Medical Appointment Today

This morning we met up with the three other families we said goodbye to in Beijing and loaded the kids up on a bus to the medical center for their check up.  This medical check is a part of the process of getting Chloe's visa to the United States.  

The check-in desk at the medical center

There were three centers that the kids went to.  The first housed nurses measuring children's height and weight; the next held an ENT checking ears, nose, throat, and eyes; and the last held two doctors who gave her a quick physical.  In this last check, we asked the doctor's about Chloe's skin since she appears to have some scarring, and as we suspected, she had scabies (in the past) and those were left over scars.  They also checked her heart and said that all sounded well.  Our ticket out was then a TB test where a nurse stuck a needle with active TB virus under the children's skin.  Chloe whimpered a little, but she was a good girl.

A snack after the TB test...such a good girl

One of the examination rooms

The nurse who measured her height and weight

After the medical exam, we went back to the hotel, had lunch, took a nap, and then went to the play area on the fourth floor.  Chloe's favorite activity was definitely the swings, and she made her Baba push her for at least one-half hour.

Chloe enjoying the swings

The play area is located in a little man-made oasis on the fourth floor of the hotel.  It has small ponds, a beautiful gazebo, and even a waterfall.

A view from the play area

I think I'll bring my Kindle and read here while Chloe naps tomorrow.

Sitting by the waterfall

We are truly enjoying the hotel and its amenities.  (Having actual air condition is a plus.  In Hefei, we had a thermostat, but we think it was just a prop.  No air ever circulated from the vents.)

Also, Guangzhou is such a beautiful city.  It's much more lush and tropical than Beijing or Hefei.  It is also much more Westernized.  There are adoptive families everywhere, and we don't feel like such outsiders.

Guangzhou is definitely a big city.

However, lush trees and other foliage line the streets.

 Chloe is continuing to make great progress.  Today, she stayed with Tim twice in the room while I took care of some things and one whimpered a little when I left before she and Tim played.  She also allowed her Baba to give her a piggy back ride in public.

Tomorrow is one of our down days, and we're planning on meeting Ann, a shopping guru that has been highly recommended, tomorrow morning with Karen and her crew and shop for great deals.  I'm thinking pearls, squeaky shoes, good knock-offs, and kid souvenirs.

Hope everyone has a great day!

We're in Guangzhou!

I just wanted to let everyone know that we made it safely to Guangzhou tonight.  The China Hotel is beautiful and we're settling in.  The flight with Chloe was exhausting.  She had to go to the bathroom 5, yes 5, times during the course of the 2 hour flight.

I'll post more tomorrow.  I am just too tired tonight.

A Day at the Park

Even though we had no where to go and nothing to do, today was a good day.  After breakfast, we decided that we definitely needed to do some laundry before we left for Guangzhou.  We packed light, expecting to be able to send laundry out here, but Jane, our guide, informed us that the only laundry service was dry cleaning and it was very expensive.  Although I did a "load" when we came to Hefei, today I had a special helper.

It was clear that Chloe knew how to do this since she gave me pointers.

The "'wash woman" at work

Next, we headed to a local park, just a block from our hotel.  It was beautiful with an interesting piece of art at its center, a detailed wall of art, and trimmed hedges.

The day was a little foggy...or hazy...or both, but there were many people around, and we attracted a lot of attention.  School kids on their way to lunch would say 'hello' and when we said it back, they would giggle.  A grandma and her grandchild played ball with Chloe in the square, and an older woman and her posse by the playground and ping pong tables gave us a lesson in Chinese.  She was very nice, friendly, and outgoing, reminding me of a teacher, as she talked to Chloe and taught Tim and me words she felt were important for us to know (family, daughter, etc.).  We also met a lovely young woman who works in Beijing, but is visiting here.  She interpreted a little for us.

The two boys kicked the ball around with Chloe a little.  She actually preferred kicking it to them than to me....I think she was flirting.

This woman and her grandchild also played ball with Chloe.  That ball is probably the best $1 I spent.

The "teacher" and her playground posse.  Tim and I decided that she must spend time at the park each day.

The lovely, young woman who interpreted a little for us

Our "teacher" playing ping pong with the kids in the park.  The bike behind her is hers and holds a bag that is filled with toys for the park.  She offered a few to Chloe.

In the afternoon, we joined our friends Karen, Zoey, and Jenna for dinner.  We were supposed to have a nice sit-down dinner, but Chloe had other plans.  She certainly was feeling her oats this evening and we decided that McDonalds would be a better place for us.  It's interesting.  She treats her Baba much better in the hotel room than in the great outdoors.  I know that it will change though soon.

This is the first time Chloe wanted to join Jenna and Zoey in their fun.  She is becoming more and more comfortable.

When we returned to the hotel room, Tim offered Chloe piggy back rides in exchange for kisses...and she accepted.  It was wonderful to see her playing with him.  Then, I taught her to do summersaults and she probably did around 50 before we told her it was time for bed.

Highlights from our day:

1. Tim taught Chloe how to play hide n' seek this morning.  She LOVED it!
2. Kisses for piggy back rides...too sweet!
3. Meeting the locals was so much fun.  One of the men mentioned how free we are in America.
4. Chloe is using a much softer voice today...and hopefully not cursing...although I did hear the sailor song again at times.
5. She is coming out of her shell more and more...and is showing her sense of humor and stubbornness.
6. She continues to eat EVERYTHING.  I already think she's gained weight.  Karen commented how much better her skin/coloring looked today.

Tomorrow afternoon we fly to Guangzhou, the last leg of our incredible journey.  I look forward to meeting up with our travel group from Beijing and seeing their beautiful children.  Hope everyone has a great day!

A Fun Day

We made great strides with Chloe today.  We started off the morning with a dance party.  Chloe particularly likes the Jackson 5 and Jimmy Buffet.

Chloe loved when I twirled her round and round to the music.

We then went to the zoo with our friends, Karen, Jenna, and Zoey.  It was a fairly nice zoo, though small, and had a good selection of animals.

There were many baby animals there.

Various species of monkeys made up the majority of animals on display.

There were two huge hippos on display.  One, who was eating right by a chain link gate, you could reach out and touch...but we didn't.

The panda was napping inside its enclosure.

I loved people watching while we were there...and I'm sure some of the local people liked people watching us too.  Chloe received many smiles when we were there.  In particular, two elderly Chinese men came up to talk to her.

People were resting underneath trees and having lunch.

This is the school group that Chloe wanted to join.

Close to the end of our zoo journey, we bought Chloe and Zoey bubble blowers.  Squeezing the trigger not only produced a great amount of bubbles, but it also played a lovely tune...that we heard all the way home.

Even though we had to rush to catch the van taking us back to the hotel, we had a great time.

Chloe allowed her Baba to push her all through the zoo.

We had a great time with Karen, Zoey, and Jenna.

Chloe with the panda in the background.

When we returned to the hotel, we ate and Chloe and I caught a nap.  Then, it was off to the pool for more water splashing and hair washing.  Chloe still did not leave my lap, but she definitely enjoyed it.  Then, since Zoey had refused to bathe, we decided to give the girls a bath together.  They loved it and played and played.  I'm surprised they weren't shriveled up prunes when we took them out; they were in the tub for over an hour.

Zoey giving me the unsure look while Chloe smiles on...

They had a great time filling small cups full of water and dumping them on each other.

Tonight, we stayed in and ordered room service and then just hung out in the room.  Below are some of the Chloe highlights from today.  Mostly they involve her warming up to Tim.

1. She took Baba's hand and danced with him this morning.
2. We brought a beach ball that Tim blew up.  The two of them batted it around the room.
3. Chloe allowed Tim to take her to get food at the buffet this morning...and held his hand.
4. We received a lot less "boo gaas" today (meaning "I don't want that" or "I don't want to do that")
5. Chloe told Tim "wa eye ne" (I love you.) at least twice today.

Tomorrow will be another down time day as we wait for Chloe's passport to be processed.  We have decided not to visit her orphanage because our guide suggests that we do not take her back there to help ensure that she continues to make progress.

Making It Official

This morning we loaded the bus again for the CCWA office in order to make everything official.  There, we met again with the orphanage director and notary, exchanged appropriate funds and swore that we will love our daughter forever and never abandon her.  We had our first official picture as a family and Chloe officially became a Watkins.

While this should have been an overall happy meeting, I have to tell you that I have mixed feelings about it.  Although the signing of the paperwork, picture taking, and swearing in was all good, I think it was strange to meet the orphanage officials again...in the same place as yesterday.  It had to make Chloe feel confused.  I wonder if she thought we were bringing her back.  

Chloe and the Huainan orphanage director

In addition, I truly did not enjoy the exchange of money...especially in front of the children.  While I know this is an important step in helping the orphanage take care of the children, I just felt strange.

When we returned to the hotel, we had a nice lunch and visit with Jane, our guide.  She informed us that Chloe was actually cursing in a song she was singing at the CCWA.  Although she assured us that she wasn't cursing at anyone, Jane was upset that she was doing this and told the orphanage not to use her foster family any more.  She also did not like some of the behaviors she was exhibiting, like hitting and kicking.  She said that she had seen many children from her orphanage do the same.  Basically, she said she was unrefined (like an eastern Kentucky/West Virginia coal miner's girl...no offense, her city is known for coal mining) and would need time to learn appropriate behaviors.  Tim and I decided that we have adopted Chloe, the jungle girl (like Bindi, the jungle girl), and she will need just a lot of love and direction.  She's already making great strides.

After Jane's visit and finishing lunch, we headed for the pool.  I wish I would have brought my camera because Chloe loved the water.  Although she never left my lap, she stayed and played, kicking the water and leaning over to wet her hair.  When we went back to the room, she wanted to take a bath, so I put her in the tub.  She washes herself as an old woman would, scrubbing her skin with the wash cloth.  However, I finally got her to sit down in the tub.  (I think she must have previously stood in the river, bucket, etc. to take a bath.)  She absolutely loved it.  Then, she took a nice, long nap.  We had to wake her after 1 1/2 hours.  We definitely want her to sleep tonight!

Enjoying bath time

Taking a nice, long nap

After that, we topped our evening off with our daily trip to the mall and Walmart with our friends, Karen, Jenna and Zoey.  We decided that we needed some American food, so we ate at McDonalds and then had ice cream from Dairy Queen.

Chicken nuggets and fries....YUM!

I guess loving ice cream is universal.

Below are a few things we noticed about Chloe today.

1. She still eats EVERYTHING and wants to make sure she has access to food all the time.
2. She likes to bring all of her toys into bed with her when she sleeps.
3. She woke me up sweetly at 3:30 this morning, rubbing my leg, to tell me she had to go to the bathroom.
4. For most of the day, she still did not want Tim to touch her, but the two had a beautiful moment before bed where she was talking and playing with him.  He was holding her hand, and she allowed him to change her shirt when she spilled water on it.
5. She demanded that I carry her all 3.5 blocks from the mall tonight and sang the entire way.  I'm not sure if it involved curse words or not.
6. I have a feeling that she will be another "fish" like her brother, Kaleb.  She wanted to get back in the tub after we returned home from the mall.
7. I received numerous kisses and hugs today.

Tomorrow is one of our free days, so we're heading to the zoo with Karen and her crew.  It's supposed to be 75 degrees here, so it should be a nice day.

I hope everyone is doing well.  We LOVE reading your words of encouragement....Please keep them coming. 

Gotcha Day!

Neither Tim nor I slept well last night, anticipating our newest daughter's arrival.  Labor for her only lasted almost five years. :)

We met all of the families in the lobby of our hotel at 9:15.  There are two families from the Netherlands, Karen and her daughter, another family from Alabama, and us.  We all had the same look on our faces:  joy, anticipation, and a little fear.  Jane met us in the lobby and told us we were going to the CCAA offices to meet our daughters.  She wasn't sure which orphanages were coming first since many traveled distances to get to Hefei to meet us.

Jane explaining the agenda of the day to us

The front of the CCWA building

When we arrived at the CCWA, we were escorted to a small conference room on one of the top floors.  We all crowded in and a couple of the children were waiting to meet their families.  Then, in walked Chloe "Cong" with the orphanage director and three other Huainan children, one who met her family today, and the other two who will meet their families tomorrow.

 After seeing her, we introduced ourselves and handed her the backpack that the kids helped me fill.

Chloe appeared happy and sat and played with both Tim and me.

She became a little unsure of everything when the orphanage director, nanny, and her friends were leaving, but one of our guides explained to her that we again were her Mama and Baba and she was going with us.  

The trip back to the hotel went well and she adjusted fairly well to her new surroundings...until Tim left to exchange some money.  This was the first of her two melt downs concerning her Baba leaving and her staying.  She pulled on her shoes, put on her coat, and attempted to leave with him.  When I wouldn't let her, she cried and called for Baba until he returned.

We also could not take any clothes off of her; she wouldn't let us.  Hefei was relatively warm today (in the 70s) and she had on long under ware, a long sleeve shirt, thick pants, snow boats, and a heavy jacket.  It wasn't until our guide came in and talked to her that she agreed to take her coat off.  We then presented her with a new outfit, and she then gladly stripped down for us in exchange for her new outfit.  (What girl doesn't like new clothes?)  She then informed Jane, our guide, that she wanted new shoes too.

Inspecting her tiny body (She is very tiny and undernourished.), I noticed approximately seven layers of caked dirt on her.  When Jane asked if she'd like to bathe, she told her that she bathed yesterday and she would do it again tomorrow.  (Yea, right.)  She was so dirty that her neck itched.  Jane and I tried to wash her a little with a wash cloth and water, but she definitely needed more.  However, I resolved to give it some time.

We took a trip to Walmart and bought her pink new shoes that she picked out and bananas and apples (two fruits suggested for the kids).  Then, we headed back to the hotel and I coerced her into a bath.  I just had to remove at least the first layer of dirt from her.  We then ate at the hotel's buffet and came back to the room to talk with family.  She had a lively conversation with Hannah, her older sister, blowing her kisses, waving, and giving her the thumbs up.  Shortly after, she fell asleep.

Chloe, asleep after looking at the photo album of her new family

Here are my few observations about her from today.

1. There are two things she did incessantly:  talk and eat.  I do not think her speech problem is a big issue.  Most people understood her...including her new parents.
2. She wanted to eat ALL...THE...TIME.  We finally had to hide food/take it away from her.
3. She acts more like an orphanage kid than a foster care kid in some ways, hoarding food and her things.  This could be though because she doesn't trust her situation and us completely yet.
4. When she gets tired of walking, she turns her feet out like a ballerina.  She has no meat on her bones, so I'm not sure if this is due to her lack of body fat.
5. She is a girl who definitely knows what she wants and how to ask for it.  We had several demands throughout the day.
6. She definitely wants me more than Tim at this point.  She wants me to pick her up, cuddle her, etc.  However, she likes her Baba to be close by.
7. I received three BIG kisses and many hugs...the sweetest part of my day.

Hope all is good with everyone on your side of the world.  Tomorrow she will become officially ours.  We can't wait!