Tuesday, July 31, 2012. 24 Hours from First Meeting!

Well, it goes without saying, the most important 24 hours of my life... The same could be said for the baby.  I was meeting Luke for the first time, exactly 24 hours ago!  Today may have been a series of necessary evils, but it was an incredibly important day for us, none the less.  We had a series of appointments today, all quite significant, but nice to have behind us, none the less.  Our first appointment required a return trip to the Civil Affairs Office, where I met Luke yesterday.  He was extremely aware (children are amazing!) and very much on alert to be back in the same office building!  He was wide-eyed and uneasy the entire time.  We next drove to the Notary, then to Luke's Passport Physical appointment.  The latter was a tough one, and Luke cried from the core for the first time since he and i have been together.  I choked back my tears, and knew it certainly was not the time nor place for me to cry.  Luke fell asleep in the van between each appointment, so I woke him probably 3 or 4 times this morning... Very hot in Guangzhou right now, and just stressful for a baby.  I was so happy that Luke was able to relax enough to fall asleep in the van... A little spit, but no official carsickness today!  He wants nothing to do with formula, rice cereal, or anything that comes in a bottle!  It seems bananas have ruined him for all other foods!  I was beginning to worry a bit last night... I put water in a bottle, and he blocked me with his forearm again!  It's pretty cute, really, and he knows how to get his point across!  Good boy, Luke!  Thankfully, this morning he discovered my grocery store water bottle, and I was able to use the cap as a little cup.  He drank water all morning and early afternoon, and ate a whole banana when we got back to our room.  I'm very relieved he drank so much water.  He learned how to use his water bottle and a sippy cup today after our errands!  I could tell he really felt proud, like a big boy!  The doctor wants me to start Luke on the antibiotic I brought from the States.  I Agee, just going to find something he likes for dinner first.  Luke is sleeping like a rock now... Bless his heart!  He did wake up from his nap with the most volatile nightmare I have ever seen... He comes by it honestly, and I was here for him.  He was able to eventually get on the other side of it, but it was pretty tough, and took quite a while.  So much all at one time for a 20 month old baby.  He and I have the night off tonight, and I was planning on walking around outsidefor a while a bit later, but I've changed my mind.  We're going to stay in and cuddle tonight... It's been a full day!  I feel like Luke has a very early, but very strong sense of trust in me, and I feel like I am able to consistently reassure him.  So far, so good!  Yesterday's pictures really take your breath away, don't they?  Those are my favorite photos ever!  Talk soon, and all is well! 

                     

 

July 30, 2012. Luke is with Family Tonight!

Today has actually been more amazing than I could have ever imagined.  Now, it's been a little tricky, don't get me wrong, but nothing important is easy!  Lucia picked me up to receive Luke at the Civil Affairs Office today at 2:00PM.  She asked me the same thing as Miss Cai... "Why are you so early?"  I'll state the obvious... no one has ever said that to me before!  It was a whirlwind, and fast.  I'm in a room with other families of varied size and shape, everyone know everyone else is feeling just what he or she is! Lucia told me Luke hadn't arrived yet, and I was a bit unsettled.  She told me sit down and stay there... That's fine!  Very shortly thereafter, she said "he's here, come with me!".  

We walked just a few feet to an open space, and I saw Luke for the first time.  He looked just beautiful, and just as I had imagined!  Lucia told me that today was his first time in a car, and that he was quite carsick on the way to Guangzhou (3 hours).  The assistant director quickly motioned that I take him, and I hesitated a bit, because I thought it was so fast for a baby.  I saw Luke look at me square in my eyes, and blink, looking at me once more.

He recognized me. The orphanage said they had showed him my picture, and told him that I was on my way.  Luke opened his arms toward me, and I honestly followed his lead.  He wrapped his legs around my waist, and put his arms on my shoulders.  He fit just perfectly!  As it was meant to be!  He and I sat for a few minutes, my son and I, already comfortable.  The couple next to me watched, thinking "We're next!". The husband picked up my camera and just started taking pictures of Luke and I. I'm telling you, amazing!  The office was very hot, as it was 100 degrees outside, and Luke and I were holding on tight to each other.  He is an incredibly observant little boy, watching everyone's ins and outs, everyone's every movement.  We had to stop at the market after our appointment... Luke took it all in, but it was so hot, and I knew he didn't feel good.  Back at the hotel, Lucia helped me with ever detail... Paperwork, formula, crib, and stroller!  

I tried to explain 'sack of potatoes' to Lucia, as that's exactly what Luke was... Almost sleeping while sitting up.  After Lucia left, I fed Luke several Cheerios and a bit of banana.  He enjoyed both... He didn't want his bottle of formula.  He's a very clear communicator, and easy for me to read already (so far).  He puts his hand and arm up to block what he doesn't want, or have interest in.  He's on his second sleep... First for about 90 minutes.  He woke up just in time to Skype with Grandma.  Good boy.  He let me know when he was too tired to continue.  'Nite, Grandma!'.  He is very affectionate, and just thus far, he is who I thought he would be.  He loves to be sung to, and our mutual favorite is 'You are My Sunshine.'.  We make a lovely family already.  

Our first day together has been blessed, we're just very sleepy.  Nite, and all our love!

                    

Sunday, July 29, 2012. Tomorrow is the BIG DAY!

Well, I was so excited when I woke up this morning... The baby will be with me tomorrow afternoon! I think I've adjusted to the time change, at last! Here to find out, if you climb The Great Wall of China in the afternoon, and take two Benadryl that night, well, you sleep just fine! I'm an early bird in China. I was in the hotel lobby quite early this morning. Miss Cai arrived 20 minutes before our scheduled meeting time, and asked me why so early? (to drive to the Beijing airport in order to fly to Guangzhou). I told her I was just ready! What I meant was 'Let's go, time to get the baby!). She and I walked around the corner so I could purchase a soda. Miss Cai took very good care of me!
We arrived at the airport in Beijing with plenty of time for me to catch my 1:30PM flight to Guangzhou, Luke's province. While standing at baggage check-in, Miss Cai and the airline employees working baggage began a conversation that seemed quite serious, maybe even a little heated, and I became a little concerned. What seemed like forever-minutes later, Miss Cai started to smile, as did the airline employees. Apparently, things are heading in the right direction again! I waited a minute, and asked her what happened. Miss Cai told me that my luggage was just a bit too heavy (that is the truth, by the way!). Miss Cai said, "I told them you were here for adoption, and told them to just leave it.". They did! I am well cared for in China!

While standing at security with the family from Michigan and Miss Cai, I asked her how to pronounce the name of the city where Luke's orphanage is. She told me how to pronounce it, and I already can't remember! What I do remember is that she told me it means "sun-west.". That makes sense, looking at the map. I asked her what Luke's Chinese name means. She said his name several times. She said "Bao means precious...baby...baby boy...precious baby boy.". Then she said, "Hui means bright, like sunshine.". She showed me bright like the sun with her hands. Then she said, "Good name... It's good name!". Miss Cai is a woman of few words, and I very much trust her! He is precious. He'll be with me tomorrow, and visa-versa! Luke's on his way home!

                               

Saturday July 28, Ming Tomb and Great Wall of China

Today was unbelievable and quite busy! I met the couple from Michigan in the lobby this morning at 7:50. It's a good thing I had been up since 3:00AM... I had no problem being 5 minutes early! Im trying to stay up later tonight, in the hope of sleeping through the night. We were joining our travel guide for our tour of The Ming Tomb and The Great Wall of China. We drove through a large portion of the city and I saw such unique sites! The driving is incredible in Beijing... Makes Manhattan like like a piece of cake! I was really starting to think, 'Well, the drivers, moped, and bicycle riders all seem to have it worked out! It really works well here!'. Unfortunately, this morning a moped rider ran right into the side of our small tour bus! The whole side of his head and cheek hit one of our windows! The moped driver just backed up a few inches, and waved our driver on!

The Ming Tomb was incredible, and almost difficult to put into words. The age of China and the depth of the cultural history is daunting to this American citizen... Everything is just magnificent! We stopped next at the State Jade Market, much different from the private Pearl Market I visited just yesterday. There is no negotiating at this market, of course. The jade was truly exquisite, and I could have stayed all afternoon! I saw a jade carving of a tiger... It was easily as tall as I was! We ate lunch as a group and we all had a chance to try a few foods new to us! We climbed quite a bit in altitude in order to get to The Great Wall. When we arrived, the fog was so thick off of the mountains that we had no more than a 10 foot visibility range. It was so strange... We are climbing The Great Wall, and literally can't see anything on either side of us! It was almost a bit intimidating! No one ventured more than a few feet of each other in our travel group! I can't wait to tell you all about it! The sites have been breathtaking, without a doubt! It's funny, however, because the family from Michigan and I were talking about the monuments, and agreeing that we sometimes have difficulty concentrating on the wonders of China because we just can't stop thinking about our sons! Tomorrow is not the biggest day of all, however, it is still a big day. I'm flying to Guangzhou tomorrow, and there, I'll go to the Civil Affairs Office on Monday in order to pick Luke up! I'm getting very close now!

Friday, July 27, 2012 TianAnMen Square and The Forbidden City

I went to sleep at about 8:00 PM last night, and woke up at midnight.  I've been awake ever since.  I feel really great, but I may be experiencing a bit of jet-lag!  This morning I went to The Pearl Market... very interesting, and very busy.  Beijing is a fast city!  Miss Cai found one vendor that she very much liked.  She is quite the talented negotiator and I learned almost instantly to trust her judgement.  I bought several small items this morning, and Miss Cai gave her nod of approval!  We stopped for pizza and a soda after the market.  

It is unbelievably hot and humid in Beijing right now.  I met the FAC family from Michigan this afternoon for our trip to TianAnMen Square and The Forbidden City.  They are lovely, and looking forward to the arrival of their 4 year old son!  Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable, and made sure our day was a pleasure.  

I must tell you, I stopped to take a picture, and when I finished, I looked up and my tour group had moved on without me! Now, imagine how crowded these sites are!  I was standing at a 4 way split in the monument, and had no way of knowing which way to turn to find them! What a humbling moment... lost in China!  My tour guide ran so fast around the corner to find me!  Good tour guide!  Honestly, words can't begin to describe either of these sites!  I will need to make a few trips to the bookstore when I begin talking to Luke about China!  Absolutely beautiful and magnificent here! So looking forward to meeting Luke!

Thursday, July 26, 2012. Arrived in Beijing Today

Unbelievable to be in Beijing after all this time!  I'm excited beyond words!  

Today was such a long day... It almost felt like two days (it may have actually been two days after you do the math!).  I wasn't able to sleep much on the plane... The window seat on a 13.5 hour flight is not ideal, but I watched Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Godfather, and Dumbo to entertain myself.  Everyone has been so nice along the way.  I met my FAC Liaison today, Miss Cai.  She was so helpful and efficient, getting all my questions answered, making sure I had everything I needed before she left.  The FAC family from Michigan is arriving later tonight.  Looking forward to meeting them.  We'll be going to the Pearl Market tomorrow, as well as the Forbidden City, and TianAnMen square!

Looking forward to taking in the amazing history within the Chinese culture!

Mostly looking forward to receiving LUKE!  All my love!!!!

Luke's Room

Luke's baby room is ready to go!

July 24, 2012 Oh, boy... Here we go!

Well, family and dear friends, this is it! Leaving in the AM for the big trip! With much help from my Mom, I am feeling packed and ready to go! Today has been joyful and stressful at the same time! It's been a gift to have so much time to prepare, however,there is something to be said for too much time on your hands! I am ready to go to China and bring the baby home! I wanted to post a few photos of Luke's baby room. Wish me luck that I can figure out a way to do that! Here we go! Xo

July 12, 2012 Appointment Approval

I received word this morning from my adoption agency that the Visa appointment for the baby has been approved by the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou for Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at 8:30 AM !  This was our first choice of dates, so this is great news!  I will be leaving for Beijing on July 25, 2012!  Time to finish a few last minute projects, and pack my bag for China!  I should be receiving Luke Joseph as soon as Monday, July 30, 2012!  This is just so exciting, and we are full of joy!  I will be a tourist in Beijing for 2-3 days not only in order to visit all of the beautiful landmarks, but also to adjust to the 12 hour time change before receiving the baby.  I will travel to Guangzhou, where I will stay with the baby for 2 weeks.  The first week is dedicated to the adoption process itself.  The second week is dedicated to obtaining a Visa for Luke.  I will be meeting up with a family from Michigan at some point during the second week of travel. Luke will become an American Citizen at our port of entry to the United States!  We are very blessed.

July 10, 2012 Travel Approval to China!

Today is a very big day! Early this morning, I received legal Travel Approval to China! This is the last big step required to bring the baby home... Luke will be here soon! A day of celebration for all of us! Next, we submit the first 5 preferred dates for the baby's Visa appointments at the U.S. Consulate in China...via email, and wait to hear which date was secured for the baby and I.  Within the week, I hope to hear back with a confirmed appointment date, and then I purchase my plane ticket! I am excited and ready to go to China! This is it... What we've all been waiting for! I've been on the phone all day with family and friends... I will sleep well tonight! I am thankful for the love, prayers, and support of family and friend. The best is yet to come... Soon we will all be welcoming the baby home!