The Final Countdown

We're packing up all of our stuff and are getting ready to head to the US Consulate today so that Mary Kate can take her oath. We then head straight to the train station from there so that we can spend one last night in Hong Kong before flying home!!
We are so excited to be back in NJ and at home with the rest of our families.
Mary Kate (and now Maeve, like Dani before) are excellent traveling companions but I believe that we are all ready to sleep in our own beds!
We've been counting the hours since we were at about 90. The math, luckily, is getting easier!!

July 15 -- 6 Banyan Temple

This is one of my favorite optional tours of both this trip and last. This local Buddhist temple is open to the public and offers a baby blessing ceremony. There is also a pagoda that you can climb, if you want. We didn't because it was really hot and humid (are you noticing a theme here in the weather??). This time when we went, the monks were having some kind of special ceremony. I am not sure what it was all about but it was very cool to watch.
The rest of the day was a nap for Maeve and then the red couch pictures!


Amazingly, all the kids were quiet long enough to take a picture. Then they all started crying one by one.

And finally, the group picture of all the families.

Sunday and Monday -- 07-13 and 07-14-2008

Sunday was a free day so we didn't do much, which was truly lovely. Not that we have been doing all that much but to know that Mary Kate didn't have paperwork to do or a civil affairs office to visit was nice.
Monday was the medical exam for little Maeve. Of course, this is not a very relaxing trip for any of the families. Who likes to go to the Dr with 14 other screaming babies? Who knew being measured was painful?? ;-) After a little drama and annoyance on the part of Mary Kate, Maeve saw the 3 different doctors. One is the ENT (Ears, Nose, Throat), another is for weighing and measuring, and the last is the general check. Maeve was also taken to see another doctor because of her VSD. But all the doctor's signed off on her so that is great news!
One step closer to getting her back to good, ol' NJ!!

Safari Park -- Saturday 07-12-08

We went to the Safari park, which was a little bit of a drive away. And as always, it was hot and humid. It was similar to Disney's Animal Kingdom, in that there is a ride through safari on a little tram car and then there is the walk through safari, which is like a regular zoo.

Did I mention it was hot and gross out?

My favorite part was probably the animal "kindergarten" where all the baby animals were, closely followed by the koalas and pandas!

Oh! Look! A bride!

Yeah I get excited over seeing brides. It’s an exciting time and a signal of love and all that. We arrived on Shamian Island on a Saturday and we saw a number of brides. We thought it was strange to see so many but it was a weekend. Then we realized that there was a wedding photography studio on the next block from our hotel. It started to make more sense. But then as the week went on, we saw brides EVERYWHERE.
Evidently, many brides travel here to have their wedding photos taken. Sometimes they even arrive en masse on a bus!
We heard that it is not uncommon for the bride (and sometimes the groom) to come to Shamian to have their photos taken up to a year BEFORE the wedding. There are 2 “world famous” photographers here on the Island. It seems that they do a variety of pictures, bridal (both traditional Chinese (where the bride wears RED) and the white frilly dress that is common in our culture), in costume, high fashion, and ones that look like they are from Titanic or Pirates of the Caribbean! Check out the websites: Basaar and Famous.
MK and I wondered why so many brides would want to come and have their photos look like just about every other bride. Maybe it is a status symbol to be able to come here for photos. We also wondered if the dresses (which seem really ornate) were their actual gowns or if they were props for the pictures. Shamian Island isn’t exactly a pristine place – it’s dirty in the parks where the photos are mostly taken. The bottoms of the dresses look filthy! And every time I see a bride sit on something I cringe thinking of the dirt that will be on her dress!
On Sunday, we saw 10 different brides at various points in the park, all from one vantage point! Bride central!!! (MK wanted me to always try to take head on pics, but I didn’t want to interfere with their wedding photos!)
My favorite so far has been the brides with jeans underneath their dresses! ☺

We finally broke through . . .

and this is video of her first smile and giggle. You can't hear her because of the noise in the restaurant, but her face says it all!



Since then we have seen many smiles and heard giggles and some chatter. Wish we knew what she was saying but as long as it sounds happy, we're not complaining!!

July 11

Today is a do nothing day. We keep making plans but then get into bed and read or sleep. After breakfast Maeve went back to bed on me for an hour and then we dropped a picture off to get an etching, dropped off baby supplies at the Holt office and took diapers in return. Had lunch at Starbucks and back to the room. Maeve is sleeping again and Karen is either reading or sleeping I can’t tell. I am in the bathroom typing as the computer needs to be chaged and this is where the charger is located. Later I will plug in the interned at the desk and upload all this. Right now though I am going to take a nap.

We all had a lovely nap and then ordered congee for Maeve and Papa John’s for Karen and I. After giving Maeve her medicine and bed we read for awhile and went to sleep. One of our most relaxing days yet.

Sorry no pictures today.

July 10

Today at 10 we were met by Ann from Red Thread China who took us to the Pearl and Jade market. Both Karen and I had been feeling sick me worse than Karen but we rallied and went. We stopped at the first store and I started feeling sick. I asked for the bathroom and I told Ann I was fine but if I didn’t come back in 10 minutes to come for me. She had to give me tissues because they don’t have toilet paper in the stalls. You have to bring your own. I waited and got a stall that closed. There were two that didn’t, so you would have to squat and hold the door closed. I saw others holding their tissues to their noses and it did stink in there. The actual stall was clean but the floor of the main part was wet and the sinks were overflowing somewhat. I used my purel and went back to Karen and Ann and Maeve.

I still felt sick, like I was going to throw up, I was really hot and dizzy like I was going to pass out. Karen was scared and was ready to leave but didn’t know how we were going to get to the taxi as we had walked quite a ways. I was sitting on a small step in the mall and Ann went back to the shop and got some liquid in a small bottle. She rubbed it on both sides of my temple and nose, then some on the back of my neck. She had me rub some on my stomach. It was a miraculous! Even Karen couldn’t believe I was up again and was feeling fine. It smelled like Vicks vapor rub. It is magic stuff! I bought a few bottles. We continued our shopping and were back at the Victory by noon.

We stopped by the Holt office because we had missed the meeting in the morning about tours. We got the list and decided on the safari park and the six banyan temple. We are just so tired that we want to relax so no Pearl River cruise afterall.

Maeve stated to babble today. It didn’t last long but it was nice to hear her voice. She also knew we wanted more and so of course she stopped.

July 9

You already have read Karen’s description of how we give Maeve her medicine so let’s just say it’s not the best way to start the day. I also think that it is interfering somewhat with bonding. Every time we get near the chair we do medication she starts to cry. Every time we come back to the room she starts to cry. If we stay in the room she starts to edge towards the door and stands quietly in the corner as far away from the chair as she can get. Is anyone seeing a pattern? I can’t wait till the medication is over and she can wake up happy. Speaking of waking up she is such a grumpy person in the morning! When she’s ten she’s getting an alarm clock and she can get up herself. I’m not messing with that every morning. Dani and I are very social in the morning and I know we are going to be ticking Maeve off! Oh well!

Maeve is starting to eat more, at least sometimes. Right now that is my biggest worry. I know that her whole world has changed and she is sick but come on, can’t she think of anyone but herself! ;) Mommy is getting worried. (Hey I’m a mommy again!!!!!!!) My food bill is always bigger than Karen’s because I don’t know what Maeve will eat today.

So anyway after breakfast we wandered around, ate lunch and then met at the White Swan to go grocery shopping and to apply for Maeve’s passport. The shopping took an hour and then we were off. Just like the civil affairs office they were closing in an hour and so we were hustled through. Some groups had gotten there earlier and waited for 2 hours. No questions this time just had to present some papers that were studied and signed something. Then it was back to the bus and hotel. We decided to go to the Italian restaurant on the island. It was lovely and it felt like we weren’t on the island but in Italy. The food was marvelous and I got Maeve to laugh! Karen got this on video. After evening medication Maeve fell asleep pretty fast. I think it is just to get away from us, but I know she is also exhausted. She hasn’t had a nap since I got her and the heat is very tiring. More tomorrow.

Random pictures

July 8

Today was the day that we went back to the civil affairs office and the notary and had our family photo taken. Catherine had already talked to them and found out that everyone that had been there yesterday was coming early to do the interviews. So she had us meet at 10:30 and we got there at 11am. The civil affairs office was closing at noon so they hustled us through. We got off the elevator and had our photo taken. Then I was ushered into the notary, very nice lady who asked me different questions, I signed papers, Karen took pictures then back to the waiting area. Very quickly I was in the other office answering more questions, signing more papers, taking more pictures and Maeve was MINE! MINE, MINE MINE! Did I mention that she is now MINE!

Now I have two daughters. A 4 ½ gorgeous, super smart, multi-talented Dani and a 15 month sweet baby Maeve who is opening up everyday and showing more and more of her personality. Don’t let those big eyes full you, Karen and I have caught glimpses of a very mischievous person.

After lunch 4 families were meeting to go to the western clinic. It was a very short ride but nice to see another part of Guangzhou. No one was at the clinic when we got there. We went right in to see the doctor. Maeve was NOT happy to see him, I was, however, as she had a rattling cough all night with some wheezing. Turns out she has bronchitis, a throat infection as well as a fever of 102. All I had was teething medication and baby toothpaste. So the doctor loaded me up with drugs. Yeah drugs! I got Tylenol, an antibiotic, cough syrup and something to open up her airways. He did say that her VSD sounded really loud. He said that was good as it meant that the VSD was small. If it had been big it would have sounded softer. Karen and I gave Maeve her first dose when we got back to the Victory. She was not happy. After the nighttime dose she went to sleep and slept more soundly than the night before.
This has nothing to do with the day, I just love the picture.

Its Wednesday! 7-9-08

Well, we're bored on Shamian Island. MK and I both thought that we might be, but I guess I didn't realize how deadly dull the island is!
Maeve is absolutely adorable. But she is sick, poor little thing! She has bronchitis and a rattling cough. We went to the Western Clinic in GuangZhou. The doctor seemed very knowledgeable and nice. He gave MK lots of meds to give to Maeve. This is great, for making her feel better. Not so great for helping her to like us and love MK! She does not like when we force medicine down her throat in a dropper. Have you ever tried to pill a cat?? That would be cake compared to this! MK has to wrap her in a towel and pry her mouth open so I can shoot the meds in and HOPE that she swallows! If only she understood that we were really helping and not trying to make her miserable, it might be better. (Or if we only had a 3rd person to take pictures, says MK)

Last night we went to Lucy's with Julie and Kirsten and Eric. It was great to socialize with another family! Otherwise, we've gotten something at Starbuck's every day since arriving. The breakfast buffet is interesting at the Victory. Not bad, just different. Any of you that know that last time I had bacon every day may realize that I haven't mentioned the bacon. Only every other day does it look cooked enough to actually eat. So I haven't had it much.

Any of you that know MK's skill with math will appreciate that she and I discovered the scale. We decided to weigh ourselves the first day to see if we lost any weight during the heat and sweating of the trip. Of course, I get on the scale and MK asks me how many kilometers am I. Hmmmm. Interesting. But in good news, we have both lost a kilometer each!

We are now off to do a little baby shopping at the CarreFour store and then to the PSB for some more paperwork!!

Welcome Maeve!! 7-7-08

July 7

Ok so I have a lot to catch up with but give me a break I just had a baby. Ok so this was the day I received Maeve. Our whole group met at the White Swan and got on a bus for the civil affairs office. We took the elevator up to the 8th floor and the doors opened up to a wild scene. Not only were the 14 families in our group getting babies but there were quite a few more agencies with families there. It was loud with a lot of anxious, terrified and extremely happy parents. There were a lot of tears flowing because the emotion had to be released somehow. The babies were in a separate room that all the parents to be kept trying to sneak a peek.

All at once Catherine (my Holt guide) called my name and there was Maeve coming through the curtain. I worked hard not to cry just like I did with Dani. I didn’t want to freak her out anymore than she already was. I mean she had to have been thinking, “Who the hell is this white chick with funny red hair?” But she didn’t cry or freak out. She was getting anxious about all the noise because there were some babies that were wailing. I took her into the hallway away from the noise and we sat and got to know each other.

Later, I had the opportunity to talk with her nanny and the orphanage director. They answered my questions and gave me a present that included a bottle, a toy for her, the picture album I had sent and another picture album of Maeve with some new pictures. We took some pictures and then it was time to leave. I was so overwhelmed that after three long years my dream had come true. I think I was in shock. Having this baby that I hadn’t know existed 3 months ago in my arms was breathtaking!


Just a quick post with some pics of the new little one!

This is the day . . . 07-07-2008

Today is the day that we go to the civil affairs office so that Mary Kate can finally meet Maeve and bring her back to our hotel. MK has only been counting the HOURS for a few days now.

Yesterday was the Holt orientation where they surprised the parents with a little pop quiz, which included new pictures of all the kids that the parents had to pick out as their own! MK of course knew Maeve right away and was yelling that She was hers!
Then we went to lunch at a local place that MK and I remembered walking by last time. We never ate there because, well, to be honest, there were things hanging in the windows that weren't appealing and there were interesting creatures to select from that were still ALIVE and intended to be a meal.

We skipped the walking tour (which I believe was ultimately cancelled due to rain) and the Chen Family Academy because of the rain. Instead, we napped. I'm relatively certain that the napping will cease once we have Maeve!

In the its a small world news, there is a guy here who is adopting but his wife couldn't make the trip. He brought his sister and brother-in-law with him. They are all from NJ too. I thought that the dad looked familiar, but I often think people look familiar (I think it goes with my strong deja vu sense). We sat with them at the group lunch and as it turns out, he lives in Neptune! And his sister and bro-in-law used to live in Bradley Beach! They all had been in the Library. Weird, huh?

we're in China!

MK would have you believe that it was all me that caused us to almost miss the plane (I know, I know . . . I should have called my bank and credit card but I was taking care of other things like packing and getting traveler’s checks). The truth is that we both assumed that there would be a boarding call in between “Flight 99, your plane is ready” and “Final Boarding call for Flight 99.” But there wasn’t! Luckily, the President’s Club was right across from our gate. AND we certainly were not the last people boarding the plane. We were both a little startled by the rush, however.
I’ll agree with MK that First Class or Business First is the way to fly! We were greeted by a number of different flight attendants who were all helpful and nice. We ate A LOT, with lots of choices and at various times. Overall a really pleasant customer service experience, with much more attention paid to us than ever possible in economy. Not to mention that the bag restrictions are hardly restrictive! When traveling Business First, you can check up to 3 bags up to 70 lbs (instead of the usual 50 lbs) and you can have 2 carry on items as well as one personal item.
The taxi ride from the Hong Kong airport to our hotel was good too. Its very British and driving on the left isn’t so big a deal. Loved the signs saying “Stay to left unless overtaking.” Sounds so much more aggressive than our “Keep right, except to pass.”
The Harbour Plaza Metropolis (which I have decided to call the Harbour-tropolis) is a lovely hotel, right across the street from the train station. The pool and gymnasium are really nice facilities. And the room service was yummy!
Tomorrow we leave for GuangZhou on the train. And yes, it is hot here! Even at 8 at night.

We arrived in GuangZhou on the train from Hong Kong. The train ride was pleasant once we were told that there were assigned seats and that we were in the wrong ones (oops!). The Hong Kong Train station was very clean and well-signed, including the signs saying that hand grenades were strictly prohibited. Luckily, I didn’t bring mine with me. We also had the opportunity to weigh our suitcases. MK was not thrilled to know that mine weighed less than hers (18.3 to 19.2 kg)!
We had a little struggle exchanging money, because our hotel, The Victory, does not exchange currency. Hmmmm. OK. But the banks were all closed! We started to worry. But we went to the Holt Office at the White Swan, and Katherine (one of our Holt guides) came through for us and made arrangements so that we could exchange money there, even though we didn’t have a room. We were sooo appreciative!
Shamian Island is much as I remember it. We went to Lucy’s for dinner which was great because we had been there a number of times on our previous trip.

Special notes to people who may be reading this . . . hopefully, you will know who you are!

• I should have kept all the tanks and ditched the t-shirts. Its REALLY HOT here!
• MK’s suitcase weighed more than mine, even though you thought mine was heavier. ☺
• Hey AK, I’m in CHINA!!! (top that one!)
• I already swam in one hotel pool and I hadn’t even been here more than 12 hours at the time. AND I swam even in a downpour. That is dedication
• Yes, I am still planning to train here. Even if it means just swimming and riding the exercise bike every day.

I’m taking pictures of the signs with the best translations but my favorite signs so far:

• “Passengers not fit for escalator should use steps.” I wanted to take a pic of this one but it was in the airport or train station, where there were signs saying no pictures (I think because of immigration and customs)
• At Lucy’s Café:

First class travel and stuff

Well we made it to Hong Kong! Miss Melissa, you thought I was bad not packing till the morning of the trip, well we nearly didn’t go at all. Aunt Karen and I were investigating the Elite Pass Club and Aunt Karen had to call her bank AND her credit card company. Yes you guessed it, she hadn’t told them that she was going to China. While we waited they called our flight, about 10 minutes later they were calling FINAL BOARDING FOR THE FLIGHT. We ran and showed up huffing and puffing just like the big bad wolf. We were really scared for a couple of minutes that we weren’t going to make the plane.
Ok, BusinessFirst is the way to fly! The food never stopped coming and it was sooooo good!

Karen talks about the taxi ride to our hotel and the hotel itself. The only thing she doesn’s mention is that when we went for our swim this morning of July 5, 2008 we got in and it started raining. But it ended soon and the sun came out and it was HOT!

We took the train into Guangzhou this morning and it was wonderful to see some of the country. We were met at the train station and were taken to the Victory Hotel on Shamian Island. It brought back so many memories of Dani and made me miss you toots! We checked in with our Holt guide Catherine and then did some errands. We went back to our room and promptly fell asleep for 3 hours. Considering that we had gotten up at 3am that was pretty good. I called home at 7pm and talked to the most wonderful girl in the world. DANI and my mom. That was wonderful to hear voices from home.

We ate dinner at Lucy’s, I had a burrito and Aunt Karen had fish and chips. It had cooled down somewhat and we walked for a bit before coming back to the hotel. We need to get some sleep because we have our orientation tomorrow at 9:30 and a full day after that. We hope to take a Pearl River cruise tomorrow night.

And we're off!

Well, my plane takes off in 4 hours and I have finally finished packing. I started last night with the help of my wonderful daughter Dani so I didn't have much to do this morning. Dani was so stoic this morning when I kissed her at Kindercare. She 's one tough cookie. I wish she knew that she didn't have to be so tough at the tender age of 4. But that is just one of the things I love about her.

Her sister, Maeve, who I will FINALLY meet on Monday July 7, 2008 has a very different personality I think. She seems more vulnerable and soft. I know she has to be tough to survive in the orphanage but I can't wait to get her and let her know that she doesn't have to be tough anymore. She has a whole family back in the US just waiting to love and welcome her. Which is just what they did for Dani. I've got the best family. Hello Cullinans and Amatos.

I may not be able to post till I get to China on Saturday so I will leave you with pictures of the two most important people in my life.

Mommy