Picture day, shopping and we get those all important brown envelopes!

This morning we got the little guys all dressed up and had the traditional pictures taken.  Yes, last night, poor little Xiu injured a finger in the sliding bathroom door, so he is all bandaged up...but not slowed down one bit. :)  So there we are with our doubled family :)  All four guys were on the go in the lobby racing back and forth, trying to sneak onto the escalators (the bell boys were chasing them along with us) and generally have a jolly good time, so this is a remarkable split second in time in which they are not moving...that much, sorry that we all seem to be looking at different cameras :)
Here is our group, with all our new children!

And here is one of us and my father

An attempt at "the babies and not so babies shot" ahem...(has there ever really been a successful shot??)

Two babies are missing from this picture, and maybe you can just see the fingers of some parents trying to hold some of the little ones from behind... :)
You all must be praying, for my hip (which never just gets better on its own) is doing so, so much better in the past 24hrs or so! So much so that I had the fun of going out shopping in some tiny local shops with Kiki.  She is becoming a top notch bargainer, and we got some great deals :)
Then in the afternoon, the all-important sealed brown envelopes arrived from the consulate!  HOORAY!  Some families left today, some are leaving tomorrow, and we are leaving in 2 days approximately. :)

Consulate Appointment and shall I try delicious England?

We had our consulate appointment this morning.  It went very well, no problems at all, and much to my surprise I got all teary-eyed over the immigration oath, "I affirm that I have told the truth on all documents related to this adoption..."  It brought back such a flood of memories of the hard work that has already gone into this adoption, and I am so, so thankful to be at this point.  Which, to be specific, is tired enough to be trying to order Papa John's pizza in China.  Yes, yes, I know, I blush to even admit it, and I am NOT tired of Chinese food at all! I am just tired of walking, and I don't speak any Cantonese, remember, so I can't order from the local restaurants by phone, but rumor has it that Papa's will understand English or Mandarin or some combo of the above!  So I went on this afternoon to look at what was available and read about this mouth watering delicacy...what do you think?   Shall I order it for my hapless  happy family?

British bacon

Salad dressing distinctive vanilla base, without any set off the already outstanding temperament. To nutritious, taste excellent bacon as the protagonist, the capsules tender chicken mosaic, to be the new cool juicy tomatoes and yellow onions dancing, delicious England this bloom.

Ah, England in a bloom of Vanilla salad dressing!  Oh to be in Kew!  bahahahahah...  I think my family might not want that.  I wish you could see them now, though! (Umm, Anastasia, that is what cameras are for...) No, seriously, they are up playing on the playground in the hotel (LOVE IT!) and so, so happy.  Jian's favorite new trick is to try to "tackle" daddy. (this little guy is built like a linebacker!) He charges, laughing out loud, pushes his head between daddy's knees and then throwing both shoulders into it tries to back daddy into a corner, all the while wildly giggling.  Daddy, of course, plays along very dramatically.  Xiu goes up and down the slide, face alight, shrieks of delight.  E runs around a mass of golden curls (poor boy, he needed a haircut before China, now he REALLY does)  D is "flying" in a swing, and Xiu has been helping push him between slide runs.
Okay, I had better order something from Papa's or the bloom may leave England before I can capture it ;)

In which we tour medical facilities in Guangzhou...

As far as official tours of China go, I have pretty much missed them all: Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, Hutongs, Liuhua Lake park, Great Wall, Zhengzhou East, Shamian Island, Pearl market etc, etc, etc...
However, I have had the privilege of getting to tour medical facilities in Beijing, Zhengzhou, and now Guangzhou (and no I am not talking about the infamous medical exam day for the adoptees ;) ha!)
The latest escapade happened a couple days ago (I am sorry I am such a terrible blogger)
E, D and Jian Hou all were running fevers for the past week, but while D and J cleared after 3-4 days (or at least seemed to be on the upswing) poor little E just kept getting worse.  So, one morning while Kiki and Grandpa were off to see Shamian Island, Daniel got in contact with our insurance company (thankfully, Daniel's company provides fantastic worldwide medical coverage as standard policy due to all the travel the employees do) and found a clinic for the little fellow and got an appt.  No one was feeling very well, so I left the 3 other boys with Daniel, strapped on E and hobbled out to get a taxi.  By this point, I was having trouble moving my left leg and my right SI was going out too. To add to the fun, I had picked up some sort of virus that made me feel like I had been clobbered with a 2x4 all over and was enjoying stabbing migratory arthralgias.   (just to add to the soap opera level y'all!)  Still, despite me speaking no Cantonese, and the driver speaking barely any Mandarin, we arrived safe and sound at the correct address.  It was actually a fun taxi ride and E and I both enjoyed it I think, because of course when we did arrive, his fever had broken, he was alert and excited, and basically acting normal. Of course ;)  (all mom's know how that is!)
For families traveling to the province, I chose to go to the United Family Clinic (a large Western clinic and hospital system across China).  Our insurance would cover all the international clinics in G, but I knew United (I have actually jokingly discussed taking a job with them in China, if Daniel's company were to relocate us to one of their China offices)  It was definitely as good as I expected it to be, very top notch, professional, kind and for families who are not into international style medical care, it is exactly like any well run clinic in the USA.  (all English speaking, of course, JC certified, etc)
Maybe I am crazy, but I am so glad I have gotten to see at least a few medical facilities in China, though I wish it had not been necessary.  There is a definite collegiality between medical professionals, and I have so enjoyed getting to meet Chinese colleagues here and talking with them.  It is like being part of a family, and I have had the privilege in many other places to meet other doctors, so as odd as it may sound, I really enjoyed getting to know a few here too.
E is doing better, still trying to recover, but definitely improving.  We all have coughs, but the noses are not running quite so freely, though several of us are having GI troubles still. I don't believe this is from something we ate, but one of our dear new son's came with a GI bug and the symptoms started after that in the others and match.
Quick note on the official medical exams for other APs:  The new clinic which is not on Shamian is just as nice as the guides tell you---clean, spacious, air conditioned.  For our group it really wasn't too crowded.  The medical exam stations are exactly like every adoptive mom has ever described before down to the very same squeaky toys.  Our boys hated the day with a passion, and that is an understatement. We survived.  I am thankful.
Today was D's third birthday, and we decided to go with the group to the Chimelong Safari Park, because he really likes animals and Daniel was hoping it would be less walking for me than the zoo. It is really nice, far too huge to see in one day, but we had fun and got to see all the pandas. :) There are no pandas at the zoo right now as they have been returned to their native Sichuan province to try to help with a pregnancy.   The hotel provided a complimentary cake for D for his birthday, complete with candles.  D was super excited and thrilled!  He was also very proud of the birthday card they gave him, and his new back pack from us and a flashlight from grandpa.  It is such a delight to see the joy on a little child's face for such simple things.  He spent the evening checking over and over that his flashlight was in his backpack (a lion or tiger thing, mommy is not quite sure what it is supposed to be) and then zipping it back up.   Now he is sleeping with it :)
Xiu Hui, E and D all enjoyed the safari, Jian Hou not so much.  We are finding out that he is very afraid of most animals, birds and fish.  But finally, he did smile at the sight of a momma and baby elephant :)
Tomorrow morning is our consulate appointment.  Due to the recent threat on the consulate, the security has heightened significantly, so our guide informed us tonight that if we bring anything: diapers,  baby snacks etc, they have to be in a clear plastic bag. The only other thing we may bring is the paperwork and our passports.  Tonight, I jury rigged  a gallon ziplock bag into a diaper bag by making it a tape handle. :)  We plan (as we did on the medical exam day) to leave the two blonde boys "home" with Kiki and Grandpa.  It sounds like with the new procedures, it would be quite a bit too stressful for them and us to have to come along.  We are so thankful for our help!
Oh, and happy father's day!  I am certainly blessed to be married to Daniel.  He is such an amazing father to these four boys.  Believe me, 4 sick toddlers, two of whom are recently adopted from different backgrounds, in a foreign country, in a hotel room, with a sick, crippled mom is as crazy as it sounds.  Actually, it is crazier and more hectic than it sounds...and Daniel has done such an amazing job of taking care of all of us.  Xiu occasionally has bad night terrors, and it is "Baba" who holds him for hours and cuddles him till he is calm again. He often carries two boys at once and pushes a stroller, and carries the backpack and handles the money. He breaks up the fights and kisses the bumped heads.  He changes the endless diapers (recall, GI bug in house) He is the best of the best.  I pray that God will bless him today and always.

Thoughts from Guangzhou

My little ones are finally asleep.  We are so grateful to be safely arrived in Guangzhou.  We will be here for 10 days, and it is a relief to be able to settle in a bit.  3 of my 4 little guys are now running pretty good fevers. Sad, but not unexpected.  E was sick when we arrived, and then both Xiu and Jian had their own coughs, and runny noses and what not, so I figured it was just a matter of time before the germ spreading began.  Still, I am praying for the Lord to have mercy on my precious babies.  It is hard to see them sick and trying to comfort them all--- well my lap is stretching.  But still, I have so, so much to be grateful for...I get to hold my babies.
On the way to the care home where little Jian was so loved, I was riding with my husband and the two new little ones with Clay, the director of the home.  I had not been on the internet at all, (very poor internet in the hotel, they were doing construction) and Clay turned around to me and sad, "I want to warn you that the nannys may be sad, because Zoe passed away yesterday--just a few hours ago actually"  My heart broke, the tears poured down my face.  We cried all the way to the home.  Zoe was a precious little girl who grew up with my Jian, and whose family gave everything they had to get her home less than 3 months ago.  I have been following their journey through open heart surgeries with growing agony.  As a doctor, sometimes reading special needs adoption blogs is heart wrenching, because you dread, dread and wince at each complication, and you find yourself heartsick and holding your breath practically.  They prayed and gave her love and home- 200%, no holding back, we prayed, they and her doctors gave everything they had,  but during her last procedure she went to home to the Jesus she loved to sing about. My heart is broken for this family.  Please keep Pastor Carr, Eva and all their kids in your prayers.
So, if it seems to you that our adoption trip sounds rough health-wise, please see how blessed, richly blessed we are!  I get to hear my son's laughter (yes, all four bubble with laughter), I get to watch them chase each other up and down, and pick them up when they come running to me with arms upraised. I get to tell them "No" when they fight, I get to snuggle them when they cry.  I get to give them medicine when their fever is high, and mix up pedialyte to keep them hydrated.  Wow, I am one rich, rich mommy.
And now, since I too am sick :) Daniel has said it is high time for me to get tucked in...please pray for him as he cares for us all.
Blessed,
Anastasia
 

Frantically Posting #2

Here are some more pictures.

All the boys enjoying a snack in Zhengzhou.

The guys hanging out in the garden.

Eating at a famous noodle restaurant in Xiu Hui's home town of Nanyang on the day we went for his Chinese passport.

Xiu Hui fancies himself as a real chef. He took great pains picking out the dinner and then carefully mixed it all together (noodles, water, beans, etc.).

Jian Hou chilling in the bamboo garden.

Jian Hou with his buddies from his group home. It is so obvious that he was happy and loved there.

That's all for now. --  Daniel

Frantically posting pictures while we can

We are in Ghuangzhou now. Our Internet connection is better and the boys are sleeping so I (Daniel) am going to try and throw out some quick photos for you all.

Some of our boys enjoying our new room.

Jian Hou really likes his new sippy cup

It is really fun to shake wildly because it sprays water out.

Xiu Hui doesn't like the camera so it is really hard to capture a smile, but he was having fun this morning.

And we were able to grab a smile.

We had the tremendous privilege to visit the group home where Jian Hou was raised. It was really good for us as well as Jian. Here he is joining in with his house mates for one last snack time.

We will try to post more when we can. Thank you so much for your prayers! We really need them!

Daniel

"Hey, Look! They are alive!"

Yes, we are very much alive.  We have been having a lot of technical
problems and non working internet, not to mention sick children,
adoption etc.  Every time I have had  a chance to blog, (read 3 AM) I
can't get on the computer, as it is set up Daniel style. (black screen
with white characters waiting for command prompts...

But this morning, Daniel kindly set it up for me at 3:30 as I couldn't
sleep due to a dislocated SI, and now 2 hours later having completely
lost all that I typed, here we are again :)

So long story short :)

Beijing: Sick E, happy D, worried me, worried Daniel. The group toured
Beijing, we toured the hospital.  End of matter: E much better, mommy
and daddy now extremely sleep deprived.

Train:  Loved it, loved it, loved it!  Very doable.  Had unexpected
help, which was a blessing, see "sleep deprived"

Zhengzhou:  I make a taxi driver mad, and poor Grandpa and Kiki have
to bear it. We survive my butchered Mandarin and end up eating well!
Surprise!. We survive scooter mania and spend our very last night as a
family of four.

Gotcha Day:  Our boys come to us 3 hours apart. So thankful, so hard,
so blessed.  They have been very well loved, and they grieved
extremely hard.  However, hours later when we get back to the hotel
room, tiny bits of personality show through.  So precious, so smart,
so handsome!  We are in love :)  Jian glues to Mama, Xiu glues to his
Baba.  D and E do an amazing job, being kind, calm, and trying to be
friendly to Jian and Xiu.  They have taken their two new brothers so
far very much in stride, and are really, really enjoying the family
increase! I know it won't be pure filial bliss from this day forward,
but Daniel and I are so thankful for this answer to prayer.  We are
startled and  touched to  find that Jian and Xiu's dearest treasures
are photo albums of the family we sent them. They recognize us, (does
not make the grief any less of course) and know the albums by heart.
Jian shocks Mama by speaking full English sentences.  (In the Civil
affairs office, while weeping his heart out, he looked me straight in
the face and sobbed: "I want to go outside"
What?  Yes, he actually does know some basic English phrases.  Xiu is
the last child to arrive. He too grieved very hard, but he was so
very, very brave.  It is very apparent, that while both were loved,
their childhoods so far have been night and day. Xiu is old for his
age, both though are developmentally much farther along than I
expected.  Still both need very tender care and lots and lots of
cuddles.

Xiu loves to sing, in the sweetest little voice, Jian is hoarse with a
sore throat right now but he loves to sing too, he is a camera ham and
a charmer, while Xiu cries at the sight of cameras, but isn't afraid
anything else as long as his Baba is holding him :)

I must run, the gang of four is awake :) The adoption is finalized,
they are ours, we are so thankful!
Today we hope to see the Swallow's nest. Yesterday we spent the day in Nanyang.

Lovely Korean Air and a rough night

Another quickie post from my phone as I stand in boarding line to China. Korean air absolutely lived up to their excellent reputation. I will try to post about it for the Henan moms later. My poor littlest had a very rough night on the plane, thankfully he is a little better this AM. Still quite ill but lungs clear and 02 sats improved so I'm holding off on abx for now. His fever broke this AM. Please keep him and his exhausted parents :)

And we're off!

I apologize to start with. I am posting this from my iPhone so it will have to be short. :) We are at the ATL airport waiting to board our flight to Seoul. The boys are super excited about the planes, the people, the shiny lights and most of all ... The automated trash can.  Ha. Shall we just say hand washing is in their future? Yes, I know what sort of mom lets her kids play with a trash can? Hey, they are happy and staying near me. That is good ;). We started this trip in a Mr Bean Holiday way. For example, Thursday night the littlest was up with a fever and I didn't get him rocked back off to sleep till 5 AM. So I when I was startled await by an early morning phone call, I started up staggered wildly to the phone not even sure what the noise was and managed to knock an oil painting off the wall onto my head, knocking it out of its frame. So there I am standing they with a frame around my shoulders babbling into the phone to the hapless caller "it is a painting! The frame? In the sink oh no stop the painting!" I frantically held into the painting whilst the caller (after a puzzled silence) informed me about a flight. Somehow I made it back to the bed still with the frame and painting and woke up my husband so I could babble incoherently about it again. And them I woke up and we had a good laugh! Unlike the paintings whose ill fate it is to be on the same continent as the laudable Bean, our painting was fine. When I was awake enough, I reframed it :). We started by going to ATL yesterday and had an absolutely lovely evening with my sister Amana and Nirmal. This morning has been fairly uneventful, minus one bonked head when the oldest tried to jump down from his seat at the breakfast table, wrong tickets for my dad, and a very sick little E (please pray for this flight he has a fever and a very sore throat and runny nose--poor baby!) and a few temper tantrums on the security line. Thankfully security did everything they could to help us so it wasn't that bad.
When we went to check in online, we found to our delight that Korean had assigned us all seats together in the bulkhead center. Very kind and thoughtful. I am sure the extra space and double escape aisles will be a blessing with our almost 3 year old and our 19 month old.  Kiki (our nanny) is being a fantastic help and so is my dad though he never misses an opportunity for any corny jokes. ;) I may try to post more later but this phone is a slow way to go. We appreciate your prayers! I don't know if reality has set in for me yet, I've been so busy, but sometimes today I have teared up knowing that finally, finally we are on our way to precious Xiu and Jian.