Travel

On Wed morning we went for one last quick shopping trip on Shamian Island. Even if you are staying off island be sure to spend sometime hitting the shops especially Jenny's, Sherry's, and Jordan's. I also found a shop called "A Gift from China", it's right next to Jenny's and has wonderful handmade, high quality, unique items. Prices are set there, but they are reasonable and all proceeds go to a charity helping children.

After one last Lucy's lunch, we headed back to the hotel to pack. We left at 5:30 to catch our flight to Shanghai. All went well and by a bit after midnight we were at P's home.

On the 22nd, I caught a bus back to Shanghai and easily made my 4:10 flight. Everything went very well. I can not say enough how wonderful the flight attendants were and I was very pleased over all with American Airlines. Asher slept a fair amount, but not me. By the time we made it home, I had been awake 29 hours with two 10 minute naps! I am so glad to be home!

After 25 hours of travel and 28 hours awake for me, we are home. Will try to get up some pictures soon.

Today was our consulate appointment, which means we left at 8:50 to be there on time. It was a quick and easy thing. We’ll get the visa tomorrow afternoon.

After that we returned to the hotel and did some group pictures. Without the White Sawn red couches it hardly seems the same. We are such a little group and with one family not here due to going to a different province to adopt a second child and Brian already gone, it seemed incomplete anyway.  We already have a couch shot of the four original kids together anyway.

After lunch and a very short nap on Asher’s part (he woke up when I moved my leg),  our 3 families headed to Shamian Island to do some shopping. I have to be honest it is hard for me to see the island the way it is now. I like the hotel we are at it’s self… it’s very nice, etc, etc. But the area around it is nothing like the island. And the island seems so dead now. Most of the shops are still open (though many close earlier then before), but so few families are about. I really worry for the shop owners. Some are like old friends. Names everyone in the China adoption community recognizes. And the worst part of all this for me, is I feel like a huge part of the community and cohesiveness of the China adoption world is being lost. Certainly the familiar world of almost home that is Shamian Island seems to be gone. Our guide said she isn’t sure our agency will even return families to the island once the White Swan is reopened. For one the medical exam clinic will move next year just as the consulate did in late 2008.  And for another she thought the White Swan would be too expensive. The whole thing just fills me with sadness to be honest.

We spent a few hours walking around and seeing all the beautiful sights and checking out the shops. I got some items but not nearly what I wanted because Asher’s sensory overload is set off by small busy spaces like these shops. We only made four shops before he completely lost it. Poor baby.  Shopping is so hard this time… I don’t have the time to really look, and I don’t have the time to build the relationships to really barter well. So I’m paying more and feeling so stressed by it. Then with Asher’s limits, my time is cut so short. I’m afraid he will not have the nice gifts for later I got Katie. I plan to try to get just a few more things tomorrow but not sure how it will work.

After shopping we headed over to Lucy’s for supper. It was wonderful. Just like I remembered. But much less crowded… actually very empty in fact. Asher had his first french-fry… he loved it. He loved the noodles even more and major chowed down!!

Asher went to sleep easily tonight. He had a long day with not enough sleep. It was busy too. He learned to sign “more” when throws his toys off the bed and wants them back. Smart boy!

The Asher highlight of the day: he reached for me for the first time this morning! Yeah!!

 

 

 

 

Today after another wonderful breakfast at the China Hotel buffet (it's incredible!), we headed off to Shamian Island to complete the medical exam for the visa application.

The medical exam didn't take long. We had the standard weight (just over 20 pounds), height (32 inches), and temp (normal) checks. A joke of an ENT check... squeeze the ducky to one side then the other, watch kid turn, declare they can hear... shine light in their eyes, declare they can see... look in ears and throat, royally tick kid off. Plus the medical/surgical exam. This part hung us up a bit, so much so the other 2 families completed all three stations before we finished here! The doctor was first interested in listening the Asher's heart very carefully, then fascinated with his hands. (Yes, I realize radial aplasia is very, very rare. Yes, I realize every white coat within a mile will always want to see him. Yes, I'll most likely get mad about this many times, but I digress.) After finishing here we headed back to the bus. Some families went to the pearl markets to shop, but P and I were meeting up with a friend of her's who lives near here.

P and her friend S went to lunch while Asher napped. Then we all three went swimming at the hotel pool. If you stay at the China Hotel, I highly recommend the pool, it was great. Since Asher hates baths I took things very slowly. I sat on the edge awhile and splashed a bit with our feet. Finally I went in holding him. At first he wasn't sure, but by the end he was LOVING it!! It was so cute to see him splashing and laughing up a storm!  While we were there I talked with another family here adopting their 7 year old daughter. I quickly realized I "knew" them from their blog and a number of forums and groups we are both on. Their story is very special. So cool.

Sometime in the afternoon between the pool and getting back to the room, it was like I had a different boy. Asher begin to not only act happy, but to truly seen to BE happy. Laughing, giggling, smiling at me. He made eye contact and played both beside me and on my lap. He let me hold him close and did not fight. He was truly happy to be with me.

S treated us all to a wonderful supper at a local Cantonese restaurant. It was soooooo good. I think the best food I've had yet in China. Asher stuffed himself on rice noodles. Guess he's a Monkey boy who likes a bowl of noodles now and then!! (Daddy, please have a bunch of bananas waiting for us... he's eating 3 a day!!)

We topped off the wonderful day by having a crazy evening. Asher was too wound up I think. And he is also getting hyper vigilant during wanting me with him as he attaches more and more. And way, took THREE hours to get him to sleep. Finally at 23:20 he went to sleep and I was able to lay him down.

Here are a few pictures from our time swimming.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today I took Asher to be blessed... not at the Buddhist temple where most adoptive families head, but at a local Chinese Christian church. With P, who speaks passable Mandarin, at my side we headed out. Asher was blessed hear the Word read in his birth tongue and to hear more then a hundred Chinese believers singing songs of praise and worship to our Lord.  I always feel a sense of awe when I have the opportunity to sit in a worship service in another country totally surrounded by people who look different, speak a different language, and have such a different culture. Yet despite all that, we are brothers and sisters... and that is a beautiful thing!! It was also nice to see around 20 deaf individials at the church service.

After church, P and I found our way home on the Metro. It wasn't hard and it sure was cheap compared to the taxi, but Asher got serious sensory overload, poor baby. We spent the rest of the day around the hotel. After the visa paperwork meeting with Grace, we and 2 other families headed out to look for a Mexican restaurant. We never found it, but ended up eating at a little Chinese restaurant which was very good.

Asher had some sleep issues tonight. Still does NOT want to go to sleep and kept waking and crying every time I tried to get him in the crib. I gave up about 10 PM and just let him sleep in my bed. He still doesn't care so much about me, but he likes my soft, warm bed and really who can blame him?

We arrived in Guangzhou around noon. Flight went well, and Asher did great! I was so blessed to have an empty seat next to me. It helped a TON!!

Our guide Grace (who is WONDERFUL!!!) met us at the airport. We got checked in to the China Hotel which is very nice. Lovely gardens, pool, restaurants, etc. Room is big, beds soft. Can't complain about anything there. Some how the bell boy lost my luggage on the way in! Took me 2 hours to get it and I almost missed the laundry pick up, but it all worked out so I had my bag 5 minutes before the laundry guy came!

My good friend "P" arrived this evening to be with me for the rest of the trip. It is SOOOO wonderful to have her here for many reasons. We did stay up talking a little late how ever. :)

Asher continues to be hard to get to sleep but once there does well. He is eating better now that fruit is on his list of likes. Most days he has 2-3 bananas along with some watermelon and dragon fruit. I sometimes wear his food because he is NOT sitting in the highchair at all. Oh well, most of these people will never see me again!

Sorry no pictures for the next few days. My camera was packed up and it's so hard to lug out and about with the kiddo too.

Today was our last full day in Zhengzhou. There was no tour planned as our guide Rita had to work on paperwork due to our short week here. So Asher and I didn’t get out much due to this, having a rough morning, and also wanting to Skype with Mimmi and with Daddy. There are also not a lot of pictures from today since it was just me to run the camera.

As I said above, today was a bit rough. For the previous 2 and a half days, Asher has been superficially happy. Plenty of smiles, some giggles, and lots of looking cute. But he was also doing his best not to bond with us… especially momma. He pretended his heart was not breaking, but the vulnerability of sleeping betrayed him and at those times he fought sleep and cried until he fell asleep from pure exhaustion.

Today we turned a corner. Today Asher admitted that his heart is broken and begin to accept his fate. It is hard to see him so sad… to see him grieve like this, but it is the first step. He was just generally unhappy most of the day. Yet he is starting to finally accept comfort from me and not push me away… at least some of the time. He fell asleep in my arms without crying for the first time ever at nap time. When he woke up our guide was in the room and when she left, he began to cry. He cried and would not be comforted for 15-20 minutes. He would start to calm down, then sneak a sideways look at me and start sobbing anew. Poor boy. As hard as this is on both of us, it is without a doubt a step forward.
This evening when we returned form supper Asher was in a silly mood. We had some great bonding time as he rolled around and around the bed. He was laughing and playing a game of chicken with the edge of the bed and me. It is in these moments that I see who this amazing little boy really is. I see the 20 month old personality, not the delays. He is truly an incredible little boy!!
And now for your daily dose of cuteness… with a side of cheese!

Today was our second day with Asher and his official adoption day!

Things are going pretty well. We see more giggles and smiles. He will play with us, but is struggling with starting the  real attachment process. He continues to hold me especially at a slight distance. We get no eye contact when we are holding him and he will push away from me. But he will make some eye contact if the other one is holding him. Falling asleep is also difficult as he fights sleep... poor baby. This part is just hard. I'm hoping and praying he turns a corner tomorrow after the SWI visit before Brian leaves. 

Anyway, here is your daily dose of cute!

 

 

 

 

It's official!! He's a Westhaven Kid!!!

 

We leave in 20 minutes to get our baby boy!!! WOOOHOOO!!!

Yesterday was the Autumn Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival. Our guide gave us some moon cakes to share in celebrating. They were actually not bad. Dry and kind of bland.

 

 

Started a bit earlier today then Day One. Left the hotel at 8 AM and headed out through the Beijing traffic. According to our guide, every day 2000 new cars join the 5 million (or so) driving the roads of Beijing.

We first stopped off at the government-run jade factory (read "high pressure sales pitch to buy expensive jade pieces"). They had some beautiful and exquisite carvings.

 

After that brief stop, it was on the the Great Wall. It was an absolutely gorgeous day... sunshine and mild temps. We went to the Juyongguan section of the wall this time. Unfortunately a lot of other people thought it was a good day to climb the wall! There were so many people and the wall in that section is so steep, we ended up climbing only a short distance. It was still a wonderful experience to be on the Great Wall again!

On the way to the wall...

 

 

 

 

Photos from the wall...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, there were this many people!!

 

These are locks placed on the Great Wall. Many had names of couples.

 

Us on the Great Wall.

 

Funny sign on the Wall.

 

Yes, it was THAT steep!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the Great Wall, we went to lunch. I got pictures today. It was all very good.. even the sweet and sour fish head!

On the way back, we stopped off at the Olympic area. We saw the Bird's Nest and the Cube. It was there that we had a rather surreal experience. Out of nowhere we heard the LOUD revving of motors and squeal of tires. Suddenly we saw a group of street cars race down the road between the two buildings! They drove around a loop near us spinning out and burning rubber! They did this for 10 minutes or more. It was so funny and surreal to watch the crowds of Chinese men RUN toward the road to watch!

We finished our tour off by visiting the acrobatic show. It was fun and included 5 motorcycles racing around in a steel sphere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At supper time a few brave souls set out in search of a local Chinese restaurant. The English understanding of the wait staff ended at "coke" and "beer".  A search of 5 people turned up someone who also understood "rice". We ordered from the picture menu and.... well, it was interesting! Thankfully one person liked the very, very, very hot dish we got!!

We are in Zhengzhou!! We left the hotel at 8 AM to make our 10:30 flight. It was a great flight... love China Southern... very comfortable. Arrived in Zhengzhou and met up with our guide Rita. She seems nice. Our four families are spread out more then last time with one family even on a different floor. :-( The men are off at the bank getting money. We plan to make a store run in a bit. Everything is unpacked and the laundry is done and up to dry. Less then 24 hours to Asher day!!!!!

Surreal moment of the day: in-flight entertainment was Mr Bean in anime!! 

After arriving very late on Sept 9th in China and not making it to the Trader's Hotel until 1 AM, we were back up at 8 AM to begin our day of touring!

Our guide's name is George. Since it was raining (bummer) he decided to start us off by visiting the Hutong neighborhood in Beijing. We took a rickshaw ride through the little narrow streets of these old Beijing neighborhoods.

 

 

 

 

Our rickshaw driver had quite a few near misses as he wove his way between cars, rickshaws, people, and random things.

 

 

We stopped at one of the homes in this neighborhood and visited with the owner. He is an artist and raises pigeons to race! There were actually a lot of pets in their home including at least 2 cats and a number of dogs. They also had a very nice garden in their courtyard with flowers and vegetables growing there.

After this we stopped at the government run silk factory (read high pressure sales) and learned about silk making. We saw the worms and cocoons which make the silk. And we watched the processing of the threads.

The next stop was lunch at a local restaurant. Followed by a walk through Tianenman square.

  

Then we headed in to the Forbidden City. I have to say I am very, very happy we had already seen it once. The rain and sheer number of people and their umbrellas made for a not very enjoyable touring experience.

  

  

Still we did see a section that was skipped last time due to the extreme cold.

  

  

  

  

  

(note the grass and vine on the roof below.)

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

   

  

  

This one really made me laugh! 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of the day, we headed back to the hotel and ended up passing out early (like 6:30) and getting 12 hours of much needed sleep!

Here are a few tips we learned when we traveled to get Miriam. I'll add to them as I think of more.

Well, we're here in Addis Ababa. We have our daughter now. She seems to be adjusting okay to us--we're not adjusted to waking up every hour or so. :-) We're scheduled to go to the embassy this afternoon for our visa appointment. We've taken pictures and video which we'll edit and post after we get back to the States. Just thought I'd let you know we made it okay. Oh, and Miriam is just as cute as (if not cuter than) her pictures! :-)

Day two with Miriam followed a rather long night with her waking about once every hour.
We got up around 7 Am with her and dressed and prepared for the day.

Between 8 and 9 each day there is sun, the nannies take all the babies outside into the early morning sunlight. So before breakfast is served each morning we new parents have to take the babies outside for this ritual. We find a sunny spot and sit down. We slowly take off pieces of clothing... shoes and socks, unsnap legs... then off come the bottoms, onsie are pulled up high on the chest and the backs of tops are opened. When the nannies are doing the sunbathes, they remove the diapers but they don’ t ask us to do this. While sitting in the sun, we are given lotion to rub into the babies’ skin. After about 15-20 minutes, we are allowed to redress the babies and come inside. It was never made clear to me why we were doing the sunbathe. Perhaps for vitamin D or more likely it originated as a way to prevent diaper rash.

After a fitful night of sleep at the Ghion, we woke up early and called Asnake the director of CHSFS's in country program. We ask if there was still room for us to stay at the care center and to enquire again about the avalibility of a frig. We learned that not only was there still room for us to stay at the care center but that each room had its own mini frig! ACHHHH!!!! Wish someone had known that in the US!
After packing up some of our things we headed to breakfast and then at 9 AM Tesfaye, the driver, arrived and we were off to the care center. Once at the care center we were shown to a room in the bedroom in the basement. It was very nice (and CLEAN!) with a double bed and a crib for the baby. There was a large bathroom attached to this room with a tub/shower (no curtain). There was closet space to put our clothes and the promised frig stocked with pops and bottled water. It didn't feel like a basement as there was a large window to the outside where sunlight and air came in... this was due to the fact that the building was on a hill side of sorts and a walkway had been created right out side the room opening up that side.

After spending a wonderful week in Kenya visiting our friends, Kip and Katy Lines, we finally arrived in Ethiopia. We arrived around 9 PM local times... thats 1 PM eastern standard... but no jet lag for us thanks to that week in Kenya. If possible I highly recommend having a chance to over come the jet lag before you aquire your child. I know it really helped us feel much more prepared.

The Ethiopian airport was so much nicer then it was when I visited in 1997. I remmember this "police-state" type airport where the walls were cinderblock and without windows and a feeling of escaping a prison just to leave the building. Now we walked through beautiful pale blue marble halls with large glass windows looking out on the runway and the city. We entered large open rooms of the same marble and walked to neat little cubicals with organized lines to inquire about our entry visas.

Well, after a day trip in London, we made it safely to Kenya. We came out to visit our friends (www.ejoka.com) in the Turkana desert. Our visit with them was very relaxing for us and them. We were surprised that they have a well that puts forth clean, drinkable water. Today we're in Nairobi, staying with some other friends. We fly from Nairobi to Addis Sunday night (local time) and will receive Miriam Monday morning.

Today we received an email from our agency with two new pictures of Miriam--one of her being given a bath, and one of her being held by one of the caregivers there. The email also included more information about Miriam's development, her daily schedule, her likes and dislikes, etc. It sounds like she's doing very well, right on target with her developmental milestones. She's still a bit on the small side, but sounds and looks like she's very healthy and happy otherwise.