Medical and Visa Day

Originally Posted September 27, 2005

Today was fun. Emma Grace had her Visa photo taken....no smile....kind of a deer in the headlight look. Then we walked to the other end of the island and had her medical exam. Now that was great fun!! She weighs 17 lbs...she is not the smallest in the group..but she is so petite. She did not like the doctors poking and prodding. Very simple exam....they looked in her ears....with the naked eye. What are they looking for? Ear wax? They certainly couldn't tell if she had an ear infection. Then they shook some different rattles and played some notes on a toy piano to check her hearing.

Scientific Method???

By this time, of course, she was screaming. The nurse was like Nurse Cratchit. She said.."oh, stubborn girl, good lungs." We laughed...the nurse did not.

You can stop now...

Jason took Emma Grace back to the hotel and put her down for a nap and I went shopping some more. I can really get used to bargaining. Why don't we do that in the US? We are really enjoying our stay in Guangzhou, but are so homesick.

We had a tough night last night with little Miss Temper Tantrum. Everyone has told us it gets better when you get home.She is doing wonderfully though overall. We just love to wake up everyday and look at her sleeping. She is so funny though....regular just like daddy. First thing every morning....poopy diaper. She is an eater too. Every time we go to Lucy's for lunch or dinner, we have to order 2 bowls of mashed potatoes for her. She loves them.

All better now

Someone asked what squeaky shoes were. They are so cute. They have little squeaky things in the heel. So when the child walks, they squeak. Granted, Emma Grace isn't walking yet, so we think they are cute. Ask me again in a few weeks.That's all for now....more shopping to finish up. See everyone in a few days. The countdown is beginning.

Love from China,Jason, Denise and Emma Grace

Shop, Shop, Shop!!

Originally posted September 25/26, 2005

Today we started out with a wonderful buffet breakfast. Breakfast has turned out to be the best meal of the day here. We love Chinese food, but are ready for the American version of Chinese.We went to church this morning at the Shamian Island Christ Church. It was such an experience. There was probably 200 people there.....and only about 50 were Americans. The rest was Chinese. They sang songs in English and Chinese. The had an English translator and they had a short sermon. It was really neat that even though our language is so different, we can still come together to worship God. Emma Grace slept through most of the service and ate Cheerios for the last part. Her first and last church service in China.

It started raining, so I took her and put her down for a nap...not as easy as it sounds. She took a bottle and then screamed and cried. We rocked, we patted, we sang....she was not going down. Finally, I put her in the stroller and we made about 15 laps around the 6th floor and she was out....slept for 2 hours...in the stroller.

Jason stayed with her and I went shopping. Got some really cute dresses and several Chinese outfits. We got about 5 pairs of squeaky shoes. Her foot is so small and narrow that they don't have a small enough size for her right now...but maybe by spring.

We went to eat at the Riverview Restaurant for dinner. We were told they had American food...I don't know what part of America they are thinking. The had chicken feet, pig intestines....etc....We ordered spring rolls...pretty safe.....they said they were out of them. So....after we had gotten Emma Grace in the highchair....all settled and started feeding her...we had to repack everything and we left. Headed to Lucy's for dinner then and had quesadillas and a cheeseburger...much better.I can not wait to get home....I want a Subway sandwich and a big ole fat salad. Oh the comforts of home.

One more thing..Emma Grace is really attached to us now...today different people would try to take her and she would just cry and reach for us. So sweet and so amazing how much she has changed in just one week.....seems like she has been with us forever. She is really starting to show her temper though. If she wants it, you better give it to her right then....oh...Lord....a "mini-me".

Love and miss everyone.....Jason, Denise and Emma Grace

Hallelujah, Hallelujah!!

Originally posted September 24, 2005

Hallelujah, Hallelujah......Can you hear the angels singing??? Emma Grace slept 10 hours last night and didn't wake up during the night. We had to wake her for breakfast. Lets hope she keeps that up. This morning we left Nanchang headed to Guangzhou. Emma Grace did wonderful on the flight. She played and ate and of course...nothing like changing a diaper mid-air...in our laps. We are so close to home now. Guangzhou is beautiful and so Americanized. Everyone who adopts a baby in China has to come to Guangzhou. We have to take our adoption oath at the American Consulate. We will also get Emma Grace's visa and medical appointment. Then head to Tennessee.

1st plane ride

Brand New Carry On

We are staying at The White Swan Hotel. Talk about 5 star....tonight a lady came to the door and asked if she could turn down our bed. Then she put chocolate on the pillows. We are receiving the royal treatment here. Tonight, Jason went to the 7-11 to get some drinks and baby food. While he was in there, he was propositioned by a Chinese woman....lets just say, she was very interested in tall American man. He was so flustered when he got back...he forgot the baby food.

Sunset in Guangzhou

Tomorrow is a free day and we plan on doing some serious shopping. Guangzhou caters to adoptive families and there is so much here to buy. Emma Grace isn't walking yet, but we are getting some squeaky shoes for when she starts.

Love,

Jason, Denise & Emma Grace

Last Day in Nanchang

Originally posted September 23, 2005

Today was our last full day in Nanchang. We took advantage of the nice weather and got out and shopped with the locals. We finally tried out the stroller and walked through the city to the pedestrian walkway. Oh, the sights you can see walking the streets of China. For those of you who don't know....the young Chinese children wear split pants....no diaper. Just "flesh" hanging out....when they have to go, they just squat....wherever they are.....Walmart, the street...etc. We caused quite a commotion walking around. People pointing and staring at Emma Grace. Every time I would walk into a store, I would come back out to find Jason mobbed by a crowd of people. They were all very nice. They are so happy for Emma Grace to have a family. Especially when you tell them you are from America. One lady walked with us for several minutes talking to us in broken English. She told us to come back to China sometime. We told her we would most definitely try...Emma Grace needs a sister. One man chased us down and gave Emma Grace a rose....and another one gave her a inflatable Snoopy toy. She is quite the little attention getter. Jason made the comment that just 5 days ago she was the last thing on these people's minds....now they all want to love on her.

Sweet Girl

We had McDonald's again....it was so good....better than McDonald's at home....or maybe it is all in my head. Did I mention we are ready to come home???

New Friend...Ronald McDonald

We got Emma Grace's passport today. It is so nice to know that we have one more thing done and are another step closer to her being home. She is absolutely amazing. We have been so amazed at the changes she has made just since Sunday. She is totally bonded with both of us. She is such a joy. I don't think we ever imagined how much we could ever love her. Oh....another big event....she said Momma tonight. She has been saying ma-ma-ma-ma, but tonight she was crying and when I picked her up, she patted me and said very clearly Momma. How sweet!!!

Silly girl

Tomorrow we head for Guangzhou. Hopefully, she will do good on her first plane ride. It is only an hour. I am thinking we endured a 4 hour bus trip to the orphanage....surely an hour plane ride won't kill us.We miss you all and can't wait to see everyone. Again, we are enjoying reading all the emails, but there is no way we can respond right now. I promise I will respond to everyone when we get home.

With our guide, KiKi

Love and hugs from China,
Jason, Denise and Emma Grace

Sweet Days!!

Originally Posted September 22, 2005

Today Emma Grace and I stayed in. We have been so busy and she was worn out. Jason went on the tour of the countryside. They visited a farming community to see how Emma Grace's birth family more than likely lived. They said it was an 80% chance that our babies came from this environment. Jason enjoyed the tour, but was so affected by the poverty he saw.

Village Family

He said the people were so gracious and invited them into their homes. They brought their children out to see our babies. When he got back to the hotel, he just hugged on Emma Grace. Seeing things like yesterday and today really make us appreciate the wonderful gift God has given us.

Village Home

Emma Grace is really coming out of her shell. We made some big steps today. We were able to sit her on the bed and get up and walk around the room.....without tears. Also, while we were having mommy and baby time, I finally got her to sit with me on the floor and play. She is doing so much better. I know everyone has been praying for her health and it has made a difference. She has started laughing more and getting more attached to both of us. We are enjoying her so much. We can not wait to get her home to meet everyone.

Happy Baby!!

This afternoon, several of the families sat in the hallway while the babies played. They are so cute. Emma Grace cried when we first put her in the floor with them, but she soon warmed up. She played and played. Also, today we started getting some crawls out of her....more like an army crawl...but we will take that. Her arm and leg muscles are so weak. We are working on that though. She may be walking before we come home. Today, she was able to come from laying on her back to sitting up, to standing up....with us holding onto her arms. She is getting stronger everyday.

After the problems she has been having in the diaper department, today we went all-American. No Chinese food today. She had watermelon and cantaloupe. She loved that. I gave her a little piece of cantaloupe to gnaw on and before I knew it, she has gotten several bites and was storing them in her cheeks.

I love Watermelon!!

We took a taxi ride tonight to.....McDonald's!!!! It was wonderful. We got lots of attention. People just walk by and stare. She had her first french fries....yes....I shared. We also went to Walmart. We were in the baby aisle and people were pointing and looking. The next thing we knew, we had about 15 people standing around us talking to Emma Grace and trying to talk to us. When we were leaving, these 2 ladies came up and all they could say (that we could understand) was..."China Baby?" We said "yes"....and they gave us the thumbs up. They said, "America". And just loved on her. Tomorrow, we are getting Emma Grace's passport. Everyday we are a little closer to home. We are enjoying her home land, but are ready to get home. One more week and she will be a US citizen. I hope everyone is enjoying the journals and pictures. They don't do her justice though......she is so much cuter in person.Oh, and Pops.......she LOVES watermelon!!!

Watermelon Face

Love to everyone!!
Jason, Denise and Emma Grace

Parenthood Is Great!!!

Originally Posted September 21, 2005

I know....I am so sweet

With each new day, things are getting better. Today, Emma Grace didn't wake up until the alarm went off. As usual, we had a busy day that started early. We left at 8:30 for Ji'an City, Emma Grace's birthplace. We visited the orphanage. It was a 2 1/2 hour bus ride with 5 new families. Oh, and have I mentioned the driving in China?? Talk about praying through....if you are not saved when you come here, you are saved when you leave. They just drive however they want. Our driver about took his life in our hands when he crossed into close oncoming traffic over the double yellow lines. Our guide, Ki Ki finally told him to drive a little calmer. Anyway, back to the important stuff. As we were driving to Ji'an City, I couldn't help but think about her birth mother. The poverty in Jiangxi province is so great. It is such a rural area with 90% of the population being farmers. They make the equivalent to $500 US dollars a month. Such a overwhelming sea of emotion came over me as we pulled through the gate of her orphanage.

In Front of Orphanage

The nannies there are all so sweet to the babies. We have no doubt they were well taken care of. We got to see the room where they mix up all the baby bottles and prepare their rice congee. Also, the room where they were bathed. Then they took us to 2 of the baby rooms. It made me so sad to see all those other babies still waiting for forever families. They would just look at you with these sad eyes. I wish we could have taken them all home with us.

Emma Grace's Empty Crib

They showed us the crib where Emma Grace slept. I am so thankful that crib is empty now. I wish they all were. We were concerned about taking Emma Grace to the orphanage with the problems she has been having. We didn't want to make her separation and grieving process worse. But after talking to our CHI coordinator, she said she thought it would be good for her. One last goodbye and then she leaves with us....kind of closure for her. She did really well. The nannies talked to her and passed her around and she always wanted to know where we were. She never made a whimper.Some of the nannies were crying when we left. They were all so sweet.

Sweet Nannies

The orphanage director then took us to lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. That is one more experience......we had many different dishes. One mixed pot that had all parts of the chicken....and I mean all....chicken feet, chicken head.....etc...We also had a whole fish served to us on a platter. Needless to say, Jason and I ate a lot of rice and noodles. Emma Grace had the regular....steamed egg and a bottle. The director was so sweet...she was going around feeding all kinds of things to the babies....I think they are afraid we are starving them. Could she not tell by looking at us that she will not miss a meal??

Lunch...mmm...mmm....good

After a long bus ride, we made it back to the hotel at 5:30 and had Pizza Hut delivered. I am still holding out for McDonalds. I am hoping for that tomorrow for lunch. We then spread out all her toys and we laid on the bed and played for a few hours. She is really coming out of her shell now. She is becoming more animated. She reminds me so much of my niece, Danielle. She is very quiet and curious. Some of her mannerisms remind me of how Danielle was when she was a baby. Jason said she is a drama queen.....he said he knows where she gets that from. Emma Grace and I are staying in tomorrow while Jason tours. They are going to the Nanchang countryside and visiting some farms to see how the families here live. We are really having a great time, but now that we got what we came for, we are ready to come home. One more week.....See you all soon!!

Love you!
Jason, Denise and Emma Grace

Brighter Skies!

Originally posted September 20, 2005

What a cute smile!!

Skies are brighter...So far, so good. Day 3 has gotten much better. Emma Grace has only had 2 poopie diapers. I know...TMI...but you know me...open book. She has started feeling much better today. Still a little fussy, but a major improvement over yesterday. One day at a time...we will take what we can get. We have actually gotten some laughs from her today...of course, with a daddy like Jason, wouldn't you laugh too? We are learning...we got up this morning before she did and started getting ready. We actually were at breakfast an hour before the bus left.
Teng Wang Pavillon

Today, we went to the Teng Wang Pavillion. It was built as a palace for someone....didn't catch the whole history...you know...my short attention span. Anyway, it has been built and rebuilt 89 times. Each time it has been destroyed by war. The last time it was rebuilt was in 1989. It is absolutely beautiful. We were even treated to a Chinese Music and Dance show. Emma Grace enjoyed it. She likes music, so while they were playing, she was beating her toothbrush against a stacking cup...future drummer?We came back "home" and she took a short nap.

Chinese Classical Music Show

Happy Family

Then we headed downstairs for lunch...I forgot to mention...yesterday, we never left the room, so we had room service pizza for lunch and dinner.So today, we ate downstairs and Emma Grace was an angel. We were actually able to eat w/out crying and we went shopping in the gift shops. Seems as if she doesn't particularly care for the hotel room....back in there....here comes the drama and tears.I turned on some Chinese cartoons and laid down on the bed with her and that seemed to calm her. She feel asleep about 5:30 and at 6:50, she is still sleeping. I think we may get to eat dinner out.

Sleeping Beauty

Love,

Jason, Denise and Emma Grace

DAy 2

Originally posted September 19, 2005

Well, day 2 didn't go as well as day 1. Emma Grace woke up at 4:30 and would not let us put her down. One of us had to hold her all the time. She prefers daddy right now, most of the time. After a really rough morning, we made it down to breakfast 10 minutes before time to leave. We then headed back to the adoption center to finish up some paperwork. We had to tell them why we wanted to adopt a baby from China and that we were happy with her.

1st night with Mommy and Daddy

We then had our first official family photo made for our adoption certificate.We made a stop at Walmart and got some baby items. As in the US, they were very busy and only had a few cashiers open. We got back to the hotel around noon and the day kind of went downhill from there. She cried, screamed, pooped, and then did all again....all day long. Finally, around 4:00, our CHI coordinator, Joyce, took us to see the hotel doctor. She checked her out and gave us medicine for indigestion and cough/congestion. So....back to the room where it started all over again. She finally went to sleep about 6:30 and slept until 12:30, back to sleep at 2:00 and slept till 6:00 am. She had severe diarrhea...total of 8 poopie diapers. She has broken us both in.....Jason has even mastered changing diapers.We are hoping for a better day tomorrow. We just really feel like she is grieving the loss she has had the last few days. Everything has changed for her. New surroundings, new food, and 2 new people....who feel helpless and clueless.

1st bath

Thanks for all the emails. We are really enjoying reading them, but there is no way we can respond to all of them. But please keep them coming and please continue to pray for us. We want Emma Grace to get to feeling better and realize we are not going to leave her.

All Smiles!

Love from China,
Jason, Denise and Emma Grace