More pictures from Nanchang (before J got sick)

sleepy baby

Jackson and Eliza (in Nanchang)

The smallest things make it "a fun day"

Finally smiling - escalators at The China Hotel

Happier Days

Hospital in Nanchang

Clinic in Guangzhou

We've all been through a lot these past few days (Jackson most of all).  Robert remains in Nanchang with Eliza waiting to get her passport so she can travel to the U.S.  Luchy and I took Jackson back to Guangzhou for medical care with an American trained pediatrician.  Things are looking up and Jackson has some energy and is starting to eat and drink again.  We should all be back together in Guangzhou this evening.  Hoping to post more happy pics in a day or so.  Thanks for all the good wishes.

Galactic Peace Hotel

When a friend of mine was away in Cambodia and her son was having some minor health issues, I read her blog every hour to make sure he was feeling better - so a quick update.  Spending most of my time in the room taking care of the sick baby.  Waiting for a pediatrician to see him this afternoon.  He's still very ill with the stomach flu.  Eliza is doing really well and we are keeping them apart so she doesn't catch what he has.  This would be challenging at home but in a foreign country even more difficult.  Think good thoughts.

Our Adoption Group

If you want to see more about our trip check out another mom's blog in our group.  She is much better at recording the everyday details of what we are up to.   finallymia.blogspot.com/

A big "Adventure" just for Eliza....

We told Jackson he was going on an adventure last night.  We left out the part about the Chinese hospital.  He's been really sick and we needed to be sure he didn't have an infection (he doesn't just a terrible stomach flu).  We are through the first 24 hours of this adventure and hoping he'll get better soon (some good signs this morning we may be heading in the right direction).  All of us are sleepless, anxious and just trying to support our sick boy.  Eliza has been an angel through all of this -- although I did feed them off the same chopsticks so I am praying she doesn't get it, too.  Think good thoughts and we will post pics when things improve.

I hoping to get Robert to "guest blog" about a Friday night in a Chinese hospital although that may fall under the category of things you never really wanted to know.

Nicest retirees at the People's Park

We went to the People's Park in Nanchang today.  It was really beautiful -- what we saw of it anyway (will post some video later).  Jackson got sick after about a half hour and all the people in the park  (mostly retirees playing mah jong, dancing, singing, writing poetry on the ground with giant sticks dipped in water) that were nearby started giving us water and tissues.  It was so nice and generous.  Will try to take photos later today if everyone is feeling better.  Resting in our rooms hoping Jackson gets better quick.  Poor baby.

More Pics

Day 2 as a bigger family

So much to tell and so little time.  We are traveling as a group of 4 families with 2 tour guides, Sissy and Grace (who are so helpful, kind, and love all the kids) so we have some scheduled activities.  Then we have new babies who are all on different schedules because all of them were fostered with different families (except for 1, Mei Lin, who will live in a suburb near Seattle, and is Eliza's "sister" because they were fostered together).  And Jackson is on his own schedule and still needs to eat well, and nap, to function (especially with the time change).  Long way of saying -- keeping up the blog without a lot of time and little access to my computer's been tough.

We left Guangzhou at 5:30am and flew to Nanchang in the Jianxi provence of China.  We arrived at the Galactic Peace International Hotel and about an hour after arriving (and our rooms only ready for 10 minutes) we were called to meet our children for the first time.  The babies were in a conference room with a glass wall so we could see them before they were placed in our arms.  We spotted Eliza right away -- and that was the only time I allowed myself to get emotional because I didn't want to scare her (video to follow - I won't try to describe it).   After paperwork and fingerprints at the hotel, we had about an hour with Eliza to get ready for our appointments at the Chinese Ministry and other government offices (with the baby) to be interviewed and photographed -- make things official.  We had an early group dinner.  Honestly, it was a crazy whirlwind of a day.

Eliza seems really alert and is surprisingly happy.  This is a huge change for her and she's been all smiles and connects with us.  Robert turned to me after 4 hours with her and said "it feels like she's always been our baby."  She's very long but tiny -- just shy of 18 pounds.  After 1 false start, we got her formula and bottle the way she likes it and she hasn't stopped eating.  She even ate congee for breakfast this morning. She was lying on our bed playing day 1 and we were pretty sure she couldn't turn over.  Day 2 she is rolling all over the place.  Not sitting up yet, but looks like she's close.  1 bottom tooth coming in.  She is very calm and happy.  Day 1 her voice and cries were soft and like a kitten.  Today she is vocalizing like crazy with Jackson.  A big loud voice.  She's so happy to engage with him.  I think having him here has really helped her transition.

Jackson is stroking her hair.  He's laughing with her a lot.  And he doesn't want to be apart from her.  He is definitely regressing a little but just what you'd expect.  He's been so good with her and completely gets that this is his sister.  All the guides think they look alike.  He loves traveling by bus.  He loves the food.  He loves the pool at the hotel, sleeping in a big boy bed (that btw is as hard as a floor), and just seems to be taking in the adventure of it all.

We took a walk after dinner last night through the streets of Nanchang.  Jackson (amazed and awake) and Eliza (sleeping) in strollers and the 3 grown ups pushing and talking in the busy city.  Blade runner meets Mad Max is the best way I can describe it -- street vendors, makeshift stores, lights everywhere.  Everyone was staring at Jackson.  They can't stop looking at him.  The curls and his looks draw so much attention (no one even looks at the foreigners with a Chinese baby).  People on mopeds were driving on the sidewalk and leaning over to get closer to him.  It was really wild.

Today we went to a typical supermarket/store (Target-like) in Nanchang.  Again, there were some crowds gathering to stare at us.  It was a lot of fun to shop and have no idea what we were buying.  We were worried it might be too overstimulating for Eliza but she slept for 45 minutes once we got inside.

If I don't start uploading pics now, I won't get to it so I will finish later.  I just want to get down as much as I can -- so I don't forget anything (then I will go back and fill in the details).   Love to all from China.  Day 2 really has been amazing.  We all fit together and it just feels right.

Eliza Minqiu

Quick post.  IPAD is smashed (long story) so Jackson is Nemo-less without my computer.  I will post pics and videos later.  Jackson has been a gentle and amazing big brother.  Eliza has been laughing and smiley.  Luchy is the best that ever was!  She's held it all together, calm, funny and gifted at caring for everyone including me.  Love to everyone and be patient with my blogging.....

We are IN CHINA

A quick update from my jet lagged self.  It's been a long 24/48 hours.  I don't know which, 24 or 48, since we lost a day and haven't stopped going since we landed.  Everyone is crashed out.  And I am running on some kind of strange maternal energy.  The idea that we meet Tong Min Qiu/Eliza TOMORROW is still incredibly surreal despite actually being here.

The trip went really well considering my paralyzing fear of traveling 15 1/2 hours with a toddler.  He was a total rock star and slept for almost 8 hours.  And when he was awake he was a super charming traveler (in his pajamas) and enjoying it all.

Here are some airport pics of Jackson in action.

We arrived in China at 6am and the China Team (our adoption agency/tour group) kept us going all day to try to get us to stay up and get adjusted to the time change quickly so that we will be somewhat functioning when we are handed our daughters tomorrow.   There are 8 families total in our group.  There is group of 4 going to Nanchang (including us) to adopt babies.  Then there are 4 other families going to 4 other provinces to adopt their children ranging in age from 1 1/2 to 4.   Everyone seems very lovely and anxious and excited.  The team took us around  Guangzhou today in a tour bus.  We ate dim sum in a skyscraper where the banquet hall's roof opened to the Star Wars theme (you can't make this stuff up).  We all just tried to all stay awake while listening to instructions for the next few days.  Oh, and this is where Jackson got a lot less charming.  Melting down and running around the room like a a maniac while the group leaders were trying to speak (ugh).  He does love the tour bus and the hotel's escalator.  I am sure those are the things he will remember.  

We leave our hotel at 5:45am tomorrow to get on a plane to Nanchang to meet our daughter.  I would love to write how this feels but I am not sure I am in my body right now -- and it isn't just jet lag.  I will try to explain more when I am less exhausted....

The Mad Rush to Nest

You'd think that almost 6 years of waiting would lead to some level of preparedness.  Nuh uh.   Quite the opposite.  I was so afraid to do anything for fear this day would never come.  And now I am nesting as fast as I can and there is still so much to do before we leave.  Eliza's room is getting closer.
Travel plans are complete and now it's all about packing a ton of stuff when you can barely bring any luggage.  Try fitting an elephant into a purse.  All the space bags in the world aren't going to make this work.

NOW we can get packing...

Our T.A. is approved and we are leaving 5/22! In 2 weeks and 1 day we will board a 14 hour flight to Guangzhou with a 2 and half year old boy (other passengers, please forgive us in advance). I am in complete denial about the way home...
On May 25th we fly to Nanchang to finally meet Eliza after 5 and half years of waiting. We stay for 6 nights in Nanchang and then head back to Guangzhou for 3 more days of paperwork and site seeing. We return 6/3 to Los Angeles -- a family of 4.
Stay tuned for the big adventure.

I am packed and ready to go

As we continue to wait for our "TA" which is is our approval to travel from China, Jackson has started to pack, and pack, and pack.  Today he packed his backpack and said "Mama, I all ready to go to China and get my baby sister."  The day before he dragged 2 suitcases from room to room in our house and wouldn't go in the car without at least one of them in the trunk.  I don't think he's going to get very far with a stuffed bunny, a flashlight, and some rocks.

We promise to update the blog when we finally have some travel news.