.

We are thrilled, to say the least how this is going.