Wahe's World

Day 10: Guangzhou and first visit to Shamian Island

Michelle here. Posting our update while Max is napping. Things here are going well. We’ve been getting to know our new ‘hood here in Guangzhou.

Yesterday afternoon, we walked to a park a few blocks from our hotel. It was very serene, compared to the hustle bustle of the city. Max ran around a bit, and then we headed back to the hotel, because storms were looming.    We got back just in time, so it was nice to be able to stay dry.  This is the same neighborhood where the GZ Gift Show is. I have attended this show, back in the day of the crazy life I had as a business owner. I think I was here in 2002 and 2003. I can’t quite remember, but I do recognize much of the exhibition halls. The busy part of the show is starting this week, and we’re seeing lots of westerners in town, as well as seeing lots of factory owners. It is easily taking me back to those days of resourcing factories at this show. Who would have ever guessed, that 10 years later, I would be back, with a terrific husband, bringing home a total sweetheart of a little boy. Actually, in my heart, at the time, I did feel that I would be back for that reason, and it’s cool to have to come true.

Today, we had breakfast at the hotel, which is the best breakfast buffet I have ever had (Marriott China for my traveling adoptive friends).   It’s huge, with tons of Chinese and Western foods. The hotel seats all us adoptive families in one section, so it’s fun to see everyone, with their children, and connect with others.

Our guide then had a driver take us to Shamian Island for the morning. It’s a beautiful neighborhood, with a Historic British influence. There are beautiful walkways and gardens.  There are shops too, but we passed up the shops, so we could let Max run around. He had a lot of fun walking up and down the walkways, watching folks play badminton, watching folks sight see, and overall passing the time. The US Consulate is here, so we’ll be back to this area on Wednesday to process the application for Max’s US visa. Click here if you want to learn about Shamian Island

Max and Michelle enjoying a morning stroll through the Shamian Island walking mall.

Max trying to dance with a little girl in the Shamian Island mall. She danced like she had two lead feat.

Max enjoying some of his more stationary friends.

Max giving his friend a kiss good-bye

Here is a rare picture of the three of us.

So……we’ll see what tonight brings us. The hotel has an awesome outdoor play area for kids, so I’m sure we’ll head down there, as well as catch a bite to eat. I have a hankerin’ for pizza, so we’ll see if we can find a pizza place.   Otherwise, there are good restaurants in this area, so I’m sure we’ll find something good where ever we end up.

The hotel has a great courtyard with a beautiful garden. Max and Michelle enjoying the morning out.

Max is still doing great. He’s taken to babbling more, and telling us babble stories, complete with hand gestures, eye contact, passionate exclamations, and giggles. He’s eating a little more too. The first days, his diet preferences were pretty narrow.  So he’s taken to more foods now.  That’s something that comes with time, and we’ve seen progress on that.

Thanks again for reading our blog, your comments, and your FB comments. We appreciate them, and feel like we have a cheering team from afar.

Also, if you want a little more info on Guangzhou, here’s a link. It’s population is 13 million, which to put that into perspective, the population of New York City is approx. 8.5 million, and the population of Seoul is approx. 10 million. We, of course, have seen only a small portion of it.      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guangzhou

Day 9: First Day in Guangzhou

Michelle Here.    Just wanted to give you an update.    Max is napping soundly, after a busy morning.

But first, since Stefan’s post yesterday, we had a long trip to GZ, but glad we’re finally here.     I could not say ‘good bye’ to that hotel room in Hefei soon enough.     It was dirty, we felt isolated, because there was nothing kid-friendly about the place or neighborhood, so we were literally climbing the walls, and Stefan and I were sick.     So  bye bye, and glad you’re in our rear-view mirror.     We’re starting fresh here in GZ, and it feels great.

In Hefei, at 5 pm,  our guide and driver picked us up to head to the airport.    The Hefei airport was like no other I have been to, and I’ve been to a lot.     It was organzied (I think) loud chaos.     We were glad to have the security blanket of our guide navigate us through to security.     Once we reached our (dirty) gate, we saw our new BFF’s who were in Hefei at the same time (staying at the much nicer Hilton), so it was good to connect with them.    Our flight was delayed, and full.    We ended up walking into our hotel room at 12:20 a.m.     BUT the shining star in all of this:    MAX!    He was an absolute trooper through all of it.    We really could have had the equation for potential disaster:   not being fed a real meal, up way past his bedtime, being in chaos with us newbies to him, and on a packed flight with a lap seat for a 2 year old.     Well, he rocked it.      He was entertained by people watching at the airport, and he fell asleep about 30 minutes after take off.    He had some episodes of crying before takeoff, but he did great.    We landed in GZ, and he was all smiles, until he finally fell asleep in our room at about 1 a.m.    He woke up at 6:30 am all smiles.

Max did a little early morning reading before heading to breakfast.

This morning we headed to get his visa photo taken, and his official medical exam.    More organized, loud, hot, chaos.     Here, about 30 adoptive families were there for the same appointment.   Our guide helped us navigate the steps, one by one, and we were out of there in about an hour.     Headed back to the hotel, and it’s naptime.    Whew!      There is a lot more things to do around this hotel, so we are very, very grateful.    There’s also a playroom here that we are looking forward to checking out.    This hotel (the China Marriott) seems to be the main hotel for adoptive families because we have seen a ton of families.     So it’s good to have connection.

Here is a section of the waiting room for Max’s medical appointment. Our guide, Kelly, did a great job getting us through the process quickly.

Here is the most AMAZING thing that happened today:    While in the hotel restuarant having breakfast, we noticed some familiar faces.    We recognized them as the family we hung around with on trip #2 in KOREA!!     While in Korea, we had randomly connected (we were both staying at the Eastern guesthouse), and were our BFF’s during that trip.    We went to a show together, had dinners, had Starbucks.    Had a great time with them.    Well, we lost touch over the 3 years.    And we saw them today, in CHINA!      We sat together for breakfast, and we were all in disbelief that our paths have crossed in this way again.     We got to see their new daughter, and their daughter they traveled for in Korea.    You can read the original blogpost here.

Max is doing well.    It’s funny how everyone who meets him, falls in love with him immediately.     He has this way about him, with a smile, a twinkle in his eye, and a wave that melts people’s hearts.    He’s interactive with folks, while still holding onto the security of us.   He’s quick to imitate us, so he’s been picking up on sign language, and trying to say English words.    It’s really helping in our/his attachment, because he can feel that we are understanding his wants and emotions.     So….there you have it.   We’re looking forward to exploring our new neighborhood a little tonight, and see who we run into from the adoption world tonight.

And a few more pictures for good measure …

Max and Dad’s first Yankee game together.

Putting in a quick call before lunch arrives.

Max and Mom hanging out at the park. This park is similar to New York City’s Central Park. We will be visiting more over the next few days.

Day 8: Catching-Up

Hey all. I am now feeling a lot better then yesterday.  I am set to pack the family up and head to Guangzhou at the end of the day (Friday).  Michelle and Max did great going solo yesterday.  Max and I had to do the same today as Michelle is battling a bit of a bug. Both are gently napping right now. I think all three of us are growing a bit tired of our time hanging out at the Holiday Inn in Hefei. We are anxious for a change of scenery.

We have been asked a few times on why we have to be in Hefei for this length of time.  The main reason is that Max had to wait until they processed his travel passport. All the documentes were finalized on Tuesday regarding his transitioning his care from his orphanage to Michelle and I.  So taking two days to turn around a passport is pretty good. We are appreciative of Georgiana for making sure we were crossing all out T ‘s and dotting all our I’s.

We will be spending the next week in Guangzhou where the American consulate will process Max’s information so that when we land in the US, he will be a US citizen and the adoption paperwork will be finalized.

During Wednesday’s museum visit, we discovered that Max is reluctant to step over any grates or thresholds.  The prime example can be seen in these two photos.  He has the same hesitation for elevators, escalators, the barrier in the rotating restaurant or anything with a pronounced gap.  This, I hope, is a good thing as I typically use the sidewalk around our house as such a boundary

We discovered that Max is hesitant to cross over thresholds like this.

Dad helping Max over the threshold.

Max, Michelle and Georgiana visited the Temple yesterday (Thursday).  Max made a friend.  Oh the power of superhero action figures and friendship.

The world could use a few more super heros to unite us like this

Max and Mom posing by one of the animals usually used to protect the Temple (not sure if that is really the case here)

And of coure the daily picture of cuteness, this time a double dose …

Mom and Max the morning of Day 8 on the trip and day 5 with Max.

We leave Hefei at 7:15 tonight. This will be, to the best of our knowledge, Max’s first air plane ride.  Since this has been his bed time, we hope he sleeps through the flight.  But we are anticipating a bit of anxiousness as well.

Oh one more thing before signing off from Hefei (I think i just like typing Hefei).  It is amazing how quickly Max is picking up on our English. He is following instructions such as wave and say thank you.

Day 7: Thursday

Michelle here.    Just a quick note.   Our VPN to get onto FB is not working right now, but we are able to get into the blog.

Last night, Stefan came down with a stomach/travel bug.    So he was up most of the night.    It’s much better now, and he’s feeling better.    Just getting back his strength.    Max is continuing to do well.    He and I turned a corner in his attachment.     He’s now coming to me to look for comfort.   I think the switch got flipped when Stefan was sick.   I was the best he had 🙂    So now we’re best buddies, and it’s fun to get his hugs from him.

This morning, our guide took Max and me on a tour of a temple in Hefei.    It was a beautiful day, on beautiful grounds.    It was good for Max to run around.    He definately is on track in little-boy-gross-motor skills!    He made a new friend (3 years old).    They discussed what I witnessed must be in little boy DNA:   super heroes and bikes.    The little 3 year old had both, and Max was enthralled.       Max continues to babble a ton.   He is now imitating our words, and is using sign to tell us things.

So…going back to get some hugs from our little guy.     Thanks for all your cheers and words of encouragement, and overall positive energy.    We feel it, and appreciate it!

Day 6: Afternoon Update

Michelle Here. Max and Stefan are napping, so you get me again. Sorry, no pics (Stefan has now posted Pics). Just an update on our cute little guy.

Actually this was at night. He is even cute when he sleeps.

First….the question was asked to me, how old is Max? Good question, and I realized I really haven’t stated that. He will be 2 years old in May. We are so happy that we’ll get to celebrate his birthday with him. Even happier, is Michael. He already put in a request for a train cake. With ice cream. And a cherry.

Max’s transition continues to be excellent. He is still transitioning to us, but he’s adjusting amazingly well.

So….some of Max’s favorite things to do, since I posted yesterday:

1. Run! I really don’t think he’s going to miss a step in following Alex and Michael around. His favorite so far is to run laps in the hotel hallway. He’ll run ahead of us, stop, look back, and giggle. Repeat this loop countless times. It’s cute to watch. It’s good exercise for us too.

2. Water! He took a bath yesterday, and had a great ‘ol time splashing around. He was a little apprehensive at first to get into the big bathtub of water. But once he figured out he could play with the water, there was no looking back. The bathroom floor, walls, and toilet got a good washing too. But that was good, because they needed it.

3. He didn’t like the stroller so much, because he was anxious about not being able to see us. So we put him in the Er go carrier, and he really liked hanging out on Stefan’s back. We weren’t sure if he would like it, because it was probably the first time he’s been worn like that. But he liked the closeness, and the security that he wasn’t going to get left behind anywhere.

4. He loves steamed buns. We have to find a source in Madison. Also noodles. And goldfish crackers.

Three Steamed Buns! Yum!!!

5. He is chattering up a storm. As in, all the time. He doesn’t do anything without being vocal about it. We think it’s still babbling, but who knows, maybe he’s speaking a combo of babble and Chinese to us. He’s caught on to a few English words. This morning, he was yelling at us in babble. Like he was barking out an order for us to come here. It was very cute.

6. He’s secure enough in his attachment, that he’s mischevious. I’m really not complaining, because that’s a really good sign. But he gets this twinkle in his eye, with the cutest smile when he’s doing something he knows he’s not supposed to, and then we re-direct him into something he can do.

7. He still prefers Stefan for comfort. I get to feed him, and be fun mommy. We’ve made a lot of progress in the last 24 hours.

Max loves his Fireman book that Alex and Michael picked out for him.

8. We love him to pieces! He has such a bright personality, that Stefan and I are in total love with him.

Day 5: Picture and Video Updates

Michelle wrote a great post earlier today.  Michelle and Max are sound asleep so I thought I would post a few pictures and write a few lines about what we did this evening.  After Max’s three hour nap we had lunch and ran to the grocery store. Max road in the Ergo on my back and had fun shyly waving at the clerks. Max had his fill of noodles and got his first bath with us.  And now a few pictures from our day (and a video from day one with Max).

This is what Max ran to get after Skyping with Alex and Michael.

Actually Max was being goofy when Dad was changing his diaper.

We are enjoying a lot of the fun signage here in China. We assume this is the Happy Crab Restaurant.

The swimming pool was closed so bath time was our second best option.

Day 5: Max Update, Tuesday Day #2 w/Max

Michelle here.     Just wanted to give you an update on how we are all doing.     Since Stefan is the photo guy, you don’t get any pics right now.    Just words.     But here goes:

We’ve been Max’s parents for about 27 hours, and it’s going remarkably well.

Last night, we stayed in our room, and played with Max.    He would show us some smiles every once in awhile.    He would also get waves of sadness, but we were able to distract him with a toy.     He was very sad at bedtime.    As with our other boys, sadness comes out at sleepy-time, and he was one sad little guy.     He fell asleep easily.    He slept the entire night!   He woke up one time, and went back to sleep.    So, he slept from about 8 pm to 6 am.    He woke up all smiles.     And today, his real personality is shining through.

He is preferring Stefan over me.   Which is totally normal, for a child to prefer one parent over the other.    Stefan wins the prize this time 🙂    He loves to be held by Stefan, and hugged, and picked up.    He always has to have Stefan in his sight.    I am the treat girl and the playing with toy-girl.    He’s taken to me well also, but he prefers Daddy.     He’s showing awesome signs of attachment already to both of us.     He’s totally textbook in his attaching, and for that, we are very grateful.

This morning, we had more appointments at the Civil Affairs office.   Our guide, Georgianna, escorted us there, and walked us through signing all the necessary documents.       Max’s orphanage directors and staff were there as well, signing off their custody rights.     This orphanage is not New Hope (the Beijing foundation we visited).   This is his home orphanage which had custody of him.   This is the location he was admitted to when he was first ‘found’.    He was then transferred to Beijing, and under the care of Love Without Boundaries, for surgery.    Anyway……Max was transferred back to this orphanage to await our arrival about 2 weeks ago.      He director was very pleased to see Max’s great adjustment already.

So….a funny story:    Max is really feeling comfortable around us today.    So much so, that at the Civil Affairs office, he was literally running up and down the hallways, at full speed, laughing and giggling.     Stefan was chasing after him the whole time, while I got corralled through the various steps of paperwork.    There were about 5 other families there, and we were all laughing at how silly Max was acting.       The orphanage folks laughed when we told him that he is son #3, and that he will have a lot of fun chasing after his 2 brothers.     They nodded, and smiled widely.

Back at the hotel, we are seeing the real Max personality come through.    We have seen the mischeivious smile and twinkle in his eyes, that we only had seen in photos at New Hope before today.   He has this way of smiling up at you, with this look, that just melts our hearts.     He loves to see the cause and effect of his actions.    So…..we’re always chasing after him, picking up stuff in his path.     We joke that Alex trained us well in this, so these are familiar actions that we’re falling back on.

Another really cool thing happened today:    We skyped with the boys back home.   This was the first time they saw Max.    They said their hello’s and were overall silly.    Max was watching intently, and waved at them.    After we were finished, Max pulled out the pillow with our photo on it (FB friends may remember that we sent a care package a few months ago, and one of the items was a pillow with our family photo on it).    We had rec’d the pillow back from the orphanage.     Max pulled out he pillow and pointed to Alex and Michael.    I was awe-struck.

Max is still having typical adjustment/transition emotions.    One of his comfort items is his shoes.    He does not want his shoes taken off.   THese are the shoes he came from the orphanage, and I have to wonder if they were shoes originally from New Hope.    He even wanted to sleep in them.    We were able to take them off, and put them in his crib.    When he awoke last night, he felt his shoes, and I think that provided some comfort.     His second comfort item is a bottle.    We are giving him a bottle, because kiddos often regress in transitions.    He carries it around everywhere.   So…if that’s what makes him feel good, we’re good with that.

We are in Hefei until Friday.    There is a bunch of paperwork processing that’s happening behind the scenes, and we will have his passport on Friday.   Then we fly into Guangzhou, and start processing the US side of things.    We are in GZ for 8 days.    We met a family who received their new 5 year old son, and is on the same timeline as us.    So, it’s good to have some new BFF’s.    We’re even staying at the same hotel in GZ.

So…..Max is taking a nap now, and we’ll see what the rest of the day brings us.     In the meantime, we are absolutely in love.   Thanks everyone for your FB comments, and blog comments.    They mean the world to us, and we do feel your cheers of support coming to us.

Day 4: The Day We Met Max

No one should be shocked that Michelle and I didn’t sleep last night.  I guess it is our tradition.  We typically don’t sleep well on these trips. It was a mix of anticipation, excitement, jet leg, and of course the unknown. On the way to the appointment we didn’t notice the heat or the noise. Georgina explained the process to us and answers some questions. We were escorted to a room where two other families were also awaiting to meet their child for the first time. A nervous anticipation filled the air.  A few more documents to sign.  Each interrupted with a sound of a child in the hallway. We would stop and wait to see who walked through the door. And then then happened ….

Our first glimpse of Max

Introductions are in order.

Back at the hotel happy with a red ballon.

Mom being funny.

Max!!!

Of course there were not constant smiles. But those pictures are not as fun to show. After playing and warming up a bit, Max decided it was nap time.  He crawled into my lap, rested his head on my shoulder and slept for the next three hours. Michelle and Max are now playing on the floor. The power of stacking-cups is amazing.

Tomorrow we have some more paperwork to do and then we have the afternoon to ourselves.  More pictures to come.

Day Three (PM): Honking Hefei

Bye Beijing, we hardly knew you.This morning it was cool in Beijing at 7:00 AM. I sported my red Wisconsin Badger fleece.  But I had an alterative motive besides staying warm. I sometimes sport my Badger apparel to see what comments I get from strangers who have some connection with the University or the state.  I have made many friends over the years doing this.  Such places represented were Gulf Shores, FL; Seattle, WA; and Washington D.C. Not too surprising.  But I wanted to test my theory that I could meet a fellow Badger

This morning it was cool in Beijing at 7:00 AM. I sported my red Wisconsin Badger fleece.  But I had an alterative motive besides staying warm. I sometimes sport my Badger apparel to see what comments I get from strangers who have some connection with the University or the state.  I have made many friends over the years doing this.  Such places represented were Gulf Shores, FL; Seattle, WA; and Washington D.C. Not too surprising.  But I wanted to test my theory that I could meet a fellow Badger anywhere in the world. And yes Hefei falls into that category.  While waiting for our baggage a blond women with a thick German accent approached Michelle and I to confirm my theory that I can meet a Badger fan anywhere.  She attended UW-Madison as an exchange student in the mid-90s.

I had my doubts at first, but I must admit the guides that Great Wall provides are great.  I am sure Michelle and I could have navigated our way through airports and hotels but life is so much easier with someone who knows the process and of course someone who can speak Chinese.  Grace got us to the airport in plenty of time and helped us get checked though.  Georgiana met us at baggage claim standing with a sign that read “Welcome Michelle and Stefan”.

On the way from the Hefei airport I noticed how much more our driver honked his horn. Then I noticed other drivers beeping away. And then another driver, right behind us, was beeping away presumably because we were not going fast enough. It wasn’t until Gerogiana was walking us to an appointment that we got the scoop. Drivers in Hefei love to honk their horns. Honking Hefei.  If Hefei had a baseball team, their mascot would be a goose.

Georgiana is very nice, friendly and sincere. Her English was spot on for someone who studied English at the University but has not been outside of China. She was patient with us. She even quizzed us on what we need to bring for our appointments over the next two days.  Her organization gave us great comfort for what we will experience over the next several days.

Only 14 hours until Max will be with us forever.

Not sure how Stefan is going to hold three boys …

Day Three (AM): Good Morning Beijing

This is the last few hours we will be in Beijing.  We are off to Hefei. This is the capital in the providence where Pearl S. Buck’s novel The Good Earth is based. All we know is it will forever be known for the place of Max’s birth.  We are looking forward to meeting him in about 24 hours!