Tuesday,
November 20, 2012
What an amazing feeling of relief knowing that so many of our
questions about Mei Mei have been answered! Her care givers
wrote a note for us (in Chinese that had been translated for
her...such an incredible keepsake!) and she went to bed around
around 8pm (20:00 - they use military time here). Everyone was
wiped out by then anyway so we all went to bed. I've read so
much about bonding and sleeping so I wasn't sure where to put
her to bed. John and I have never really let the kids sleep with
us (they all throw too many punches while they sleep) but I
thought I should make an exception for her. So I laid her in bed
next to me and she just laid there. Her head didn't pop up a
hundred times like the older ones did when they were little. I
knew I probably wouldn’t sleep too well with her next to me
because I was so worried she would fall off the bed, so I put
her in the crib. She gathered up her lovey and went to sleep.
She didn't make one single peep. Really??? It was that easy!!
She did stir in the middle of the night and I couldn't resist
going to get her. But. it's funny how even the tiniest of kids
seem to grow arms and legs 10 feet long that jab you in your
face and back while your trying to sleep. I think it will be
back to the crib tonight! :)
When she finally did wake up (well ok, the girls and I might
have had a bit to do with that), she was an angel. Content as
could be. She snuggled up between the girls and drank a bottle
and munched on Cheerios. Simply Precious!!
About 5 minutes into breakfast we quickly learned she was an
eating machine! After 2 sausages, a yogurt (although here they
spell it yoghurt), a waffle and 5 big cubes of watermelon, and a
big bottle of milk, I told her she needed to be done. I was
waiting for her to get sick, but not only did she keep it all
down, she was snatching a few more bites from Connor's plate. I
wasn't sure what size clothes to buy, and I had heard most
Chinese girls were small for their age so I bought 18-24 months.
She really is just a peanut, but she's got a Buddha belly and
the chunkiest thighs! I should have gone up a few sizes. I ended
up getting scolded by some of the locals because her pants were
too small!
Our first stop this morning was back to the civil affairs office
to finish the rest of the paperwork. The thing I found most
interesting is that to make a signature official, you need to
stamp your thumb over it in red ink. Taytum had to stamp her
whole hand. We must have signed about 20 papers so by the time
we were finished we were all a red mess. We packed up, and got
ready to enjoy a day of relaxing. Then, our guide tells me that
we are heading to Taytums home city, Datong, and orphanage. That
was supposed to be Wednesday's outing, we weren't quite ready. A
quick trip back to the hotel to grab snacks and electronics and
we were off. Four hours later we finally made it! I was already
dreading the ride home. It was definitely not a road trip I
would recommend. Although, I have to say, the kids were great.
Taytum found two empty paper cups in the van and they kept her
busy for hours!
The first thing we saw from the country road leading to her city
were 4 huge smoke stacks billowing with pollution from the coal
factory. Hundreds of years ago, Datong used to be the province
capitol. The government is trying to rebuild it, but for the
most part it is in shambles. So run down and dirty. We parked
and walked to lunch and I was so taken aback by what I saw. I
honestly spend the rest of the day processing it, trying to
decided how I wanted to explain this city to you. On one side of
the huge sidewalks there are high end shops with designer
clothes. Not four feet out the doors are different vendors
selling everything from raw chicken and pork (I still can't wrap
my brain around how that), raisins, fruit, buns and socks
(spilling out over cardboard boxes that are just laying on the
sidewalk). There are people everywhere! On our way to the police
station to get her passport, we stepped over garbage bags and
garbage that was piles on the sidewalks. As I thought about this
city and the people living here, I realized that they don't know
any different. To them, crowed, dirty streets are a way of life.
How lucky we all are to have clean water and a nice place to lay
our heads at night.
Ally was so car sick by the time we got there so the rest of the
afternoon was really hard for her. The smell of all that food
and garbage was almost enough to send her over the edge, but she
was a trooper and hung in there. The police station was a cross
between union station at rush hour and the DMV the busiest day
of the year. Add in heat and people smoking everywhere and you
get the picture.
The thing I quickly learned about adoption is that you have
absolutely no control over anything. You are always at the mercy
of someone else to sign, seal or notarize something, and they
always take their own sweet time! Type A's look out!
We finally got the passport and were on our way to her
orphanage. It turns out that it is really more of a day school
and the kids live with a foster family at night. The foster
families live in apartments right on the campus. There is also
housing for the elderly and a hospital. The grounds were very
clean and beautifully landscaped. We took a quick tour around
and then waited for Taytum's foster mom to come. I debated on
whether or not Taytum should see her in fear that it might upset
her, but I wanted to give the woman, who has clearly taken
excellent care of my daughter, a chance to say goodbye. We
visited for just a few minutes, took some pictures and then she
left. It was the first time that Taytum has cried since we got
her. I held her and comforted her and within minutes she was
quiet again. It upset Shyla thinking that her sister was so sad,
but my heart was so happy knowing that she was loved, and had
loved another. She needed, and may need again, time to grieve a
life that she was leaving behind. By the time we left the
building she was smiling again!
Four more hours on the way home. Ugh! Ally was still so sick so
she slept in the front with John and the rest of us crashed in
the back. In China kids don't use car seats, so Taytum was happy
to snuggle up and fall asleep. We got her home, feed her some
mac-n-cheese and put her right in the crib. That sweet thing
didn't even make a peep. Planning a day of rest tomorrow, today
was a long one. Keeping my fingers crossed Ally feels better!
Thanks for all of sweet comments on the guestbook. We are really
starting to miss home! |
So happy to be a big brother!
At the Civil Affairs office
A street in Datong
Taytum's Foster mom
What's for breakfast???
Happy girl again! |
