blog post 1.22.13

Day 5

Today was a lot more relaxed than I had anticipated.  We went back to the van and then back to Civil Affairs... I was concerned as entered both, and Poppy was definitely thinking, but she never got upset.  We had to place our thumbprints in red ink over our signatures and Poppy was supposed to place her whole handprint... ha!  We showed them her wrapped hand and told them we would need to unwrap her in order to do this.  So, they suggested her feet... wrong again!  They had to bring someone else out to figure out what to do & they finally decided just 5 fingertips would be good enough :)

Then, they had a small ceremony officially declaring her OURS!  and we were free to go!!  Thankfully, today the building was basically empty- just us and the BCS family we’re traveling with... very nice.

So, far so good!  Then, it was off to the notary!!  And there must have be something in the air around the notary’s offices because Poppy decided it was time to unload her breakfast on me (just like her big sister did!).  The poor, poor thing!!  She did not cry and seemed ok (physically), which we were incredibly thankful for!  However, we had to get back in the van to go back to the hotel - which meant more lurching & jerking - let’s just say we were thankful we had a bag this time :)

I kept kicking myself about not giving her some children’s dramamine... I had LOTS of it with me.  It was on the top of my packing list after seeing how carsick Lily was on our trip to get her.  However, I had seen Poppy on a plane and on several van rides which she did great in!  Sooo, I thought we were safe.  The one thing I hadn’t considered was that all of those trips were under normal conditions... NOT in traffic... and let me tell ya, if you haven’t experienced traffic in China you just have NO idea!!

Thankfully, after that we were DONE for the day!  Since we had requested that Poppy’s passport be expedited, and since Little Flowers had pleaded our cause, we were not required to travel to her orphanage’s city to finish the paperwork!!!!  It was all finished at the capitol... and we are very grateful!

Once back at our hotel, we changed clothes & I took a quick shower (man it was nice getting the pukes off me so soon!- very UNlike what happened with Lily- ugh!).  Baby didn’t have much on her underclothing or skin, so we were able to postpone her bath until later when we would be changing her bandages.  Then, we face-timed back home with the rest of our kiddos (minus Lily, who was already in bed)... it was great seeing their smiling faces (plus grandpa & grandma -and the twins again!).  We talked for a whole hour!  Poppy wasn’t so sure about all of the people talking to her on this screen, so for the most part, she just tried to ignore them (she played with toys around her) :)  However, there were times when her curiosity got the best of her and she would smile or talk back :)  Oh, I can’t wait to get this girl home!!!

Afterwards, we went downstairs to eat lunch in the hotel’s restaurant.  Wow.  We’re talking a regular Chinese menu!  We had a hard time finding something that wasn’t either still alive, or containing some sort of innards which we aren’t used to consuming... but we finally found 2 dishes that looked up our alley, plus some “nan-nan” (noodles with pork) for babydoll - and it was all delicious :)  

In the afternoon, we watched a little Baby Signing Time and then sweetie laid down for a nap while daddy & I worked on setting up a VPN to blog and post on facebook.

We ordered a little room service for supper (along with leftovers from lunch), gave baby a bath and changed her bandages.  Not too many new blisters since it was a slower day :)  She also finally seemed ready to go poo-poo (she hasn’t gone yet and really needs to soon!)... but alas... no success.

When it was time for her to go to sleep, I got her a “bottle” (sippy filled with formula) ready and she was getting excited.  I said, “should we give it to baba?” She shook her head “yes” and then started calling for him... and that makes this momma very, very happy :)

blog post 1.21.13

What a day!  We woke up at 4:30 to be picked up by someone from Little Flowers at 5:10am!!  Poppy & her ayi were there to greet us and they were both cheerful :)  We managed to (barely) squeeze our luggage & ourselves into the small car with them and we were off to the airport!

When it was time to board the plane, we met the other Bethany family traveling to the Henan province... we are getting to know them and appreciate having them for travel buddies!  They are adopting a fun little 7-yr old boy with Down’s Syndrome.  We can’t help but think of our nephew, Joshua when we’re around him... they are so much alike!  It’s going to be an interesting week!!

We drove straight from the airport to the Civil Affairs building where we were supposed to “meet our children.”  Since we brought our daughter with us, it felt rather odd... especially when we were surrounded by several other families with other agencies meeting their (mostly crying) children.  Poppy just kept staring... and occasionally commenting on the ones that cried the hardest.  She kept a close eye on her ayi and wanted to be held most of the time (by her).  

At one point, her nanny needed to use the restroom so she slipped away quietly to do so.  It only took 1/2 a minute for Poppy to realize she was gone and she began wailing.  Andy was gone making some copies, so I was on my own trying to get her to settle down.  It didn’t go very well.  As soon as her ayi came back she settled, but was even more set against letting me play with her.  Then another time, her ayi walked into the crowd a bit where Poppy couldn’t see her.  We tried to tell her (and point out) where she was, but WenWen didn’t listen.  She kept walking until she’d decided her ayi must have gone and the wailing began a 2nd time.  This time Andy scooped her up and took her straight back to her nanny.  I was beginning to wonder how many “separations” we were going to go through!  We were at Civil Affairs between 9:30 & 10, but the orphanage staff from PDS (her current legal guardians) didn’t arrive until noon!  Once they came, Poppy’s ayi slipped away.  I hugged her and told her thank you... she is a dear woman.  During this time, Poppy had finally started playing (following other children around & playing toys) so she actually didn’t notice for quite a while.  But when she did, she pouted her little lip so big and then she started crying... but this time it was crying, not wailing.  She was sad, but she let me talk to her and she settled back down.  She would start up again every few minutes, but we were able to settle her fairly quickly... until we went to the van - and she saw where her ayi had sat... and then, it was over.  Oh, she cried so hard that I didn’t think she would stop... but after several minutes, she did.  And then she quietly drifted off to sleep as we finished our short drive to the hotel.  Wow.

Once we were in our room, babydoll woke up.  I was trying to lay her down without waking her... and let’s just say it didn’t work out as planned :)  So, we let her up and started talking.  She teared up a few times, but never cried.  Bless her sweet little heart!  We ate a few snacks and then decided to head out for lunch.  We went next door (from our Holiday Inn) to the Crowne Plaza & enjoyed a nice meal there.  Afterwards, we walked around the hotel and finally came back to the room to settle down with some Baby Signing Time (mommy & daddy were seeing cross-eyed!).  Sweetie was acting ready to nod off too, so we decided it was time to start the long process of getting ready for bed... bath time, bandage change, food & drink time.  Normally, these things could be done in the morning, but we need to be at Civil Affairs (again!) early and we want her washed up and ready.  She had a fun time in her bath and we enjoyed it too :)  Sadly, there were some new blisters after our big day, so we had to “pop-pop” (as she calls it) with a needle (to drain the fluid).  Hopefully tomorrow will be better :)  

We are absolutely loving having our little parrot :)  She repeats everything - and she has the sweetest, tiniest voice!  & I especially crack up when she’s starting to be a stinker and I say “be nice” - and her countenance changes as she sweetly repeats “be nice” ... what a doll!

I am not looking forward to going back to the same Civil Affairs office, but I AM looking forward to adding this little sweetheart to our family... officially!!

Random side-note:  we had been told by our agency that we would not need money for the adoption expenses until tomorrow (so we could change currencies in province)... but we needed it today... and there was no time for a bank stop.  Thankfully, our guide was able to have an associate bring RMB to exchange for our USD (at today’s bank rate - for both couples)!  What a relief!!!

Our happy little helper :)

Little Flower Projects

Just a few months ago, I had never even heard of Little Flower Projects... now I have traveled there, spent time with the staff, and know that this is a very special place that I will never forget... and will always be thankful for.  

Why??  Because they have loved my daughter (and so many others) with great compassion and sincerity.  They work hard.  They are cheerful in their duties.  They form true bonds with the children... they are their “safe place” and it shows.  The children weren’t too sure about us... we had to earn their trust and with some we didn’t have enough time to do that.  And yet, no child was afraid of any of the nannies... they knew them all.  And at the same time, they had their favorite - their “special ayi” - and that is so important too!  Their are so many children there with serious medical needs, and they are loved on and taken care of to the very best of their abilities... and this is not just the nannies, it is every staff member there.  I thought that was a very unique, beautiful thing as well.

There is a a great respect and value on human life there... every life.  They are a light in Beijing and are encouraging the Chinese to look at these “different” children as special and wonderful... just as they are :)

May God continue to bless the work and the workers at Little Flowers!

blog post 1.20.13

Day 3

We started our day off today with... snow!  We headed down to the breakfast buffet with more time today and so we enjoyed a calm breakfast & face-time with all our kids back home (plus Grandpa & Grandma and our twin nieces too!).  It was so good to see ALL of them this time :)  I miss their little faces!

We were picked up by the Little Flowers’ shuttle again and as we were taking off our shoes, I heard “mama!”!!  I love how excited she is when she first sees us (even if it doesn’t stay that way :)).   We had a wonderful day with our little Poppy Sue... I know God was answering our prayers.  There were only a few times that she wanted space from us... and we gave it.  One time, we took it as our cue to go get a snack... and who do you think came looking for us?  She stood there watching us and playing peek-a-boo around the door.  So precious! 

During her bandage change, we were given more responsibility and it was good for us.  Lily was still there to help and to answer any questions... and that was good too :)  Overall, we felt more confident and we are leaving feeling ready for   changes on our own!

Really, today was better than the previous 2 and so much better than I had even hoped for!  We connected more with Poppy (we had more alone time with her, even though we weren’t seeking that out),  and we just felt more relaxed with her and at Little Flowers.  

Praise God!!!!!!!!!! 

The other children were more comfortable with us as well, which was really nice.  At one point, Andy had one little girl in his arms, 2 others climbing up his legs, and 1 crawling towards him... all the ayis were laughing and enjoying the spectacle :)  I wish I could’ve gotten pictures of him, but I was in the mix too - either holding little Bo You or keeping master Chen from falling off of Andy’s legs!  We both enjoyed the children so much!!

Poppy & I took a long walk upstairs (she let me hold her the whole time).  We looked through the windows at all the little babies and waved to them (and their ayis).  At one point, I realized that we could very well be making her “farewell” round.  She has no idea what tomorrow will bring.  Her bag is packed (she even helped pack it!)... but still... there’s no way she even has a clue.  But I do, and I have pretty mixed emotions about it.  On the one hand, I CAN’T WAIT!!  And yet, on the other hand, I have seen her love and be loved by so many (ayis, office staff, & the other children)... she will miss them a lot.  It makes me sad for her and those that are left behind who will be missing her too!

We thank all the wonderful staff at Little Flowers for loving OUR little flower so much :)

blog post 1.19.13

Day 2

This morning, we were able to face-time with Grandpa & Grandma Witzig plus our 2 little ones... I’m so thankful we go to see them and talk a little bit with them over breakfast :)  Afterwards, we went to visit Poppy at Little Flower’s baby home again.  She was glad to see us and wanted to be with us.  In the morning, she took me by the hand when she wanted to go somewhere new and she loved eating rice puffs from daddy :)  I was absolutely thrilled with her reaction of us!!

When it was bath time, they suggested I be the one to do it... Poppy wasn’t so sure.  She resisted a little, but in the end was a good girl and we did just fine :)  Then, Mommy got to wrap little Jia’s arm for some hands-on experience with EB, and then both Daddy & I got to help with Poppy’s entire bandage change.  Today, she was much more pre-occupied during the change and didn’t even make a peep.  It went great!!  Afterwards, we got some lunch for her and daddy fed her again.  Mommy tried to put her down for a nap and things were going pretty well... but then she decided she was done.  She cried for her nanny and I quietly left the room after she came over.  And it was just fine.  It had been a big day :)

While I was putting Poppy’s tights on, she was talking quickly in Chinese.  It turns out she was saying, “I think these are too big” ... such  a funny girl :)

After her nap, she woke up and was (again) excited to see us and came right over to us.  We played together and there were lots of smiles.  But then... we took 3 steps back... and I still don’t know why.  A large group of visitors had come in and she was quickly a center of attention (which we think she rather enjoys!).  She started moving away from us more and more- until she didn’t even check to see if we were watching (like before).  It was hard to sit there and watch it happen.  And after the group left, things just seemed to keep getting worse.  She didn’t want to play.  She wasn’t quick to smile.  She wanted nothing to do with letting us help - in any way - for any thing.  She was almost acting lethargic at times.  In fact, wondered if maybe she is getting sick.  I certainly pray not!!!

We know that adoption is hard.  We know there will be ups and downs with gaining her trust... but it’s still tough to go over the bumps.  I am so thankful I have Andy with me... and a God who sanctifies me!!

Please continue to pray for us all!!  

with thanks & love from China :)

blog post 1.18.13

Meeting Poppy...

Wow!  What an amazing day!!  We met Lily (from Little Flower Projects) at 8:30 this morning in our hotel lobby.  We were expecting her to be alone... but she had a very small, sweet little surprise with her :)

Poppy wasn’t so sure what to think about us & just kept quietly shaking her head “no”... it was so cute.  We went together to the “baby home” and were able to watch and learn so much.  Poppy had her bath and we got to watch her bandage change... she is such a trooper!!!  We also read some books, gave her snacks & lunch, played silly together and tried to let her get comfortable with us :)

& We learned something about our girl...  

Not only does this little package have personality and cuteness- but she is an absolute firecracker!!  She's funny - she's sassy - she knows exactly what she wants - and she'll figure out a way to get it :) 

Much to daddy’s disappointment, we have another little girl who isn’t so sure about him.  However, she still let him sit close, feed her, and even pick her up!  Which is HUGE :)

And with her sweet little self... I don’t think the bias will last long at all :)

We are so thankful we got to spend a lot of time with Serena & Lily, learning about Poppy.  They know her well and the entire staff really helped point her to us when she needed or wanted something.  I really appreciated their efforts!  Thank you so much for all of your prayers!!!  God is answering :)

When it was time for us to go, we told her goodbye and she let me give her lots of hugs and then started blowing kisses.  Then, daddy knelt down and asked for a hug... and little punkin’ walked over and gave him a big one!  We are both so thankful for a wonderful day meeting our baby girl :)