Friday, October 14, 2011
The Warriors (they're not just terra cotta)
He's getting better.
Today, Declan finally drank water from his sippy cup. I thought perhaps he didn't understand the cup. Turns out he was just refusing to drink from it. At any rate, he sucked down half a cupful without taking a breath. He then went on to have a good breakfast. On our way back up to our room, I showed him the huge fish tank full of large orange goldfish. Mr. Somber couldn't help himself. His face split into a huge grin before he could suppress it. We got a great picture of it too! Only there was no card in the camera....
He played ball with Jarrett some, smiling a few more times. He sat on Daddy's lap and took a nap in the car. We were on a roll! We then left to the Terra Cotta Warrior factory where he really started feeling more comfortable and wanted to run around, right next to the expensive carved jade pieces. At that point, he really started refusing to let anyone else carry him. Last night, he was in the pack on Billy's back for an hour or so walking around the city. We thought that it was a good test run for the next day. He did great in the pack and spent the whole time looking around at the city lights. So, it was very disappointing the next day when he wanted nothing to do with the pack. I realize I should be thrilled that he held his pleading little arms out to me to be carried (and I am), but people, the boy is heavy! We were there for hours. Walking. To top it off, he likes me to hold him on the right arm only, with his legs together (not on my hip).
We did look for a stroller. Hence the trial run the night before. The cheapest one we could find was around $160.00. Don't get me wrong, it was a very nice stroller. However, I thought it was worth it to have Billy pack him for that kind of money. Hah! I am starting to stress that Kunming won't have any strollers, either.
The Terra Cotta Warriors were amazing! I have wanted to see them for years. It was hard to believe we were actually there. It would have been nice if the huge crowds of people had gotten out of my way so I could see them better in honor of my dream come true, but I managed to have a good time anyway.
Declan was happy and smiley the whole time we were there. He has carried this little car around since we got him and he was running it on any ledge he could reach. It very nearly became a part of the exhibit. Billy and Delanita happily snapped pictures the whole time (yes, we put back the card) and Cameron and Jarrett mostly tried to get Declan's attention. The Warriors got nothing over a new brother!
We had a great lunch there. It was supposed to be an all you can eat buffet. However, the waitress brought our certain dishes (the meat ones) that were not unlimited. You could have as much rice, cake, and cheap veggie dishes (think: cucumbers and onions) as you wanted. It also included stretched noodle soup. You could watch how the chefs made it and it was the best soup I've had. Well, at least half of us thought so. The other half is searching for a McDonald's right now.
Update: Declan likes cheeseburgers and fries.
Today, Declan finally drank water from his sippy cup. I thought perhaps he didn't understand the cup. Turns out he was just refusing to drink from it. At any rate, he sucked down half a cupful without taking a breath. He then went on to have a good breakfast. On our way back up to our room, I showed him the huge fish tank full of large orange goldfish. Mr. Somber couldn't help himself. His face split into a huge grin before he could suppress it. We got a great picture of it too! Only there was no card in the camera....
He played ball with Jarrett some, smiling a few more times. He sat on Daddy's lap and took a nap in the car. We were on a roll! We then left to the Terra Cotta Warrior factory where he really started feeling more comfortable and wanted to run around, right next to the expensive carved jade pieces. At that point, he really started refusing to let anyone else carry him. Last night, he was in the pack on Billy's back for an hour or so walking around the city. We thought that it was a good test run for the next day. He did great in the pack and spent the whole time looking around at the city lights. So, it was very disappointing the next day when he wanted nothing to do with the pack. I realize I should be thrilled that he held his pleading little arms out to me to be carried (and I am), but people, the boy is heavy! We were there for hours. Walking. To top it off, he likes me to hold him on the right arm only, with his legs together (not on my hip).
We did look for a stroller. Hence the trial run the night before. The cheapest one we could find was around $160.00. Don't get me wrong, it was a very nice stroller. However, I thought it was worth it to have Billy pack him for that kind of money. Hah! I am starting to stress that Kunming won't have any strollers, either.
The Terra Cotta Warriors were amazing! I have wanted to see them for years. It was hard to believe we were actually there. It would have been nice if the huge crowds of people had gotten out of my way so I could see them better in honor of my dream come true, but I managed to have a good time anyway.
Declan was happy and smiley the whole time we were there. He has carried this little car around since we got him and he was running it on any ledge he could reach. It very nearly became a part of the exhibit. Billy and Delanita happily snapped pictures the whole time (yes, we put back the card) and Cameron and Jarrett mostly tried to get Declan's attention. The Warriors got nothing over a new brother!
We had a great lunch there. It was supposed to be an all you can eat buffet. However, the waitress brought our certain dishes (the meat ones) that were not unlimited. You could have as much rice, cake, and cheap veggie dishes (think: cucumbers and onions) as you wanted. It also included stretched noodle soup. You could watch how the chefs made it and it was the best soup I've had. Well, at least half of us thought so. The other half is searching for a McDonald's right now.
Update: Declan likes cheeseburgers and fries.
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Several of you have told me that you don't know how to leave a comment here. I checked the settings and have hopefully fixed that problem. Let me know if you are still having trouble posting. Truthfully, I haven't been able to comment on other people's blogs myself. I am probably not going to be much help. But if anyone who is in the know wants to help the rest of us out, you can leave a note in the comments :-)
Thursday, October 13, 2011
If they had only told me he liked Hot Pot
He's eating folks! Not a lot, but he is eating. He drank about a half an ounce of water too! I am anxious to see if he will eat breakfast tomorrow.
Today, we had to finish the paperwork. Billy already posted pictures of this. Declan let Billy hold him for several minutes while I signed paperwork and then while he had his hand stamped. The gal from the orphanage kindly hid across the hall so he wouldn't see her, but I am sure he heard her voice a time or two. His nanny was in the parking lot, wanting one last glimpse of him. I felt so sad for her.
Declan was completely worn out by that time. We returned to the hotel and he finally took a nap. Billy and Delanita went out and purchased some green tea Oreos that no one liked. No one but Declan. He refused the Chips Ahoy cookie after one bite, but allowed Billy to feed him that awful Oreo. Go figure.
I talked our guide into taking us to a Hot Pot restaurant. Each person has a small pot of boiling broth at their seat. There are plates of meat, vegetables, noodles and even egg on the table. You choose what goes in your pot, let it cook, then season it with whatever mix of seasonings you want. It sounded so fun. Within 10 minutes, Billy was irritated because he couldn't even get the food in the pot, much less his mouth, with the chopsticks. I had burned 2 fingers and Jarrett had made his bunson burner flame up. We were all questioning our ability to make it through the meal and avoid serious personal injury.
Our guide finally brought us forks, which made it better, but still tricky to eat safely. Declan was still refusing most foods. He drank his yogurt drink and ate a few little puffs that are a snack staple for kids here. He finished that off by mashing several puffs and brushing them off the tray. Okay, so no more puffs. Incidentally, you know you are adopting internationally when your child does something like that and you are just happy they are playing.
Towards the end of our meal, something changed in him. He started looking more interested in the fact that I was eating. I offered him a bite of noodle and HE ATE IT! Yes! He ate a small plate of noodles and several pieces of melon. It is obvious Declan has not drank from a cup often, but he did choke down a few sips of water also.
He hasn't cried at all today, either. He has screwed his face up a couple of times and started to fuss, but we have been able to avoid any melt-downs. He is still very somber. I don't think we are seeing any of his personality - yet. Still, if tomorrow is as much better as today was, we will be learning who he is very soon.
Tomorrow we go see the Terra Cotta Warriors!
Today, we had to finish the paperwork. Billy already posted pictures of this. Declan let Billy hold him for several minutes while I signed paperwork and then while he had his hand stamped. The gal from the orphanage kindly hid across the hall so he wouldn't see her, but I am sure he heard her voice a time or two. His nanny was in the parking lot, wanting one last glimpse of him. I felt so sad for her.
Declan was completely worn out by that time. We returned to the hotel and he finally took a nap. Billy and Delanita went out and purchased some green tea Oreos that no one liked. No one but Declan. He refused the Chips Ahoy cookie after one bite, but allowed Billy to feed him that awful Oreo. Go figure.
I talked our guide into taking us to a Hot Pot restaurant. Each person has a small pot of boiling broth at their seat. There are plates of meat, vegetables, noodles and even egg on the table. You choose what goes in your pot, let it cook, then season it with whatever mix of seasonings you want. It sounded so fun. Within 10 minutes, Billy was irritated because he couldn't even get the food in the pot, much less his mouth, with the chopsticks. I had burned 2 fingers and Jarrett had made his bunson burner flame up. We were all questioning our ability to make it through the meal and avoid serious personal injury.
Our guide finally brought us forks, which made it better, but still tricky to eat safely. Declan was still refusing most foods. He drank his yogurt drink and ate a few little puffs that are a snack staple for kids here. He finished that off by mashing several puffs and brushing them off the tray. Okay, so no more puffs. Incidentally, you know you are adopting internationally when your child does something like that and you are just happy they are playing.
Towards the end of our meal, something changed in him. He started looking more interested in the fact that I was eating. I offered him a bite of noodle and HE ATE IT! Yes! He ate a small plate of noodles and several pieces of melon. It is obvious Declan has not drank from a cup often, but he did choke down a few sips of water also.
He hasn't cried at all today, either. He has screwed his face up a couple of times and started to fuss, but we have been able to avoid any melt-downs. He is still very somber. I don't think we are seeing any of his personality - yet. Still, if tomorrow is as much better as today was, we will be learning who he is very soon.
Tomorrow we go see the Terra Cotta Warriors!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Declan
It's the middle of the night here. Declan is asleep, although he fusses when he moves around. He is still fully dressed in the 3-4 layers of clothing he was wearing and has a little wrapped cake in one hand. His pockets are stuffed full of little treats including some sort of smelly snack I'd like to throw away and several fresh dates.
He is making sure he is ready to leave at a moment's notice.
We took lots of pictures, but they are all on the other camera, in the other room. We will try to load those today but it will probably be after we get back from doing paperwork this afternoon.
This has been a very different experience from Eden. The people that brought her to us seemed as though they had never met her before that day. They were excited to be in the city and anxious to be off for their vacation. Yesterday, we met two people who love Declan very much. They knew all about him and even gave me an e-mail address and pleaded for pictures as he grows up. It was a teary good-bye on all sides.
Of course, the first thing we do when we leave the official's office is go to get pictures taken for his passport and paperwork. I carried him through the streets into the shop. He wasn't fighting me, but he was crying, "Go find Mama." over and over. Apparently, in some orphanages, the children call their nanny's "Mama". This little guy's cries would break even the toughest heart. It wasn't easy getting pictures, either. They needed a front face shot and Declan had his head thrown back, mouth open, howling at the ceiling. Several adults were holding noisemakers and kept shaking them in an effort to get him to look at the camera. Right. The photographer was sweet about it, though, and eventually snapped a shot as he pulled his head upright in preparation to fling it backwards again.
So far, Declan doesn't seem afraid of us. He wants me to hold him (no one else) and has put his arms out to me to be picked back up several times. He cried for hours, still saying, "Go find Mama" over and over, but allowed me to hold and cuddle him the whole time. He did finally accept a yogurt drink from Billy, then sat on the bed and stared until Billy laid him down. Much like Eden did the night we adopted her, he closed his eyes instantly and was asleep.
Declan's sorrow is actually a very good thing. It shows he has been loved and has loved and been attached to those people in his life. I suspect his transition to our family will be a solid one. For those of you that wonder why he cannot stay here if there are those that care about him- there is no future for him here. He needs surgeries he cannot get in this country. Also, even though these people care about him very much, they are limited in how much they can do for him. He needs a family. He needs us.
He is a cute little boy with an adorable face. He is bigger than I expected and proportionate for his height. Declan is a solid boy and a lot to carry around. I hope the size 2's I brought fit him. He looks well-cared for and came wearing a brand new outfit which he refuses to take off. Declan's shoes are too small and I am hoping to get him a new pair. Even more so, I am hoping he will wear them.
Please keep our little boy's broken heart in your prayers. The days that follow will be tough as everything is new and strange to him. Also, we will see one of the ladies from the orphanage again today. I am concerned this will upset Declan all over again.
He is starting to wiggle around now. I'll post more as soon as I can.
He is making sure he is ready to leave at a moment's notice.
We took lots of pictures, but they are all on the other camera, in the other room. We will try to load those today but it will probably be after we get back from doing paperwork this afternoon.
This has been a very different experience from Eden. The people that brought her to us seemed as though they had never met her before that day. They were excited to be in the city and anxious to be off for their vacation. Yesterday, we met two people who love Declan very much. They knew all about him and even gave me an e-mail address and pleaded for pictures as he grows up. It was a teary good-bye on all sides.
Of course, the first thing we do when we leave the official's office is go to get pictures taken for his passport and paperwork. I carried him through the streets into the shop. He wasn't fighting me, but he was crying, "Go find Mama." over and over. Apparently, in some orphanages, the children call their nanny's "Mama". This little guy's cries would break even the toughest heart. It wasn't easy getting pictures, either. They needed a front face shot and Declan had his head thrown back, mouth open, howling at the ceiling. Several adults were holding noisemakers and kept shaking them in an effort to get him to look at the camera. Right. The photographer was sweet about it, though, and eventually snapped a shot as he pulled his head upright in preparation to fling it backwards again.
So far, Declan doesn't seem afraid of us. He wants me to hold him (no one else) and has put his arms out to me to be picked back up several times. He cried for hours, still saying, "Go find Mama" over and over, but allowed me to hold and cuddle him the whole time. He did finally accept a yogurt drink from Billy, then sat on the bed and stared until Billy laid him down. Much like Eden did the night we adopted her, he closed his eyes instantly and was asleep.
Declan's sorrow is actually a very good thing. It shows he has been loved and has loved and been attached to those people in his life. I suspect his transition to our family will be a solid one. For those of you that wonder why he cannot stay here if there are those that care about him- there is no future for him here. He needs surgeries he cannot get in this country. Also, even though these people care about him very much, they are limited in how much they can do for him. He needs a family. He needs us.
He is a cute little boy with an adorable face. He is bigger than I expected and proportionate for his height. Declan is a solid boy and a lot to carry around. I hope the size 2's I brought fit him. He looks well-cared for and came wearing a brand new outfit which he refuses to take off. Declan's shoes are too small and I am hoping to get him a new pair. Even more so, I am hoping he will wear them.
Please keep our little boy's broken heart in your prayers. The days that follow will be tough as everything is new and strange to him. Also, we will see one of the ladies from the orphanage again today. I am concerned this will upset Declan all over again.
He is starting to wiggle around now. I'll post more as soon as I can.
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