US Consulate Appointment

This morning we were up bright and early for Hannah's consulate appointment.  We got her up around 6:30 so we would have time to eat breakfast before catching the bus at 7:40.  We dressed Hannah in a patriotic dress that I got on clearance last summer for this very appointment.

We took the bus for about 20-30 minutes to get to the US Consulate which is in a newer part of Guangzhou.   It is drizzly, cold and rainy today so we bundled the babies up and walked from the bus to the Consulate building.

Once we were there we saw Chinese people everywhere.  They were standing in long lines, all clutching packets of paperwork.  They were all waiting to get in so they could apply for visas to come to the US.  As US citizens, we were taken to a separate line where we went in to the building almost immediately.  It was a very tangible example of how lucky we are to be American.   We went through security and went inside.  We were not allowed to bring any electronics, phones, watches, or cameras.  Each family brought a large ziploc bag with baby supplies.

Our guide gave specific instructions on where we would need to go as he was not allowed inside.  We went to the adoption unit and took a number.  Once all the families from multiple agencies arrived (about 12 families) we all stood and raised our right hand to take an oath on behalf of our child.  We promised that all of the information we provided in Hannah's immigrant visa application was correct. I got a lump in my throat, not because what we said was monumental, but because this is the FINAL STEP.  Taking this oath and applying for Hannah's visa is the last approval, last piece of paper, last stage of waiting for this entire process to be finished.  There is such a relief and emotional release from knowing that everything is almost finished.

After the oath each family was called up to a window one at a time to submit their documents.  All of Hannah's papers were there and in order thanks to our guides.  Hannah was happy the whole time which was awesome.  She sometimes gets overwhelmed in large crowds or when we are out and about, so I was thankful to have a happy, smiling, laughing girl!  When everyone was done our group walked back outside, met our guide and now we are back at the hotel.   Hannah took a short nap on the bus ride back.

While we were at the consulate we saw a familiar family we met in Zhengzhou.  They are adopting a 14 year old girl who is so sweet.  14 is the age at which you cannot be adopted anymore in China.  When they submitted their documents this young girl's packet was missing a notarized document from her province-- her birth mother's death certificate.  The family is panicked about missing this form as the province is very far away.  Would you please pray for this family to find the document they need, and that they are not forced to return to the girl's province to get it?  We do not know their names but we know God is well aware of the situation!

We have free time the rest of the day and plan to play in the room and let Hannah have a nice afternoon nap.  The weather is supposed to improve tomorrow so we hope to do more exploring around Guangzhou.

Pearl Market & Play Time

Hannah and Bryan are asleep but I wanted to do a quick recap of today so I don’t get behind.  

Today’s agenda included a trip to the Pearl Market in Guangzhou to buy pearls.  We got up this morning and got ready and took Hannah to breakfast.  The breakfast area was so crowded that they had to seat us with another adoptive family that we do not know.  We enjoyed visiting with them but let’s just say Hannah was not at her best this morning :)  She was so fussy and screamed several times and I could not figure out why she was upset.  I finally got her settled down again (after being stared at by many Chinese people in the restaurant!) and tried to put her back in the high chair.  I didn’t buckle her in since she is not mobile, thinking she’d be ok.  I did not realize the high chair didn’t have a piece of plastic that goes between the baby’s legs.  When Hannah got upset and started to cry she slid right out of the bottom of the high chair.  Luckily I caught her before she hit the floor but it was definitely not a moment that will make it on my ‘mom of the year’ application.  Meanwhile, Bryan had been pulled aside in the main dining area to talk with another adoptive family we don’t know about their medical concerns for their newly adopted child.  So far on the trip he has done multiple ‘consults’, and we are so glad he is able to help many families and put their minds at ease.  Too bad this consult happened while his daughter was melting down and busting it in the Chinese high chair!

After breakfast we tried to visit the outdoor play area but Hannah was not having it.  We took a few pictures before going back to our room.  

I think going to the room to play is just what she needed.  My arms are tired from carrying her all the time (she doesn’t really like the Ergo very much and refuses a stroller).  I think while she wants to be held for comfort she is getting tired of being carried around all the time too!  We all sat on the floor and played and played.  Bryan was spinning her bracelets on the floor and she thought that was hilarious.  She belly laughed at him and loved their play time together.  Eventually she got the idea to throw the bracelets which she thinks is awesome.  Once home we will have to work on teaching her what is ok to throw and not ok to throw— but for now in China most things are permissible for the sake of bonding, especially with Daddy!!

Putting bracelets on her foot

Laughing at Daddy

At 11am we met our group to go to the Pearl Market.  Hannah had not eaten much at breakfast and our trip would span lunchtime and naptime.  Let’s just say I was not optimistic the trip would go well, and I ended up being right.   Our guides led the group through a 6 or 7 story mall filled with hundreds of wholesale jewelry shops.  We went to a shop on one of the top floors to buy pearls.  The guides taught us about different qualities of pearls to look for before we shopped.  The store had so many strands and different styles of jewelry laid out for us.  We each picked out what we wanted and they hand knotted the pearls and re-strung them if needed.  It was fun to pick out gifts for Hannah, our family and me too!!  

Holding the bottle with my chin and carrying a fussy, heavy baby through a Chinese pearl market.  This is not my first rodeo, folks.  I felt like a champ!

Unfortunately Hannah was fussy and out of sorts for most of the time.  It took a long time to get everyone’s pearls ready and in that span of time she drank two bottles, screamed with Daddy, and finally fell asleep in the Ergo.  When I sat down to rest my back while she slept on me she woke up and cried again.  The only thing to make her stop crying was to take her out of the carrier and let her hold my lipstick.  During another part of the visit the thing that made her stop crying was holding some pearls.  Ha!

We left the pearl market and went back to the hotel where we ordered room service for lunch.  We knew Hannah just needed downtime in the room.  She played with Bryan some more before going down for a late, but short nap.  When she woke up we played again and ordered food to our room yet again.  I think she is tired of going, going, going all the time and riding in taxis and buses and vans on my lap.  

Tomorrow morning we leave our hotel at 7:40 to go to the US Consulate in Guangzhou.  This is where we will submit Hannah’s documents to get her visa to enter the United States.  Bryan and I will take an oath as her parents.  We are looking forward to this last official adoption step.  Once we do this and receive Hannah’s visa the next day we are DONE!  The only thing left to wait for is our flight to leave China.  

We are in the last leg of the race here and we covet your prayers that we would finish well.  We are doing way better than I imagined at this point in the trip but we are ready to not live out of suitcases and to be at home with our entire family.  Our boys miss us and while they are getting so much love and attention from their grandparents we know they are ready for us to come home, too.  We are sure our parents are ready for a break as well!!  Thank you for reading, encouraging us with your comments and most of all thank you for your prayers!

Medical Appointment, Shopping & the Pearl River Cruise

Yesterday (Monday) we had a busy day.  After breakfast we loaded up to go to another area of Guangzhou about 15 minutes away.  We went to a special clinic for Hannah’s medical exam.  This exam is required for her to obtain an immigrant visa to enter the United States.  

When we got to the clinic it was so crowded with many Chinese people trying to get exams for their visas.  We took visa pictures of the babies and then got to sit in a separate waiting area for adoptive families.  I was glad we weren’t sitting in the chaos!

Hannah was in a good mood while we waited to be seen at 3 different stations:  medical/surgical exam, ENT and height/weight/temperature.  Unfortunately everything went downhill once she started her exams.  She did not like the male physician examining her legs and began to melt down.  When he asked if she could bear weight on her legs (she can) I tried to show him and she hung like a wet noodle and cried.  Poor baby was scared and did not understand.  

Next we went to height/weight/temperature.  Hannah burst into tears when the nurses took her from my arms to measure her.  She was 29.5 inches tall if I remember right and 22.4 lbs.  Her temperature was normal.  We have been blessed to have a healthy baby and healthy parents for our entire trip so far!  

The last stop was ENT.  They did a quick exam and Hannah screamed, demonstrating that her throat and lungs are 100% functional.  Once we were finished with the exams she calmed down once I used one of my main China trip parenting techniques:  feed the baby puffs!

After the exam we came back to the room for a quick lunch.  I got Hannah down for a nap and then left to go shopping with another adoptive mom.  We hired a personal shopper, Ann, who takes you to the wholesale markets in Guangzhou.  We rode the subway to the shopping area and saw this lovely vendor selling one of Ann’s favorites, fried duck tongue.  She assured us it is tasty but we decided to just take her word for it.  

Once we got to the wholesale markets we bought all kinds of silk dresses for the girls, jade jewelry and other Chinese souvenirs.  Ann walks so incredibly fast that it was hard to keep up with her!  We got some great deals, had a lot of fun, and got to see a side of China we would not have seen otherwise. 

I was nervous about leaving Hannah because I knew when she woke up from her nap I would be gone.  Up until now she has not been open to receiving care or comfort from Bryan.  Some days she wouldn’t even let him play with us!  Luckily before I put her down for her nap he played with her while I hid out in the bathroom and she didn’t cry.  That gave me the courage to leave her and go shopping.  I never once doubted Bryan’s abilities as a Dad.  He is an amazing, patient, fun, and capable Dad.  I was more worried that if Hannah felt I abandoned her we would lose ground in her attachment to me.  I soon realized that at some point Hannah would have to receive care from Bryan.  Once we are home with three kids to love and comfort we won’t have man on man defense anymore!  

When I got back from shopping, Hannah was awake and sitting on the bed with her bow and shoes on in a clean diaper! She was enjoying a cookie and had just finished having play time with Daddy.  They watched a baby sign time DVD and played with toys.  Bryan said she fussed a little when she woke up but she would have done that for me too.  We were both thrilled that she had a good time with Daddy!!!  Hannah was definitely happy to see me, but it seems like that time together helped her turn a corner with Daddy.  

We quickly got ready to meet our group to go on the Pearl River cruise.  We have heard the food on the cruise is not very good so our guides helped everyone order Papa John’s pizza to be delivered to the boat.  Bryan was able to get chicken wings and french fries since he can’t eat pizza.  We ate on the boat and then went up to the top deck.  The shore of the Pearl River is lined with large buildings and many of the  massive bridges are lit up at night.  We also saw the Canton TV Tower which is the 3rd largest tower in the world.  Canton (like Cantonese) is another common name for Guangzhou.  Hannah also enjoyed pretending to put on lots and lots of chapstick!

By the time we left the dinner cruise Hannah was tired and ready for bed.  We skyped the boys once we were back at the hotel and put her to bed.  She is getting easier to put to bed and down for a nap which has been great.  I think Hannah knows she is safe and loved so it makes it easier for her to relax.  I can’t imagine how scary it was for her to go to sleep in our hotel room the first night with us.

We are really, really missing our boys.  Yesterday there was a lump in my throat all day from missing them.  We are trying to set our eyes on the reunion to come in just four days.  In the meantime, we are filling our days with more of the sights and sounds of China.  Leaving here will be bittersweet as we take Hannah away from her birth country, but we are ready to start building memories as a family of five at home!

Our First Day in Guangzhou

Today was our first full day in Guangzhou. The weather here is colder than normal but much warmer than Zhengzhou.  We have been happy to shed our heavy coats, long underwear, hats and gloves!  

Hannah slept fairly well last night.  She woke up once around 1am with a dirty diaper and slept in our bed after that until 7am. While it may sound crummy to have her not sleep through the night, we were thrilled she woke up and cried for her diaper to be changed.  Previously she just kept sleeping because she was probably not used to someone answering her cries in the night or changing her diaper right away.

We enjoyed the massive breakfast buffet in our hotel and saw many new American faces.  Every adoptive family must come to Guangzhou for their child’s medical exam and visa appointment.  It was our first time to see many faces that we know from our facebook adoption groups.

After breakfast we loaded onto the bus to head out for a morning of sightseeing.  First we went to a Buddhist temple, the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees.  It is the largest temple in Southern China and one that many Buddhists believe to be more powerful so they make pilgrimages to the temple.  It features beautiful grounds with large banyan trees, a large tower, and many Buddha statues.  There were many people there actively worshiping.  It is normally not acceptable to take photographs of Buddha but because it is a tourist location it is accepted at this temple.

 Buddha statue as you enter the temple.

People have left offerings for him - money, oranges, even some peanut oil!

Large tower at the temple

I love all the lanterns that are still hanging from Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)

Buddhists burning incense to Buddha

These statues are approximately 1600 years old

A temple holding the only female Buddha.

Our guide says she is the Buddha for women and children. 

She said the women and children needed a Buddha so they made this one up in their imaginations as she put it.

Next to a Banyan tree.  The trees were really beautiful!

Incense overload at this point :/

Bryan was a mega tourist and took a stealth mode pic of a monk!

While it was interesting to experience this part of Chinese culture (90% of older Chinese people are Buddhist) it also made us feel very sad and burdened for the people of China.  We were told that when Buddhists come to the temple they burn incense and hope the smoke will carry their wishes to the Buddhas in heaven.  As they make their wish/say their prayer, they tell the Buddha their name.  What a stark contrast to the personal, loving relationship we have with our Father in Heaven.  Not only does He know my name, but He created me, knows the number of hairs on my head and all my comings and goings.  He knows and has made great plans for me!

After the temple we went to the famous Chen Academy or Chen House.  It belongs to the Chen family which is the largest family name in Southern China.  This academy is an ancestral home that was used to teach young people before their imperial exam in China.   It is now a museum of sorts which lots of open area and exhibits of ancient Chinese artwork and artifacts.  They have calligraphy, carvings, and embroidery to name a few.  We were able to purchase scrolls with our family name and Hannah’s name in calligraphy.  

Unfortunately Hannah was not a fan of the Chen House.  She had a mega meltdown in the Ergo carrier.  She didn’t stop crying until we had completely exited the grounds of the Chen House.  I got plenty of stares from Chinese people when I couldn’t comfort my screaming child.  We knew she was probably getting hungry but we had left snacks in the bus.  

Chen Clan Academy

Ornate carvings on the building

Bryan posing by the male lion at the academy entrance

Traditional embroidery work

Calligrapher at the academy

Carvings of gods at the entrance to the academy for protection

Next we went to a store that sells artwork, jewelry, etc that are representative of Chinese culture.  They had tea sets, jade, pearls, porcelain, and silk clothing among other things.  Most of the prices were fairly high since it is a government owned store so we didn’t buy very much.  We have plans to go shopping in other areas of Guangzhou later in the week.

While we waited for the rest of our group we explored a small grocery store across the street.  As we looked at various Chinese crackers and cookies, Hannah got excited and pointed to a package of cookies.  We were thrilled to see her point to something, so you better believe we bought those cookies! Baby girl was so happy when she got to eat some in the bus! They were a light wafer cookie with a thin layer of cream icing in the middle.  

Chinese grocery store

No idea what this stuff was but it was nasty looking

China was not made for people the size of Bryan Pickett.

Here he is trying to squeeze into his bus seat.

Someone loves her new cookies!

We went back to the hotel and ordered room service.  After a long morning out we knew Hannah needed the peace of the room.  She enjoyed some pasta with me and then I was able to quickly rock her to sleep.  She took a great 2 hour nap before waking up to enjoy another cookie!  

Bryan hides out in the bathroom while I put Hannah to sleep so he doesn't distract her.  

This is how I found him when I finally got her down today:

CUTIE PATOOTIE!

This evening we joined about 20 other adoptive families from many agencies at a local Irish restaurant in Guangzhou.  We ate buffet style and got to meet many faces that we had previously only seen on Facebook.  While I didn’t get the chance to visit with everyone, it was a great encouragement to be in the room with so many like-minded people who love adoption like we do!

The name of the restaurant in Chinese so we could tell the taxi where to take us

Just our table at the restaurant.  This is probably 1/3 of the people there!

Look who can hold her bottle!

Hannah did great at the restaurant and even decided she was capable of holding her own bottle! Until now she wanted us to feed her everything.  She is fully capable of picking up small bites of food in spite of her arthrogyposis in her hands, yet she will pick up bites and hand them to me so I can feed her.  It is actually really funny and I’ve been happy to accomodate her as it is great for bonding.  We suspect the orphanage nannies thought she couldn’t feed herself so they spoon fed her everything.  

When we got back from the restaurant she decided she could in fact take a bite of a cookie!  May seem small to you but this is monumental for her this week!  I am more than happy to feed her but life is about to get hectic in about 7 days when she is one of 3 kids we are caring for, so being able to take a few bites of food without help would be awesome! :)

We skyped with the boys and then got Hannah ready for bed.  She is loving her bottle and being snuggled and rocked at night. We received updated information on her the night before gotcha day that says she did not need to be held to fall asleep.   Well of course she didn’t— that likely was not even an option in the orphanage! Now that she knows how good it feels to be rocked and comforted to sleep she wants nothing to do with falling asleep all alone.  I am thankful to get this time of comforting, rocking and loving back with her since we missed the first 18 months of her life.  

We are holding up well— way better than we ever did in Kyrgyzstan! — and appreciate everyone’s prayers and encouragement.  Hannah is still not accepting care from Bryan other than taking bites of table food from him.  Bryan is handling that fine and being a great support to me, but it would be wonderful if Hannah would begin to accept him as a loving caregiver too.  We are thrilled she is attaching well to me but I would love to share the task of carrying her around with him, and let him enjoy her snuggles too!  We would love it if you would pray for her heart to be open to her Daddy who loves her dearly.  It may be weeks before she changes her mind about him— but we trust it will happen when she is ready.  

Tomorrow we have Hannah’s medical exam in the morning, shopping in the afternoon, and the Pearl River cruise in the evening.  It should be a full and fun day!