Life is good!

We are all having a grand time playing together!  Has it really only been 10 days since we have been home?!
We met Ken's extending family for dimsum on Saturday, and headed to the Renaissance Faire on Sunday.  Braden had his first outing to the park with Katie and me, and had loads of fun exploring.  He also had his first (of a predicted many) trip to Costco.  Since drumming things is his favorite thing to do at home, he gave it a go at the store.

A lovely statement

A friend sent this quote to me and I found it so touching.

By adopting a child and helping them reach their potential, they help us reach ours.  An adopted child is not an unwanted child; to the contrary.  They are a child who was searched for, prayed for, cried for, begged for, received  by arms that ached, making empty hearts full.  Love it meant to be shared" - Author Unknown

JIE JIE TIME : BIG SISTER TIME

with Nana

Home and Happy!

Braden loves his room, all the colors and all the fun stuff in there.  He is even comforted by his cozy crib.
All continues to go well, and we are slowly working out of jet lag.  I cannot believe that our little guy is completely in sync with the time change, but Ken and I continue to suffer with jetlag.  We are all very happy that Braden is doing so well.
He loves to laugh, and we all love to hear it so we do what we can to make it happen.  Swinging him around, tickles, raspberries on the belly, playing with balloons, puppet shows.  Such fun!

We didnt have much fun at the doctor, though.  We love our pediatrician and she is quite gentle, but the TB test and the blood draw was a bit torturous.  The lab tech must have seen the big "cry baby" sign over my head and asked that Ken hold Braden while she drew blood.  I didnt disappoint, as it was very hard to hear my little guy's screams and cries.  They took alot so that they can test to be sure that the vaccines that we were told Braden got, were actually given.  They are also testing for a few other things, that are commonly seen in adopted children.  We beelive all will be well.  Our mission now is to get some good nutrients into him.  He is in the 15th percential for height and in the 5th for weight.

We have introduced some new foods, and it is fun to watch him feed himself.  We really prefer to, but he is not only insistent, but quite strong in grabbing utensils.  He is also particular in wanting to be fed by us with chopsticks versus a fork.  Food that is yukky with a fork, is suddenly very yummy from chopsticks. 

The dogs really love that he is feeding himself at times  - there are lots more snacks now.  Except for the toppled dish of strained apples, pears that went all over them, it is all good.  Unfortuantely he also has learned how to feed them from his tray. (thanks,  Uncle Tom!)

He also uses both hands equally well - interesting!

HOMECOMING...and jet lag

Please forgive the delay in posting...I have been kicked hard by jet lag, but working thru it. Which means bascially I am narcoleptic today, and I finally showered since leaving LA Saturday morning.  Ick, I know.
But we have been busy...we have had such fun together, nesting in to our "real life".

What a terrific homecoming we received back in DC when we got off the plane!  We are both very touched by the welcome, and thank everyone who was there in celebration!  Unfortunately we made them wait quite a bit longer than expected, since on the descent from the skies, Braden had, shall we say,  a gastronomical issue.  and by that I mean his butt exploded.  So much so I had to strip him down to his cute little baby nakedness to clean him up, and throw away the onsie.  He was a trooper, but many of those in line to potty were practically crying form the yuck of it all. I know, I know, waaaaay too much info.
Eva, Nicole, Nana, Papa, Aunt Midgee, Uncle Ed, Uncle Tom, Katie were all waiting for us.  I couldn't walk fast enough to meet them all...we were so excited to be home.  and I couldn't wait to hug the girls and have them finally meet thier di di (little brother) in person.  They were proudly wearing their Big Sisters shirts.  ( I really hope I didnt get any of the transfer poopy on them when I hugged them)

Waiting for Mommy, Daddy and our brother

We headed home. I loved how motherly Nicole and Eva became when we were in the car.  Braden was not digging his car seat - he felt too constrained, and the girls were doing their best to keep him happy.  They had brought Cheerios to win him over and it surely worked.  He had his mouth stuffed so full, that he didn't dare cry, for fear of losing them.  Not so long, though since half way home it became clear just how much he hated the straps of the seat.  But when his sisters started singing to him, he was so very content.

We have had 2 great days together, making adjustments. Braden, I think has had a great time, but definitely some sensory overload - so much to look at, to listen to,  folks to hang out with, and dogs to hug and get licked by.  He has done remarkably well in our chaos, and grows more comfortable with it all by the hour.  

He loved the balloons!  He had fun playing Air Hockey with Aunt Midgee, Uncle Ed and Nicole, with lots of giggles.  He played ball and drums with his sisters

He likes the noisy toys, and more and more is diggin the doggies.

 

He loves his Nana and Papa already, and adores his goofy Uncle Tom.

We have lots more fun to share, but I need sleep.  Tomorrow is yet another day to explore all our fun toys and new foods.  Hooray to yogurt and goldfish crackers, boo hiss to applesauce and peaches, at least for today.   We will be visiting our pediatrician tomorrow to be sure all is good, stateside. and we just may have to explore ice cream, since we didnt find any in China to try.  Yum.

Back in the USA

WHEW!
We are so very  happy to be back on American ground.  We are in LA, and will fly back to Virginia tomrorow.  Braden did so very well on the plane.  He fell asleep around 9pm, which is when we were supossed to take off but we ended up leaving an hour late due to thunderstorms.    He slept until about 6am, China time, which was pretty good, though he was indeed a thrasher on my lap.  and a little sweatbox.
I was so excited, thinking, wow we are going to land at 7:45, he slept almost the whole way, then had a total buzzkill when I realized that was Eastern time and we were landing in LA, 3 hours behind and had 3 additional hours to go.  I suddenly was very weary and fell asleep with my little man whining away, thank goodness Ken stayed awake to prevent all the throwing of objects aroudn him.  Shu was awake and very fesity for about 2 hours, then fell back asleep until we landed.  He woke up a happy boy.  When we landed and people shouted "yeah" and clapped - okay, it was really me - Braden did the same thing.  He clapped and exalted "Yeah" , making many folks around us laugh.  It was priceless.

We collected our many just under weight limit bags and headed to immigration, where we turned in Shu's paperwork.  Stemp of approval.
YIPPEE....HE IS NOW AN AMERICAN CITIZEN.
Can't you just see his excitment?  huh?!?

hanging at Immigration

Then through Customs - easy breazy lemon squeezy, as Eva would say, then off to the Marriott for the night.  Shu is sleeping again and I hope that he can acclimate, and not consider this a nap.  Of course I should be in bed, but I am wound up.  Ken and I are both very relieved to be almost home, to have our son, to re-connect with our girls, and now figure out the rest.

We had an amazing trip, and feel so lucky indeed!  For not only our treasure in our son,  but for the terrific 2 weeks in China together, for Ken and I.   It really was a trip of a lifetime since it was all about completing our family, and we got to tour some incredibly inspiring sights.  We have so missed our girls, and we are all eager to be together again. 

I have to again say THANK YOU, to all of you for being such great support to us throughout the process.  So many of you have kept us in your thoughts and prayers, and it means so much to us.  Many of you listened to me lament over the years on how long it was taking.  You hung out with me at my pity party - a few of them, and a very special couple of you listened to me question our staying in the program, as it took longer and longer and we aged and I became more tired and cranky.  (though away from work stress, I have to say I am quite adorable and delightful).  You reminded me to keep my "eye on the prize", and that we both, Ken and I, plus our girls, had so much love to give to a little boy coming into our family.  Harmony.  Balance.
I glance over at my son now with a lump in my throat, that I could ever have thought for one moment that this wasn't suppossed to be.  Yes, even with a bruised cheekbone from my head butt on the plane (I wouldn't let him down to eat the cheerios off the floor) I know that I thank God for giving me the patience (not my forte, as most of you know) to wait just a bit longer while our path was being constructed.  We faced a great deal of delay, detours, dead-ends that should never have happened, and over which we had little control, yet suffered great misery.  But as I hold my son, "it no matter" (Chinaspeak)  I know, too, we will feel that even stronger as we hold all my children together.  I can't wait for that tomorrow night.

Thank you for those of you who helped us on our way by praying, good-vibing,  fundraising, volunteering, donating, gifting, and generally cheerleading.  A special THANK YOU to Braden's Grandma and Nana who took care of the girls in our absence.  Of course Katie too, and for taking care of our doggies and cats along with the girls.  Some of you were in witness of  a couple of meltdowns when our agency messed something up, and I was shaking in sobs,  and you just listened and let me vent.  I am so very grateful.

Mostly I have to say, I know each night when I shut my eyes, that we are truly blessed with the love of family and friends.  That is absolutely what is important.  I know I have a gift in Ken, and what a terrific adventure we are in as we step forward.  Thank godness he knows to keep me well nourished in chocolate and chardonnay.  :-)

I will let you all know how our reunion, or rather,  union, goes.

Our last day in Guangzhou

So we are packed and ready...just waiting for our coordinator to call with Braden's Visa and official paperwork to turn in to US Immigration when we enter at LAX.

He is ready! 

True to form, I couldn't sit in the hotel all morning, knowing we had several hours at the airport before we leave, and then 13.5 hrs on a flight to LA.  So I dragged Ken to our last sight to see.  Despite the heat index of 110F we both enjoyed it immensely.  We went to the Chen Family Temple and Academy.  It is not a practicing temple any longer but a museum.  It was magnificient!  and one of our favorite places to visit.  The wood carvings in the building were breathtaking, and the colorful temple designs were just amazing.  The pictures won't do it justice but give you an idea.  We so enjoyed walking around and admiring the architecture, but he contents of the museum were also beautiful, showcasing Chinese folk art in Ivory carving, embroidery, porcelain, furniture making, to name a few.

We bid you good bye for now.

Thank you all for experiencing this journey with us.  We have had a fantastic trip, with a most amazing treasure in our son.  I will continue to post for a while longer, to comment on Braden's transition into our house, and into Eva and Nicole's lives.

Watching his sisters sing to him on Skype

I think I mentioned that I sing "You are my Sunshine" to Shu to put him to sleep.  The girls and I still sing it.  They have been singing it to him on Skype to get his attention, and it has been such fun to watch!  So please enjoy.

A Happy Day

My favorite parts of China that we have visited are the Temples.  I love the peace of them -- the folks praying, lighting incense, and making their offerings of fruit, nuts, grains, etc. depending on what they are praying for.   I find the the beauty of the structures and gardens inspiring.   I love seeing the Monks walk around.   Today we visited the Liurong Temple, also known as the Six Banyan Trees Temple.  A beautiful, colorful Pagoda stands at the center of the Temple, and is surrounded by several different halls and the monk's dormitory. They must have been getting ready for some kind of celebration or fesitval because new red lanterns were being strung up today.  We enjoyed the calm of the inside of the Temple, though crowded today with a tour bus.  Braden wasn't particularly cooperative at a point since he wanted to go into the pond that held the fish and had a bit of a fit when I prevented him from doing so.  I quickly bribed him with cookies in order to not further disturb the scene, but we spent a bit less time here than originally planned.  And it was wicked humid - heat index of 105F and we were all just dripping in sweat...ick, I know. 
Besides the magnificent pagoda, the grand Hall is a featured sights - it holds 3 big ancient bronze Buddhas - the largest existing in Guandong province.

We came back to the hotel to cool off, have some lunch and let Braden nap before we headed to our swearing in ceremony.  I must say it was indeed a much nicer experience this time.
We gathered in a very large room, with chairs this time, and there were 37 families in attendance.  Each family was called to a window, where our information was confirmed, and we signed our child's application for Immigration to the US.  When all families were done, a director for adoption applications came out to address the group.  She congratulated us all, then shared some bits of information with us all on US adoptions in China.  Ken and I both thought this was really nice, that they spent the time to make the experience more informative, friendly and personal.  Very different than before.
We learnd that in 2009, there were 3001 adoptions from China, and 52% of them were special needs.  The number of total adoptions has dropped steadily every year (in 2005, when we adopted the girls, the number was 7907) and the number of special needs in the total has steadily risen.  We learned, too that the US is completing one third of the worlds adoptions. She shared that upon entering the US and going through immigration at our point of entry, our children will officially be Americans.  After sharing a few more facts on the group that was there - the Septembre birthdays, for instance and in recognizing a single father.  The new Hague convention prevents singles from adopting, but his paperwork was in under the old process.  Nice!  Also, she recognized a girl who is turning 14 next month, and who was just adopted.  this is such good news that this family's paperwork was completed in time, since at 14, children age out of the program and are no longer considered for adoption.  Apparently this family adopted her younger sister as well.  It is incredibly touching to understand this, and my admiration for this family is great.  The director then had us all raise our right hands, and swear that all we told the government is true, then we were done.

I love the commraderie of families in this setting while we were waiting...talking, sharing stories of how things have been going for the past 2 weeks.  We are all connected,  knowing what we all have been through and for some repeat famlies (like us) we can share information on our experiences beyond China.  I had been emailing and reading a blog of a family in Georgia who adopted their little girl, same age as Shu on the same day.  It is really helpful to talk to them about their beautiful daughter and what they see in her habits and tendencies - I think I can learn more about Shu and they about Claire in terms of what we can surmise their life was like.  And we can share the phot0s we got, info on progress, etc to help.  We both have found that our children are troubled by any morsel of food that is on the ground, and they are hasty to grab it and try to eat it.  It give pause in considering how much they were fed, and how often.  Shu tends to hold on to his food in his mouth a long time before swallowing,  but this has lessened every day.  Is it because he knows there is lots more to come, and often?  So that leads me to share this cute video.  We have a silly habit when eating soemthing yummy to hum "Mmmmmm" in a little song and sway.  So of course our little man has picked this up.  As I have mentioned before, he looooooves Cheerios.  I was fretting my dwindling rations as we approach our flight tomorrow,  and a fellow family came to my rescue with a baggie full.  So kind of them, and I am so very grateful!  Shu really is too, and he is so darn cute!  (sorry for my loud cackle)

We were not allowed to take in cameras to the swearing in, but we did pose for our official "Yippee, we are sworn in" photo afterwards.

So, tomorrow is it.  We leave for home.  Yeah!  I miss Eva and Nicole so much!   This has been an amazing two weeks, but it is time for us all to be together.  Real life begins again, but with a whole new definition.

Love to all

Consulate gives a thumbs up

Hello all
Today was our US consulate appointment, where our government looks over all our paperwork to be sure things are in order, and as they should be.  All is well, so they will release Braden's Visa to travel to America.  We get that on Friday, right before we leave for the airport.  Tomorrow is our swearing in.  I recall this particular day last time, with Nicole and Eva, and how we had so looked forward to it.  I had anticipated great pomp and ceremony as this took place, but I must be honest and say it was a major buzzkill.  Instead it was an overcrowded, hot and stuffy room of Americans and our new Chinese children.  Altogether, after al ong wait, we all raised our hands to swear that what we said was true, was in fact true.  Someone fainted  - not me -  it was just too crowded and too hot and we were on our feet an hour, mostly overdressed. I am hoping for a different experience tomorrow, but I will let you know.  (sorry to those reading who are yet to go to China...didn't mean to ruin any hopes for the pomp...maybe it will be that now)

After we got word that all was good and we got our "Red Book" back and put into our room safe, we headed out to the White Swan to walk around the "old neighborhood", where we spent a lot of time 5 years ago.   Though last time it was like 50degrees, being March.  Today's heat index was 107F.  ACK!

White Swan lobby, same spot we had pic with girls

 So much has changed but not really.  As I said the other day, there are many shops that cater to the adoptive family, with clothing and souveniers. Many have closed and most who have remained have new locations, either down or across the street from where they were.  There is a major beautification project going on, where the building facades are all being renovated and updated.  I dont know if this is something that would happen anyhow, or because Guangzhou is hosting the 2010 Asia Games in November.

I so love the park area near the White Swan.  It is lovely with so many Banyan trees, flowers and especially the bronze statues.  There are some new since we were here last.  There is typically excercise going on, Tai Chi, some badminton, school children walking, and many American families interacting.  Oh, since last time a new Starbucks has opened.  I think it is great, yet not.  I love the teahouse down the road, and I am sure they are suffering a bit since.  Then again, we spent a fortune by accident last time, and we still have some of the loose tea leaves we bought. But it is a special place.
Right outside of it we stopped to take a picture of this cool Banyan tree, and looked up to see about 100 dragonflys flitting around.  It was an awesome sight.  and, but definition - a lucky sight!  Unfortunately the photo didn't turn out, but close your eyes and imagine it...I have never seen so many in one place.  So appropriate, too.

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roots of a very old Banyan tree

We visited Jordans, a great store ran by Jordan and his sister.  We spent a great deal of time (and money) here last time.  He offers to print one's childs name in Chinese letters with their meaning.  Braden's stands for wave, glory and quick.(and yes he is)

We had an amazing lunch at the Thai restaurant, Thai Zhen, Cow and Bridge. YUM.  My little noodle boy, Shu,  ate quite a bit and had happy feet, while chomping away.  He was swaying to the really bad music that was playing, and it made us laugh...since Nicole and Eva often do the same.  Oh who am I kidding, food makes all of us in the Der house do a happy dance.  My absolute perfect moment today - Braden kissed me.  He has been blowing kisses, but this was a grab of my hand and a REAL kiss, and he said MAMA.  Yes, I had a little cry.  Sitting there with noodles in my chopsticks, feeding my new son, my loving husband across from me, I had a moment of absolute joy,  and I was overwhelmed.
Then Shu tried to eat my new necklace Ken had just bought me as an early Anniversary gift.

Shu was a happy camper today, which was quite a change from yesterday, thank goodness.  Even when I was trying to give him a spikey new coif  in the cab.  His poor little head was so hot and sticky with sweat, his little patch of hair spiked nicely.

We came back to the room and just played, tickled, chased.  He loves to roll around on the bed and was laughing so much he was gurgling and had a hard time catghing his breath.

The video of this has me accidentally knocking him down so I cannot possibly share that.  But it was only on the bed and it made him laugh more...but OOPS.

Since it will be a cool 104F tomorrow, we will venture out, finally to one and hopefully two the Temples we keep mentioning.  Swearing in ceremony is at 3:30.

Wishing you all a lucky day...sharing in my dragonflies aura.