Baotou SWI Visit

Today we got up earlier and headed to the city of Baotou (Bow (like you take after a performance) Toe) where Zeke's SWI (social welfare institute) is.  It was about a 2 1/2 hr drive.  There were beautiful mountains along the roadside.  We were able to see the place where Zeke was abandoned - at the gate of the orphanage.  We were able to take pictures of the outside of the orphanage but we were told not to take any inside.  We were lead inside to the area where he stayed and we were immediately greeted by his nannies.  Unfortunately we forgot to bring along the Ergo carrier so I was just holding him and his one nanny reached for him and he practically lept out of my arms to get to her.  We were planning to not let any of them hold him since we thought it would undo the bonding that we had just done.  This nanny who he went to was his favorite because she was the one who did the games and took the kids outside so Zeke really liked her. He then went to another nanny of his and then I said no more and pried him away from them.  Zeke wasn't so happy with me and threw a fit.  They told our guide that when he was upset they gave him snacks so they loaded his hands with treats and he calmed down!  Great, we have a very spoiled boy on our hands! 

We then asked if we could see where he slept and they showed us his bed.  They allowed Bruce to take pictures of that.  They were cleaning the playroom so we couldn't really see it too well.  We went outside and saw the playground.  The director wanted to speak with us so we were escorted to his office.  He thanked us for adopting Zeke and asked what our plans were for him. We soon left and made the journey back to the hotel.  We stopped at KFC for some lunch to go and ate it in our hotel room. 

The gate to the SWI where he was abandoned

His crib

Half of his room

Zeke's orphanage

The mountains we saw as we drove from Hohhot to Baotou

After naps we went to the swimming pool here.  There is a smaller pool that is supposed to be a hot tub only it's not hot - it's just warm so we hung out in there and Zeke seemed to enjoy it.  We weren't sure how he would respond but he likes baths so we decided to try.  There were 2 older kids in the pool too and Zeke opened up to them and had fun. 

Zeke has his hot and cold moments with us.  Sometimes he seems to be bonding well and other times he just shuts down - he starts to rub his eyes and tries to close you out.  He isn't so sure about Bruce but tolerates him if I'm not available.  He hasn't been around many men so he's not sure what to think.  Zeke has a horrible habit of arching his back whenever he is upset.  He will practically flip himself backwards out of your arms just because something little upset him.  It's quite annoying.  He was doing it on the car ride today and he literally touched his head to his feet by doing a backwards arch.  He's super strong that way.  He definitely knows how to throw a tantrum. 

Tomorrow we pack up our things and check out of our hotel by 2:30.  We will tour the Inner Mongolia Museum, pick up some documents and then go to the airport.  We have a 7:10 flight to Guangzhou and land there about 10:30.  It will be a late night till we get to the White Swan Hotel.  We will be meeting up with our travel group at the airport.  It will be good to see everyone with their kids!  I'm sure we will be seeing lots of newly adopted children there since this is the place were many adoptive families stay and all of the US part of the adoption has to take place in this city.  It may be a bit before I can blog again but stay tuned....

Prayer requests:  Zeke seems to be having a very unrestful sleep tonight - he is rolling from side to side in his crib.  Also please pray for our bonding.  Thanks for your prayers!