To Set the Story Straight

I'm sort of surprised that I need to write this post but I guess I shouldn't be.  There are rumors going around that our son is deaf.  Zeke is NOT deaf.  I guess someone read my post about us teaching him sign language and they jumped to conclussions.  We have been teaching him sign language because it helps him to be able to communicate before he can actually say the words in English.  We had used sign language with our daughters before they were able to verbalize their needs too and it is amazing how quickly they pick up the signs.  It helps to eliminate some of the frustrations of toddlers wanting things but not being able to verbalize what they want.  So that is the true story - we are just using it as a means to communicate - nothing more! 

Our son was considered a "special needs" child according to China's standards.  He has a VSD - ventricular septal defect - which means he has a hole in his heart.  We knew this when we accepted his referral.  We had our appointment with CHOP on Friday and we saw the cardiologist.  They did an echo on him and they saw the hole which is 3.6 mm - very small.  The cardiologist said that Zeke is functioning just fine the way he is and he doesn't need to see him back until next year this time.  Praise God! 

The doctor who specializes in adoption and the occupational therapist also evaluated Zeke and they gave him a good report.  He is doing just fine and doesn't need any therapy at this point.  Typically children in orphanges are developmentally delayed somewhat due to the lack of stimulation.  Zeke scored only a few months behind in most areas.  They feel like he will catch up on his own just by living with us and having 3 big sisters to keep up with.  Another thing to praise God for! 

This week went fairly well.  Zeke seems to enjoy having 3 sisters to play with.  He follows them around and plays with them.  There is some jealousy between Eden and Zeke as they try to compete for Mommy's attention.  This has been a rough week for Eden as she had to give up her position as baby of the family.  She seems to like having Zeke around but one day she asked if Aunt Amy was going to take Zeke home!  Sorry, but he is here to stay! 

Our days and nights have been becoming more in line with PA time.  I continue to sleep with Zeke at night just because he wakes up several times and he is scared.  He needs reassurance that we are here and we aren't going to abandon him. 

Bruce has been feeling better now that he is on antibiotics - it turns out he has Lymes disease and Hannah does too.  That has made our first week home an interesting time as well.  But we just praise God that neither of them really had an severe symptoms while we were in China and that it just became worse since we got home. 

Zeke enjoying playing in the sandbox with his sisters!

Zeke at CHOP getting his EKG. 

A day orchestrated by the Lord!

Friday morning I woke up and was prompted to ask the Lord to orchestrate our day.  It was something that a wise woman of the Lord had told me once at Bible study that she often does.  I knew there were a lot of details and timing that needed to work out for us to get home and so I prayed that God would make it all work out.  We met our guide at 5:30 am as planned and we got to the airport in Guangzhou in plenty of time for our 8 am flight.  We boarded the plane and everything went smoothly until they announced that we couldn't depart because Beijing airport wasn't ready to accept our flight.  They had a lot of rain and there were parking lots under water, etc.  So we sat.  They announced again that the flight would be delayed one hour.  Then when it was about an hour later they told us it was delayed indefinitely!  Some began to stress about how we would make it to our connecting flight on time.  I started to stress too but then remembered that God had this in his control.  We were able to leave shortly after 10 am.  We landed in Beijing and had to collect our bags and find the international area, go through the check in process, grab something to eat and it was time to board the next flight after going through several more check points before we could actually get on the plane.  We made it and we were headed home!  We landed at 5:30 pm and made it through customs in a really short amount of time.  We found our good friends waiting for us to give us a ride home!  We got home and saw our 3 girls again and life was good!  God answered my prayer to orchestrate our day!  He had it under control the whole time! 

Zeke had an ok time on the plane.  He was very much lacking sleep and wouldn't slow down.  We had purchased a seat for him know that it was such a long flight we didn't want to try to hold him the entire 13 hours.  He was jumping from Bruce to me - across the empty seat repeatedly.  Finally after he had been awake about 17 hrs straight (minus a 30 min cat-nap between flights) and he wasn't calming down we decided to give him a little Benadryl.  It helped him to settle down a little and he napped on the seat between us but he kept rolling from side to side and we had to stay awake to make sure he wasn't going to roll onto the floor.  We were exhausted when we got home. 

Zeke went to bed shortly after we arrived home and he slept for a couple of hours and then he screamed bloody murder for about an hour.  He was so mad - he clenched his fists and made his body stiff.  He was ANGRY!  Where did we take him and why did it smell and look and sound so different?  He didn't want us to touch him.  We just stayed beside him and kept saying "mama here, dada here".  Eventually he settled down but didn't want to sleep for several hours.  Bruce slept and I stayed up with him.  About 3 am I got him to settle back down and we both slept until almost 9 am. 

Saturday was a good day.  He opened up to his sisters very quickly.  He didn't really want them to touch him on Friday night but by Sat. mid morning he was letting Hannah hold his hand and was playing with them all!  It was good to see how quickly he joined in with them. 

Saturday night went a little better than the first night.  Zeke slept until about 5:30 am.  He played pretty well with the girls again today.  Eden is quite jealous and wants me to hold her and then Zeke wants me to hold him too but they don't like it if I try to hold both of them - they push each other away! 

Bruce and I don't really feel very good.  Not sure if it's the jet-lag or if we caught something.  We feel like we are in a fog, not much of an appetite, tired but can't sleep.  So you can pray that we begin to feel better.  And that Eden and Zeke will both feel loved by us. 

Thanks for all of you who have been following and praying for us during this journey.  It has meant a lot to us to hear that so many people care! 

Last Blog post in China!

In some ways it feels like we've been here in China a long time and in other ways it feels like it went by quickly!  Today was a completely free day and unfortunately it's been a rainy day.  We had hoped we would get to the pool today and yesterday but we've been getting a lot of rain.  They said there is a typhoon.    So we spent the morning eating a relaxing last breakfast at the wonderful buffet.  We will miss the french toast!  It is so good!  And the cook can make a great omelet too.  There is such a huge spread of yummy stuff! 

After breakfast we tried to get some pictures of the kids in their traditional Chinese outfits on the red couch.  It worked about as good as last night - maybe a little bit better!  Then we started the task of packing our stuff.  I often just live out of a suitcase when I travel but for this trip it worked better to unpack our stuff and put it where it needed to be.  We just had so much stuff - toys, food, medicines (or I should say a pharmacy!), clothing, etc.  So anyway, it took a bit to get it all to fit back in and make sure it weighs less than 44 pounds (per Air China flight restrictions).  At least we got rid of some of the food weight and gifts that we were to give to the officials however we probably bought just as much souvenirs to replace that!  Who knows when we will be back.  We have run into several families doing "homeland tours".  We said we would love to come back in 10 years and bring the girls along and let Zeke visit his homeland again.  Lord willing! 

We went to Lucy's for supper tonight and enjoyed some hamburgers and shared a banana split!  It was good!  We are just about done packing for tonight.  We have to get up bright and early tomorrow to meet our guide at 5:30 am.  We fly from here to Beijing and then have a layover for awhile until we fly to Newark, NJ.  We land there at 5:15 on Friday night so it will be a full 24 hours from the time we leave our hotel until we land in NJ.  Please pray that it goes smoothly for us and for Zeke!  It will be a long trip for all of us!  Pray that we can get some rest on the plane.

Mommy and Zeke dressed in Chinese attire

A better red couch family picture

Violet and Zeke at Lucy's chowing down on noodles!

Our yummy banana split!





U.S. Consulate Appointment

Well today was the day that this whole trip was scheduled around - our appointment with the U.S. Consulate to review all of our paperwork to obtain the visa for Zeke.  Without the visa Zeke wouldn't be allowed into the U.S. with us.  We went with the rest of our travel group and 2 other families (who are staying here at the White Swan) on the hotel shuttle bus.  We got there early and our guide got the remaining paperwork that we needed - Zeke's medical exam report (from his exam on Sat).  We waited until the office opened and then we sat in a waiting room.  There was a woman talking to us on the other side of the glass and she asked us to all stand up and raise our right hand.  We had to repeat after her - saying that all of the documents that we were providing were true to the best of our knowledge.  Then we sat down and waited to be called up to the window one family at a time to review the documents.  We were the last family of the bunch to go.  Everything went smoothly - we all provided the necessary things and they should have his visa ready for our guide to pick up tomorrow afternoon.  We got back to the hotel around 10am with nothing scheduled for the rest of the day today or tomorrow.  Boredom is setting in!  Let's get home!

On the ride back to the hotel Zeke threw a tantrum because the girl in the seat in front of us had a cookie that looked like a cookie he had been given by his orphanage worker.  He wanted that cookie and nothing we could do would make him stop!  He didn't want our cheerios.  He didn't want water.  He just wanted that cookie and we couldn't give it to him.  We didn't have much with us to offer him because we were told we couldn't take anything in with us to the Consulate.  I don't think it would have mattered because he had his mind set on one thing - that cookie!  We passed him back and forth between Bruce and I and sometimes when he was with me he would settle down a bit but then he would start up again and finally he just dozed off.  This reprograming his little mind is going to be tough.  I'm glad that they provided for his needs at the SWI but it's going to take some time for him to realize that he can't get whatever he wants.  Life is rough sometimes!

The view from our hotel room

Zeke in his traditional Mongolian clothing (yes this is what boys would wear!)

Zeke not wanting to stand still for a picture!

We walked around town a little bit before lunch but we need to stop doing that because all we do is spend money!  We found a little shop that is run by a Christian man and he has some neat wooden plaques with Bible verses in Chinese and English.  We have to go back and buy one of those once we exchange a little more money.  He had a Bible that is in English and Chinese that he showed to us. He said that is how he learns some English words.  He was neat to talk with - I wish we would have found him sooner.  There is another man who has a shop who is also a Christian and we bought a ton of stuff from him.  I'm sure it's hard for them since they are a minority here so we try to give them our business and support them in that way. 

We went to Subway for lunch today.  It was good but not quite the same as at home since we aren't allowed to order the lettuce and tomatoes over here!  A hoagie just isn't the same without the lettuce and tomatoes!  It will be good to get home and be able to drink tap water and not worry about eating certain fruits and vegatables.  I could go for some fresh local strawberries but they will probably be over by the time we get home.  They have a lot of watermelon over here.  One more full day here and then we will be homeward bound!!!

We went to Cow and Bridge again for dinner tonight.  We then attempted to take the famous "red couch photo" with the kids and each family.  It was somewhat successful.  Zeke thought it was more fun to use the couch as a jungle gym and wanted to jump off of it.  He has no fear and no concept of heights or depths!  By the time he was supposed to sit with Mommy and Daddy he didn't want any parts of sitting still!  Oh well!

Zeke, Violet, Nicholas

Gar, Violet, and Nikki

Bruce, Rhonda and an escaping Zeke!

Kelly, Nicholas, and Justin

Night time view from our hotel

The Guangzhou Zoo

Today we went to the Guanzhou Zoo.  It was another very hot day!  We were all dripping with sweat.  We saw many animals- lions, tigers, zebras, elephants, crocodiles, bears, rhinos, etc.  And of course the famous Panda bears!  We were surprised at how large the zoo was.  I think we missed a few of the exhibits because we were all exhausted from the heat.  Our guide saw how hot and uncomfortable we all looked and she wanted to know if we should leave early and we all agreed that would be a great idea! 

A very dusty elephant - he was hot too!

The famous Panda

Sweating Hot!

We came back and went to the pool to cool off a bit and then had lunch!   Our travel group decided it was time for Papa John's pizza so we had some delivered for supper tonight. It was wonderfully good!  The kids were playing together here in our room and Zeke was throwing a ball with his friend Nicholas.  Violet wasn't sure if she wanted to play but then she joined in too! 

Much better than that hot zoo!  Even though I enjoyed watching those animals this sure feels better!

Another waterfall at the pool!

Pizza Party!!!

We have to meet our guide at 7 am tomorrow for our appt with the US. Consulate.  We need to attend the Visa Oath Ceremony and then submit our documents for Zeke's visa.  He will become a US citizen once the plane lands in Newark, NJ on Friday. 

Zeke is doing really well and I just have to give God all the praise!  He has really come around to us!  There was one episode this afternoon where he took Bruce's bottle of soda and was shaking it up and so Bruce took it from him and he threw himself on the ground and arched his back and cried for awhile.  He didn't want Bruce to hold him but eventually let me hold him and then he calmed down.  Otherwise he's been doing really well.  He doesn't seem as shy around our travel group any more.  He often rubs his eyes when he meets new people - tries to shut them out/closes out the overwhelmingness of it all.  But we have seen less of that especially with our travel group.  I've been trying to upload a video to show you all but it hasn't worked twice now.  Maybe I'll try to upload it to facebook. 

A relaxing Monday

I guess I should start by telling you what we did the remainder of Sunday.  After Zeke's nap we went with our travel group to a restaurant here on the island called Cow and Bridge.  It was a Thai restaurant and the food was quite good.  I don't think Bruce or I have ever eaten Thai before but we found some things on the menu that appealed to us.  Bruce had sweet and sour chicken and also some garlic wings.  I had shrimp cakes (similar to crab cakes) and brocolli.  Zeke ate some of his rice congee but preferred the cheerios for some reason.  After dinner we walked around the island a little bit and went in a few shops.  We passed a man eating icecream so Bruce asked where he found that and so we had to make an icecream stop too!  It was quite yummy and Zeke liked it too.  He's never too sure about the coldness of it at first but then he realizes how good it is and he gets over the fact that it is freezing cold! 

Rhonda and Zeke in front of Cow and Bridge

We slept until 8 this morning when the girls woke us up by skyping us.  We skyped with them for awhile and then we headed to breakfast.  After breakfast we went shopping.  I had a long list of things I wanted to buy so I headed to Jordan's store since his place was recommended by a friend. We bought a bunch of stuff!  I had fun shopping there.  After shopping we went to the pool.  Zeke had a great time.  He's not afraid of the water that is for sure!  He didn't realize that he needed to keep his face out of the water to keep from inhaling all of the water. 

Inside our hotel - they love waterfalls around here!

In the baby pool with Daddy!

Water doesn't scare me!

Splash time!

While Zeke was napping I headed out to the shops again since I was still searching for a dress for myself.  I found one and a few other things as well! 

We were to meet our guide at 4:00 to go to a park. The park was very nice.  Then she took us to the largest shopping street in Guangzhou.  She said that 3 million people go there every day!  That seems crazy but the place was swarming with people and it was a very long street.  Then we had dinner at a restaurant along the shopping street.  It was authentic Chinese food and it was good.  We ate goose, pork, tofu, noodles, rice, something that looked like celery or endive.  When we came back we all decided to get some icecream since Bruce and I had told them about the icecream shop we found.  Now it's bedtime.  Tomorrow is the zoo to see the panda bears.  We are basically just killing time until our appt with the consulate on Wed. 

The park

Waterfall!

A very interesting tree!

Rhonda walking on accupressure walkway - some of those rocks really hurt!

Another beautiful waterfall!  I want to build one in my backyard!

The busy shopping street in Guangzhou

Zeke has been doing really well today!  He even started opening up to the other parents in our travel group!  He's been smiling and laughing.  We haven't had many tantrums.  Praise the Lord that he is coming around so quickly!  It was only one week ago that he met us!  I'm sure we will have some ups and downs but it has been good to see him coming out of his shell!

Dinner Cruise, Temple and Garden

Last night we had our dinner cruise on the Pearl River.  The food was so-so but the sights were great!  We enjoyed our time on the boat.  We had our dinner on the first floor and then afterwards we went up on the 3rd deck to enjoy the breeze and the sights.  There were many bridges and buildings with colorful lights on them.  There was music playing that Zeke enjoyed while dancing with Daddy!  We had a few meltdowns prior to the cruise so we weren't sure how he would react but he did pretty well.  Overall it was a good evening with a few smiles and almost laughter. 

Our boat

Our travel group in the boat

The Pearl River (with pink lights shining on it!)

A blue bridge

A very tall office building

Our group!

Bruce, Rhonda and Zeke

Being silly with Daddy

This morning we went to the Six Banyan Trees Temple.  There was a very large pagoda there and several Buddha statues.  There was incense burning and people bowing down to the Buddha's.  I felt sad for the people who think that Buddha is god.  It made me anxious to go back home and go to church and worship the one true God.  The one who made this trip possible and gives us the strength that we need to get through our difficult times.

The Buddhas

A pagoda

Afterwards we went to the Yun Tai Garden which was very lovely.  It was HOT and humid so we rushed through it a little more than we would have if the weather had been more bearable.  There were fountains in the center of the garden and we cooled off a bit there.  Zeke thought that was pretty great and kept signing "more"! 

Feeling refreshed! 

Zeke has picked up sign language pretty quickly.  He knows more, milk, drink.  We are working on please, thank you, all done.  He tries really hard but sometimes they get all mixed up! 

We ate some yogurt and snacks in our room for lunch and Zeke was running all around the room.  It was good to see him becoming more confident and secure with us. He's a different kid today than he was just 4 or 5 days ago.  After eating we walked outside to find the pool - just to see where it was.  Zeke thought he had to go into the pool with the other kids so we took off his shoes and let him put his feet in but pretty soon his shorts were wet too.  Later we will have to go back for a real swim but now he's napping.

Welcome to Guangzhou/ Medical Exam

When we arrived here in Guangzhou (pronounced guang joe) we were greated by heat and humidity.  It was warm in Hohhot (in english "hoy -hot" in Chinese "who-ha-how-ta") but not humid so this feels a bit more uncomfortable.  After a late night flight we slept in a little bit this morning.  The White Swan is the hotel we are staying in and it is a very popular hotel among adoptive families from the US.  The US Consulate is here in Guangzhou so everyone from US needs to stop here before heading home to process the visa for our children.  We were quite surprised when we went to the breakfast buffet this morning how many people we saw from the US - all with their adorable Asian children!  You can hear children in the hallway (the walls are a little thin!) The hotel has a beautiful waterfall and wonderful buffet.  The bedrooms are a little disappointing.  We have 2 twin size beds and a crib!  The beds are as firm as a piece of wood.  It's not as comfy as the Sheraton but we'll make it work!

Zeke playing peekaboo sporting his new hat!

The waterfall in the White Swan

View of the Pearl River from 2nd floor lobby

This morning we met our guide at 10 and headed to the medical exam place (a nice little walk from our hotel).  The exam was quite simple and didn't take too long.  We went to 3 different rooms - ENT (ears, nose, throat), height/weight check, doctor exam.  They didn't spend too much time examining the kids.  There were lots of children waiting with their new parents so I imagine they have to keep it quick - they must see hundreds of kids each day.  Zeke was not so thrilled with the exam. 

Our travel group waiting for our turn

they check my ears

they look down my throat

they weigh me (9.2 kilograms for the curious grandparents which is 20.25 lbs)

they measure me (didn't see the number and can't read their Chinese numbers)

they listen to my heart/lungs

they check my belly and a few other parts

We enjoyed lunch with our travel group at a place called Lucy's - which has an assortment of Chinese and American food.  Bruce enjoyed his hamburger and I enjoyed my pizza. 

Streets of Guangzhou - it's very tropical here

travel group at Lucy's for lunch

It's been a good day with Zeke so far.  He opens up a little more each day and that is good to see.  He hasn't had a huge tantrum yet today so that's a good thing!  Tonight we take a dinner cruise on the Pearl River and tomorrow we go to the Yun Tai Garden.