She's here!!!

Look at those pig tails

Emma's cute dress...

As with any great event, the hours, minutes and seconds leading up to it can be quite challenging. We spent the morning at the local shopping mart for the bare essentials (baby formula, snacks, water, and of course swimming goggles for Tyler). After a bit of swimming, to take our minds off of things, it was 3PM and time for what our guide calls "BABY PICKUP".

We arrived at the government building a little early and as we began taking pictures of the sites, I looked up and there she was :). She was all dressed up in pig tails and a new dress. After a good wait for the government staff and a quick transition from the caregiver, she was hours. 

As with most great things, they come with a few challenges that make them all worth while.  While could tell that she recognized us, it was natural for her to be upset after the care-giver handed her over to us and bolted...  It took 45 minutes, 3 toys, lots of rocking and walking to finally figure out - she wanted out of that 102deg building and at that point; all was fine.  We discovered the power of fruit flavored rice puffs and some air conditioning.  Thank goodness as Tyler was beginning to worry that we had done something horribly wrong.  "Dad is she going to cry like this all night long?"  The only answer I had was "I sure hope not".

Clinging to Mom, but still upset...

Still working out some feelings...

Once we made it back to the hotel, loaded up with a second bowl of cereal puffs and a fresh diaper, we were in business.  Until we remembered, we've never had a baby before and trying to read the formula instructions written in Chinese was going nowhere fast.  Thank goodness for Google.

So, after a long day of extreme stress, high heat, lovely humidity, formula, bottles and the second occurrence of the most amazing thing Jennifer and I will ever experience, I'll leave you with a few pictures.  As you can see in the last 2 pictures, "all is well that ends well".  (posted by Shawn)

Someone loves being the center of everything...

Look at those pig tails...

We finally lifted the death grip on the sucker...

Not sure who had more fun with the stacking cups...

Tyler has bedtime all under control...