Sunday, March 10, 2013
Victory!!!
The victory of the day..Emma took a bite by herself and then from my hand. I bet you are wondering what was her first food? Well, I must say Emma was made to be an American because her first solid food since last Sunday.....drum roll please....McDonald's french fries! Yes, it is true she loves fries almost as much as her Mama! We are so excited that she is relinquishing this area of control she has held over us...and trusting us to help her meet her needs. What a great way to end the evening!
After our most delish dinner at McD's we ventured another direction from our hotel and found the most exquisite park. Not loud and busy like the other park we visited nearby..but quiet, serene, and fewer people. We even sat on a bench to enjoy the sights for a while. The interesting thing about life in a city of 10 million people is that the streets are 8 lanes across here at our hotel (some places they are less but still busy as can be) and it seems like a life or death situation to cross them. However, in this part of the city there are vast tunnels underground that lead you all over. It is eery at first because you go a LONG ways down before you level out and follow the signs to the next spot you want to emerge from. It is confusing but an oh-so-welcome way to avoid risking life and limb in the streets. We walked around a long time like true foreigners watching people and trying to figure out how to actually get across the street. We finally just started down some of the tunnels that are nearby and low and behold there is a whole network under the city. We forgot the camera so tomorrow will head back that way for shots of the park.
Emma is doing beautifully. She has changed so much in the short few days we have had her. I can't wait to see how she blooms and blossoms with the love that she will get from her siblings, extended family, and friends at home! We are all so blessed to be a part of something so beautiful that is far from anything I could've thought up myself. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the awesome privilege and responsibility to care for 'one of the least of these'. Can't wait for what tomorrow brings!
Sent from my iPad
After our most delish dinner at McD's we ventured another direction from our hotel and found the most exquisite park. Not loud and busy like the other park we visited nearby..but quiet, serene, and fewer people. We even sat on a bench to enjoy the sights for a while. The interesting thing about life in a city of 10 million people is that the streets are 8 lanes across here at our hotel (some places they are less but still busy as can be) and it seems like a life or death situation to cross them. However, in this part of the city there are vast tunnels underground that lead you all over. It is eery at first because you go a LONG ways down before you level out and follow the signs to the next spot you want to emerge from. It is confusing but an oh-so-welcome way to avoid risking life and limb in the streets. We walked around a long time like true foreigners watching people and trying to figure out how to actually get across the street. We finally just started down some of the tunnels that are nearby and low and behold there is a whole network under the city. We forgot the camera so tomorrow will head back that way for shots of the park.
Emma is doing beautifully. She has changed so much in the short few days we have had her. I can't wait to see how she blooms and blossoms with the love that she will get from her siblings, extended family, and friends at home! We are all so blessed to be a part of something so beautiful that is far from anything I could've thought up myself. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the awesome privilege and responsibility to care for 'one of the least of these'. Can't wait for what tomorrow brings!
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Guangzhou
Friday afternoon our guide was called suddenly to her home province, not sure why, she wouldn't tell us. We were introduced to David, another guide, but not an adoption guide. He was so excited to 'guide' us for a few hours because he is expecting his first (and probably only) baby in one month. He drilled me with pregnancy questions and we swapped how Chinese versus American ways are so different. It was funny to see how the customs and traditions overshadow what a person actually believes. There were things he and his wife have done or will do, not because they think it is right, but because 'ancient Chinese' customs tell them to do it. We did a lot of laughing and he couldn't believe we have five children. "not in China' he said! He took us to the "Muslim Quarter" of Xian, which was really fun, as there was a huge market there full of interesting things. We didn't have time for shopping because we were to meet another guide at the airport with Emma's passport in hand. So off we went to the crazy airport at 5 pm. We thankfully received Emma's passport with no problem. It was very hot in Xian on Friday (around 80 I think) and we could overhear on the loud speaker almost every flight being delayed. We were thankful that our flight boarded on time...however not so thrilled to be sitting for the next 75 minutes in the hot airplane, waiting for the runway to clear for our turn. The flight was terribly turbulent..but we were thankful that Emma fell asleep soon after we sat down and didn't wake up until after we landed at 10:50.
We are now in Guangzhou and have already decided this is the best place in China. Where everything in Xian was confusing, dirty, and gray...here it is lovely, green, and friendly. Although we didn't get to bed until after 12, we left the hotel 'early' at 9 and headed for Emma's physical examination. I was really nervous for this but it was easy. They took her picture in one room for her Visa appointment on Monday then we went to the exam area where they measured her, gave her a once over, and sent us to the waiting room for the all important document proving we had been there. I don't really understand the exam part, because they aren't treating anything or even commenting to us what they observe...really just a formality, I think. We spent our waiting time collecting and checking over our documents for Monday's appointment at the consulate, with our guide, Beky. She is super nice and very helpful....even took us to the store to restock on formula and diapers.
Emma is being a trooper. She must be so tired, taking in all the new sights, sounds, and smells around her. She is so brave, I so admire the strength of my little one!
We are staying at the Hotel China Marriott...it is super nice. The free breakfast this morning was even better than brunch at the Coeur D'Alene. :) We keep trying things with Em, but she is happy living on her liquid diet for now. We are in a pretty spot here..trees everywhere and there is a park down the street that we will venture out to this afternoon. For now, dear sweet sister is snoring away in her crib. There is a Starbucks in this hotel, a McDonald's next door, and 7-11 across the street. We are thankful to be where there are more familiar things.
We are free for the rest of the day to rest and relax and check out the shops around our hotel. Sunday is more sightseeing and more rest before the most-important Consulate appointment on Monday morning. So excited to be seeing the last leg of this process being completed!! We have grown so much and are so in love with Emma. I think anytime someone adopts, especially without ever meeting the child, there is a fear in the back of your mind "what if I don't love" her like my bio kids. I am no different and had these types of fears from the beginning. I chose to love Wei Xiao Ting from the moment we set eyes on her...but now it is not a mind decision...it is so very much a heart condition! We are in love with our Emma!
I am sorry for the lack of pictures...I will head down to the lobby now and see if I can get at least one up. There is no wifi in the rooms here...only something to hook up to with a laptop..so I guess you live and learn. Sitting in the lobby for an hour to download a picture isn't the greatest..so bare with me. Almost home and then we can share all the pictures. :)
Love to all, miss everyone so much and can't wait to get home and share Emma with you all!
Sent from my iPad
We are now in Guangzhou and have already decided this is the best place in China. Where everything in Xian was confusing, dirty, and gray...here it is lovely, green, and friendly. Although we didn't get to bed until after 12, we left the hotel 'early' at 9 and headed for Emma's physical examination. I was really nervous for this but it was easy. They took her picture in one room for her Visa appointment on Monday then we went to the exam area where they measured her, gave her a once over, and sent us to the waiting room for the all important document proving we had been there. I don't really understand the exam part, because they aren't treating anything or even commenting to us what they observe...really just a formality, I think. We spent our waiting time collecting and checking over our documents for Monday's appointment at the consulate, with our guide, Beky. She is super nice and very helpful....even took us to the store to restock on formula and diapers.
Emma is being a trooper. She must be so tired, taking in all the new sights, sounds, and smells around her. She is so brave, I so admire the strength of my little one!
We are staying at the Hotel China Marriott...it is super nice. The free breakfast this morning was even better than brunch at the Coeur D'Alene. :) We keep trying things with Em, but she is happy living on her liquid diet for now. We are in a pretty spot here..trees everywhere and there is a park down the street that we will venture out to this afternoon. For now, dear sweet sister is snoring away in her crib. There is a Starbucks in this hotel, a McDonald's next door, and 7-11 across the street. We are thankful to be where there are more familiar things.
We are free for the rest of the day to rest and relax and check out the shops around our hotel. Sunday is more sightseeing and more rest before the most-important Consulate appointment on Monday morning. So excited to be seeing the last leg of this process being completed!! We have grown so much and are so in love with Emma. I think anytime someone adopts, especially without ever meeting the child, there is a fear in the back of your mind "what if I don't love" her like my bio kids. I am no different and had these types of fears from the beginning. I chose to love Wei Xiao Ting from the moment we set eyes on her...but now it is not a mind decision...it is so very much a heart condition! We are in love with our Emma!
I am sorry for the lack of pictures...I will head down to the lobby now and see if I can get at least one up. There is no wifi in the rooms here...only something to hook up to with a laptop..so I guess you live and learn. Sitting in the lobby for an hour to download a picture isn't the greatest..so bare with me. Almost home and then we can share all the pictures. :)
Love to all, miss everyone so much and can't wait to get home and share Emma with you all!
Sent from my iPad
Sunday in Guangzhou
Today is a rest day...we went on a small outing to the Chen Dynasty Academy. It was the school for the Chen children...if your last name was Chen you were in, if your last name wasn't Chen...you were out! I think that is how I understand it. It is a 'new' building, only 120 years old versus the real old buildings which are over 600 years plus. The building is full of carvings made of wood, stone, brick, and ceramic. They also do art here, so it was fun to pick out some pretty pieces and have the artist put the girls' names in Chinese and English on them.
The carvings were beautiful and so detailed. There was also a pretty and peaceful garden in the center of this building, which is mostly open air rooms to allow the air to pass through and cool the classrooms. It gets very hot here in the summer...so I can't imagine the rooms ever cooled too much.
The weather here is beautiful! We are not too hot. We finally got hit up by the 'granny police' this morning. The woman smiled at us and then gave us some understandable sign language that our baby needed to be in long sleeves. Let no baby be uncovered here. Emma is the hottest kid I have ever met...sweating all the time. Plus, she isn't used to the warm humid weather, her province is much cooler than it is here.
Emma continues to adjust so nicely. We are so encouraged by her actions and reactions to us. Her biggest issue right now is that when she gets nervous, scared, or upset she starts scratching her ears. They heal up some and then she gets at them before we can restrain or distract her and we start all over with the healing. Poor thing. We were told she has eczema..but I am not sure. It may have started that way..but now it is just her habit when she is not content. We find the most upsetting things for her are new places with lots of noise. She is also initially upset when we enter a vehicle. Our conversations are full of questions, wondering 'what if' this means this or 'what if' she is reacting this way because of 'this'. Whatever 'this' is will forever be a mystery to us, but we are trying to be students of Emma and figure out what triggers her anxiety. I can't imagine her confusion. Our guide seems to be able to draw her attention and soothe her some...which the other guide never did.
Can't wait for tomorrow as we attend our Consulate meeting. So excited that we are approaching the last steps of our adoption of Emma. We aren't sure what the meeting entails...but we have every type of paperwork imaginable to prove Emma is ours! :) We'll see what is in store for us tomorrow.
Love to all! :)
Sent from my iPad
The carvings were beautiful and so detailed. There was also a pretty and peaceful garden in the center of this building, which is mostly open air rooms to allow the air to pass through and cool the classrooms. It gets very hot here in the summer...so I can't imagine the rooms ever cooled too much.
The weather here is beautiful! We are not too hot. We finally got hit up by the 'granny police' this morning. The woman smiled at us and then gave us some understandable sign language that our baby needed to be in long sleeves. Let no baby be uncovered here. Emma is the hottest kid I have ever met...sweating all the time. Plus, she isn't used to the warm humid weather, her province is much cooler than it is here.
Emma continues to adjust so nicely. We are so encouraged by her actions and reactions to us. Her biggest issue right now is that when she gets nervous, scared, or upset she starts scratching her ears. They heal up some and then she gets at them before we can restrain or distract her and we start all over with the healing. Poor thing. We were told she has eczema..but I am not sure. It may have started that way..but now it is just her habit when she is not content. We find the most upsetting things for her are new places with lots of noise. She is also initially upset when we enter a vehicle. Our conversations are full of questions, wondering 'what if' this means this or 'what if' she is reacting this way because of 'this'. Whatever 'this' is will forever be a mystery to us, but we are trying to be students of Emma and figure out what triggers her anxiety. I can't imagine her confusion. Our guide seems to be able to draw her attention and soothe her some...which the other guide never did.
Can't wait for tomorrow as we attend our Consulate meeting. So excited that we are approaching the last steps of our adoption of Emma. We aren't sure what the meeting entails...but we have every type of paperwork imaginable to prove Emma is ours! :) We'll see what is in store for us tomorrow.
Love to all! :)
Sent from my iPad
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