tidbits

We haven't been posting to the blog as much as we had hoped. Mainly, when we have time, which is after K is down for the night, we talk about the day and fall into bed tired. Also, the internet connection is slow and putting a post out requires more time than usual. But here are some tidbits of times that will stand out in our memory over the past two days...

Medical Exam - Most of the babies in our group received IV's before we received them. We were told they were sick and we are guessing they were hydrated through an IV. Really don't know but when we showed up for the medical exam K took one look at the doctor wearing a mask and had a melt down. The exam itself is fast and not invasive. We are shuttled through three rooms. One room weighs and measures, one room looks at ears, mouth and sees if she can track objects with her eyes. And the last was listening to her heart and checking her belly and body out. In all, took about 10 minutes. One doctor told me "she has two teeth". I had to correct him, she has 6 teeth. Like I said, not an in depth exam. Thankfully the doctors back home don't wear masks and I hope this will help make future exams a more pleasant experience.

Shopping - customer service at a new level. The minute you walk into a store at least two people will attach themselves to you and constantly show you stuff, tell you about stuff and in between it all ask the same questions you have heard from every other store attendant. "Oh, you have a pretty baby, where is she from?" "How old is she?" "How long are you staying here?" At one point I turned to both the ladies that were trailing me and said "I really like to shop alone" and they said "yes, yes, okay" and proceeded to still show me stuff, get in my face and play with K so much she had another melt down. Someone needs to tell the shop attendants we would buy so much more if they left us in peace but we understand why they are pushing their wares. Our guide tells us that adoption here has slowed so much and these shops are struggling because of it. Most of the shops on the island cater to us adoptive families. Baby items galore. Alot of stores have shut down due to the slowdown in adoptions. Girls stand on corners and when they see you ask if they can take you to their shop. Its very interesting but tiring after awhile.

Food - Most of our group agrees that the food in Changsha was better than the food here on the island. The food here is not spicy. The people here feel that being by the water provides enough "spice" in their lives and in order to ying/yang the food can not be spicy also. But we've had some standout dishes. Everyone that tried the pigeon said it was good, even the head. Thank that stars I'm a vegetarian - no pigeon head for me. Had a nice red bean, mango dish that I know I'll be trying to duplicate once home.

In other updates: Captains back is about the same. Still managing with drugs. He has a doctors appt lined up for the next day he is back. K is doing well but super attached to me. Makes it difficult at times but we are hanging in there. We both miss M big time and can't wait to be home.

Miss ice cubes in drinks, not worrying about water, cooler weather and our big soft bed.....

Yea Hoo! Updates!

I am so tickled and can't stop crying!!!! We received an email full of updated photo's and information about K.

Here is what we know:

Height: 27.2"
Weight: 17.6 lbs
Teeth: 4/2 (?)
Foot: 4.3"

She is eating formula with rice, rice and mashed meat, egg and noodles.
She is sleeping from 7 to 7 with an hour nap.
Her playmates are Chen Yun Yue, Chen Wen Yue, Chen Yu Heng
She is crawling and can walk a few steps.
She is an active and restless baby.

And.... here are the photos!

Gotcha, not! FIMA, yes.

Within the adoption community the term "Gotcha" refers to the day when you finally get your child. Our Gotcha day is scheduled for 7/20.

I really don't like the term "Gotcha". It is what I usually say when I swat a mosquito. This makes it hard to translate the feeling into something joyous and beautiful.

I've imagined that "Gotcha" day often over the past 3+ years. Imagined the weight of her settling in my arms, the smell of her. Will she be crying or smiling? Will she be confused about the chaos that will be surrounding her and us.

In the end, she will be Finally In My Arms - FIMA day. It's not catchy, no one in the adoption community is familiar with it, but Gotcha it isn't.

Its FIMA for me.

Seven Days

In seven days we will be on our way to Beijing. I can not wait! We will be that much closer to seeing K and don't get me wrong I'm completely peeing in my pants in anticipation of us being together but also... it will be so sweet to plop my butt on a plane with absolutely nothing to do but watch the clouds go by. It has been a busy couple of weeks getting ready for this trip and I'm ready for it to be over. The gifts for officials, nannies, facilitators have been purchased. Just in case prescriptions for Captain, me and K have been ordered and filled. Clothing for 100+ temp and humidity days are being put aside. The pets will have someone here at the house looking after them and we are pulling together goodies for M to have while we are away.

Among all of this we've been able to spend some time with visiting family during the fourth of July week. Among the fun, water games, fireworks and of course, small town parade.

M and her cousins watching the floats go by..

Sidenote: On the side, go ahead look over to the right, near the top.. We wanted to have a weather bug so you can all follow along with the current weather we will be experiencing in China. Unfortunately we can not figure how to keep it on one location. Our weather bug loves NY and will default to show what you can expect if you are heading out to a Broadway show or Central Park. Until we figure this out, feel free to click on "edit" and type in Beijing, Changsha, Guangzhou or Hong Kong. Just remember you'll probably be seeing China night temps unless you are up at 1am, can't sleep and decided to check on us.

p.s. we don't live in NY.

Anchors Away!!!

Woo Hoo! This is our first blog entry to document our forthcoming travel adventures to China where we will finally meet our new daughter. To be known on this blog as K.

We started this process back in 2005 gathering and completing massive amounts of documents, homestudies, inspections, etc. Our paperwork was shipped off to China and received there (LID) on 3/14/06, and then....we waited.... and waited.....and waited....and oops, redid the paperwork over because it has expired....and waited again. Oops, that pesky paperwork had to be redone one more time and yes, we waited. We developed great powers of zenlike calm and serenity (not really). We got the nursery ready but surprisingly not done yet! We just didn't have enough time....

On May 21st we got THE call from our adoption agency. They notified us that a beautiful, cheeky, lovely, cheeky, 11 month old, did I say cheeky girl was waiting just for us. This is the information we have on her. Did I say she has kissable cheeks? Okay, her birthday is June 26th, 2008 which happens to be the same date as our other daughter, M. K is at the Chenzhou orphanage in the Hunan province. We hope to be traveling this summer.

Follow along with us on our once in a lifetime adventure to bring our daughter home!!