Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

 We walked about 15 minutes through the city to the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden this morning. We went from being surrounded by tall building and busy streets filled with people walking to work to this sanctuary of beauty. Once inside, the only part of the city that could be seen was the clock tower. We walked the trails and took in one of the most beautiful places we have ever seen. I was truly overwhelmed by the beauty surrounding us and the bitty boy sleeping in my arms and felt the most incredible thankfulness for it all.   God is so very good.

All through out the park there were small children there as a class with their teachers. All of them were wearing hats all alike... like this little line of yellow hats. (: The children were all so very cute!

 We left the park and walked through the city. There are giant buildings, stores upon stores and busy streets... and then you can turn and find yourself in a small alleyway where cars don't drive and there are these hole in the wall restaurants and shops. We decided to be adventurous and eat at one of them. They didn't know a single word of English but we managed to get the best meal yet!!

We left here and somehow navigated the subway system... I think we only took the wrong train once and felt lost only half of the time. (o: But we got to the Embassy and back! We have everything we need now in order to come home with Rhett!!! We have one more full day here... and will use it to meet his birth mother and grandmother. 
 

 

We are having a wonderful time while we are here and it is truly a gift to be able to spend this time to get to know Rhett and see his birth country,  but man, oh man do I miss our chickens!!  We have face-timed as much as we can and it kills me not to be able to hug and kiss them. Very soon we will all be a family... I am seriously worried that my heart just might bust when we are together. 

Day two - Emabassy

Several days of knowing this sweet boy and we have finally chosen what his name should be, 

Rhett Kenta Lekberg. 

Today we met our guide at 8am ready for a jam packed day. We went first to get Rhett's medical exam. We got there before our appointment at 9 and waited a long time. We saw a doctor that spoke perfect English (which is always nice!) We were very pleased that we did not have to complete any vaccines for him here. They are okay with us doing all of that at home.

 

Normally families can leave the medical visit with the forms they need for the Embassy but unfortunately, the report we needed to have from the doctor wasn't ready in time for us. That means that we have to return to the Embassy a second time tomorrow. 

We were able to get the interview done at the Embassy (where we raised our right hand and swore to always love and protect this bitty boy.) They gave us approval for our I-600 (which means that we will be able to legally adopted him once we are in the states).

We will return tomorrow with his medical information and will receive his visa.

This bitty boy is just incredible in every way. Incredible to hold, and stare at all day too. 💕💕💕 He has the sweetest disposition- he hardly makes a peep during the day. We had appointments the whole day, 9am until 4pm, and where we were completely exhausted, he carried on peaceful and perfect.

 

Apparently, Halloween is big here too! The area right outside our hotel has these trees lit up and as we walked through the city we saw a lot of people in costumes, out having fun with friends. A lot of store fronts are decorated... and in a very fun and pleasant way, not a creepy way.

This is what the baby formula looks like here. They are in large cubes that you place in the bottle and add hot water too. It has made it very easy to take with us and mess free... He takes 3 cubes to make 120ml or 4 ounces.

I know I've posted our view from our room already, but I just can not get over it! See that area in the middle with all of the trees? It is a park that is only a few minutes to walk to... we plan to visit it tomorrow!