Seminar in St. Louis

I would like to email this to some of my friends who might be interested, but centurytel is currently not cooperating. This is a seminar sponsored in part by FCC. It looks good, and I am very interested in attending. Let me know if you are too.

The title of the seminar is: Living in America as a Chinese American. It is hard to read on this link, but it prints out very nicely.

http://www.umsl.edu/services/cis/images/cal_images/cs_living_in_america_lg.gif

My idea of a good time

Monte and Cindy are in town for a couple days, so tonight, we fixed ribs and lots of other great stuff. Lee and the boys joined us, along with Pastor Craig and Vicki. Melinda stopped off to drop off James and we talked her into coming back with Faith and Ryan for dinner, smores, watermelon and playing.
It was and impromptu get together with people we love. Casual, hanging out, letting the kids play and get messy with marshmallows fun. I am so glad that everyone could come and have a wonderful, albeit hot, evening.
Olivia is doing well. Today was our first of 4 visits from our social worker for post placement. It was great to see her again, talk about the trip and about Olivia, and hear what she had to say. The last few days for Olivia have been very busy with friends and relatives. She has met more of her cousins, aunts and uncles, and went to her first Kiwanis meeting.

Last night, the Kiwanis club had a shower for us, with a cake, gifts, balloons and all. It was very sweet and we felt very honored. The outpouring of kindness and love has been very touching.

Back to Olivia - she is still fighting her cold, but seems to be getting a little better each day. I am watching it closely right now though because she seems to be more rattly in her chest. She has slept well at night, but does wake up to cough some. For the last two days, she has taken two naps, sleeping a little more than usual. She is still eating good, and most days takes at least 3 bottles.

Thanks to all our family and friends for sharing a wonderful night with us. Love to all, Gina

Comments Comment

Hi all! I have been wanting to contact several people who have posted comments, but my email addresses and/or links to blogs are on my work computer.

I put my email in our profile. Please drop me a line so that we can visit!

Thanks, Gina

More Pictures

I couldn't resist adding a couple pictures we took the other day! She pulls away from the bottle so fast that formula goes everywhere!

Olivia is certainly feeling the effects of her cold and ear infection. She slept late for her, didn't eat much for breakfast, and wasn't too thrilled about playing, seeming tired all morning. I tried to get her to take a morning nap, but she wasn't interested. After lunch, we cried for a bit before going soundly to sleep. She has been sleeping for almost 2 hours now.

She is trying harder at crawling, getting her butt up off the ground. She still rolls if she needs to get somewhere!

Firsts

Hi all! We are starting to recover a bit from the marathon trip home. Michael and I are pretty much over tummy troubles, but baby still feels yucky with a cold. Well, actually more than a cold. One of our firsts, is today was Olivia's first Dr. visit. Last night, she started with a really junky cough, so this morning after church (another first) we took her to urgent care at Winghaven. Since about the third day we had her in China, I was concerned she had an ear infection in her right ear, but VERY relieved when the person who checked her ears at her medical exam very clearly stated no infection. Well, today the Dr. said she does have an infection in her right ear, so, we started an antibiotic and took a three hour nap.

Otherwise, she has generally been doing good, waking up a couple times during the night, but no crying. She will talk to herself and roll around and eventually go back to sleep. We have been out visiting a little, and have very much enjoyed all of the visitors who have come by. I think the next day or two we are going to spend time at home and try to get over this nastiness. Please come by, I am sure we will soon be restless!!!!

Another first, was our first photo shoot. On Friday morning, Aunt Pam and Katie took hundreds of pictures. I have a few that Katie took with my camera like this one:

I have a couple more firsts to discuss, but it is time to get Olivia to bed, and we are having a cat issue. Night, Gina

Woo Hoo!!!!!

WE ARE HOME!!!!!! Before we left, I knew I would be glad to get home, but I never, ever imagined I would be this happy!

Wow, was it a tough trip. We left for the airport around 7:45am Hong Kong time, which would have been around 6:45p on Wednesday night at home. It was crazy getting a cab because after breakfast, Michael went to change Olivia and she was super messy - like change clothes messy - so as we were trying to get a cab, I was trying to dig out something for her to wear while at the same time moving all of the luggage out to the pick up area. Once we got in the cab, I was sure I forgot her bottle. Thankfully, I didn't.

Once we got checked in and walked to the gate, I realized I had dropped Olivia's boarding pass. She was hungry and fussy, and I was freaking out. Fortunately, they were able to reissue one at the gate with no problem. HUGE relief.

The flight was okay, but long. Olivia didn't sleep but around 2 hours. We had a few major boughts of screaming, especially toward the end of the trip to Newark. We also experienced a snake of a crew member - she scolded me for talking to loud by the bathroom because some crew members were sleeping, then told Michael he needed to take Olivia somewhere else when he stood up to try to calm her when she was crying because he too might wake the crew members. There were several other things she was nasty about but those were the biggies. Can I tell you how little I cared about waking a flight attendant who would be home in bed LONG before we ever even left the ground in Newark????

Anyway, other than Miss Nasty Pants, there was little else significant. The trip through immigration, claiming bags, customs, rechecking bags, then security was long, frustrating, and anxiety provoking. Nearly 2 hours later, we made it and got to the gate. A sandwich and a coke, visiting with Amy, Jeff, Nick and Lily then we boarded the plane for St. Louis.

Olivia was getting hungry at this point. In the airport we gave Olivia a bottle and some bread from our sandwich. Then once on the plane, some cereal. We were just about to push back from the gate when all of that, plus some, came right back up on me. Ugh. I used the remainder of a container of wet wipes to clean us up as best I could.

Before we even pushed back, the pilot told us we would be delayed. They were great about giving us all of the information they had, which was little. Three hours of sitting on the ramp later, we took off. Fortunately, Olivia slept most of the 5 plus hours we were on that plane. Also, I dried quickly and really didn't notice much of the puke. Guess I was way too tired to care.

I think it was around 9 when we got to St. Louis, but it could have been 10. I really don't know. We got off the plane and Amy et al. was waiting for gate checked bags. We hugged and cried. We were finally home.

We walked through the terminal together, they not knowing exactly when we would see family because they weren't as familiar with STL. As we rounded the security corner, I told them we would see family soon.

It was the most awesome welcome in the world. We turned that corner to see a cheering crowed, signs, balloons and our favorite people in the world. Amy and I walked arm in arm, crying, with Olivia on my hip. Lots of tears and hugs followed. I cannot express how completely awesome that moment was.

Olivia was a little awed by the whole experience. She just looked around and took it all in.

Now we are home. Pictures to come, Pam took tons.

A huge thanks to all who met us at the airport. I love you all. Gina

Homeward Bound

We are headed to bed in Hong Kong and headed to the airport in the morning. We will be in St. Louis arriving from Newark at 6:25pm on Thursday evening. Hope to see you at the airport!

Michael, Gina and Olivia

More pictures

The temple where we had Olivia and Zoie blessed.



Babies and Mommies on the red couch.



Mandy and Echo


See below for the latest updates and more pictures!!!

Back in Hong Kong!!!!

Who knew that getting to Hong Kong would be such a relief. It is good in so many ways. The biggest, of course, is that we are almost home. Also, English is common here, I can post to the blog myself, we can read all of the comments, we are familiar with the area, the food is better... I could go on.

We are very thankful that we had time to spend in Olivia's homeland, and we are now very thankful that we are almost home. It has been a grueling two weeks, feeling like we have been going non-stop for the entire time. I have lots of thoughts about the whole experience, but right now, I am really too tired to be coherant about it all. Suffice it to say that everyone in our travel group (except Josh!) is more than ready to be home.

As for the last couple days, Tuesday morning, we went to a temple to have Olivia blessed by a Buddhist monk. It was really neat. Michael, Candi, Josh, Caleb, Zoie, Olivia and I went into the temple, took off our shoes and knelt on the floor while the monk hit on a drum like thing and we offered our wishes for the babies. Afterwards, Michael visited with Mandy, one of our guides while some of the group climbed to the top a tower.


After returning to the hotel, I ran laundry over to the island while Michael got Olivia fed and napping. We then left for the US Consulate at 2:45. The extremely uncermonious ceremony took place, we got our documents and instructions and left. Back to the hotel to change, then to the White Swan for the infamous red couch pictures. Three tired, hot babies trying to pose for pictures!


After pictures, our entire group went for dinner at a Chinese restaurant. We were the only non-Asian people in the place. On the way in, there were lots of things to eat swimming and crawling about. Fortunately, when we walked to our table, Mandy and Echo (our guides) were at the next table. Echo helped us with ordering. Everything was good! I had to not look on the way out!

One of the best parts of our trip was getting to visit with Dong, his niece and nephew, at Susan's Place on Shamain Island. He and his neice staff his store around 14 hours a day and for a small place, he has an amazing amount of stuff. We visited with him every day that we were in Guangzhou, he had our laundry done, and generally made the trip extremely pleasant. I will miss seeing him, but am glad to have met him. We did a lot of shopping in his little store, and I would highly recommend it to others, he is a very kind, fun person. And all you who Olivia will call Grandma and Grandpa - wait till you see what we got from him for you!!!



After saying good-bye to Dong (and some last minute shopping!!!) we headed back to the hotel. Olivia was asleep before we made it to the bridge. She slept while Michael and I packed. This morning, we were out of the hotel room by 8:45. We took a train to Hong Kong and got back to the Holiday Inn Golden Mile a little before two. By the time we got here, Olivia was tired, hungry and wet. We had a cranky baby on our hands. I changed her before we got the bags to the room, then food, then a bottle, then more food when room service arrived. She is now sleeping comfortably on the bed. I hope she stays that way for a couple hours because she really needs a good nap.

This will most likely be our last post while on the trip, although I may try to add a few more photos later. Pray for us on the flight home.

Shopping, Shopping and more Shopping

Well, it is Monday night in Guangzhou already. Where has the time gone the last two days?

We have been busy in one way or another. Saturday night, we went to Shamian Island with Jeff, Amy, Lily and Nick for dinner at Lucy’s then wandered around the island. We stopped off at the White Swan for a practice run at the red couch! The girls did great! Candi has been pretty sick, so her clan couldn’t make the trip.

Sunday morning, Amy and I set out on a hard core shopping trip. Ann, from Red Thread China (see the link to the right), met us at the hotel and took us on a whirlwind shopping trip. First, to a silk market where we got very nice, high quality 2 piece outfits for the girls for 30 RMB and dresses for 18 RMB… and a bunch of other stuff. Then to a t-shirt shop (20 RMB a piece) then to one store for some jade pendants, then to the pearl market. That was quite fun! We were seriously worn out when we were done, walking back to the hotel with our arms full of stuff! Ann negotiated all of the prices for us, and we got really good deals. We paid her for her time, but we saved probably 10 times her cost.

Olivia and Michael stayed home (well, Holiday Inn Shifu is not quite home, but it is becoming all too familiar). Olivia was fussy when she got up and all through breakfast. Her cold was really taking its toll. After waking at 6:30, she was back to sleep by 8:30. She slept until 11:30, then played with Daddy while Mom shopped, then back to sleep from 2:45 until after 5.

She was still a little fussy Sunday night. We went back to the island with Amy and company for dinner at The Cow and Bridge, a Thai place that was very yummy.

Today we did some more shopping. We took Candi to the pearl market. While Olivia was napping, I went to the jade market with our guide, Mandy. This evening, Michael and I walked around several stores on the island. Olivia is definitely feeling better today, but still somewhat congested. Mommy is pretty much over her cold.

Tomorrow is our last full day in Guangzhou. We are going to a Buddhist temple in the morning, then to the US Consulate for the visa ceremony in the afternoon.


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Friday & Saturday Morning

Hello from Guangzhou! No posting yesterday because we were busy most of the day and crashed once we got to the hotel. The day started as usual, with breakfast and playing in the room. Since we were not leaving the hotel until around 3, we relaxed quite a bit, napped some and just generally hung out in the room. Olivia and Mommy both have a cold, Olivia has medicine for hers so she is doing pretty good, but because of the cold, she took a three hour nap yesterday. That was a very good thing because she didn’t have much chance the rest of the day.

Once we left, we went to an office to pick up the passports. They were not ready, so we came back to the hotel and sat in the lobby. Back to the office, then we sat in an outdoor seating area, sweated and waited. Finally they were ready and we got them, hopped back on the bus and made the hour trek to the airport, got checked in and through security. After boarding, Miss Olivia decided she was not so happy and started screaming. Mommy and Daddy tried everything to calm her with little success. After about 5-10 minutes, she fell asleep and slept pretty much until we got to the hotel at round 10:30pm. More food, a little lovin’ and back to sleep with little problem around 11:30.

Oh, for those who have to decide where to stay in Guangzhou - the Holiday Inn Shifu is SUPER nice. The rooms are huge (twice the size of the White Swan) and very upscale. We were amazed when we walked in.

Today, up at 6:37am – Miss Olivia slept in (7 extra minutes) after the late night. Congee and a bottle for breakfast, then up to the room to get ready for the day. We had to go for the cursory medical exam: height, weight, hearing, and generally look her over. I do not know any of the information as it was VERY crowded and noisy and Mandy kept the paperwork. I think she weighs about 21 pounds. Olivia did so much better than I thought she would. They only time she fussed is when we had to lay her down and take her skirt and diaper off.

On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at a couple shops. We were going to borrow one of the free strollers, but it was really nasty, so we went to a different store and bought one for around $13. I feel really strongly about carrying her for the attachment/bonding it allows, but it is so darn hot for her in that carrier that she sweats like crazy. Then, we are in and out of air conditioning and it is no wonder she has a cold.

On the street next to the hotel is a pet market. We walk through it to get to Shamian Island, where all the shops are. It seems that stored in China group together, like one floor of the mall will all be shoe stores, and this whole street is all pet stores. The next two streets are all herbal medicine stores. It is very interesting. We will take some pictures next time through.

After getting back from the morning activities, we tried to feed Olivia some rice cereal and a bottle, which she had no interest in. We ordered room service, and I got some chicken congee for her, which after her not eating the cereal, I figured was a waste. Well, not so. She gobbled it down. Looks like Mommy is going to need to figure out how to make congee in a big way. Olivia is napping now, Daddy went out to try to find some cold medicine for Mommy. I hope he bypasses the herbal shops, I saw snake skins in one of them.

All for now, Gina

Isn't she CUTE ????

Ni Hao from Fuzhou! Baby Olivia is napping and we are hanging out, wanting to wake her up and play with her!! All is well here, despite the wildly hot weather. Sorry for the lack of pictures yesterday, we didn’t take hardly any and none of Olivia.

A HUGE thank you to Julie, a buddy from the Lifelink Yahoo group who cut and pasted the comments to us in an email. It was such a joy for Michael and I to be able to read your thoughts and wishes.

Today we skipped the bottle initially and went straight to the breakfast buffet. Olivia ate scrambled eggs, watermelon, noodles and a little congee. After us feeding her for at least 45 minutes, we took a little break, then I offered her a bottle which she finished in 5 minutes flat. Have I mentioned that this girl can eat?

I took two of the pictures in this post after breakfast – such a happy baby! We then went to a Fujianese history museum which was very interesting, which is where we took the other picture. We asked our driver if we could see some rural areas, so he took us on a little tour slightly outside the city. Not exactly what we were thinking, but great considering the size of Fuzhou. We unexpectedly stopped at a little outdoor shopping area, which was really neat. Definitely a local market.

We are starting to get a little home sick, and we are definitely tired of Fuzhou. I am sure it is a fine place, but our hotel is not close to much of interest except a beautiful park, and even if it were, it is so, so hot that you just can’t be out for a really long time.

Even still, Olivia does great. She seems to like the carrier and will spend several hours in it with no problem. She slept well last night, stayed in her bed all night long.

Thanks so much for your comments! Gina

A Few Things We Know About Olivia

We had a rougher night last night. Olivia woke up crying sometime in
the middle of the night. We changed her, cursed the sleepers with snaps, then
laid her in bed between us. It was like sleeping with a sack of snakes, really big,
squirmy snakes. We all slept in fits the rest of the night, and got up for
good at 6:30.
We tried rice cereal first for breakfast, which was not all that warmly received. We popped a bottle in and she sucked that right down, then back to the cereal and finished it. After Mommy got showered, we went down for breakfast and ate some congee (it is over-boiled rice, it looks like rice floating in thin glue, and tastes similar) with corn and some scrambled eggs.

Today's agenda consisted of shopping at a craft market and a tea
ceremony. Both were great. There was so much beautiful stuff at the market, but lots of it was very pricy, and very big, which is still an issue as we have one more
in country flight. The tea ceremony was cool, took some video there and bought some tea.

Back to the title of the post - I know when I have read blogs over the
years of China adoptive parents, I cared WAY more about hearing about the baby then all the other stuff so hear goes.

Olivia wakes up happy - it is always so much fun. She loves to jump.
She isn't crawling, but is really wanting to. She rolls like crazy, when asleep
or awake.
The 9 month Carter's sleepers with the zipper fit perfectly. Some 12 month
clothes are a little too big. We really like the sleepers with the zippers.

She likes to keep an eye on both of us, but does not fuss when one of
us is gone for a while. She is equally happy playing with either one of us. She makes great eye contact when playing, eating, or just hanging out. She really seeks
it out it seems.

She has fallen asleep twice in the Hip Panda carrier. While she gets
hot in it, she seems to be very comfortable in it.

Thank goodness I threw a bowl and a couple spoons in at the last minute. They
have been well used to feed her cereal. She really is a great eater.
I forgot to try the banana today. Maybe tomorrow.

She likes all of the toys I packed and will play with just about
anything. She and Daddy played with an empty 4.5 litre water bottle for 30 minutes today.

She has two or three Mongolian spots. They are dark spots that look like
bruises. For sure one on her leg, one on the top of her foot, and
probably one on her little bottom.

She rubs her eyes when she is tired. She sticks her fingers in her mouth when
she is hungry or tired. She will suck on a blanket, shirt or even an arm when
she is tired.

I can't wait to get the chance to read all the comments. Love to all, a huge
thanks to mom for posting all of this for me everyday.

Gina, Michael and Olivia