Frankie Says RELAX

J's 80's show at school.  This was on E's family day so I missed posting some of the fun pics.  E is rocking an ACDC t.  J wore a backstage pass from a "Bon Jobi" concert (that's what he says).

Will I miss the paperwork?

Another pic from the last social worker visit.  Will my life feel empty without social workers?  The Rumor Queen?  Our agency?  The dept of homeland security? Maybe, a little.  But I think I will find ways to fill my time (smile).

Lulu's Birthday

A year later and what a difference.  Last year on this day Lulu and I flew back to Guangzhou leaving Robert and Eliza behind in Nanchang in order to get Jackson medical care.  We thought we might have to leave China all together to get to a hospital in the states but this was the day that things started to turn around.  J ate a cracker and drank some fluids and we saw a pediatrician who assured us we were crossing to the other side of whatever this was.  Martin, one of our guides, sent up some beers to our room and we were grateful to have a cautious toast to the turnaround and Lulu's not-so-favorite birthday.  So in honor of this day - and a much more fun birthday this year - one of Lulu's presents was....

Today was also our final social worker visit.  Lots to celebrate. 

In Our Arms

A year ago today...

J + E

Eliza's Family Day

A big day.  The year anniversary of Eliza completing our family.  Lots to post today but I will start with first thing this morning.

Can you believe it's been a year?!?!

MY POST A YEAR AGO TODAY.....

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011

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 a 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 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....

Happy Mother's Day

This is a very special Mother's Day because it is just about a year since Eliza joined our family.  So instead of gifts for all the important women in Eliza's life (and ours) we made a donation to Eliza's orphanage.  Our donation will buy a new washing machine and formula to feed the babies like Eliza who will one day find families of their own -- and for the babies and children who are less fortunate and remain at the Tonggu SWI.  

I don't want to write a long post today about bio moms, foster moms, birth moms, women who  I rely on for advice and guidance like a mom -- but I will thank all these women in my own way.  Even if that means just putting my appreciation out there in the universe....Happy Mother's Day!

 

Tonggu Orphanage

Tonggu Front Gate (where Eliza was found)

The beautiful Eliza visiting the Tonggu SWI with her foster mother

Two Moments Today from the Bed of Sharks & Trucks

(1) About 6 months ago I decided to prepare Jackson for the soon-to-be loss of his pacifiers.  We were going to the dentist and I was sure she was going to scold me for being a terrible mother and allowing him to continue to sleep with a paci.  So I told him the tale of the "paci fairies" who were going to come soon, not now, but soon, and take the pacis away for all the littler boys and girls who need them. Of course, they'd leave him an amazing present in return for the pacis that would make so many kids who needed them happy.  J's response to this tale was to PANIC for the next few days about when they were coming, why they were coming, and to tell me he wasn't interested in any kind of gift these fairies might bring.  The tale made him so anxious that I started to cave -- and then the dentist didn't yell or judge me -- so I took the tale back assuring him he had lots of time before his pacis would go away.  Cut to this morning.  Six months later and no mention of any fairies in all that time.  Jackson wakes up and yells "momma" and I go to his room to say good morning.  Jackson, all bleary eyed, looks up at me and tells me the paci fairies came last night.  I say, "They did?  Really?"  Then he says "they aren't coming to take my pacis because they told me that they are going to go to the stores to buy new pacis for all the kids that need them."  He was so very happy.

(2) Eliza went to the doctor today to get some more injections.  We are still catching up from what she missed in China and trying to spread things out.  She was very aware of what was going on and tensed up immediately when the nurse came in.  Then she cried that cry that is so different from any other cry she's ever had because someone has hurt her and I am holding her and letting it happen.  And I can't explain yet why this seemingly awful thing is good for her in any way.  It's awful for her.  And just as awful for me -- without the physical pain part.  She was sad the whole way home in the car.  Then we came in and got a bath ready but she just stood by the door to Jackson's room saying "room."  So we let her in and she said "Jackson."  Then "bed."  She crawled into Jackson's big boy bed and lied down and said "Jackson" and patted his pillow.  Then she fell asleep in his bed wanting to be close to her brother.

Cinco de Mayo...on Quattro de Mayo

Fiesta at preschool.

Jackson & his partner in crime on the top right

Jackson 3rd in from the right with his sun mask

I want to go to school

Shake it Mei Mei

E dancing to the Hollow Trees at the Grove.