Well it’s official. Well not official, official, because that won’t be until tomorrow but it is official, we are no longer waiting! We now have our little baby boy in our arms.
I’ve tried desperately not to continuously describe things on this trip by drawing comparisons to the happenings of our trip to get London but it’s extremely difficult to do. So hopefully you can bear with me.
Christe woke up earlier than the alarm was set for to get ready and get things ready. As I’ve noted throughout this trip my wife has definitely taken more of China and the China trip this time, but I think this morning she finally got the butterflies.
She packed up cheerios, apple-banana puffies, haw flakes and the previously mentioned apple juice in a bottle, photo album, wa-wa (baby doll), various other toys, diapers, wipes, bibs, a small tent, camping gear, nuclear fall-out-two-week survival kit, a small bed, television from the hotel and a couple q-tips into our small back-pack. Then she set out to try on two or three outfits trying to determine if the prints on her skirts would be “too busy” for his little eyes.
Then she told her husband to get going or we would be late. I on the other hand tried desperately to conceal more American cash than anyone should ever be required to have on them unless they were showing off for the camera on MTV cribs.
Once that had been adjusted into the least uncomfortable position to allow for me to carry the camera, video camera, extra photo cards, tapes and carrying case, we were off to the lobby.
Christe asked me if it felt “real” yet. She then answered her own question by recalling my nonchalant exterior during London’s Gotcha-Day.
I told her, it’s not that it’s not real; it’s just that there is nothing to prepare for. There is nothing I can do to change my fate, our fate, his fate. It will be what it is, nothing more nothing less.
Our guide was waiting along with our driver so there was no anxious waiting, nor were there 10 other families that had beaten us to the lobby to talk about it with. We hoped in the van and we were off.
It was a short drive of maybe 15 minutes with most of that time being made up of listening to our driver and our guide talk about the traffic and us, well of course, looking at the traffic.
Once to the government building, the parking lot guards told our guide it (the room we were looking for) was on the second floor. 25 paces later we were inside and our guide asked again to be told it was on the third floor. Up a few flights of stairs to knock on a door and wouldn’t you know it, it’s on the second floor. Down to the second floor, we knocked on the door and, nope not that room. Back to the first floor, wait a minute, I think I hear a lot of talking in a room we just passed, so back to the second floor (Yes I will be editing all that video out). So we take a quick right (all the other times we went left) and in through the door we went.
The Front Door To The Government Building
Contrary to any history that will state otherwise in the future, there is no actual picture of the exact moment Christe was handed LeFeng. I got it within the first 30 seconds or so.
There were two other families in the room already playing with their children and filling out paperwork. Our son was being held by what I came to know was the vice-director of his orphanage.
We were following the guide into the room to look at a long table and quite a few “official” personnel. I think she presumed that we would fill out some paperwork be introduced to our son and then an official hand-over would take place. NOPE!
Christe went two paces and said, “Ah! LeFeng!” and the orphanage director will a little less than a turn-around in her chair (her back was to the door) lifted him up and he was in Christe’s hands.
The First Photo Together
I did my best to take pictures and capture video as my wife narrated for me, our son’s current status.
“He’s smaller than I expected”
“He doesn’t smell”
“He doesn’t seem dirty”
“His hair is course”
“His thighs are so thick”
Etc
Mommy And Oslo
She did this while being talked to by others, directing me and making sure she was getting a bottle in his mouth.
Gone were the days of Peggy (the guide from our former trip) meticulously planning out every moment, every piece of paperwork, every piece of schedule, every-everything.
I was having to put the camera down to do paperwork only to believe I was done to be back at the table to do more. Our little boys famous footprint in red-ink was literally done while I was at the table with my back to him.
Daddy And Oslo
Anyway, shortly after I “offered” the orphanage donation and paid for what I’m sure was red-ink and the gas for all the people in the room we were done and we were off.
Inside The Government Office
Next was a short jaunt to a quickie-photo or some sort of the like, to get our family photo for the official adoption tomorrow. Which as it turns out, will not be available until tomorrow morning. Then we went to a bank so that I could exchange USD to RMB for the fees for tomorrow. Now back at the hotel, we’ve been through a few rounds of testing out different options of food, bottles, toys etc.
Unlike London, Oslo believes, Cheerios and Apple Jacks are NOT snacks, they are instead toys and haw flakes are ok if nothing else is around.
We have changed his clothes are not able to keep his entire Gotcha Day outfit as he made use of diaper. We will also be on the famed poo-poo patrol for the next (hopefully only) couple days until he goes and we can move to be considered good parents.
Also none of his shoes fit that we have purchased for him seem too big. He has the wildest chunky little feet with super short toes. So we will have to try to get him some shoes here, that fit. That however will have to wait as all of us are tired and need a nap.
Hopefully more later, enjoy!
July 29th, 2008
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I’m still a bit unclear as how to count the days, so bare with me. I lost one over the international dateline so I’m not sure I know where I’ll pick one up or steal one back or what have you, so if I suddenly skip a day, I ‘m not sure I really skipped it, I was just a little lost in the time-continuum string theory as mapped by my current time-piece logic issue.Ok, even I didn’t get that.
Christe took a nap and Ellen and I took a walk down Huai Hai Lou. It was mainly skyscrapers, high-end shopping (that we obviously can’t afford) and locals commuting or shopping or whatever it is they are doing to be in motion.
A guy I work with who lives in New York has been to Shanghai before and he said that this is the 5th Ave of Shanghai. As a matter of fact he said that Shanghai is a LOT like New York City. Thus far I completely agree.
With the exception of the entire population being Chinese and all of the store fronts and billboards being in Chinese, this could be New York.
I must admit, that the feeling of other-worldliness, exoticness, etc just doesn’t seem apparent yet. The time change excluded, I still have work-work to do and have yet to fully engage myself in this trip.
After Ellen and I returned to the hotel, Christe, Ellen and I headed out of the hotel to walk a bit and catch a taxi to Ellen’s house to eat an actual home cooked meal by her parents.
It was an absolute treat. It was incredible to see, even if just a small glimpse, how an average family in Pudong lives. They were so kind. They offered up too many dishes (food) to count, a nice bottle of Chinese wine, and the finest Disney Character plates I had ever seen.
I think the menu was planned largely by Ellen to showcase all of the things she had told us about over the course of her 10 months with us in the US.
I also snapped a photo of another families’ doorway because Ellen said that it had been decorated for Chinese New Year and It will be left up until they do it again next year.
I’m heading to bed as I still have a lot of “work-work” to do.
I almost forgot! Ellen’s Mom called us a taxi and well, needless to say, when we walked down stairs, I don’t think he was expecting to big foreigners two be climbing into his car. Ellen told Christe just before we pulled away. This cab-driver’s weird! Good Luck!
July 20th, 2008
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Ok so we are here! China now has two more bodies to add to its 1.5 Billion! Two funky smelling, sweaters on teeth, sleepy bodies; yay for them!So I must admit that last time we flew to China we were very fortunate to have upgraded to First class — with all of my accumulated frequent flyer points from many years of work travel — which ended up being mostly business class as we went from KC to Chicago, to Tokyo, to Beijing.
At that time we applauded ourselves for how we got to pretend we were rich and famous and were doted on because (as we naively thought) the stewardess perceived massive amounts of wealth must be had by us to be able to afford such expensive seats. We took it all in! We ate what ever they offered, drank whatever they had on the cart because, after all, it was FREE! We selected movies from a cart, had smoked salmon, drank champagne, yes…we were rich! Ok not really but let me dream, ok?
This time however, we were to be relegated to lowly coach with all the “common folk”, whom for some reason just needed to get to China.
So what’s the point? Adoptive parents and other non-regular international travelers, GO WITH COACH!
Here’s why. I slept at least 9 hours of the 15 ½. Yes I was sleepy, but I knew I wasn’t going to miss anything if I was asleep and, I didn’t! Small cramped seats, a guy in front of me adjusting his reclined seat into my knees at least 75 times, sub-par food even for an airplane and cranky stewardesses were all the order of the day (or night or whatever it was is). As I see it, the flight is a time to crash (not literally!), I mean go to sleep.
First Class makes you think you have to “take it all in” and if you sleep you’re missing something. Well I didn’t miss a thing because there was nothing to miss!
The Airport and To Hotel:
So after 10 months of an exchange student from China in my house in Kansas telling me there was nothing beautiful in America, it was always boring, the food was intolerable, and well frankly, “your dogs are sooooo ugly ……… and they stink!”, I was wondering if I was really up for a nice meet and greet at the airport from a someone I had seen is just over a month.
Ellen In The Bread Taxi
Lixinyin (Ellen as we know her) was visible as we rode down the escalator just off the plne. This is somewhat surprising as people in China know how gather en mass at the site of any sore of a device that looks like’s the thing that keeps us in line at a movie. And when I say “en mass”, I mean, historic Beatles at JFK landing mass!
Ellen and her mother had found a way to be right up front and center. They patiently waited as we gathered up our 4 large suitcases (1 for Christe, 1 for Oslo, 1 for ‘gifts’ for the adoption process and her make-up, body lotion, hair goo, eye-lash mutilator-ripper-outer-thingy, snacks she’ll never eat, crossword puzzle books, scope whitening mouthwash, etc) and ½ of one for me) and made our way through customs.
Customs amounted to us picking an aisle for “something to declare” or “nothing to declare”. My wife suggested that my desire to go with the “something to declare” line because I felt I was finally ready to offer up my never-to-be-known before secret love of Celine Dion, was not only not funny but that I was not allowed to speak …….ever again.
I think she was cranky a little. She claimed to have only slept 2 hours on the flight. WHATEVER! The ambien kicked her butt for at least 6!
Ellen and her Mom were so lovely (I mean that really, I’m not worried about them reading this). I think they made fun of us a bit for the amount of luggage we had but quickly got us to the taxi stand where I explained we wanted, “Mien boa che chu” or Loaf of Bread Taxi. I think she was initially shocked that I knew that but quickly we were moved to the waiting spot for a mini-van.
On the way to the hotel I snapped a quick photo of a car we passed. It seems to be very popular to put large stickers (decals) on the side of the smallest car you can find, which I guess makes it sporty-er. I hope this one isn’t foreshadowing the weather we’re in for!
Weather Forecast?!
Ellen’s Mom did not stay with us but Ellen accompanied us on the 1+ hour ride to the hotel, check-in, and inspection of room and now decision by Christe to take a nap before we head out to the suburbs to eat dinner with Ellens mom and Dad.
July 20th, 2008
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Ok, so as most of you know, this will be our second adoption and our second trip to China to do the same. The similarities are starting to mount.
Unlike my wife who will readily point out that our adoption itinerary and important dates are all nearly the same, (i.e. “London’s gotcha day is July 25th, and Oslo’s is July 28th !” “We are traveling in July and August, just like we did with London!” etc, etc, etc) I am committed to the belief that our children are separate and unique and so will be our experiences, travel, packing etc.
This however has not started yet. Thus far everything is nearly the same to exacting specifications.
We were off to the airport at 4:50 am (which to my wife’s dismay was scheduled for 4:00 am) to make our flight to Chicago. I had been up for over 24 hours doing work up to the very last minute before finally being told that if I did not complete my packing duties that I would surely forget something like last time (see deodorant story on London’s blog).
The check-in experience was fine but did take us about 15 minutes longer than it should have as there are no more “we’ll check you in” lines. Everyone must use the automated check-in kiosks and then wait to have your name called to bring your bags up.
The flight from KC to Chicago was uneventful and I believe I slept through the whole whopping hour and a half (supported by wife’s comment, “You know you slept the whole way?”.
Anyway, as I sit her in Chicago, as we are told that our flight to Shanghai is set to take off about a half hour late. Let’s hope this is not the beginning of further delays.
I will write more when we get to Shanghai.
July 19th, 2008
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