Thursday, February 21, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
We found Mei Nian
Today was our trip to the police station to apply for Ai Li's passport. In and out in less than 15 minutes. We went for a walk on the other side of the bridge and ended up in the antique district. Not a good place to be. Both girls were scared. Both parents were very nervous and we really felt we'd ended up in the bad side of town. Won't do that again.
We visited the 6 Banyan Tree Temple and had the children blessed - quite moving for Mom and Dad. We climbed the 9-story Pagoda and enjoyed the view as well.
We went to Lucy's for dinner in hopes of bumping into the family who was getting another of our Zhuhai sweeties the day after we did. We saw them arrive just moments after we did - how's that for great luck! Ai Li didn't see them as quickly as Molly did, but she didn't know we were looking for them either. When she saw her friend, her little face lit up and we went straight over to have a hug. They chatted and we sat next to each other, and then the comparisons began - you could see the pointing and the babbling on about each other's families. Sure wish we could tell what was being said! Mei Nian Kirchhoff, the friend, will live in Deshler, Nebraska. Brenda - she too gets very green in the car apparently, so they won't visit the SWI. She has a sister from China who's just about 6 months older than she is. We shared our e-list with them and hope they'll join.
We're really excited to be visiting Zhuhai tomorrow. The sun came out today and brightened everything up, in addition to bringing some warmth. Molly's beside herself with all these cute little dogs running around. China has Pekenese and Pomeranians as stray dogs - while we, in the USA, pay a small fortune for them!
Ai Li's picking up a few things. Every time we hand her something, she now says,"chank yoo" in her husky little voice - much like Jen's!
Here are some photos from today that are of something other than a close-up nostril or some other goody that our budding photographer has managed to capture. These are mom's photos!
Goodnight, and thanks for sharing this journey with us.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Report on Today
Well, our room is amazing - corner suite with 2 windows, one overlooking a school and there's a giant cage on the roof with peacocks, other birds, a sheep and an emu. We hear the kids taking band.
We have a computer in the room. With this privilege of a "business suite" we get one king size bed. Figure that one out for 5.
Cody's on the couch and probably doing the best on this deal. In the one bed are Sue, Ai Li, Molly and Dad - in that order. At least we fit!
So, you remember I said that everyone was settled last night? Yeah - that was when Mom was on duty. In comes Dad who stirs the whole thing up and there's this massive play fest and wound up girls. It was the best thing to happen - Ai Li giggled and laughed and kept pushing Molly to tickle Dad. It was hysterical. One hour later, all is calm again. A good night's sleep.
Ai Li is not using chopsticks. She's jumped right in and only using knife and fork - and very willing to be taught. I know I would not be that brave at 9. We did see her with the chopsticks at lunch today (dim sum restaurant) and she's not that good with them either. Has probably used a spoon for much of the time.
We noticed that her left ear has had some obvious surgery and that it was sort of leaky. It really leaked a lot in the night and she tried to hide her pillow this morning. She's snuffly too. Her skin is dry like cardboard and about as soft. Her fingers are all sort of raw or blistered - but not quite as bad as that sounds. So after our appointment at the adoption agency where we were interviewed and formally finalized the adoption, we decided a trip to the clinic was in order and opted to pay for the American Clinic. We will have to have that ear looked at properly in time, but for now we have antibiotics for the infection and nose drops for the stuffiness. The fingers will heal on their own - too much roughhousing on the playground is what we're told. She was a champion, and responded well to the docs questions. There was a scale in the room. Molly got on it and we discover that she and Ai Li are both 54 pounds, with Molly being 2 inches taller.
This was followed by the restaurant lunch and the zoo. My 2 kids have cameras. Miss Shutterfinger has discovered mine. I have no photos to post today. She walked around pressing that thing repeatedly at everything in site. No aim then shoot. No good photos either. I'll have to wait until she's asleep and do some serious deleting.
Right now, there are 2 little girls in the shower - Molly's teaching that too, God love her. Ai Li's hair needs a wash and some conditioner. I've popped in to help and she's fine with that and found it quite funny that Mom's hand poked in through the shower curtain.
We will visit Zhuhai orphanage on Thursday and I will have the camera, not Ai Li! Jim - I asked Mr. Li to ask for those photos for you yesterday. Today I asked him if he did that and he said that there should be pictures for me to get for you!! I asked if we could go at a time when the children were not in school so that I could take photos of all the you-know-who's we love on this board. I also asked if I could take photos of any babies coming to America. He will ask for the AAI kids to be brought out!!!!!! Let's hope they do so that I can get up-to-date photos for everyone. I will do my best, I promise.
Oh - yesterday, with Ai Li, was one of the other girls - the one who was in the denim jacket on Lynn's lap. She's getting her family today. I have our information and hope to bump into them here so connect the girls.
Lynn - I know you told us how to read our comments, but what I remember isn't working - would you shoot me an email to the group list with that info please?
I hear the water off now, so will close. Blessings to all from the hotel room of double happiness!
After
We have a computer in the room. With this privilege of a "business suite" we get one king size bed. Figure that one out for 5.
Cody's on the couch and probably doing the best on this deal. In the one bed are Sue, Ai Li, Molly and Dad - in that order. At least we fit!
So, you remember I said that everyone was settled last night? Yeah - that was when Mom was on duty. In comes Dad who stirs the whole thing up and there's this massive play fest and wound up girls. It was the best thing to happen - Ai Li giggled and laughed and kept pushing Molly to tickle Dad. It was hysterical. One hour later, all is calm again. A good night's sleep.
Ai Li is not using chopsticks. She's jumped right in and only using knife and fork - and very willing to be taught. I know I would not be that brave at 9. We did see her with the chopsticks at lunch today (dim sum restaurant) and she's not that good with them either. Has probably used a spoon for much of the time.
We noticed that her left ear has had some obvious surgery and that it was sort of leaky. It really leaked a lot in the night and she tried to hide her pillow this morning. She's snuffly too. Her skin is dry like cardboard and about as soft. Her fingers are all sort of raw or blistered - but not quite as bad as that sounds. So after our appointment at the adoption agency where we were interviewed and formally finalized the adoption, we decided a trip to the clinic was in order and opted to pay for the American Clinic. We will have to have that ear looked at properly in time, but for now we have antibiotics for the infection and nose drops for the stuffiness. The fingers will heal on their own - too much roughhousing on the playground is what we're told. She was a champion, and responded well to the docs questions. There was a scale in the room. Molly got on it and we discover that she and Ai Li are both 54 pounds, with Molly being 2 inches taller.
This was followed by the restaurant lunch and the zoo. My 2 kids have cameras. Miss Shutterfinger has discovered mine. I have no photos to post today. She walked around pressing that thing repeatedly at everything in site. No aim then shoot. No good photos either. I'll have to wait until she's asleep and do some serious deleting.
Right now, there are 2 little girls in the shower - Molly's teaching that too, God love her. Ai Li's hair needs a wash and some conditioner. I've popped in to help and she's fine with that and found it quite funny that Mom's hand poked in through the shower curtain.
We will visit Zhuhai orphanage on Thursday and I will have the camera, not Ai Li! Jim - I asked Mr. Li to ask for those photos for you yesterday. Today I asked him if he did that and he said that there should be pictures for me to get for you!! I asked if we could go at a time when the children were not in school so that I could take photos of all the you-know-who's we love on this board. I also asked if I could take photos of any babies coming to America. He will ask for the AAI kids to be brought out!!!!!! Let's hope they do so that I can get up-to-date photos for everyone. I will do my best, I promise.
Oh - yesterday, with Ai Li, was one of the other girls - the one who was in the denim jacket on Lynn's lap. She's getting her family today. I have our information and hope to bump into them here so connect the girls.
Lynn - I know you told us how to read our comments, but what I remember isn't working - would you shoot me an email to the group list with that info please?
I hear the water off now, so will close. Blessings to all from the hotel room of double happiness!
After
Monday, February 18, 2008
Our Hearts Are Full Tonight
No battery left to send pictures. I PROMISE some tomorrow after it's charged up. Sorry!!!
We have her and she has us!!! Ai Li is preciously perfect.
We arrived at the Adoption Center with Mr. Li at 2:30 today. Ai Li arrived just after 3:00. 30 minutes has never taken that long - ever.
Everything went very smoothly. She made eye-contact and recognized us immediately from the photo album we'd sent. She was very shy and answered questions with much prodding. When it came time to part with her care taker, they kissed and one slow, silent tear slid down her cheek - then another. She tried so hard to hold it in. I wasn't so brave. Then her caretaker put Ai Li's hand in mine and gave her a gentle shove and said goodbye. One rigid little girl walked out with us. There were about 15 babies all meeting new parents in there too - most were very upset and it was total bedlam. Ai Li must have been so totally overwhelmed.
There is, so far, one immediate way to make her smile, and that is to be near to her sister. Ai Li is very attached to Molly and holds hands with her, copies everything she does and keeps sneaking smiles to her. Smiles that would melt iceburgs. Molly is tickled pink and doing an amazing job in her new role as big sister. Speaking of big sister, Molly's dream has come true - she is finally taller than someone else her age!! Ai Li is so petite.
We came back to the hotel, dropped things off and went to eat. After dinner we went to some stores to spoil her with a few shiny trinket things. Nothing doing! What did the trick was a pair of sneakers. She was in shoes that were obviously way too small for her and made her feet hurt. She just loves her new shoes and we had her run in the store to see how they fit. Lots of smiles.
We went to a park and the kids played and played and we got smiles, heard laughter and felt on top of the world as we saw our little girls sparkle. Cody is being an amazing help - getting near but not overwhelming, patiently waiting his turn for her recognition. It'll come. How could it not - she'll soon follow her sister's footsteps there too.
We came back, had some tea and got the 2 teddy bears ready for bed. She is so tickled at being able to change teddy's clothes.
Tina - I saw Mr. Li hand Teddi's care package to the staff today, so please feel some comfort in knowing that Teddi will have her snuggly bear to cuddle tonight.
I'm going to keep this short because everyone's in bed and 2 new eyes are peeping over the covers as I do this. I wish the camera battery wasn't so drained, because I'm longing to share her with you all.
Going to snug with my girls and see if I can do something with this permanent grin I'm wearing - but then, why should I? I look over my shoulder and see Steve still grinning too.
We have her and she has us!!! Ai Li is preciously perfect.
We arrived at the Adoption Center with Mr. Li at 2:30 today. Ai Li arrived just after 3:00. 30 minutes has never taken that long - ever.
Everything went very smoothly. She made eye-contact and recognized us immediately from the photo album we'd sent. She was very shy and answered questions with much prodding. When it came time to part with her care taker, they kissed and one slow, silent tear slid down her cheek - then another. She tried so hard to hold it in. I wasn't so brave. Then her caretaker put Ai Li's hand in mine and gave her a gentle shove and said goodbye. One rigid little girl walked out with us. There were about 15 babies all meeting new parents in there too - most were very upset and it was total bedlam. Ai Li must have been so totally overwhelmed.
There is, so far, one immediate way to make her smile, and that is to be near to her sister. Ai Li is very attached to Molly and holds hands with her, copies everything she does and keeps sneaking smiles to her. Smiles that would melt iceburgs. Molly is tickled pink and doing an amazing job in her new role as big sister. Speaking of big sister, Molly's dream has come true - she is finally taller than someone else her age!! Ai Li is so petite.
We came back to the hotel, dropped things off and went to eat. After dinner we went to some stores to spoil her with a few shiny trinket things. Nothing doing! What did the trick was a pair of sneakers. She was in shoes that were obviously way too small for her and made her feet hurt. She just loves her new shoes and we had her run in the store to see how they fit. Lots of smiles.
We went to a park and the kids played and played and we got smiles, heard laughter and felt on top of the world as we saw our little girls sparkle. Cody is being an amazing help - getting near but not overwhelming, patiently waiting his turn for her recognition. It'll come. How could it not - she'll soon follow her sister's footsteps there too.
We came back, had some tea and got the 2 teddy bears ready for bed. She is so tickled at being able to change teddy's clothes.
Tina - I saw Mr. Li hand Teddi's care package to the staff today, so please feel some comfort in knowing that Teddi will have her snuggly bear to cuddle tonight.
I'm going to keep this short because everyone's in bed and 2 new eyes are peeping over the covers as I do this. I wish the camera battery wasn't so drained, because I'm longing to share her with you all.
Going to snug with my girls and see if I can do something with this permanent grin I'm wearing - but then, why should I? I look over my shoulder and see Steve still grinning too.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
In Guangzhou and ready to GO!!
We've had such an amazing week in Beijing, Chengdu, Changsha and Xiangtan. We've even made some friends who we'll keep in contact via email. For some reason, these photos are in reverse order. This is my second time creating this (first one disappeared when I tried to move photos around, so won't try that trick again).
We arrived in Guangzhou early this afternoon and went strolling around. When we got back, there was a message for us at the front desk from Mr. Li. Steve had a wonderful chat with him on the phone and he'll pick us up tomorrow at 1:30. We'll meet Ai Li between 2:30 and later, depending on their traffic. He has had a chat with Ai Li to prepare her and according to him, she is ready!! Sweeeeeeeeeeet. We are too!
Thanks to everyone for your prayers. It means so much.
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