The US Consulate

Today was what the adoption world refers to as C.A. or consulate appointment.  This is what all the paperwork that we have been completing for months has been leading toward and the reason all Chinese adoptions have to process through Guangzhou. The US consulate in Guangzhou is the only one that can issue US visas for adoptive parents to bring their children into the US and thereby complete their US citizenship. When we arrived at 9:20 for our 10:00 appointment, we were already the last of the 10:00 appointments to arrive. There were at least 20 families in the room already. That meant we didn't finish the process (which was really just a 5 min interview) until about 11:30. You are not allowed to bring cell phones into the consulate, so our guide took a few pictures of us outside before and after.

  

After naptime, we went to a local store that has a kid play area and let the boys work out some energy. Apollo did pretty well, but was definitely winded very quickly. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other than that, not much to report for the day. We are extremely excited to only see 3 links left on the girls' chain at home. That means we will be home in just 3 days!!  For those interested in coming to the airport to meet Apollo, our flight (is scheduled) to arrive at 7:10pm on Saturday night. It is United flight 4478 from Chicago to St.louis. Dana was able to confirm Apollo's appointment in Boston for June 1st so he will only be home a short while before his little world gets rocked again. We plan to cocoon at our house as much as possible so the airport is really going to be the only opportunity for a quick visit. We would be happy for anyone that is interested to come and welcome Apollo on his first day as an American citizen!