Last Travel Update

We had to check out of our room by 2 pm, but our slight wasn't until 1245 AM!! They allowed us to hang out in the Executive Lounge until we were ready to leave for our flight, but there is only so much to do with an almost 2 yr. old in a lounge. The weather finally broke and we were able to enjoy the outdoor balcony. We spent a few hours there. Zander loved being able to travel along the glass railing and walk in his squeaky shoes.

The view from the balcony was so beautiful with the clouds hanging over the mountains, the pictures just don't do it justice. The best thing about Hong Kong was we could drink the water! We hung out there until almost 8 and thought a change of scenery would do us all good so off the the airport we went!

SHORT VERSION: The flights & layovers were long, uncomfortable, uneventful and YUCK!  If you feel like reading the Long Version, scroll down! Our welcoming committee at the airport were The Laxton Family (Mark, Shannon, Malaine, Sawyer, Makenna, Mavery & Sage), Tina & Brianna (my sister & niece) and our daughter Alex : ) With signs, gifts and hugs. We spent a long time hugging, laughing and talking. Everyone got to talk with and finally see Zander and he gave a bit of personality waving hi, blowing kisses, and saying bye-bye.

We got our luggage and had to split up to go home because we couldn't fit all of us AND our luggage. Zander was getting his first ride in a car seat and he did amazing. He was pretty zoned out the whole LONG car ride home, since Alex drives like her daddy and forgot our exit 2 times!Leaving Hong Kong was a blessing. We didn't do anything but hang out in the hotel, Tim didn't want to venture out with all the typhoon warnings and frankly he was VERY tired and ready to go home.

LONG VERSION: Our first stop was the HK airport. It was pretty uneventful, Zander didn't sleep much which I guess was a good thing since our flight from HK to Seoul would only be 3 1/2 hours. En route to Seoul he was very antsy on the plane, but did stay awake.

After arriving in Seoul we had a 6 hour layover and if you've ever been an airport with very little to occupy yourself, this was the airport ; ) but as you can imagine we managed. Richie & Carmen pretty well slept the entire time on the benches with Zander staying awake most of the time busy as always.

The 14 hour flight from Seoul to Chicago was next. Zander slept the first 6 hours in one of the bulkhead bassinets, but that doesn't leave much room for legs or maneuvering. Tim and I got a bit of sleep. Richie and Carmen were zonked yet again. The next hours were agonizing for Tim mainly because Zander doesn't rest. He was antsy, hungry, bored, sometimes tired. It was finally almost over and he fell asleep, but it was light out so Tim place his blanket over him and made him a sleep tent with only a little hand and foot sticking out. I didn't dare take pics because we did NOT want him back awake.

After arriving in Chicago, going through immigration and customs, we had over 2 hours and Zander was CRABBY! Richie and Carmen yet again fell asleep and stayed asleep, I don't know how they did it! After waking a bit we went to the Macaroni Grill (yes, in the airport, we weren't worried about cost at this point, only American food). Zander would eat the bread, some fruit, but NO lasagna, fettuccine Alfredo or meatballs. On the flights we were served 2 Korean meals, the last being very bad. Needless to say the flight through Korean Air going was wonderful, the flight home STUNK! I am not going to complain, just tell the facts. At take-off dirty water starting leaking from the bulkhead onto Richie & Tim. We then had 4 stewardesses and a pilot come back to try to control the leak. They then took a folded piece of material and duct taped it to the bulkhead. It held the rest of the flight. The stewardesses didn't really understand anything we said and really didn't care. We sat in the bulkhead for more room, but there was a curtain that they used to separate the 2 classes and it constantly tangled in my legs and past my seat down the aisle.

On the flight to Chicago there weren't many passengers so we were separated, which was good thing. We had too much family togetherness in the almost 3 weeks and 30+ hours of travel to last a LONG while. Zander again fell asleep and we were dreading how he would be once we got off and had to get our luggage, etc. But he did amazing. We headed to get our luggage and there was our welcoming committee. 

The Laxton Family (Mark, Shannon, Malaine, Sawyer, Makenna, Mavery & Sage), Tina & Brianna (my sister & niece) and our daughter Alex : ) With signs, gifts and hugs. We spent a long time hugging, laughing and talking. Everyone got to talk with and finally see Zander and he gave a bit of personality waving hi, blowing kisses, and saying bye-bye.

We got our luggage and had to split up to go home because we couldn't fit all of us AND our luggage. Zander was getting his first ride in a car seat and he did amazing. He was pretty zoned out the whole LONG car ride home, since Alex drives like her daddy and forgot our exit 2 times!

Good Bye Hong Kong

The great thing about Hong Kong 1) You can drink the water 2) More people speak English 3) It's one step closer to home : )

I never thought the time would get here. We are actually at the HK airport, 2 1/2 hours early, but we are still here! The thing that really hit me as I sit here with our little JinJin sleeping in his stroller is, "We are taking our baby boy home, finally!" No more hotels, no more tours, no more squatty potties, no more one room family time (even though I love them dearly, I am ready for some space).

We had to check out of the hotel at 2 pm, but they allowed us to store our luggage at the concierge and then remain in the Executive Lounge until we were ready to leave. Tim was very self-conscious of all the "big wigs" in the EL, but we couldn't care because they are people just like us, maybe we might even be able to bring a little bit of God to the EL floor eh?

As it turned out, everyone was super nice, they loved Zander. All the workers played with him (we were there almost 6 hours), we spoke with several people from the US. We shared out adoption story with a couple execs., but the nicest part was there was an outdoor balcony that overlooked the harbor. The railing was glass so we could see everything. I could smell the ocean, hear the clanging of bells from the boats, and even though the typhoon has left it very overcast, there were mountains with clouds hanging over them. It was beautiful to see wide open water and mountains after being so closed in for almost 3 weeks. This quiet compare to the VERY busy, noisy streets of China was very comforting and relaxing.

A buffet was served at 6 and the first in line was our little guy always making the signs of "please" and then "food or eat". When he sees the food his whole little body shakes, he grins ear to ear and makes a giggling noise because he's so excited. This happens when I show him a banana also : )

He is walking so much lately. We bought him squeaky shoes hoping it would motivate him to walk more and boy has it! But he still prefers Tim to carry him. I do believe he's packed on a few pounds in the last couple weeks because he is feeling mighty heavy.

Going through immigration as a family was very surreal. They asked if it was Zander's first trip to the US and we smiled and said "yes". He grinned through immigration and strolled right through.

More to follow in Seoul. We have a 6 hour layover and I hope they have a charger! I won't be able to post pictures until we get home though, I packed my transfer cable OOPS!

Goodbye Guangzhou - Hello Hong Kong then Home!

8/16 Update:

I haven't really posted too much lately because just to be brutally honest....I'm tired. Tim's honesty was very frank, and hilarious last night before bed. While laying there playing with Zander, he said, "Boy, when I signed up for this I really was expecting you to hang on mama all the time, what happened to that?"

Missing home, missing my bed, missing my family & friends, missing our life period. We ALL are so ready to be home. All of our group left yesterday. One family we have been with since Zhengzhou (the Smiths from Florida who adopted Rebekah, 8, from Zhengzhou Province, she has the most beautiful smile and is always busy) and another since Guangzhou (the Ackers from Alabama adopted Lily from Guangdong, she's almost 3 with the most awesome giggle EVER). Both wonderful Christian families that it was so much fun getting to know them and their children. It's funny what you learn when put with people for days or weeks. What's said in China stays in China : )

The men are killing time taking a leisurely stroll through the lobby, middle man, Zander, in his squeaky shoes, right wing man, Tim, and left wing man Richie. Zander is totally, always on the move and his person of choice is always Tim. Tim will be going back to work to take a vacation!

We have at least a 3 hour van ride to Hong Kong so we are all packed up (we actually still have the same amount of suitcases we arrived with, we only had to replace Carmen's case that ripped in Zhengzhou).

Next posting will be from Hong Kong.

8/14 Update: This morning only Tim and I went to breakfast. Carmen and Richie, believe it or not are tired of breakfast and needed some alone and space time. Breakfast is never too exciting. They place all adoptive families in a far-from-the-action hideaway, we guess as to not disturb the other more important paying guests. While most of the little ones we have seen are really good and people LOVE to interact with the babies and ask us questions, practice their English, etc. we might disturb others. Zander is always an eating, moving machine so there isn't much down time with him.

Our afternoon was spent quietly and then we went on the Pearl River Dinner Boat Cruise. We were very excited, it sounded so exotic. I would not recommend it, if I said we enjoyed it, I would not be telling the truth. The dinner was all right, but it was extremely hard to enjoy because the whole dinner there was a very loud Chinese woman on the intercom telling about the sites. It was sensory overload with the smells, the low fluorescent lights, all the people crammed in a small room and speakers blaring and it put Zander in melt down mode. He didn't want to be there and neither did we.

We went out on deck to see the sites and get away from all the hub bub, and the lights were beautiful of the bridge, passing boats and buildings. The lights would change color, it was very pretty. Until several times you saw unmentionable garbage floating in the river, VERY nasty floating debris. This ruined the romantic part of the cruise for us.

The entertainment was a woman juggler/mime. I'm still trying to decipher what she was miming though. Our poor guide got into an argument with another guide who was trying to solicit tickets from another of the families with us. But she held her own and Harmon stuck very close (he's a very tall strapping guy).

After our dinner cruise it was time to go melt in our rooms. We were exhausted and ready for bed.

8/15 Update:

Thursday morning dawned bright and hot. We climbed aboard our last bus to go to Shamien Island to do shopping. This was our one and only chance to shop since I got lost in the other mall and we spent the entire time looking for me and Zander.

Shamien Island was beautiful, moss hung from the trees, there were many people doing photography, some in wedding gard, some fashion garb and others just using the perfect backdrop. It was drop dead HOT! The humidity was 100%. Not in the mood for haggling much, we got our souvenirs and headed for air conditioning. We split up a bit from Tim and Richie and Carmen and I heard singing. Usually the Chinese singing is, to me, very nasally or tinny, but this sounded very soulful and beautiful. We walked over to where several men and women had just congregated being encouraged by a woman with sheet music. They sand in harmony right off the street. Zander was the  most still I have ever seen him, listening to the singing. I will try to post the video, but it doesn't sound as pretty as it did on the island.

After shopping we went to the famous Lucy's restaurant. I believe it is so popular because it is COLD! The food was really good and American. We took some photos of statues with Zander, but nearly as many as I would've liked, but it was just too hot.

While walking around the shops, we came across another adoptive family we had met that were actually staying on the island at the Victory. I was very startled to see them sitting with a young Chinese woman named Judy. There was a Bible sitting between them and the couple explained that Judy was a Christian and needed direction and prayers. Her family was pressuring her to become pregnant and told her she must have a boy and they were praying to Buddha for this to happen. She was very distraught and sought the couple's direction. They had a mini study with her starting in James 1. It was amazing to see God working on young Judy through this couple.

We were told the island used to be the main hub for all Chinese adoptions. The clinic was on the island and everyone coveted staying at the overly priced White Swan Hotel. There were many shops and tourists, but now the Swan is closed for 2 years for extensive renovations and the clinic is closed and moved to the mainland. The island committee doesn't want anymore adoptive parents congregating to the island. They want it to be a place of business. Hopefully it can be shared as a business & tourist area since it is so old and beautiful.

Later we said goodbye to the other families and parted ways exchanging emails and phone numbers. We had a wonderful time getting to know everyone.

Blessings,
Francine

Enjoy these update pics!

Quiet Day in Guangzhou

8/13 Update: 

There isn't any pictures today since Zander, Richie and I stayed in the hotel room all day. Richie wasn't feeling well, a tad bit of a stomach virus or could've been something he ate too. It was an extremely nice afternoon playing with play-doh (when he wasn't trying to eat it), playing blocks (of course) and we took a 3 hour nap together. It was so funny, I sang to him and if I would stop he would lay his hand on the side of my face and start singing himself, then stop and wait for me to start again.

With Richie not feeling well, we missed out on the tour festivities of going to the Safari. It seems everyone had a good time, but half-way through it started thunder storming and pouring down rain while they were doing the walkthrough exhibits. So we actually didn't miss too much.

Zander was very glad to see Tim & Carmen return because he wanted to go bye bye! He loves to go as I've said numerous times. He gets his stroller and says bye bye. Tim and I had a very nice dinner at the restaurant called, "The Italian Restaurant".  It was really good and a change of pace. Zander actually ate a few bites of pizza, but stuck with his staples of noodles, broccoli and watermelon.

We just skyped with my sister Tina with Bert & Brianna. We have actually learned to use it quite well and are having a lot of fun keeping connected with friends and family. Well, to bed, tomorrow is an amazing day, we take our final oath swearing in and it is the final leg of our adoption process and he is officially, 100% our son.  There are no cameras or anything allowed, so we won't be able to post those but will tell all about it tomorrow.

Blessings,
Francine

Zander's First Airplane Ride

First Please Note: Some people reading this blog may find it a bit tedious and detailed, but please bear with me. This isn't just a blog to update family and friends, it's also a memory for Zander. After we get home and settled, I will be printing out the blog as a keepsake for him so I will be detailed in our adventures.

ZANDER'S FIRST AIRPLANE RIDE

8/10 Update: As always, I am a couple days late in making my posts, but better late than never. We left our Zhengzhou hotel in plenty of time for the airport (2 hours before our flight). Only to have our flight delayed an hour. We then boarded the plane and sat on the tarmac for almost 20 minutes. While sitting there the stewards & stewardess brought our dinners consisting of a box with all our cold things & utensils & a hot tin with our chicken & rice. Just as we dropped our tray tables & opened our meals, the workers came back & told us we had to put our tables up because we were taking off! Then Zander was all wound up and took his sippy cup and shook it up getting everyone in the seats in front wet, then proceeded to pull the woman's hair in front of him, then when eating his cheerios blecked them all over Tim.

You can imagine how that went for Tim who was holding Zander in the middle, VERY cramped small seats, not well. Then when Tim said something, they took his food completely away!

Tim was finished and handed baby bits off to mama. I dropped my table & commenced feeding our bundle of ticked off hunger. Tim in the meantime snagged an aisle seat at the bulkhead and when Zanman was done eating I passed him back to baba. Poor little guy got a nosebleed even though Ti did everything to equalize the pressure for him. The he instantly went to sleep.

After arriving in Guangzhou at the Garden Hotel we were all too tired to enjoy the beauty yet as it was about 1045. Zander was raring to go after a nap and stayed awake to well after midnight.
************************************************************************

CLINIC DAY : (

8/11 Update: This day was the day of physicals at the clinic for adoptive families. We arrived and were taken to one large room where we received paperwork, then were ushered to the medical portion "for adoptive families only". There are 3 stations, the physical (undress child, poked, prodded), the triage (weight, height, etc.) and the ENT for hearing test, throat looked at and ears checked.

Zander absolutely HATED every portion of this adventure. He bucked, cried, screamed, etc. This poor little guy has been to the hospitals many, many times for surgery, pneumonia, etc. so his experience with hospitals is not good. After they were done though, he was all smiles and laughter, back to his old self, but still out of sorts for the remainder of the day.

The clinic was very nice, clean and sterile looking. It is so funny to see the nurses in traditional garb. Not like the scrubs we see when visiting our doctor's office or hospitals in the states. I'm glad our pediatrician doesn't wear white otherwise we would have a fighting fit every time. I really dread all the doctor appointments once we get home though.

Last night we ventured out. After talking with other adoptive families who have been here for quite a while, they suggested Tekila's. Just like back home! A mexican restaurant in the middle of China! After climbing a couple flights of stairs, we were given our menus which had every variation of mexican fare along with burger & fries, cocktails and some Chinese food.

The food was terrific. The place filled up quickly and no matter where "we" Americans go, there is always someone wanting to try out their English and it's very fun to accomodate, usually. This time was interesting though, we were asked how we were by a Chinese young man trying out his Spanish. We had to laugh and Carmen got to practice her Spanish just a bit.

We also found out Zander does NOT like mexican food. We tried tortilla chips, quesadillas, refried beans, burritos, french fries, etc. He didn't want any of it but did settle for some bland chicken. Needless to say, we stopped at the 7 Eleven on the way home and got him some crackers and munchies for the rest of the night. I also don't think he ate really good because he had such a traumatic day. The one thing he does love to do in all the restaurants is walk around exploring. Our guide said she can't believe how busy he is. I believe there are SO many new things he is learning and seeing, he just doesn't want to miss out on any!
*****************************************************************************

ZANDER & MAMA - LOST IN CHINA

8/12 Update: Today our guide schedule a trip to the local shopping mall. Let me explain that this mall is 4 stories. It is round with the center an open courtyard area where people can walk from store to store. The mall consists of 3 different buildings, each connecting through corridors in the very back (I did not know this until later). It is also referred to as the Pedestrian Street because cars are not allowed to travel on its sidewalks which makes shopping so much easier, we don't have to dodge cars, buses, bicycles & scooters.  Well the first stop was the pearl store. I had to use the restroom extremely bad and Tim was with Richie in a crystal store. Our guide gave me directions and off I went with Zander in his stroller. After traveling several corridors toward the back of the mall, I finally found the bathroom.

In China, when using a public restroom you should always ask for the "toilet" number one and number 2, always use the handicapped bathroom for a regular commode. When in the bathroom, there was an little old woman attendant and when I went to the stall it was locked. I asked her to open it and should waved her hands "NO". I pointed to the stroller and myself and asked again for her to open it and she RAN, RAN mind you, out of the bathroom waving her hand NO! I ran after her :), I needed to go to the bathroom, bad! 

Well, long story short, I am EXTREMELY directionally challenged and got lost immediately. I was turned around in the corridors, wandering, asking every couple of stores asking if anyone spoke English. I got the "smile" and laugh and the apt "no" from everyone. Zander and I took the elevator up and down at least 20 times, looking for our group. I kept praying and praying, but was getting more and more scared. Zander just talked, mumbled and laughed, enjoying the outing (did I tell you how much he LOVES to go bye-bye?). 

I then saw other another group of adoptive families with their guide. We had spoken many times and their guide led me out to the courtyard to the correct building. This is when I found out I was in the wrong building, completely on the other side of the mall. I then found one of our group that had split off, then finally our guide and our family. Carmen was crying, I started crying and Tim was mad as a hornet. After a very emotional reunion and make-up, we sat down in Pizza Hut for water. We didn't buy a thing, but did connect on how much each of us meant to each other.

We then had the local cuisine at The Dumpling House. I STILL had not used the bathroom and was desperate. I had no idea how desperate until I saw their bathroom and didn't have a choice. Put it this way, Richie had to go also and was traumatized, he had never had to use a squatty potty before. We both washed hands, feet, face and anything else that became exposed : |

So today was an adventure and adventurous. Zander has been playing all afternoon here with us and Tim is napping after his traumatic morning. He is ready to leave China right now. But things will get better. 

The girls are going to get their nails done this evening and then swimming time. Tomorrow is the Safari, wish us luck!

****************************************************************************

RECAP: 

*What is "THE BEST" morning wake up? 25 lbs. of smiles and dimple trying to feed you a pacifier. 

*What is "THE FUNNIEST" thing of the day? A little boy signing his is STILL hungry and then rubbing his tummy for "please".

*What is 'THE SWEETEST" sound? Giggles, giggles & more giggles as we play patty-cake, wrestle, or chase our little boy.

*What have we learned about our little boy? He LOVES to eat especially noodles, he doesn't like mexican food or pizza, he doesn't like long sleeves, he's a comedian, when he's angry he pulls your hair, he loves to cuddle and give kisses, he loves to go bye-bye, he's not big on sleeping, except at night (that's when it counts right?), he's sick of cheerios : ), he loves learning all new things and smiles with accomplishment. 

*What Zander has learned: to say thank you, uh oh, this way, to climb in and out of things, on and off of things and how to run his daddy ragged!

What have WE learned the most: God is THE most amazing, He has given us a huge treasure in this little soul we call our son and it is our responsibility to Love him and teach him how truly amazing our God is. Enjoy the Pictures