One Week As A Family

Our scared little boy that didn't want his clothes off a week ago now laughs through bathtime and likes to stand in front of the mirror with his shirt off and beat on his chest.

We really don't have much left to do until our US Consulate appointment on Thursday where we get Wade's visa and we take his citizenship oath.  Today he had a medical screening.  What a scene!  12 families.  Taking theor children to three stations where they checked very basic vitals.  Wade only got upset with one Dr. that used a tongue depressor to look inside his mouth.  Anyone over two had to have blood drawn for a TB test so we were lucky to skip that one.

Tomorrow we take a city tour and have a dinner cruise on the Pearl River in the evening.  These outings cost a little extra but we hate to miss out on seeing more than the hotel.  Wade seems to nap ok in the stroller and we haven't really gotten into a routine yet but all that can come when we get home.

Mike is about a day behind me on the cold but I hope we can both get past the worst of it before the long trip home on Saturday.

First Airplane Ride

Wade did great on his first airplane ride.  Our group left early today for Guangzhou. Here we get a medical test, apply for his immmigrant visa and finally take an oath at the US consulate.  We are in a much more western influenced area for sure.  There is a McDonald's across the street and a Starbucks in the lobby.  I think Mr. Morgan (Krispy Kreme CEO) will understand if I have a latte.

Wade had his first batch of french fries and of course he loved them. He has never had food he has to bite so we will have to watch him close.  I think he was poking the fries through the opening at the back of his palate.  I hadn't even seen this opening until today and it doesn't appear to be a problem.  The cleft team at Baptist will know what he needs next if anything.

He is sure a busy boy and very determined once he sets his mind on something.  Mike hopes that will translate into a good work ethic. ;)

Mmmmm... fries!

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Visit To Henan Museum

 Today we visited a large museum, one of the three largest in China. It's amazing the history this country has and how advanced theor society was even thousands of years before Christ.  We had to buzz through many rooms as Wade didn't nap.  He had the most fun jumping up and down with Daddy in the lobby.

I knew it was inevitable, the travel... the environment... and a little boy with a constant runny nose. I AM GETTING A COLD.  Good thing tomorrow we travel to our last city.  Tonight we can pack and try to rest.

The parents are wearing me out!

Trip To Orphanage

I really agonized about the decision to take Wade back to visit his orphange. I wanted the photos to share with him someday but also knew he would be so confused and possibly very upset when he saw his friends and special nannies.  God granted is a wonderful experience with no stress at all for little Wade.  We hired a driver to take us on the trip which was a little over an hour and one of the agency reps went with us to interpret.

We met the orphanage director and staff, and I gave them our donation of clothes and quilts.  We then went to Wade's room. Several rooms with about 12 babies each opened onto a little courtyard.  The children and nannies all came out shouting Xiao Ran (pronounced show ran).  He waved and grinned.  In his room we let him down and he crawled under a crib laughing... they told us that this was his.  His primary caregiver had the day off but I saw several that I recognized from photos.  He was passed around happily.  One four year old ran up and they said he called Wade brother.  He has already been matched with a family in the states too.  My heart was about to burst, I would have taken him home too!  We thanked them for taking such good care of Wade and told them a little about his new home. We took photos and video that I will share later.

The cleft babies are so scary to most parents here.  We were told where Wade was left and that his parents were most likely farmers and didn't have the money to get the corrective surgery.  There were some toddlers in his room and about 8 infants.  Mike commented on the trip back that he now understood how so many families return. One in our group is getting theor third and another is getting their fourth.

This photo was taken on the ride home, he sure loves his Daddy and he is actually upstairs now with him during a nap.  I am so blessed to have two special boys to share my life!

  

Monkey Boy

The scared little boy that slept so still in his crib the first night is coming out of his shell!

Wingman

Taking photos with this front facing tablet camera is a challenge!  Here is Wade and Daddy both sporting their Snoopy shirts today!

Wiped Out

Trip to WalMart for more diapers and formula then Mom and Dad stopped at KFC for some chicken to go.  Wade almost made it home before falling asleep.  Once asleep he sleeps hard.  Scooters bicycles and pedestrians all share the sidewalk here and nothing phased him.  We are taking it easy today as tomorrow we are taking a trip to Kaifeing to visit his orphanage.  He may get upset seeing some of his nannies but we decided that this short term sadness will be worth it to be able to tell and show in pictures where he came from.  One of the CCAI representatives will go with us to interpret.

We are basically waiting here for all the children's passports to arrive before heading to Guangzhou on Sunday.