Friday, March 22, 2013
14 WFIE News Story
Not sure who set this up but it was a very nice story. Trying to do an interview after living on an airplane/airport for 20 hours and little sleep is tough...
Adjusting to home
We think Andrew is doing better at this time change than mom and dad. Andrew slept 6 1/2 hours on the big plane ride. He then fell asleep before we took off from Chicago. We had to wake him to get off the plane after we landed in Evansville. We don't understand how he has been such a trooper. Waking up in a different place every couple days, waiting in long lines several hours at a time, going through multiple security checks, riding in planes, trains and all kinds of automobiles.
After arriving to an overwhelming welcome at the airport, it is time to settle in at home. We had dinner, which was really breakfast time to us, when we got home. After we ate we played with all kinds of new toys in the basement. He had no problem at all scooting around the basement exploring and playing. Andrew got his first look at our 3 black labs when they came to the back glass door happy to see us. Andrew wasn't quite so sure he was happy to meet the them, his eyes got as big as saucers. We left the kitchen since we didn't want to scare the little guy right away.
We gave Andrew a bath then we watched ourselves on the news then we went to bed. We are not use to the cold here, we had to turn the heat up in the middle of the night. Surprisingly Andrew slept until 3:15am then was ready to get up. Jason got up and took Andrew to the basement. They ate a snack and played until about 5:30 when Andrew was ready to sleep again. Jason rocked Andrew to sleep and everyone slept in until just after 12 noon. Andrew woke up in his smiling laughing mood and we still seemed to think he likes us.
We all ate breakfast then we played in the basement. We did try to catch up on the stack of mail and some emails. Kimberly started unpacking and dove into the 3 suitcases of dirty clothes. About 4pm Andrew crawled up on the couch and was ready for a nap. He slept for an hour then we woke him to go to the airport. We figured we hadn't seen an airport for 24 hours so we would go visit. But really one of the families that travelled with us was returning home. It was good to see they made it back ok.
The short drive also gave us a chance for Andrew to try out his car seat as they are not required in China. Mom and dad felt it was good to be out of the house already. Not sure why we felt that way but we assume because our schedule stayed so full we were always on the move. We stayed up until after 11pm and got Andrew asleep. He slept in his crib until sometime in the middle of the night he woke up crying. Kimberly got up and took care of him. Slowly some sort of routine should be setting in, it is just going to take a few days.
After arriving to an overwhelming welcome at the airport, it is time to settle in at home. We had dinner, which was really breakfast time to us, when we got home. After we ate we played with all kinds of new toys in the basement. He had no problem at all scooting around the basement exploring and playing. Andrew got his first look at our 3 black labs when they came to the back glass door happy to see us. Andrew wasn't quite so sure he was happy to meet the them, his eyes got as big as saucers. We left the kitchen since we didn't want to scare the little guy right away.
We gave Andrew a bath then we watched ourselves on the news then we went to bed. We are not use to the cold here, we had to turn the heat up in the middle of the night. Surprisingly Andrew slept until 3:15am then was ready to get up. Jason got up and took Andrew to the basement. They ate a snack and played until about 5:30 when Andrew was ready to sleep again. Jason rocked Andrew to sleep and everyone slept in until just after 12 noon. Andrew woke up in his smiling laughing mood and we still seemed to think he likes us.
We all ate breakfast then we played in the basement. We did try to catch up on the stack of mail and some emails. Kimberly started unpacking and dove into the 3 suitcases of dirty clothes. About 4pm Andrew crawled up on the couch and was ready for a nap. He slept for an hour then we woke him to go to the airport. We figured we hadn't seen an airport for 24 hours so we would go visit. But really one of the families that travelled with us was returning home. It was good to see they made it back ok.
The short drive also gave us a chance for Andrew to try out his car seat as they are not required in China. Mom and dad felt it was good to be out of the house already. Not sure why we felt that way but we assume because our schedule stayed so full we were always on the move. We stayed up until after 11pm and got Andrew asleep. He slept in his crib until sometime in the middle of the night he woke up crying. Kimberly got up and took care of him. Slowly some sort of routine should be setting in, it is just going to take a few days.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Home Sweet Home!
All 3 of us are home! Everyone is doing well, just a little tired. What day is it? We had our first bath at home. Thanks Dylan for the fire truck robe!
Thank you to everyone for the warm welcome, you are all great friends and family!
Thank you to everyone for the warm welcome, you are all great friends and family!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Leaving for Hong Kong...
Andrew slept through
the night. Up at about 6 am. We don’t have anything to do today except
wait for our time to leave for the train station. Went to breakfast and saw two of the other
families from our group. Went to the
lobby so that we could say goodbye to everyone.
It was sad to be leaving them, but we are ready to go home. They all were headed to their consulate appointments
and then they are going to Shaymen island for the day. After they left we all went to the fourth
floor playground and played outside for about an hour. Played with bubbles and got in the swing for
a little while. Came back to the room
and skyped with papaw and Kortney and the kids.
While we were in the room we got a call from John and he said that
everyone was in the lobby and we were going to have a group picture taken. I am so glad we got to see everyone one last
time. After the picture they all got in
the van and we walked to the 7/11 for noodles for lunch. Had lunch in our room and Andrew finally fell
asleep at about 12:30. We have to check
out of our room at 14:00, but don’t get picked up for the train until
15:15. It is very hot and extremely humid
outside today. We will probably go back
to the 4th floor playground while we wait. We will be headed to Hong Kong and will spend
the night there tonight and get on the plane back to Chicago tomorrow
morning. I am sure it seems like we have
been gone for a long time, but I cannot believe how quickly the time has
gone. Everything has gone so well and we
have really enjoyed the time we have had to bond with Andrew. Looking forward to getting to share our
wonderful son with all of you. Thanks
for all the prayers, they have been answered!
Please pray now for a good
plane ride for all of us. We will see
you soon!!
Love,
Kimberly, Jason, and
Andrew
Everything is smaller in China... |
Monday, March 18, 2013
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Day at the Zoo in Guangzhou
Andrew
fell asleep about 20:40. Andrew woke up at either 3:30 or 4:30. Jason put him
in bed and he stayed there until he woke up at 6am. He wanted his “bottle”
which is a little milk jug drink with a straw. Andrew went back to sleep and
slept until 7:30. We went to breakfast and Andrew seemed to be in a little bit
better mood. He ate well again. We met the other 3 families at 9:00 and headed
to the zoo.
It
was 77°F today and partly sunny, it feels warmer with carrying a
backpack and sometimes a 20-month old around.
Andrew got to feed the ducks/fish his goldfish crackers. They have a dog
park where you can go in and pet the dogs. It’s not popular for people to own
dogs as pets here. We saw a class of school kids with drawing pads sketching
the giraffes. We saw the panda but it’s so warm it wasn’t moving much.
Andrew
fell asleep right before we got back to the hotel. He slept for almost 2 hours.
After Andrew woke up, we walked to the shopping mall next to the hotel and
bought so more gifts. After shopping we went to the outdoor playground they
have on the 4th floor at the hotel. Andrew got to crawl around and
play in the playhouse. When other young kids came out he lit up and really
wanted to go play with them. But the other kids weren’t sure, but they were a
little older also.
We
went back to the room and Andrew ate almost a whole bowl of noodles again and
ate some of a plum. We only have 2 more days left here. We are leaving at
7:45am to go to the US Consulate. We will start Andrew’s VISA process so he can
come home with us!
Hot Panda |
Feeding the ducks and fish goldfish crackers |
Saturday, March 16, 2013
First full day in Guangzhou
The alarm got us up at
6:30am. Kimberly got ready and Andrew figured out the new TV remote. He didn’t
seem to notice that we changed hotels while he was asleep. We went to the
breakfast buffet, it is still really good with American and Chinese selections.
They have high chairs so we got to have our first at that. He actually did
really well than having him sit on our lap. Andrew ate pretty decent. On the
way out we ran into the other 3 families in our group and got to meet the 3 new
boys.
We all met in the
lobby and loaded the van up for the medical exams. They had to draw blood on
the other children but not Andrew since he is under 2, our hearts were breaking
for the parents. Andrew did not seem very content in the medical office. There
were a lot of people there but since we only had 4 families in our group we got
through it in about an hour. There was a group after us with 17 families, I
think they are going to be there for a long time.
Jason sat Andrew down
for his photo and he was not happy. It took a squeaky toy and 3 photos before
they got one that was acceptable. Next it was our turn for the medical exam and
the nurses took Andrew. They weighed him and measured him he did not like that too
much but a squeaky toy calmed him a little. We then went into the Doctor’s exam
room and he checked everything out. I’m not sure how much the Doctor heard on
his stethoscope over his crying. We got through that and then we went to the
last room. There was a toy fish and ball that Andrew repeatedly through on the
floor while we waited for the Ear/Nose/Throat specialist. We assume everything
was ok as we didn’t get any paperwork.
On the way back to the
hotel we stopped at a supermarket. We got milk, diapers and other supplies
(chips and coke) for the rest of the week. We went to McDonalds, which is right
next to the hotel, for lunch. Andrew had his first french fry with us. He
seemed to like them, it was also good to get a somewhat American meal again. We
then walked around the hotel grounds and Andrew fell asleep. We found some
cabanas out by the pool and we laid Andrew on the couch. Nothing better than an
outdoor nap! The weather here is great, almost 80, nice breeze, similar to
Florida. They even have palm trees. Jason went to a meeting to fill out VISA
paperwork and go over the plan for the rest of the week.
After our meeting
Andrew was up and the guide walked all of us down to a park not too far away. It
was very nice with a large lake in the center. They even have amusement park
rides, similar to Holiday World, but for small children. We watched people play
badminton, hacky sack and table tennis. We spent about 3 hours at the park, it
was so great to be outside and not in a hotel room. We still get stop and
stares but not as much. We don’t know if it is Andrew specifically or the whole
concept, because I would think this town would be use to seeing Americans with
Chinese children.
Andrew just ate almost
a whole large bowl of chicken noodles, those are his favorite that we know of.
We are getting ready to walk down to the 7-11 to get some more bowls of
noodles. I think everyone is expected to walk down and check out the 7-11. Of
course you also have to walk through the “propositions” for a massage out on
the street on the way down there.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Made it to Guangzhou!
3/15/13
Andrew slept for 9
hours straight! Skyped with Kristan and
her kids this morning. Jason and Andrew
skyped with Grandma and Grandpa Marsh while Kimberly took a shower. Andrew did not do quite as well at the
breakfast buffet today, but still ate pretty well.
We found a window on
the fifth floor where we could watch the traffic. Sat up there for about a half hour or
so. Went back to the room and daddy and
Andrew took a nap and mommy read a book.
Jason went back to the coffee shop with Eric for lunch just got it to
go. Mommy and Andrew played in the room
while daddy was gone. Andrew ate some
bread and the tomato soup that Jason got with his lunch.
We met Vicki in the
lobby at 3:00 and got checked out of the hotel and then headed to the
airport. Got to the airport and Vicki
helped us get checked in. We were there
two hours before our flight. We hung out
with the other couple that adopted from Guiyang also. It was a long two hours, but finally time to
board the plane. We had to take a bus
from the airport to the plane. It was
packed!! Andrew had a meltdown when we
were waiting outside to get onto the plane.
It was cold and we tried to put a blanket around him and he hated that!
He calmed down once we
got on the plane. The flight went well
until we started our decent. I think the
air pressure was really hurting his ears and we could not do anything to calm
him down. He cried really hard for 15 to
20 minutes. Felt so bad for him, but he
would not drink or take the sucker I had for him. It was really stressful for all of us. Once we landed he was fine again.
Got all of our bags
and headed out to find our guide. His
name is John and he seems really nice.
He got us in the van and we headed to our hotel. It is about 40 minutes away from the airport
and Andrew fell asleep on the drive. It
might be an early morning for us.
We have to meet in the
lobby tomorrow at 9:00 and then will head to Andrew’s medical exam. We are looking forward to being back with the
other three families and meeting all their new children!
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