We left our hotel in Beijing at 6a.m. to head for the airport. The luggage weight restriction for the two of us was 88 pounds. hmmmm 149 pounds is just a wee bit over. One of our wonderful guides, Cindy, was able to sweet talk her way out of any fees. We have one more reason to love Cindy. We were the only Americans on the flight to Changsha which was a 2 hour flight. Steve and I were taken back by how much their 'norm' is to push your way through the line. We were somewhere in the middle of the group to line up to get onto our flight but cracked up as we ended up being almost the last ones on. It was easy to give each other 'looks' as we are easily a head higher than most people.
The flight was delayed about an hour and we worried about meeting our next guide, Vicky. However, she was looking for us as we got through baggage and got us back to the hotel and checked in with no problems. She said in this province in 2006 they did 2000 adoptions but last year only a little more than 300. Due to prosperity more people are able to pay the taxes to have children(who live in the city) and the families in the rural areas are allowed to have a second child if their first is a daughter. They have to wait 4 years between children, however. Ironic how in the U.S. we get a tax credit to have children and in China you have to pay taxes!
She continued to prepare us for tomorrow. We are the only ones adopting at our appointment time but about 10 other families are adopting sometime tomorrow. The other families in our group have all gone to different provinces. We will meet them Friday night when we all meet in Guangzhou for the last part of the process. We hope we meet the families adopting here as we are feeling rather isolated being the only Americans anywhere in sight. We have been told to bring a sweet juice as he will probably be thirsty, cheerios as they are the universal food for toddlers, a toy for distraction, and tissues. We wonder whether they are for him or for us???
Liam will be picked up tomorrow morning by the orphanage director (don't know if he has ever met her) and one of the ayis(nanny). They will then travel 2.5 hours to Changsha where he will have to get his passport picture before coming to meet us. We are scheduled to meet him tomorrow, Monday at 10:30 a.m. local time (9:30 p.m. St. Louis time Sunday).
Vicky told us the language in this province is very challenging as there are about 6 dialects. Some words are close in each dialect but some are not. This part cracked me up (not Steve so much). Baba is the word for father. You have to say it with a high inflection. The word for poo poo is also Baba but said with a low inflection. Liam is in the middle of potty training. This should prove interesting.
We are loving reading your comments. It really helps us feel connected to all of you.
One of our two guides in Beijing, Cindy
Our hotel room in Changsha with a crib already set up. This is really happening
Good Luck tomorrow...we were in your shoes ten months ago.
ReplyDeleteOur daughter, Lou Juan, remembers your son Liam. She saw his picture and said "I've met him!". She is 12 years old now, and doing well. We have maintained connections with two children she knew in Loudi, and this has helped her.
Best wishes in the days to come. Feel free to email me anytime, if you think it would be helpful.
Allison Blackham blackham@pacbell.net
Good luck! We are enjoying following your journey! My husband and I just brought our son home from Loudi in December. He was in foster care, but he seemed to know the orphanage representatives. They apparently visited him every week or two. I'm assuming your Vicky is the same Vicky we met there, and she was fantastic! And we loved the playroom in the hotel in Changsha. We spent many hours wearing our son, Louis, out on the slide there. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely cracking up about the Baba-baba issue. I just can't wait to hear how THAT goes. I'll be praying you all right on through the night tonight(your Monday!) Can't wait to read your next post!!!!!!
ReplyDeletehey mommy and daddy,
ReplyDeletewe ran into the Maneage's at the grocery store and when i told him jetlag hadn't really bothered you he was amazed. So i guess it finally hit in well hopefully you will be so busy with Liam that you won't even think about it. I was so sad when i read the part about the number of adoptions going down so much that is trully so sad. Well we had a great time with the family today and they all can't wait to bring giant signs to the airport for sweet little Liam. Todd asked Mark if he wanted to go to the airport and he was like yeah i sure do want 2 see my coucin Liam I thought it was really cute. But anyway I can't even imagine the emotions your feeling at this moment because I can hardly contain myself. I just sit at the computer waiting for the next update I know athetic right but I love u guys and miss u so much and can't wait to meet my little brother through skype. We will continue praying for a smooth transition for everyone. We can't wait to talk to u tonight right before u leave to meet Liam.
Love u times infinity,
Lauren
It's time...No more words...just a whole lot of love and prayers...(((HUG)))
ReplyDeleteAs the time approaches for you to have Liam in your arms for the first time, I will be in prayer for you all! I have butterflies thinking about it!
ReplyDeleteMuch love,
Colleen
As I am typing this, you guys are getting ready to meet little Liam. I can't imagine what you must be feeling. I have goosebumps reading about your journey!!
ReplyDeleteKelly, Dennis, and Alaina