Nanning January 28-February 2, 2007
January 28th, 2007
We couldn't believe that we were actually on our way to Nanning. It seemed surreal to us that in one more day we would be meeting our daughter for the first time. As our luck would have, there were no direct flights from Guilin to Nanning (both cities are in the same province). So, we were able to visit another province and spend our lay over time in the airport first class lounge... thank you to Priority Pass for making our time more comfortable. We managed to pass the time catching up on some email and chatting with a man from Montreal, who now works in China.
When we finally touched down in Nanning... our only concern was that all of our luggage made it through, and thankfully it did. We met our driver in the airport and were off to our hotel. We are staying in a very famous hotel... as Chairman Mao once stayed here. Our room was positively huge... we have two sitting rooms, an office, two bathrooms, two walk-in closets, and a huge bedroom. Everything seems more real now, as Addison's crib is next to the bed. Some quick unpacking and our first meeting with Professor Wu, our guide. Then off to dinner and to bed... with a lot of difficulty sleeping.
January 29th, 2007
The day had finally arrived... we would be meeting our daughter for the first time at 1500. We had a half a day to live through before we would get a chance to meet her. It is hard to believe that the process has taken almost 2 years... Our group made an emergency trip to Wal-Mart to purchase some last minute items for the babies and the orphanage.
At 1430, we met with Professor Wu and the other members of our group... to go to the Provincial Adoption Center. At 1500, an official from the Provincial Adoption Authority came in and asked if we still wanted to adopt these babies... then our babies were brought in to us one by one.
First Kaitlyn met her Mom and Dad, Mike and Kara-Lynn. At this point, we were all in tears. Anxiously waiting to see who would be coming next.
Then, Georgia met her Mom (Jamie), brother Phil, and Grandma Sue.
Finally, around the corner, we could see Addison... in her purple sweater and red pants. Words can't describe the feelings we felt the first time we saw our daughter in person. Finally, when she was handed to us for the first time... we were overcome with tears and emotion. Mom and Dad were taking photos and videoing the entire event, having our own personal photographer and videographer was a huge asset. Addison put her arms around us and didn't make a sound. She smiled and laughed as we all held her and kissed her. This was the moment that we had all been waiting for. Our beautiful daughter was finally in our arms. It was incredible, in a split second... we were parents and my parents had a second granddaughter!
A few more formalities and we on our way back to the hotel. We were all surprised at how bright and well she was adapting to us. However, being a typical nurse, I wanted to give her a thorough assessment. But first, a bottle and a change of clothes as she was sweating profusely in the layers of clothes that she had on. We were surprised how interactive she was with us so quickly. She immediately crawled around on the bed in the hotel room and started talking. We had only an hour of time alone before we had to move on with the next phase of our journey...
We were off to fill out more paperwork. We needed to sign and complete all of the papers to complete the adoption... all complete with red thumb-prints for us. Finally, we waited in our room to meet with the pediatrician. We were all concerned about Addison's runny nose and rattley chest (typical nurse)... but of course we were prepared, with an arsenal of stuff to take care of her. Bathing her and getting her ready for bed was easy... she loves the bath tub and giggles and splashes around, until bath time is over. We soon realized that she wouldn't lie down because she wasn't feeling well. We are certain that she is teething and know that she has a cold. Trying to lie her flat was a challenge as she sniffled and coughed.;, she screamed and cried, working herself up into a frenzy. Several hours of walking around, rolling in the stroller, and finally propping her up in the crib on several pillows and she finally fell asleep. It was room service for us and then off to sleep. Which was interesting for the first time... every time that Addison made a whimper or coughed, we were both up checking on her. A new experience for us as we usually go to bed and sleep until morning.
January 30th, 2007
Today, we went back to the Provincial Adoption Center and signed some more paperwork. We could hear the other babies crying while they were in with their parents to complete the adoption process. For us, it was easy, more fingerprints to accompany signatures for us, a red footprint for Addison... and she is now officially our daughter. We promised to never abandon our daughter and to always love her... which was an easy promise to make.
Prior to travel, our group tried to send gifts to the girls in the orphanage... however the package never arrived, due to several bureaucratic issues. We can replace all of the items that we sent... however, we all sent disposable cameras in the hopes that we could have pictures taken of our girls while they were waiting for us. At this time, our package remains in Guangzhou... with UPS and we are hoping that the items inside find their way to a needy family or orphanage. We had more pictures taken with a very teary Orphanage Director, Mrs. Liao, and received a photo album containing pictures of Addison taken while she was in foster care. The photo album is the best gift that we could have received. We were all very surprised and grateful for being able to have a glimpse into our daughter's lives before we arrived.
The rest of the afternoon was for rest and getting to know each other and of course shopping!
January 31st, 2007
We survived another night... Addison is not settling to sleep very well. Every time we try to put her to sleep, she cries and cries and nothing settles her. But, she wakes up all smiles and giggles which makes everything worth while. Sometimes, she falls asleep with her head on our shoulders and we just melt.
Today, we had a site seeing trip around Nanning. We visited the People's Square Park and the Nanning Museum, which is home to several Bronze Drums. We had a great day, walking in the park. Everyone was smiling at Addison. She had several new 'Grandmas' holding her and dancing around with her. It was wonderful to see the smile on her face as she flirted with all of the people we met.
We spent some time at the museum and walking around the gardens there. Professor Wu keeps stressing to all of us the importance of taking our girls outside so that they get some Vitamin D! Luckily, Addison loves being outdoors... she only fusses when it is time to go to bed.
Tonight, we had a quiet dinner at the restaurant next door to our hotel, with Professor Wu. Mom, Dad, and Professor Wu walked up to the windows and looked at the picture menus. This was our first trip to a Chinese restaurant with Addison. We learned that she liked to eat with chopsticks. Thus far, she has been eating everything that we offer her... but when we started to feed her with chopsticks, she appeared to eat even more. Who would have believed, she would eat tofu and noodles... now we just need to work on feeding her rice and noodles with chopsticks, without dropping too much on her. This was a wonderful opportunity for us to spend time with Professor Wu and learn about him.
February 1st, 2007
Today was a very long and busy day. It was our chance to go to the city where Addison lived until last Monday, We all got on the bus and left for our road trip. Things were going very well, all of the girls had a nap on the bus. Then.... the bus broke down. Two hours on the side of a highway in Guangxi and nobody stopped to help. We called the orphanage director and she came to the rescue to transport us to Guigang... the city where Addison was born. While we were waiting for our new ride, we moved everything off of the bus... we looked like a group of backpackers trying to hitch-hike.
We finally made it to Guigang. Our first stop was lunch and then an appliance store. We learned that the orphanage needed a washing machine and an air conditioner... we were only too happy to help. We were all thinking of the children who are still waiting for their forever family to come for them. The orphanage is home to 80 children at any given time. The healthy children are fostered out to families who take care of them until their forever family comes to get them. The special needs children remain in the orphanage... sometimes they are adopted and other times they live there permanently.
We made a couple of other stops to see where our children were found and then we returned to our hotel... for round 4 of our attempts to get Addison to sleep.
February 2nd, 2007
Today was a free day for us... with the hopes of getting Addison on some sort of sleep routine. So, we managed to sneak in a morning nap... some afternoon shopping, and then an afternoon nap. Then it was a night of celebration and goodbyes. We attended a celebration dinner at a restaurant attached to the hotel. Another opportunity for Roast Duck!! It was an opportunity for food, pictures, and celebration. It was also our last night with Professor Wu and our chance to thank him for everything that he had done for us in Nanning. We enjoyed excellent food, drinks, and company.
February 3rd, 2007
Today was a difficult day for us as we said goodbye to Professor Wu. Since arriving in Nanning, we had been with Professor Wu daily... he was responsible for coordinating all of our important activities. He was so helpful with all of our girls. When Professor Wu clapped his hands and smiled, Addison would laugh and reach out for him. He was an important part of our lives during this stage of our trip and it was very sad for us to be leaving him.
We left for Beijing... and Addison's first time on a plane. With all of the trouble that we have had settling her, we were all a little bit concerned about how she would do on the plane. To our surprise, she slept almost the entire way. Addison then spent the last 40 minutes on the plane entertaining everyone around her. Everyone seated around us wanted to make her smile and hold her. It was a nice way to end our time in Nanning...
Please send us an email at daleandheather@shaw.ca
