Online Journal

OUR STORY:

Rene’ met Jay in the summer of 1986 during her summer break from college. Jay had recently moved to the area as the National Guard recruiter. They were married in August 1987. Rene’ graduated from college in 1988 and nine months later Corey, their son, was born. This was a joy to all the family. He was also the first grandchild on both sides. Shortly after Corey’s birth Rene’ was diagosed with juvenile diabetes. They were told that another pregnancy would be risky. But unexpectantly she found out she was pregant in 1994. This pregancy did not end happily. Their baby was stillborn. They named him Gavin Taylor.

Jay and Rene’ could have let this come between them but instead they had love and support from friends, family, and especially from their church family. Rene’ went back to school and became a teacher. Jay later retired from the Army and became a Guardian Ad Litem for Family Court. They are proud of Corey who is a junior in high school and on the golf team.

In March 2005, Rene’ was introduced to a parent at her school that had returned from China with their precious little girl. There was a twinkle in Rene’s eye. She couldn’t wait to confront Jay about the parent she had met. After praying and discussing the idea of adoption between themselves they confronted Corey. They had also included Corey in family discussion and this was no exception. Corey was very excited with the idea. He told his parents,

Yaw always wanted another child so it’s about time your dream comes true.

And so the process began.

March 16, 2005

Received adoption packet from American World Adoption Association (AWAA)

April 6, 2005

Travel to get birth certificates

April 28, 2005

Returned Agreement to AWAA and first payment

May 12, 2005

Received letter from Christian Family Services about homestudy and fees

May 9, 2005

Mailed Home Study Agency Agreement

May 24, 2005

Mailed fee to Christian Family Services for records release

May 26-June 3, 2005

Family trip to Florida

June 15, 2005

First home study visit

June 21, 2005

Had first shots

June 22, 2005

Had police checks done

June 28, 2005

Physical exams done and passport pictures made

June 30, 2005

Second home study visit

July 7, 2005

Third home study visit

July 8, 2005

Mailed forms and check to USCIS

July 12, 2005

Sent off for passports

July 19, 2005

Fourth home study visit

July 26, 2005

Had second shot

July 29, 2005

Traveled to Charleston, SC to be fingerprinted

August 31, 2005

Received copy of the home study and sent final payment

September 30, 2005

Received I 171-H form from Dept. of Homeland Security

October 4, 2005

Jay took documents to Sec. of State to be certified

October 5, 2005

UPSed documents to US Dept of State and had them send it directly to the Chinese Embassy (a special thanks to Joel who helped us through the process)

October 18, 2005

Received documents back

October 19, 2005

Sent Dossier to AWAA

October 28, 2005

Dossier sent to China by AWAA

November 16, 2005

Dossier logged in China

January 3, 2006

Had last shot

May 8, 2006

Hearing about a slow down

After 21 months of waiting, we are proud to announce that we have received our referral for Bailey Ji Yaun Cato. She is in foster care from Yaun Ling SWI in Hunan. Words cannot describe how we are feeling right now. We have gone through all the emotions from crying to laughing and we know we are truly blest.

August 10, 2006

We realize that fingerprinting and homestudy will probably expire.

Spetember 14, 2006

Sent off information to USCIS office in Charleston, SC to be refingerprinted.

November 6, 2006

Travel to Charleston to be fingerprinted.

December 6, 2006

Started the process to get homestudy updated.

January 25, 2007

Had homestudy appointment.

January 29, 2007

Mailed check to USCIS for new I 171-H form.

February 9, 2007

Received and paid for Homestudy update.

April 5, 2007

Received our second I 171H form from Homeland Security.

May 23, 2007

Received a second brown envelope from American Consulate in China.

June 1, 2007

Received early rumors we could be next.

June 2, 2007

Corey Graduates from high school.

June 9, 2007

Referrals come in only through November 1st.

June 25, 2007

More rumors maybe this time!

July 6, 2007

Referrals come in through November 14th.

August 26, 2007

Nothing being said by anyone unusally quite.

August 2, 2007 At 12:05 p.m.

received official referral from AWAA, Zhao Ji Yuan!

August 2, 2007 12:07 p.m.

Rene calls Jay and both were so excited the information had to be repeated several times. Tears in eyes, hearts
racing, finally the news we have been waiting for was finally here! Called friends and family!

August 3, 2007

Not much work done waiting on FED EX to bring package. At 12:10 p.m. it arrived! Of course pictures were taken. Package
contained more pictures of Bailey and medical and shot information plus her biography that needed to be translated.

August 3, 2007

Completed required paperwork. Jay went to Hartsville to UPS Store to send paperwork back to AWAA. Had tobe there Monday!

August 7, 2007

Mailed care package to orphanage with camera and small photo album including our pictures for Bailey to see her new Mom, Dad,
Brother, dog and cat.

August 11, 2007

Received travel package.

August 13, 2007

Filled out Visa request, releases and travel plans. Jay faxed to AWAA

August 14, 2007

Received e-mail from AWAA everything looked good forward originals to their office.

August 15, 2007

Mailed all travel documents to AWAA.

August 17, 2007

Received e-mail from AWAA saying travel date probably on 27 Sep 07.

August 18, 2007

Went shopping for car seat, stroller and other stuff for Bailey.

August 24, 2007

Received notification that travel date has moved up to September 13th.

August 28, 2007

Received flight itinerary. Leave September 13th return September 28th.

August 29, 2007

Need to reserve your own seats for international flight.

September 7, 2007

Travel meeting by telephone with all traveling famlies.

September 7, 2007

Received in country itinerary.

September 9, 2007

Packed and weighed luggage.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

We left the house at 4:45 a.m. the four of us, Jay, Corey, Mom, and myself. We ate breakfast at IHOP in Pineville and got to the airport around 7:30. We had no trouble getting our baggage checked in and going through security. We met Tonya and Gary Granger from Florida who will be traveling with us in China. While waiting for our flight I got a message on the cell phone. It was Olivia and my kindergarten class. They all wished us a safe trip, that they would miss me, and that they would be good while I’m gone. Here were my first tears of the trip. I’m really going to miss my school family.

We flew out of Charlotte at 9:25 heading to Washington, D.C. We got so tickled at Corey on the flight. (This was his first flight.) He had a grin from ear to ear until the landing gear came down and made a noise. His eyes got so big and looked around to see if anyone was alarmed. The face was priceless. We landed in Washington at 11:10. We had a little over an hour wait before our flight to Beijing. There we met up with Anthony and Renee Stone also from Florida. It was like a reunion when we all got together.

Our flight to Beijing took off at 1:00 p.m. On the flight we sat behind a Chinese family with a little probably a few months older than Bailey. She wasn’t too happy with the flight so Jay and I played peek-a-boo with her. She got so tickled with us.

We FINALLY arrived at Beijing 13 hours later at 2:00 p.m. (2:00 a.m. US time) We arrived at the Radisson hotel around 4:00 p.m. and we were totally give out. I gave up and went to bed….

Photo gallery for the trip added here:
http://journey2bailey.com/Gallery/The-Trip

Nia Hao!

We got up around 4:30 and went to eat breakfast at 7:30. Breakfast at the Radisson wasn’t bad. We had eggs, bacon, cereal, breads, and fruit. But there were also things we didn’t recognize. One item they did have looked like Pork-N-Beans but we were chicken to try them.

We meet the group at 9:00 and got on the bus to go to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. All I can say is that obviously all 15 million Beijing residents must have decided to do today, too. It was very crowded. Three things you don’t take a picture of and that are the men in uniforms. Well someone forgot to tell this one family (not a family in our group) because the police came and took their camera and put them in the van. We learned that the Forbidden City has 9,999.5 rooms. No we didn’t visit them all. I really enjoyed the tour. We learned a lot about the different reigns of the emperors.

We left the Forbidden City and went to eat Chinese. It was very different from our Chinese food. Then we visited the Summer Palace. After visiting all the places it is a shame that the French and British came to China and burned, destroyed, and stole so much.

We visited the Pearl Factory and Silk Factory. We bought Bailey a strand of pink pearls and matching earring and Jay bought me a pair of earrings too. They showed us how pearls are made and even opened an oyster and there were about 20 pearls inside of it.
They gave each family a pearl from the oyster for our little girls.

The silk factory was also an experience. The life span of a silk worm is between 5-45 days. The guide showed us how the silk comforters are made. The stuffing inside them are 100% silk! Yes, we ended up buying one for Bailey and Corey had to get a red silk cover for himself. We also bought Bailey two outfits and a pair of silk pajamas. We can’t wait to see them on her.

After all the touring and shopping we had a Peking Duck Dinner. They did not serve the duck head but they did serve the fish head. I can say it was an experience.

Jay decided to get a massage afterwards. For an hour massage it cost $20 and he said it was worth every penny. He actually fell asleep in the middle of it. It was the end of a very busy day. Only 2 days before we get Bailey.

This morning we went to church. Only foreigners can go to this church. You have to show your passport to enter. The service was more of a contemporary service. There was a lot of singing, he read he scripture and discussed it but not really a sermon like we are used to.

Second, we went to the jade factory and saw how the jade was carved. The jade is very expensive. We were in a hurry so we didn’t buy much. (Jay had no problem with that, ha!) Then, we had lunch, more Chinese food! But this food was really good, the best yet in our opinion. There was an eggplant dish that was my favorite of course Jay wouldn’t touch the veggies.

Next, we went to the Great Wall. It is so breathtakingly beautiful. But as for the climbing it mom and I left it up to Jay and
Corey. We went up the first flight and we were out of breath. Jay and Corey went to the top to the tower. It was very steep and the steps are all uneven after so much wear and tear over the past hundreds of years. One step might be six inches high and the next step might be closer to two feet high. It was very difficult.

We finished the evening by going to a Chinese acrobatic show. It cost 200 yuan which is about $27. One young man stood and balanced himself on about 10 chairs. He was almost to the ceiling of the building. I had to cover my eyes too afraid he might fall but he didn’t. It was very colorful and the music was upbeat Chinese. Really cool.

When we got back to the motel we had about 30 minutes to get our luggage outside our door to be picked up for our early morning flight. We have to be on the bus at 5:30 a.m. which isn’t really a problem being I’m still waking up around 1:30 each morning. I will be ready though tomorrow is GOTCHA DAY! We get Bailey!!

Today is GOTCHA DAY!

We were up and ready this morning. Everyone one going their separate ways to get their daughters. I forgot to tell you yesterday our group has grown to 15 families. Six families were added at the last minute and arrived yesterday. They only had two days to get prepared for the trip. They are picking up their special needs kids. We were so hoping that Lance and Hope would be with them but they were not. Don’t worry Hope you will be soon. We will all meet back up in Guangzhou.

Our flight was nice. Chinese Air is much nicer than our American planes. The flight was about two hours. When we touched down in Changsha we could tell it was very different than Beijing. There was a lot of farming fields and it was very hot. But there was no smog like in Beijing. All the parents were about to jump out of their skin. On the trip to our hotel we found out from our guide, Leah, that we would be picking the girls up at 3:00. We would have a little time to prepare being we got to the hotel at 11:30.

The room is nice! There is air conditioning and a glass shower, very modern. The one thing that is really smart is that you have to insert your room key into a wall unit device to cut the lights on. When you leave and take the key out everything in the room cuts off. Chinese way of saving energy. After we claimed our luggage and got our gifts ready to take with us we went to eat lunch in the western restaurant in the hotel. I ordered a french shrimp salad and Jay, Corey, and Mom ordered a pizza. My salad was delicious but the rest were disappointed. Then up the room to get our bags and Bailey’s blankie and toy.

We were on the bus as 2:30 and on our way to the CCAA building for our 3:00 pick up of the girls. We got inside and sat down.
There were other adoption groups in there that had already gotten their girls and some were getting theirs as we entered. We were all a bundle of nerves. So much is going through you head, Will she like us, will she come to us, will she scream bloody murder like some are doing when we enter the room. Leah has already prepared us that usually when one baby cries they will all cry. I know she is just trying to make us more comfortable but like I said it is just the not knowing. As I sit down to wait Renee Stone and I start to cry. We hug each other knowing how long we have both waited for this day. Then Leah comes in and says the babies are coming. The nannies walk them through the door and into another room. They are all dressed in matching yellow outfits. Well then we all start crying moms and dads. Then Leah and Linaker come to Jay and I and tell us that we are the first ones. Can you believe it! We walk up to the doorway and they bring out Bailey and hand her to us. She is NOT crying and she is holding the Pooh Bear we sent her in her care package and a tiny green orange. She is handed to me and she goes and I cuddle her. I know she is scared so I just hold her tight to my heart and she accepts me! We are so overwhelmed. The other families are handed their babies and they are not so lucky. All the babies except Bailey are wailing to top of their lungs. I cover Bailey’s ears and she sinks into my arms. We are there only about minutes and we were headed back to the room. The bus was full of screaming babies but not our Bailey.

About an hour after we got back to the room Bailey actually got down and started playing then she was running after Corey down the hall. When Jay gets back to the room from a meeting with Leah, Bailey plays with him too. The girl loves shoes she took hers off and tried to put Jay’s on. She does have a personality and I can’t wait to see it grow. She went to bed fine and then I put her in her crib. The only trouble so far is that she screams if you put her on the potty. But then again she has never seen one over here they have squatty potties. It is a hole in the floor and you squat. We took her down stairs to the children’s room but she still didn’t like it. So we put diapers on her. It that’s the only thing we have to worry about I can handle retraining her.

GOTCHA DAY WAS A HUGE SUCCESS! Finally, we are a family of 4 completed by the arrival of Bailey JiYuan Cato.

Updated with more than 3 pages of pictures:
http://journey2bailey.com/Gallery/The-Trip

This morning we got up and ate breakfast. Bailey had congee (a soupy rice mixture) and steamed egg. We went back to the room
and dressed Bailey in her “Adoption Day” dress. She knew she was hot stuff. She pranced all around the room. You can tell she is
used to working she will pick up the shoes and put them up. If a bottle cap is off the bottle she will put it back on. If she
spills something she will get a rag and wipe it up. She is constantly cleaning or pretending to be cleaning.

We left the at 9:30 to go back to the CCAA building to complete the paperwork. We were herded in from office to office until
all was done and we had our picture taken to be put in her adoption papers. We left about 11:30 and traveled to Wal-Mart.

The Wal-Mart was three stories. We were really surprised at how much we could identify. I really got excited when I saw Pepsi.
They even have diet Pepsi but they call it Pepsi light. We got Bailey a bag of diapers (Her paperwork said she was potty trained
but not westernized trained. She screamed when we put her on the potty.) water, drinks, bananas, wipes, Pringles potato chips for
only $18. Jay said I could come to this Wal-Mart anytime.

The rest of the day was down time it was the first day we had some and really enjoyed it. We played with Bailey all day. We
are already getting smiles and hugs. The other families are still having a tough time. A few cry all the time. One dad said she
cries 95% of the time. Bailey has only cried when we put her on the potty and in the shower. The rest of the time she is very
happy and content. Hope this continues. Jay calls her Princess Bailey.

This morning we went to the Hunan Provincial Museum. It was more of a historical museum. Inside was a female mummy. She died from heart failure but when they x-rayed the body they found 32 watermelon seeds inside her. The tombs that the body came out of is 2100 years old. Inside there were many tools, writing instruments, silk nightwear and artwork, and silk/embroidery robes. Laquer pottery was also buried.

When we got back to the hotel we took Bailey downstairs to the playroom. She loves to play with the balls and the hippty hop. After her nap and playing in the room we decided to try the baby tub bath again. This time we were very successful. We got body and hair washed with no screaming. Then a miracle happened Bailey pooped and peed in the potty. We made a big deal out of it of course we even had cookies. Now when she potties she thinks she is to get a cookie.

Well all in all it was a very good day.