September 4

Well, we did it! Today we went to the US Consulate and signed our papers! No questions, no problems. We are very relieved! She won't actually be a US citizen until we step off of the plane in Seattle and they stamp her passport. She is very proud of it all. We just went for a swim and now the "big girls" are playing in the tub in their suits. It amazes me how fun an empty water bottle can be in there! Seeing her get sheer enjoyment out of something like that or a bead toy, or a pair of socks, is something I hope will never dim in my memory. I know that she will have so many more firsts and then they will become less and less. The tiny things that are no big deal to us will become less and less astounding. We take so very many things for granted. Seeing them through her eyes is a great lesson. We took the subway to the bookstore and stocked up on activities for the plane. We have the whole trip back during daylight hours- about 23 hours before the next "night". So, we wanted to be prepared. She is definitely a Cogan. She got airsick on the last flight and then just went on without a complaint!! Karwen is still very excited about the trip and she tells us frequently how much longer we have until we fly. Tomorrow we take the train to Hong Kong. We stay the night there and then fly out the next morning Thurs. at 8:45am and we arrive in Tallahassee at 7pm the same day, although it will actually be the next day for us- very confusing! We are looking forward to our last Cantonese meal this evening with the group. We didn't know how that part would be but it has been fantastic! The families are all so supportive and I think that it helps tremendously seeing all of the families like ours. We didn't really get to do as much local shopping as we would have liked but that's not really what this trip is for. It was so wonderful today to watch her walking. She is standing straighter and moving with much more ease. She has been kicking a ball back and forth and is trying so hard to swim that it is scary. She is completely fearless and tries everything that the other kids do. She saw Kolya go under the water and she promptly went under too- only she didn't see the whole breath in first thing. She figured it out with the next try though and never panicked. We love you and and miss everyone! We thank you so much for your support, prayers and positive thoughts!!! Keely