A little more about Jadyn

First some pictures:

Magical Gerber Puffs, do not come to China without them.

Our flight to Wuhan was quick (compared to UAL nonstop ord to Beijing).  We were met by our guide, Eric who told us there was a change of plans, that we were going directly to Civil affairs to get Jadyn.  Ahhhh.  We had a plan and that order was not a part of it.  So we went to the Civil Affairs office which took an hour in crazy traffic.  When we got there, we were the only family, the office was cool and dark.  We signed an agreement to care for her for 24 hours and then in she came.  We peeked through the office window out into the waiting room at her.  After our meeting, we hung out in the waiting room with her and the director of the SWI, and another nanny.  Jadyn wanted nothing to do with us.  We were given some snacks (junk food), formula, bottle and a few other gifts.  She was brought to us in a cutest ever little velour puffy outfit with a wool sweater on and jammies underneath.  It's 70 degrees here!  We were sweltering for her.  At some point I just picked her up and the guide told her SWI people to leave the room so we could go.  Screaming ensued for about 4 minutes, then she started coming around a little.  We left and in the van, she screamed for another 3 minutes and fell asleep.  She stayed asleep while we checked into our hotel and continued for another hour or so.  Dwayne ran out to get food.

Our guide took care of all our banking, Praise God!!!  I have been praying for these little stressfull details to be handled well, and we were blessed with this answer to prayer.

We played and played and played with stacking cups and a few other toys.  She has this panda that she calls mama.  I think the nanny told her that mama sent it to her.  She does not know who mama is at this point.  We have had many smiles, giggles and belly laughs.  She is doing really great.  This beautiful little one eats nonstop.  She is chubby and round and VERY heavy.  I mention this because she hasn't let Dwayne hold her for more than a second, so I'm bulking up here by the minute. 

Today, we went back to the Civil affairs office to finish up paperwork.  We are now the parents of Jadyn Ying Kuiper, in the eyes of the government of PRC.  We have to stay in Wuhan, Hubei to record the paperwork and get her passport so she can travel. 

We are smitten by Jadyn, and she is beginning to like us more and more. She wanted nothing to do with  the nanny today, and really tensed up when the Registrar and the nanny spoke to her.  I do not think that she knew the nanny very well, because she had been in foster care up until Sunday.

Baba and baby are both napping and soon I will be too.  Enjoy!

While You Were Sleeping........

Guess what we did?  Hmmmmmm, had a baby.  I will post more later, but had to share the love.

Meet our new daughter, Jadyn Ying or commonly known to her caretakers as YingYing, sounds like EyngEyng.  She is amazing, God is good!  The thing on the head of the Hubs was a Panda Hat.  More on that and our new beautiful daughter later............stay tuned.

Stuffed!!

In the morning we left for a full day of touring. We started Tiannamen Square which led us to the Forbidden City. Beijing is so rich in history. It was incredible to actually stand in the square and to learn about how the Emperors and their families and staff lived. We did, however freeze. Dwayne had fun with the vendors--people who hound you to buy their stuff--and ended up buying a lovely souvenir that you can see him wearing in the picture. A few others in our group decided that was a great idea as the windchill was probably around 18 degrees.

We left the Forbidden City and were able to tour a Hutong neighborhood. A Hutong is basically a traditional neighborhood connected by alleyways. There are very few Hutongs in Beijing anymore as it is becoming so modern. We were taken on this tour in a Rickshaw. It was a pretty touristy thing to do, but we were able to meet a man of one of the families who still lives in one of the homes, we got to sit in his house and learn a little about how their houses are set up and why. Again, steeped in tradition and culture.

After our looooong day in the cold, we went to an Chinese Acrobatics show, lots of bouncing and gravity defying. Fighting the urge to drop, we decided to brave the local neighborhood and have supper at a restaurant down the street. Thanks to one of the new dads-to- be, we enjoyed a gigantic, really authentic meal. 9 of us overate for 338 yuan--if you do that math, you'll realize that's around $5 per person. It was very delicious,especially the duck. Pretty sure we will be eating there tomorrow, again.

We have a wonderful travel group of families and many of them will be getting their kids on Sunday, a few are staying here in Beijing for the rest of the week because their kids are from here. It's still a little surreal to many of us. One of the families is from SD, a few are from TN, also represented are WI, GA, IN and PA, and of course, IL.

When you are sleeping Sunday night, we will be meeting our daughter in Wuhan, Monday afternoon.
 
Shannon & Austin,
Are you guys ready for a little sister?  We meet her Monday Afternoon and will try to skype you before you leave for school Monday morning.  If we don't get through then, we will try after you get home from school.  Hope you are doing great!!  Love you and miss you guys.
 
Mom & Dad

The Great Great Wall

It was indeed.

Check out this CRAZY man, it was no one we knew.

A little more our style!

Today, we also visited a Cloisonne factory, had an authentic Chinese dinner (although our guide told us it was not really authentic, but Americanized. We were also given the opportunity to spend tens of thousands on some Jade sculptures. Only 420000 rmb for this really excellent looking bull figure.

Besides the Great Wall, the most fun thing of the day was the local grocery store. We found some ordinary, unusual and just plain bizzarre things there, but all we bought was snacks and water.

We do a bit of touring tomorrow and Sunday. Monday, we will go to Jadyn's province and in the afternoon, we get her!! Only 3 more sleeps till Jadyn.




 

We 're Here!!

We had an amazing flight.

It even arrived over an hour early. Things we are thankful for: Free upgrade to ecomomy plus, smooth flying, no problems at either airports. We met a couple other families in the airport and on the plane. We are kind of easy to pick out of a crowd.

It took about an hour to get to our hotel from the airport. Traffic was like a typical day in Chicago mulitplied by 50. This hotel is beautiful and the neighborhood looks sort of upscale. We took a walk around after we got settled in, pretty much like downtown anywhere.

After dinner at the hotel restaurant, (I know, lame) we decided to turn in. At that point our bodies were telling us it was 5 am, although local time said 7ish. Soooo I am typing this on WordPad at 4:30 am because I can't sleep. Jet lag. Let's hope we kick it tomorrow.

We have to investigate our internet problems. Waaaay too tired before bed to call someone to fix it, but either they need to activate our rooms cable connection, or something else is up. Long story short, if you're reading this, we got it fixed!!

Tomorrow, after breakfast we leave for our day of touring. This includes the Great Wall and Cloisonne factory.

OK, I got this working, don't know how!  Noodles for breakfast, also, asparagus and some saugsage looking things, eek!!



Shannon & Austin:

We flew over the North Pole and the Arctic Ocean. The weather outside the plane was like 70 degrees below zero!!! We love you and miss you like crazycakes! Mom & Dad
 

On our way.

So, the husband comes home from having dinner out with a friend, and decides the house must be cleaned before our departure.  Not exactly in my plans.  Cleaning never is.  The kids helped, I triplechecked our bags, again.  49.5lbs, I told him the shoes had to go, but he says if I get 2 pair, he does too.  We are fine until Monday when we have to be down to 44lbs.   For the record, we only have 1 suitcase a carry-on and a backpack.  It's what works.

I haven't gotten nervous, yet.  It'll probably come out in the morning on the drive in.  Sorry, in advance to our brave family member airport transport!

We had ice cream together for the last time as a family of 4.  Got the high chair booster thingy ready, crib assembled, car seat installed, supplies on hand for when we return, food in the freezer. 

It's time!

Travel Plans

We go next week, we go next week. I cannot stop saying (well, actually I'm singing that in my head) that phrase.  I will be making flight arrangements today and we will return Dec. 11.  

Finally, this is happening. Praise God! 

Time to attend to the details.

TA TA TA TA TA TA TA TA

Deep breath, followed by sigh of relief.  Our Travel Approval came yesterday.  We don't have our exact dates yet, but are hoping to travel as soon as next week.  We should hear some details on that today or tomorrow.

Because I am a neurotic person, I am going to leave some of the details of our travel a bit sketchy. If you do indeed want details, (which we are happy to share with friends and family) leave a question in the comment section and I will get back to you with an answer. 

We will be blogging from China, also skyping.  If you're interested in skyping with us, leave me your skype id.  Or just do a search for mine, but if you do that, let me know how I know you, if it's not obvious from your id.  I leave mine open, but block people I don't know.

I am so excited, and freaking out slightly.  Freaked out or not, I sooooo want to go next week! 

Did I Ever Post This Before?

Cannot remember, but it's worth a re-read.

Can You Imagine??          A Different Perspective

Imagine for a moment... You have met the person you’ve dreamed about all your life. He has every quality that you desire in a spouse. You plan for the wedding, enjoying every free moment with your fiancée. You love his touch, his smell, the way he looks into your eyes. For the first time in your life, you understand what is meant by “soul mate,” for this per- son understands you in a way that no one else does. Your heart beats in rhythm with his. Your emotions are intimately tied to his every joy, his every sorrow.


The wedding comes. It is a happy celebration, but the best part is that you are finally the wife of this wonder- ful man. You fall asleep that night, exhausted from the day’s events, but relaxed and joyful in the knowledge that you are next to the person who loves you more than anyone in the world...the person who will be with you for the rest of your life.


The next morning you wake up, nestled in your part- ner’s arms. You open your eyes and immediately look for his face. But it’s not him! You are in the arms of anoth- er man. You recoil in horror. Who is this man? Where is your beloved?


You ask questions of the new man, but it quickly becomes apparent that he doesn’t understand you. You search every room in the house, calling and calling for your husband. The new guy follows you around, trying to hug you, pat you on the back. . .even trying to stroke your arm, acting like everything is okay. But you know that nothing is okay. Your beloved is gone. Where is he? Will he return? When? What has happened to him?


Weeks pass. You cry and cry over the loss of your beloved. Sometimes you ache silently, in shock over what has happened. The new guy tries to comfort you. You appreciate his attempts, but he doesn’t speak your lan- guage-either verbally or emotionally. He doesn’t seem to realize the terrible thing that has happened...that your sweetheart is gone.


You find it difficult to sleep. The new guy tries to comfort you at bedtime with soft words and gentle touches, but you avoid him, preferring to sleep alone, away from him and any intimate words or contact. Months later, you still ache for your beloved, but gradu- ally you are learning to trust this new guy. He’s finally learned that you like your coffee black, not doctored up with cream and sugar. Although you still don’t under- stand his bedtime songs, you like the lilt of his voice and take some comfort in it.


More time passes. One morning, you wake up to find a full suitcase sitting next to the front door. You try to ask him about it, but he just takes you by the hand and leads you to the car. You drive and drive and drive. Nothing is familiar. Where are you? Where is he taking


you? You pull up to a large building. He leads you to an elevator and up to a room filled with people. Many are cry- ing. Some are ecstatic with joy. You are confused. And worried.


The man leads you over to the corner. Another man opens his arms and sweeps you up in an embrace. He rubs your back and kisses your cheeks, obviously thrilled to see you. You are anything but thrilled to see him. Who in the world is he? Where is your beloved? You reach for the man who brought you, but he just smiles (although he seems to be tearing up, which concerns you), pats you on the back, and puts your hand in the hands of the new guy. The new guy picks up your suitcase and leads you to the door. The familiar face starts openly crying, waving and waving as the elevator doors close on you and the new guy.


The new guy drives you to an airport and you follow him, not knowing what else to do. Sometimes you cry, but then the new guy tries to make you smile, so you grin back, wanting to “get along.” You board a plane. The flight is long. You sleep a lot, wanting to mentally escape from the situation.


Hours later, the plane touches down. The new guy is very excited and leads you into the airport where dozens of peo- ple are there to greet you. Light bulbs flash as your photo is taken again and again. The new guy takes you to another guy who hugs you. Who is this one? You smile at him. Then you are taken to another man who pats your back and kiss- es your cheek. Then yet another fellow gives you a big hug and messes your hair. Finally, someone (which guy is this?) pulls you into his arms with the biggest hug you’ve ever had. He kisses you all over your cheeks and croons to you in some language you’ve never heard before.


He leads you to a car and drives you to another location. Everything here looks different. The climate is not what you’re used to. The smells are strange. Nothing tastes familiar, except for the black coffee. You wonder if someone told him that you like your coffee black. You find it nearly impossible to sleep. Sometimes you lie in bed for hours, staring into the blackness, furious with your husband for leaving you, yet aching from the loss. The new guy checks on you. He seems concerned and tries to comfort you with soft words and a mug of warm milk. You turn away, pretending to go to asleep.


People come to the house. You can feel the anxiety start to bubble over as you look into the faces of all the new people. You tightly grasp the new guy’s hand. He pulls you closer. People smile and nudge one other, marveling at how quickly you’ve fallen in love. Strangers reach for you, wanting to be a part of the happiness. Each time a man hugs you, you wonder if he will be the one to take you away. Just in case, you keep your suitcase packed and ready. Although the man at this house is nice and you’re hanging on for dear life, you’ve learned from experience that men come and go, so you just wait in expectation for the next one to come along.


Each morning, the new guy hands you a cup of coffee and looks at you expectantly. A couple of times the pain and anger for your husband is so great that you lash out, sending hot coffee across the room, causing the new guy to yelp in pain. He just looks at you, bewildered. But most of the time you calmly take the cup. You give him a smile. And wait. And wait. And wait.


How would each of us handle all these changes? How would this impact us for the rest of our lives?

Written by Cynthia Hockman-Chupp, Cynthia is an adoptive parent like many of us. She was a longtime school teacher for a variety of grades who has a website on dealing with attachment issues: www.a4everfamily.org. Analogy courtesy of Dr. Kali Miller.
 
So this is a pretty good analogy about Jadyn will be feeling.  From all the experiences shared with me, and the research I have done, this sounds right on.  Of course, there are varying degrees of everything and everyone's experiences are different. 
 
Deb