This last week has been so wonderful! We were able to take Peng Peng's "no no's" off on Wednesday of last week. He also graduated to soft foods. This meant better sleep and eating, which meant happier everyone! One more week until I go back to work!
Peng Peng had fun playing in the snow this week. We were supposed to get over a foot of snow, but ended up with about two inches. He is not a fan of the cold, but he is loving his first pair of light up shoes and wears them around the house all the time. Since he doesn't like cold, I brought the snow to him. He played for about an hour just poking and scooping out snow in a roaster.
We have been busy figuring out a direction for Peng Peng's speech development. Yesterday we went to the U of M's craniofacial department. He passed the hearing test but did have slightly lower than normal numbers (.9 and .7) so they said he might have partial hearing loss and to check back in six months. The ENT said his ears looked good (whoohoo) and we need to follow up every six months as well. The Speech Pathologists did an informal assessment and are writing up paperwork to document a medical need for speech therapy. We are beyond fortunate - my insurance allows therapy as long as he is making progress and has a medical necessity. Some people don't get any coverage and most are limited in the number of service visits. Tomorrow we have Lakeville schools coming to do their formal assessments and next week he has his first visit to Theraplay in New Prague for his first session.
Poor AJ was pretty sick this week and as a result missed two days of school. Abby passed Beginner 1 for gymnastics and was a rock star on the floor last night. They are both doing a wonderful job at school and have joined me in the basement for "workout time" almost daily. Time to prepare for getting out of these yoga pants and back into actual clothes :)
Our church launch has been going really well. We have not grown a quickly as we have hoped, but the people in our group are awesome and it has been a great experience. I look forward to what God has in store for us.
Current Signs (bold new): all done, apple, baby, ball, banana, bath, bear, bike, bird, blanket, book, brush teeth, bug candy, car, cat, cereal, clean up, coat, cold, color, come on, cookie, cow, cracker, dad, diaper, dog, down, drink, eat, egg, fish, flower, go, grandma, hat, help, horse, hot, hot dog, I love you, jump, laundry, milk, mine, mama, more, monkey, music, pig, play, popcorn, potty, shoes, sit, sleep, snow, socks, slide, swing, thank you, time out, wait, walk, wash hands, water, up
My Little Sweeties
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Putting MY faith in HIS faith
I think I might have jinxed myself a few weeks ago. I was talking with my mom and I jokingly shared how God must have not had too high of an expectation level when he gave us Peng Peng. This kid is amazing. He smiles and laughs over everything, he is super smart, he is flexible, he is affectionate, he is adorable, he shows affection towards us all, just to name a few of his attributes. You know the saying, "God only gives you what you can handle"? I thought we made out pretty good with how smoothly things have been going ever since we submitted paperwork to start this adoption process back in August of 2013.
Then came his surgery.
My oh my, what a rough week. Our poor little guy had the entire roof of his mouth removed and stitched together and re-attached. Can you imagine how painful that is?
Surgery day started off great. I was a nervous wreck, but fortunately Peng Peng had no idea what was about to come, so he had a blast getting all this attention. My mom came the day before to stay with the older two and to help us a few days once we got home. At 10:50 they took him back for surgery and I was allowed to go back there with him as they put him under. It was actually pretty smooth. I had been warned that this can be a pretty traumatizing experience for parents, but it really seemed like he was just falling asleep. He liked the smell of the stuff they coated his mask with and was trying to lick it, which was cute.
I had a hard time leaving him, but knew I needed to go. So, Adam and I had just over three hours to wait around. We checked into our room and then got a free meal at the Ronald McDonald House - which was amazing. We had forgotten to eat breakfast and knew there would be little time to feed ourselves that afternoon. All the food and staff there are volunteer-based. Amazing for families who are going through such a difficult time with their sweet babes.
We hung around in the waiting room for about half an hour before we were called back to be with him as he woke up. I misunderstood and thought I would be there for him WHEN he woke up, but that wasn't the case. I was there after he had been awake for about twenty minutes. It must have been so traumatic for him, I can't help but cry every time I think of those twenty minutes. We left our sweet baby who has only been with us for six weeks with strangers and when he woke up he was in incredible pain, medicated (so a bit loopy) and his arms were restrained. When they did let us back there his blood pressure was super high (I am talking like 160/110) and he was screaming (can you imagine how painful it would be to cry when your mouth is ripped apart?). So, they let me hold him and immediately his heart rate settled closer to a normal range and his oxygen level went closer to normal. I held him and Adam pushed me in a wheelchair to his new room.
The next two nights I slept in the room with him. Poor kid was miserable. I held him about 44 of the 48 hours we were there. He was given heavy pain medication as often as allowed, and about three hours into the four hour cycle he was screaming or just miserable seeming. We watched frozen about ten times and Nemo about six, which seemed to entertain him well. Adam and my mom brought the kids our second night there and we ate a meal together at the Ronald House. They even had a craft project for the older two to make, which was awesome.
Our drive home his face lit up in the first smile I had seen in days. I think, and maybe I over-think this sometimes, that he questioned if we were still coming home with him or if he was going to the same home. As secure as I think he feels with us, I do think psychologically it will still be a while before he truly understands he is our forever child and will forever be our son.
We have been home for just over a week and every day does get better. He wakes up every 1-3 hours at night, mostly uncomfortable because of the arm bands, but sometimes I think because of pain and other times because now he is getting used to us being at his side immediately after he calls for us. He plays great during the day and has adapted well to his "no no's". He has figured out how to rip off the Velcro, which is amazing because I have a hard time with it. I put Abby's leg warmers on over them but he has even figured out how to get those off! So, now he gets a time out for taking them off and seldom tries.
All foods need to be pureed, so my mom was a major help and made a few safe meals and pureed and froze them as single portions so I can pull one out and warm it up quickly. He is starting to get his regular appetite back which is great. He is down just a little in weight, but the doctor said that was to be expected. I can't imagine eating or drinking with a mouth in his condition. Next Wednesday the no no's can come off and we can start adding in soft foods that are not pureed - whoohoo!
Thank goodness for my mom's help this week. Adam even took over the past three nights so I could get some sleep. I was a bit of a crabby sleep walking zombie. It is hard to be patient and loving when you are that tired and worried.
AJ & Abby continue to amaze me. They had a fabulous week, one which we ended with a bang as there was no school yesterday. It helped a ton having my mom here. Three adults to three kids is a great ratio! I can understand why many cultures families have their parents move in with them. AJ is thriving in Boy Scouts, Abby moved up a level in gymnastics and they both help each other practice their Katta for karate. They are reading and learning so many things - I am so proud of them. they have been great helpers around the house and have really started to play incredibly well together when they don't want to be bothered by a curious almost-two year old. We officially moved the playroom to the basement for the older kid toys and the music room for toddler toys. My mom's bed is all set up and she started nesting this week too. I am so thankful she is moving in with us at the end of this month!
This week gave me a new perspective on what some of the families have to go through who I work with as a special education teacher and what some of my friends and family members have had to endure when they or a child are sick. We have been so fortunate to not ever require a hospital stay with a child before now, and I can't imagine what it is like to have that worry and concern constantly on my shoulders.
This week really taught me about putting my faith in God's faith. If He feels I can handle things the way they are, then who am I to question Him. God is so good. He perfectly placed this amazing kid into our lives. There is nothing that I love more than to watch him play and interact with his siblings, and the three of them already have a special bond, one which I pray will never be broken.
Then came his surgery.
My oh my, what a rough week. Our poor little guy had the entire roof of his mouth removed and stitched together and re-attached. Can you imagine how painful that is?
Surgery day started off great. I was a nervous wreck, but fortunately Peng Peng had no idea what was about to come, so he had a blast getting all this attention. My mom came the day before to stay with the older two and to help us a few days once we got home. At 10:50 they took him back for surgery and I was allowed to go back there with him as they put him under. It was actually pretty smooth. I had been warned that this can be a pretty traumatizing experience for parents, but it really seemed like he was just falling asleep. He liked the smell of the stuff they coated his mask with and was trying to lick it, which was cute.
I had a hard time leaving him, but knew I needed to go. So, Adam and I had just over three hours to wait around. We checked into our room and then got a free meal at the Ronald McDonald House - which was amazing. We had forgotten to eat breakfast and knew there would be little time to feed ourselves that afternoon. All the food and staff there are volunteer-based. Amazing for families who are going through such a difficult time with their sweet babes.
We hung around in the waiting room for about half an hour before we were called back to be with him as he woke up. I misunderstood and thought I would be there for him WHEN he woke up, but that wasn't the case. I was there after he had been awake for about twenty minutes. It must have been so traumatic for him, I can't help but cry every time I think of those twenty minutes. We left our sweet baby who has only been with us for six weeks with strangers and when he woke up he was in incredible pain, medicated (so a bit loopy) and his arms were restrained. When they did let us back there his blood pressure was super high (I am talking like 160/110) and he was screaming (can you imagine how painful it would be to cry when your mouth is ripped apart?). So, they let me hold him and immediately his heart rate settled closer to a normal range and his oxygen level went closer to normal. I held him and Adam pushed me in a wheelchair to his new room.
The next two nights I slept in the room with him. Poor kid was miserable. I held him about 44 of the 48 hours we were there. He was given heavy pain medication as often as allowed, and about three hours into the four hour cycle he was screaming or just miserable seeming. We watched frozen about ten times and Nemo about six, which seemed to entertain him well. Adam and my mom brought the kids our second night there and we ate a meal together at the Ronald House. They even had a craft project for the older two to make, which was awesome.
Our drive home his face lit up in the first smile I had seen in days. I think, and maybe I over-think this sometimes, that he questioned if we were still coming home with him or if he was going to the same home. As secure as I think he feels with us, I do think psychologically it will still be a while before he truly understands he is our forever child and will forever be our son.
We have been home for just over a week and every day does get better. He wakes up every 1-3 hours at night, mostly uncomfortable because of the arm bands, but sometimes I think because of pain and other times because now he is getting used to us being at his side immediately after he calls for us. He plays great during the day and has adapted well to his "no no's". He has figured out how to rip off the Velcro, which is amazing because I have a hard time with it. I put Abby's leg warmers on over them but he has even figured out how to get those off! So, now he gets a time out for taking them off and seldom tries.
All foods need to be pureed, so my mom was a major help and made a few safe meals and pureed and froze them as single portions so I can pull one out and warm it up quickly. He is starting to get his regular appetite back which is great. He is down just a little in weight, but the doctor said that was to be expected. I can't imagine eating or drinking with a mouth in his condition. Next Wednesday the no no's can come off and we can start adding in soft foods that are not pureed - whoohoo!
Thank goodness for my mom's help this week. Adam even took over the past three nights so I could get some sleep. I was a bit of a crabby sleep walking zombie. It is hard to be patient and loving when you are that tired and worried.
AJ & Abby continue to amaze me. They had a fabulous week, one which we ended with a bang as there was no school yesterday. It helped a ton having my mom here. Three adults to three kids is a great ratio! I can understand why many cultures families have their parents move in with them. AJ is thriving in Boy Scouts, Abby moved up a level in gymnastics and they both help each other practice their Katta for karate. They are reading and learning so many things - I am so proud of them. they have been great helpers around the house and have really started to play incredibly well together when they don't want to be bothered by a curious almost-two year old. We officially moved the playroom to the basement for the older kid toys and the music room for toddler toys. My mom's bed is all set up and she started nesting this week too. I am so thankful she is moving in with us at the end of this month!
This week gave me a new perspective on what some of the families have to go through who I work with as a special education teacher and what some of my friends and family members have had to endure when they or a child are sick. We have been so fortunate to not ever require a hospital stay with a child before now, and I can't imagine what it is like to have that worry and concern constantly on my shoulders.
This week really taught me about putting my faith in God's faith. If He feels I can handle things the way they are, then who am I to question Him. God is so good. He perfectly placed this amazing kid into our lives. There is nothing that I love more than to watch him play and interact with his siblings, and the three of them already have a special bond, one which I pray will never be broken.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Surgery On Wednesday
On Wednesday Peng Peng will have his first big surgery in the States. His lip was repaired at about seven months old in China, but now we are on to the next big step, which is to start repairing his palate. What we were told is that the plastic surgeon at the craniofacial clinic is going to cut along the gum line on the roof of his mouth behind his front teeth. He will then patch and stretch the tissue to close off the hole that encompasses the full top of his mouth all the way through his uvula. It sounds so painful, but our little man has been through so much already in life and is so tough, I have no doubt that he will be a trooper through the process. I am so thankful that I am able to be there for him and to comfort him when he needs it. Knowing that he didn't have anybody who loved him as I do when he was a baby just breaks my heart, so I have lots of making up to do this time around.
While he is out the ENT will also give him tubes in his ears. Once he is healed we will need to having serious hearing testing done to see if/ how much hearing loss he has. It is common for kiddos with cleft lips/ palates to have some hearing loss, and the fact that he has failed the previous hearing check concerns me.
This will be it for surgeries (hopefully) for the next few years. His next surgery will be when he is preschool age on his palate again, then bone graft surgery when he is seven or eight, and then more work done when he is older and finished growing.
We have been preparing AJ and Abby for this as best as we can. They have seen inside his mouth (he loves to be flipped upside down and laughs really hard when we do this, so this has been a good way to get a good and quick peek). Last night I drew out a calendar for this week so they could see what days of the week Peng Peng and I will be gone and when my mom will be here. Friday should be interesting as that is the day we are scheduled to come home and it is also Halloween. I have to be honest, I am not looking forward to the doorbell ringing every five minutes while my little one is miserable, but maybe that will prove to be the distraction he needs.
When the surgery is complete Peng Peng will have arm restraints. These look like molded pieces of plastic that have Velcro on them. They are not casts and there is nothing wrong with his arms, but it will prevent him from going anywhere near his mouth and hurting either his stitches or putting things in there. All food will have to be liquid or pureed for two weeks minimum. It will be very important that we keep getting nourishment in him so he doesn't loose any weight and can heal quickly. We have been trying different baby foods, yogurts, and pedialyte so we know which foods he likes and which ones to stay away from.
A few days ago we had his pre-op appointment and had his height and weight recorded. In the past five weeks he has gained TWO pounds and grown an INCH & A HALF! Whoo hoo! For the second time since we have been home they also heard a heart murmur. Sounded like no need for concern at this point, just to keep a close eye on it over time.
In the area of signing, we haven't been working on adding new words this week, but Peng Peng has more and more consistently initiated these words and continues to amaze me with his communication skills!
Current Signs (bold new): all done, apple, ball, banana, bath, bike, bird, book, brush teeth, bug candy, car, cat, cereal, clean up, cold, color, come on, cookie, cow, cracker, dad, diaper, dog, down, drink, eat, fish, flower, go, grandma, hat, help, horse, hot, hot dog, jump, laundry, milk, mine, mama, more, monkey, music, pig, play, popcorn, shoes, sit, sleep, socks, slide, swing, time out, wait, walk, wash hands, water, up
Thank you all for your continued prayers.
While he is out the ENT will also give him tubes in his ears. Once he is healed we will need to having serious hearing testing done to see if/ how much hearing loss he has. It is common for kiddos with cleft lips/ palates to have some hearing loss, and the fact that he has failed the previous hearing check concerns me.
This will be it for surgeries (hopefully) for the next few years. His next surgery will be when he is preschool age on his palate again, then bone graft surgery when he is seven or eight, and then more work done when he is older and finished growing.
We have been preparing AJ and Abby for this as best as we can. They have seen inside his mouth (he loves to be flipped upside down and laughs really hard when we do this, so this has been a good way to get a good and quick peek). Last night I drew out a calendar for this week so they could see what days of the week Peng Peng and I will be gone and when my mom will be here. Friday should be interesting as that is the day we are scheduled to come home and it is also Halloween. I have to be honest, I am not looking forward to the doorbell ringing every five minutes while my little one is miserable, but maybe that will prove to be the distraction he needs.
When the surgery is complete Peng Peng will have arm restraints. These look like molded pieces of plastic that have Velcro on them. They are not casts and there is nothing wrong with his arms, but it will prevent him from going anywhere near his mouth and hurting either his stitches or putting things in there. All food will have to be liquid or pureed for two weeks minimum. It will be very important that we keep getting nourishment in him so he doesn't loose any weight and can heal quickly. We have been trying different baby foods, yogurts, and pedialyte so we know which foods he likes and which ones to stay away from.
A few days ago we had his pre-op appointment and had his height and weight recorded. In the past five weeks he has gained TWO pounds and grown an INCH & A HALF! Whoo hoo! For the second time since we have been home they also heard a heart murmur. Sounded like no need for concern at this point, just to keep a close eye on it over time.
In the area of signing, we haven't been working on adding new words this week, but Peng Peng has more and more consistently initiated these words and continues to amaze me with his communication skills!
Current Signs (bold new): all done, apple, ball, banana, bath, bike, bird, book, brush teeth, bug candy, car, cat, cereal, clean up, cold, color, come on, cookie, cow, cracker, dad, diaper, dog, down, drink, eat, fish, flower, go, grandma, hat, help, horse, hot, hot dog, jump, laundry, milk, mine, mama, more, monkey, music, pig, play, popcorn, shoes, sit, sleep, socks, slide, swing, time out, wait, walk, wash hands, water, up
Thank you all for your continued prayers.
Monday, October 20, 2014
A Week of Blessings
This last week was a gift from God. AJ and Abby were home for the whole week due to MEA, conferences, and a comp day. In the past this has been a stressful week. I have had to line up daycare plans for AJ as he is normally in school, I barely get to see my munchkins during conferences, and then we have a few really nice days together as I recoup and try to get my house back together.
This time around was a week full of blessings. Peng Peng had a fabulous week. He continues to have tummy problems and we are starting our fourth prescription for his tummy today as a result, but other than that he has been healthy and I dare say thriving. He continues to learn more signs, his cough is gone, he is sleeping better (more on that later), he has not bit in weeks, and he is growing (we think). He is playing more independently and allowing me to be in a different room while he entertains himself for short spurts, which is appreciated as much as I love playing with the little bugger.
The weather this week couldn't have been any better. The sky is blue, the leaves are a brilliant golden, the birds are chirping, the pumpkins are ready for baking, and the apples are ready for picking. We spent a lot of time outside, we opened the windows, and we did a lot of baking.
Our vacation started off with a bang. My cousins from Oklahoma and California were in town for my cousin Brad's wedding. They came by Friday night and we so enjoyed their company. The kids really took to them and it was so nice taking the time to catch up. Saturday we went to the wedding, which was just beautiful. Everything was perfect and we were able to show off our newest addition to many family members. AJ and Abby danced the night away as did Peng Peng. Abby would kill me if she knew I shared this, but one of the sweetest memories that day was her barely able to stand her romantic anticipation waiting for the wedding kiss. She loves fairy tales, and there is nothing more romantic than a bride and groom sharing their first kiss as husband and wife.
Sunday we had family pictures in the afternoon. It was so nice being able to sleep in and relax after having such a busy day the day before. Adam went to a fish tank meeting in the morning and the kids and I just played outside and I ran around putting outfits together. I think I prepared thirty outfits that weekend counting clothes for the wedding, playclothes in the mornings, two outfits for pictures, and pajamas. The kids did the best they have ever done and the few pictures I have already seen have brought tears to my eyes. I am so thankful to capture this magical time in our lives.
Monday we went to the Good Times Park. This place is amazing! The kids ran for three straight hours and I eventually had to drag them out of there so Peng Peng could have a nap. We easily could have spent another three hours there. The place was super quiet too since most districts still had school that day.
Tuesday we had conferences for the kids. I was so proud of how well AJ and Abby are doing - both academically as well as behaviorally. They handled all of these life changes like real troopers and I am so so proud of them both. That afternoon we picked up our friends Lauren and Ben and we had a playdate at our house for the rest of the afternoon. We made sugar cookies and decorated them. It was so fun seeing their creations with a little sugar, sprinkles, marshmallows, and chocolate chips!
Wednesday I took the kids to Barten's pumpkin patch with our good friends Gina and Melissa and their children. This place had all kinds of fun activities for the kids - like taking the kernals off of corn (I am sure there is a name for this but I have no idea what it is), walking on stilts, bean bag toss, bowling with pumpkins, playing in a corn teepee, and photo ops. That night Abby and her friend went to gymnastics while the boys and I picked up more meds for Peng Peng's tummy.
Thursday was a real treat. We went to the Mall of America and went to the Underwater World. Peng Peng LOVES fish, so he in open-mouthed awe pretty much the whole time. We had a few free tickets left from AJ's birthday party back in April, so the kids all got to go on a few rides as well. Our grand finale was a treat at the Toll House cookie store. On the way home we went to their dentist appointments. No cavities! Well, I shouldn't fully say that. We know that Peng Peng has a cavity and are hoping to get it filled during his surgery while he is out. The dentist looked in his mouth and gave us some advice as his mouth has many needs and we are trying to prioritize his greatest needs first. That night we had Bible Study and after that Adam and I hosted a music practice in our garage for this Sunday's service.
Friday was a lay-low day. We went to story time at the local library, played at Wagners Park, then spent a lot of time playing and relaxing. The kids read their books from the library, watched movies, and I cleaned for a few hours and then we enjoyed the beautiful outdoors.
Saturday we had our friend Linda and her two boys over for a pj & donut playdate. That afternoon I took the kids to a movie from a Family Movie Series we had purchased for super cheap a few weeks ago through the school. We got there a little late as I had the time confused and we ended up having to sit in the front row. I started to feel sick - and I thought it was from sitting up front - but ends up it was the start of a nasty 24 hour stomach bug. No fun! I slept most of the afternoon in between being sick and Adam had kid duty.
Sunday we were involved in one of our preview church services for Crossroads. I made it with singing, but still felt pretty sick and run down. Our pastor did a great job though and the kids had a blast. By the afternoon I started to feel better and the kids and I had fun playing for hours in the front yard. We peeled apples that my in-laws gave us from their apple tree and made apple crisp. We also took out some seeds and they are drying right now so we can try planting our own trees this spring.
Grossest moments this week both involved the dogs. Peng Peng has been open-mouth kissing the dogs while they lick his tongue. SO disgusting, but tricky to prevent as they are the same eye level and gravitate towards one another - especially his mouth as he constantly has a stinky odor coming from his mouth. The worst was... we have been encouraging Peng Peng to brush his teeth often. So, when I let him brush his teeth on the kitchen floor while I did dishes I didn't think too much of it... until I realized he had run over by the dogs' water dish. I ran over saying, "no no!" but I was too late. The toothbrush went into the water dish, he smiled, then he popped that toothbrush into his mouth and started scrubbing. EEWWWW.
Current Signs (bold new): all done, apple, ball, banana, bath, bike, bird, book, brush teeth, bug candy, car, cereal, clean up, cold, color, come on, cookie, cow, cracker, dad, diaper, dog, down, drink, eat, fish, flower, go, grandma, hat, help, horse, hot, hot dog, jump, laundry, milk, mine, more, monkey, music, pig, play, popcorn, shoes, sit, sleep, socks, slide, swing, time out, wait, walk, wash hands, water, up
As much as I have been thankful every day for this gift of time home with Peng Peng, I can't express enough how grateful I am to have this week with all three kids. We cuddled, we did big activities, we read, we hugged, we laughed. So many great memories all bottled into one week. You know how when you first fall in love with somebody, how you get all tingly just thinking about them? That was this whole week. Even when I was sick and at my worst, the kids made a point to see if I needed anything and to give hugs. God is so good.
The timing of this week couldn't have been any better either. We have just over one more week until Peng Peng's big surgery next week. I am so nervous for it - for him. Medical concerns aside, I do worry about his little and highly active body to be in pain and confined in arm restraints. He is signing so well, I worry he won't be able to communicate with his arms bound either. Please keep him and our family in your prayers these next few weeks. I know the end result will be well worth it, but it will be a difficult time for our family. The doctors are optimistic that within a few weeks from the surgery he should be able to start producing more sounds and the roof of his mouth should be healed and closed.
Have a blessed week!
This time around was a week full of blessings. Peng Peng had a fabulous week. He continues to have tummy problems and we are starting our fourth prescription for his tummy today as a result, but other than that he has been healthy and I dare say thriving. He continues to learn more signs, his cough is gone, he is sleeping better (more on that later), he has not bit in weeks, and he is growing (we think). He is playing more independently and allowing me to be in a different room while he entertains himself for short spurts, which is appreciated as much as I love playing with the little bugger.
The weather this week couldn't have been any better. The sky is blue, the leaves are a brilliant golden, the birds are chirping, the pumpkins are ready for baking, and the apples are ready for picking. We spent a lot of time outside, we opened the windows, and we did a lot of baking.
Our vacation started off with a bang. My cousins from Oklahoma and California were in town for my cousin Brad's wedding. They came by Friday night and we so enjoyed their company. The kids really took to them and it was so nice taking the time to catch up. Saturday we went to the wedding, which was just beautiful. Everything was perfect and we were able to show off our newest addition to many family members. AJ and Abby danced the night away as did Peng Peng. Abby would kill me if she knew I shared this, but one of the sweetest memories that day was her barely able to stand her romantic anticipation waiting for the wedding kiss. She loves fairy tales, and there is nothing more romantic than a bride and groom sharing their first kiss as husband and wife.
Sunday we had family pictures in the afternoon. It was so nice being able to sleep in and relax after having such a busy day the day before. Adam went to a fish tank meeting in the morning and the kids and I just played outside and I ran around putting outfits together. I think I prepared thirty outfits that weekend counting clothes for the wedding, playclothes in the mornings, two outfits for pictures, and pajamas. The kids did the best they have ever done and the few pictures I have already seen have brought tears to my eyes. I am so thankful to capture this magical time in our lives.
Monday we went to the Good Times Park. This place is amazing! The kids ran for three straight hours and I eventually had to drag them out of there so Peng Peng could have a nap. We easily could have spent another three hours there. The place was super quiet too since most districts still had school that day.
Tuesday we had conferences for the kids. I was so proud of how well AJ and Abby are doing - both academically as well as behaviorally. They handled all of these life changes like real troopers and I am so so proud of them both. That afternoon we picked up our friends Lauren and Ben and we had a playdate at our house for the rest of the afternoon. We made sugar cookies and decorated them. It was so fun seeing their creations with a little sugar, sprinkles, marshmallows, and chocolate chips!
Wednesday I took the kids to Barten's pumpkin patch with our good friends Gina and Melissa and their children. This place had all kinds of fun activities for the kids - like taking the kernals off of corn (I am sure there is a name for this but I have no idea what it is), walking on stilts, bean bag toss, bowling with pumpkins, playing in a corn teepee, and photo ops. That night Abby and her friend went to gymnastics while the boys and I picked up more meds for Peng Peng's tummy.
Thursday was a real treat. We went to the Mall of America and went to the Underwater World. Peng Peng LOVES fish, so he in open-mouthed awe pretty much the whole time. We had a few free tickets left from AJ's birthday party back in April, so the kids all got to go on a few rides as well. Our grand finale was a treat at the Toll House cookie store. On the way home we went to their dentist appointments. No cavities! Well, I shouldn't fully say that. We know that Peng Peng has a cavity and are hoping to get it filled during his surgery while he is out. The dentist looked in his mouth and gave us some advice as his mouth has many needs and we are trying to prioritize his greatest needs first. That night we had Bible Study and after that Adam and I hosted a music practice in our garage for this Sunday's service.
Friday was a lay-low day. We went to story time at the local library, played at Wagners Park, then spent a lot of time playing and relaxing. The kids read their books from the library, watched movies, and I cleaned for a few hours and then we enjoyed the beautiful outdoors.
Saturday we had our friend Linda and her two boys over for a pj & donut playdate. That afternoon I took the kids to a movie from a Family Movie Series we had purchased for super cheap a few weeks ago through the school. We got there a little late as I had the time confused and we ended up having to sit in the front row. I started to feel sick - and I thought it was from sitting up front - but ends up it was the start of a nasty 24 hour stomach bug. No fun! I slept most of the afternoon in between being sick and Adam had kid duty.
Sunday we were involved in one of our preview church services for Crossroads. I made it with singing, but still felt pretty sick and run down. Our pastor did a great job though and the kids had a blast. By the afternoon I started to feel better and the kids and I had fun playing for hours in the front yard. We peeled apples that my in-laws gave us from their apple tree and made apple crisp. We also took out some seeds and they are drying right now so we can try planting our own trees this spring.
Grossest moments this week both involved the dogs. Peng Peng has been open-mouth kissing the dogs while they lick his tongue. SO disgusting, but tricky to prevent as they are the same eye level and gravitate towards one another - especially his mouth as he constantly has a stinky odor coming from his mouth. The worst was... we have been encouraging Peng Peng to brush his teeth often. So, when I let him brush his teeth on the kitchen floor while I did dishes I didn't think too much of it... until I realized he had run over by the dogs' water dish. I ran over saying, "no no!" but I was too late. The toothbrush went into the water dish, he smiled, then he popped that toothbrush into his mouth and started scrubbing. EEWWWW.
Current Signs (bold new): all done, apple, ball, banana, bath, bike, bird, book, brush teeth, bug candy, car, cereal, clean up, cold, color, come on, cookie, cow, cracker, dad, diaper, dog, down, drink, eat, fish, flower, go, grandma, hat, help, horse, hot, hot dog, jump, laundry, milk, mine, more, monkey, music, pig, play, popcorn, shoes, sit, sleep, socks, slide, swing, time out, wait, walk, wash hands, water, up
As much as I have been thankful every day for this gift of time home with Peng Peng, I can't express enough how grateful I am to have this week with all three kids. We cuddled, we did big activities, we read, we hugged, we laughed. So many great memories all bottled into one week. You know how when you first fall in love with somebody, how you get all tingly just thinking about them? That was this whole week. Even when I was sick and at my worst, the kids made a point to see if I needed anything and to give hugs. God is so good.
The timing of this week couldn't have been any better either. We have just over one more week until Peng Peng's big surgery next week. I am so nervous for it - for him. Medical concerns aside, I do worry about his little and highly active body to be in pain and confined in arm restraints. He is signing so well, I worry he won't be able to communicate with his arms bound either. Please keep him and our family in your prayers these next few weeks. I know the end result will be well worth it, but it will be a difficult time for our family. The doctors are optimistic that within a few weeks from the surgery he should be able to start producing more sounds and the roof of his mouth should be healed and closed.
Have a blessed week!
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Exponential Love
This past week, in all of it's simplicity, has been our best week yet. When AJ was born I was amazed with the love that my heart could feel for this baby. Then, when I was pregnant I wondered how I could possibly love two so much, but it happened. Now, with our final baby, I am just in awe with the love in our home. Sure, we have moments of frustration and chaos, but in those simple moments of cuddling on the couch reading a book, watching them play ball outside, or seeing AJ & Abby pulling Peng Peng on a blanket around the house, I sometimes wonder if my heart will just burst.
AJ and Abby have adjusted so well to all of these changes. Peng Peng continues to communicate more and act out less. He loves to play and interact well. In the daily activities, like going grocery shopping, the library, or karate class, life is crazy busy but every moment is a gift and we are so blessed.
Last week we had some medical updates, and this week will be on the same path. Last week we met with the craniofacial team at the U of M. It was hard to hear all of the medical procedures he will need over the next few years, but was a great reminder of all the opportunities we have through insurance and where we live. We have his first major surgery in the States scheduled for October 29th. He will need tubes in his ears (he has had fluid in his ears at every visit so far and they said he might have some hearing loss - we will know more about this after the surgery and his ears have healed). He also will need some repair on his nose (his nostril is mostly closed off and he only breathes through his mouth). The main purpose of the surgery is for his palate repair, which we will learn more details about today.
I also brought Peng Peng back to the doctor's office for the third time since being home (three weeks now). He had the beginning of bronchitis and the start of an ear infection, so we started our second prescription antibiotic. He seems to be doing better, but we are mostly staying inside to protect him from the cold and wind outside.
We decided to hold off on his educational evaluation for a month or so due to surgery being this month. The doctors said within a few weeks he will be a different kid talking and his speech needs will be very different.
Last weekend was fabulous. My parents came into town on Friday and brought their RV. They went to karate lessons and watched AJ & Abby show off their skills. After hanging out for a while they brought Abby to the RV and AJ & I had a special night together while Adam did bedtime with Peng Peng. We played boardgames, watched a movie until 11 pm, and snuggled. The next morning we sold popcorn for the boyscout fundraiser. He said countless times how much he enjoyed this special time together and it made me so thankful to have this time together. My mom sat with AJ for a while during popcorn sales and Abby and I did some projects. The second night was pretty much the same and Sunday we had church. Sunday afternoon we met Adam's mom at Chuckee Cheese and all three kids had a great time. Peng Peng was a little overwhelmed, but he seemed to enjoy himself and clung pretty close.
Signing has many many advantages and Peng Peng is just picking them up so well. He is starting to sign 2-3 words to communicate. An example is he wanted goldfish crackers. He signed "eat" "fish" and "crackers". It gets a little complicated in the car because he grunts to get my attention and loves to comment while driving. He signs water every time we pass any form of water or cow. If he is hungry or thirsty he signs eat and drink. While he seems to understand a lot of our words we have been signing while talking with him and in general he seems to understand signs better. So, sometimes it is a bit comical and dangerous driving because he is grunting and signing and I am trying to look and sign back.
Current Signs (bold new): all done, apple, ball, banana, bath, bird, book, brush teeth, candy, car, cereal, clean up, cold, cookie, cow, cracker, dad, dog, down, drink, eat, fish, flower, go, grandma, hat, help, horse, hot, jump, milk, more, monkey, music, play, shoes, sit, sleep, socks, slide, swing, wait, walk, water, up
AJ and Abby have adjusted so well to all of these changes. Peng Peng continues to communicate more and act out less. He loves to play and interact well. In the daily activities, like going grocery shopping, the library, or karate class, life is crazy busy but every moment is a gift and we are so blessed.
Last week we had some medical updates, and this week will be on the same path. Last week we met with the craniofacial team at the U of M. It was hard to hear all of the medical procedures he will need over the next few years, but was a great reminder of all the opportunities we have through insurance and where we live. We have his first major surgery in the States scheduled for October 29th. He will need tubes in his ears (he has had fluid in his ears at every visit so far and they said he might have some hearing loss - we will know more about this after the surgery and his ears have healed). He also will need some repair on his nose (his nostril is mostly closed off and he only breathes through his mouth). The main purpose of the surgery is for his palate repair, which we will learn more details about today.
I also brought Peng Peng back to the doctor's office for the third time since being home (three weeks now). He had the beginning of bronchitis and the start of an ear infection, so we started our second prescription antibiotic. He seems to be doing better, but we are mostly staying inside to protect him from the cold and wind outside.
We decided to hold off on his educational evaluation for a month or so due to surgery being this month. The doctors said within a few weeks he will be a different kid talking and his speech needs will be very different.
Last weekend was fabulous. My parents came into town on Friday and brought their RV. They went to karate lessons and watched AJ & Abby show off their skills. After hanging out for a while they brought Abby to the RV and AJ & I had a special night together while Adam did bedtime with Peng Peng. We played boardgames, watched a movie until 11 pm, and snuggled. The next morning we sold popcorn for the boyscout fundraiser. He said countless times how much he enjoyed this special time together and it made me so thankful to have this time together. My mom sat with AJ for a while during popcorn sales and Abby and I did some projects. The second night was pretty much the same and Sunday we had church. Sunday afternoon we met Adam's mom at Chuckee Cheese and all three kids had a great time. Peng Peng was a little overwhelmed, but he seemed to enjoy himself and clung pretty close.
Signing has many many advantages and Peng Peng is just picking them up so well. He is starting to sign 2-3 words to communicate. An example is he wanted goldfish crackers. He signed "eat" "fish" and "crackers". It gets a little complicated in the car because he grunts to get my attention and loves to comment while driving. He signs water every time we pass any form of water or cow. If he is hungry or thirsty he signs eat and drink. While he seems to understand a lot of our words we have been signing while talking with him and in general he seems to understand signs better. So, sometimes it is a bit comical and dangerous driving because he is grunting and signing and I am trying to look and sign back.
Current Signs (bold new): all done, apple, ball, banana, bath, bird, book, brush teeth, candy, car, cereal, clean up, cold, cookie, cow, cracker, dad, dog, down, drink, eat, fish, flower, go, grandma, hat, help, horse, hot, jump, milk, more, monkey, music, play, shoes, sit, sleep, socks, slide, swing, wait, walk, water, up
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Hanging out in the bathroom
What a difference a week makes! We have been home for fifteen days and this last week has continued to bring great improvements. I feel very confident that Peng Peng has established Adam and I as his parents. We brought him to church this morning and the love that was poured on us and the smiles we all received made me just want to cry many times - God is so good to have given us this family. I am curious what the percentage of families in our church who have adopted, but I think it is high. My guess is maybe 15% of the members in our church have an adopted child. So, many people "get" what we are going through - both the ups and the downs - and they also get what a gift our miracle is.
I have realized how well God knows us. I believe that God only gives you what you can handle. Sometimes I think he gives me way more credit than I deserve. I feel so frazzled lately - but in a blissfully exhausted way. I can't tell you how many times I have asked my kids a question, like, "what would you like on your toast" or "would you like milk or water" - they have answered, and then I completely spaced that I even asked them the question let alone remembered their answer. But, God knew our family well, and included in the word "family" I mean Peng Peng. He is feisty. He is loving and affectionate. He is determined. He gives me a run for my money many times throughout the day - and hearing him say, "mama" just melts me. Utterly and completely.
He continues to do well with AJ and Abby. 80% of the time he plays very very well with them, and they are always amazing with him. We are still working on sharing, both toys and myself, and he does continue to bite, pinch, and hit, but the frequency has greatly decreased and his increase in communication has significantly helped improve his frustrations. He has had several time outs and has really impressed me with understanding what they are for. Last night AJ was sitting in a little fluffy red chair. It was his when he was younger but in general it is Christians now. Well, Peng Peng didnt like that and walked over and smacked AJ. I put him in a time out and when his time was done I sat and talked and said, "do nice to your brother. He loves you". I put him down and he ran over to AJ (who was still sitting in the chair). I was prepared for another smack before I could get there and another time out, but instead he tried to vocalize "nice and caressed his hand. Yeah!
The weather has been beautiful lately, so we spent the afternoon outside yesterday. It was so fun harvesting our final veggies from the garden. Peng Peng especially enjoyed poking his fingers into the tomatoes and had juice all over himself! The kids taught him how to roll down the hill, which was hysterical.
I discovered that Signing Time is on Netflix - whooo hooo! I have been doing weekly trips to the library to check them out, so this will save time and the money I would eventually get stuck with for late fees since I am forgetting so many things lately. I have to start learning new signs because this kid is learning them so fast! I am going to keep listing his signs because this is the only place I am really recording all of his progress and it is fun for me to see all these amazing gains. New words are in bold. all done, apple, ball, bath, bird, book, brush teeth, candy, cereal, clean up, cookie, cracker, dog, drink, eat, fish, hat, help, jump, milk, more, monkey, music, play, shoes, sleep, socks, slide, wait, walk, water, up
Our biggest accomplishment this week was sleep. It is by no means better, and is most definitely the most stressful part of my day, but we have really come far this week. When I am not in the room he cries. Hard. I don't honestly think it is an attachment issue solely. I think it is a combination of attachment, he likes to be in with the action, and he is almost two and doesn't want to sleep. So, I bought a baby monitor and a little fish thing that has a light and we just hang out in my room for close to three hours a day. About two hours for nap and an hour for bedtime. I am sure you are reading this envious of our time like this, but trust me, I would much rather him be able to sleep peacefully without the worries of the nightmares and without worrying about him anxious to be abandoned again than to lay in my bed. Plus, I lay here thinking of the billion other things I should do, including spend time with my other two kids. Fortunately, nap time is way harder than bedtime, so AJ and Abby are at school 5/7 of these days.
Yesterday morning we were able to visit Adam's grandmother (Great-Grandma Giles) and Aunt Val. The kids had so much fun, but I think us three adults were having just as nice of a time. They are so sweet and such kind people, it was a gift to have their company for the morning. We even hit up the second-hand store beforehand and I bought costumes for Halloween, clothes for my cousin's wedding in a few weeks, a baby monitor, a riding toy for Peng Peng, and a few dresses, all for under $100!
Today I sat in the bathroom for the first hour of nap time. When he cried I poked my head, said something reasurring, or sang a song, but I didn't sit in my bed by him because whenever I did he would laugh or be silly. You might be thinking, "well, maybe he wasn't tired then"... but I know he was tired because less than twenty minutes before he ALMOST fell asleep on the car ride home from church. We had to keep him awake by tickling him. Yesterday he napped about five minutes in the car and then couldn't sleep...and we had a rough afternoon as a result of him being too tired. So, if progress starts by sitting in the bathroom, I will take it. Abby is at a friend's and AJ is getting bonus electronics time, Adam is on a motorcycle ride, and now I get to update on here, so it is a win-win for everyone!
I have realized how well God knows us. I believe that God only gives you what you can handle. Sometimes I think he gives me way more credit than I deserve. I feel so frazzled lately - but in a blissfully exhausted way. I can't tell you how many times I have asked my kids a question, like, "what would you like on your toast" or "would you like milk or water" - they have answered, and then I completely spaced that I even asked them the question let alone remembered their answer. But, God knew our family well, and included in the word "family" I mean Peng Peng. He is feisty. He is loving and affectionate. He is determined. He gives me a run for my money many times throughout the day - and hearing him say, "mama" just melts me. Utterly and completely.
He continues to do well with AJ and Abby. 80% of the time he plays very very well with them, and they are always amazing with him. We are still working on sharing, both toys and myself, and he does continue to bite, pinch, and hit, but the frequency has greatly decreased and his increase in communication has significantly helped improve his frustrations. He has had several time outs and has really impressed me with understanding what they are for. Last night AJ was sitting in a little fluffy red chair. It was his when he was younger but in general it is Christians now. Well, Peng Peng didnt like that and walked over and smacked AJ. I put him in a time out and when his time was done I sat and talked and said, "do nice to your brother. He loves you". I put him down and he ran over to AJ (who was still sitting in the chair). I was prepared for another smack before I could get there and another time out, but instead he tried to vocalize "nice and caressed his hand. Yeah!
The weather has been beautiful lately, so we spent the afternoon outside yesterday. It was so fun harvesting our final veggies from the garden. Peng Peng especially enjoyed poking his fingers into the tomatoes and had juice all over himself! The kids taught him how to roll down the hill, which was hysterical.
I discovered that Signing Time is on Netflix - whooo hooo! I have been doing weekly trips to the library to check them out, so this will save time and the money I would eventually get stuck with for late fees since I am forgetting so many things lately. I have to start learning new signs because this kid is learning them so fast! I am going to keep listing his signs because this is the only place I am really recording all of his progress and it is fun for me to see all these amazing gains. New words are in bold. all done, apple, ball, bath, bird, book, brush teeth, candy, cereal, clean up, cookie, cracker, dog, drink, eat, fish, hat, help, jump, milk, more, monkey, music, play, shoes, sleep, socks, slide, wait, walk, water, up
Our biggest accomplishment this week was sleep. It is by no means better, and is most definitely the most stressful part of my day, but we have really come far this week. When I am not in the room he cries. Hard. I don't honestly think it is an attachment issue solely. I think it is a combination of attachment, he likes to be in with the action, and he is almost two and doesn't want to sleep. So, I bought a baby monitor and a little fish thing that has a light and we just hang out in my room for close to three hours a day. About two hours for nap and an hour for bedtime. I am sure you are reading this envious of our time like this, but trust me, I would much rather him be able to sleep peacefully without the worries of the nightmares and without worrying about him anxious to be abandoned again than to lay in my bed. Plus, I lay here thinking of the billion other things I should do, including spend time with my other two kids. Fortunately, nap time is way harder than bedtime, so AJ and Abby are at school 5/7 of these days.
Yesterday morning we were able to visit Adam's grandmother (Great-Grandma Giles) and Aunt Val. The kids had so much fun, but I think us three adults were having just as nice of a time. They are so sweet and such kind people, it was a gift to have their company for the morning. We even hit up the second-hand store beforehand and I bought costumes for Halloween, clothes for my cousin's wedding in a few weeks, a baby monitor, a riding toy for Peng Peng, and a few dresses, all for under $100!
Today I sat in the bathroom for the first hour of nap time. When he cried I poked my head, said something reasurring, or sang a song, but I didn't sit in my bed by him because whenever I did he would laugh or be silly. You might be thinking, "well, maybe he wasn't tired then"... but I know he was tired because less than twenty minutes before he ALMOST fell asleep on the car ride home from church. We had to keep him awake by tickling him. Yesterday he napped about five minutes in the car and then couldn't sleep...and we had a rough afternoon as a result of him being too tired. So, if progress starts by sitting in the bathroom, I will take it. Abby is at a friend's and AJ is getting bonus electronics time, Adam is on a motorcycle ride, and now I get to update on here, so it is a win-win for everyone!
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Two steps back and ten steps forward
This week has been a bit trying/ tiring, but overall has been filled with excitement, milestones, and gains.
Our biggest setback was attachment. Peng Peng seems so secure 99% of the time. The times that are hardest for my little buddy is when it is time to sleep and when I am not touching him. This means that most of our day he is either being held by me or having some form of physical contact/ interaction with me. I can handle the contact - I can't get enough of this little guy. He loves playing around with his brother and sister and showing off his mad cuteness with strangers as long as they are not interacting with me. He bit Abby pretty hard twice in the last week and has hit AJ several times as well. All were when he wanted something they had or if I was hugging/ holding them. I did need to go to the chiropractor today - my back has been killing me - it isn't used to carrying around 20 pounds ten hours a day :) What I am having a hard time handling is sleep. Peng Peng has had some long crying fits when we try laying him down. To make a long story short, this little man does not like to lay down even when he is really tired. We have tried MANY things, and I don't want to jinx myself, but today went the best it ever has gone. We had a playpen in our room on the wall across our bed. Now that is next to my side of the bed. Compared with when AJ and Abby were this age, Peng Peng cries like he is scared out of his mind. It is painful to hear and if I close my eyes I can hear it now. Poor guy doesn't understand, doesn't know when or if we are coming back, the crib is different than his old one, smells and the surroundings are different, etc. So, for now we are going to the basics. I had read today that we should treat him as though he is a newborn when we came home - so now he is like a one week old baby. Just like you wouldn't leave a one-week old baby to lay in the crib and cry it out we won't do that with him. So, hopefully this change will really help him get over this obstacle and know how loved and safe he is with us.
Our second setback is his tummy. Peng Peng continues to have approximately 10 diarrheas a day, poor guy. So, now we are collecting stool samples to rule out a few things. In the past week he lost .7 pounds. That's a lot for a kid who is in the 4th percentile for weight in his age bracket. He also has some fluid in both of his ears, which might lead to an ear infection.
Now, for the fun stuff.
Peng Peng continues to learn more and more signs. Now he is consistently using signs for: dog, fish, bird, monkey, water, milk, juice/ drink, cracker, cookie, candy, eat, more, book, sleep, all done, clean up, play, help, music, up, shoes, socks, hat, and nods his head yes and no.
When he wants something from me or to get my attention he no longer goes, "uh-uh-uh" - he says, "mama". :)
He loves the dogs. Maybe a little too much - he likes to sit on them and shake their paws and poke their noses, but we are working on being nice to the dogs and thankfully they have been awesome with him.
We are making progress with appointments. So far we have had two appointments with our family doctor. This Friday we have a meeting with the early childhood team with the Lakeville school district. This is a preliminary meeting, but I am very hopeful that they will give approval to start an educational assessment. Next Wednesday we have our appointment with the craniofacial team. The following Wednesday with the international adoption clinic.
Peng Peng is allowing me to have him play more in close proximity than being held. He loves playing with a handy manny tool set and some blocks. He also loves the instruments.
We went to the apple orchard this week - what fun! Peng Peng loved the animals and ate an entire apple! He also enjoyed kicking the chickens because they would squawk, so we have to closely supervise him next time we see chickens.
Bus stop time - Peng Peng loves waving hi to the kids on the bus and gets very excited when we chat with our friends who also go to the bus.
Car rides are actually enjoyable for us now. At first he was not used to the car seat, but now he lets me strap him in and points to things outside.
Peng Peng is playing really well with his big brother and sister. They have both been very patient and understanding of his needs and Abby especially goes out of her way to make him laugh. She cried so hard one night because she just wanted to play more with her little brother. His whole body gets tense with excitement when he sees them.
Books - I love books and storytime has always been a huge part of my routine with the kids. Peng Peng wanted nothing to do with books in China. I am not sure if he has seen books before or if he just didn't care, but lately he is showing his love for "more" and "more" books :) He likes to sign words he sees in books. Today it was "hat" and "dog".
So, even though we have had a few rough patches in our week, the good far outweigh the bad. I realize how blessed we are with how well everything is going and what amazing children we have and what a supportive network of friends and family we have. Just another great reminder how good God is.
Our biggest setback was attachment. Peng Peng seems so secure 99% of the time. The times that are hardest for my little buddy is when it is time to sleep and when I am not touching him. This means that most of our day he is either being held by me or having some form of physical contact/ interaction with me. I can handle the contact - I can't get enough of this little guy. He loves playing around with his brother and sister and showing off his mad cuteness with strangers as long as they are not interacting with me. He bit Abby pretty hard twice in the last week and has hit AJ several times as well. All were when he wanted something they had or if I was hugging/ holding them. I did need to go to the chiropractor today - my back has been killing me - it isn't used to carrying around 20 pounds ten hours a day :) What I am having a hard time handling is sleep. Peng Peng has had some long crying fits when we try laying him down. To make a long story short, this little man does not like to lay down even when he is really tired. We have tried MANY things, and I don't want to jinx myself, but today went the best it ever has gone. We had a playpen in our room on the wall across our bed. Now that is next to my side of the bed. Compared with when AJ and Abby were this age, Peng Peng cries like he is scared out of his mind. It is painful to hear and if I close my eyes I can hear it now. Poor guy doesn't understand, doesn't know when or if we are coming back, the crib is different than his old one, smells and the surroundings are different, etc. So, for now we are going to the basics. I had read today that we should treat him as though he is a newborn when we came home - so now he is like a one week old baby. Just like you wouldn't leave a one-week old baby to lay in the crib and cry it out we won't do that with him. So, hopefully this change will really help him get over this obstacle and know how loved and safe he is with us.
Our second setback is his tummy. Peng Peng continues to have approximately 10 diarrheas a day, poor guy. So, now we are collecting stool samples to rule out a few things. In the past week he lost .7 pounds. That's a lot for a kid who is in the 4th percentile for weight in his age bracket. He also has some fluid in both of his ears, which might lead to an ear infection.
Now, for the fun stuff.
Peng Peng continues to learn more and more signs. Now he is consistently using signs for: dog, fish, bird, monkey, water, milk, juice/ drink, cracker, cookie, candy, eat, more, book, sleep, all done, clean up, play, help, music, up, shoes, socks, hat, and nods his head yes and no.
When he wants something from me or to get my attention he no longer goes, "uh-uh-uh" - he says, "mama". :)
He loves the dogs. Maybe a little too much - he likes to sit on them and shake their paws and poke their noses, but we are working on being nice to the dogs and thankfully they have been awesome with him.
We are making progress with appointments. So far we have had two appointments with our family doctor. This Friday we have a meeting with the early childhood team with the Lakeville school district. This is a preliminary meeting, but I am very hopeful that they will give approval to start an educational assessment. Next Wednesday we have our appointment with the craniofacial team. The following Wednesday with the international adoption clinic.
Peng Peng is allowing me to have him play more in close proximity than being held. He loves playing with a handy manny tool set and some blocks. He also loves the instruments.
We went to the apple orchard this week - what fun! Peng Peng loved the animals and ate an entire apple! He also enjoyed kicking the chickens because they would squawk, so we have to closely supervise him next time we see chickens.
Bus stop time - Peng Peng loves waving hi to the kids on the bus and gets very excited when we chat with our friends who also go to the bus.
Car rides are actually enjoyable for us now. At first he was not used to the car seat, but now he lets me strap him in and points to things outside.
Peng Peng is playing really well with his big brother and sister. They have both been very patient and understanding of his needs and Abby especially goes out of her way to make him laugh. She cried so hard one night because she just wanted to play more with her little brother. His whole body gets tense with excitement when he sees them.
Books - I love books and storytime has always been a huge part of my routine with the kids. Peng Peng wanted nothing to do with books in China. I am not sure if he has seen books before or if he just didn't care, but lately he is showing his love for "more" and "more" books :) He likes to sign words he sees in books. Today it was "hat" and "dog".
So, even though we have had a few rough patches in our week, the good far outweigh the bad. I realize how blessed we are with how well everything is going and what amazing children we have and what a supportive network of friends and family we have. Just another great reminder how good God is.
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Jumping In
This week was amazing. Tiring, but amazing. Monday morning was like a three-hour workout. I haven't ever had to get both AJ & Abby ready for school, not to mention I was still getting over jet-lag, Peng Peng had been up about every hour the night before crying, and I had lunches to make... well, you get the picture.
So, I woke up on Monday at 6:00 and ran like a crazy woman until 8:50, when we ran to the bus stop about one minute before the bus arrived. Tuesday morning was way worse with it being picture day, so I added baths, outfits were missing pieces, I couldn't get Abby's hair right, only to name a few things. Wednesday morning we were doing good - so good that I had time to make ham & eggs for breakfast, only before I realized I forgot to make lunches and AJ had to use the bathroom for about five minutes right before the bus came. Thursday was good - we made it on time with about a minute to spare. Friday was great - kids even had time to play for a few minutes. So, mornings were busy, but after a week we finally had a groove going enough that it was enjoyable. I also look forward to my visits with other moms at the bus stop. I have to admit, it makes me wish a bit that I could be a stay-at-home-mom. I love having this time home with my kids, letting them sleep until they are ready to wake up, and to have time during the day to get projects and errands done making more time free in the evenings.
Before we had left for China we had intentionally not committed to a whole lot upon our return home to make sure that we were helping Peng Peng adjust to his new life. The kid just loves being around others and has adjusted so well to our family that we decided to just jump in to what will be our new normal. So, jumping in we did.
Sunday we ran a few errands. That evening AJ had a meltdown. A major meltdown. I think it was him finally releasing all of the emotions he had contained while we were gone for so long. So, Sunday night was dedicated to affirming our love for him by telling him and showing him my love while not giving in to his requests (electronics after he lost the privilege due to being mean multiple times to Abby and disrespecting me).
Monday night we laid low. Tuesday AJ had soccer. We went to play at the park early, so most of the night was at school. Peng Peng and I ate lunch with Abby that day and I had so much fun showing him off to my coworkers and former students. Abby was a trooper through this process as well because she had to share a lot of our attentions while we were at lunch. Her teacher shared she cried some that afternoon because she missed us but otherwise handled us coming well.
Wednesday Peng Peng and I visited AJ. He wanted us to join us at recess, so the three of us went out. We watched him play some soccer and then had fun having about thirty students swarm around him trying to pass him balls for him to throw. It was so sweet how kind the kids were with him, but my favorite was how protective and loving AJ was towards him. That night we drove Abby's friend to gymnastics and AJ helped me entertain him while we were there.
Thursday we had our dear friend Katy, and her son Teagan, over for a playdate. It was so nice catching up! That night we had a church meeting and right after I took the three kids to sign AJ up for boyscouts.
Friday our neighbors and friends came over and we enjoyed our time together after running a few errands. That afternoon I took Peng Peng to the library to meet Beth, a very friendly librarian, and to reserve a few signing time dvd's. We then watched AJ and Abby at karate (self defense) and then dropped Peng Peng off with Adam and I took AJ & Abby to a birthday party at the bowling alley.
Today, Saturday, marks our first full week home. We buried Adam's sister's ashes today at the cemetery and spent the afternoon visiting with his family. This afternoon we are going to a fundraiser for a friend's cousin.
I spent a lot of time this week talking with doctor's offices. Peng Peng had a well-being check up at our family doctor on Monday. He is 5th percentile for height, 8th for weight, and I believe 12th for head. He still has tummy problems, but it seems to be getting a little bit better. I confirmed appointments with the U of M teams - one for the craniofacial team and one for the international adoption clinic. I have also called Lakeville Schools to get his evaluation started so we can start OT and Speech services as soon as possible. In regards to communication, he can speak, "mama" and "up" (sounds like "u"), but he is really taking off with signing. He doesn't do it very often in front of an audience, but at home he is consistently signing the words, "up, help, shoes, milk, hat, monkey, drink (for juice), doggie, fish, water, ball, and play. Today we started working on "wait" because if I show him a finger for "wait a minute" he thinks I am saying "up" and gets frustrated. "Music" is another word we started practicing because he seems to love music. The signing is definitely helping with his frustration as he is really starting to communicate :) He also nods his head yes and no.
Life is busier and crazier than ever, but I couldn't be happier. I am glad we jumped right in. If this is our new normal, I couldn't be happier.
So, I woke up on Monday at 6:00 and ran like a crazy woman until 8:50, when we ran to the bus stop about one minute before the bus arrived. Tuesday morning was way worse with it being picture day, so I added baths, outfits were missing pieces, I couldn't get Abby's hair right, only to name a few things. Wednesday morning we were doing good - so good that I had time to make ham & eggs for breakfast, only before I realized I forgot to make lunches and AJ had to use the bathroom for about five minutes right before the bus came. Thursday was good - we made it on time with about a minute to spare. Friday was great - kids even had time to play for a few minutes. So, mornings were busy, but after a week we finally had a groove going enough that it was enjoyable. I also look forward to my visits with other moms at the bus stop. I have to admit, it makes me wish a bit that I could be a stay-at-home-mom. I love having this time home with my kids, letting them sleep until they are ready to wake up, and to have time during the day to get projects and errands done making more time free in the evenings.
Before we had left for China we had intentionally not committed to a whole lot upon our return home to make sure that we were helping Peng Peng adjust to his new life. The kid just loves being around others and has adjusted so well to our family that we decided to just jump in to what will be our new normal. So, jumping in we did.
Sunday we ran a few errands. That evening AJ had a meltdown. A major meltdown. I think it was him finally releasing all of the emotions he had contained while we were gone for so long. So, Sunday night was dedicated to affirming our love for him by telling him and showing him my love while not giving in to his requests (electronics after he lost the privilege due to being mean multiple times to Abby and disrespecting me).
Monday night we laid low. Tuesday AJ had soccer. We went to play at the park early, so most of the night was at school. Peng Peng and I ate lunch with Abby that day and I had so much fun showing him off to my coworkers and former students. Abby was a trooper through this process as well because she had to share a lot of our attentions while we were at lunch. Her teacher shared she cried some that afternoon because she missed us but otherwise handled us coming well.
Wednesday Peng Peng and I visited AJ. He wanted us to join us at recess, so the three of us went out. We watched him play some soccer and then had fun having about thirty students swarm around him trying to pass him balls for him to throw. It was so sweet how kind the kids were with him, but my favorite was how protective and loving AJ was towards him. That night we drove Abby's friend to gymnastics and AJ helped me entertain him while we were there.
Thursday we had our dear friend Katy, and her son Teagan, over for a playdate. It was so nice catching up! That night we had a church meeting and right after I took the three kids to sign AJ up for boyscouts.
Friday our neighbors and friends came over and we enjoyed our time together after running a few errands. That afternoon I took Peng Peng to the library to meet Beth, a very friendly librarian, and to reserve a few signing time dvd's. We then watched AJ and Abby at karate (self defense) and then dropped Peng Peng off with Adam and I took AJ & Abby to a birthday party at the bowling alley.
Today, Saturday, marks our first full week home. We buried Adam's sister's ashes today at the cemetery and spent the afternoon visiting with his family. This afternoon we are going to a fundraiser for a friend's cousin.
I spent a lot of time this week talking with doctor's offices. Peng Peng had a well-being check up at our family doctor on Monday. He is 5th percentile for height, 8th for weight, and I believe 12th for head. He still has tummy problems, but it seems to be getting a little bit better. I confirmed appointments with the U of M teams - one for the craniofacial team and one for the international adoption clinic. I have also called Lakeville Schools to get his evaluation started so we can start OT and Speech services as soon as possible. In regards to communication, he can speak, "mama" and "up" (sounds like "u"), but he is really taking off with signing. He doesn't do it very often in front of an audience, but at home he is consistently signing the words, "up, help, shoes, milk, hat, monkey, drink (for juice), doggie, fish, water, ball, and play. Today we started working on "wait" because if I show him a finger for "wait a minute" he thinks I am saying "up" and gets frustrated. "Music" is another word we started practicing because he seems to love music. The signing is definitely helping with his frustration as he is really starting to communicate :) He also nods his head yes and no.
Life is busier and crazier than ever, but I couldn't be happier. I am glad we jumped right in. If this is our new normal, I couldn't be happier.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Home Sweet Home
Life has been soooo busy, I have not had time to post these past few days, but I think more has happened in this past week than any other week in my life. So, lots to share, but I will keep things short and to the point because I am tired :)
Hong Kong - wow. What a spectacular place. If we are able to go back to China one day, that is for sure a place I would go again. It is stunningly beautiful, people speak English, and I felt safe driving around :) It was also the cleanest city we had been to.
Entering Hong Kong required a long drive (about three hours) and then going through customs since it is it's own entity and not really China. We stayed at a lovely hotel that was very close to the airport. Our decision to go was the right one. It saved us about six hours of travel on our travel day (we would have had one flight to Hong Kong and then a layover of about four hours). We were at this hotel for two nights, a total of about 36 hours. We went swimming at the pool, enjoyed two breakfasts, and two "free" dinners.
Adam and I did take Peng Peng to "The Peak". We took a taxi about 30 minutes from our hotel and then a tram up a super steep hill. At the top was the peak. It was basically a large shopping mall at the top of this super tall peak, but the view was beautiful. As part of our pass we were able to go to the very top of the mall and get to look over all of Hong Kong. We got little ear pieces that we were able to listen to the history and background of different buildings and land marks.
Traveling was brutal, but it actually went very well. Our son still has something wrong going on with his tummy, so he has diarrhea about ten times a day. Being on an airplane for 12 1/2 & 3 hours with this component was not fun. Peng Peng slept twice about two hours at a time, on the first flight, and almost the entire second flight. He was a true trooper with all this travel. Adam and I got about four hours of restless sleep over this 30 hour travel window. When we finally landed in California I could have kissed the ground. When we went through immigration, the officer opened up his sealed document we had gotten at the Consulate in China and stamped his visa on his passport. This moment is when he officially became a US citizen. I could have cried, but I was too tired to do so :)
Seeing the kids at the MS Airport was unlike anything else I have ever experienced. They ran up to us for a quick hug on their way to hug and greet their brother. He had such a sparkle in his eyes. I think he recognized them from the skyping we did, almost twice a day daily. They were soooo excited to see him and talk with him and try to make him laugh, and he was in all his glory being doted on by these two amazing children. They had made a big sign and held it with pride as we walked up to them. We laughed, hugged, and played while Adam and my dad got the luggage. We had asked for others to not join us for this moment for two reasons: 1) We wanted to keep this special for our children 2) we didn't want to overwhelm Peng Peng. I am glad we kept this small and intimate. It truly was a very special moment for our family. In hindsight, I really think he would have been okay having more people there because he loves a crowd, but without knowing his personality that well yet, we didn't want to push him over the edge.
On the way home Peng Peng was not happy about the car seat. He had never been in a car seat before and didn't like being constricted like that. Fortunately, we were home in about thirty minutes. There was so much to do when we got home, plus Peng Peng was terrified of our two noisy & excited dogs, so the chaos level was a bit much. We were all exhausted, but excited. My parents stayed at a hotel and everyone crashed by 10:00 (I actually fell asleep after around 1:00 after running around the house trying to put some things away). Sunday we stayed in and just enjoyed being with one another. My parents and sister helped with some projects and final touches, then that afternoon the kids, Adam, and I took a trip to a local Asian market. The kids were so glad to have us home, as were we. As much as I am eternally thankful for our time in China and having the opportunity for Adam and I to bond with Peng Peng, that was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do - stay away from AJ & Abby for three weeks. I missed them so much. I was constantly thinking about/ worrying about possible problems we might have in China, with our travels, with Christian's medical needs, or with the kids back home. Things went so smoothly though, thankfully those concerns were unnecessary.
Monday Peng Peng and I had fun walking the kids to the bus stop. We had an eventful day while they were at school - met Abby for lunch and got to show Peng Peng off to a lot of coworkers and students, well-being check up at the doctor's office, picked up probiotics at the store, finished putting away things in our suitcase, etc. Monday night was a bit rough - I think AJ finally was able to release some of his emotions he held in with us being gone. As hard as it was, I am glad he worked through it. He was such a good sport with us leaving and having so many changes at the start of his school year, but I am sure it was hard on him. I have tried really hard to make this as smooth of a transition for everyone, but I knew there would be some bumps along the road. Abby has actually handled the transition exceptionally well. Her teacher today shared that if she wasn't told ahead of time, she never would have guessed Abby's parents were out of the country. She has done amazingly well. She did share that Abby had some tears yesterday though when we left school after lunch - Abby was missing me and wanted to see me again. It breaks my heart to cause them stress and emotions, but I hope that in the long run all that I have put them through will only make them stronger and better people for it.
Today was very low key and productive. I got the house mostly back to where I want it to be. We had a busy morning - it was picture day, which is always a difficult morning (baths, nice clothes, hair brushed nice, pack lunches that have no red foods, etc.). I goofed up many times - couldn't get Abby's hair right, couldn't find Christian's socks, made AJ wear pants he didn't like after trying on about six pairs that didn't fit, etc... but once we got through the morning everything went very well. Peng Peng and I ate lunch with AJ, then he asked if we wanted to watch him play soccer at recess. Recess was a blast. We watched AJ a little while, but Peng Peng had quite the following. There were about thirty kids following him around and he ate up the attention. AJ stopped playing to hang out with his little brother. He amazed me with his patience and his protectiveness. He allowed people to hand balls to Peng Peng and for him to throw them, but made sure he had enough space and was having fun. He was so gentle and kind with him, I couldn't have been prouder. Tonight we really did get to watch him play soccer at his actual game, which he did awesome at. Abby had fun rolling down the hills and Peng Peng kept trying to shout, "Go AJ!" while watching him play. The librarian at school had signed out a few books for us to borrow about China, so tonight instead of our regular chapter books we enjoyed reading of adventures in China about about a family who adopted two girls. It was so wonderful to snuggle with them and give them some special attention while their brother peacefully slept next door.
I have been so overwhelmed by our friends and family who have poured out their love and affections towards us in this process. Walking into school these past two days and seeing friends and coworkers offer hugs and smiles means the world to me. It was also a blast getting to show our completed family at soccer practice tonight. As tired as I still am and with all I still need to do to get things back to a normal level of cleanliness, I couldn't be happier. I think it has been about nine years of waiting to feel like our family is complete, and now I can honestly say, "Our family is complete". I do wonder what God has in store for us. I feel like more facets of adoption might be in our future - probably more distant than near, but who knows. I know we are done having children, but I would love to find ways to stay involved in adoption. Only God knows right now what that might be. I do look forward to these next 2 1/2 months off, but I also look forward to going back to work knowing that my mom will be watching Christian for the rest of this year and all of his needs will be met.
Life is good.
Hong Kong - wow. What a spectacular place. If we are able to go back to China one day, that is for sure a place I would go again. It is stunningly beautiful, people speak English, and I felt safe driving around :) It was also the cleanest city we had been to.
Entering Hong Kong required a long drive (about three hours) and then going through customs since it is it's own entity and not really China. We stayed at a lovely hotel that was very close to the airport. Our decision to go was the right one. It saved us about six hours of travel on our travel day (we would have had one flight to Hong Kong and then a layover of about four hours). We were at this hotel for two nights, a total of about 36 hours. We went swimming at the pool, enjoyed two breakfasts, and two "free" dinners.
Adam and I did take Peng Peng to "The Peak". We took a taxi about 30 minutes from our hotel and then a tram up a super steep hill. At the top was the peak. It was basically a large shopping mall at the top of this super tall peak, but the view was beautiful. As part of our pass we were able to go to the very top of the mall and get to look over all of Hong Kong. We got little ear pieces that we were able to listen to the history and background of different buildings and land marks.
Traveling was brutal, but it actually went very well. Our son still has something wrong going on with his tummy, so he has diarrhea about ten times a day. Being on an airplane for 12 1/2 & 3 hours with this component was not fun. Peng Peng slept twice about two hours at a time, on the first flight, and almost the entire second flight. He was a true trooper with all this travel. Adam and I got about four hours of restless sleep over this 30 hour travel window. When we finally landed in California I could have kissed the ground. When we went through immigration, the officer opened up his sealed document we had gotten at the Consulate in China and stamped his visa on his passport. This moment is when he officially became a US citizen. I could have cried, but I was too tired to do so :)
Seeing the kids at the MS Airport was unlike anything else I have ever experienced. They ran up to us for a quick hug on their way to hug and greet their brother. He had such a sparkle in his eyes. I think he recognized them from the skyping we did, almost twice a day daily. They were soooo excited to see him and talk with him and try to make him laugh, and he was in all his glory being doted on by these two amazing children. They had made a big sign and held it with pride as we walked up to them. We laughed, hugged, and played while Adam and my dad got the luggage. We had asked for others to not join us for this moment for two reasons: 1) We wanted to keep this special for our children 2) we didn't want to overwhelm Peng Peng. I am glad we kept this small and intimate. It truly was a very special moment for our family. In hindsight, I really think he would have been okay having more people there because he loves a crowd, but without knowing his personality that well yet, we didn't want to push him over the edge.
On the way home Peng Peng was not happy about the car seat. He had never been in a car seat before and didn't like being constricted like that. Fortunately, we were home in about thirty minutes. There was so much to do when we got home, plus Peng Peng was terrified of our two noisy & excited dogs, so the chaos level was a bit much. We were all exhausted, but excited. My parents stayed at a hotel and everyone crashed by 10:00 (I actually fell asleep after around 1:00 after running around the house trying to put some things away). Sunday we stayed in and just enjoyed being with one another. My parents and sister helped with some projects and final touches, then that afternoon the kids, Adam, and I took a trip to a local Asian market. The kids were so glad to have us home, as were we. As much as I am eternally thankful for our time in China and having the opportunity for Adam and I to bond with Peng Peng, that was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do - stay away from AJ & Abby for three weeks. I missed them so much. I was constantly thinking about/ worrying about possible problems we might have in China, with our travels, with Christian's medical needs, or with the kids back home. Things went so smoothly though, thankfully those concerns were unnecessary.
Monday Peng Peng and I had fun walking the kids to the bus stop. We had an eventful day while they were at school - met Abby for lunch and got to show Peng Peng off to a lot of coworkers and students, well-being check up at the doctor's office, picked up probiotics at the store, finished putting away things in our suitcase, etc. Monday night was a bit rough - I think AJ finally was able to release some of his emotions he held in with us being gone. As hard as it was, I am glad he worked through it. He was such a good sport with us leaving and having so many changes at the start of his school year, but I am sure it was hard on him. I have tried really hard to make this as smooth of a transition for everyone, but I knew there would be some bumps along the road. Abby has actually handled the transition exceptionally well. Her teacher today shared that if she wasn't told ahead of time, she never would have guessed Abby's parents were out of the country. She has done amazingly well. She did share that Abby had some tears yesterday though when we left school after lunch - Abby was missing me and wanted to see me again. It breaks my heart to cause them stress and emotions, but I hope that in the long run all that I have put them through will only make them stronger and better people for it.
Today was very low key and productive. I got the house mostly back to where I want it to be. We had a busy morning - it was picture day, which is always a difficult morning (baths, nice clothes, hair brushed nice, pack lunches that have no red foods, etc.). I goofed up many times - couldn't get Abby's hair right, couldn't find Christian's socks, made AJ wear pants he didn't like after trying on about six pairs that didn't fit, etc... but once we got through the morning everything went very well. Peng Peng and I ate lunch with AJ, then he asked if we wanted to watch him play soccer at recess. Recess was a blast. We watched AJ a little while, but Peng Peng had quite the following. There were about thirty kids following him around and he ate up the attention. AJ stopped playing to hang out with his little brother. He amazed me with his patience and his protectiveness. He allowed people to hand balls to Peng Peng and for him to throw them, but made sure he had enough space and was having fun. He was so gentle and kind with him, I couldn't have been prouder. Tonight we really did get to watch him play soccer at his actual game, which he did awesome at. Abby had fun rolling down the hills and Peng Peng kept trying to shout, "Go AJ!" while watching him play. The librarian at school had signed out a few books for us to borrow about China, so tonight instead of our regular chapter books we enjoyed reading of adventures in China about about a family who adopted two girls. It was so wonderful to snuggle with them and give them some special attention while their brother peacefully slept next door.
I have been so overwhelmed by our friends and family who have poured out their love and affections towards us in this process. Walking into school these past two days and seeing friends and coworkers offer hugs and smiles means the world to me. It was also a blast getting to show our completed family at soccer practice tonight. As tired as I still am and with all I still need to do to get things back to a normal level of cleanliness, I couldn't be happier. I think it has been about nine years of waiting to feel like our family is complete, and now I can honestly say, "Our family is complete". I do wonder what God has in store for us. I feel like more facets of adoption might be in our future - probably more distant than near, but who knows. I know we are done having children, but I would love to find ways to stay involved in adoption. Only God knows right now what that might be. I do look forward to these next 2 1/2 months off, but I also look forward to going back to work knowing that my mom will be watching Christian for the rest of this year and all of his needs will be met.
Life is good.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Day 15: Stopping to Smell the Roses
This morning was spent packing and organizing for our final
travels of our trip. We left the hotel
at 3:00, picked up Christian’s visa, and then drove for four hours to Hong
Kong. I tried to pack things in a way so
we don’t have to unpack anything other than one suitcase for these final two
days in our journey. Hopefully that
works for us, because I am a bit tired of unpacking and packing J
I was nervous about getting our visa because about a month
ago there was a group of families who had to re-arrange all of their final
travels and stay in China five extra days because there was a computer
glitch. In the past few weeks I have
heard others have also had complications, so this was a major deciding factor
in us delaying our trip by two days (that and we are able to save six hours of
travel on an already long way home by skipping the first layover, which was
going to be Hong Kong). As far as the
visa, I wanted to have one extra day for a cushion in case there was a delay. But, fortunately, no delay for us! We had to wait ten minutes once the office
opened at 3:30, then we were off to Hong Kong.
The drive was long – Christian was not too happy about the
car ride. It was well worth it
though. This is by far THE most beautiful
place I have ever seen, and that is just from what I have seen from the
interstate. We have all of tomorrow free
with nothing to do other than what we want to do. We decided to go and see “The Peak”. I am also working on Adam to go on a river
cruise, which I heard is $2/ person and well worth the time.
I miss AJ & Abby so much and I can’t wait to start what
is going to be our new routine. We have
so enjoyed this time with Christian and as much as I miss the kids, I know this
was the right thing for our family to do.
Not only have the kids started school and had this time in their
classrooms, but we have just connected so much – not only with Peng Peng, but
with each other. It has been like a
second honeymoon in a way. Adam has
worked sooo hard this past year helping save up for this trip and I have been
so busy with the kids, school, applying for grants, fundraising, and adoption
paperwork, that we have barely seen each other.
Adam told me I have used up all our dates for the next ten years, but I
am thinking this might be the beginning of stopping to smell the roses a little
bit more and to make time to be together.
I don’t think he or I have ever had hours to just kill and relax. It is kind of nice!
Day 14: Oath & Safari Park
Today started out very early. We left the hotel at 7:00 and went to the
consulate. This was the big event that
our entire trip was based around. We
filled out some paperwork with two other families and then swore (not bad
words, but promised) to raise Christian as a US citizen. I honestly don’t even remember what I
promised because he was a little wiggly, but I have the papers to prove that it
happened J The waiting area had a few play toys, and
Peng Peng had fun playing. There were
two children, around the ages of AJ and Abby, and he just adored them. He kept smiling and trying to impress them
with his silliness. At one point he ran
up to the boy and hugged him. I couldn’t
help but think about how great he is going to get along with his big brother
and sister when we get home.
After we finished at the consulate’s we went to a safari
park. I would go so far to say that it
was even better than the Animal Kingdom at Disneyworld that we went to last
year. We saw an elephant show, Pandas
(the giant ones and red ones, both of which are endangered), koalas, Adam fed a
giraffe, and so much more. It was
magical to see Christian so excited with so many things. He really really loves animals and I think he
is especially going to love the fish tanks.
His whole body gets rigid in excitement when he sees animals or
fish. We also went on a safari ride on a
car/ train type of thing. We saw hippos,
rhinos, lions, cheetahs, and more. We
spent six hours there and were all exhausted when we left. The rest of our evening was spent washing
final laundry and packing for our adventures tomorrow.
Day 13: Medical Exam, Old Chen House, and Temple
Today was a very big day.
We started off the day by leaving early for Christian’s medical
exam. I was anticipating this visit for
several reasons. I was a little worried
that the doctors would find something to be concerned about since Christian has
been so sick this week. I was also
worried that this could result in our having travels home being delayed – which
would most likely happen if he had a fever.
I didn’t know how my little man would handle the appointment
either. I have heard of kids having
major aversions to doctors after having already had a surgery for his lip and
not knowing what those experiences were like for him in the past.
After our appointment we went on a little sight seeing. We first saw a Temple. Unfortunately, my camera died, so I have no
pictures, but it was just stunning. The
details were amazing, the trees were hundreds of years old, and the temple was
built 1500 years ago! People were there
praying and worshipping, which was sad to see for me since I believe the only
one to pray to is God, but at the same time it was inspiring to see people
there on a week day so dedicated to their faith. Monks were chanting and incense was
burning. I learned that the purpose of
incense is to send your prayers up to Heaven.
People had brought food for offerings.
Different foods and items were requests for different things (I just
remember that peanuts are for boys).
Next we went to the Old Chen House. Jackie Chen is related to the family who
owned this property. It was so
beautiful. They had carved ivory (which
you can’t make any more, but you can sell with certain paperwork documenting it
was made before it was illegal), amazing needlework that looked like paintings,
and other artwork. We had a painting made for Christian with both his Chinese
and American name for one of his seventeen gifts. Christian was hitting the wall, so we skipped
a third tour option of a crafters market and went back to the hotel room just
after noon for some rest. When he woke
up we were able to go swimming at the beautiful pool at the hotel. It was a nice and relaxing night in.
Monday, September 8, 2014
Day 12: Mid-Autumn Festival
Today was a really fun day. Peng Peng seemed to feel much better, so we decided to go on some adventures. We have really missed having other families to connect with, but with him being so sick, it really was a blessing. We can go at our own pace and our guide is great.
This morning we slept in, ate a feast, I mean breakfast, and then went to the Pearl Market. This is a big shopping mall filled with expensive jewels and pearls. Kathy brought us to the place she thought was best priced and we bought a necklace/ earring set for Abby (real ones, just not great quality) and Adam bought me my first pair of pearls (necklace and earrings). We bought Christian a blue gem that we will have my mom help us make into a necklace for one of his gotcha year's celebrations. We then went to Shaolmin Island. It is beautiful there. It was an Island controlled by the British until after world war two (even the local Chinese were refused access there). The buildings look European and even the ground is covered in cobblestones. We shopped for a few hours and bought several gifts for Christian and a gift each for AJ and Abby. There were several professional photographers and models walking around - our guide shared that magazines often go there for photo shoots. We were approached by three teenagers who needed to practice their Engish for a five minute conversation - it was fun talking with them!
We came home and rested for a while and then at night we got to go on the Pearl River Cruise. We ate dinner (buffet China-style where we were pushed and shoved to get food). The food was good and we enjoyed a clown for entertainment. Christian even got to spin a ball on his fingertip as part of the show. I couldn't help but shed a tear - I can't get over that it has only been one week that we have been together. Just over that he had only left the confines of his orphanage for one field trip and otherwise had known nothing else. I can see how overwhelming things are for him at times, but he just soaks it in like a sponge.
While on the cruise we got to go outside and look at the sites. There was a beautiful tower that lights up in all kinds of colors, and we looked at the moon. Today is a big holiday in China. It is called the Mid-Autumn Festival and it celebrates family and being together. Moon cakes are a common dessert (made with beans and fruit) and people look at the moon and release lanterns into the sky symbolizing we all look at the same moon and are all connected. I thought about my kids back home, who I miss so incredibly much right now, about our friends and family who have supported and encouraged us throughout this journey, and about our son's birth mom, who is most likely looking up at the same moon wondering where he is and what his life will become.
When we came home, we were tired, but needed to give Peng Peng his three medicines. We spaced them out as best as we could and he played like a crazy child (in a good way) in between. Once snuggles were happening in bed with his bedtime bottle he ended up all of a sudden throwing everything up. I feel so bad giving him all this medicine, but I must say he is starting to feel better - Praise the Lord! I am optimistic that come our big travels home he will feel up to it all :)
Peng Peng is now consistently signing "more" "help" "fish/ water (he uses the same sign for both things) and is now learning "shoes" "up" and "all done". We learned, "Mayola" which means "no more" and Ienee (rhymes with Heini) which means "I love you". We use those two phrases a lot :)
This morning we slept in, ate a feast, I mean breakfast, and then went to the Pearl Market. This is a big shopping mall filled with expensive jewels and pearls. Kathy brought us to the place she thought was best priced and we bought a necklace/ earring set for Abby (real ones, just not great quality) and Adam bought me my first pair of pearls (necklace and earrings). We bought Christian a blue gem that we will have my mom help us make into a necklace for one of his gotcha year's celebrations. We then went to Shaolmin Island. It is beautiful there. It was an Island controlled by the British until after world war two (even the local Chinese were refused access there). The buildings look European and even the ground is covered in cobblestones. We shopped for a few hours and bought several gifts for Christian and a gift each for AJ and Abby. There were several professional photographers and models walking around - our guide shared that magazines often go there for photo shoots. We were approached by three teenagers who needed to practice their Engish for a five minute conversation - it was fun talking with them!
We came home and rested for a while and then at night we got to go on the Pearl River Cruise. We ate dinner (buffet China-style where we were pushed and shoved to get food). The food was good and we enjoyed a clown for entertainment. Christian even got to spin a ball on his fingertip as part of the show. I couldn't help but shed a tear - I can't get over that it has only been one week that we have been together. Just over that he had only left the confines of his orphanage for one field trip and otherwise had known nothing else. I can see how overwhelming things are for him at times, but he just soaks it in like a sponge.
While on the cruise we got to go outside and look at the sites. There was a beautiful tower that lights up in all kinds of colors, and we looked at the moon. Today is a big holiday in China. It is called the Mid-Autumn Festival and it celebrates family and being together. Moon cakes are a common dessert (made with beans and fruit) and people look at the moon and release lanterns into the sky symbolizing we all look at the same moon and are all connected. I thought about my kids back home, who I miss so incredibly much right now, about our friends and family who have supported and encouraged us throughout this journey, and about our son's birth mom, who is most likely looking up at the same moon wondering where he is and what his life will become.
When we came home, we were tired, but needed to give Peng Peng his three medicines. We spaced them out as best as we could and he played like a crazy child (in a good way) in between. Once snuggles were happening in bed with his bedtime bottle he ended up all of a sudden throwing everything up. I feel so bad giving him all this medicine, but I must say he is starting to feel better - Praise the Lord! I am optimistic that come our big travels home he will feel up to it all :)
Peng Peng is now consistently signing "more" "help" "fish/ water (he uses the same sign for both things) and is now learning "shoes" "up" and "all done". We learned, "Mayola" which means "no more" and Ienee (rhymes with Heini) which means "I love you". We use those two phrases a lot :)
Day 11: Sick Boy
Today we had plans to go on a big tour of a few local sites in Guanzhou, but our little guy was up most of the night sick and when he woke up he was a bit of a mess. So sick that by the time we rushed through breakfast we decided he was not up for anything short of hanging out at the hotel and resting. So, we called our guide and said we were going to stay in.
Peng Peng was not up to much playing, and usually once he played a few minutes he would come and give one of us a hug and just lay there for a while. We did a few baths, which he really enjoyed and seemed to loosen up the gunk in his chest a bit. He also took a three hour nap on my chest (laying flat woke him up coughing and he had a hard time going to bed afterwards. We took a few walks with him in his stroller around the hotel. We also played chase in the room a few times, which moved things along in his tummy. I stopped counting the number of times he had the Big D after his tenth or so diaper, but my guess is we easily went through twenty diapers yesterday.
We ate snacks in the hotel room for lunch and for dinner we did a free lunch in the executive lounge. Peng Peng likes to eat, even when he shouldn't be hungry, so Adam and I took shifts eating upstairs while the other stayed here and played with him. I brought my book and enjoyed some peace and quiet and Adam ended up sitting with a lady from Michigan who was here buying jewelry and bringing it home to resell as her business.
One thing that was very exciting tonight was when we put tv on at night and Frozen came on. Peng Peng sat up and was very very excited. He must have seen this show before because he was anticipating some of the things and loved Sven, the reindeer. I thought I would show him how cool of a mom I am by singing along, since I know every word of every song, but he immediately gave me a dirty look and waved his hands at me and barked some orders telling me to stop. We will have to work on him getting used to me singing a lot :)
He cried a little tonight going to bed, but fell asleep within a few minutes. Praying for all these medicines to start kicking in!
Peng Peng was not up to much playing, and usually once he played a few minutes he would come and give one of us a hug and just lay there for a while. We did a few baths, which he really enjoyed and seemed to loosen up the gunk in his chest a bit. He also took a three hour nap on my chest (laying flat woke him up coughing and he had a hard time going to bed afterwards. We took a few walks with him in his stroller around the hotel. We also played chase in the room a few times, which moved things along in his tummy. I stopped counting the number of times he had the Big D after his tenth or so diaper, but my guess is we easily went through twenty diapers yesterday.
We ate snacks in the hotel room for lunch and for dinner we did a free lunch in the executive lounge. Peng Peng likes to eat, even when he shouldn't be hungry, so Adam and I took shifts eating upstairs while the other stayed here and played with him. I brought my book and enjoyed some peace and quiet and Adam ended up sitting with a lady from Michigan who was here buying jewelry and bringing it home to resell as her business.
One thing that was very exciting tonight was when we put tv on at night and Frozen came on. Peng Peng sat up and was very very excited. He must have seen this show before because he was anticipating some of the things and loved Sven, the reindeer. I thought I would show him how cool of a mom I am by singing along, since I know every word of every song, but he immediately gave me a dirty look and waved his hands at me and barked some orders telling me to stop. We will have to work on him getting used to me singing a lot :)
He cried a little tonight going to bed, but fell asleep within a few minutes. Praying for all these medicines to start kicking in!
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Day 9: Hidden Treasures in our own backyard
Today was a lovely day. We slept in, had breakfast, and walked to the park that is less than ten minutes away. I thought it was "just a park" but boy was I wrong. This place was magical. It was huge - maybe 100+ acres? There were flowers, weeping willows, coi ponds, statues, musicians, lots of children, and even an amusement park in the back corner. Adam felt it was a bit too over-stimulating for him, but I loved it. The musicians were using instruments I have never seen before. I kept trying to talk him into asking one of the musicians singing if we could try a song and to sing "I'll fly away," which we have sung a few times at church together, but he said no :(
We noticed a lot of grandparents walking with their grandchild. It is very common in China for retired parents to move in with their child and to watch the grandchildren while the parents work. School runs from Monday-Saturday at five hours a day, but the grandparents had little ones with them. It was very sweet. They were very gentle and kind to the children. There was lots of love and tenderness today. Adam and I chose to wear our badges that we were given to show people if they stare or seem curious that states we are adoptive parents and that this is our child. It felt good to have a way to show people who tried to strike up conversations.
One lady tried to see if Christian would go to her by putting out her arms. It was very uncomfortable to me and I told Adam it really made me upset. Doesn't she know that my child has only been mine a few days and how confusing it is to test him and see if he would go to her or not? Fortunately he wanted to stay with me and I politely ran away from her (walked very quickly). I was a bit surprised to see the mama bear come out with a grammy wanting to smile to my adorable child, but it did. I can handle the stares because I know people are curious and we are very visibly different than what people are used to seeing here, but to mess with my kid right now just doesn't sit right.
We spent the morning at the park. We let Christian walk and walk and run and climb and when he couldn't go anymore we would give him a snack or drink and then go for more. He has an endless supply of energy, and we were happy to see him have so much fun without constantly telling him, "no" or "be careful". I think his favorite thing at the park was the coi fish in the huge pond. He learned how to sign "fish" today and used the word many many times to get to go down by the water to see the fish. Peng Peng is so smart. I can't get over how fast he is understanding our English and picking up on sign language. You can just see the excitement and joy in his eyes when you understand what he is trying to say.
Once he was consistently rubbing his eyes we went back to the hotel room. I started cleaning/ packing for our travels tomorrow and Adam walked the mile to Walmart to get some more water and snacks while Peng Peng napped. We then hung out and played in the hotel for about an hour before we went back to the park. Peng Peng has not been feeling very good and I think the morning might have been a bit too much fun. He mostly wanted to be carried, so we walked around the water a few times, had some snacks, and went on one amusement ride. It was like a little roller coaster that you can go on very very slowly. Each car gets to hold a net and try to catch the balls blowing out of the fish in the middle. I caught the balls, then Peng Peng took them out of the net and threw them back. He had more fun throwing than anything. I think he is going to love baseball and sports in general! Tonight we also let Peng Peng pick out a toy from a little vendor. I wish I could have captured his smile and the twinkle in his eyes when he got to help pick out and buy what might be his very own first toy that he picked, but I was too busy enjoying the moment in person. He hugged that little plastic truck for over half an hour.
We finally found the turtle restaurant. The food was good, but maybe a bit too adventurous for my liking. The shrimp still had eyes on them, the tea was loose in my water, the chicken might have been joints, and the rice was called "rice with stupid egg". :) I toyed with eating turtle just for the experience, but when I turned to the page with the pictures of turtles on it, I couldn't do it! In high school I had a pet turtle, Rosie, and I just kept picturing poor Rosie eating out of my hand. So, stupid egg and chicken joints it was. Peng Peng's cough was pretty bad tonight - it sounds like the beginning of croup maybe. He is also very congested, so I am worried about bronchitis. I wouldn't be so worried if we were back home, but we are in a bit of a tricky position to get medical help here at this point. He is a trooper though and other than his coughing, runny nose, and almost throwing up when he gets too congested, you would never guess he is sick. His nose has been bleeding ever since we met him as well - very faintly, but visible every once and again - so I put an email out to the U of M craniofacial team who we have our scheduled appointment with on October 1st to see if I can bump up the appointment to the week we return.
After dinner we came back to the hotel. We met Vivian to get Christian's very own passport. She video taped herself saying a few words so we could practice them without feeling like fools. We also just sat and talked for a little while as Christian practiced pitching by throwing blocks across the room. The kid has a good arm! We talked about how blessed we are. Vivian said everything has gone exceptionally well for us and how she has been really amazed with how easy everything has been. Adam shared with her how many people are praying for and supporting us from back home and how we believe in the power of prayer. It was a great conversation and a good reminder of how all our friends and family are actively helping us from across the world.
We ended our night with his favorite activity - bath time! He splashed and splashed and splashed some more. We are still working on sitting in the tub, so after two warnings we ended bath time a little early for his next favorite activity - eating :) We actually had a warm bottle of formula for him and he took turns snuggling in our arms. He had a little harder time falling asleep, I think because of how he is feeling, but a few bedtime songs did the trick and now he is picture perfect adorable sleeping in his fireman pajamas :)
I am so glad we went to the park today. I was initially disappointed that we couldn't go on a big adventure - I had researched a few ideas ahead of time. With Christian not feeling well and another big day of traveling ahead tomorrow, it really was the best thing for us to do. Christian loved it and we got to be outdoors without worrying about getting run over. Plus, it was just beautiful. Off to bed and then to pack early in the morning.
We noticed a lot of grandparents walking with their grandchild. It is very common in China for retired parents to move in with their child and to watch the grandchildren while the parents work. School runs from Monday-Saturday at five hours a day, but the grandparents had little ones with them. It was very sweet. They were very gentle and kind to the children. There was lots of love and tenderness today. Adam and I chose to wear our badges that we were given to show people if they stare or seem curious that states we are adoptive parents and that this is our child. It felt good to have a way to show people who tried to strike up conversations.
One lady tried to see if Christian would go to her by putting out her arms. It was very uncomfortable to me and I told Adam it really made me upset. Doesn't she know that my child has only been mine a few days and how confusing it is to test him and see if he would go to her or not? Fortunately he wanted to stay with me and I politely ran away from her (walked very quickly). I was a bit surprised to see the mama bear come out with a grammy wanting to smile to my adorable child, but it did. I can handle the stares because I know people are curious and we are very visibly different than what people are used to seeing here, but to mess with my kid right now just doesn't sit right.
We spent the morning at the park. We let Christian walk and walk and run and climb and when he couldn't go anymore we would give him a snack or drink and then go for more. He has an endless supply of energy, and we were happy to see him have so much fun without constantly telling him, "no" or "be careful". I think his favorite thing at the park was the coi fish in the huge pond. He learned how to sign "fish" today and used the word many many times to get to go down by the water to see the fish. Peng Peng is so smart. I can't get over how fast he is understanding our English and picking up on sign language. You can just see the excitement and joy in his eyes when you understand what he is trying to say.
Once he was consistently rubbing his eyes we went back to the hotel room. I started cleaning/ packing for our travels tomorrow and Adam walked the mile to Walmart to get some more water and snacks while Peng Peng napped. We then hung out and played in the hotel for about an hour before we went back to the park. Peng Peng has not been feeling very good and I think the morning might have been a bit too much fun. He mostly wanted to be carried, so we walked around the water a few times, had some snacks, and went on one amusement ride. It was like a little roller coaster that you can go on very very slowly. Each car gets to hold a net and try to catch the balls blowing out of the fish in the middle. I caught the balls, then Peng Peng took them out of the net and threw them back. He had more fun throwing than anything. I think he is going to love baseball and sports in general! Tonight we also let Peng Peng pick out a toy from a little vendor. I wish I could have captured his smile and the twinkle in his eyes when he got to help pick out and buy what might be his very own first toy that he picked, but I was too busy enjoying the moment in person. He hugged that little plastic truck for over half an hour.
We finally found the turtle restaurant. The food was good, but maybe a bit too adventurous for my liking. The shrimp still had eyes on them, the tea was loose in my water, the chicken might have been joints, and the rice was called "rice with stupid egg". :) I toyed with eating turtle just for the experience, but when I turned to the page with the pictures of turtles on it, I couldn't do it! In high school I had a pet turtle, Rosie, and I just kept picturing poor Rosie eating out of my hand. So, stupid egg and chicken joints it was. Peng Peng's cough was pretty bad tonight - it sounds like the beginning of croup maybe. He is also very congested, so I am worried about bronchitis. I wouldn't be so worried if we were back home, but we are in a bit of a tricky position to get medical help here at this point. He is a trooper though and other than his coughing, runny nose, and almost throwing up when he gets too congested, you would never guess he is sick. His nose has been bleeding ever since we met him as well - very faintly, but visible every once and again - so I put an email out to the U of M craniofacial team who we have our scheduled appointment with on October 1st to see if I can bump up the appointment to the week we return.
After dinner we came back to the hotel. We met Vivian to get Christian's very own passport. She video taped herself saying a few words so we could practice them without feeling like fools. We also just sat and talked for a little while as Christian practiced pitching by throwing blocks across the room. The kid has a good arm! We talked about how blessed we are. Vivian said everything has gone exceptionally well for us and how she has been really amazed with how easy everything has been. Adam shared with her how many people are praying for and supporting us from back home and how we believe in the power of prayer. It was a great conversation and a good reminder of how all our friends and family are actively helping us from across the world.
We ended our night with his favorite activity - bath time! He splashed and splashed and splashed some more. We are still working on sitting in the tub, so after two warnings we ended bath time a little early for his next favorite activity - eating :) We actually had a warm bottle of formula for him and he took turns snuggling in our arms. He had a little harder time falling asleep, I think because of how he is feeling, but a few bedtime songs did the trick and now he is picture perfect adorable sleeping in his fireman pajamas :)
I am so glad we went to the park today. I was initially disappointed that we couldn't go on a big adventure - I had researched a few ideas ahead of time. With Christian not feeling well and another big day of traveling ahead tomorrow, it really was the best thing for us to do. Christian loved it and we got to be outdoors without worrying about getting run over. Plus, it was just beautiful. Off to bed and then to pack early in the morning.
Day 10: A day of firsts
Today started and ended pretty rough, but there were lots of great moments in the middle. Peng Peng is pretty sick. If we were home at this point I would have taken him in to the doctor's. But, we are not home. All I can do is share my concerns with my guides. They then relay that information to a pharmacist, who is like the local doctor here, and then trust that they know my son best without meeting or seeing him. Yesterday Peng Peng woke up from coughing throughout the night and when we tried to give him his Diarrhea medication in his bottle, he took it, then a minute later threw it all up. He was coughing so hard and his diarrhea was so bad we decided to have him skip breakfast and took turns going for food while the other entertained him. We left Zhengzhou at 10:00 and arrived at the airport around 11. Our flight took off at 12:50 and we arrived in Guangzhou at 3:00. Traffic was long and we ended up at our new hotel close to two hours later, at almost 5:00.
During those travels our buddy was a real trooper. He was tired, hungry, sick of taking medications, and coughing so hard he was sweating several times. But, he laughed. He smiled. He played. AND he kissed me. I have loved torturing him with my kisses, and he actually seems to greatly enjoy these moments, but today he kissed me for the first time. Be still my heart.
Peng Peng also got to ride an airplane for the first time. We had brought some toys from home centered around airplanes for these trips and brought some toys with us for the plane ride. He pointed and laughed in excitement when we looked out the window at the other airplanes. He also learned how to sign airplane and help today. He usually says, "Aya" for "help" - which we think is the Chinese word for help.
The plane ride was actually really good, but every day closer to traveling home makes me a little more nervous for the long flight we will have with him on our lap. I am sure we will be thankful we saved the $1,000, but just thinking of that duration with him confined to a 4' squared space scares me a bit. Peng Peng's favorite activity on the plane was shoving a bun into a cup and then holding it upside down over his head and anticipating it falling on him. It was very cute. Adam and I have learned how to work the crowds, so we were able to get on and off everything just fine. People were very sweet with us having a baby too - a man got up out of his seat for me to sit with him on my lap during the bus ride to the plane. Very sweet as I am sure he waited in line just to get that coveted space.
Kathy is the name of our guide here in Guangzhou. When we leave here on Thursday by van to Hong Kong we will be without any guide the final two days. Kathy is helping us with our doctor's visit on Tuesday and is helping us get Christian's visa for travel as well. She is also taking us on a few tours.
The hotel here is magnificent. It is extremely classy and spacious and lots of people speak English, which is helpful for these crazy Americans who traveled with fewer than five Chinese words in their vocabularies. People don't stare at us here either - or if they do they are much more discrete. Our room is awesome. We have a big tv in the middle of the room that swivels and serves as a barrier to the living space, so lots of room for our active boy to run and play and if somebody (ie Adam) wants to take a nap they can do so with a little noise in the background.
We did an upgrade for our room, and I am so glad that we did. We had gotten a Marriott card about a month before we traveled, and as a result one of our rooms in Hong Kong will be free and we get free wifi for the whole week instead of paying $15 a day. We also get a free breakfast, which would have cost about $20 and access to the executive suite, which we ate our free dinner at with delicious foods and endless pop and water (a few of which might have ended up in our diaper bag for a drink in the room later). So, we were pretty proud of our decision to upgrade. The major purpose of the upgrade was the bigger space, but well worth the money. We walked around and explored the hotel and there are lots of great things. There is a huge pool on the fourth floor, which can be seen from our hotel room. There is also a play room with balls and a slide for Peng Peng.
Kathy went to two pharmacies last night to get medication for his cough. I am almost positive it is bronchitis. Kathy thought so too. Adam thought I was a nervous nelly, but was not about to tell me no to this medication as he is just as sleep deprived as I am. You can feel something, maybe fluid in his lungs, when you hold your hand to his chest. So, now we are up to four medications twice a day with an additional medication in the middle of the day. One of them can be mixed with formula, but the other three cannot and have to be forced into his mouth with a syringe. Not ideal for any parent/ child, but especially not when we can't reason with him yet due to a language barrier and he has not fully established trust with us yet. I can't use, "first this terrible medicine, then the yummy sucker" he just doesn't understand. But, as we are consistently seeing, he is a trooper. He cries when we give the medicine and usually lectures me afterwards by walking away (stomping away) and yelling while pointing at me, "Ay Mama! Ay Mama!". After a minute or so he can be redirected and is his happy normal self.
Little buddy did not want to go to sleep tonight, but eventually fell into a deep sleep, as did we!
During those travels our buddy was a real trooper. He was tired, hungry, sick of taking medications, and coughing so hard he was sweating several times. But, he laughed. He smiled. He played. AND he kissed me. I have loved torturing him with my kisses, and he actually seems to greatly enjoy these moments, but today he kissed me for the first time. Be still my heart.
Peng Peng also got to ride an airplane for the first time. We had brought some toys from home centered around airplanes for these trips and brought some toys with us for the plane ride. He pointed and laughed in excitement when we looked out the window at the other airplanes. He also learned how to sign airplane and help today. He usually says, "Aya" for "help" - which we think is the Chinese word for help.
The plane ride was actually really good, but every day closer to traveling home makes me a little more nervous for the long flight we will have with him on our lap. I am sure we will be thankful we saved the $1,000, but just thinking of that duration with him confined to a 4' squared space scares me a bit. Peng Peng's favorite activity on the plane was shoving a bun into a cup and then holding it upside down over his head and anticipating it falling on him. It was very cute. Adam and I have learned how to work the crowds, so we were able to get on and off everything just fine. People were very sweet with us having a baby too - a man got up out of his seat for me to sit with him on my lap during the bus ride to the plane. Very sweet as I am sure he waited in line just to get that coveted space.
Kathy is the name of our guide here in Guangzhou. When we leave here on Thursday by van to Hong Kong we will be without any guide the final two days. Kathy is helping us with our doctor's visit on Tuesday and is helping us get Christian's visa for travel as well. She is also taking us on a few tours.
The hotel here is magnificent. It is extremely classy and spacious and lots of people speak English, which is helpful for these crazy Americans who traveled with fewer than five Chinese words in their vocabularies. People don't stare at us here either - or if they do they are much more discrete. Our room is awesome. We have a big tv in the middle of the room that swivels and serves as a barrier to the living space, so lots of room for our active boy to run and play and if somebody (ie Adam) wants to take a nap they can do so with a little noise in the background.
We did an upgrade for our room, and I am so glad that we did. We had gotten a Marriott card about a month before we traveled, and as a result one of our rooms in Hong Kong will be free and we get free wifi for the whole week instead of paying $15 a day. We also get a free breakfast, which would have cost about $20 and access to the executive suite, which we ate our free dinner at with delicious foods and endless pop and water (a few of which might have ended up in our diaper bag for a drink in the room later). So, we were pretty proud of our decision to upgrade. The major purpose of the upgrade was the bigger space, but well worth the money. We walked around and explored the hotel and there are lots of great things. There is a huge pool on the fourth floor, which can be seen from our hotel room. There is also a play room with balls and a slide for Peng Peng.
Kathy went to two pharmacies last night to get medication for his cough. I am almost positive it is bronchitis. Kathy thought so too. Adam thought I was a nervous nelly, but was not about to tell me no to this medication as he is just as sleep deprived as I am. You can feel something, maybe fluid in his lungs, when you hold your hand to his chest. So, now we are up to four medications twice a day with an additional medication in the middle of the day. One of them can be mixed with formula, but the other three cannot and have to be forced into his mouth with a syringe. Not ideal for any parent/ child, but especially not when we can't reason with him yet due to a language barrier and he has not fully established trust with us yet. I can't use, "first this terrible medicine, then the yummy sucker" he just doesn't understand. But, as we are consistently seeing, he is a trooper. He cries when we give the medicine and usually lectures me afterwards by walking away (stomping away) and yelling while pointing at me, "Ay Mama! Ay Mama!". After a minute or so he can be redirected and is his happy normal self.
Little buddy did not want to go to sleep tonight, but eventually fell into a deep sleep, as did we!
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Day 8: museum
This morning started with – you guessed it – buffet breakfast
J We slept a little later today after staying
up so late last night. Sleeping in was
fun, although if you really think about it, just over a week ago that same time
would have been the time I go to bed.
Gosh, my body is thrown off!
Breakfast went well.
We are getting smarter when we go it.
You would think I never had a child before, let alone two. Two days ago I brought nothing down to
breakfast and we made a mess. Yesterday
I remembered wipes, but no bib. Today I
came prepared. I was so prepared that a
waitress laughed when she saw my open diaper bag because I had about nine
diapers in there. I laughed too – then quickly
shut the bag when she walked away J
After breakfast we met Vivian and took a taxi to Henan’s
Museum. It was beautiful. There was so much rich history here I could
have spent an entire day walking around.
As much as I would have loved it, our time here is really about
Christian. We moved fairly quickly and
took turns letting him walk while the other read information. Several artifacts date to about 3,000
BC. It was a well-organized museum with
artifacts categorized into eight rooms in chronological order.
Christian especially had fun running up and down the ramp in
one room, and all I could picture was trying to take him in for stitches. I don’t think I am normally as worried about
my kids getting injured, although he is maybe a little more wild than AJ or
Abby from what I can remember, but being overseas and not having my own doctor
around and insurance totally clear makes me a bit paranoid. Christian also enjoyed riding on the footrest
of his stroller. We forgot snacks (I was
supposed to fill a cup in the breakfast room, but forgot), and he drank his
juice on the way there, so we didn’t really have any options while there to
keep him busy. By 11:30 we were ready to
go. We came home to the hotel and laid
Christian down (he had fallen asleep on the ride home). Another day of eating snacks for lunch
(breakfast is kind of like our main meal of the day) and laying low. I have finally caught up on all of our
adventures and am finally up to date J Whoohoo to that! We played in the room for a few hours. Vivian dropped off more paperwork to look over
so she can make any revisions tomorrow if needed before we fly out on Saturday
morning to our next city. Then we
decided to try out a restaurant that serves turtle (kind of makes me sad
thinking about it – I LOVE turtles, but we are running out of options of places
to eat and we do want to try local cuisine).
We thought the restaurant was left, then right. Sounds easy, right? We must have misunderstood the directions,
because after about an hour of defying death walking around with a loaded
diaper bag and a 20 month old on our hips, we ended up back at our hotel
without finding it. Right next to our
hotel is a holiday inn, so we ate there to mix things up. The food was great. I had a warm smoothie (side note: I have learned two things about liquids here
in China – they do not drink during meals.
Instead they wait thirty minutes or so.
They do not drink cold liquids – even smoothies). I tried talking Adam into the chicken feet
that I saw in the menu, but he was not having it. So, we went with the basics and enjoyed
chicken wings (very different than what we are used to), a teriyaki chicken,
rice, steamed egg (looked kind of like soup), and green beans.
When Adam went to pay for dinner I walked around in the
waiting area with Christian. He saw a
picture of a girl who looked very similar to one of the nannies at his
orphanage. He ran up to the picture and
started saying, “mama!” “Mama”. This kind of equated to stabbing my heart with
a knife. I am so so happy and eternally
thankful for the loving that was doted on our boy. I wouldn’t trade that for anything. It does make me sad though that when he is
calling me “mama” he is really just saying, “woman” – It is common for kinds at
orphanages to call all the women “mama”.
(side note: the other day we
asked our guide what yeah yeah means because we had heard him saying it when he
was upset with us a few times and she said that means “grandfather”. There was an older man at his orphanage that
I have seen pictures of with Christian, and I am guessing that is what he
called him). Really, just very
bittersweet.
When we came home Christian splashed in the water, I mean
had a bath, and then fell asleep taking his bottle. He only napped for about half an hour today,
so he was ready to snooze by around 7:00, which is why I was finally able to
catch up on our adventures.
As much as I am enjoying myself here, I am really missing
the kids back home. I have savored every
minute we can skype together and am so grateful that we can do this for free
because we spend a good half hour+ a day doing this. What I love most is when they talk with their
brother. They can make him laugh even
though they are around the world. They
are already such a good big brother and sister.
It sounds like school is really going well for them, which is
awesome. They both love it there and I
couldn’t have been in a better situation having them attend the same school
where I work. School is like our second
home and they are both not only really comfortable there, but I know they are
loved on by their teachers and at home with my mom. I still miss them though. I think about them in the middle of the day
and pray for them constantly.
As much as I miss the kids, I am so thankful for this time
to bond with Christian and for Adam and I to spend so much time together. It has been like a second honeymoon in a way –
eating all these meals together, doing fun activities together, etc. This past year has been so busy and full
trying to prepare for this very moment that we have just not had much time to
connect. So, for that I am very
thankful. I am also so thankful for this
chance for us to really bond with our son.
We are growing closer by the minute and I have a feeling that when we
get home he will instantly connect with AJ and Abby.
Day 7: Aquarium & Play!
After the past few days being spent with many appointments
and so intense, today was the perfect day to play and just enjoy one another.
And boy did we ever!
The day started with a bath for Christian. I was expecting lots of resistance after our
bath two days ago, but I needed to give him one – as cute and cuddly as he is –
he can be STINKY! So, I started the
water and let him play with the water as it came out of the faucet. He LOVED it, so I seized the moment and
undressed him and put him in with about two inches of water on the bottom. AJ and Abby love playing in water, but I don’t
think I have ever seen a child enjoy splashing in the water as much as this
kid. He splashed so hard and as a result
his face and my face were dripping with water.
Boy did he laugh. Belly laughing,
cheeks hurting laughing. He also likes
to stand up in the water, which about gives me a heart attack each time because
this kid is wriggly in general, but slimy + wriggly = trip to the ER, and we
don’t want that! We practiced sitting
about three hundred seventy-nine times, and eventually, for the most part, he
sat and played. We brought a few little
floaty boats from target and he loves to throw these in the water and watch
them splash, then slide around on his butt to get the boats. Very fun.
I also snuck in a packet of Aveeno’s oatmeal powder for skin problems,
which is good because poor guy has a rash all over his head, forehead, and
neck. Most likely this is from the heat
and his non-stop sweating, but he needed something on his skin and I had read
it suggested to pack something for this (along with about 200 lbs of other
items). Once he started to get cold it was time to get out, get dressed, and
head to the good ol’ buffet.
People are very friendly here. As uncomfortable as it can be at times
getting stared at nonstop by passerby’s, it really is pretty special. Most
people look with true excitement and wonder when the see a foreign family
adopting one of their own. Maybe it is
because they know that most children who are adopted have special needs. Maybe it is because they are happy for the
child thinking they will have more opportunities than they had. Maybe it is because he is so cute they just
want to look and smile. Maybe they
wonder our story. Maybe they don’t
really care and we are being overly-sensitive J
We met our guide at 9:30 and took a taxi ride to the
aquarium, which is about a thirty minute drive away. When we pulled up, before we were even out
the door, a lady was trying to sell us a light-up toy. It was only 10 yuan, which equates to less
than $2, and was super cute, but we didn’t even have time to think before she
put it in my hand. I said “No thank you”
and tried to give it back. I asked my
guide if it was free for coming here, and she said, “No, you have to pay or
give it back”. So I tried to give it
back to her and she didn’t take it. I
was about ready to set it on the ground when she took it and put it in
Christian’s hand. This made us upset and
we told her “No” more firmly and gave it back to her (we ended up caving and
bought one for him on the way out from a different lady). I did not care at all for that level of
pushiness. Fortunately he was so
confused by the whole thing I don’t think he realized he had a super cool
flashy toy in his hands.
The aquarium was awesome.
It was very clean and well kept.
We were able to feed the coi fish and could have fed sea turtles
lettuce. We saw a great sea lion show
and on the way out watched a Mermaid show where three people were dressed in
costumes and danced/ swam under the water.
It was beautiful and was done to music.
There were a ton of fish. The
gift shop was cute and very reasonably priced.
I couldn’t believe it, but they had tons of little turtles in plastic
containers that you could buy. If only I
could have gotten some of those babies in through customs, I totally would have
bought a baker’s dozen! We got a little
ice cream. We were going to give
Christian some, but Vivian told us that Chinese do not eat anything cold with a
tummy ache. I don’t know if I believe
this or not, but I have appreciated all she has done so much I wouldn’t want to
disrespect her by trying otherwise. So,
Adam and I ate ice cream and Christian got a cookie snack from our diaper
bag. We were all happy J
We came home pretty beat.
Christian took a three hour nap, which was awesome, but it also meant he
couldn’t fall asleep until about 10:00 at night – oops J When he woke up he was in such a wonderful
mood! We laughed and played so hard, it
was really just a perfectly marvelous day.
We played hide and seek (usually he hid in the same spot and would call,
“Mama!” so I could find him), Peek-a-boo (with anything covering his eyes),
daddy protect me from mama, blow the balloon and let the air out, spin mama in
the chair, spin the bottle in the chair, and see how fun it is when mom and dad
both kiss me at the same time! Even with
all this fun Christian also showed us what that twinkle in his eye means –
mischief! It is very appropriate for his
age, and adding in our language barrier and the fact that he can only utter a
few sounds due to his cleft palate, it makes sense that we are going to see
some behaviors. One thing he did a few
times when he was frustrated was pinch or hit.
Once we were cuddling in the rocking chair and out of the blue he
pinched me. I told him “nice” and rubbed
his face with my hand. He pinched me
again – kind of laughing, kind of frustrated.
I made a sad face and said, “no hit.
Nice.” And rubbed him again. When
he did it again right away he got his first time out with me. I set him down on the floor and ignored him
for about a minute. He cried so hard I
wondered for a second if he was going to remember to breath. I then picked him up and we cuddled. He seemed so sad, and as bad as I felt about
putting him down and making him sad, this is one thing I will be firm on. He snuggled close and didn’t pinch me again
(for a few hours at least). The next
time when he pinched and I said nice he gently rubbed my face. Smart little bugger!
In the middle of our play we did go back to the Small
Restaurant for dinner. This time we didn’t
have Vivian at our side to help us order, so we were on our own. We started off by asking for a coca cola, but
our waiter wasn’t sure what we were asking and we didn’t know how else to describe
it. I think maybe he knew the whole time
but got a kick out of our efforts trying to demonstrate what we wanted. Finally he flagged over a waitress who must
have known the most about English, which was more than we knew in Chinese, but
not much more. We did get two cokes. She tried to show us in the menu what she
thought what we would like, which happens to be the same thing we had the time
before. It was really good, but we were
looking to try something else. Adam
asked if we could look in the menu for a minute before we decide. She looked at him very seriously, smiled
politely, and said, “No.”. I think
something was lost in translation, but nonetheless, she was not moving from
that spot until we ordered. We ended up
ordering a few things and I couldn’t get enough – it really was all so
delicious (plus we had skipped lunch and just had protein bars for lunch). So good!
Adam did better with his chopsticks tonight too. Christian continued to shovel food into his
mouth from the time food was served until we pulled him out of his chair. We lovingly call him the Buddha because his
tummy gets so big after meals!
On the walk home we passed a lady walking her two dogs. Christian LOVES dogs. We have passed several dogs over the past few
days and every time he tries to bark and points and laughs. Good thing since I had no idea how he would
feel about Molly and Buddy. He is going
to love them (I think) and they will love him (I hope). She stopped and started talking to us in
Chinese – so I said, “English” and pointed to us. She smiled and said said, “Oh! English.
Dogs! J”
It was only a few words, but it was a great conversation. Plus it bought some more time for Christian
to see dogs. I wonder if he ever saw
dogs while at the orphanage and if he had a positive experience with them or if
he has never seen anything like it.
When we came back to the room Christian walked over to the
tub and started pointing excitedly, so it was time for bath #2 J He did better with sitting, but still makes
me nervous! We played until about 9:00
and then tried to settle him down for bed.
It took about an hour, but at 10:00 I laid him in his crib and he rolled
over and went to sleep. Crazy,
right? He slept like a baby, our baby J
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