June 23, 2008
The day started pretty early 4 am, but we were
delighted because went down at 6:15 pm slept
until 11:50 pm and needed a diaper change…back
to bed until 4 am. Her normal schedule is wake
up at 8 am but since she went to bed so early
we were very pleased. She woke up with so much
personality, smiling and cooing and a total
flirt. The more people watching the more she
entertains!
Mel fed her a 4 oz bottle at 5 am and then we
“tag teamed” until we both got ready…we were
downstairs for breakfast by like 7:15 am..I
fed her another 4 oz bottle while Mel ate and
then he took over so I could eat. Our first
meal “eating out” as a family! She was
wonderful!
We then “readied the troops” for the early
morning adoption proceedings. We traveled by
bus to the Civil Affairs office. Up on I
believe the 26th floor we waited to be
interviewed…to say it was hot…think “sauna”,
literally I think I lost 5 pounds. With Ellie
Lu strapped to me oh say 50 other waiting
families the room thermometer said 31 C…I am
thinking that is like 85 or so it felt like
100…hot humid…but hey we had our girl, what
else matters?
We were the first in our group to be
interviewed? We were asked various
questions…our age, occupation, salary, why did
we want to adopt Bo Juan? We answered them all
were given a small gift, a very beautiful
porcelain cup. We then were back in the
waiting area/sweat shop until we all were
done. Finally after maybe 1 to 11/2 hours we
took the elevator back down…here is where
perspective comes in. Once we were back on the
first floor it felt much cooler…probably
because it was 28 C not 31…still hot by any
standards.
It was time for a bottle so I stood outside in
a breeze and fed Ellie Lu her bottle…the 2nd
one I had given. She was in her Ergo and fell
right to sleep at like10:30 am…morning nap on
the go. We then went to the notary and our
papers were notarized we were asked a few
questions. We then received our red book with
our first official family photo. We then
waited for 4 other families to complete this
process and then went to the security office
to have a photo taken of Ellie Lu for her
passport.
We were back at the hotel prior to noon…but
absolutely drenched in sweat. We changed Ellie
Lu into a cotton onesie and she loved the
freedom of “momentary” nakedness…diaper only.
She also seemed to like the onesie…keep in
mind she probably normally would have several
layers on even in warm weather. She loves her
feet and can put her toes in her mouth…I could
do that myself…so flexible like Momma! She has
an appetite like Mel…she loves it all! Her
personality is precious total entertainer…she
and Mel compete to entertain me.
Mel gave her the noon bottle and then I rocked
her to sleep and she was out until 4 pm. While
she and Mel slept I went to a local department
store and bought supplies…diapers, formula,
snacks for her and us, I also got her a little
outfit...made here in China…buying it was like
pulling teeth. The dress has one price the
bloomers another…I think this is called
“al-la-carte”. It took forever to find
something in her size then you have a paper
ticket written up then you go pay then you go
back to pick up your purchase…this convoluted
process could put an end to my shopping!
When I opened the door to the hotel room Mel
and Ellie Lu were laughing and squealing and
just so cute. Mel had been solo for a few
hours. He had his first “wet one”…did okay.
Then fed her 4 o’clock snack and then not
realizing it tried to get her to nap…he said
“I did everything I have seen you do but she
wouldn’t go to sleep for me”. I laughed…then
explained next nap bedtime at 8 pm. He said
you didn’t say I would be alone with her and
she would be awake…WELCOME TO FATHERHOOD
HONEY! All good…we all played for awhile then
the doctor came at 6:30 pm…she has a runny
nose but it is not in her chest the “booger
sucker” is great and the “little noses” saline
seems to help too. We are to take her temp 3
times a day to see if she gets a fever and if
so we will start antibiotics. She does have
heat rash under her neck in the skin folds…but
it is somewhat better today. |
Daddy and Me
Dressed to the 9's
Mommy and Me
Our hotel
The Fannnon's on Adoption Day |
Backing up a bit…Miss Ellie Lu is amazing in
more ways than one. She has already
“christened” me in the “poo” department. The
morning she was exceptionally jovial and I
checked her diaper and she had deposited…a
“marble” sized poo. Yeah we have poo! Then
upon returning home from our morning our we
heard rumblings and then the “stink bomb” hit…poo
number 2…could have been worse…no poo on
clothes, but I did wear gloves at Mel’s
suggestion just in case and I sure if we had a
safety helmet he might have wanted me to put
that on too. Then when I returned from
shopping we had yet another “rumbling” poo
number 3…similar to #2, used gloves… nobody
was hurt in the midst of the change. Our girl
is regular…yeah hallelujah. If you follow
China adoption you know this is one of the
main concerns…for many it can take days for us
3 times in one day and we will take it. She is
so happy and her gas seems to be gone!
Okay enough on bodily functions. After the
doctor visit we walked with our guide to meet
our group at a local restaurant…. first eat
our meal with our girl. While walking there it
was dinner time for her so I held her and her
bottle and she “chowed down”. We only stayed
awhile…the food was interesting and she was
sleepy…IT IS ALL ABOUT HER NOW! So we walked
back to the hotel together…AS A FAMILY to all
the stairs of the locals.
Back at the hotel is was bath time for Ellie
and Mommy. I put on my swimsuit and then got
her ready. Mel handed her to me and OMG she is
a fish…she loved it. Best parent duty so
far…total fun we splashed and played, we have
pics, but the world is not ready for me in a
swimsuit and we want to protect our little
Princess too. I told Mel giving a bath is the
reward in parenting…so much fun! We slathered
her in baby lotion, put on a fresh diaper,
played a bit then Momma rocked her to sleep.
Within 10 minutes Momma and Daddy were asleep
too…8:15 pm. What a full and complete day and
by the way IT IS OFFICIAL NOW, SHE IS OURS
FOREVER! We have been truly blessed!
Firsts:
First, Second and Third poo! Mama changed
them…Daddy has some catching up to do.
First bites of Congee with us…seemed to like
fed by Mama,
First bath in big tub with Mama…Mama was the
lucky one.
First oufit…Ladybug from Tante Margie
Fist hairbow…pink and white polka dot…Mama
First coos and babbles…heard by Daddy and Mama
First bus ride…to complete the adoption…the
whole family |
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