Hello:
No more need for a membership to the gym...Joey is all the workout I can take! He continues to blossom more each day. He is running around most of the time except when he's forced into the Hip Hammock! Adoption Anne has given us many suggestions on attachment and bonding, but we've had to modify them just a tad! His little 27-pound body feels like we're lifting cement by the end of the day! Anne doesn't want us using a stroller, but instead said to hold his hand when he walks on his own (for attachment) or always be carrying him (facing us). Well, this is where we've adjusted her plan. We've rented a stroller and the one who is not pushing is holding his hand while we stroll! Joey actually wants to hold our hands (good sign), but I'm sure we're quite a spectacle! It doesn't bother us, we're just happy he's happy.
Aside from not having a nap today, Joey is doing really well. He's smiling and laughing and very busy! The simplest toys just make him giggle. He loves to take all of his toys from the play area and put them on the bed...then put them all back on the floor...you get the idea. And he loves to read (he's very smart you know!). He loves to make comments while we're reading to him, but of course we have no idea what he is saying, so we just nod and smile. He pretty much runs the show, but we're trying to change that!!! (He spit his rice at me today, so he's grounded once we get home.) Every single food that he has tried, he has loved. Thus the 27 pounds.
Tom has already caught on that Joey is something of a "chick magnet" in China. Tom strapped the Hip Hammock on while we were at a nearby mall (9 floors) and shuffled around like a proud Papa. (Several times he reminded me so much of his Dad, Norm. Same walk/shuffle, same smile as he bragged about his boy!) As he strolled around the mall, several of the women would come up and ask about Joey...mainly comment about his cheeks & thighs and the fact that we were lucky to have a boy.
We were happy to find out that the orphanage actually used the disposable camera that we had sent in Joey's care package! The literature that we had received said that the Dongguan Orphanage usually didn't accommodate this request. We sent one anyway. We just got the photos developed tonight and it was fun to see him. Kind of sad too. The orphanage looks very clean, but very sterile. None of the little ones are smiling. Anyway, that's all behind him now. (Made me question whether I can tour that orphanage in a week as part of an optional tour.)
Once again, we feel we are the luckiest parents in the group. We just laugh out loud at some of the things he does and feel so fortunate that he has the disposition that he has.
Tom has just dictated the following message from the bed: "We have learned two important things today 1) a Chinese McDonald's hamburger tastes like an American McDonald's hamburger and 2) we're very quickly learning the value of getting Joey on a schedule. (It's only 7PM on a Saturday night and we're going to bed...'cause Joey just did!)
That's all from Guangzhou. We'll chat again later...
MB (+ Tom)
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
It's Official - He's Stuck with Us
Yesterday after the big day Joey slept from 5:45 pm through the night until about 5am.
The formal adoption was finalized today. All sixteen families, with babies this time, boarded a tour bus and traveled 20 minutes to the Adoption Registry Center of Guandong Province located in the Provincial Civil Affairs Office. It was like entering the Dept of Motor vehicles. Joey was the 480th adoption in this particular province in 2007.
This was the same building we were in yesterday when we received Joey. The purpose of today's trip was to finalize the adoption and was a very legal and bureaucratic process compared to yesterday's emotional event. It was a three stage process which really began the evening before when we filled out several forms.
First we had our "official adoptive family picture". (Again, similar to the DMV.) They did not offer us a copy, if they did we'd have our Christmas cards done. Next we met with the Registry Official who verified our background and asked a few simple questions including whether we were satisfied with the child and confirmed our intent never to abuse or abandon the child. Our second "interview " was with another young female. I really think the entire country is run by young adults less than 30. Guess I'm showing my age. This young lady, the Notary Public, asked similar questions. She also asked if we were pleased with the child and understood my humor when I asked what to do 15 years from now when we may not be so pleased. The Notary and one of our guides had a brief exchange about Joey and the Notary agreed with our guide that Joey was (phonetically now) a "fate zee" - fat boy!
After an uneventful 3 hours we headeded back toward the bus to return to the hotel. As we loaded several Chinese women came over to see Joey and rubbed his cheeks and legs.
Prior to the morning's activities we did all have a nice breakfast at the buffet - which is great. Joey rapidly transitioned, with all 94 teeth, to scrambled eggs, carrots, fruit, french toast, crackers etc. He still gets a couple of bottles of formula daily and we recently figured out which bottle/nipple gets juice into him. A major breakthrough. Such are the trials and tribulations in Guangzhou.
He is perfect in every way - except one -but seems to be working on that major development as I type this note. We'll keep you updated. I'm not really sure how MB would document that occurence!
MB and the boys!
The formal adoption was finalized today. All sixteen families, with babies this time, boarded a tour bus and traveled 20 minutes to the Adoption Registry Center of Guandong Province located in the Provincial Civil Affairs Office. It was like entering the Dept of Motor vehicles. Joey was the 480th adoption in this particular province in 2007.
This was the same building we were in yesterday when we received Joey. The purpose of today's trip was to finalize the adoption and was a very legal and bureaucratic process compared to yesterday's emotional event. It was a three stage process which really began the evening before when we filled out several forms.
First we had our "official adoptive family picture". (Again, similar to the DMV.) They did not offer us a copy, if they did we'd have our Christmas cards done. Next we met with the Registry Official who verified our background and asked a few simple questions including whether we were satisfied with the child and confirmed our intent never to abuse or abandon the child. Our second "interview " was with another young female. I really think the entire country is run by young adults less than 30. Guess I'm showing my age. This young lady, the Notary Public, asked similar questions. She also asked if we were pleased with the child and understood my humor when I asked what to do 15 years from now when we may not be so pleased. The Notary and one of our guides had a brief exchange about Joey and the Notary agreed with our guide that Joey was (phonetically now) a "fate zee" - fat boy!
After an uneventful 3 hours we headeded back toward the bus to return to the hotel. As we loaded several Chinese women came over to see Joey and rubbed his cheeks and legs.
Prior to the morning's activities we did all have a nice breakfast at the buffet - which is great. Joey rapidly transitioned, with all 94 teeth, to scrambled eggs, carrots, fruit, french toast, crackers etc. He still gets a couple of bottles of formula daily and we recently figured out which bottle/nipple gets juice into him. A major breakthrough. Such are the trials and tribulations in Guangzhou.
He is perfect in every way - except one -but seems to be working on that major development as I type this note. We'll keep you updated. I'm not really sure how MB would document that occurence!
MB and the boys!
We're Parents!
Hello:
We had the most amazing day today. Joey came "walking" out to us with one of his Nannies and we crouched down and stared at each other! MB picked him up first and then he came to Dad. He never even cried. It only took him a short time to warm up to us. We mainly bribed him with Cheerios! He laughed quite easily...mainly when playing with the Cheerios container and when we tickled his pudgy little feet!
On the short bus ride from the Provincial Office back to the hotel, he was fascinated with all of the traffic and bright signs. Since he had never been outside of the orphange before, this was quite an exciting ride for him. He kept chatting (though we could not understand him!) and seemed so content.
When we got back to the hotel room, Tom & Joey just stared out the window and gazed at the Pearl River and all of the big boats going by. We can tell he'll be an avid boater! Once we changed his diapers, Tom laid down on the bed with him while MB boiled water for his rice cereal (a favorite we are told) and before the water was ready, he was sleeping.
So, we have been sitting here staring at him for the past hour. It is hard to put into words how we are feeling. One word that keeps coming to mind is "blessed". The memory of the long wait to come get Joey has all but vanished. He is absolutely perfect. God certainly knew what He was doing!
Love,
Mom, Dad and Joey
We had the most amazing day today. Joey came "walking" out to us with one of his Nannies and we crouched down and stared at each other! MB picked him up first and then he came to Dad. He never even cried. It only took him a short time to warm up to us. We mainly bribed him with Cheerios! He laughed quite easily...mainly when playing with the Cheerios container and when we tickled his pudgy little feet!
On the short bus ride from the Provincial Office back to the hotel, he was fascinated with all of the traffic and bright signs. Since he had never been outside of the orphange before, this was quite an exciting ride for him. He kept chatting (though we could not understand him!) and seemed so content.
When we got back to the hotel room, Tom & Joey just stared out the window and gazed at the Pearl River and all of the big boats going by. We can tell he'll be an avid boater! Once we changed his diapers, Tom laid down on the bed with him while MB boiled water for his rice cereal (a favorite we are told) and before the water was ready, he was sleeping.
So, we have been sitting here staring at him for the past hour. It is hard to put into words how we are feeling. One word that keeps coming to mind is "blessed". The memory of the long wait to come get Joey has all but vanished. He is absolutely perfect. God certainly knew what He was doing!
Love,
Mom, Dad and Joey
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Gotcha Day!
Hello!
Obviously the site is up and running again! (It is also in Chinese, so we are guessing that we are filling in the right fields!)
In 3 hours we meet to take the bus to the Provincial Civial Affairs Office where all 16 families will receive their children. Joey is the oldest child in the group and one of only 3 boys in the group (Stud Miffin!). The babies will arrive by bus from 2 different orphanages. Fortunately, Joey's orphanage is only a 1.5 hour bus drive. The other orphanage is 5.5 hours away. For all of the children this is their first bus ride, so we are told it may be a very long day for them. They will arrive at 2:30 this afternoon (1:30 am back home).
We are told that the Orphanage Director and one of Joey's Nannies will be accompanying him. We can only anticipate how he will react...soon we will know!
Our hotel, the White Swan, is comparable to the Ritz Carlton (except you can't drink the water!). It is quite beautiful and the breakfast and lunch buffets are awesome. Our room overlooks the Pearl River and there is endless boat traffic (barges, fishing boats, dinner cruises, etc.) The shore line and hotels light up like Las Vegas at 7PM each night and offer laser light shows throughout the evening. Everyone here is very friendly and extremely helpful. Being that this is the city that all adoptive parents must travel through, there are MANY, MANY Caucasian couples with there Chinese little ones. Everyone is happy to share their story. All 16 couples in our group are really nice and our CCAI Reps are fantastic as well!
Every vendor or store owner stops us in the street to talk about our "little girl" that you will be adopting. When we tell them that we are actually getting a "little boy", they stop and look at us and say, "Ah, you VERY LUCKY"! We couldn't say it better ourselves.
We'll let you know more soon...
MB & Tom
Obviously the site is up and running again! (It is also in Chinese, so we are guessing that we are filling in the right fields!)
In 3 hours we meet to take the bus to the Provincial Civial Affairs Office where all 16 families will receive their children. Joey is the oldest child in the group and one of only 3 boys in the group (Stud Miffin!). The babies will arrive by bus from 2 different orphanages. Fortunately, Joey's orphanage is only a 1.5 hour bus drive. The other orphanage is 5.5 hours away. For all of the children this is their first bus ride, so we are told it may be a very long day for them. They will arrive at 2:30 this afternoon (1:30 am back home).
We are told that the Orphanage Director and one of Joey's Nannies will be accompanying him. We can only anticipate how he will react...soon we will know!
Our hotel, the White Swan, is comparable to the Ritz Carlton (except you can't drink the water!). It is quite beautiful and the breakfast and lunch buffets are awesome. Our room overlooks the Pearl River and there is endless boat traffic (barges, fishing boats, dinner cruises, etc.) The shore line and hotels light up like Las Vegas at 7PM each night and offer laser light shows throughout the evening. Everyone here is very friendly and extremely helpful. Being that this is the city that all adoptive parents must travel through, there are MANY, MANY Caucasian couples with there Chinese little ones. Everyone is happy to share their story. All 16 couples in our group are really nice and our CCAI Reps are fantastic as well!
Every vendor or store owner stops us in the street to talk about our "little girl" that you will be adopting. When we tell them that we are actually getting a "little boy", they stop and look at us and say, "Ah, you VERY LUCKY"! We couldn't say it better ourselves.
We'll let you know more soon...
MB & Tom
Friday, March 23, 2007
Before the trip
Finishing work today, packing and watching our NCAA men's basketball picks.T-2 days to travel and T-6 days to Joey!
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