Safety Pins and Green Beans

Here is a recap of today...

Nyah slept through the night and we woke her up around 7:30 so she could use Skype to see her siblings. They all wanted to know what she wouldn't talk. She seemed a bit overwhelmed to say the least but then again there were three yelling kids on the computer screen calling her by a name she doesn't yet recognize (though when I say "toes" now she knows where to grab). After breakfast we were getting ready to walk to Walmart for some shoes for her and formula and when I went to use the bathroom, she cried for the first time. I used the Ergo carrier and she seemed to like it, though she was not very patient while her confused mommy tried to figure out how it worked... and I even practiced at home with Brynn.

While in Walmart, I decided after looking at the clothes selection that we needed safety pins for her pants because she cannot wear the same pair every day. We were there without a guide so Caleb and I had fun searching and everyone else had fun staring at us... we never found any but bought some diaperpins so hopefully those will work. During the search Nyah became playful with Caleb and we heard the first giggles. Caleb also enjoyed looking at all the different foods available and we purchased a few things hoping they were what we thought they were and so far, so good. I even made noodles for Nyah and the directions were in Chinese... but then again, Brynn always tells me I make the best noodles (that would be Oodles of Noodles) ever.

The girls hung out in the room while the boys swam this afternoon. It is very clear now that Nyah likes to be amused by Doug and Grandpa from a distance, Caleb up close (she likes to pull his hair playfully), and wants me to hold her... all the time. She cried everytime I put her down after dinner. Part of her "preferences" were started by us; since Doug is leaving to come home early, we were worried about what would happen if she bonded with him over me, so I have been purposefully doing most of the caretaking. Nyah also cried the two times we have put her shoes on her... I am not sure she has every worn any before. She can walk without holding onto anything or anyone but she does not do it much. I know it won't be long before she takes off so I am enjoying the baby part right now.

This is Sheila, the daughter of our travelmate Kara. While Nyah only makes a small sound occasionally, like whenever she sees a baby, Sheila likes to "talk" and has a flirty smile. She turned 1 last week.

Nyah's eating continues to be impressive. Today she polished off a plate full of rice, kidney beans (loved those the most), corn, broccoli, and watermelon. There were green beans on the plate too but she didn't even put one in her mouth before she picked each and everyone up and deposited them on my plate. The waitress kept coming over and holding her hand out to Nyah and Nyah would put a kernel of corn on it and then take it back but the one time she put a piece of broccoli on it, well, she didn't try to get that back.

One interesting thing Nyah does is sometimes when you look at her if she is playing, she will shut her eyes as if that is making her disappear or she wants to tune you out. But it is not just us because tonight at dinner a man a few tables over would wave at her and she would do it. But seconds later, she would be looking over at him again before pulling her shy act again. Sometimes in the room if she is sitting down, she not only closes her eyes, but she falls forward and puts her face between her legs.

This evening we went to a short light show where fountains of water "dance" and change colors. It was nice. Caleb really enjoyed it and said it was worth the crazy taxi ride to get there. I don't think my dad felt the same... he was in the front seat and if there hadn't been metal bars dividing the front and the back of the car, I think he would have sat on Doug's or even Caleb's lap. There just are no rules or structure when it comes to driving here... and so many cars, people, mopeds, and bicycles sharing a small space. It is really undescribable.

Tomorrow we are going porcelain shopping (that is the art that this province is known for); I bought Brynn a tea set when I was here last time to give her when she is older and I hope to do the same for Nyah. Then tomorrow night we are going to a park and eating outside the hotel. This will be the first night that "American" food is not going to be an option for Doug or Caleb. I think we need to keep that our little secret. But don't feel bad for them because if nothing else, they can purchase Haagen Daz ice-cream in the lobby and not starve! :)

Good night all!
Kate

The Evening of Gotcha Day...

I crashed last night early... around 8:30 as soon as Nyah did so here are a few more pictures from yesterday. We had a few firsts... a few peeps, and that is exactly what they were, from Nyah when she was playing with the stacking cups (she played for about an hour and would peek at us occasionally - I think she needed to escape into something for a while), a few smiles, a few steps holding daddy's hand (she will not walk for/with me) and, without too much detail, let me just say that Doug and I had to debate over which one of us was going to clean out the smelly little kid potty. She whimpered a bit when I went into the bathroom to try to cool her bottle down last night so Doug brought her to me but no tears either. She likes watermelon but does not like bananas. And she LOVES Caleb (first smile goes to him) and she LOVES when Grandpa and Caleb or Doug and Caleb act silly together. She is still sleeping and while she is not noisy, we have heard more noises in the night than all day yesterday.

The shirt and pants she is wearing are size 6/9 months to give you an idea of her size. She is very thin and I think she needs some playtime with her siblings outside to add a little muscle.

You know there will be more later!! Thank you everybody for your well wishes and prayers.

Kate

More pictures...

Gotcha Pictures and a few words

I will write more later... I have a sleeping baby in my arms and we need to leave in a few minutes to finalize the adoption. We met Nyah at 11am today and she has not said a peep yet... I think she is in shock. Once in a while there is a lip quiver but she is just looking around, taking it all in. So no tears, yet, but no smiles either. She has a full head of hair (short but full) and huge eyes. Her paperwork says she is an eater and she is... back at the room she ate cheerios and baby food and had a full bottle. I'll never know what clothes she was wearing for gotcha day because she got carsick on the ride here so the orphanage director (the man in the picture) and the assistant director (the woman in the picture) stopped and bought her the outfit that she is in... price tag was still on it! The other family we are traveling with (the new mom Kara and her friend Julie) met Sheila at the same time. She is precious too (with the red dot Denise!); she was the opposite of JinPei, inconsolable crying. JinPei has been in a foster home almost since she was born (Stephanie, JinJue is her foster sister... I did find out her name and had the director identify who the people are in Nyah's birthday pictures so I'll fill you in later.). Nyah's paperwork also says she is a good sleeper though bedtime is 10:30PM... good thing she shares a room with Brynn! She likes animal toys and dolls and music and playing with other kids. They say she is an introvert and can be stubborn. They say she can walk but she won't put her feet down yet for us. More later!

~ Kate

We are in Nanchang

We are safe and sound in Nanchang. We have been hanging out at the hotel since arriving around 1pm - a "rest day" for us. Here are some pictures from the hotel window.

Notice that Doug is still near an athletic field! Our guide, Mary, will be taking us tomorrow to meet Nyah around 11am so for those of you in the US, when you wake up Monday morning, whether it is 2am or 9am (it is a holiday kids... let the adults sleep in!), we should have pictures.

Our hotel is nice... the room is bigger than the room in Hong Kong and bigger than the hotel I stayed in during my last trip here. At the same time, it is much more formal so that offers new challenges when you will have TWO children with you for 5 days. It is in the middle of the city and on the major road (named "August 1" after the Nanchang uprising that led to Cival War and is now considered the anniversary of the People's Liberation Army) so going out for a stroll is not really an option and no play room. There is a pool though and Caleb did try it out today but he had to take a warm shower after because the water was so cold; now I know what will make him bathe!

Caleb had a hard time staying awake at dinner and is asleep. Then again, so is Doug. We told Caleb he was letting his public down not doing a blog entry! And since Doug didn't mention food today, I will... we ate at the hotel's Western Style buffet though not much of the food was food you would see at Golden Corral (which made me happy but Doug, notsomuch). Caleb ate ice-cream for dinner (and a token piece of watermelon) and giggled a lot when he saw that Grandpa's shrimp had eyes. And Doug made huge progress... he ate his potatoes with chopsticks though I had to tell him that stabbing your food is not proper etiquette.

Nanchang's population is around 4 million and is considered a medium size city for China since you have to have 6 million to earn the large label. Our guide, who graduated from the local university in 1985, gave us a historic overview of the province. There were many details but the big ones are that the Jiangxi Province is mostly agricultural (rice especially) and is one of the poorest provinces. So Doug gives you all the sentimental stuff and I give you a history lesson! But as some say, opposites attract!

Make sure you visit Jodi's blog... her family is in our travel group (she is in a different province now but we will meet up in Guangzhou) and she met her daughter today, a day earlier than expected! I have been stalking her blog waiting for pictures.

Of course, more, much much more, tomorrow...

Kate

Serious thoughts from Doug

Well, it is the night before we meet Nyah Kate. Tomorrow at 11:00 am is the time we have been given….

Tonight I am filled with many emotions: excitement, joy, nervousness, and antcipation, just to name a few. I am going to take a serious approach on this post as I take a look at how all of this has come about for the "S" family. When Kate and I met over 14 years ago, she mentioned adoption on several occasions as something she would like to do one day. I listened (or shall I say pretended to listen) and then kind of blew off the idea. As we married and began to have biological kids of our own, it became a thought that was much more distant than ever before for me. Why would I want to adopt? That was a question that always came to my mind. But not for Kate, she still kept adoption on her mind even knowing it was far fetched that she would ever convince me that it was right for our family.

About three years ago, Kate came to me on a rainy Thursday evening around 7:00 and said she had something to confess. She explained she had been researching adoption on the internet and had been watching this one little girl for a few days who had not found a family. She was so serious and obviously excited as she spoke to me about it. She spoke with such passion, such devotion. At that moment, God sent a very clear message to me that adoption was the way to go for our family. I can remember that very moment like it was yesterday. And for that we have one lovely daughter, Brynn, at home right now, and tomorrow, a little over two years after that first adoption, we will be meeting daughter number two, Nyah Kate.

To you Kate, I say thank you. Thanks for having such a huge heart, thanks for always putting others first, thanks for being a devoted mom, thanks for being a wonderful wife and most of all, thanks for being you!! I love you.

~ Doug

Hong Kong Day 2

Today was a great day in Hong Kong. We started the day with a tour of Victoria's Peak which provided one of the most spectacular views I have ever seen. It was tremendous. We were able to ride a double decker bus (without a roof) to the tram that took us up the mountain, after taking a ferry, and that was pretty cool as well.

For lunch...well I must say I almost found Heaven....Outback Steakhouse!! Yes, that's right- Bloomin' Onion, a big ole steak and some aussie chips. I ate like a pig...but from what Kate tell's me, today will probably be my last day to enjoy any American cuisine while I am in China....so I did not feel too guilty.

We were all pretty exhausted this afternoon, so after lunch we went back to the hotel and caught a quick nap before heading off on the Symphony of Lights Cruise in the harbour. The lights were fantastic.

We were just able to skype with Aunt Amanda and the kids back home. They look like they are having alot of fun. They seemed to have had a great time at the Lions game last night...congrats by the way to Coach Fischer, the team, and the Lion Nation for the big win last night.

It was a fun day....and the countdown continues....1 more day till Gotcha Day! Nyah Kate...here we come!!!!!


~ Doug


Note from Kate... Doug is right; it was a great day. We all took a nap this afternoon and are still worn out. The kids used Skype to call us at 3am our time though and I never went back to sleep so that is part of the reason. Caleb is exhausted so the next few days in Nanchang should help get his energy back up though he temporarily and mysteriously overcame his tiredness when there was a video game store with test machines at Victoria's Peak... humm. I cannot believe I traveled 1/2 way across the world to eat at Outback, but I am making myself feel better knowing I ate rice and noodles for breakfast and that my boys are fed and full! I asked Caleb if he preferred city or country life and he said the country. I think things move too fast for him here and he is tired of me fussing at him that he cannot play on the escalators in fear of him being run over by the lines of people behind him. After walking around the city, I want a t-shirt that says, in Chinese, "No, thank you, I don't need a tailor or a designer handbag!" though after declining the hundredth person who asks, I am not feeling so polite. The city is a nice change of pace though and when we look lost, people have been nice about approaching us and offering help. I am getting more excited and more nervous about meeting Nyah. So exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Until tomorrow...