It's official we have a new little son! The actual gotcha was one of the most dramatic ones we've experienced - pulling up in the van we saw Ian and his SWI worker walking across our path. Benj and I couldn't get out of the van fast enough - there he is! Our guide looked at me like I was crazy, how did I know? Ah, duh, because he looked just like the pictures we've been staring at for months!
Benj offered him his back pack. He wouldn't look at us, went limp and was absolutely scared to death. Taking cues from the past and what was happening around us neither Daddy nor I tried to pick him up. We let Benj offer toys from the back pack, let him warm up and then within minutes he was in Daddy's arms without screaming or crying. There were three other families there - one French, one from Spain (not sure), and one other American. Our guide was pushing fast and furious to get the papers signed, get it through efficiently and oh by the way, let's sign it all today. She had a system of me signing it all first then Bill so it went even smoother. For the first time in awhile we had a guide who really knew her stuff. And all this despite the fact we were the first ones through a new process in this province. Of course we were the first ones through! So far, though, I think it went really smoothly. We've got everything except the passport which we hope to have tomorrow, Thursday, here.
The office was really small. All the families had their own guides, SWI staff, drivers etc. Add to it the loud menacing storm outside and it was drama all around. Loud thunder undoing some of the kiddos, screaming and crying from kiddos who didn't want to be held by these new parents and grabbing for nannies as they departed. Benj almost lost it several times, trying not to cry. He was anxious and stressed. When we returned again the next day to finalize all the documents it was much calmer. The newly adopted little ones were toddling around happy, drinks or snacks and toys in hand. So many of the older workers just smiled in amazement at how they took to their new parents.
Benj was getting sticky stuff on him...he then discovered why - rat traps! He actually got stuck on one - poor guy! We laughed pretty hard at that one saying there must be rats the size of Benj in that office :)
When it was time for the Wen Shan staff to depart Ian didn't flinch or cry. No love loss there. He clearly only really knew his foster mother. He still looks at her picture daily and says mama. We feel lucky to have that picture. No baby pictures to be given to us, though...ugh, so upset about that. Even his finding ad was from when he was about two years old, not a baby.
Within the first 24 hours he is calling us Mama and Ba - asking us to hold him, asking to get up in our arms, snuggling in, loves being tickled and wrestling on the bed. He is really adjusting pretty darn good!! Only sobbed to sleep that first night and now is falling asleep quickly for nap and night time.
He is all boy -the rougher the better. Went nuts over the ride on cars and toy trucks and tanks in the store yesterday. He knew to start throwing a fit to try and get what he wanted, hmmm, not good! He reminds me of MH bc he gets soo excited when we go to eat in the hotel restaurant. He is great at walking along with us holding hands. When we carry him we have to be really careful b/c his leg that has the metal bar definitely hurts from time to time. He loves Benj and really watches and imitates what he does. He is already repeating several words we have and babbling away in Chinese all the time... even singing as he walks along! I keep saying this older kiddo thing is so easy - he likes to do things himself but also loves our help.
There are some things that aren't so thrilling though...all the unanswered questions. He has marks all over his body and when we asked the staff said they had no idea of them. No worries, I showed them. The answer was as ridiculous as you can imagine - oh, he has sensitive skin. He itched. Really? The area between his shoulder blades he itched? And so many questions about why we can't get pictures of him from the last three years? I'm sure that someone snapped a picture in the first 12 months. It is maddening knowing that what we're being told is either half truth for flat lie. and out of respect we must just smile and say "ok."
This area of China is really unique. Lots of Aussies here! So green and much fresher air than other places we've been. The park near our hotel is having "Lotus Festival" with huge lotus plants and flowers covering parts of the lake - they are awesome!! Along the leaves and roots Benj spotted a rat - there is something with him and these local rodents! Today is our free day. Tomorrow we're going to some tourist place to see first hand many different ethnic minorities. Benj is hitting his wall with all the walking. He was in tears by the time we got to dinner last night. He is trying the food but we can tell he'd give his soul for a Skyline three way right now :) The food here is really spicy - even Daddy hit a limit which is really hot!
Ian does not like the bath or sitting in the tub - but he needed it last night so we battled through the screaming and tears to get that hair scrubbed. He thinks if he whines he will get what he wants - oh boy, he has a lot to learn in our family :) For now lots of redirecting to divert his attention!
He goes to the potty ALL THE TIME! He is potty trained and asks to go about every 45 minutes or more. We think he likes washing his hands more than anything - ah, a boy after my heart!
His cleft is REALLY wide...I'm a little scared of what they will say about that. Between that and his leg I think he's got some big battles ahead. But with how quickly he is trusting and bonding to us I think he will overcome what lies ahead medically. I just can't wait for Dr. Staat, our international doc, to get her hands on him...so many questions!!
So two more days here and then we're off. Daddy is shopping for a carrier or stroller to help him navigate the airports. The guide kept telling us, no, you don't need that. Until I finally pointed, yes, he will need some help navigating the airport solo. Luckily there is only one lay over on the way home and it is quick.
So overall adoption part is going really well! He is just going with the flow and our paper work seems to have gone smoothly as well. Some days get a little long here but hopefully hotter weather in the next city will help pass the time with swimming for the boys...
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