Where do I even start? We have been so busy loving on this sweet, sweet baby. We have all been doing that baby dance where we are just learning more and more about each other every day. We are just so incredibly grateful that God chose us to be this precious little girl’s family. We can’t believe that they actually gave her to us. She is just the most wonderful baby. Yes, I am biased!
Before we left the hotel on Monday, I had to blog furiously about all of my thoughts from Beijing, because I knew after that, I would just turn to mush. Yep, pure puddles of oozing joy and love! I still have more to write from our final moments in Beijing and our flight to Nanjing (a true Chinese experience!) and will date it to post before this one when I finish it, so check back later if you are interested.
We were able to sleep until about 6:00 am, when we all woke up just too excited to sleep anymore. We went upstairs to the 20th floor for breakfast where they have a revolving restaurant just like the Galt House in Louisville, only the view is all the way around and every bit of it is just breathtaking! Nanjing is such a gorgeous city. It truly is our city. I know that pictures and words can only touch the surface of explaining how amazing it is. It is made up of about 3 million people I believe Jane said. I will have to double check that one. It is the only city in China that has both mountains and a lake in the downtown area. There are lots and lots of beautiful trees everywhere. It was the capital city of China before Beijing. The capital was switched between Beijing and Nanjing a few different times before it stayed in Beijing. Anyways, we were all starving, since our noodles on the plane did not last long, and the breakfast was just fantastic. They had Chinese Dim Sum (some of it was dumplings with little flavored rice balls inside and little corn cakes kind of like hush puppies.) There are hash browns that taste exactly like the potato cakes at Arby’s with ketchup to go with them. I eat a lot of those every morning!! The bacon is super good too. There is every kind of baked good you could want from deep fried bread (super good) to doughnuts, to toast, to croissants. Lots of different juices, congee of course, canned peaches, watermelon, bananas, and many, many other things. The next clear morning we get, I will take my camera up to get some panoramic shots of the view. You truly won’t believe it. I will try to get some shots of the food too. There is a clear wall with a water feature, , a glass elevator with a view, and a full bar where they make omelets for you with all the stuffing. I tried one this morning, and it was a little too oily for my taste.
It was getting down to the final minutes before we would go to the lobby to meet our guide, Jane, and the excitement, nervousness and tension was high! We stopped for a moment and just took time to get calm and pray (although I was still flying high!). Everything was ready to go, and I had little versions of the Night before Christmas going on in my head. Like the Time before Emma Day and all through the room. . . the gifts were laid out, bottle was ready, snacks galore, and toys to boot. The gifts for that day would be for the orphanage director, the caregiver, the person processing the paperwork at the civil affairs office, and the person who would take our family picture for the adoption papers. Jane was a little late arriving at the hotel, because she stopped to buy a birthday cake for us for Katelyn. She handed me this gorgeously wrapped pink box, with ribbon all around it and the cutest little bag with accessories for eating. It looked like something you would get from an upscale bakery in a big city. I ran it up to the room and came back down and we were off.
We got in the van for a 15 minute drive to the Civil Affairs office. It was a much smaller building than I thought. This surprised me as they handle all of the affairs for the entire Jiangsu province. It is almost about the size of the Secretary of State offices where you go to get your license renewed, except there was hardly anyone there. There were a couple of men just hanging out on the porch, and a young woman with a little baby with some split pants on. At first I thought that might be Emma, but Jane just laughed and said, "No, but it seems they have arrived a little early." They were already in the room waiting for us. We entered the doors and there she was being held by one of her caregivers. My heart about leaped out of my chest and it was all I could do to have sense enough to remember to get my camera out. I looked at Josh and said something to the effect of "Roll that tape!" meaning the video camera. I came as close to her as I could, but there was a small coffee table between us. The deputy director of the orphanage kept telling her, "Mama, Mama, Baba, Baba, Jie Jie" and pointing to us. Jane noticed her rash, and they explained that it was heat rash. This seems to be pretty common with Asian babies especially in the hot climate. They had put some kind of heat rash powder on her and the entire insides of her ears were coated with it. I have since determined that she probably has eczema, but more on that later. Thank you so much to all of you who sent me info. on the heat rash! What a blessing to have friends do some research for you when you can’t do it yourself.
I decided to get out the snacks and the Nubi with water. I offered her the snacks, but she just stared me down. The director tried to put one of the sweet potato puffs in her mouth, but she just did not want anything to do with it. They stood her up at the table and tried to get her to hold the water by putting her hands around it, but she was not interested in that either. I think she was still waking up from her nap in the van on the drive over and in a bit of shock over all the new changes happening. As another adoptive mom, Sabrina, said on her blog when she first saw her daughter, I drank in the sight of her like a thirsty woman. Her caregiver picked her back up and she did not want to go anywhere else. Jane asked some questions for us about her schedule. The caregiver helped us learn some more about her. She seemed very emotional, like she could burst into tears at any moment, even though she was not Emma’s favorite caregiver. She kept making calls on her cell phone. I wondered if she was calling the main caregiver and giving her updates or if she was just emotional and that was how she was dealing with it. Meanwhile we had to sign a 24-holding agreement. It was basically that she would still belong to the orphanage for that 24 hours and that we promised to take good care of her. If we still wanted to adopt her, we needed to return to the Civil Affairs office at 10:30 am on Tuesday June 26th, not quite a true 24 hours. The deputy director had the ayi give Emma to me. Well, she just was ticked. She cried and she cried and she cried. Everytime she heard her ayi’s voice she would crane her neck to try to see her. She had this little cry that she does that is heart-wrenching. It is kind of like a cadence of uh-uh, uh-huh. I can’t describe it well, but let’s just say it is a cry that sounds as if it is from the depths of her soul. If you have ever read the book, Shaoey & Dot, Dot the ladybug describes it as the sound babies make when they are needing their mamas to come. When you hear her make that cry, you know that is what that sound is. I tried to soothe her, but then had to hand her to Josh as I needed to take care of passing out the gifts and sign the papers. I gave the gifts to the ayi and the deputy director and bowed to them and just said Xie Xie–Thank You (sounds like shee-eh shee-eh) to each of them. I then got all teared up, so the deputy director went and got me a Kleenex. She seems like such a wonderful, kind-hearted lady. They went to leave and we forgot that we still needed to give them a couple of packages for the two boys Yi Lai and Yi Chen who are still waiting for their families to get their Letters of Acceptance and Travel Notices. Jane explained to her who they were for, and she took them. Jane also told her that we lived close to Yi Lai’s family and that we plan to get them together as often as possible. Sue, she was very interested in that and wanted to know how far away we lived from each other. I think that was neat for her to know that from the smile in her eyes when we told her. I don’t know how much they will give him the blanket as the stuff that we sent Emma was still brand new in the package when they handed it to us. They did answer all of the questions we had previously sent in the letter with the package, and they took all of the pictures with the camera that we sent. We are definitely going to be able to visit the orphanage on Thursday. We are going to get as many pics as we can! I really don’t expect that it will be a problem to take some pictures and maybe some video. We then asked the deputy director a couple more questions about our Emma, and she gave us some more details about her.
Then it was time to go up the stairs to have our very first family picture made. Yes, she was still crying the whole time. I was sweating like crazy from the heat, so I am sure it is gonna be a great pic, but I did have that new Mama glow! Ha, ha! The lady behind the camera had this little rattle thing and tried to get Emma to look at the camera. She looked but she was still crying her little heart out. Jane and I went to give the last two gifts to the photographer and the person who took care of the paperwork that day. Then after all that whirlwind, it was finally time to go. The whole process probably took about a half and hour, but it seemed like a blur to me.
We went to get in the van and Josh continued to hold Emma. She stopped crying once the van was moving. I think that she like the motion and looking out the window. We needed to buy some more diapers and formula, now that we knew what kind she would take, and possibly look for a cheap stroller to use here. I brought some formula along, but it wasn’t quite enough for the whole time. Plus, I wanted to give her something familiar if possible. I brought along some soy formula in case she had trouble with milk products, and I had made a bottle while we were in the civil affairs office, but it was still too hot. We decided to have Jane and I go to the supermarket while Josh and Katelyn would take Emma back to the hotel room. I was concerned that going to the supermarket would be just too much for her in one day. Plus it was so hot and she would be able to cool down in the room.
So, Jane and I get out from the van, which about killed me to leave her, but I stayed strong and knew it was for the best. We went up and looked at the strollers and diapers. Jane has a 17-month old son, so she is a very experienced Mama. She told me exactly what kind of diapers to get. We bought a Chinese brand that she thought was a lot better than Pampers. She said that Pampers were too tight on her son and he got a rash from wearing them. The brand we bought is called Mamy Poko by Unicharm. They have been great so far! She also offered to look at a second-hand shop for a stroller for us once we looked to see what kind I was wanting. Then we went to get the formula. She suggested getting the Similac brand as it has more vitamins and things than the Chinese brand. What a blessing Jane has been to us! Then we went down and got some drinkable yogurt and some bananas. We got in a taxi and headed back to the hotel.
We got back to the room, and I expected to hear crying, but all was quiet. We came in and there she was pigging out on Goldfish crackers and watching Baby Signing Time. I guess Josh was offering her the crackers one by one, and she just grabbed the whole bag to hold for herself. It was really cute the way she had a hold of that bag of crackers! We had to prepare a little more paperwork for the adoption process the next morning and Josh and Jane went ahead and got everything figured out for the orphanage donation and the paperwork fees. I took Emma and she just melted into my arms while I fed her the bottle that was finally cool enough! She sucked it down in no time flat. She couldn’t go slow enough for my taste. I think that was the point that Mama melted into a puddle as well! I just looked in her eyes and spoke sweet nothings to her and tried to reassure her that it was all okay, that we loved her, and that we would be her family forever. Katelyn kept begging and begging to hold her, but at that point, Mama wasn’t letting her go!!!
Josh and Jane went to exchange some money downstairs and then go get some dinner for us all. Katelyn and I started slowly learning about this new little person in our lives. We took her clothes off, which were so adorable, by the way! I took some wipes and just kind of softly wiped her down. She must have had a bath, as she smelled good and was clean. Her belly button is super cute too! She still had some of the red ink from where they put her footprint on the adoption papers, so we cleaned that off. I let Jie Jie get a little bit of her holding fix while I cleaned her off, but Emma wasn’t too sure about that yet. Katelyn gave her a little bit of water in the Nuby, but she hasn’t quite got the hang of having to work harder to suck it out. She is used to having the nipple holes cut quite large and downing her drinks quickly.
We then walked over to the mirrored closet doors and she would pat the mirror and then I would pat the mirror. We got some good eye contact this way. The first time I patted the mirror, I could see the very slightest hint of a smile, but she quickly caught herself and went back to being solemn. Katelyn then got out the bubbles and began blowing them for her. She would raise her little hand to try to pop them, so I would bounce her and say Pao pao (bubbles in Mandarin) and we would try to hit the bubbles. This got her to smile and then she let out 2 very soft little giggles. Her voice is so soft and sweet. We were able to get a lot more smiles and a couple more giggles with the bubbles. She showed us just a tiny bit of her personality. I then got out a bottle of water as I was so thirsty, and she showed interest in having some too. Well, she couldn’t really quite get the hang it and dribbled quite a bit, but she liked it. Then she decided to help me drink the water. She would very seriously hold it up to my mouth and just stare at me while I drank it. I got silly with it and started making little noises when she would hold the bottle up for me, and she really let out some giggles then. Daddy taped some of it for us as he came back with some Kentucky Fried Chicken to eat. It is only fitting that she had her first KFC this day!! We were all ravenously eating our chicken wings, as our breakfast was long gone. It is very similar tasting to our KFC, but the wings are a little spicy–yum! I don’t think they use the same original recipe though. Emma ate a little bit of chicken, but she was mostly interested in the toys at that point. The stacking cups and stacking balls were a hit. She loved the board books too. I tell you, it is very emotional to see your little baby sitting there playing with the I Love You Like Crazy Cakes book! She hit herself in the head with one of the books and that just cracked her up! I then decided we should put some clothes on her. So she then got on her first Gymboree outfit. It is only the first of many, my girl, the first of many!! My Coffee House girls will get a kick out of this. I put one of Marie’s bows in her hair and she reached up, felt it, pulled it out, and laughed! I think we are going to have to work into the hair pretty thing! She did wear a headband for me today for a while, though!
Josh and Katelyn went to swim in the pool so that we could have some quiet time. We had promised her she could swim in the pool on her birthday. The pool is awesome, but we have since learned that you have to pay every time you go! It is basically like a spa down there. I covered Emma in a soft blanket and rocked her while we listened to the Beijing Angelic Choir Children’s Lullabies. She drifted off to sleep and I didn’t really want to put her down at all. My back was hurting me though, and I needed to get some rest as well. So I put her down, changed her diaper, and put her jammies on–all without her even stirring. She was out! My baby slept solid without hardly moving for almost 12 hours straight! If that keeps up, I will be in great shape!! I would just lay there and look at her. It was so strange and wonderful to wake up and actually be able to look over and see her there sleeping. The orphanage said that she gets up at 6:30, but she slept almost an hour past that. I think she slept so well as there were no other babies crying or moving around. They said there are about 20 babies that sleep in her room.
When Josh and Kate got back from the pool, we had a little birthday celebration with the cake and we gave Katelyn a little present we had brought from home. She was happy to get a sister in China for her birthday as well! What am amazing thing to think that on the same day that we said goodbye to our Sunshine, we said hello to our Shan-Shan (Emma’s nickname in the orphanage). It truly is nothing short of miraculous to see how all of the details have so perfectly aligned, and it has been a balm to our souls. We know that we are immensely blessed to have the privilege to be our sweet Emma’s family. We are truly thankful to God for all that he has done!
I am finally done with this post but I have to leave the paragraph in for posterity! [To be continued… This is just so all the blog addicts can get their fix! I have determined that I am high on love right now. You all may be addicted, but you are only getting the street version of the drugs! Ha, ha! I have got the real, quality stuff and it is like nothing else. You think you are hooked now, just wait until you meet her in person!!!!]
Comment posted by Tracie
at 6/27/2007 6:03:04 PM
Its just like the overwhelming joy mothers feel when they first meet the baby they have been waiting and laboring for so long. Katelyn and Emma now share the same birthday! I love reading about your amazing joy; I rejoice with you and I can’t wait to meet her in person too. If Emma does in fact have eczema, Caryn Snyder would be a good person to get advice from, as two of her kids have had it. I have it, too, and there are some wonderful products available that help a lot. Being hot and sweaty makes eczema flare up, so does stress, good and bad. I’m so glad you will be able to visit the orphanage. That will be significant for all of you, and for the babies and workers at the orphanage too. I would have a hard time not wanting to take a couple more home with me too!!! This has been such a beautiful story of redemption and grace, though one of the longest pregnancies known to humans! I celebrate and rejoice with you all. It will be wonderful when Emma makes the cry for her Mama for you, Amy. I’m praying that will happen quickly and that God will heal the wounds of abandonment in her through your love. I could write forever, but I won’t bore everyone else with my wordiness! Give that beautiful baby a big hug for me~
Comment posted by Marcus
at 6/27/2007 1:01:18 PM
I can’t wait to meet her! I’m praying for y’all constantly. Love you!
Comment posted by Rhonda
at 6/27/2007 10:17:08 AM
We are and have been hooked!! Thanks for giving us the blogging fix. 
I love the sleeping picture…she is obviously at peace and falling in love with you 3, too! We can’t wait to see her in person and drink in her preciousness, too! It must have been amazing to think “They are letting us have this precious child!”
Comment posted by Rhonda
at 6/27/2007 10:17:04 AM
We are and have been hooked!! Thanks for giving us the blogging fix. I love the sleeping picture…she is obviously at peace and falling in love with you 3, too! We can’t wait to see her in person and drink in her preciousness, too! It must have been amazing to think “They are letting us have this precious child!”
Comment posted by Rhonda
at 6/27/2007 10:17:03 AM
We are and have been hooked!! Thanks for giving us the blogging fix. I love the sleeping picture…she is obviously at peace and falling in love with you 3, too! We can’t wait to see her in person and drink in her preciousness, too! It must have been amazing to think “They are letting us have this precious child!”
Comment posted by Grandpa & Nana
at 6/27/2007 9:27:57 AM
We are quite ready to see her in person. We’re counting down the days! We’re praying all goes well when you go the orphanage on Thursday. That will be exciting to see where she’s been.
Love, Mom
Comment posted by Sue Toering
at 6/27/2007 9:10:49 AM
Amy,
Thank you for letting us take a peek into your beautiful world! Life is good. What an answer to prayer that you are bonding as a family so quickly and wonderfully. Your writings make me feel as if I am right there.
Thank you for bringing the package along for Yi Lai. My eyes welled up in tears when I read that you told the officials we are going to keep getting the kids together here in MI.
Hang on. The ride is only beginning! I remember welling up in tears of gratitude quite often when we were in China and adopting Stacie in 2005…it is so overwhelming. God is so good!!
I will continue to pray for you and your family.
Blessings,
Sue Toering
Comment posted by Lori Krueger
at 6/27/2007 6:15:51 AM
She looks like a sleeping angel!! I can only imagine the feelings and emotions going through you at the first sight of that sweet little girl. I am soooo excited for you guys!! China looks and sounds like an beautiful place and very nice people. Please take care and looking forward to seeing you. You are in our prayers and thoughts.
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