EXAM DAY!

MEDICAL EXAM DAY!!!

Today was our day to take the bus to get Callie Beth's physical examination.  The clinic where we went was hopping with children waiting for their physicals---mostly, children being adopted. 

Ready for the Dr. visit.

I think Molly Kate knows she doesn't have to go through the Dr. visit, from the smile on her face!

Waiting for the Doctor.

Callie Beth did GREAT in the first station---eyes, ears, and throat exam---EXCEPT, she would NOT open her mouth for the doctor.  She didn't cry, she didn't scream, she didn't fuss at all---she just set there with her teeth clenched together tightly.  I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but her Chinese zodiac sign is the ox, and she is literally STRONG as an ox!!!  It was so funny---the doctor finally gave up, and wrote something down on her chart.  The medical information from today is for immigration, so we won't receive a copy of it.  I'm just assuming that she wrote something like, MOUTH CLAMPED SHUT!!!!!

The next station was weight, height, and temperature.  Callie Beth is 35 inches tall, which is the same height as Molly Kate.  However, she weighed in (with her heavy shoes on and after a BIG breakfast) at 34 lbs, so she outweighs Molly Kate by about 8 lbs., which is what I had estimated.  I'm thinking about becoming a sumo wrestler when I get home, because after having carried her around for a week, and with almost a week yet to go---not that the carrying around will stop when we get home her around this week, I feel like I might be able to lift ANYONE and throw them around!!!!

The final station was the medical examination.  Unfortunately, Callie Beth was in distress when we started that part, because we had run out of rice cookies to munch on.  She went in screaming, and came out screaming.  The doctor asked me if she talks much.  How would I know?  I don't speak Chinese, so I don't know if the things she utters is words or just babbling.  Anyway, they did label her language delayed, but that is typical.  OF COURSE she is going to be language delayed coming to a country where she doesn't speak the language.  

Callie Beth also had to have a TB skin test.  It is required for all children over the age of two who are adopted.  The orphanage did a preliminary test on her a few months back, and it was negative, so we aren't expecting a problem.  Since she was already distressed over the physical examination, she didn't react much worse to the needle in her arm.  HOWEVER, she can't get her arm in water today, so there won't be a tsunami bath for her and Molly Kate tonight!!!  Once we were finished with all the stations, and I put her back in the stroller, she was fine. 

We are back in the room now, just chilling----LITERALLY!!!  We have the air set as cold as it will go.  It feels good after being outside.  We are glad to be where we are, though, instead of in the HEAT WAVE at home.  It is in the 90's today, but partly cloudy.  It feels like normal Kentucky weather.

Roger has to meet with the other dads in the group at 4:00 this afternoon and do paperwork for Callie Beth's visa.  When he is finished, we are going to Shamien Island (where we stayed last year when we were here) for dinner and then SHOPPING!!!!!  WOO HOO!!!

I am attaching a few pictures from today.

Until later....

Vicki :)

WONDERFUL DAY!

IT HAS BEEN A GLORIOUS DAY!!!!!

Today has been our best day in China!!!!  Callie Beth did GREAT today, and we had no crying or screaming episodes until bedtime.  That scene didn't last long because I got her out and rocked her to sleep.  She has truly had a WONDERFUL day!!!!

This morning we visited the Buddhist temple and the Old Chen House, as well as the Provincial Arts and Crafts Shopping Center.  I'm not going to bore you with details of these stops.
 

At The Temple

Since we had a group dinner planned tonight at The Macaw, a Portuguese restaurant, we decided the girls needed a nap this afternoon, so we opted to stay in the room.  After much playing and some hopping from one bed to the other, our little monkeys went to sleep and took a good nap, as did Roger.

Whoa!

Naptime?  I don't think so!

Our meal at The Macaw was the BEST meal I've had the entire trip!!!  It was fun being with others in the group.  We had two round tables with 16 adults and 9 babies.  Both Molly Kate and Callie Beth LOVED the food!!!!

After supper we took a short walk with our friends, Joey and Tasha.  We had to come back to the room for diaper changes, and then Roger, the girls, and I went for a LONG walk.  When we got back to the hotel, we went into Starbucks and purchased the girls' first drink from there.  I have included a picture of them with their drink!!!

 

Loving that Starbucks Daddy is giving them!

Snacktime!

I want to conclude this post with sharing MORE things I've learned about Callie Beth.

1.  She can make the biggest splashes of any child I have ever seen!!!!! 

The Splasher! 

2.  She can say, "Thank you!"
3.  Every time I take a picture of her, as soon as the camera flashes, she puts this
     HUGE smile on her face and says, "WHOA!!!"
4.  She gets more loving each day, and is already like a LEECH with me!!!  I LOVE IT!!!!


Tomorrow we will be taking Callie Beth for her medical exam and for her visa photo.  It will be a LONG morning!!!  All of the daddies will be meeting with our guides tomorrow afternoon to do MORE paperwork, and then after that, we are heading to Shamien Island for SHOPPING!!!!!  SQUEAKY SHOES, HERE I COME!!!!


Vicki :)

GUANGZHOU!!!!

WE ARE IN GUANGZHOU!!!!

We are in the beautiful city of Guangzhou!!!!  I really do like it here.  Our hotel is GREAT, and it is located in a much nicer and CLEANER area that our hotels were in Beijing and Zhengzhou. 

We were supposed to fly out of Zhengzhou at 12:20 today, but our flight was delayed for an hour, so it was almost 1:30 before our plane took off.  Molly Kate fell asleep almost immediately. 

Our Guide

 There was a really nice indoor playground at the airport, so she climbed and slid down slides for over an hour.  I couldn't get Callie Beth to play on the playground---I'm not sure she has ever played on a playground before.  She sat good as gold in her stroller the whole time. 
 

On the plane, Callie Beth did pretty well at first.  She looked at a book, ate some snacks, and then she fell asleep, too, and slept for around 30 minutes.  HOWEVER, when she woke up, things changed.  For the remainder of the trip, she spent most of it SCREAMING her head off.  I have no clue what she wanted or needed.  I tried everything I knew to do, and then finally, I just totally ignored her.  Occasionally, she would stop, and I would tickle her or tease her and she would smile and giggle, but then it would all start over again.  I continued to ignore her until the last 10 minutes or so when tears began to come with the screaming.  I was able to fasten her in my seatbelt in my lap.  This helped some, but it was moments of grieving for her, and when that happens, there is simply nothing to do.  I don't think the people sitting around us enjoyed their trip very much.  In fact, one of the girls sitting in the seats in front of us, had her fingers in her ears the majority of the trip.  Callie Beth's scream is pretty shrill, so I'm sure it was hurting her ears.  When we landed I apologized to her.  She didn't speak English, but I was able to make her understand that we had only had Callie Beth for 5 days, and that she was from an orphanage and that her adoption was still very traumatic for her.  The girl was really sweet and let me know it was okay.  
 

Once we arrived in Guangzhou, we were greeted at the airport by our guides, Jason and Grace.  We boarded the bus for the hotel, and I'm pleased to say that Callie Beth was happy the entire 45 minute ride!!!  We are staying at the China Hotel Marriott.  It is REALLY nice.  The thing I love the best about the room is that the bathroom is glassed in, meaning we can watch the girls from the bedroom while they are taking a bath.  AND, there is a shower in front of the tub in the glassed in area, which means that Callie Beth, who is the biggest bath splasher I have ever seen, can splash all she wants, and it won't get water on the floor.  Of course, she just about drowns Molly Kate when she does this!!!   Both girls had had MULTIPLE poopy and pee diapers on the trip, and I decided I would get them in the tub as soon as we got to our room.  They LOVED the glassed in tub, and Molly Kate didn't even mind Callie Beth's splashing.  I am including a picture---I don't think it's too revealing!!!

 

After freshening up (I felt like I had been peed and pooped on!!!),we went for a walk tonight, in search of somewhere to eat.  We saw lots of places, but ended up coming back to the room and ordering room service.  Both of the girls LOVE stroller walks.  Callie Beth is ALWAYS happy when she is in the stroller.  In fact, she fell asleep before we got back to the room.  I let her sleep in the stroller for quite a while, but then I woke her up so I could feed her something.  That was a mistake.  It was obvious that she was sad when she woke up.  I held her for a long time, but then, Molly Kate started climbing in my lap, too, and I don't know if that is what triggered the screaming/crying spell.  I knew there was no reason to battle with her, so I changed her diaper, put her PJ's on her, and laid her in her bed.  She screamed and cried for maybe 3 minutes, but as soon as we turned out the lights on that side of the room, she stopped.  I know she was absolutely exhausted from the day.

SO, the plane ride wasn't too great---but then, it sparked the memory that Molly Kate cried on the plane ride all the way from Nanchang to Guangzhou when we adopted her.  She is so well-adjusted now that I think Roger and I both have almost forgotten that it has taken months for her to get to where she is now.  We know this whole transition is harder on Callie Beth because she's older than Molly Kate was when we adopted her, but then, she will probably learn more quickly than Molly Kate did.  She certainly has a GREAT role model.  I can't say enough about how WONDERFUL Molly Kate has been this whole trip.  Everybody in our travel group LOVES her, and she loves them, too!!!  She has gone from being the little girl who would say, "LONE!!!" if anyone got in her personal space, to a little girl who will hug and blow kisses to anyone.  She is very comfortable with everyone in our group, especially Joey and Tasha Robichaux, the couple we have spent most of our time with. 

Our Travel Group

She has actually been a little social butterfly on this entire trip!!  I can't begin to tell you how many older Chinese people have come up to her and touched her and talked to her, and she has appeared comfortable with all of them.  If this trip has sparked any memories of her past life in the orphanage, she has shown no negative signs of it.  In fact, when we visited Callie Beth's orphanage on Wednesday, Molly Kate made her way, on her own, from room to room and seemed quite comfortable, making her self right at home.  Roger and I are SO proud of her for the little girl she has become.

Tomorrow we are visiting the Buddhist Temple (don't worry---we aren't planning to switch from Southern Baptist!!!), the Old Chen House, and the Provincial Arts and Crafts shopping center----WOO HOO!!!!  I haven't been shopping in almost TWO weeks!!!!  Tomorrow night we will eat at a Portuguese restaurant----NO CHINESE FOOD---YIPPEE!!!!!  We have met back up with three other couples, who adopted from the non-special needs program, so there will be eight couples and NINE babies dining together!!!!  Sounds like a winner to me!!!

Until tomorrow....

Vicki :)

POST SCRIPT

There is something I forgot to share, so this is another SHORT entry (I PROMISE this time!!!)

OUR BLESSING IN THE PARK

I forgot to mention (I don't know how I could have forgotten this) that on our way to McDonalds, we stopped at a local park and took a walk through it.  It's the same park we took the girls to a few days ago---a very BEAUTIFUL park.   Today there were LOTS of people there, and we drew quite a bit of attention.  We had a large group of people come up to us, and try to communicate.  Of course, we couldn't understand them.  We have a card we have worn around our neck this week, though, that gives our name, our child's name, and explains that we have adopted this child. 

Callie Beth at the Butterfly Field

Callie Beth and Molly Kate at the Butterfly Field in the park.

Molly Kate loves the Butterfly Field

SO, I proceeded to show the card to an older lady in this group.  She read the card, turned around and said something to her husband, and then got right up in my face and yelled, "AMEN!!!"  I really didn't know what she was trying to say to me at first, but then I realized it was her blessing on us for adopting our child.  We have received many smiles and thumbs up from people this week who have seen us with our girls, and who have understood that we have adopted them. 

The picture is of part of this group in the park who was our fan club!!!!  They allowed us to take their picture with our girls.


Vicki :)

LAST DAY

 OUR LAST DAY IN ZHENGZHOU

Today was our last full day in Zhengzhou.  We will be leaving at 10 in the morning for the airport for the 4+ hour flight to Guangzhou.  It will be Callie Beth's first time on a airplane.  I sure hope she likes it!!!!


We had another laid back day today.  It rained again, so we spent most of the day in our hotel.  The girls have enjoyed their time playing in the room, even though we don't have a great variety of toys.  I worked on repacking the suitcases, putting the girls clean clothes in one (I REALLY am glad I brought SO many outfits for them!!!), mine and Roger's clean clothes in another, and all of our dirty clothes in the third one.  We still have a few things to throw in the suitcases in the morning after breakfast.


We did venture out this afternoon, even though there was still a fine mist of rain, to go for a visit at the GOLDEN ARCHES.  I'm sure most of you have heard of the GOLDEN ARCHES, known in the United States as Mickey D's, or better yet, McDonalds.  Junk food just sounded better than Chinese for some reason.  Our friends, the Robichaux's went, too.  Tasha and I waited outside with the girls, while Roger and Joey went inside to order.  We were quickly surrounded by a large group of kids, most of them being around the ages of 10 to 12.  They were very interested in us, and asked LOTS of questions in Chinese.  Finally, one of them asked, in English, where we were from.  I responded, "The United States."  They had a really puzzled look on their faces.  A few minutes later, I was asked the same question again, and I again replied, "The United States."  It was as if they had never heard of the good old U.S.  Then I added, "America."  When I said that, their faces lit up and they started nodding their heads and babbling in Chinese again.  They were a really nice bunch of kids.  Several of them took pictures of the girls, so I took a group picture of them, too.

We brought our food back to the room to eat, and then we took another short walk to a 7 Eleven store to get ice cream.  We decided when we got back with the ice cream we would sit in the hall and eat it.  In just a short while, all the other families in our travel group had come in, and we congregated in the hall for quite a while, giving our kids time to play together.  I know I've said it before, but we couldn't ask for a better travel group.  Everyone is GREAT, and the kids are all so precious.


We had planned to Skype with Evan at 10 PM our time.  By the time we went to the lobby to try to connect with him, the girls were so exhausted that they were crying and whining.  We did get to talk to my dear friend, Ginger for awhile, but it was hard for me to hear everything she was saying because of our VOCAL girls.  We never we able to connect with Evan.  We are going to try again in the morning.

Molly Kate waiting to Skype

Callie Beth waiting to Skype

Today was a better day for Callie Beth.  She did have one meltdown this afternoon, but it wasn't as extensive as last night's, and today I finally just put her in her bed and ignored the screaming.  I know that sounds harsh, but she wouldn't let me comfort her anyway.  It didn't take long for her to calm down, and when I lifted her out of her bed, she was all smiles.  She started in again tonight when I put her in bed.  She wanted me to keep holding her, but I had to take a shower.  As soon as I left the room and went into the bathroom, she stopped the screaming.  Roger said she sat in her bed really still and was asleep in just a few minutes.  I talked with Rita, our guide, about the meltdowns, and she said the language barrier is really the instigator of the problems.  I totally understand that.  This is just really common, anyway.  All of the other children in our group have had meltdowns, fits, and major moments of sadness, too, and they are all under two years old.  I can see how it is even harder for Callie Beth.  We will take one day at a time, though, and I have now doubts time WILL heal!!!


I'm going to add a few pictures, and then I'm off to bed!!!  The next blog entry will be written from Guangzhou!!!!

Vicki :)

LIFE UP TO NOW....

REALITIES ABOUT CALLIE BETH'S LIFE UP TO NOW

Last night Callie Beth had a major meltdown.  She screamed at the top of her lungs and sobbed uncontrollably for almost an hour.  There was no consoling her.  This is very typical for adopted children.  Molly Kate didn't have any episodes like this while we were in China, but after we were home, she had night terrors several times, with the same uncontrollable crying.  There seemed to be no comforting her, so we would put her in her bed, and I would lie beside it, telling her over and over she would be okay and that I loved her.  Eventually, she would fall asleep.  That's what I had to eventually do with Callie Beth last night. 


We learned a lot from our visit to the Show Hope Center in the orphanage where Callie Beth lived.  As I told you the other day, the nurses and nannies there were WONDERFUL.  They were all SO sweet, and it was obvious they were crazy about Callie Beth.  From what we saw, though, Callie Beth was one of the older children in the unit, and by far, one of the more advanced.  However, due to the severity of some of the medical conditions of the children there (children who need HOMES and FOREVER FAMILIES to love and nurture them) ,I saw no children from whom she might pattern "typical" three-year-old behaviors.  Since her English is limited----Mama, water, and milk----the only way she knows to communicate when she has a need is to groan loudly or scream.   She sometimes bangs on things, but does so in a playful way, because she always smiles really big when she does it.  We know this will change with time, but for right now, it is a reality we are having to patiently work with. She does understand what "NO" means, and obeys when we give her that command.  We have no concerns about her intelligence.  She was playing on our friend's I-Pad the other night and immediately understood what to do to change from one icon to the other. 


We also don't know the extent of Callie Beth's congenital vision problem.  It is obvious that she is constantly struggling to focus both of her eyes at the same time, due to what appears to be strabismus.  Her teacher in the orphanage said she didn't think she could see colors, and that she had very poor vision in the dark.  I don't think, though, her eyes have ever been examined by a specialist.  I truly believe when we get the strabismus under control, it will make a MAJOR difference for her.  There is no discoloration in her eyes, though----they are beautiful and have quite a sparkle to them!!!!


The best news for us is that the surgery Callie Beth had at age one month for the biliary atresia was successful.  She has quite a scar from the surgery, but there is NO DOUBTS that she is physically healthy!!!  She is quite a chubby chunk, and eats like a horse!!!  This is a blessing beyond words, because not all children with this condition are so lucky.  We will be taking her to a pediatric gastroenterologist as soon as we get home because this is a condition we will need to keep an eye on, but our pediatrician told us since she has gone this long without complications, it is very likely she will never have any further problems with it.  I want to hear that from a specialist, though!!!!


I guess I'm sharing all of this because I don't want any of you to be expecting to see a 3 year old who is like most other typical three year olds, because right now, she's not.  She behaves like a child who has been institutionalized all her life, which she has, and who can't communicate verbally because she doesn't know our language and we don't know hers.  She is maybe functioning on the emotional level of an 18 month old.  She has a lot to learn, but with the love and patience and support of family and friends, she will be fine, just like Molly Kate is now.  It's not fair to compare her to Molly Kate in any way, because there situations are totally different.  Molly Kate has now spent almost half her life in a normal (well, I'm not sure you would call our home NORMAL) family life, with constant love, attention, and nurturing.  While Callie Beth has had plenty of love and attention, it hasn't been a HOME or with a FAMILY.


I can also tell you, though, that Callie Beth is a BEAUTIFUL little girl whom we love with all our hearts and souls.  We have no doubts WHATSOEVER that God matched her with us to be her Mama and Daddy, and we are going to give our all to give her the good life that Molly Kate and our boys have.  She is PERFECT for our family, too!!!!


We appreciate the prayers from all of you.  Taking care of two toddlers is not always easy.....but then, I knew that from the beginning.  The REWARDS, though FAR OUTWEIGH the stress.  The girls are SO precious together, and I have no doubts that they will become best friends.  They have both already shown a deep compassion toward each other.


As I read back over this entry, it seems I've painted quite a bleak picture of our new daughter.  Actually, she is happy, sweet, and cooperative, 95% of the time.  We have been out and about constantly since we got her on Monday, and she has done fine.  She especially likes to ride in the stroller and go for walks, just like Molly Kate does.  I think she's going to be an athlete, because she can throw a ball like a pro already.  She hangs on to me like a leech, but then, that's just fine.  I love the knowledge that I am a comfort to her.  She plays rough and tough----part of the survival of the fittest in her past life, I'm sure!!!!  I have a feeling Molly Kate is going to learn just as much from her as she learns from Molly Kate!!!!!

Thanks for taking time to read my daily posts.  I know I'm quite long-winded.  It is very special to me, though, to get to share this WONDERFUL special event in our life with you!!!!!


Vicki :)

A DAY OF REST...

A REAL DAY OF LEISURE....

Today was the first actual day of our time in China that we had NOTHING that we had to do.  It rained most of the day, anyway, so we opted to stay at the hotel.  We had planned a morning trip to Walmart, but when we saw it was raining we decided to postpone.  We ended up taking the girls up to the playroom for awhile, and then coming back to the room.  The girls played for awhile, and then I put them in the bathtub---one of Callie Beth's favorite activities---and then, after having to dry both of the girls' hair (Callie Beth is a SPLASHER!!!), I put them in their cribs for a nap. 

 We have their cribs side by side, so they can communicate before they go to sleep.  Roger was sacked out on the bed---he wasn't feeling too well.  I think it was the dinner he had last night that made him sick (chicken gizzards!!!---GROSS!!!!)  I decided to read for awhile.  I was engrossed in my book when I looked up and realized Molly Kate had crawled over the rail into Callie Beth's bed!!!  The two of them in one crib was cute, but I decided it probably wasn't conducive to sleeping, so I put Molly Kate back in her crib.  It didn't take long before she was asleep.  It took Callie Beth longer than usual to fall asleep.  Once she was asleep, I decided to take a little snooze myself!!!


Tonight we walked with one of the other couples, the Robichaux's, for our evening meal, which ended up being at KFC----yes, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and then we made a trip to Walmart.  It was raining when we started back to the hotel, which was about a 25 minute walk.  We have since been in our room, and are getting ready to go downstairs and try to skype with Evan.


Callie Beth had a very sad moment a little while ago.  She was standing by her bed, holding some blocks she had been playing with, when she just started crying quietly.  I think it was a moment of grieving for her.  She seems to be SO happy with us, but I know she is old enough to truly remember and miss her old life.  She let me cuddle her in my lap, though, and that, along with a snack, made her feel better.  She and Molly Kate are sharing snacks right now. 

I apologize for the boring post tonight.  A boring day has been kind of nice for us, though!!!  I do have some sweet pictures of the girls to share.


Until tomorrow.....


Vicki :)