An unforgettable welcome!

Thank you to our family represented by Adam, Joe's brother, our FCC family and our friends the Nevilles, and Kathy, Fred and Eric... all of you are awesome! thank you for being there for us as we touched down at home!!! finally! thought we would never make it after a very very very long trip of close to 24 hours between four cities (Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Newark and Ft. Lauderdale) and their corresponding lay overs grrrr... Thankfully, Madison did great in all the flights except for the Ft. Lauderdale one when she finally realized that enough was enough... but we made it home and that's all it matters now....

THANK YOU CHINA... IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER

It's time to say, see you later. We are leaving in about an hour with mixed emotions, happy to be going back home and start our new life with our little angel but at the same time leaving an amazing county, with amazing people and same amazing culture. The country who saw our baby be born and who selflessly let us take her home with ous and care for her... We will never be thankful enough for this. We had our last dinner at, where else but "Lucy's", there we got together with other couples who felt the same way about our departure. We all agreed on how hard it was to say goodbye for now... Special thanks to Veronica, our guide, now our dear friend who did everything possible to make us feel at home... and thank you to all the families who were with us who were willing to help out with just a kind word of encouragement or a good funny remark.. (Mari, Dawn, Robbie, Ina just to name a few...). Safe trip everyone!!!

China's history in pictures

Found this on the web, China's history in short....

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11112443/displaymode/1107/s/2/framenumber/1/

More amazing days and more in the future...

It has been a roller coaster of emotions but we have accomplished so much in such a small period of time... from a frightened little girl to a happy (most of the time now) funny incredible little angel... We feel the mutual love constantly, her trust on us is evident she does what she's told and if she doesn't do it she'll think about it and then she'll do it. Tonight we went on a night cruise of Guangzhou which Veronica arranged for us, again Veronica is amazing and will never stop thanking her for everything she's done and is still doing for us. Maddy seemed to enjoy the fresh air on the cruise plus there two other kids who played with her most of the time, there were Brynn and Davis brother and sister to Alexandra and brand new baby brother Henry. Just some of the many wonderful people we've met on this trip and I really really hope we keep in touch with them. I believe our group rocked, we all got along great and spent lots of time together... Ok, it's 11:30PM and my eyes are closing... Enjoy the pictures and videos in our dropshots...

www.dropshots.com/heidy52801

Love

Heidy, Joey and Madison.

Two huge milestones and Videos of the Power of Love.....

Hello everyone... today was yet another incredible day. Madison went to the potty!!! and the most important one, she called Joey "Daddy". I'm not lying!!! we were having lunch and we were playing with her and in between giggles she said "daddy" we both looked at each other and said "nooooo way"... "we are hearing things" and just laughed it off... a couple of minutes later Joey was talking to one of the other fathers and all of a sudden she starts rubbing Joe's arm very gently and says very softly "Daddy".... that was it!!! we were not imagining...this happened while I was talking to Veronica and all three of us heard it!!! What an amazing feeling!!!!!!! Joey was almost in tears and also has not stopped saying he is "The Daddy"!!!! lol.... Also, wanted to let you know we've posted some videos in dropshots.com. Here's the link:

www.dropshots.com/heidy52801

We went to the zoo today and we only came back to the hotel for a nap and out we go again.....

Introducing our Madison Xiao Frost in a good day...

Yes, yes... today she had an amazing day. She laughed, played, put toys away, fed mommy, fed daddy, gave daddy a tin tin (kiss) and danced with her head!!! Oh my God, our girl is okk!!! her head bump is getting better, we took her to the doctor here at the hotel for that, the bronchitis and ear infection and all is good... Would love to post in more details but have no energy at this point, here are some pictures and videos that speak louder than any words could be put together......

We waited and waited and today we GOT MADISON....

We are ready!!!!!!

To all our families and dear friends, we are proud to announce the birth our beautiful Madison Xiao Frost into our Forever Family... After long excrutiating hours at 3:00 pm Monday November 10th the nannies brought out our beautiful little pumpkin and placed her into our arms. Very stressfull and scary moments at first, our little girl comes out histerical from the long trip, from seeing so many new faces, this time mostly different from what she's been use to and to top it all!!! she has a huge bump on her forehead! after I composed myself, because my first reaction was, "oh my God she's disfigured our precious baby", I let Veronica explained to us that yesterday playing with the other kids she slipped and failed on her face... yikes, then felt even worse knowing what this girl must have gone through... of course Joey's 2nd reaction (we both shared the 1st one) was "what? shouldn't they bubble wrap our children before they come to us?" ha ha... well that definetely broke the tension, a lot!.... For now these are just a fesw pictures... we need to get ready for our 2nd visit to the CCAA when we say our "I do" "I do" we accept Bai Xiao Rong as our daughter.... love you all

Heidy, Joey and Madison Xiao forever and ever..

Beijing Day 2 - Best of Beijing yet

These are the families who will be getting their babies with us on Monday!!! there are such a great group of people and we are all bonding very well!

Today was an extremely busy day. We started our tour at 8:30 am with Tianiman Square, grant and full of people, mainly Chinese on their way to pay tribute to Mao Tse Tung who's maosoleum is right on the park. It was incredible to see how many Chinese people stood in line for over 2 hours to get a glimpse of their hero. Then we went to the "Forbidden City" so huge and complex that if it wasn't for our guide, Veronica, we would've gotten lost in a heart beat. And then the best for last we went to the Great Wall!!!! Oh My God, it's definetely easy to look at it and admire than actually climb it! But I'm happy to report that Joey and I made it all the way to the top (ok maybe not all the the way) but high enough to get rewarded a bronze plaque engraved with "I climbed the Great Wall" with our names on it and the date, we are so proud of each other for having done this but we also think was crazy since our legs are now complaining about the abuse!!! And the last of the sightseeing was to the Bird's nest and the Water cube, more beautiful than the pictures for sure and at night that just seems like something out of a futuristic movie. We are leaving for Guangzhou tomorrow to meet our daughter for the first time!!! we'll post with more updates tomorrow... Have a great day

In Beijing Day 1 - Hutong tour

Beautiful people, beautiful scenery, beautiful city... We are so lucky to be able to experience what Beijing is all about, without even going to the Olympic parks we have seen some very beautiful parts. We weren't sure what we wanted to do today since we had left it opened to relax and recoupe from the jetlag but as we were in the lobby we felt so alive (besides a pain in the a... cold I caught on the plane) and so ready to go that we looked into any type of tour we could do... and then Joe remember the "Hutang tour" yeah!!! good choice, the door man got us a cab and we were on our way. As soon as we got there we were approached by the Hutang tour people and we gladly accepted with a little reservation since we had no clue where we were. But after paying and getting our own little rickshaw and our own guide who rode her own bike along our rickshaw we knew we had made the right decision. We went around all different hutangs (which means streets or roads), there are all sort of hutangs, very narrow, narrow, little wider and wider, there are temples and courtyard homes. We pretty much stopped every time we wanted to take pictures and do a little shopping. We visited the Drum Tower and the Bell tower, pretty amazing these were used to make people aware when they needed to get up (at 6 am with the Bell which was heard throughtout the city) and the Drum Tower to tell them to stop working (6pm) and to go home. If they didn't go home the gates of the city would be closed with them in them without being able to go home.... It's 6pm right now and we are done for the day... enjoy the pictures

We are finally here!!!!

After a very long flight ( *even longer because I couldn't help but watch the clock on the flight status screen every 5 minutes) we arrive to Beijing at 315pm more or less... So far so good, we got to the airport and were very impressed by the attentiveness of everyone there and everywhere else we've been to. We did have a tiny incident in Newark, the gate ticket person told me that my visa was wrong and that China would not let me into their country!!!! PLOP!!! I asked her why, and she said because the visa was issued in my married name and my passport had my maiden name. I showed her the amendment on the back of the passport and told her that my agency had taken care of this and I had asked them about it and they told me it was fine but she was determined to freak me out... which she succeeded when I said "OK, so what do I do now?" and she said, "good luck".. grrrrrr.... Needless to say China had no problems letting me into their wonderful country so there Ms ticket person!!! get another job!!! grrrr but other than that all it's been smooth sailing.... Heidy and Joey

WE ARE FINALLY ON OUR WAY!!!!

Gracias Dios, Mamita y Abuelito, hicieron todo esto posible, realmente son el "equipo perfecto". Mi corazon no puede describir el amor y las emociones que sentimos en estos momentos... Joey y you simplemente nos miramos a los ojos y sin decir nada "carino, es verdad!, realmente sera nuestra para siempre. Madison sera parte de nuestras vidas por siempre. En las buenas y en las malas, en la enfermedad y en la salud... si si la aceptamos para siempre!!. Pequena, agarrate fuerte que ya llegamos pronto y nunca te dejaremos ir, bueno derrepente cuando tengas suficiente edad derrepente... Nos vamos a las 8am manana y llegaremos a Beijing el 6 de Nov a las 3pm. Y el 9 de Nov. saldremos para Guangzhou por avion (mas o menos 3 a 4 horas de viaje) y el 10 de Noviembre nuestro "GOTCHA DAY" y por si acaso no me escucharon GOTCHA DAY, una vez mas GOTCHA DAY!!!.... y estaremos de regreso con nuestra princesa el viernes 21 de Noviembre a las 7:30 pm.... asi que por ahora hasta pronto. Trataremos de escribir en este todos los dias con fotos y videos.....
ENGLISH
Thank you God, Mom and Grandpa, you made it happened for us you are the perfect "dream team!... My heart can't describe the love and emotions that we are feeling right now. Joey and I just keep looking at each other and withoug saying anything we know this is it "honey, it's true, she'll be ours forever, Madison will be in our lives for better or for worse, in sickness and in health... yes WE DO WE DO!!! Baby hold on tight we are coming for you and will never let you go. Ok maybe when you are old enough but only then!. We'll be leaving at 8:00 am from Ft. Lauderdale and will arrive into Beijing on Nov. 6th at 3pm. On Nov. 9th am we'll go to Guangzhou about 3 to 4 hours by plane. On Nov. 10th our long waited GOTCHA DAY!!!! wow that sounds so good GOTCHA DAY, one more time GOTCHA DAY!!! ha ha I crack myself up! ok.... and then we'll finally be home with our princess on Nov. 21st at 7:30 pm Ft. Lauderdale airport.... So for now, it's see you later. We have promised to post as much as we can at least more than Brenda, sorry Brenda, couldn't help it!....
So see you later.....

Madison's Shower of Love

Last Saturday, October 4th 2008 our very good friends Shelly who gave up her newly renovated home (what were you thinking??? thank you!!!) for the party, Jeannette, Bianca, Vicky and Gaby organized and executed the most amazing babyshower in honor of mommy Heidy and baby Madison. From the minute I arrived until it was over I felt the love and warmth of every one who was able to be there to make our celebration extra special. The organizers, wink wink, gave up their extremely busy times to put together this beautiful affair. I can't leave out my sweet Lyonna, who came to help out with the decorations before I was able to see her, she couldn't stay for the party (no hard feelings... ummm) and my little almost adopted girls Suzie and Carmen who were there helping out every minute to make my time special. To Mom Rhoda who's among numerous gifts Madison's bed became a reality. To dad Frost, you know what you did!!! thank you!!! To my family from Spain and Peru who were also present from the beginning fedexing the bedding set and curtains of little Madison's room. To grandma Nanette! thank you for the beautiful stroller and yes we did pick it but you gave it to us and we will never forget it. Extra thanks also go to my very good almost childhood friend Haidee who with her daughter and my God daughter Jovanna came all the way from Maryland to be here for me. To each one of you who came to be present to participate your good wishes and for those who were not able to make it, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts... thank you cards are on their way for the beautiful gifts THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! we love everyone of you for being such special people with the biggest hearts and for being there for us.
With all our love
Joey, Heidy and little Madison

Farewell To the Wilcox Family!!!

Our friends Brenda and Mark are on their way to pick up their little angel "Mae Li", they left this morning, their "Gotcha Day" is October 6 and can't wait to follow their journey. As they post I will update to let you all know. They are one of the most amazing people we've ever known and they deserve all the happiness that awaits them!!! YOOO HOOO for the Wilcox, Mae Li Mommy and Daddy have loved you forever and ever!...Love Heidy, Joey and Madison

WE GOT TA!!!

Yes!!! we are going to China! we are going to meet our daughter for the very first time, our red thread that at one point had so many knots and pulls has finally untangled and has reached its destination after an almost 3 year journey. We'll be a family of 3 soon.... We'll be leaving Nov. 5 and our Gotcha Day! or Due Date will be November 10!!! OMG! this is all really happening. I will post the itinerary later just wanted to post the news!!!!
Love you all... .Heidy and Joey