Sunday, September 30, 2007
Back to work
After being away for the last 2 weeks, I must return to work tomorrow.
Do you have any idea how badly that stinks?
It almost stinks as bad as Karys’ last diaper.
Almost.
{extended}Saturday, September 29, 2007
How to push Karys’ button
This is Karys’ “If you don’t get off of me right now, everyone in Target will know I’m here” look.
It didn’t take Eliana long to figure out how to push Karys’ button. After all…that’s what big sisters are for, right?
The stork has landed
Eliana and I went to Chik-Fil-A for some lunch. When we returned home, this little surprise was in our front yard courtesy of the Charlotte FCC.
The neighbors will be scratching their heads on this one.
Our first day home
- Karys was in bed around 9:30 pm and slept through the night until 8:00 this morning.
- Eliana went to bed the same time as Karys but stumbled into our bedroom at 4:30 am and said, “Daddy, I can’t go back to sleep”.
- I was in bed by 11:00 pm but woke up at 3:30 am. Eventually dozed back off but woke up when Eliana came in at 4:30 am. We got a snack and tried to go back to sleep but were unsuccessful and up for good at 5:30 am.
- Carmi didn’t get to bed until 2:00 am and was up by 6:00 am.
- I was able to get an appointment to see our family doctor at 11:00 am. He feels like I have a sinus infection (as suspected) and gave me a prescription for antibiotic pills so large they could choke a horse as well as pills to open my congested sinus cavities.
- We took Karys for an appointment with our family pediatrician at 3:30 pm. Karys hasn’t been coughing for the last couple of days and the doctor confirmed that there is no congestion in her lungs so no medication was prescribed. The doctor will arrange for us to meet with pediatric surgeons in a couple of weeks to take a look at Karys’ fistula and determine what, if any, corrective surgery needs to be done.
- I had a White Chocolate Mocha Grande from the Starbucks in Target tonight. Most delicious.
- So far, Karys will go to anyone who desires to hold her, either male or female. What’s strange is that she’ll cry when I try to pick her up. I can understand that she may feel more comfortable with other women since that’s probably the majority of what she saw in the orphanage. However, she’s allowed three men to hold her without so much as a whimper. She will come to me with outstretched arms but goes into a convulsing cry almost immediately. Don’t know if THAT odd behavior is in a textbook.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Be vewwy, vewwy qwiet
Be vewwy, vewwy qwiet. I’m hunting wabbits
cats.
I don’t think our two cats will ever experience another moment’s peace.
Well…at least not when the kiddos are home.
{extended}Thursday, September 27, 2007
We made it home
We finally made it home.
Our plane landed in Charlotte around 6:45 pm. By the time we grabbed our luggage, finished fellowshipping with those who met us at the airport and drove home, it was close to 8:00. Actually it didn’t take us long to gather our luggage. We were in the last 2 rows of the plane so we were also the last ones off. By the time we made it to the baggage carrousel, our luggage was the only luggage left. All 5 pieces were sitting on the floor.
Both kiddos really did very well considering how long our day was. The biggest issue on the planes was jealousy. Every time Carmi would touch Karys, Eliana would cry. Every time Carmi would touch Eliana, Karys would cry. I was zero help because I’m still sporting a fever and feeling like major crud.
A big surprise was how easily Karys took to members from both sides of our family at the airport. I really suspected that she would pitch a fit when someone else wanted to hold her but she never did.
My sister Kerry, brother-in-law Art and mom brought us home.
Here’s one happy gran’mommy.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
We’re coming home!
It’s 4:20 am. We must have our bags out in the hall by 5:00 and we meet in the lobby at 5:30.
It’s going to be a l-o-n-g day and I’m still looking for that Mack truck that hit me.
We’re coming home!!
{extended}Red couch photo
There’s no doubt that this trip to China has been tough on my 44-year-old body and it all came to a head last night.
I got the chills right before bedtime and was shaking pretty good when I finally retired for the night.
This morning I felt good enough to go eat some breakfast but then I came back to the room and laid down on the couch. Carmi, Tema and the two girls went on a tour to the Chen Family Temple at 9:30 but I felt it best to stay in the room and rest. Right before they came back at 11:45, I got the chills again and moved to our bed where I piled on the covers.
Our agency families were having lunch together at 12:00 but I simply didn’t feel like I could go. I stayed in the bed and slept. Carmi brought me some lunch from the restaurant at 1:30 and I practically devoured it.
At 2:00, our agency families had the famous red couch photo session where I mustered the best smile I could before heading off to the American Consulate.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Frappa-Chino
Tema and I were craving Starbucks so our five-some took a trip after pizza for dinner.
The Starbucks here in Guangzhou didn’t have my White Chocolate Mocha last night so I tried just a Cafe Mocha. Icky.
Tonight I got brave and tried my first Frappachino. It was a Mocha Frappachino. The drink was so yummy that Carmi, who is not a coffee drinker, purchased a Chocolate Frappachino.
Then Eliana drank some.
Then Karys drank some.
Carmi almost couldn’t finish her own drink.
Buckeyes in China
Around 2:15, we went to Lucy’s for lunch. Lucy’s is a restaurant just a block from the White Swan that specializes in western-style foods. Needless to say, it’s a favorite among adoptive families who are up to their eyeballs in rice and noodles.
We were being led through the dining area to our table when we heard, “Carmi.”
It was Robin and Marty, a family from Ohio, whose blog I have been following for quite some time. We were supposed to meet them at 5:00 at Lucy’s but since we were already together, we just moved to a larger table and enjoyed a meal.
Robin and Marty are adopting Maddie. Marty and I thought we could get our two girls together for a nice photo op but they weren’t happy with the idea at all.
Makes me wonder what the famous red couch photo will look like tomorrow.
That’s a waterfall
Eliana in the White Swan lobby. Yeah…that’s a waterfall.
Talking to Nanny-Coe
Monday, September 24, 2007
A new day
The english version of a Chinese newspaper under our door this morning.
These are the views out of our 26th floor window. It’s a little hazy this morning and is supposed to be raining again later today.
The view is especially spectacular at night with the buildings covered in colored lights. There are also boats with colored lights cruising the Pearl River.
Looky what I found
There’s a Starbucks not 5 minutes from the hotel. I am one unbelievably happy camper!
The rest of our Monday in Guangzhou
We were reunited with the other four families from our adoption agency who are also staying at the White Swan. The others arrived yesterday so the Hendersons were the last ones to join the party.
After Karys’ physical and visa photo, our group met for a short joint road trip to the local mall. Eliana and Katherine were the dynamic duo and kept us busy chasing them down and trying to round them up. I’m glad they have each other to play with.
Look at this brood of mama hens gathered around the jewelry counter!
At 6:00, we finished up and went to dinner at a nearby restaurant. When you walk in the door, you’re greeted by all sorts of creepy-crawly things just waiting to be delicacies on your plate:
There were snakes and eels and many other choicy morsels.
Still hungry?
No lie…Eliana was crying when we sat down at the dinner table. She was sure that we would be eating them.
{extended}