Daddy's First Blog!!!!!

Hi everyone, well Debbie is getting some much needed rest, so I thought I would do a blog for a change. First of all, please forgive us for not posting yesterday. We were just a little busy and did not get a chance. From dad's point of view, I am just blown away by our little girl. She is amazing and so beautiful. My heart has been so full of joy from the first time I saw her. I am truly a blessed man as you can see.

We spent the day yesterday, along with many other parents doing paper work, paying fees, and signing documents. The people in the picture are all adopting parents. It is so wonderful to see people from all over the world coming to bring these little girls and boys home.

So with all of that done. Abby is officially ours. We have the paperwork to prove it. Next, we have to get her passport and visa, then we will be on our way home. Sounds simple, but nothing is simple over here. Just like the wait to get the referral, once you get here you get to wait some more. But, it is all worth it.

This a picture of the official document. They took a great picture of us, wish I had a bigger one.

This morning (Tuesday) we went to Teng Wang Pavillion. It is very famous in China. It so cool as we learn all about Chinese history. A pavillion was used by the millitary and the Government for meetings and events. I saw some Temples and Shrines while in Thailand but this building has no religious connection. The architecture is classic Chinese and it is right on the Gan river. The orginal pavillion was built over 1000 years ago. While there we saw a show with traditional Chinese music, singing and dance. Abby wasn't impressed, she slept most of the time. We did find out today she can get an attitude. She got mad at us and boy she would not even look at us for a while. As for us, We enjoyed the show and the tour very much. We also did a little shopping for some things to bring home. Tomorrow we go to the park and do some more sight seeing.

As for Abby, she continues to get to know us and I think she is beginning to bond with her mom. She gets very upset when Debbie even try's to give her to me. Once I have her, she calms down and melts in my arms. Then of course I melt. She also is beginning to reach out for Debbie and that is a big milestone. She does continue to have pain when she poops but we will get that fixed when we get back home.

Well thats about it for now, love you all and can't
wait to get Abby home so you can all meet her. Abby says good night and God Bless!













Another Video for Uncle Harry......

Doing Great!

Well she went to sleep without any problem and woke up about midnight because she had moved herself where she was hitting her head on the crib rails. I moved her and she slept until 5:00 am. She is still adjusting this morning. She didn't like her first bath. She is trying to figure out who these people are and as long as you hold her she is OK.

I believe that she is going to be a Daddy's girl. For those of you out there who know Mark really well, well he had her watching ladies' golf last night.

We are getting ready to go down for breakfast and see what we can get her to eat. Mark is going to get a few more copies made before to go to Civil Affairs and take care of the money issues. Depending on how she is doing, we may go look for some shoes. She doesn't have any that fit her. The crocs I bought her are too big. I think in some stuff, she would probably be 9 mos. She is just so precious. God is Great! Mark and I both cried last night when we put her to sleep about how blessed we are!

Can't wait for ya'll to see her! She is very shy and timid. We have a ways to go before we make a Stevens or Blanchard out of her. Love ya'll!

Mark, Debbie & Abby

Video below.

Presenting Abigail Elizabeth Lina Stevens!!!!!! She is ours forever and she is Truly a little Angel.

We got her this afternoon. She was a little timid at first, but she is doing just fine now. Mark and I have even gotten her to laugh. She is very little. She is 17 lbs. and her 12 months old clothes fit her. She is playing with her toys and we have told her about her big brothers. Pictures say a thousand words so here they are.

Today's the DAY!!

We are to get Abby at 4:30 p.m. today. We have to go to the Civil Affairs office. Then she will be home with us forever!

Our massages were OK - $300 yen = $40 for both of us to have a 1 hr massage. We went to breakfast yesterday morning and had eggs, bacon was like jerky, and bread. We went out in the city with Eiko and that was an experience. One little boy on a bike with his mother, yelled out and pointed at us "Foreigners", We definitely stand out. Many of the young people told us Hello and what to know where we are from. At the hotel yesterday, we met a group that were from Europe and they were leaving for Shanghai to go to their Consulate appointment.

The pollution is bad and that combined with a taxi ride almost made me ill. Jonathan, the lines on the road mean nothing. People are riding bikes, scooters, and walking, and you would think that someone would get hit. It gives you a headache to watch.

The good news - We found a McDonald's and a KFC. The taxi ride was less than $1 US. The hotel brought us a crib, baby bathtub, and a stroller to use while we are here. Tomorrow we go back to the Civil Affairs office and complete some paperwork. Then Eiko said she would take us shopping to find some clothes and shoes for Abby.

The weather is Nanchang is pleasant and not extremely hot or humid. However, their A/Cs are not like ours. We have ours all the way up and it is not cold to us at all. Matter fact at night, we get warm. However, when Eiko came in our room yesterday, she was cold. Guangzhou is supposed to be more like home. Hot & humid.

We talked to Harry and Ruth yesterday in Singapore. It was good to talk to someone who speaks English. I have a book that I brought here called "Americans Adopting Orphans Chinese Language Phrase Book". It has been a big help because I can find the word in English and show someone what it is in Chinese and get an answer.

We hope to post pictures tonight while she sleeps. Love to everyone!

Mark & Debbie

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Please send us your e-mail in your post so that we can send you a note back. We thought we could do that by clicking on your name, but that doesn't work.

Debbie

WE ARE IN CHINA!!!

After surviving 2-6 hour layovers, we just arrived in Nanchang.

The driving here is horrendous. People just honk the horn and expect someone to move. Eiko is our Tour Guide and we have already met her. She is a lovely young lady. She is going to arrange for us to have a massage tomorrow. We have been told that that will help you get over the jet lag. We met a number of adopting families on our flight from LAX to Guangzhou. They were from Miami, San Diego, Houston, just to name a few. Today is Friday and it is 4:40 pm here. I don't know what time is going to post on this message. Probably CST. We get our daughter on Sunday afternoon.

All I can tell you ladies that are waiting is get your sleep now, because once you get the call, the excitement sets in and all the ladies I spoke with haven't been able to sleep since (even with some help). I am going to post some pictures.

Everyone is getting ready for the Harvest Moon Festival. We will be in Guangzhou for the beginning of the festival (Sept. 25). They are supposed to have a big parade and everything. It will be great to share that with Abby. There were booths all over the airport selling Moon Cakes. The Chinese don't use the same amount of sugar that we do in our cooking so things that you would think are sweet are not.

Flying China Southern was great! The premium economy was definitely worth it for a 15 hour flight. Angela, we flew over Anchorage! Instead of flying straight over water, we flew up the west coast and then over Japan, Beijing and south to Guangzhou. The flight home is only supposed to be 13 hours. Bring a good book!

You will excuse me if I don't write more right now, but we are exhausted.

Debbie & Mark Stevens

We are Going to CHINA!!!!

Abby is now 19 months, has hair again and a BIG smile! She must know Momma and Daddy are coming to get her.

We leave on Wednesday (9/12) out of Baton Rouge around Noon. We will land in Nanchang on Friday, (9/14) around 2:00 in the afternoon. We will be greeted by a representative of our agency and taken to our hotel. We plan on getting over jetlag on Saturday because we will get Abby on Sunday afternoon. So make sure you check back for pictures.

They have a full schedule planned for us. On Monday, (9/17) we will do paperwork with the Chinese government. On Tuesday, we have a free day so I am sure we will signtsee and shop! On Wednesday, they are taking us to see the TengWeng Pavilion in the morning and we will have the afternoon to ourselves. On Thursday, they will take us sightseeing in the countryside. On Friday, we will get our paperwork back from the Chinese government and get ready to travel to Guangzhou.

On Saturday, (9/22) we will travel to Guangzhou. Sunday will be a free day for us. On Monday, Abby will have her medical examination by American physicians. On Tuesday, we go before the consulate. On Wednesday, (9/26), we go back to the counselate's office and take the oath and get Abby's Visa. We will leave Guangzhou at 9:00 p.m. that night and travel to LAX, then to Houston, and back to Baton Rouge. We are scheduled to fly into Baton Rouge on Continental #3124 at 8:43 am.

Abby will be HOME!!!!!! Our rooms have internet connections and we have been told that their are internet cafes everywhere. We will create posts while we are there so you can travel with us!

Please keep us in your prayers for a safe journey and a good one for Abby! We love you guys!