Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Good Days, Bad Days and only 5 more Days
I'll start with 5 days...only 5 more days and we'll be home. I mean, China is great and all but.....it's time to go home. You wanna appreciate your modest house with no basement and 1 bathroom, go live in hotels for 17 days. We are really ready to move on. This trip would have been great if it was cut by about 9 days......
So, on to Bad Days. Friday was our last day in Chongqing. So on Thursday night we took a walk into the city square and brought Chloe to McDonalds. THe cashier was appalled when we ordered 2 large fries with our meal. Then she gave us 2 ketchup packets.
Shei, shei but can I have 5 ketchups?
FIVE she laughed? Yes we Americans like to smother our fat with sugar , thank you very much. Chloe absolutely loved the french fries and the ketchup. She saw me dipping and pointed to it until I gave her her own.
So Friday we set out to the Chongqing Zoo with our guide and the NYC family. We drove there in the van, no problem. The zoo was quite nice and a wonderful distraction from the hotel rooms and the city. THe sun surprised us and we saw some greenery. The pandas were adorable. They say they have black circles because they don't get enough sleep. My new nickname. Then we piled into the van to head back to the hotel and get ready to fly to. We are in the car for a few minutes and Chloe starts to freak- for no reason. A full out, arching the back tantrum of sorts with crying and removing of shoes. Hmmm, not fun. We saw two more of these episodes this day, including one on the 1 1/2 hour flight from Chongqing to Guangzhao. Yes, in a plane, screaming. Yea, I know what you're thinking- you are thinking that next Friday we have to fly from Guangzhao to Shanghai (2 1/2 hours), then sit in an airport for 3 hours then fly from Shanghai to Newark for 14 hours. I know what else you're thinking- Thank God it's not you sitting on that plane. I can't even think about it, I get sick to my stomach.
So that was the bad day. I actually called the woman from our adoption agency. Seems the honeymoon is over and our little girl is overstimulated. Very typical for these guys. They have been living in a a very controlled, calm environment with very little stimulation. Now they are thrown into the world with 5,000,000 new things to see, touch, smell, taste and do and they go into overload. So I got some good suggestions and today we turned it down about 10 notches. She had such a better day- time to play in the hotel room, quiet music, nice long nap. Oh and BTW, today was Lee's birthday. Happy Birthday Lee
Guangzhou, The White Swan and Nirvana
We are now in the city of Guangzhou. We have many appointments here- medical center for a checkup, paperwork for Chloe's visa, etc. So everyday there is a little something to do, then our own downtime.
Being here is like heaven.
1. It is the last leg of the trip and we are that much closer to home...YEAH! You all know I miss my Anna.
2.Guangzhao is a not a big, crowded city like Chongqing. The big city was hard with Chloe- too noisy, too crowded and just too overstimulating for her...and me. Here we can walk to a restaurant or a shop with no problem. There is a 7-11 and a Starbucks, which I must find soon...for another taste of home. The weather is nice. A slight glimpse of sun and warm temperatures.
- The White Swan Hotel is beautiful. All of the other hotels were fine but this one really caters to foreigners. The breakfast buffet is awesome. There are shops and waterfalls and room service and ATM machines and a play room for the kids. All adoptive roads lead to Guangzhou so the place is teeming with adoptive parents from all over but especially America. You've never seen such friendly Americans. We all make eye contact and chat because we are dying to talk to someone besides our spouse. (It's like the King of Queens episode when Doug and Carrie got to HomeDepot to meet people) It's also comforting to swap stories and get advice from other BTDT families. Lat night we were out walking looking for a restaurant. There is a place called Lucy's with American food. We met a couple there from Ohio. It was so nice to eat with other people, share a beer and chat. The kids were great too and then we walked around a town "square". Nice and quiet and it wiped out our Chloe. She's a good sleeper.
- Poor Lee has hurt his shoulder/neck. The beds are firm and today I found him sleeping in the chair, then the floor. We hired a guide to take us for some touristy shopping but maybe she can find some relief for Lee. Too may suitcases plus Chloe won't stay in the stroller. Oh, that's another thing- the shops in town will loan you a stroller! They know you'll come back and buy something, which we did so it's worth it-we use it carry the diaper bag and my pocketbook!
- One more thing- check out the photo of the Barbie Doll! How cute is that? The White Swan gives everyone an Adoption Barbie Doll! Look at the bottom - it says "This is not a toy" "For ages 14 and over"
Thursday, March 25, 2010
This is long but part of the reason for the blogging is to share with Chloe when she is older.....
Gotcha Day and Adoption Day
As I am writing this, we are watching American Idol and Chloe is lying in her crib playing with 2 packets of tissues. Oops, she just got one open. Ok, she should be sleeping but instead she is ripping bits of plastic and shredding tissues. Parenting 101!
I can't remember if I wrote it and I can't see the blog but Monday March 22 was our Gotcha Day which we will celebrate every year- the first day we met Chloe.
Tuesday March 23 was the day the adoption became final. We all went back to the Civil Affairs Office (The Norwegians were there too). First they took a family photo which goes in her file. Then there was a swearing in ceremony. We had to swear that we would not abuse or abandon Chloe and that we would raise her as our own. More photos were taken and for a small fee we will receive a bounded book with pictures of the ceremony, photos from the Chongqing SWI (Social Welfare Institute), and photos of the city of Chongqing. Then we officially became Chloe's parents. We then had to go up to a window, pay some other fee while an office worker looked at a picture of Chloe in her file then stared at her in person to make sure we were given the correct baby. And the man REALLY looked- her looked at her photo, then really looked and stared at her face until he was sure we were given SiWei . Someone asked Lee earlier how we knew we were getting the same baby- well, there you go.
Toddlers
Last night Chloe had trouble falling asleep and was agitated. Tonight she played in her crib for an hour and a half before she fell asleep. She poked her fingers through the holes in the mesh until I squeezed them, then she let out the cutest giggles. She is really quite charming. So curious about everything-she still loves the mirror and if we give her a cookie or a toy, she walks over to the mirror to see how she looks with it. Then more giggles. Now we have all of her toys in an empty suitcase (We even walked to a Toys r Us yesterday) and she loves to open it up, take something out, put it back in. She loves a Curious Buddies DVD and points the remote at the TV. I bought a little backpack that was Anna's and she loves to put that on as soon as we get ready to go out.
Chloe is very active. She spent the first two days extending her arms to me, then to Lee, to me, then back to Lee. We carry her around a lot but today she did sit in a cart at the grocery. She loved it. Back to the activity level....We were used to Anna who, even at two wasn't a big runner or climber. This kid is wiry and squirmy. We are told this may be temporary....I hope by temporary they means she will sit just fine and sleep during the 14 hour ordeal in the sky next week. UGH!
Chongqing and food and downtime
So, our guide Michael is showing us around Chongqing and taking us shopping but it's been raining now for a few days. On Friday we fly Guangzhou where we have more appointments. We went to a grocery store and checked out the potato chip aisle....I love to check out the flavors in other countries:
lime....cucumber...roasted chicken.....kiwi......Italian red meat sauce........Yummy!
We usually eat at the breakfast buffet in the hotel, then get ready for a little excursion..an appointment or a trip to the store. Yesterday we bought formula at a grocery and m&m's with Chinese writing on the bag for Anna. We also stopped at a book store and bought some things for both of the girls.
There are a few English TV stations but we mostly watch Star World. IT plays random American shows like My wife and kids, MOnk, Heroes, WHose Line is this and when we are lucky Raymond, KING OF QUEENS, American Idol, letterman. We have lots of time for playing with Chloe in the room. We are mostly calling her Siwei for now. It's funny, when we met her nanny I asked what do you call her? She said FengSiwei (which I learned is pronounced Shway, not See-way but See-way is easier!) . So it's like calling someone SmithJohn all the time so that's the way we've been addressing her...so formal! FengShway...stop climbing on the bed and please decorate the house!
Missing Anna
Ok I have really been missing her badly..that and the rain have made this a long week but it's better.
We FINALLY spoke to Anna tonight. We've been having communication difficulties- once she wouldn't get on the phone, once she was sleeping. Then we couldn't find a phone that uses the cards and Skype wouldn't work. Tonight we called home from our room. Anna is having a blast with my sisters and my cousin and my mom and everyone else. She is going to expect Burger King, McDonald, manicures, presents and more when we get home. They are totally spoiling her. She wouldn't even talk on the phone- she just said "eh" . What the heck is "EH?" At least I heard her voice. I've been missing her terribly. Only 9 more days and I get to hug her and she gets to meet her little sister.
Stares
In Beijing Lee and I got a lot of stares. No big deal. THe funniest was when we went to a very local restaurant- it was packed, bright and very loud. We were clearly one of the few americans that have been there. Our guide dropped us off, ordered us food and left. So the waiter puts down a big bowl of noodles and vegetables. Then he put down a small blob of brown stuff. Lee thought the blob was for the noodles. So I utilized the WW salad dressing technique- dipped my chopsticks in the blob and pulled up some noodles. The waiter walked over without a word, grabbed the bowls and vigorously mixed the blob and the noodles. Thank you sir, the whole meal is quite delicious. We were seated at the window so eventually a group of older Chinese men gathered to watch the Americans eat and use chopsticks. They really just sated there for about 10 minutes. Reminds me of my days in Japan when young people would stop and ask to take our pictures. Ah, fame.
Now that we are in Chongqing, the largest city in China we still get stares. It's not exactly a tourist stop. Most people stop and look at the two babies. Some say "lucky baby". We were warned that women would zip up the babies jackets or pull up their socks if they thought they weren't warm enough. The land of Grandmas!
Yesterday at breakfast we met a business woman from Manhasset!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Here is our daughter.....Chloe Siwei!
Here is our daughter.....Chloe Siwei
Today was out Gotcha Day! What a surreal experience. Of course I only slept for 3 hours so I was in Night of the Living Dead mode. After a wonderful breakfast buffet, we did some paper work in our hotel lobby with Michael our guide and another couple from NYC. We are now in Chongqing, in a beautiful hotel. This city looks like Manhattan and we are in the middle of Times Square. We were waiting until 1:00 to drive to the office to meet the babies. I was able to sneak in a 1/2 hour nap before we left.
Then there we were driving in a van, our driver and guide speaking to each other in Chinese and with Michael occasionally telling us something about the babies and our week ahead. So I am thinking, "Am I in a Lifetime movie? This was like having an out of body experience.
We arrived at the office and sat waiting for the two babies. In walked a group of babies and nannies (ayis). We jumped up, video cameras in hand searching the little group for Siwei. Oops, this group of babies is going to the tall, blond Norwegians that just walked in. It was interesting to watch the couples find their babies, talk to the ayis, coax the kids with lollipop and bubbles. Eventually the new parents would leave with their child, some crying for their nannies.
Ok, here comes a single ayi with toddler in tow! I jump up with my camera but, no this girl is going to the NYC family.
So in true Siwei fashion, she kept us waiting for 20 minutes. But then there she was wearing a little pink jacket and shoes two sizes too big for her. We went into a room and were able to ask the ayi who was Siwei's primary caregiver questions while we interacted with her.
Ms Zhang told us that Siwei was smart, outgoing and talkative. She eats anything and takes a bottle. She feeds herself and loves toys. She is a "spicey girl". Chongqing is know for it's "hot pot", spicey soup. It is said that Chongqing girls are "spicey" too- meaning they have a strong temperment.
So some of her present nicknames are hotpot, spice girl, dumpling! We'll decide which one sticks after a while!
Anyway,on to other stuff....Siwei came right into with my arms with no tears...I've been told this may mean that she has been well- taken care of and has learned to trust people (good). It also means that she may not be able to distinguish or identify one caregiver as "special" (not so good but this will change). So in the next few weeks it is very important for me, Lee and soon Anna to be the only people to care for her, hold her and feed her. She needs to learn who to trust and to learn that we are now her immediate family. Sorry Ann! Sorry Fran! Sorry Jill- the hugs will have to wait until later!
On the drive back to the hotel, Chloe (now she is Chloe but we are still using Siwei of course) sat on my lap and looked out of the window. She was very curious and took in everything. She was checking out the other new baby in the car, the skyscraper outside, the man driving next to us. She has a real pleasnat disposition. In the hotel room she loves to look in the mirror (probably her first time), she adores Anna's Glo-Worm and the little maracas. We gave her a few toys throughout the afternoon and if I showed her how to use it she remebered it and did it on her own after one or two tries. When I put new socks on her feet she ran over, got her shoes and handed them to me. She is very alert and curious. She loves the toys and books and her little back pack. She laughs easily and loves when Lee throws her in the air. I think she will be another Daddy's girl. She really loves that mirror. She extends her arms to be picked up. We heard her make a few sounds but overall she's been quiet and is taking it all in. She did not love her bath and fought us the whole time (Did Anna email her with this suggestion?).
We ordered room service and she ate congee ( a cooked rice dish) and little bites of our food. Then we went for a walk in the outdoor garden on the 10th floor. It was a beautiful piece of nature right here in the middle of this large city. She was a bit wary out there. She fell asleep in my arms and is now in her little crib, sleeping soundly. She is just adorable!
What a day for her..and for us. I think I may finally sleep soundly tonight as well.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Brutal Insomnia and The Great Wall
Brutal Insomnia and The Great Wall
Two suggestions:
- Go visit The Great Wall
- Get more than 3 hours of sleep the night before. I have not been sleeping since we got here...I barely slept the 13 hour and 9 minute plane ride, then I slept 3 hours the first night and 3 hours last night. Oh plus 10 minutes in the van. So that makes 6 hours and 10 minutes plus cat naps on the plane in 3 days..or four days plus the time change. And I wasn't't sleeping for weeks before we so now I am a walking zombie, Christine of the Living Dead.
We went to a Kung Fu show tonight-it was cross between a Broadway show and a karate demonstration but in a good way. Too bad I did the nod off a million times- shouldn't keep my eyes open. We'll see what happens tonight.
So back to the Wall. I asked Lee to carry me and he just laughed. It was really cold and windy today. The Great Wall was everything I ever dreamed it would be. Absolutely amazing. How the heck did they build that? And it's 4,000 miles long...and built in 221 B.C......B.C.!!!!! Unbelievable, we were in awe. But nobody told me about The Great Steps. Seriously, the steepest steps I've ever seen. And on 3 hours of sleep. We did our best. I am so lucky to have been able to see that in person.
Lee is loving China. It's his first time out of the country and he is doing great. He fits right in here. It just suits him for some reason. And he'll try to say anything in Chinese. He is charming the Chinese girls. They all giggle at him when he tries to speak Chinese. It's very cute.
Lee climbed down to The Ming Tombs but I opted to practice "Chinese phrases for Adoptive Parents" on a bench. Nee sheer baow bay...precious baby. That's the one phrase I have memorized. It's very strange, we'll be out sight seeing and then I'll think to myself, "Holy Mama! In two days we are getting a little girl" I keep thinking we are just here on vacation. This whole process was so task oriented and involved so much waiting. Three and a half years of waiting and obtaining papers and notarizing and consulates and fingerprints and getting crisp American bills for the orphanage and buying Cheerios in little boxes and wrapping 17 presents for Anna and so on. And now all of the tasks are done and the waiting is almost over and in less than 48 hours we will be welcoming a tiny little toddler girl into our lives.
Friday, March 19, 2010
beijing
Beijing Day 1
Last night we were asleep by 10:00 all jet-lagged and what not and ready for a good nights sleep. But then by 3:30 AM we were both wide awake. So I tried watching my GGirls on the laptop and I dazed over for a while but then it was time for breakfast. A nice Western breakfast buffet- eggs, bacon, cereal, etc. Very nice.
We met our guide in the lobby at 9:00 AM after being up for 5 1/2 hours but we were ready to walk our way through Beijing. First stop was Tiannemen Square. We were surprised to see many, many tourists..and in typical American fashion we were surprised to see that we were the only Americans. From there we walked to the Forbidden City which houses the Imperial Palace which was built in 1406! Unbelievable. It 's amazing that they were able to build such a beautiful place so many years ago. Nine appears to be a lucky number. Nine dragon statues on the roof to protect it's inhabitants, nine floors in the Empresses house. It was about 45 degrees and pleasant for walking. A stop for lunch (in our own private room), and a fresh water pearl shop. Lee scooped up an oyster with 30 pearls in it. Then on to the Summer Palace- very beautiful. There were vendors outside selling snacks-roasted sweet potatoes which people ate out of hand, roasted corn, chestnuts and fresh pineapple. No cotton candy, no funnel cakes, no Good-Humor. Fascinating!
Lee and I passed out in the car on the way home. We have our own driver and tour guide. They are great and our guide speaks very good English. She told me that my Chinese pronunciation was perfect! After a rest in our hotel our guide took us to the DaDong restaurant for Beijing Duck. There were roasted ducks lined up and the server came to our table and sliced one up for us which we rolled up in little pancakes. Some more chicken and sauce, shrimp with peanuts, pickled radishes. Then watermelon and a warm almond soup dessert with floating fruit. Hmmm.
In our down time we rest, read, go on the Internet or watch TV. Here I am watching Raymond and emailing friends- just like home. We are taking advantage of this "no children" time. It's hard to believe in a few days we will have a little person running around our room.
Here is our schedule:
We are here in Beijing from Thursday - Sunday. On Sunday we fly to Chongqing, which is the province where SiWei lives. On Monday we will go to a government office and take 24 hour temporary custody of Siwei. Then we go back on Tuesday and sign the adoption papers. Then she is officially our daughter! Then we have more appointments and on Friday we fly to Guangzhou. We stay in Guangzhou until the next Friday. While in Guangzhou we will have more appointments and time for shopping!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Will they serve Guinness March 17 2010
Will they serve Guinness?
Well, here we are spending St Patricks Day on the flight to China...the very loooong flight. As is the custom it was quite a adventure getting to the airport. We flew out of Newark because we wanted nonstop and we wanted Continental. So I called the car services this weekend. Guess what it costs to have a car pick you up on Long Island and drive you to Newark? I'll tell you...for two people it will set you back $200...ONE WAY. So on top of the 4 zillion dollars we've already spent, add $400. So, once again our wonderful family came to the rescue. My brother John is picking us up on Good Friday and Lee's brother drove us this morning. Three hours in the car (NY rush hour) and one pull-over for making an illegal left hand turn.
I rolled down the window.
"Hi Officer...we're very nervous. We are on our way to China to adopt a little girl" I say.
"Congratulations" he says as he walks back to the patrol car with Paul's registration and license.
He made us sweat it out for about 10 minutes, then he came back and gave Paul a stern warning. God Bless the Summit, NJ Police !
Ok, so we get to the airport by 10, flight is at 12...no problem.
Well there is one problem. The flight is overbooked and apparently we don't exactly have seat assignments. Which means a painstaking wait through security and an even more painstaking wait at the gate. I was literally shaking and ready to burst into tears at any given moment. Then they called Lee's name. He has a seat. But I don't. Goodbye Lee! Enjoy China. Oh wait, they do have a seat for me but we are not together. Fourteen hours on a plane (actually 13 hours and 9 minutes) and we are 16 aisles apart unless that nice looking young lady will switch. Oh yes, she said YES.
Every seat has its own tv with a gazillion movies and tv shows to watch. But no Golden Girls or King of Queens! Good thing I can watch those on my laptop! I watched "Blind Side" which was really good but then I started crying because I miss Anna. I didn't write about that yet. We said good-bye to her this morning and she was fine and I wasn't hysterical. Weepy and sad and I didn't talk in the car but I wasn't hysterical.
Anna is home now with my sister Fran and my mom. I think she is going to be fine. They have so many things planned for her. She will be very busy.
Ok so I'm still on the plane. I'm not one to sit and do nothing so I'm starting to go batty. I wish we could get on the internet.
Friday, March 5, 2010
FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, I am sitting here watching House Hunters, drinking champagne and enjoying the fact that the PAPER WORK and most of the WAITING is OVER! Yes, it's true we are actually leaving on March 17th for China to get our little Siwei. Can it really be true? In 2 1/2 weeks we will have our daughter.
The waiting will be over.
The paperwork will be over.
Cannot believe it!
Also had a fun day at work. My principle asked me to do this, that and another thing and I did....then I headed back down to the self-contained room where I spend most of my time. It was all a ruse to keep me occupied.
Wait...why is the director of sped standing there? Why are my students mom's standing there?
Why are my colleagues standing in front of a cool fondant covered-polka dot cake (thanks Karen)?
It's a little baby shower for me! And Siwei! How did they pull that off without me knowing? I'm so nosy, I usually figure these things out. It was so nice, so sweet and so thoughtful. And even some presents for Anna. And a very cute and funny instruction manual, written by the kids on how to take care of a baby.
I loved it.
This was in a frame for me..
You Are Mine
by Denise A Johnson
I did not hear your first breath
Nor see your first step
But you are mine
From our hearts to our home
With God's love from above
You are mine
Once a thought in my mind
Only God knew the time
Now you are mine.
The waiting will be over.
The paperwork will be over.
Cannot believe it!
Also had a fun day at work. My principle asked me to do this, that and another thing and I did....then I headed back down to the self-contained room where I spend most of my time. It was all a ruse to keep me occupied.
Wait...why is the director of sped standing there? Why are my students mom's standing there?
Why are my colleagues standing in front of a cool fondant covered-polka dot cake (thanks Karen)?
It's a little baby shower for me! And Siwei! How did they pull that off without me knowing? I'm so nosy, I usually figure these things out. It was so nice, so sweet and so thoughtful. And even some presents for Anna. And a very cute and funny instruction manual, written by the kids on how to take care of a baby.
I loved it.
This was in a frame for me..
You Are Mine
by Denise A Johnson
I did not hear your first breath
Nor see your first step
But you are mine
From our hearts to our home
With God's love from above
You are mine
Once a thought in my mind
Only God knew the time
Now you are mine.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
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