Day 8 in China

Wow! Day 8 already! Its amazing how slow the time goes prior to traveling to China, in comparison with how fast it goes once you are here! Today, we all took our kids back to the clinic to have their TB tests read. Kimi's was negative (Thank you, Lord!) Then, our group walked over the bridge off Shamian Island through the marketplace all the way to the pearl market. We saw some of the foods people eat here - some of the most unusual mushrooms, ants, scorpions (used for making soup - they remove the venomous stingers and cook them - supposed to be good for rheumatism). I have attached a few photos and video. We ate lunch at McDonald's (had to have something American after seeing all those critters) and then finally, got to do some shopping at Jordon's! Then, a bunch of us went to the Chinese Restaurant down from the White Swan Hotel. (Barb and Pam - you might recall this restaurant: it is the one with all the strange critters in bins - can you believe we actually ate there??) But it was fun - ate with chopsticks and chose items on the menu we were somewhat familiar with. Trust me - it was nothing like China Buffet! While we were at the restaurant, Kimi sat there and kept giggling - not exactly sure why. But she enjoyed watching the other kids in our group. Afterward, we went to Lucy's and had apple pie ala mode! Kimi actually ate some "rice powder" mixed in with her formula today - not much, though; about 1/4 bottle. But it was THAT much. And this afternoon, Kimi sat on the floor of our room playing with a crinkly red bag - putting toys in it and dumping them out. You could almost see her little brain making lots of new connections! It is like watching a baby develop in "fast forward" mode. She has come so far in the last 8 days! She still shuts down every so often; but those times are starting to be fewer than the times she is interacting with us and others.

Day 7 in China

I love it that I can say, Kimi continues to get a little better every day! She is spending more and more time out of her "shell" and interacting with people. Today, she was laughing at us when we played peek-a-boo. We went to the Safari Park today (which was amazing) and watched an elephant show. When everyone clapped, so did she! When we were on the bus, she looked at Mike and said, "Da" - her first word since we got her last Monday. This evening, she was playing with a couple of toys and put one in a bag and then took it back out, then put it in, turned the bag upside down and watched the toy fall out - I know most people reading this must be thinking, "Isn't she 3?? Shouldn't she have been doing these things already?" The answer is "yes" to both questions under normal circumstances. But for a child who has been neglected and left in a crib for almost 4 years, these little interactions and signs of socialization are big steps to be celebrated. She is even drinking 4 bottles a day now without getting upset. Baths are still an issue, though, as they are terribly frightening to her, so she has only had 2. This evening, I put down a towel by the sink and laid her down to wash her hair that way, rather than having her get upset in the tub again. But she fought both Mike and me through the entire thing. However, on the up side, she calmed down pretty quick afterward - MUCH faster than after that last bath. At one point today at Safari Park, I let go of the stroller and stood right behind it while Mike left to do something. She sat there for a moment and then began to look around for me. When she saw me, she immediately looked relieved - another good sign (that she wanted to make sure that she was not alone and that seeing me was a comfort to her). She still has episodes when there has been simply TOO much stimulation for too long and she reverts into her little "shell". But, its amazing how far she has come in just one week! I have attached a few more photos from today.

Day 5 and 6 in China

Nanjing City Wall

Mike and Kimi!

Immigration medical exam

Good ole' Lucy's on Shamian Island!

...and NO, that isn't ME standing with Mike.

McKinley family

Corman family

Ellis family

Gours and Perry's (except me - the photographer)

Its hard to believe it is already day 6 with Kimi! So, here's the latest: Yesterday, we did a little more paperwork (verification mostly), then visited the Nanjing city gate and wall (600 years old - Ming Dynasty) and then went to the Nanjing airport to fly to Guangzhou. Everything happened so fast after we arrived. By the time we got our luggage checked in, we didn't have time to grab anything to eat before our flight was called and we had to take a bus to get to the plane, climbing up portable steps to board. The bus was SO crowded and it was very difficult getting two carry-ons, one diaper bag, one stroller, and Kimi onto the plane with those awful steps. Plus, Mike's knee decided to act up and he had a hard time handling those steps, not to mention it was freezing cold and we had packed our winter coats, not realizing there was no jetway! Poor Kimi - she was already fighting a little bit of a cold - and here we were, in freezing weather with the wind blowing, no winter coats waiting for a bunch of people ahead of us to climb the steps and board the plane. Not fun. But we made it. I gave Kimi a sucker to help with any ear issues as we took off. Then she fell asleep for her entire first flight!

When we arrived in Guangzhou, we again had to descend steps and walk to a bus. However, several Chinese people graciously helped both me and Mike when they saw I was handling a 3-year-old and diaper bag and Mike was having trouble with the steps and his knee. Our guide, Connie was there to meet us after we all gathered our luggage, and then picked up some more people from our "MAA" group in the mini-bus. Next, we arrived at the Victory Hotel in Guangzhou. Our room is unbelievable! It is HUGE! We have french doors that lead out to a balcony (granted: it faces an alley, but still...). It also has a faux fireplace and huge, modern bath! It is beautiful and we feel like kings! We pretty much crashed after that.

Today, we took Kimi to her immigration medical exam. She passed! We saw the doctor that examined Elizabeth back in 2004! However, since Kimi is three, they had a female doctor do the examination rather than the other doctor (who was male). Thankfully, kids older than 2 no longer have to have all the "shots" while still in China. Regardless, she had to have a TB test which really upset her for about 15 seconds. I was glad to get her out of there. As we exited the building, we passed an armed guard with a machine gun - yes, a machine gun! ("I don't think we are in Kansas anymore, Toto.") We ran into Jordan of "Jordans" and he remembered us from 6 years ago! He especially remembered Mike - he even remembered Mike used to have a beard! We can't wait to do some shopping in his shop.

We also put together all our US Consulate paperwork as a group with Connie. Our Consulate date is 3/2 - SO close now!

Kimi continues to improve. Even our travel group has noticed the difference. She still is only taking formula and won't eat anything solid; but at least she is getting something! And she is making good eye contact now and was looking to me for comfort (and accepting it) at the medical exam. She is also laying her head on my shoulder at times and wanting to be held more. Attachment is obviously going to take longer for her, due to her lack of one-on-one her whole life in the orphanage (based on what the orphanage director told us). So, we are doing all we can to facilitate attachment for her. Also, today, we were able to spend time with Paul and Chelsea Gour and their new son. She has been a wealth of information for me, as they adopted an SB child a couple of years ago! Most of our group also ate dinner this evening at "Lucy's", here on Shamian Island. The weather is great - in the 70's! No coats or jackets! In fact, we all ate outside. (Sorry about the several inches of snow in Indiana.) Kimi fell asleep in the stroller as we walked back to the hotel, and then she "lost it" when I went to get her ready for bed. She was really tired. Plus, she is still trying to figure out all the changes happening to her. Can you imagine how it must be for her? No wonder she was so overwhelmed in the beginning, and continues to have occasional periods of crying. But I have seen so much progress - especially since arriving here in Guangzhou. Attaching more photos - I love the one of Mike and Kimi; but I realize the quality isn't very good - just a sweet moment.

Day 4 Update

This was day 4 with Kimi! Today was the day we traveled to Huai'an City to see Kimi's orphanage and to visit her "finding spot". The drive one-way to Huai'an City was about 2 1/2 hours. On the way, our guide, Lily, pointed out the Yangtze River and one of the biggest suspension bridges I have ever seen. There were many rice paddies; but none being used right now due to the cold. However, today was unbelievably warm for this time of year, and in the 60's! We arrived at the orphanage and I took photos of the building. The director met us and gave me a bag with a couple of the items we sent Kimi. Unfortunately, the little monkey blanket had gotten "broken", he said. I assume he meant the recording of our voices. There were a couple of other items we didn't get returned also. But I really didn't care - we have Kimi, and that's all that matters. He went with us in the van to her finding spot. We drove up to this old building. There were long strips of plastic hanging to make a "door". Once inside, I noticed concrete floors. Right in front of me was a stairway. We were told that Kimi was found wrapped in a red blanket at the bottom of that stairway. I was holding Kimi and was suddenly overwhelmed with sadness, thinking of her birth mother leaving her there. Tears started to run uncontrollably down my face. Then, I noticed a little hand patting me on the back - it was Kimi trying to comfort me.

We then left and returned to the orphanage to take the director back. Mike got out of the car holding Kimi. She looked at the orphanage and began to cry. I was really glad we had chosen not to go inside and visit; it was obvious she would have been very upset by that. The director gave her a hug and then we left for the trip back to Nanjing.

Upon our return, we met with the Ellis family and our guide, did a little paperwork and then went to dinner. We had Chinese Mexican :-) Kimi did really well through dinner, but was showing signs of being really sleepy. We returned to our hotel room and I gave her a bath. She was frightened by it again and cried throughout the bath. Afterward, I was drying her off and wiped her nose and she threw her first big tantrum. For someone who has limited mobility, she sure can kick those legs! I truly believe the tantrum was a result of everything she has gone through this week - leaving all that was familiar, the long car trip today, seeing the orphanage briefly and not knowing why, the language barrier, and then, the bath and nose wiping was enough to put her over the edge, poor girl. But after some comforting, and some warm milk, she fell asleep. At least we can sleep in tomorrow. And tomorrow evening, we leave for Guangzhou!!

Photos!

This photo is for Jonah! They were selling these bunnies.

Lanterns still hanging from Chinese New Year

Rickshaw anyone??

Although Kimi fell asleep in the stroller, we enjoyed the Nanjing Tour

We are seeing more and more of these smiles

Kimi playing on the bed

Kimi playing with the hairbrush

Thumbprints for the adoption paperwork

Here are photos from yesterday and today, mentioned in today's post...

Day 3 Update

Its Wednesday, February 23rd here: and day 3 with Kimi. Yesterday was the official "Adoption Day". So, as of yesterday, she is officially our daughter, Kimberly Michelle Perry! The director of the orphanage was there and provided more information about Kimi, answering all of our questions.

She is still sad most of the time and is still having eating issues. She is still just taking a baby bottle of baby formula at meal times, no matter what we offer her. She has pushed away everything: goldfish crackers, her favorite Chinese candy (per the orphanage), Cheerios, watermelon, rolls, apple juice, fruit snacks, McD's fries and McNuggets, the rice "powder" cereal the orphanage said she likes so much...it is getting discouraging. Then, another adoptive mom here (she just adopted #6 from China) told me she had one that didn't eat for two weeks! She said, as long as she is peeing plenty, not to worry about it - that she didn't get this big by fasting. I'm sure she is right. She IS sleeping well, though - just not in her crib. Actually, I think that is another good sign - that she wants to stay close to us.

Kimi is playing and interacting with us more, though. Today, I was playing patty-cake with her and each time I stopped, I said, "More?" and made the ASL sign for more. At first she just nodded her head that she wanted to play again. But one time, she made the sign for "more" herself and said what sounded like "mo"! Another step in the right direction!

We then went on a private tour of old Nanjing with our guide. It was really interesting. She told us a lot of Nanjing's history. I didn't realize Nanjing (formerly Nanking) was the capital of China until 1949 when it was changed to Peking (now Beijing). She told us about the Japanese invasions and how the whole area we toured today was burned by the Japanese. I am posting some photos. Many Chinese people stopped and told her how beautiful Kimi is! One said she looked just like a doll because of her beautiful face. The people here also stop and stare at us Americans, which is a little annoying, but understandable, I guess. But all have been very friendly! It is nice to have a personal guide to explain why we have a Chinese child.

Tomorrow will be spent traveling up to Huai'an City, where we will visit Kimi's "finding spot". We are also going to the orphanage, but not actually visiting. We are going to take photos from the outside and our guide is going to pick up the items we sent Kimi in her care package. I don't know what kind of shape they will be in, because the director said something about them being used by others at the orphanage. But he said he would do his best to collect them. I said I especially wanted the photo album and the little blanket we made for her. They were surprised that we decided not to visit the orphanage. I asked him (through our guide) if he thought it would upset Kimi to visit so soon after our adopting her, and he said, "yes". So, I'm glad we made the decision we did. We are also going to pick up a rock on the orphanage grounds for Kimi to keep a "piece" of her homeland.

I may have to add photos after posting this message. I keep getting disconnected from my VPN which knocks me out of blogger.

Kimi Day!!!

Whew! What a day! We have Kimi! At 2:00, our group all piled in the van for the oh-so-surreal trip to the Civil Affairs Office in downtown Nanjing. Mike took some video out the window on the way there and continued to videotape as we walked into the building. Lily, our guide/translator, was leading the way and giving us instructions as we entered the main door of the building. There was a small room full of people and then, to my left, I saw several familiar-looking men and then, I realized, the little girl on one man's lap was OUR KIMI! She almost didn't seem real; so I almost didn't believe it until I realized they recognized Mike and me, based on the looks on their faces. I wasn't sure what protocol was supposed to be; but when the Orphanage Director smiled and nodded "yes", I just went right over and he simply handed her to me! They were telling her I was her Mama and Mike was her "Baba". She reminded me SO much of Elizabeth when we first met her. She looked at me, and then looked anywhere and everywhere else, and occasionally made eye contact with me again. She is absolutely beautiful! She had on two layers of clothes and a pink winter coat. The outer outfit was boy's superman cargo pants and boys oversized shoes. She had on a polka-dotted shirt. Underneath, she had on, what looked like, a new pair of yellow pajamas! Her hair is a couple of inches past her collar and they had already cut bangs. But she seemed somewhat overwhelmed. I gave her a little soft dog that Mandy bought for her. She held on tight to the dog. After about 5 minutes, Mike held out his hands and I handed her to him. She had the same look on her face and continued to look around as if she didn't want to make eye contact; as it was just too overwhelming for her.

We had a photo taken with her for the adoption certificate; and were able to ask the Orphanage Director questions. We found out she has known she was getting a family ever since we submitted the Letter of Intent. They also said she does not use a sippy cup; but prefers a baby bottle and her favorite food is rice powder, which she prefers someone spoon-feeds to her. Hmmmm. She is almost four! I asked the Director if he wanted to say something to her on camera in Mandarin. He smiled and took her in his arms and said some things to her. Another translator said that the Director said that he loved her very much and was going to miss her. He also told her to always remember him and to please come back someday after she is grown, to visit. He had tears in his eyes as he spoke to her. She was obviously VERY loved. He got her to laugh at one point and she has a distinct dimple on her right cheek!

When it was time to leave, she still hadn't cried or anything; she was just very quiet and still looking at me, Mike and at everything around her. We boarded the bus back to the hotel. After talking with the guide, she suggested we all meet in 20 minutes to walk over to a store. When I got Kimi upstairs, I realized she needed a diaper change. When I laid her down, she began to sob. I realized that reality was setting in. I tried to reassure her and was able to get her to stop; but it would recur unexpectedly. We met up with the group, when to the grocery store, where I bought rice powder, bottled water, and a baby bottle (since I hadn't brought one - whoever heard of an almost-four-year-old still on a bottle?!) I think she was really babied at the orphanage. Then, Kimi fell asleep before we were done shopping. We all had an authentic Chinese dinner with our guide and we let Kimi sleep. On the way back to the hotel, she woke up and had that concerned look on her face again. Back in our room, she began to sob again, poor girl. It broke my heart. I tried to give her the bottle, but she pushed it away. We tried several more times and her response was the same. I tried the sippy cup and she pushed it away also. We had given her a sucker at the Civil Affairs office and she ate that; but that was the last thing she had had! After holding her for quite a while, I decided to skip a bath and put her nightgown on her. She did NOT want to be laid down in the toddler bed! Well, today, she gets her way - she is going to sleep between us tonight. Mike is up in our room right now, singing her to sleep. I need to get back up there, so I'm ending this blog entry for the day. All is well; the transition was tougher for her than I thought it would be; but she is a sweet, precious little girl!

Here are some photos from today. We have been blessed, yet, again!

We made it to Nanjing!

Hi from Nanjing, China! We arrived yesterday about 2:00 pm Sunday (yesterday) "China" time which was about 1:00 am Sunday "Indiana" time! The trip was exhausting. We flew on a Boeing 777 which was much smaller and more cramped than the 747 we flew on in 2004 to bring home Elizabeth. I sat between Mike and a Korean man who didn't speak English, with my elbows inside the armrests, the entire 13+ hours from Chicago to Seoul. It was also a tiring trip because we had a 5 1/2 hour layover in Chicago and a 6 1/2 hour layover in Seoul. By the time we arrived in Nanjing (28 hours after leaving Indianapolis), we were REALLY exhausted! As soon as we got off the plane, went through customs, got our luggage (it all arrived safely!), and found our guide, we boarded the bus and drove to our hotel. On the way, our guide explained next steps and the schedule for today. After getting our rooms and our luggage delivered, we all ran over, in the cold, to the bank to exchange USD for RMBs for fees due this week. After not sleeping for such a long time, feeling totally grungy, finding out one fee was more than we were told (fearing for a bit that we didn't bring enough cash with us), not having had a decent meal since Friday in Indiana, the ongoing language barrier, and the realization we were going to be meeting Kimi in less than 24 hours, just about put me on the verge of a total meltdown.

But, on the brighter side, we met the Ellis family in Chicago and the McKinley family in Nanjing - both MAA families! We all went out to dinner together. None of us felt too adventurous; so, even though we hadn't had a decent meal, we tried to order pizza. No one at the restaurant spoke English, but we were able to get pizza without drinks (because they didn't understand that we wanted bottled water or Coke Light in a bottle).

We both slept well - although I woke up at 1:30 am, with the realization that it is "Kimi Day"! So, I went ahead and got up and got totally unpacked and organized for today and for the week. By the time Mike got up, I was organized, showered and dressed and felt great! We went down to the breakfast buffet after skyping with Elizabeth, Rachel, Chris and family, and Eddie and his boys! Which brings us to NOW. In just a few hours, we will finally be able to hold Kimi in our arms! And there will be one less orphan in the world!

We leave in less than 24 hours!

Well, nine months and 16 days since we first saw our little Kimi (almost exactly the length of a normal pregnancy), we are leaving tomorrow for China to bring her home! I am still packing and we still have one more trip to make to the store for a couple of last-minute items; but it is finally here! We will arrive in Nanjing at 1:50 PM on Sunday afternoon (that is 12:50 AM Sunday morning here in central Indiana) after 28 hours and 20 minutes in total travel time! Whew! And then, after a good night's sleep, on Monday, we finally meet our sweet little girl! My next post will be...from CHINA!!