A Year (or two) in Pictures

Having joined the world of *acebook,  and adjusting to living as a family of five,  my tenderly nurtured blog fell by the wayside after we came home from China.    But having checked my site meter recently I noticed the occasional visit.   So here is Daniel's life in pictures over the past two years.   He has come miles and is still the same lovely, happy child we brought home in April, 2010.   It simply amazes me that two years have flown by.   So please enjoy this retrospective of our wonderful Dan Dan,  now age six!!!!

Daniel enjoying his first beach vacation about three weeks after lip surgery

 Lip surgery, check.  Palate surgery, check.  Glasses, check. Fourth of July cupcakes, check!!

Daniel was SO excited to meet "Ho Ho"  and below, sending his Christmas wish to the North Pole

 His first Christmas was spent getting to know Grandma and Papa on L. Island, which had it's first major blizzard in a decade!

Gotcha Day, Adoption Day and Birthday followed each other in quick succession.    A MUCH happier boy for this, his fifth birthday, March 31, 2011

Annual beach vacation, loving the sea and sand

 Datong buddy reunion!!   They were all smiles and couldn't keep away from each other even though they hadn't seen each other in over a year.

 First day of preK, August 2011

Waiting for "Ho Ho Santa"

 Daniel and big sister on the back of a camel.   Look how big he has gotten!!!

Simple childhood fun

Sunday, April 4th 2010 Free day

Dan Dan had a pretty rough night after all the immunizations he received at the clinic.  So we took it easy and had a relaxed breakfast then let him splash and play in the bath.  We got lunch from the famous "Deli Shoppe" right outside the hotel. 

View of the Pearl River from our hotel

 In the afternoon, our group gathered again to tour the Guangzhou Jade and Pearl markets.    It was actually kind of fun bargaining with the sales people and I found a few nice pieces for myself and some of the little girls in our neighborhood.    In the pearl market there were thousands upon thousands of strands of pearls in each little booth and shop (Kind of like how indoor flea markets are set up here in the US.)    It was fascinating to watch the girls beading and knotting the strands.   How their fingers flew!!

We visited the well known (in adoption communities) restaurant Lucy's for dinner along with Steve and Liz.   We ended up meeting several other families from our group there.   As we settled in, another mom along with her new daughter came into the restaurant and sat across from me.    The next thing I knew she was asking if I was Joanne.   It was my RQ friend Gretchen from the Victory!!  It was so nice to meet Gretchen.  We wouldn't have been here at this time if not for her collaboration a few months ago when the Article 5 rules all changed.   I will always be grateful for that!!  So we had a very nice dinner and then decided to head for the play room at the W.S.    I was able to introduce her to another mom alone with her new daughter around the same age.   It was so cool to hang out and relax!!   I just love Gretchen~!!

Saturday, April 3, 2010 Medical exam

Today I was up and meeting with our Guangzhou H*lt staff and the other six families for a meeting.  We reviewed all of our paperwork that is required for the consulate appointment and Visa application for Daniel.    Daniel and Peter wandered around the hotel to check out all the sites in the meantime.  After lunch,  we had to go to the medical clinic for Daniel's Visa medical exam and immunizations.  It was nice to see everyone again altogether and meet their new children.  Everyone seems to be very happy.   Dan Dan did just fine through the medical exam which included height/weight/temperature, ENT exam (cursory at best) and a medical exam.   That was the easy part.   Then came the immunizations.....   poor little Daniel had to get SEVEN plus the PPD test on his arm.   I really wanted the nurses to hold him, but Peter ended up holding him.   Oh, he cried.   Who can blame him????   He was covered in band aids when he was done.      We met the group again for dinner and by the time we got back it was after nine and Daniel was teary.    Poor little man - he ended up with 102.3 temperature during the night from all those shots.   'Nuff said!!!!!!!!


                                                Lan Cheng (Daniel) LOVES the bath!!!

Friday April 2nd, 2010 Travel day

We spent the morning packing and repacking up the cases (good old 44 lb limit.)   We have had the most wonderful guide this week - very patient, good with the kids, friendly.   She had a four year old son of her own at home.   It was her job to make sure we received Daniel's passport and that all our paperwork from the adoption was in order.    We treated her to lunch and then it was off to the airport.

We made it through without too much difficulty, got to the gate and found our flight was delayed.  But only by an hour.   It was nice to have Liz and Steve and Lucas waiting with us.   The boys have gotten along well all week and seemed to enjoy just taking in the comings and goings of the airplanes.   Lucas slept for a good chunk of the flight but Dan Dan did not.   He did fine on take-off  but decided to act up a little during the flight - namely throwing cheerio's.   It was quite a bumpy flight and he couldn't understand why we kept making him put his seat belt back on.   Fortunately "dinner" came along to distract him.   The meals were ok - usually involving some sort of seafood.   Dan Dan fell asleep about 10 minutes before we started our descent.   The change in pressure woke him up and his ears clearly bothered him.    He refused to try drinking - fortunately Liz saved the day when she pulled out a lollipop.

We had a good hour plus ride from the airport to the White Swan hotel when we arrived in Guangzhou.  Daniel really enjoyed watching all the cars on either side of us and all the lights in bustling Guangzhou.    It was fairly late when we finally got to our room.   We requested and received an upgrade to the river side of the hotel.   Definitely worth it for the view.  We chose to book a junior suite which was really nice.  Since we were there for a whole week, it was nice to be able to spread out a little.    Saturday we were up and out early to go to the medical clinic.   More on that later!! 

Thursday, April 1st 2010 Free day

Today we had a free day, so we decided to go to the Jinci temple outside of Taiyuan.   It is one of the oldest temples in China.   The first picture is actually a picture of the entrance to the "park" in front of the temple.    It was beautiful.

Enormous statue of Chinese warriors.   Note the girl in the front of the picture.  They were huge!!

The Eternal Spring

We became celebrities with the hundreds of 14 y.o. school students who were visiting the temple for the day.   We tried to educate them on what happens when the children are adopted and how they will be normal (just like they are) when they get treated.

                                     

Fasten your seat belts!! 3/18/10

Travel dates confirmed - check

vaccinations done -check

flights booked to NY - check

flights booked to China  - almost!!

We now know that we will be flying out of JFK on Thursday 25th.   I am taking the little ones to Grandma's a couple of days before.   

-We have orientation in Beijing on the 26th.

-Gotcha day!! 3/29

-Travel to Datong 3/30.   Stay overnight

-Daniel's birthday 3/31!!   I hope that we will be able to see the orphanage and also his finding place

-Travel to Guangzhou 4/2

-Consulate appt  4/7

Last weekend after our TA didn't come I tried to keep us busy and out of the house.  Saturday I spent the afternoon with the kids at the park.  Sunday we took them to the zoo (probably one of the last cool/comfortable days to go.)   They always love going to the zoo.

They have a fabulous Wings of Asia aviary

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 shēngrì kuàilè Dan Dan!!!!

Shēngrì kuàilè !!!!   Happy Birthday Daniel!!!!!   We were so happy to be able to spend Daniel's fourth birthday with him.   After we visited the Finding Places for the boys, we went to the orphanage for a tour.   Now, I have to tell what really happened, because it should be a consideration for all parents thinking about an orphanage visit.   We asked the director to please purchase a cake for us to share with Daniel and the rest of the children he has spent the last 15 months with.    But, I will tell you, as soon as we pulled up in the parking lot, Daniel started crying.   I did my best to comfort him and the guide and nannies did speak to him in Chinese, but when we entered the building and started climbing the stairs he just started sobbing.   I was crying right along with him inside.   But I knew they were expecting us and had bought this cake. 

They had the cake ready and waiting and we just had to plonk him down because we could not get him to stop crying and we wanted him to see the cake.   One of the nannies tried to take him away from me, but he clung all the harder and I said no.   They clearly cared about him and they all talked to him and wiped his tears.   He calmed down eventually and the candle on the cake was the most fantastic thing I have ever seen.   It was lit in the middle and it opened up into a lotus shape with petals.  The middle started popping like a mini firecracker, which lit all the candles on the outside of the cake.   It was really beautiful.   I tried to get him out of there as soon as we could and he played with Baba outside the door for a while.  The nannies also gave him a bottle of what they called "sweet water".   It was clear so I am assuming it was sugar water and it was quite hot!!  Calmed him down, though and he drank the whole thing.   I got as many pictures of the children as I could and we toured the room where they slept, bathed and ate.   They had a very nice music room with a piano.   Afterwards, we went back to the play room and I was able to take pictures of Daniel with two of his closest "friends."   Though the ordeal was upsetting for him,  I think the pictures are priceless.   I will try to keep track of them and see if they get adopted.   I am not able to post any of the birthday pictures as I am not allowed to post pictures of other children in the orphanage.   Liz told me that a wave of relief crossed Dan Dan's face when we put his coat back on.   Said it made her want to cry.   When we zipped him up, he had a great big smile.   We were able to ask the nannies quite a few questions because they drove back to Datong with us in our van.   We found out that Daniel's foster family took him home for two weeks in February for Spring Festival.   They also gave him their family name.   They must have truly loved him.   I have read recently that his legal chinese last name is one that is only used for orphans and for those who don't get adopted, it labels them for life.    So it is significant that this family gave him their own last name.   I hope that one day we will be able to communicate with them and perhaps get pictures of his early days with them.  Anyway, I can only surmise that when we returned with him to the orphanage he assumed that we would be leaving him there, just like the foster family had to.   Bless his little heart!!!!!   We were then treated to a full buffet lunch with the directors which was delicious.   Dan Dan chowed down and the dumplings were to die for.   Yum!!    We had a relaxed lunch and told the directors a little about ourselves.   I showed them pictures of DD and that Daniel looks exactly the same.    They were very friendly and open to our questions.   We then had the long ride back to Taiyuan.  This time the highway was open all the way.   Nonetheless, I avoided the "rest area" facilities :o)    Dan Dan had his first luxurious bath when we got back and he loved it.   I don't think he had ever had the opportunity to just play in the bath.   We then gave him a light up Panda bear for his birthday which he went to sleep with.  All in all, the day ended on a good note.

playing outside with  the main play room with Baba and another staff member

Daniels crib - right inner front

fresh and clean with a cool new bear

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 Adoption Day

This is a picture of Daniel Monday evening after we got him.  Already bright-eyed and happy.

Today is the day that we officially adopt Daniel.   He is not a US citizen yet, and no visa yet, but we are legally his parents in the eyes of the Chinese government!!   We were supposed to start the day off early, but our appointment in the ministry office was rescheduled (yet again) from 9 am to the afternoon.   So we got our gifts ready for the officials and orphanage staff, then went shopping!!   

Daniel is so little we have only 1 or 2 outfits with us that fit him, and the shoes he came with were pink and yellow.   Off to the Chinese department store.   The clothing is ridiculously inexpensive.   Like tops and pants for $1-$2 a piece.   We bought about ten american dollars worth of clothing for other children at the orphanage.  We filled a huge bag!!!!  

After our adoption appointment, we were scheduled to travel by van  to Datong City.   We have to go there as part of the process of obtaining Daniel's passport.   We will be visiting the orphanage while we are there.   We didn't end up leaving Taiyuan until almost four in the afternoon.  Then about 45 minutes into our four hour journey we were diverted off the main highway onto side roads.   Tiny dusty bumpy side roads. We were passed by lumbering coal trucks in either direction.   We saw tiny little Hutongs (family dwellings with a courtyard) and we saw workers out in the fields working by hand.   Although this diversion added about 90 minutes to our trip, I am glad we got to see the "real" part of the province where Daniel was born.   We finally pulled into the hotel around 9 pm, worn out.  

Oh and Liz and I got to experience "real" chinese bathrooms.   IE.  squatty potties!!!!    The chinese do not use porcelain bowls like we do in the U.S.    The potty is a bowl (or hole)  in the ground with two porcelain "plates" on either side on which to place your feet.   And you will not find toilet paper in chinese bathrooms either.    All I will say is... it was quite the experience!!

Daniel also gives his approval of the adoption with his hand print

Monday, March 29th, 2010 GOTCHA DAY!!!

We spent the morning trying to rest up and relax a little bit.   We were supposed to meet the boys just after lunch at the Taiyuan Ministry Office for adoptions.   We loaded up on the buffet breakfast.   This has  been the big meal of the day.   They have a full western breakfast and also what would be considered Chinese for dinner in the US.   No need for much lunch after that.   We have been getting to bed pretty early - but both of us have been up at some point between 2 and 5 am every night.    China is exactly 12 hours ahead of the US (east coast.) We wandered around near the hotel for a little bit.   I found my first diet Coke - was so happy!!   Got it where? - the 7 Eleven!!  Yup, even 7 Eleven is in China.   We also picked up a few snacks and drinks for the boys. Here we are at the Ministry office with Steve and Liz.  

We were so nervous while we were waiting.   First we ended up being delayed due to the Adoption officers schedule and then the nannies and children got held up in traffic.   Instead of meeting them at around 2 pm,  we were still waiting after 4.   We could see outside where the cars were pulling up and our guide was in touch with the nannies via cell phone.   So we started watching as each red taxi went by, wondering, was this the one?   Every once in a while Liz would say "ooh - there"  but false alarm.   I thought she was going to give me a heart attack!! (LOL)   Finally, a red cab pulled right outside the steps and three adults and two little people emerged.   The smaller child was put down and fell on his bum, crying.   He was quickly picked up and we knew the moment had arrived!!   We kept peeking down the hallway, then finally heard them getting off the elevator.   Daniel was first to come in, walking hand in hand with one of the nannies.

They kind of walked past us and the nannies and directors started talking to each other.

I went over and squatted down facing Daniel.   I put my hands out towards him and he walked straight into my arms!!!   I just held him for a minute.    Behind me, I could hear 23 month old Lucas start to whale.   What a hard thing this must have been for the both of them.   Pete helped me up and then I gave Daniel to him to hold.   He was very quiet.   At one point I saw one tear in his eye as Lucas started to cry again.   So I walked over to the window with him and just started talking quietly to him.

Eventually we sat down and I gave him a Pooh bear which he clutched.   Then I broke out the honey nut Ch**rio's.   Found the way to our boys heart - through his stomach!!  He chowed down on them heartily.   They must have been really hungry after a four hour train ride then a cab ride across town to the Ministry office.  I took a sippy cup of apple juice with us, but it soon became apparent that this would not work for him.  He could not generate enough suction.  Fortunately the nannies had brought a bottle with them with a cross cut nipple.  We ended up buying several bottles for him to use.   The stay in the ministry office was brief - we had to sign a temporary custody order, essentially, so we could take Daniel back with us to the hotel overnight.  He clung to Peter the whole van ride back to the hotel.   Daniel didn't cry until after we took him potty and had these two great big people looking at him at such a personal moment.   He settled very quickly and we found the perfect toy for him to play with.  A wind up car.   Within minutes we had smiles.   What a great afternoon!!