Unexpected

There's something many of you may not know and its time to fill you in and seek your prayers.

Jay is without a job. We were blindsided by the news. We were just 2 days away from putting an offer on a home in CA near some of our dearest, best friends when the news came. Shock. Disbelief. I won't go into the details publicly but I do seek your urgent prayers for God's clear direction.

Instead of coming home to NE where we sold our home after a year on the market, instead of setting up a new home in CA, we find ourselves living at Jay's mom's winter home outside of Austin, TX. All of our belongings and furnishings are in a storage unit in NE until we find out where we will land.

This journey is painful, hurtful, tearful, fearful. Please pray for us and that God will open a door to a new career for Jay, a place where my 3 kids can find security and a place I can call home.

Prayer Request page updated with some specific prayers.

Medical

L had her first visit to a US pediatrician on Monday morning.

Learning how to ride a rocking
horse in the exam room.

First off, L was just plain silly in the waiting room.  We made it a family affair with Jay and the boys coming along.  I did that mainly so Jay could be the comfort for L if she became fearful of the doctor or the exam.  L giggled and played and was the hit of the waiting room, receiving lots of comments and smiles from all the other patients, especially a couple of teenage girls sitting across from us.  They were smitten!

While I filled out paperwork another mom came up to me and said, "My kids are adopted too - two from Russia," and she pointed over to them at the other end of the room.  They came home at around 18 months old and are now easily 8 or 10 or so.  She was so nice and we didn't talk long.  But I just love the adoption community!  I'm thankful she came up to me.

When the nurse called us back, L was measured and weighed.  She has put on 1 pound since coming home.  I don't know what to think of that because she isn't underweight by any standards, Chinese or American.  But this girl can eat and I've had to cut her off on occasion because she could eat as much as me!  She'll often eat what her brothers leave on their plates.  This girl isn't even 2 yet!

Our new doctor didn't wow me, but she was nice.  She let Jay hold L for the exam.  She asked lots of questions about L's medical background, which of course, I didn't know the answers.  She looked at all the medical info I had from L's referral as well as the immunization booklet I was given in Xi'an.  We talked about our insurance issues and she said she'd put together a schedule of tests and immunizations to get L all caught up.  I'll pick that up tomorrow.  We'll probably check out the county health department immunizations since those will be cheaper.  Looks like she needs 6 shots right now to get caught up.

In regards to her hand, we weren't sent to an orthopedic quite yet.  Again, L doesn't know she's missing anything and has adjusted to "Doing things one handed (bing!)" just fine.  Sorry, I had to make a plug for one of our favorite blogs.  Be sure to check it out because the guy who writes it will make you laugh.  We're so proud to be a part of the limb difference community.  Our doctor did say she has a number of patients with similar issues and they see an orthopedist just once a year.  She wasn't concerned and neither are we.  We'll venture down that route when we're properly insured.

In other news, we are preparing for our first post-placement visit with a social worker as part of our adoption requirements.  China doesn't give us much time - we have to have our first report in 1 month from the date we arrived home (that gives us 2 more weeks to get it done).  Hopefully our social worker will get something on the calendar with us before the week is up.  Thankfully, a donation we received will cover the cost of the first social worker visit.  We won't have another one until L has been home for 6 months and hopefully we'll have a new career by then!

Happy with Baba waiting for the doctor.

Bonding between L and Jay is happening.  She'll now swim with him in the pool but it can take a little bit of encouragement in the form of counting to 3 and throwing her up in the air and catching her as she splashes down and belly laughs.  Baba throws much higher than mama.  She still prefers me when she's tired or cranky but we're seeing improvement.

Introducing her to cold foods has been interesting.  I let her stay up late last night so she could see the boys eating freeze pops.  Of course, she wanted in on the action but once she bit into one and pulled the flavored ice out of the thin plastic sleeve, she grunted, winced and made the most hysterical face while chewing, but she ate it and came back for more, with more grunting and wincing.  We'll try to get it on video because it will make you laugh!

One Week

We've been home for a whole week and much has happened.

Like my swimming suit, Grammie?

L loves to Skype with her cousins and learned (and comprehended) her first English word, a long drawn out, cuter than puppies, "Hiiiiiiiiiiiii,"  complete with a cute little backwards hand wave that makes it look like she's waving at herself.  Stinking adorable!

Her second word is "Uh-oh," however she clearly didn't get it at first.  She'd say, "Uh-oh," and point to a cracker, her milk cup, anything she wanted, not just when something fell down.  Only a day later and she's using the word properly.  Now if she wants something, she just says, "ma-ma-ma."

She has been to the pool and seems to love the water.  Anyone in my family has to be a fish.  It's a requirement.  In fact, I think she's fearless because I'll stand her at the top step and she'll put her arms out and jump to me, even if my arms aren't out to catch her.  Don't worry, mom, I don't take my eyes off her for a minute.  Thanks, CD for the life jacket!  We use it daily as you can see by the pictures!

Not sure about entering the pool with baba.

Other than trying to feed her a cold turkey sandwich (they only feed kids warm food in China), we have not had any food battles yet, but I'm sure some will be heading our way.  She never liked the formula my guides said I should buy in Xi'an, so once home I tried good ol' American cow's milk.  No problems.  She does prefer it warmed up though.  She shocked me one of our first nights home when I popped a frozen pizza in the oven for simplicity's sake.  I cut hers into long, thin strips and she actually ate them!  And she devoured half of a bagel, egg and cheese sandwich for dinner the other night, which she was rewarded with some cinnamon roll.  She's a fan of "brinner."  Good girl!

She loves her brothers and laughs at them and watches them as they play together.  The boys are enjoying learning a Chinese word every day or so to help L relate to all the change.  She does seem to respond to it, which is fun to see!  But put one of my boys on my lap and she'll come up and swat at them.  Jealousy.

The biggest battle she faces is bonding with Jay.  In the morning, her best time of day, Jay will get her up, fed, bathed and dressed, all with little or no tears.  Sometime after lunch, as she gets tired, she wants nothing to do with him.  When swimming, she wants mama, not baba.  She'll swim and smile forever with me.  With Jay it is swim and scream.  I seek your prayers for these two.  We both know it will take time, and each day we do see some improvement, but I do pray for a big breakthrough sooner than later.

Home!

Thank you!!!  Your prayers were answered and L did great on the flights home!  The first leg was Guangzhou to Tokyo (4 hours).  No one was sitting next to me and I had the bulkhead, so I took the aisle and as long as I held L on my lap for takeoff and landing, L was free in her own seat next to the window. Kept her very happy.  Lollipops also helped!

The flight was on time and I didn't have to run in Tokyo to our connecting flight only an hour and a half later.  We actually had some time at the gate to run and stretch.  L cried at the gate when I had to scoop her up to board, but she quieted down once we were on the plane.

The 8 hour flight from Tokyo to San Francisco was decent.  L really did great, but my seat mates were the problem.  I had the aisle and there was a middle seat and a window seat.  A woman from Singapore and her teenage daughter sat there.  They were nice and helpful most of the time, but twice, L fell asleep in my arms and only 20 minutes or so into her sleep, they'd both need to get up and go to the bathroom.  Seriously?  Of course, L awoke each time and cried.  So, I spent a lot of the flight standing at the back of the plane holding L, rocking her, singing to her, etc.  She seemed to enjoy people watching.

Our layover in San Francisco was long (4 hours) and I was just so anxious to get home to my husband and boys.  We called Jay immediately and told him we were on US Soil and his daughter had been through the "New Immigrant" line at US Customs and had been processed.  She was issued an IH3 visa and officially became a US Citizen!  Yay!!!  We had lunch at Burger King.  I know that's sad, but it was the cheapest option and it was quick and easy.  She loved chicken nuggets and fries.

We finally got onto our final airplane and flew home to my husband and boys.  L fell asleep before takeoff, which was very nice.  She woke up very sleepy and angry upon landing.  At our final airport I plopped her into the stroller and ran down the terminal to my boys.  I knew the airport well and knew that there was an escalator at the end of the terminal down to the baggage claim.  I figured the boys would be waiting for me to come down the escalator.  But I had L in the stroller and they knew I had bought one.  So, to keep it easy, I kept her in the stroller and we took the elevator.

When the doors opened on the 1st floor, I immediately heard our friend WD's voice.  Jay had told friends to come celebrate our homecoming rather than it being just family.  Sweet.  There were 7 or 8 people there with signs saying, "We love L!"  "Welcome home Collins family!" and "Welcome home L!"  I saw them, but I didn't see my husband.  I snuck up on them from behind and they all cheered and yelled upstairs to Jay and the boys who in turn had to come down the escalator to greet us.  I ran into Jay's arms and sobbed happy tears.  We were home and we were a complete family.  What a feeling.  My oldest boy C kept saying, "Mom, I just can't believe this is happening!"  My youngest boy E was just excited and he showed me his welcome home sign complete with Lego Ninjago characters!  I love my boys!

Jay picked up his daughter who was quite silent over the whole ordeal.  I know someone was taking pictures, and I'm sure they'll get them to me, so be patient and I'll post them when I get them.  I'm anxious to see them too, although I know how ragged I looked after flying for 15 hours plus 5 1/2 hours of layovers.

L started to scream when Jay carried her out of the airport to the van in the parking lot.  But once in her car seat (1st ever) she actually calmed down and seemed to like it.  I think it helped that the car seat is rear facing because she's under 2 for another month, so she had a good view of her brothers.  We grabbed dinner on the way home and we settled in.  We called my mom on Skype and she was elated to be seeing her granddaughter for the first time live.  Thank God for Skype!  Want to Skype with us?  Contact me for my Skype name.

I took a much needed and much enjoyed shower and brushed my teeth and felt like a new woman.  We stayed up all too late and put all the kids to bed, L in between us in our bed!

Jet lag is kicking my butt.  Today as I post this, I've been up for nearly 24 hours again.  During the day I have no time to rest with 3 kids to chase after, groceries to buy, laundry to do, meals to make.  But as tired as I was last night, I was absolutely unable to sleep.  It was so frustrating that I was in tears.  I came out to the couch to see if that helped.  Nope.  I uploaded all my pictures and posted them to my Shutterfly site (contact me for access as it is password protected) and then I logged into FB around 3am.  Turns out, one of my fellow adoptive families was also wide awake in MI.  They had at least had some sleep.  Me, not so much!  So, today will be awful for me.  I'd appreciate prayers for sleep tonight and final adjustment to life back home.

Pray for L and Jay as they bond.  She does have interest in him, but wants me for comfort.  It's hard on Jay, but we both know she'll come around in due time.  Pretty soon, she'll be wrapped around his little finger.  May it be sooner than later!

More details later.  I just know some of you have been dying for updates, so hopefully those will quench your thirst for a while.

Day 10 - Final Thoughts from China

Today is our last day in China.  I am very excited to be going home as it feels like I've been gone for a month at times.  At the same time, it is sad to know that I'm taking L from her birth country.  

In a perfect, sinless world, adoption would not even be necessary.  We'd have no need for a Savior and children would be cared for by parents who love them and there would be no war and famine, no pain and suffering.  But we don't live in a world like that.  There is pain and suffering, there are people and children in great need, we do not know peace, people do go hungry and oh, do we ever need a Savior!  I'm forever grateful to be adopted into His family and I'm honored and privileged to be raising one of His daughters as such a reflection.

Adoption is a miracle!  And here's a note to those of you who ever had the slightest, faintest idea that maybe you could adopt.  In two words...  DO IT!  I'm not saying adoption is for everyone.  We are all called to care for the orphan.  The Bible is crystal clear on that.  Those of you who have supported us financially, physically, emotionally, tangibly, prayerfully, you have served an orphan.  To that, God will say, "Well done!"  

But I know there are a few of you out there whom I know personally who have expressed an interest in adoption.  Do it!  Yes, the road was long.  Yes, the road was ugly (and still may be - hold on for the flights home and adjustment to our family).  Yes, it is expensive.  Yes, it is emotionally, spiritually, physically and financially draining.  You really want to do it now, don't you?  

Our adoption was all of the above and then some.  But I can say wholeheartedly now that it was worth it.  L is worth it!  Following God's call on our lives is worth it!  There is no feeling quite like this - being at the end of a long journey and to know that we were faithful to God and His call and He did indeed provide for everything!  He's just that amazing.

You know how a woman says that after her child is born, all the pain of childbirth is erased from memory?  I was never like that.  I remember waking up at 2am biting my pillow with contractions 5 minutes apart.  I remember the pain of 2 c-sections.  Adoptive parents say similar things, that once you have your child in your arms, the pain and the trial of adoption is a distant memory.  Well, that's not the case with me either.  I still painfully remember losing Nepal and all our savings that we invested.  I remember the agonizing 130+ days waiting for our LOA from China.  I'll never understand why some people adopt so easily yet we had to struggle so.  I'll never forget the agony of trying to adopt in a broken system.  

But the journey is worth it, if God is calling you to it.  Let me know how I can pray for you and support you.  I want to pay it forward for all those who have blessed us in our journey. This has been the biggest act of faith I've ever taken.  My life has been forever changed. I want to dedicate the rest of my life to the defending the cries of the orphan.

Will you?

Flight Info

The Internet is painfully slow here this morning.  I hope I'll be able to call my mom later.  But I'm not even going to try right now because this is so bogged down.

This is not today's true post.  You'll have to wait for that for a little while.  But for any of my CA friends who might want to see us at the airport, here is my flight info.  Be sure to track flights.  If I'm late at all, I might not have much time to visit because I'll need to clear cuatoms and make my connecting flight which may very well be in another terminal.  

Thursday, June 7, 2012

All Nippon Airways - ANA Flight #NH934
Depart Guangzhou, China (CAN)  09:15am
Arrive Tokyo, Japan (NRT)  2:40pm

United Airlines - UA Flight #UA838
Depart Tokyo, Japan (NRT) 4:00pm
Arrive San Francisco, USA (SFO) 9:20am

You've got to love crossing the international date line.  I arrive in the USA only 5 minutes after I leave China.  Oh, how I wish it worked that way!  Keep the travel prayers coming.

My last post from China will post when you get up in the morning, if the web starts responding here, that is!

Day 9 - CA

Today was our last adoption appointment - the Consulate Appointment. Our driver met us in the lobby at 9am and we took a short 15 minute drive to the US Consulate which happens to be right next to Ikea. God bless Sweden, the land of my ancestors! My guide was waiting for me outside as she had to pick up L's medical report this morning at the International Travel Clinic.

We went inside but we were there early and had to wait for about 20 minutes in the hall. Then all guides left us and we were on our own. We were told to "take the escalator up and turn left," which we did (by we I mean us plus maybe a dozen other adopting families, maybe more). We went through security and I was asked to leave my diaper bag outside the room. Phones and iPads and laptops I understand, but my whole diaper bag? It had all the Cheerios, water bottles and a couple of toys to keep L entertained. Oh well. In typical L fashion, she was all over the place. All of us waited around, with no direction, hoping we were in the right place and doing the right thing. After maybe 20 minutes an American woman behind the glass came over the microphone, welcomed us, and told us what would happen. She even thanked us and said that they all understand what we've been through to bring our kids home over the many months and years. It was really quite a genuine comment that brought tears to my eyes. She gets it. We raised our right hands and took our oath stating that all of our paperwork was true and correct. That surprised me because my agency said we'd return in the afternoon for our oath. I wonder why.

Our last names were called one by one, in no particular order. While we waited, I joined some of the families I had dinner with last night and I met another gal whom I had met in the Facebook DTC group. When our name was called, L threw a tantrum when I had to pick her up, away from the toys they had in the room to head to the counter. Thank goodness it was only a quick 5 minutes to sign the paper, turn in a folder of paperwork and L's Chinese passport, and get out of there! The Chinese gentleman behind the counter was very gracious to me with my screaming daughter.

We retrieved our diaper bag and met our guide downstairs in the lobby and we were off to a local history museum here in Guangzhou. While we were there, L and I enjoyed our very first tea party! We were invited to tea in one of the shops inside the museum and the woman pouring tea let me try lots of different teas and I didn't have to pay anything for it! The first tea I had was made of orange peel and it was by far my favorite. L got to try some too since it is so healthy and will help her cough, which is almost gone. Then I tried a green tea while L munched on a biscuit. I had mentioned that white tea is my favorite and the woman immediately brought out a white tea for me to try. It is made with a chrysanthemum that opens up in the water as the tea brews. It is most often served in a clear tea glass because it is so beautiful. It was delicious and gorgeous. I was in tea heaven and loving every minute of it.

We visited other shops and my guide told me that the prices for jade and calligraphy were quite good, but I knew we'd be stopping at a store for a stroller later, plus I'd have to tip our driver, so I held back and didn't buy anything. I kind of regret it now because it turns out I would have had plenty of cash on me. I would have loved a jade bracelet for L and a matching one for me. Oh well. It's not about the stuff. This trip is about my daughter and we need to watch our budget. She's the biggest gift of all!

We enjoyed the museum and the shops then it was off to a store called Carrefour for a much needed stroller. Best 179 yuan ($28) I ever spent! L immediately loved it and rode in it inside the van too (again, no car seats here). It is already so much easier for me, even though wearing her in my Mobi Wrap is best for bonding.

Tonight we headed to a Cantonese restaurant around the corner at the Dong Fang Hotel, the place I was supposed to stay at originally. My guide said the restaurant was very reasonable and she said they have the best fried rice around. It's her favorite. It did not disappoint! L proceeded to eat nearly an entire plate of fried rice complete with green onion that was bigger then her head, I kid you not. I had a plate of beef noodles that were just a bit spicy and wonderful! I was the only foreigner in there and no one spoke English. That was fun!

Tonight we lost power in our hotel room. The Internet went out too. That was interesting. I called the front desk and they sent up and engineer who must have flipped a fuse in the ceiling. Odd. It's not like I had anything plugged in - not even the hot pot for boiling water. After that, L went to bed beautifully and is sound asleep in her crib as I type this.

Tomorrow is a free day and the only thing we have on the schedule is to meet my guide between 4-4:30 in the lobby to receive L's passport and US visa, our final documents to bring her home! I plan to ask her if she can translate L's scrapbook from the orphanage since I didn't have time to do that in Xi'an. Then I may ask her if I can treat her to dinner.

Have a great day! Next post will be our final day in China! I'm excited and again, please, please be praying for a calm little girl on all these flights home. She is one stubborn little girl - probably the Tiger in her.

My guide in GZ, Lucy, helping with L with tea.  Our first Tea Party!!!

All dressed up for our Consulate Appointment.

Loving the stroller from Carrefour.

Mama and L in the van on the way to our Consulate Appointment.

Art museum in GZ.

Day 8 - Medical

L is a good sleeper! She sleeps in her crib all night after I rock and walk with her until she's sound asleep on my shoulder. We called home this morning and I heard all about my boys' new Legos that they bought with their stash of gift cards from Christmas and birthdays.

We went to the breakfast buffet where L proceeded to eat more noodles than should be humanly possible for a 22 month old. I enjoyed the pineapple buns very much. We stashed a few bananas away for later. We visited the outdoor play area on the 4th floor hoping some other families would be there. The only ones there were a local mom and her little girl, maybe 4 or 5, who proceeded to throw sticks at L and blocked her from using any of the play equipment. The mom just sat back and watched it happen. Nice. Eventually they left and L enjoyed the swing the best. She didn't smile much on it, but when it was time to leave, oh, she threw a fit and wanted right back on.

This afternoon was L's required Medical Appointment. My guide and driver met us in the lobby at 1pm and we drove about 15-20 minutes to the location. It was a brand new, beautiful building. L had her visa picture taken and for once, she didn't scream! But she did scream for the doctors. First up was the ENT. To my surprise, they actually used an Otoscope, which L of course hated. Then it was into another room for the body check. I asked my guide to find out what the scar is on L's right arm. It's about an inch long and it might have to do with some kind of vaccination. Anyone? The doctor never answered and that made me a bit upset. I think its a BCG scar, bit its about an inch long, straight line almost like an incision - very big! Lastly it was into yet one more room for the height and weight check. She weighs a little over 22 pounds and is 33 inches tall. Lastly, we filled out some paperwork and we were off. We weren't there more than an hour.

My guide went to the US Consulate to drop off some papers and the driver took me back to the hotel where L refused to nap since she missed nap time thanks to the appointment.

Tonight was a big highlight for me! I took a cab over to another hotel and met a friend who I met online in a Facebook Adoption group. I met her travel group too. What wonderful people! It was nice to not feel so alone here and it felt like seeing family! I love you guys and your kids are all beautiful! We ate at an Irish Pub near their hotel. L had her first bite of chicken and French fries. She seemed to like both but she didn't scarf down the meal like I know she can. It was new to her.

Then it was back to the hotel for an early bedtime. She was out in less than 30 minutes!

Tomorrow is going to be another early day (so i won't be able to call, Jaybird) meeting my guide and driver at 9am for our 10am US Consulate Appointment. After that we will sightsee, do some shopping (I NEED a stroller here and for the airports on Thursday (there will be 4 of them - Guangzhou, Tokyo (!!!no excitement here!!!), San Francisco and then home (yay-FINALLY-sigh of relief). We'll return to the Consulate in the afternoon for our Oath and then we're done for the day as far as I know.

Please be praying fervently for the flights for L. As I mentioned before, she wailed nearly the entire 2 hour flight here to GZ. I'm honestly dreading the flights home but I want to be home so badly! Seriously, the thought of these flights makes me cry after how she handled her first flight. Please pray for L to be calm, no tears, no delayed flights, no running through the airports to make connections, helpful flight attendants and courteous fellow passengers (maybe even some with their adopted kids).

Thanks!

PS... Yes, I'll post a picture soon. Just haven't uploaded them to my iPad yet.

Despite the look on her face, she LOVED the swing and screamed when I removed her to head in for a nap.

Her BCG scar.  I met 1 other family whose daughter has a similar LARGE scar.

Day 7 - Hello from Guangzhou!

Well, it was an early morning but we made it! And it was crazy from the start. I got up at 5:30 and showered and dresses, the got Miss L up around 6:15. We intended to check out of the hotel, eat one last free breakfast at the hotel, and then meet our guide and driver. But upon check-out, my credit card was declined (love the security measures, but I called them to tell them my China dates), then L had a blowout diaper and ruined a fresh, clean outfit. So, I ran into the lobby restroom to change her clothes and then met my guide who ushered us into the van. No breakfast. Thankful for Cheerios - toddler superfood!

Me made it to the airport and my guide checked us in. My departure gate was unknown, so we went through security until something posted on the monitors. I let L walk everywhere but she was also being plenty naughty, laying on a dirty airport floor and taking her shoes off. At the last minute we had a gate change, so I scooped her up and we hiked to the other end of the terminal where we waited even longer for our delayed flight.

Once we boarded, the crying and screaming started. It was ugly. She was scared, tired, hungry for real food, you name it. She wailed during takeoff until I could get a flight attendant to bring her some juice to refill the bottle that she downed all too quickly. To my surprise, they still serve meals on domestic flights here, so some rice and a hotdog-type meatball were scarfed down quickly and that stopped the sobbing for a while. But after that it returned. She fell asleep only maybe 15 minutes prior to landing. Sigh. This mama had had it!

We have arrived at the China Hotel and I am connected to the wifi and now I can blog in realtime from my guest room. Yay! As soon as I post this, I'll get onto FB and read all your comments. Sorry you can't comment here. Sometimes blogging on the iPad won't let me get to the tools screen where I can allow you to leave comments. I'll go back and try to do that now that I have some free time while L sleeps.

My guide left and didn't give me her cell number or a list of restaurants or shops nearby. Not sure where to go for dinner. It might be McD's right outside the hotel. Sad but true. In the meantime, we'll seek out the playroom on another floor and hopefully we'll connect with other families!

Oh, by the way, if you're looking at my list of posts and notice I'm missing Day 6, nice catch. I usually write my posts when L is down for the night and then post in the morning from the lobby of the hotel in Xi'an. Well, that obviously didn't happen this morning with our early departure. Not much happened yesterday. We just stayed in and played and packed. As you can see by the picture below, she started to tolerate the bath. Let's see if she actually enjoys it tonight in a new hotel!

Tomorrow afternoon is L's medical appointment at 2pm local time. We'll see what that's like.

A cute shot through the curtains in our hotel in Xi'an.

L in front of her first airplane!

Checking out of our room in Xi'an.

Starting to tolerate the bath in Xi'an.

Eating some sweet bread (much like Hawaiian Bread) before our flight to GZ.

Day 5 Sightseeing - Alternate title: It Can't be all Sunshine and Roses

For the second day in a row I had to wake my daughter in the morning to get dressed, have breakfast and meet our tour guide at 9am for today's sightseeing. We went downstairs to the lobby, the only place I can get on wifi, to call Jay and the boys. Skype was in and out and after 3 tries to have a decent conversation, I tearfully gave up without even being able to tell them that I miss them and I love them. L was also all over the place, not sitting next to me on the couch, so I was trying to wrangle her at the same time.

We went into the hotel restaurant for the breakfast buffet where L proceeded to throw her entire plate of noodles on the floor, handful by handful. I think she ate some hard boiled egg and I know she ate an entire banana, but that was about it.

We walked the lobby while waiting for our guide and then made it to the van for today's sightseeing tour. Only L would have none of it! She cried and screamed like I've never heard her before. And since there are no car seats in China, she thrashed about on my lap the entire drive to the City Wall. Lovely. Nothing consoled her until we got out of the van.

The City Wall is beautiful! We paid our entrance fee and then proceeded to the stairs - 75 uneven, steep brick stairs, straight up to the top. Doesn't sound like much, but add a heavy diaper bag with all L's gear, my credentials, bottles of water, etc., plus an almost 2 year old in my arms and i was huffing and puffing and dripping wet! We made it to the top but L would not walk with us. So, I strapped her into my Moby Wrap and we were off to see the city of 8.4 million residents (actually more, but that's the government number).

After that, it was back to the van (and more tears and thrashing) for the ride to the Wild Goose Pagoda. L thrashed so much that she whacked the back of her head in the car so hard that the driver even looked back to see what happened. So, the wailing continued and I was about to scream, "Turn the van around and just take us back to the hotel. Mama can't do this anymore!" but we pressed on and made it to the pagoda. It was beautiful! L calmed down after a long while and she walked around on her own. Then we walked around the square where people were out and about celebrating Children's Day.

Welcome to the land of split pants and bare bottoms! Split pants are worn by young children so when they need to go, they just squat and go! The seam of the pants is un-stitched and open from front to rear, and the children obviously go commando underneath and so you see lots of cheeks hanging out! We saw the largest musical fountain in Northeastern China and kids splashed and waded inside the ankle deep water. So with that comes the children who are done wading and they are walking around totally and completely pants-less as their wet pants lay out to dry. I refrained from taking pictures, but I did find it so innocent and cute. Different culture!

We walked for quite a while outside visiting with other families and kids. I still get lots of looks but none seemed negative. I received many smiles and a few happy "hellos" from those who know a few English words.

Back to the van we went and the crying and screaming commenced. This time, a snack of Cheerios seemed to help keep her calm. We made it back to the hotel and then walked to a nearby restaurant. Yesterday I asked my guide what her favorite food was and she described it as a pancake with pork. So, I suggested we go there today. Once again, she paid for her own meal. More goes into her tip on Sunday morning. The sandwich was round, thin bread but it wasn't sweet like a pancake at all. It reminded me most of a pita bread. Inside was a small amount of pork and I'm sure, pork fat. Needless to say, it was delicious! L loved it too but my guide was quick to tell me that she shouldn't have too much meat, so I should just eat it. They like to feed their babies lots of sweet things and not very much savory food. Hmmmmm. That's going to change slowly when we are home. My meal also came with spicy noodles. Hello, spicy! I loved it, but it was swimming in chili oil. Wow! Small restaurants like this place and the dumpling shop didn't carry beverages, so bring bottles of water, all you soon-to-travel friends of mine.

After that we walked back to the hotel where I checked my email in the lobby and posted yesterday's blog post. Then L started wandering all over the place and purposely dumping her Cheerios bowl, so it was time to wrangle her into her crib for a much needed nap. She went down fussy and I had a good lonely and exhausted cry too but she has been sleeping soundly now as I've sat in the bathroom doing more laundry because today's clothes were soaking wet. And I'm writing this post from the bathroom floor too, then I'll upload pictures to my iPad so I can upload to yesterday's post (be sure to scroll down to look).

All of L's papers and passport should be delivered by the adoption coordinator in a couple hours! Tomorrow is a free day because we need to rest and pack since Sunday morning we need to eat breakfast and check out of our hotel by 7:20am for our trip to the airport and flight to Guangzhou. Ugh! That's early for a toddler!!!

I'd obviously appreciate your prayers for L tomorrow as we lay low again. And especially for Sunday, the early schedule, the hour drive to the airport, and L's first ever airplane flight! Pray for strength and patience for me as i wrangle her, a 45 pound suitcase and a large backpack in this crazy heat! Start praying now!!!!

Xi'an City Wall

My guide's favorite lunch.  Pork sandwich and spicy noodles.

Moat surrounding Xi'an.  Used to be bigger.

Walking around Wild Goose Pagoda.

Largest musical fountain in NE China.  This goes on FOREVER!  Amazing!

Day 4 - Sightseeing

Today my tour guide returned and we met at 9am to see the local sights.

We first visited the Terra Cotta Warriors which were about 45 minutes outside of town in the mountains. The warriors were buried underground in tombs ages ago. They are life sized warriors, generals, even horses! There are many tombs to look at and one is probably nearly the size of a football field. I hoped to get a little more history about it, but L was all over the place! She wanted to walk everywhere. My guide told me to take pictures while she chased after L, but that meant I didn't get nearly the whole story of the Terra Cotta Warriors. There were many foreigners there as well as nationals, but I didn't see any foreigners carrying Chinese babies. I was definitely received with A LOT more smiles and greetings though. In fact, a group of college kids shared their picnic lunch with L! They were so sweet and they fed her some sort of meat stick, a cracker and LOTS of marshmallows. They got a big kick out of her and one even got to hold her for a picture.

We also went to a factory where they make warriors and handcrafted goods today. I didn't buy anything, but I wanted to buy the whole store! My guide told me not to feel pressured to buy anything, leading me to think that those things were expensive. The shop owner did say that he thought I was a good person and that anything I wanted would be half price. Tempting! Everyone was really pushing me to buy jewelry, a stamp with L's Chinese name on it, etc. One shopper came up in very good English and asked if my daughter is Chinese. I said yes and he smiled a huge smile and said, "You're a good mom." That made me cry. I almost lost it right in the store.

For lunch, my guide set me up nicely at a dumpling shop near my hotel. L didn't touch more than a bite and I brought back an entire plate of leftovers. Maybe she'll eat them later. My guide ate with me but she paid her bill before I could pay for her meal. More will go in her tip at the end of the week.

I returned to the hotel and it was time for some cool down time. It's hot here in northern China and I can't believe it being hotter down in Guangzhou. I want the Coke in the minibar so badly! I hope my husband has a big glass of sweet tea with ice for me when we come home on the 7th. (how's that for a hint?) I did a second load of laundry in the bathtub only to find that my khaki capris that I wore on Gotcha Day are ruined. It was a misty day and I think L's shoes were filthy and the black stains didn't come out. Darn. My favorite pair too.

Tomorrow my guide will take me to the city wall (just as you'd picture it, a huge brick wall surrounding the city) and the Wild Goose Pagoda. I'm very excited to visit the pagoda since geese are my favorite animal. And tomorrow is Children's Day in China, so public places will be very busy and there will be lots of people out playing with their kids. How awesome to be celebrating Children's Day in China with my daughter!

I've read lots of adoption blogs and have read of travel and people wishing they could just go home and be done with the trip. The traveler in me used to think, "oh, just enjoy it and take in every second." But i get it now. I am enjoying it, but i miss my men at home. It feels like I've been here a month and I'm very anxious to leave and head to Guangzhou to the Embassy and all our immigration appointments. I'll have another few days here while we continue to wait for L's passport to arrive. It will be nice to meet up with other American families in GZ and not feel like the only foreigner with a Chinese baby! And my time there will be short and full of appointments like the medical exam on Monday, the Consulate Appointment and oath on Tuesday and her US Visa arriving on Wednesday. Then we head home on Thursday. Phew! That will be a whirlwind! Looking forward to it.

Sorry no pictures. It was a full, hot, exhausting day and I'm beat. I'll upload some tomorrow, so check back then.

My guide with the college kids who shared their lunch with L.

L and mama at the Terra Cotta Warriors.

Breakfast at the hotel.  The best time of day.

Dumplings and spicy dipping sauce for lunch.  L didn't touch them.

My guide in Xi'an, Cathy.