Christmas

We were playing outside one day, trying to keep ourselves awake so we can get back on this time zone. We are all so jet legged. I can't seem to stay awake past 7:30. Miss Diva and weeman seem to be doing better then us old folks.

Weeman loves outside, he isn't so sure about all the clothing he is wearing and he isn't a fan of hats. He is so short, he is about 2 inches shorter than what Miss Diva was coming home but his temper sure makes up for it.

I think he was a little spoiled in china. If we tell him he needs to come or wait a sec or if his water is all gone, he squeezes his fists and starts shaking.

He is doing very well. He is eating well and every night, sleeping is getting better. Most night though, he cries for mama in his sleep and pulls on the blankets and cries. My heart is so bruised and broken, that I cry for him. He misses Zhangjiagang CWI, he was their treasure and I know he is greatly missed there.

We had all our decorations and wrapping done before we left. It just doesn't seem like Christmas this year. In China, they don't celebrate Christmas, so the built up to the big day was missing. Coming home to no snow hasn't help and we are to tired to enjoy going anywhere.

We had a quite day home with just the four of us and it was nice to take our time and open presents. Weeman got it quickly and was so happy with his new toys.

Miss Diva was very excited about Santa coming. She could hardly wait to leave cookies and milk and go to bed.

 




One of my daycare parents delivered this arrangement for us. it's so nice to have people think of you. In my field, most people seem greedy or something. Drives me a little crazy somedays.

I think this is beautiful!

 
 
 

 The kids stockings. I couldn't find a stocking to make with Miss Diva's M on it, so I got Y for Yan Yan. her Chinese nickname.


She was so excited to see that santa had already been to our house and he knew that she loves hello Kitty.

 

 He opened this stuffed monster, and smiled and cuddled it. He is so sweet, I am so glad we get to parent him.

                                        She was thrilled to get Frozen jewelry

                        playing on his computer.....he played with this for almost an hour

 She loves pete the cat, so we got her the puzzle. She was excited to see this and asked if we could buy some books sometime.

 

Our Babies.....Wang Feng Yan (Madisyn Feng Yan )

       Zhang Yi Hui (Dru Yi Hui)

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!!!!

Home!

The flight from Beijing to Toronto was a little stressful, weeman doesn't sleep in one spot. He's like a fish out of water, so trying to sleep in our arms wasn't exactly comfortable for him.

Madisyn did wonderful. She did tell me, as we were walking towards immigration at the airport, that her legs felt wobbly. Again, this little girl is amazing. She is such a trooper and never ceases to amaze me. I love this little girl more and more everyday.

So, we found our limo, and was home within and hour. We let the kids play, had a bit to eat , but them in the tub got ready and we all went to bed. We were all awake by 5. I was awake by 3. Jet leg is not my friend!

We are happy to be home. We will laying low and will let people know when we are up to visitors.

On our way to the airport...

Our family will be heading to the airport shortly to welcome the Schraud family home. We cannot wait to meet Dru in person and give them all great big hugs!

I will try and post a few pictures when we get home tonight.

Jan :)

Shopping and Peking Duck Dinner

Today was a very relaxing day, we did some shopping and took naps. Dru and I took a 3 hour nap this afternoon while daddy and Madisyn played games.
 
In the evening, we went for peking duck dinner with our guide and the other family. We are all very excited to be getting on the plane tomorrow. Tonight I was talking to Dru about going home tomorrow and I could see the confused look. I cannot wait to be home. This trip was hard, tiring and emotionally exhausting.
 
 
em

Pearl Market and New Day Foster Home

Today we went shopping at The Pearl market. I got pearls for me and Madisyn and lots of other things. It was fun! I was going to buy Dru his Jade zodiac sign but Zhangjiagang CWI gave him one. I am still in awe of this place. If there is anyone reading this blog that considering adoption, there is a little girl there waiting for a family. She is well cared for.
 
After the pearl market, Jason and I hired a driver to take us to New Day Foster Home, just outside Beijing. When we arrived, we were greeted by a gentlemen that works there. Then we waited only to find out the little guy we sponsored for Christmas was returned to his orphanage on Inner Mongolia. I was disappointed. Although, I did get to see some of the children. They were playing outside and having fun. We've been asked not to use names or post pictures. This is an amazing facility and we got to meet some of the people that work there and some of the famous little people I follow on the blog.
 
So, there are just 2 sleeps and we will be on our way home. Dru is really struggling. He is not doing well with being in small spaces for a long time and cries, screams and hits when he cannot run around and play. We are in for a very fun plane ride home.
 
I am struggling with being away from home. I am so ready to come home. I've had enough of eggs, bacon and watermelon for breakfast. I am tired of doing laundry by hand in the tub. I am tired of living in a hotel and out of a suitcase. I am really struggling with not getting any video of the moment we received Dru......I am so sad...so very very sad. I want to come home and get into a new routine.
 
Missing my bed and pillow! See you soon
 
Em 

Emotional breakfast...

As an adoptive parent, adopting a child from any circumstances is a huge leap of faith. Adopting a child from a different country is even a bigger leap of faith. 
 
Myself, I have struggled with, "Is this the right decision" for our family. We've had some negative comments by family when we told them. I don't usually care about what people think but I thought family would be supportive. Anyway, I prayed and asked God to show me that we are in the right place. Show me that this is what I am suppose to be doing and everything is going to be okay. Just needed confirmation!
 
So, sitting at breakfast, our family was doing our thing in the restaurant, just eating breakfast,minding our own business. Near the end, we were getting ready to leave and Jason said to me, " I would like to finish my coffee." I said okay and proceeded to sit and enjoy the view out the window.
 
An Asian man, maybe mid 40's approached our table, shook Jason's hand and said" Thank you for making my day with your beautiful family. My blessings." Then he walked away. 
 
I asked Jason if that was the man from the couple he was talking to in the elevator earlier. Nope, didn't have any idea who this was and have not seen him since! I burst into tears and so did Jason. This type of stuff restores your faith in humanity.
 
Confirmation is sweet and sometimes emotional. God is Good!

Hutong Tour and the Acrobatic show

Today was a fun day. We got to do a fun tour through a Hutong. It was a different tour to see how they live in little compound like settings. It was very interesting to see how the family unit is set up and who lives where. 

The furniture and the wood was amazing! 

It was bitter cold! There is no snow here, but it is very cold. The wind is high and very very cold. I was layered with a snowsuit, hats mittens, hood, winter boots and I was just about frozen. Dru was asleep on me the entire tour. I am assuming he was warm.

In the afternoon, we went to see a acrobatic show. I was a little nervous. Dru doesn't do well, setting for long periods of time. I brought a backpack full of tricks but they were not needed. He was so into the dancing and the bikes, that he kept pushing my hands if they came close to his face. He wanted to see what was happening! he loved it!

Later that evening, me, Jason and the kids, along with Kaspars, Mary and their daughter enjoyed a nice dinner at the steakhouse to celebrate.

2 more sleeps and we will be on our way home. I can't wait until I sleep with my pillow!lol

Em  

How we are doing...

We are receiving a lot of emails asking us how we are doing. Thank you to everyone who is thinking of us!  I will tell everyone how we are doing. The things we struggle with are very little compared to what I see the other families struggle with.

Jason seems to have issues with the quality of air here. He is constantly sneezing and his nose is always running. This is very abnormal for him. He is usually a very healthy person. He also seems to struggle with body temperature, getting cold more easily. This is the same in Canada since he has lost his weight. 

Emily is really struggling with the time change. I constantly feel disoriented and dizzy and sometimes lose my balance. I don't remember feeling this way with Madisyn. I also struggle with the air quality. My asthma is really bad but has gotten better here in Beijing where smoking is not permitted in the restaurants and hotels. I know I have lost weight. Some of the pants I have are now huge. I am eating but different foods and carrying Dru is a workout. I am struggling with our guide. She has only been with SWAN travel services for 2 years and very inexperienced. She didn't show up at the airport when we arrived from Jiangsu but sent someone else. Monday, on our tour to the The Great Wall, we ended up stopping at the Jade Factory but she didn't tell us we were stopping there. Of course, none of us had enough cash to buy anything. I was MAD. She is kind of like our guide in Hohhot: good with paperwork, but that's about it. I am struggling with unfamiliar surroundings and missing home a little. 

Madisyn, she had a little bit of a hard time adjusting to Dru. I was totally expecting this! They were giggling one night in bed together. Getting each other going and I could see a bond starting. After that night, I was being asked if she could help feed him. She plays with him and gives him good night kisses. It's the cutest thing ever. She to is really struggling with the air quality and her asthma is not good. She sounds so congested and has a very wet cough. She is struggling with some of the smells here. The other family's daughter is about her age, so they play well together, even though they cannot communicate with words. Overall, she is doing very well.

Dru is doing okay. He did a lot of grieving, which was happening when he was sleeping. He was crying out and pulling on the blankets and rubbing his head. He is still doing this but a lot less. Last night, he was doing it and calling for mama. This really breaks my heart. He is doing well in our family. He loves to copy his older sister. He loves food. He loves playing outside and his toy cars. He likes both me and Jason and will go with either one of us. He goes to sleep soon after he drinks his bottle at night and sleeps until 6am. He is doing better than I expected.

Overall, we are adjusting to being a family of 4 really well. I have been asked if we will adopt a third, and the answer is NO! Unless I win the lottery and win big and I don't ever have to work. Will I return to China...absolutely! This is my kids homeland and they need to be proud, just as I am of Canada. 

We are anxiously waiting to get the plane ride and come home. Please pray for us...Dru does not do will being confined to small spaces and screams. He did this on the plane ride from Nanjing to Beijing. I think meds will be administered before take off...lol

see everyone soon
Em

SOS Medical Clinic and The Great Wall of China

 So, today we were busy! Up and out of our room by 6:45 to have breakfast and go to the SOS clinic to the medical. Dru loves being outside, so every time he sees me grab the carrier, he knows we are going somewhere. But be ready to walk out the door as soon as you pick it up. He will scream until he is in it and out the door. 

We quickly ate breakfast and was on the bus and off to the clinic. The medical doctor was from Montreal, and oh so sweet. Nice to be able to chat about home for a few minutes. When we first walked into the room, she asked if Dru was a special needs baby. She could not see his repairs. Then she looked closer and saw, especially inside his mouth. She said whoever did his lip repair did an amazing job, as she thought he was a non special needs little peanut. He was not a happy camper with everyone looking into his mouth. I literally had to hold him down so she could examine him. He was kicking and screaming, and wow, is he ever strong. Good for attachment! NOT! The pictures will tell how upset he was. You can see the little tears rolling down his cheeks. It breaks my heart to have to do this.

So he is well but has medication for a infection on his chest. I knew that receiving him in Nanjing. Wasn't a surprise. What was a surprise was the medical bill after. Holy smokes! 

After we were done, we were all bundled up and of to the great wall. This places is oh so beautiful and it's just amazing. It was very windy and cold. I was so glad we packed hat, mittens, wind pants and had layered Dru well. We climbed the wall, did our lock, and took video and wonderful pictures. 

-so funny to not him locked in a car seat but sleeping 

-the jade factory.......the huge boat!