Our Journey East (A little farther east): So many new things

Our girl is experiencing so many first.

I posted pictures yesterday of a park that we went to where she saw fish for the first time. She saw her first waterfall, etc. The city that she was in, is surrounded by fresh water springs. They wrap around the entire city. This park is about those springs.

Then more firsts, we got her passport yesterday. It is stinkin cute. She has a Chinese one as she needs to be domesticated in the US before we can get her a US passport. From there we went to the airport for her first flight. She actually did really well. Very fascinated with the seat belt and her pocket. Loved airplane food! She fell asleep on the flight down to Guangzhou and when she woke up in a strange place, she threw a fit. Both Michael and I had that thought…. YUP we are those parents. But some things cannot be help. We know for the next flight, it will certainly be interesting.

Today we are in Guangzhou. She had her medical exam today. Which consisted of pictures, and then 4 separate rooms. One for an initial Dr. to look at her, then the ear, nose and throat Dr, then the nurses to weigh and check her height and finally the room all parents dreaded. The TB and blood draw room. And we were not allowed to go in with her. Her mama cried as she sat out side the door hearing her girl cry. They were fast but it was still traumatic for the both of us. But the more about it, it was not only for my girl but my heart was incredibly filled. We were surrounded by families. Tons of families all there for the same purpose. Some to bring home their first child, some their second, and some….. well they stopped counting. All from what I could tell of these children had special needs. All of these children rescued through an act of love and an open heart. And Michael and I have journeyed through we have been talking about the 2^nd. Maybe not from China, but there will most certainly be a second. How could you not when you hear of orphanages have 200+ children in each of them.

Bonding is coming along. She is most certainly all about her peeps being around and will check for them wherever she goes. She loves her mama and will not let her out of her sight right now. Michael and she have a routine in the evenings where she will let him put lotion on her and give her a massage. It is sweet time for them. They are so silly together.

She is allowing us to change her diaper without a fit. This is huge and a great trust building piece.

Something’s we have learned:

· She loves the stroller because she knows it means we will go. But you must keep moving.

· She knows how to throw a fitJ

· She is learning what the word No means.

· We had to come up with another word for chew as that is what they called her in the orphanage.

· She is into everything. And if you do not watch, she will take things and hide them.

· She is into order. Nothing can be out of place.

· She is very much a mimicker. Michael has taught her stick em up, she says shoes and can now brush her teeth with a little help.

· The bumpier the stroller ride the better. Girl likes to be all over the place.

· Loves her picture taken.

· Her grief is real and comes in waves.

· She loves to Skype!

Things are coming along. Cathy has been such a huge blessing to us and I cannot say that enough. This trip has gone so much better because of her. Her extra set of hands and grandma thoughts have really help. I was telling her how tired we were. And she reminded me, most people who have a newborn gradually walk into activity. We went from nothing, to 100 miles and hour in a heartbeat. Takes some getting used to. She has also challenged us on the questions we had not thought of like, what do we want her firsts to be with us vs other people. Good things to think about as we bring her home and manage expectations.

As much as we are ready to come home and stop living out of a hotel, to have some normalcy, China is something that I have started to grieve. Mainly because I know my trips over here will not be as frequent as then have been in the past. It is a country that with each time I have come I have done a lot of growing up in. It is a place that feels like a second home despite some of the dysfunction. It is a place that is ever changing, every time I land things are different. It is a place I will miss but forever has changed my heart.

From a full heart,

Jennifer