This morning, our guide told us to stay in our hotel room until she gives us a call and wait for instructions before heading to the American Embassy. Before we expected a phone call from her, we had time to have our complimentary breakfast at the Cascade Cafe. Nathan really loves this plain bun. He can actually eat 3 whole buns which is a little bigger than his fist. He prefers to hold the bun and feed it to himself without my help or Nelson’s help. I also fed him congee and some noodles. The morning is the only time when we feed him non-baby Gerber food.
After having breakfast, we waited for our guide’s call in our hotel room. While waiting for her call, Nelson did a video call with his family back home. Afterwards, I called my mom who was on her way home from work.
Nathan playing on pillow with Sprite empty bottle in his hand
Nathan flapping his arms in the air
Our guide called about 9:45am telling us that all of our documents were ready at the American Embassy and to meet her at the hotel lobby at 2:10pm.
While Nelson was talking to our guide on the phone, Nathan was listening to the conversation. He is a very curious little boy.
Since we had time between 10am to 2pm, we took Nathan out for a stroll. We went through this small market place that sold fruits, vegetables, shoes and clothing.
There was a small park near the market with lots of families enjoying their morning.
I guess it is typical for Asian families in China to hang their clothes outside their apartment.
Nathan posed next to a small elephant statue.
I don’t know the name of the street, but this street appears new with lots of new businesses especially restaurants. I peeped inside this fancy Italian restaurant and it appeared like the two Italian owners were training their new Asian employees. On this same street, I spotted this cute patisserie. I went inside and bought these mini cakes which came in 6 cakes per bag. They were very good with my Starbucks drink.
During our stroll with Nathan, he fell asleep. He was able to sleep with the noise on the street.
Once we came back to the hotel room, he woke up and I fed him Gerber food for his lunch. For our own lunch, Nelson boiled water for our instant noodles.
After Nathan ate, we washed him and got him ready. I had to fold the bottom of his jeans like 3 times! 
Since cameras and cellphones are not allowed at the American Embassy, we couldn’t take pictures of the ‘taking the oath’ ceremony. When we arrived at the embassy, we showed our passports to security and our bags got scanned. Then we went inside this big room which was already filled with lots and lots of families who adopted children in China. At 3:30pm, this non-Asian lady who spoke very good English told everyone to stand up and lift their right hand. She then asked us to repeat after her… ‘I solemnly swear… that the documents are accurate and truthful to the best of our knowledge…’ and so on. After the oath, we waited until someone called the family’s name. When the name is called, the family goes to one of the available windows and sign one of the documents to make the adoption official here in China. After signing the document, the family receives a photocopy of the child’s Chinese passport.
There were about 33 families at the embassy. I thought we would wait for a very long time to have our name called. But we were surprised that we were the third family whose name was called. After we signed the document and received a copy of Nathan’s Chinese passport, we met with our guide outside since we were not allowed to just sit around and wait for our group to finish their paperwork in the waiting room.
After our appointment at the American Embassy, we got dropped off back to our hotel. Our guide told us that the last document we will need is our son’s actual Chinese passport with his Chinese Visa attached. His visa will be available tomorrow morning. Once we arrive and land in US soil, our son will automatically become a US Citizen. Within 45 days, he should receive his Certificate of US Citizenship. We can then apply for his US passport. Since he is still too young, most likely he won’t be needing a US passport anytime soon unless we decide to go on a Disney cruise. We could have gone on a Disney cruise years ago but we decided to save that special trip once we have a child.
Nelson and I had wonton noodle soup, congee and rice noodle with meat for dinner for just $3 US! I have never eaten this much Asian noodles in my life. I hardly eat Asian noodles back home. I prefer Italian pasta. In China, a noodle shop is only minutes away. There are noodle shops everywhere just like how there are Starbucks at every corner in the city of San Francisco.
When we get back home, I will cook chicken adobo (Filipino dish marinated with vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, etc), pritong manok (Filipino style fried chicken), Spam!!!, buy lots of Mexican steak tacos with chips and guacamole, bake chocolate chip cookies and cupcakes! I miss food from home. I am sure my sister-in-law Jenn, nieces and my mom are craving for my red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting that I bake at home.
One family in our group has been eating pizza for the past several days and the mom is pretty much tired of having the same food over and over again. Since her 16 yr old son is allergic to peanut oil, she is afraid to have him eat Chinese food. Plus her husband prefers Western food.
While Nathan sleeps, I write on my blog, get my Starbucks coffee or pretty much watch TV. I miss all my favorite TV shows and Netflix movies! The movies shown in our hotel room are repeated. Also, there are only two channels that I constantly switch back and forth. Channel 1 is HBO while channel 13 is Star Movies. I have no idea how many times I have seen Twilight, Love Happens and Revolutionary Road in this hotel room. At least I am more interested in watching Twilight again rather than watching that ridiculous one-legged sport that I posted about in my previous blog.
I miss my cat Smeagol! He is pretty much our baby too! Neftali, did our cat hiss at you again? 🙂
He is very active boy