March 15th, 2007 - City Tour

It's a new day and once again we were up and at it, bright and early.

This was our last full day in Taiwan. We took a city tour which took us to places such as: Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, Martyrs' Shrine (War Memorial), National Palace Museum, Chinese Temple and the Handicraft Center for some shopping.

Taiwan LDS Temple

What a beautiful site!

The Days Adventures Continue

That afternoon when everyone woke from their naps we decided to try Taipei 101 again and see if the view was any better. We kind of got a late start so bye the time we got there the sun was setting. We went up and saw the view at night (beautiful) and then took a taxi to find the LDS Temple.

We were driving along the city streets and turned a corner and there it was, right in the middle of all the action. It was beautiful and felt like home to use. We meet some sister missionaries who were kind enough to take family pictures and then recommended a nice Italian place to eat. It was only a few blocks away and it was THE BEST EVER! I loved it and my husband and I said we would eat there all the time if they had one at home as well. DELICIOUS! We wish it was closer to our hotel so we could eat there again. It was a neat little place you would enter through a door off the street and go down stairs. The walls were all painted red and there was candle light every where. It was so Americanized it felt like home and we saw other Americans eating there. The salad, pizza, bread and drinks were so good. Nothing Taiwan about it.

The restaurant was called "Alley Cats".... WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

March 14th, 2007 - AIT & Shopping

We went back to AIT to pick up our documents and all went really smoothly. We then took a Taxi to do some shopping and I ended up spending three hours in one of the craft stores and bye the time I was done Lindsay and I needed some lunch and Faith needed a nap, back to the hotel for our afternoon nap.

Night Out

We went out later that evening and did some grocery shopping. We wanted to buy more baby formula, binkies, and all the necessities to make Faith's transition at home easier. I was also told by a close friend to buy their bottle brush's because they worked perfectly and you can't find them around home (we had a little list of items our close friends recommended we pick up becuase Taiwan had some neat baby items we could not get at home and we wanted to buy some items for other friends and family member with little ones, neat things).
We then went to have fried dumplings at a restaurant called Fang's. It was highly recommended bye those who have traveled to Taiwan before. We ordered dumplings, fried rice and cashew chicken. It was delicious! I loved it! Faith was so good in the restaurant as well. The whole trip she was an angel, we were so very lucky!

Nap Time!

We went back to the hotel in the late afternoon so Faith could have a nap before our big night out shopping.

March 13th, 2007 - AIT Appointment

The next morning we had to wake bright and early and go to our AIT appointment (American Institute of Taiwan). This was to get Faith's passport/visa and all the documents needed to bring her home to America. We had to be there at 8 AM and it took us about an hour and a half and then we were told everything looks good and to return the next day before 11:30 AM to pick up the documents.
We decided to go for a nice walk and visit Taipei 101 (the tallest building in the world). It was about 5 or so blocks down from the AIT building. Inside Taipei 101 is a shopping mall and a nice food court with a big selection of foods. After we looked around a bit we decided to get something to eat. Lindsay went straight for the bakery. I told him he couldn't just eat sweets all day. He was dying for something other then Chinese food. I on the other hand wanted to experience everything Taiwan had to offer and so I wanted to try anything and everything. I did so good eating with chop sticks all week as well. It was great!
Faith and I got some fried rice and some lo main noodles and sat down to wait for dad to return and when he did, oh my! He had McDonald's, cheese cake, a brownie, you name it. It was so funny. He was so hungry for anything but Chinese he bought everything else he could find.

The day was a bit foggy and so when we finished up lunch and headed to the 5th floor to purchase tickets to ride to the top of the building they said it was not a clear view. We decided to come back another day and see if it gets any better.

I must say the weather was perfect while we were there. It was in the 70's the whole time. A little humidity (I couldn't even try to straighten my hair, it just went wavy) but it wasn't to bad.

It was funny to see all the locals in sweaters and jackets. This was cold to them. CRAZY!

Night, Night, Sweet Angel

Her first night cuddled up with Mommy & Daddy.

At this moment everything in the world seemed perfect!

March12th, 2007 - Emotional Day

It's been a long emotionally draining day for all of us. Once back to our hotel in Taipei (Feeling Hotel) we spent some time getting to know our baby girl, laughing and having a good time.

Faith took her first bath and got all cozy and ready for bed.

What an exciting day!

It was nice to be in our room as a family and have this time to get to know Faith.

GOTCHA DAY

Some play time (once she woke from her small nap) and gift giving before we leave.

GOTCHA DAY

Sally our translator.

GOTCHA DAY

Wonderful care givers. You could really tell they loved and cared for the children.

GOTCHA DAY

We had a little tour of the center.

All babies nursery's were on the main level along with the kitchens and bathing rooms. The office's were up stairs along with the family waiting room, the birth mother's counseling room and birth room.

GOTCHA DAY

We had lunch with the care givers and they also brought in a gift for Faith and some letters that her birth mom had wanted to give her. This was so touching. I was so shocked to learn that we would receive a lot of pictures of the birth mom and her family, that she left something and wrote letters. I asked if the birth mom would get our gift we brought her and they said she would return soon and would get it. SO WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!

Faith got a little dog from her birth mom because she was born the year of the Dog.