Time to update the blog

Well...a few friends have been bugging me to update my blog, so that they can watch the little bean grow. It's now been almost 2 years since I brought Leila home, and the changes are AMAZING! You know...I went into my adoption, hoping for the best, but also preparing for the worst, especially considering some of the issues the Leila could have ended up with. Well, she's better than even my best hopes and dreams. She is an Angel sent to me from Heaven, and I have been truly blessed. I often think of the movie "The Sound of Music" when Julie Andrews sings "somewhere in my youth, or childhood, I must have done something good" because that's exactly how I feel...I must have done something good, to get such a wonderful child. "Nothing comes from nothing, nothing ever could".

So here she is, 2 years later.

At the Halloween carnival, up the street from our house. She got to pick what she wanted to wear. She's got a keen sense of style.

Walking home from the Halloween Festival.

Trick or Treating with Uncle Jay
Back from Trick or Treating and hanging with Aunt Kimmy
Going in for her laser surgery. She was a trooper!

The Pledge of Allegiance

I'm ready to come home...

I'm tired...and I just want to sleep in my own bed, with my own belongings, and I SO desperately want to wear some different clothing. I only packed three outfits, and though the Chinese laundry here is wonderful and cheap...I'm a spoiled American, and I want to wear something different!!! I want to just relax in my recliner, play with my baby in our house, and have her sleep in her own bed.

I've enjoyed my stay here, but it's definately time to go home. The other families that are here with me have been wonderful...I loved meeting them and spending time with them, and I wish we all lived closer to each other. But it is not to be, so we'll keep in touch via email, and share with each other how our children are growing and developing.

I loved spending my entire time here with Kevin and Lisa Seppi, their daughter Mia, and their new daughter Meaghan. Marji, the other single mother here, is just wonderful and encouraging for me, and she was here to pick up her 4th daughter Nora. In the room next to mine is Coni and her husband Keith (I think that's his name, I'm terrible with names), their daughter Jaiden, and their new daughter Jali. Sisters, Heidi and Heather are also here with their new babies, Heidi lives in Midtown Manhattan...my favorite place to visit, and she promises Leila and I can come and stay with them and we can take our babies to Central Park Zoo, the theater, and all the museums. I thank all the CHI families for making this such an enjoyable trip.

And to Leila, my new daughter, who is already a joy in my life...I love you, and I will nuture you and shelter you all the days of our lives.

Tomorrow is our last full day in China, and it's chock full of trips to the Consultates office, so I will spend tomorrow night packing...and that includes the laptop. So I will see you all when I return stateside...I can't wait to touch down on American soil once again!

The Medical Exam

Well...I knew this was going to be hard...and Leila didn't let me down. What a nightmare. First tho, we go to get her VISA picture taken. Leila has been super clingy for the past two days, and if she isn't in her stroller, then she has to be in my lap. Sitting her the little chair to get her VISA picture done was no fun at all...and now she will have a red faced crying picture on her VISA because nothing anyone did, could make her happy about this event.

Next, onto the medical exam. We head first into ENT. Checking her eyes and ears wasn't too bad, but Leila is like a pit bull, she can clamp down with those teeth and there ain't nothin' gettin' past'em!!! The poor doctor had to pry open her mouth to get a look at her throat.

Next, onto Medical and Surgical...we have to undress the babies, and they do a visual inspection, and check the heart. Because Leila has pigment issues with her skin, another doctor was called in to check on her. Another baby in our group has a similar condition as Leila, only she has no marks on her face, but the marks on her body are much worse...so 3 doctors were called in for her.

Onto weight and height...Leila weighs in at a whopping 22.7 lbs, she's a little peanut. The Seppi's daughter who is 18 months (Leila is 29 months), weighed 22 lbs. Leila's height is 84 centimeters, and I'm too tired to figure out the translation in ft and inches...so you all figure it out. Suffice it to say, she's a little bean!

Next, we headed back to the hotel to do the dreaded paperwork...2 hours of repeticious filling out of forms. Near the end of filling out the paperwork, Connie brought us all the medical exam reports...these are givin to us in a sealed envelope and will be provided to the US Consulate, we will NEVER know the contents of this envelope. This really bugs me, since I paid $500 Yuan to have the medical done. Besides, she's my child now, I should have a right to see what her medical results held. Oh well...what'ya gonna do?!?!?

Tomorrow we're off to the Pearl Market...I'm running out of money fast!!! :) What a spoiled child I'm going to have!

Oh...sorry, no pictures...Marji & Lisa took some beauties of my screaming child being examined, I'll post them when I get them!

Toodles!

When she sleeps, I sleep

Hello everyone...sorry for no posts for the past couple of days, but I woke up with a sore throat yesterday, and I'm being lazy because I don't want to be sick for our trip home. So when she napped yesteday, so did I.

We went on the River Boat Cruise last night, and we got home at 9:00PM, Leila and I lay down, and BOOM, both of us were out until 7:00AM this morning. I managed to get her into her PJ's, but I didn't put mine on thinking once she's asleep, I'll shower and blog, then go to bed...but, I fell asleep, along with Leila, and I woke up this morning with all my clothes on!!! This mommy business is tiring stuff!

She's becoming much more clingy and not allowing me to be on the computer when she's awake, so she's napping right now (I just took a little nap myself), so I thought I'd write a quick post, and post some pictures, from the cruise. The second picture, with the beautiful lights down the side of it, is our hotel.

Ciao for now my friends!

Blessing a Child

So today we went to the Six Banyan Temple. It's a beautiful Buddist temple, and I was able to have a Monk perform a blessing on Leila. I also walked up inside the temple...I didn't make it to the top...the stairs were VERY steep, but I made it to the second to last tier...and took some great pictures of Guangdong.

We also went to a high end jade store and I bought Leila a jade necklace for her birthday. I just haven't decided which birthday she'll get it at, probably sweet 16, since I went for the grade A jade, which is the most expensive. I wanted her to have a good piece of jade! Our guide, Connie, is a very modern Chinese woman, who loves her jewelry...so she helped me with the jade and bargaining for a good deal, since I know nothing about jewelry...bargaining on the other hand...I'm pretty good at! :)

I also did some shopping at one of the local stores and got Leila some squeeky shoe's at $4 a pair, and several Chinese dresses at $7 US each. What'a deal!!!

We had lunch at McDonalds, and it was packed. We had to walk up 3 flights of stairs to find a seat, luckily, the attendants at McDonalds carry the strollers and babies up for you!!! Then they take your order at the table, and carry your food up 3 flights of stairs to you!!! What a fun experience!!!

I have to say, I'm really enjoying my stay in China. Aside from the annoyance of all the security here right now...it's very exciting here, and the people are very friendly.

Ramblings...

So, it's 6:30 am here, and I'm up...and the peanut is still sleeping. She's a good little sleeper (once she gets to sleep)...she's at 9 hours right now, and she had a two hour nap at about 3pm yesterday.

Size...I don't know how much she weighs, I guess I'll find out at the medical exam. But she is tiny. She's almost 29 months old, and 2T clothes are huge on her. I think even 18 months clothes are going to be huge on her. She is not potty trained, and doesn't even show any interest in the toilet...well, that's not exactly true...I did put her on the toilet to see what she'd do...and she screamed bloody murder!

The bath tub terrifies her. I emailed her SWI's yahoo email group (I have corresponded with families from Leila's SWI for several months now), and they say all the babies hate the bath tub at first. Seems that the babies from her SWI never had baths, and were only sponge bathed. But it's not just the bath tub, Leila is terrified of the water, period. While we were at the zoo yesterday there was a pond there...as soon as she saw the water she started freaking out. Anyhow, we've tried the bath twice, and it was pure torture for her...so I'm going to let this go for now, and just sponge bath her. This is a scary time for her, and I'm not going to force anything on her that isn't absolutely necessary. The SWI email group assures me that now that all their babies are home, and more comfortable with them, bath time is one of the most fun times for their babies now.

Shopping here is fun. Doing the conversion in my head...not so fun. For example...last night at the grocery store...I bought, a can of Pringles, 4 cans of diet coke, an apple, a banana, a little container of Vienetta ice cream, and a box of baby cookies. Total, $37 Yuan, or $5 US.

At the big mall the other day I bought Leila the most beautiful little outfit. It's a coat, with a matching jumper dress, and long-sleeved shirt. It was a beautiful set, and just the softest material ever. Very good quality outfit. I know in the states, I would have easily paid about $200 for this outfit...it was on sale for $365 Yuan, or $45 US. I also bought her a couple of pair of really good quality shoes (equivalent to Stride Rites in the US), each pair was $150 Yuan, or $18 US. I also got her the Chinese New Year Barbie (this will be saved as a future birthday gift), for the equivalent of $24 (which really wasn't a big bargin, but I wanted to have it bought in China).

It is my goal, before I leave, to have at least one present from China, for every birthday Leila has until she is an adult. So, what does that mean? It means I need to do more shopping!!! :)

Leila's birthmark...well, people here REALLY do look at her, and even point! But there are some who come up and say she is beautiful. So it's a mixed bag. There was a little American girl playing in the White Swan Playroom, who was very rude about Leila's birthmark, and her mother didn't even repremand her...that pissed me off! You know, if people in this world, would just be a little kinder to each other, maybe everyone wouldn't be at war now, and we wouldn't have to do cosmetic surgery on babies so that they can have a normal life. I will do what needs to be done for Leila so that she can fit in, and not be teased. Children will tease no matter what, and I don't want it to be worse for her just because she has a birthmark. But honestly, I think Leila is beautiful as she is, and it's too bad that uniqueness has no beauty to it, onlt deformity. Pretty soon we're all going to look alike...what will the world be like then?

Fort Knox & A Funny Baby!

OY...now I'm sorry we didn't move. It's like Fort Knox around here. Earlier, I couldn't even leave the building to go have dinner because I didn't have a special pass. I go to the front desk and they tell me my guide should have given me a special pass. The Seppi's called Connie, and she called the front desk and took care of it. Connie to the rescue once again!

So I decided to just go to the deli next door (it's attached to the hotel, but you have to enter from the outside). Something must have been going on in there because as soon as I got to the door, they locked them, and the police ran over to keep me from entering. He wanted to know what I was doing there. I told them I just wanted some food. He made me move away and wait. A waitress came out of the deli and asked me what I wanted. I said I don't know, do you have a menu, she said no, just tell me what you want. I said, I don't know what you have. So basically, I left.

I finally decided to just go up to the grocery store and buy us something for dinner. So another night of grits for Leila, but I got her some fruit from the store, which she loved, and I bought us a little ice cream. Oh yeah...she LOVED the ice cream!

Then I come back to the hotel, and there are about 50 people (airline crew) checking in. They all have at least 2 bags...every bag must go through x-ray, and we all must walk through metal detectors. At least 40 cops all around us...it took me at least 20 minutes to get inside. So you know what...I'd have rather moved than have to put up with this for 3 days.

Oh, and you don't get to keep your pass. The hotel staff gives it to you outside, then once you get inside the hotel they take it away...so you have to get checked and passed everytime you leave and enter the hotel.

But Leila and I overcame all this frustration...I, by taking video and pictures of her walking around the room in my shoes. Then she decided she wanted to comb her hair. Then she decided she wanted to be a goober. She's a riot!!!

So guess what...

We didn't move. I don't know how Connie did it, but the Seppi's and I are still at the White Swan Hotel. There are few of us left here in the hotel, most of the other families were moved to The Victory and The Garden. The Seppi's did have to change their room, but they are now on the 9th floor with me...just a few doors down...so that's nice! We had Danny's Bagels deliver us lunch, and we ate in their new room. When Lisa said on the CHI email list that they would adopt me while I was here, they weren't kidding. They have been so very helpful to me...bringing me dinner last night, calling me to ask me if I need anything from the store, because they're going there. Just the nicest family...I couldn't have asked to share this experience with better people.

So, back to the hotel...Lisa informed me that we must keep ID on us at all times, and that if we leave the hotel, they won't let us back in without ID. Also, the metal detectors are going up...all cars parked across the street have been replaced with Police vehicles, and I just saw a man with the long handled mirror thingy...you know...that mirror that they use to look at the underneath of cars. So, here are some pictures, taken from my hotel window, of the police cars, and the police on the corner with their tidy uniforms and white hats.

Our Trip to the Zoo

Was uneventful. Leila was scared of most of the animals, so there are no pictures of her for this round. I was able to snap a few shots of just the animals, but if I got too close with the stroller, she would start to cry. I fed some goats, trying to show her that animals are okay, but she wasn't having any of it. Oh well...the animal lover in me is going to change that.

The Palm Tree picture is for you Ma (notice the loverly air pollution). The elephant is the tallest, and skinniest elephant I've ever seen. The other elephants were big ol' fat things...so I think this guy just has a fast metabolism, because there was no lack of food there for them. The monkeys were kinda cool, and the Panda made me sad, and here's a picture of the baby goat I fed.

Leila didn't seem to mind the dogs though...yes, I said dogs...they actually have dogs, in cages, at the zoo. They were little pomeranians. I didn't take their picture, because I was a little upset about dogs being in a zoo. I know I'm in a different culture right now, and I respect that culture, but I didn't want a picture of it. Now don't get me wrong...the dogs had adequate food and shelter, and I was able to reach over and pet them, which many people do. So they don't lack for personal attention from zoo goers.

Overall, I wasn't happy with the zoo and the conditions the animals are kept in. Especially the Panda...one of the symbols of China. But I know that in America, there are many cities that maintain zoo's probably in the same condition, so I know it's not just a China thing.

To say the least, it will be interesting to see what happens when Leila gets home and finds out she has two dogs!!! This will be quite an adventure!!!

Last Blog before we move to the new Hotel

So, we have not left the room since we got back yesterday after the big meltdown. Breakfast comes with our room, so every morning we get up and head down to the breakfast buffett, which is delicious. But this morning, Leila did not want to go out. Last night for dinner she had grits and crackers...YUM! I had McDonalds...the Seppi's were kind enough to bring me lunch, which I ate for dinner. McDonalds here taste just like home...the ketchup they use is a little sweeter and less vinegary than ours, but that's about it.

Anyhow...Leila loves the grits, so she had them for breakfast this morning. But she wanted to feed herself. So here she is, my big girl, feeding herself. Notice the full bowl, then the empty bowl. Then notice her white shirt (I didn't bring any bibs)...still white...hey...I'm impressed!!! Also, notice the spoon...I can't tell if she's going to be right handed or left handed!?!?! Maybe she'll be ambidexterous like me...that would be cool!!!

Christy...if you're reading this...Leila loves her Hello Kitty spoon and bowl!!! Thanks!!!

The Big Meltdown

Okay...so I knew these past few days had just been too easy. I knew the "big meltdown" was coming...I didn't know when it would happen, but I just knew it would.

First, we had breakfast, then went for a walk in the park. This time I took my camera and was able to snap a picture of all the Tai Chi, and dancing that goes on. This is only a smattering of the amount of people that are actually in this big park.

Next, I put Leila's coat hood up...I think she's supposed to look like a bunny. This is the coat from the outfit she was brought to me in. It's a beautiful outfit, and I know I will keep it for her forever.

Next, Connie took me and the Seppi's to the BIG department store. They are starting to decorate for the Chinese New Year so the lanterns were hanging everywhere. In this picture, Lisa is taking a picture of Kevin and their children. That's Lisa behind the camera. The tall guy to the right is Kevin, and to his right is Connie.

Then, the big meltdown occured. Leila just lost it. Honestly, I don't think she's feeling well, she has a cold, and I think gas. So combine the two and she just wasn't a happy camper today. We were out for a couple of hours shopping. Luckily, Connie consoled her in Chinese. Sometimes it comforts Leila to hear her own language, and Connie is able to work wonders in those circumstances. But as the day progressed, nothing could console Leila, not even Connie. The poor Seppi family stuck in the van with a screaming toddler! Although with 7 kids, I'm sure this didn't phase them at all. Meanwhile, I start crying because I feel so helpless that I can't console her in any way. Now Connie is conforting me, and telling me not to worry, this is normal for adopted children, just let her cry. But when we got back to the hotel we went right to the doctors office. They wanted to sedate her, but I wouldn't let them. So they gave me some benedryl and tea to calm her.

Once we got back to the hotel room, she was fine. It was as if nothing had happened. She was all "happy baby" again. I gave her the benedryl, but she didn't want the tea. Then she found a new toy...the remote for the TV. She uses it like a phone, and talks into it. I don't know what she saying, it's Chinese baby babble...even if she was speaking English I wouldn't know what she was saying!

Anyhow...I knew she had to be emotionally drained, so I put her down for a nap. She really fights going to sleep...so I just had to throw her in the crib, and go into the bathroom and close the door, and leave her alone...if I'm there, she won't go to sleep. I hate leaving her, but so far, it's the only thing that works.

So we leave the hotel tomorrow at 1PM. Rumor has it the President of North Korea will be here..Kim Young Ill...or something like that...neither the Seppi's nor I could remember the correct name. We're going to a hotel up the street only, 4 stars....hrmmph!!! I can't believe we have to give up our 5 star accomodations for "him"! Oh well...I actually find the whole situation fascinating, and love to see politics in action. Must be because I live in the DC area, and it's a rather common and interesting topic around the towns that I live and work in. What I'm really wondering is if everyone has to leave the hotel, even the Chinese Nationals that are here, or if it's only the American's and European's that have to leave?!?!?!?

Well, Leila's napping, so I have time to post. It's almost 5:00pm, I don't think I'm going to let her sleep long or I'm sure bedtime will be a nightmare! So talk to you later!

Breakfast Adventures

Okay...it's official...she's a goofball!!!

More Adventures in China

So...it's about 5am here in China, and I just checked my email. Seems like we have to leave our hotel and move to another one for the weekend. The Chinese Goverment has requisitioned the hotel for a meeting...which in this country mean...get everyone out! An inconvenience, yes, but also kind of exciting to see the politics of another nation, and the power that it can wield. Imean, this is a LARGE hotel, and believe me, there are A LOT of people here right now. I can't imagine the work involved in relocating hundreds of people, because the government wants your building for a meeting.

Anyhow...I'll let you all know how that goes. Hopefully we'll have internet access at the new hotel...but either way, we're supposed to move back here after the weekend, and I'll update once we get back.

Meanwhile...here are more pictures...and one of them is of the hotel.

It's Official

Well, it's 3am here, and I'm awake. I did go to sleep at 9:00pm, so I at least got 6 hours sleep, which is about what I got yesterday...it's like my body is saying "okay, 6 hours...you're a mommy now...get used it"!

Okay...so apparently yesterday, I wasn't officially Leila's mommy, just her Guardian. But today, we went back to the CCAA to finalize the paperwork. I have the official Certificate of Adoption. So, according to China, I am her Mommy. Now we just have to get the USA to recognize that, so next we start the round of US Embassy paperwork. Thankfully, Connie, our guide, takes care of a lot of this for us. We do have to be there for all the official signing and swearing in stuff, but Connie knows what she's doing, and really makes this complicated process VERY easy for us.

Not many pictures today, I was very tired, but Kevin Seppi was kind enough to grab my camera for me and take some pictures at the CCAA. This is one of Leila's Nannies. She is a lovely woman, and you can tell they definitely care about these children. The Hyde Family, who adopted a 6 year old (Taryn) from Leila's orphanage (Leizhou), in August, took for me, a teddy bear, camera, and photo album to have the nannies give to Leila for me. Leila came to me with the teddy bear and the camera. Anyhow the Hyde Family asked me to take a photo album to the nannies, so that they could see how Taryn was doing. The nannies were SO happy to see Taryn, and her new family...they just went gaagaa over the pictures and letter that Taryn sent to them...it truly makes them happy to see their children in loving homes and happy!

Oh, and my RBL girlfriends (that's my book club group), will be happy to see that Leila is a booklover. That made mommy very happy, considering I have a TON of books at home for her (most of them courtesy of my RBL gal pals)!

Well, that's if for now...I'm going to see if I can get some more sleep. Today is a free day and Connie is taking us shopping at the big mall!

Camera Flub

So I just noticed I have the wrong date on my camera. Anyone know how to take those off? Oh well...I'll just crop them out. Gotta turn off the date function on the camera now!!!

GOTCHA

Well...she's here, and it's official...I am a MOMMY! Connie (our guide), took Kevin and Lisa Seppi, and me, to the CCAA offices to get our children. Lisa and I met online through our Adoption agency email list. The Seppi's are a wonderful family, and were so very helpful to me with Leila. But I have to say...I've only had this child for 3 hours now, but she has been a dream. Right now she is playing with her stacking cups (a Godsend) quite happily. I bought her a $30 Chinese speaking doll that scared her, but the $2.39 stacking cups are her favorite thing. Oh, and the Cherrio's were a huge hit as well!

She had a real quick bath, as she screamed bloody murder for the whole 3 minutes I had her in there. Well...we'll work her into it gradually! Hopefully she'll do better tomorrow. The nannies informed me that she can feed herself, so I let her try, and she actually did a pretty good job, but I finally had to step in to help her finish eating and to quit playing with it.

She's not potty trained (big surprise to me), so I will have to run out and get diapers! Luckily I did bring some pull-ups, so those are working for now.

Well...let me get these first pictures posted, and get off of here so she and I can do a little bonding!

Dances With Swords

Okay...so I decided to go for a walk, to see what's around the hotel. Right next store is a huge park, right on the Pearl River. Hundreds of people doing Tai Chi, Yoga, and various physical movements to music. Some dance with fans, which is beautiful, and other dance with swords, which was kind of scary, but still beautiful. Many of the people were older, probably in their 60's & 70's. You can tell they take physical fitness very seriously here. I also saw women in high heels, and in their work clothes doing the Tai Chi, getting their workout done before going to work. They don't need gyms here, just go work out in the park.

Then I decide to stroll down other streets, to see what stores are around. Again, more little open area's where people are working out. I also saw people playing badmitten...I wanted to play too! I used to love badmitten in high school!

Anyhow...saw a few nice stores, with some incredibly beautiful clothing. Lots of jade figurines, and incense (which smelled delicious). I didn't buy anything....yet!

I'm in China

Ni Hao...and good morning! I arrived in China late last night. One of the guides, Jack, picked me up at the airport and drove me to the White Swan Hotel. It is lovely here, but colder than I thought it would be (48 degrees), so I'm glad I brought my coat. They say during the day it will warm up!

I just got back from breakfast (I was up at 5:00am and had to wait until 6:00am to eat), and the food was great. I'm back in my room and got the floor ladies to get me the universal electrical outlets, then I called the business office to hook-up my internet!

At 2:00pm today, Connie (my guide), will come to my room to help me with paperwork, then we leave at 2:30 to go get Leila. 3:00pm is GOTCHA time! I'll post pictures later!

Finally...Something to Blog About!

TATATATATATATATATATATATATATATA...Just 30 minutes ago, I received Travel Approval from China. I can go and get Leila.

This journey started in March, and will now come to end, as a the new journey of motherhood awaits me.

I'm ecstatic happy, but also a little sick at my stomach...it's REAL now...I'm really going to be responsible for the love, food, shelter, and happiness of another human being. WOW!!!

Leila's suitcase has been packed for almost a month now, so I just have to start packing my stuff now.

I'll be in China the 3rd week of January, right before the Chinese New Year. My Agency tells me the city and The White Swan Hotel will be decorated. So I'll get my beautiful daughter, and a beautiful city to visit. What more could a girl ask for?

I have to say...I couldn't have asked for a more perfect Christmas gift.