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

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 Datong City

When I woke up in Datong this morning, I thought, hmmm the pollution is not as bad as I thought it would be.   Then I blew my nose.  Oh boy, I don't know how anyone stays healthy in this environment.   We encountered our first real "hard" bed.   I slept better than I thought I would.    First off we went to see the boys' "finding places" which is the name for the place documented when the children were found literally.   The first picture is of a women&children's hospital where Daniel was possibly born.  The second picture is of what they call a "helping station."  It is kind of like a homeless shelter.   He was found in proximity to both of these places.    Additionally the "old orphanage" is also in the area.   We will never know who left Daniel or why.   We can only say that he was found in a very busy area where he was sure to be found.   Indeed he was apparently found by a policeman when he was about a week old.

After we went to Daniel's finding place we went to Lucas' finding place also.   Again, a very busy area.

We then had to go to the passport office in Datong.   We had no idea what to expect.   It ended up being a two minute conversation between the official and our guide.  That's it.   These boys had to make a four hour journey three days in a row just so this official could make sure our passports were the same as the authenticated copies.   Sad really.

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!!

Sunday, March 28th 2010 continued

After we visited the Great Wall, we went to a Cloisonne factory and Jade market.   Even though Cloisonne originated in France, this is one of the crafts mastered in Beijing.   Very intricate and time consuming.   Somehow I don't have a picture, but they make designs with delicate metal, paint and fire it and make beautiful pieces.   We had a traditional Chinese lunch.   It is amazing how much food they put out and how inexpensive.   On the way out, we found a gentleman who painted Daniel's name for us with Chinese animals and characters.    The fat budda is solid Jade and must weigh ton.

We then met up back at the hotel with our travel partners Liz and Steve to continue our journey.

Not everyone travels with other families.   But I am glad we did!!  They are so nice and they are adopting a 23 month old little boy from the same orphanage as Daniel.

The difference in pollution once we arrived in Taiyuan was unbelievable.   It looks like it is cloudy and raining in this picture, right?  Wrong.   Unbelievable air pollution.   When we walked from the elevator to our rooms, it was chokingly bad.  Made me not want to take a breath.   Smoking is still pretty common in China and there are no restrictions on where people may smoke.  Add this to the regular smog and it is overwhelming.   They don't have air conditioners in the hotel here.  Guess it doesn't get that hot in the summer.   We are in a mountainous region.   We had to open our window to get any relief.

Tomorrow, Monday we will be united with the boys!!!!   It is hard to believe that the moment has arrived.

Sunday, March 28th 2010

Today we had to be up and packed and checked out early.  We were able to leave our suitcases with the concierge, then we had our own guide to take us to the Great Wall north of Beijing.   Most of the other families arrived a day or two early and already toured the Wall and the Summer Palace (which we won't get to see.)   We came in so late on Friday that we're doing an abbreviated tour.   The wall is magnificent, incredibly steep (pictures don't do it justice.)   Our guide said as she went past me with both hands and feet clambering up the steps:   "They mean "climbing" the great wall literally!!"  It is amazing to me that places such as this and the Great Pyramids were done using brute manual labor.  Brick by brick, stone by stone.   The steps are very uneven and for anyone with depth perception difficulties it can be a little unnerving.   But the view even from the lower towers is simply beautiful.

It was still quite chilly in the morning and there were areas of frost and ice in the shady spots.   Doesn't take long to get warmed up though!!!!  LOL   

Saturday, March 27th, 2010 Forbidden City, Tiananmen

Buildings of Forbidden City

Emporers Throne, Forbidden City

Beautiful wall murals

Tiananmen Square and outer wall of Forbidden City

Processing silk worm cocoons to make strands of silk.