We got her - gotcha day! Here's the first photo of Audrey Min Ann Howes. She's beautiful, healthy and feisty. What a day/night! Overall it went incredibly well. Like her big sister, she's a tough, brave girl. Here's how it all went down. After a morning shopping (at a Chinese Wal Mart) for supplies for us and for our donation to the orphanage we hopped on a bus at 2:30 to go t0 Civil Affairs to meet her. We were the third of about a dozen couples that were called. After our name was called Audrey was brought in. After that I don't remember much except a bunch of photos. Audrey did ok for a while and then it got a little too much. Then the tears came and we got to hear the power of her voice. This lasted until the bus got moving to the hotel. After that she chilled out and really, for the most part, she hasn't cried that much. Janie has helped a lot and Deb has been incredible. I haven't been able to hold her yet, hopefully today. It brings back some memories of Janie and not being able to hold her right away. Overall, an amazing day. Even better than I expected...and I had big expectations. Did I mention she's gorgeous and smart. OK, I need to run. We have to report downstairs in 90 minutes for a day of paperwork and meetings. Enjoy the pictures below. First sisters photo - these are at the Civil Affairs office.

Here's her early look towards us. Actually, it is still the look I'm receiving.

Toys helped a ton. She has fantastic motor skills and you can tell she's really quick. She spent a good hour plus on the bed playing with these toys and her big sister. Since the beginning Janie has had a buddy named Suzy that she's played with. Audrey now has hers and Janie helped name her Lilly. She is very curious and played/explored everything.

Hmmm...maybe these guys are going to be ok...

First dinner in the room. When we get more time we'll post the schedule that Audrey is supposed to be on for food and sleep. Here she did a great job eating and was more interested in trying what Janie was eating than eating hers.

Eventually, we got to hear her sweet voice and her laugh.

At Wal Mart I was giving Janie and her new friend Ally cart spinning rides and Janie looked up at me and said that when she was dizzy it was the first time all day that she wasn't thinking of baby sister. She's a proud big sister and had a very happy day.


Two "people" brought out the Audrey smile. Big sis Janie and Elmo on a box of snacks. Both made her kick her feet and laugh at different times.

She arrived dressed in three layers. The purple top you see here, some green pants and red shoes. All looked brad new. We saw one child arrived with a backpack full of her things, but Audrey just came with the clothes on her back. In some previous pictures she was holding a doll and we were hoping that would come with her but it didn't. One heartbreaker (of many) last night was when she climbed down off the bed walked over to the door (yes, she's walking well), picked up her shoes, brought them to us, and gave us a look that said why aren't these on my feet and why am I not going home. That was a bit of a tough moment.

But then the smile makes it all worth it.

So here's current state. The little one is sleeping peacefully. The big one is rolling, kicking and snoring. Here's she's almost off the bed and sleeping on the table.

Time to get ready. Hate to wake them up, but we have to. Really pleased with the amount they both slept though. Hope you enjoyed the show.