Saturday, December 12, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Update from Guangzhou!!!!!
Hi All,
I am sorry for taking so long to write. Our flight from Nanjing to Guangzhou was two hours. Aiden got scared when the plane took off, but he seemed to enjoy the ride in the air. He especially loved it when the pretty ladies served us rice and fish. LOL
Our young and energetic guide Ann met us at the airport and our driver drove us to our hotel. We are staying at The White Swan which is where we stayed for Kate and Grace's adoptions. It is a beautiful hotel and is decorated for Christmas. There is a 3-story tall Christmas tree in the lobby. We went straight to eat at Lucy's which is a popular Western restaurant within walking distance of the hotel. Many adoptive families love to eat there. The weather was so mild, we sat outside on the patio and enjoyed seeing some other newly adopted children. Oh! Aiden picked up a french fry, said "Mama", and handed it to me... Sweet!!!
This morning we had an early breakfast at the hotel buffet. It is always a good meal with so many choices. Personally, my favorite is having cheese and crackers..LOL! Lots and lots of families and children of all ages. Aiden was very distracted by all the activity and excitement. He had his first piece of banana bread...yum.
Ann met us at 8:30 am to walk us to the medical exam at the clinic. Our appointment was for 9:00 am, and we arrived as the staff was getting in so we slipped in the side and were the first family in the waiting room! Is Ann smart or what?? Aiden weighed 32 pounds which is 2 more pounds than his November update. I am not surprised! Have I mentioned how much he loves to eat? LOL
He passed all the little exams they do, and then.......we had to wait in the hall for the immunizations that are now required to be given to a newly adopted child. Ann told us which ones he needed.... FIVE. He had to receive 5 shots. Oh, how I dreaded this!! I made Rick hold him. His TB test was first and not a whimper from him, his first injection and a few tears, four shots later he had barely cried and was happy to be given a piece of candy! What a brave boy!!! We stopped and got some children's Tylenol which he took easily. The medical team suggested he have 30 minutes of no activity and that he drink water all day. We've been back in our room now for awhile and he is on the bed sucking his fingers and rubbing his belly...his clues that he is going to sleep.
I'll write more later.....
amy
I am sorry for taking so long to write. Our flight from Nanjing to Guangzhou was two hours. Aiden got scared when the plane took off, but he seemed to enjoy the ride in the air. He especially loved it when the pretty ladies served us rice and fish. LOL
Our young and energetic guide Ann met us at the airport and our driver drove us to our hotel. We are staying at The White Swan which is where we stayed for Kate and Grace's adoptions. It is a beautiful hotel and is decorated for Christmas. There is a 3-story tall Christmas tree in the lobby. We went straight to eat at Lucy's which is a popular Western restaurant within walking distance of the hotel. Many adoptive families love to eat there. The weather was so mild, we sat outside on the patio and enjoyed seeing some other newly adopted children. Oh! Aiden picked up a french fry, said "Mama", and handed it to me... Sweet!!!
This morning we had an early breakfast at the hotel buffet. It is always a good meal with so many choices. Personally, my favorite is having cheese and crackers..LOL! Lots and lots of families and children of all ages. Aiden was very distracted by all the activity and excitement. He had his first piece of banana bread...yum.
Ann met us at 8:30 am to walk us to the medical exam at the clinic. Our appointment was for 9:00 am, and we arrived as the staff was getting in so we slipped in the side and were the first family in the waiting room! Is Ann smart or what?? Aiden weighed 32 pounds which is 2 more pounds than his November update. I am not surprised! Have I mentioned how much he loves to eat? LOL
He passed all the little exams they do, and then.......we had to wait in the hall for the immunizations that are now required to be given to a newly adopted child. Ann told us which ones he needed.... FIVE. He had to receive 5 shots. Oh, how I dreaded this!! I made Rick hold him. His TB test was first and not a whimper from him, his first injection and a few tears, four shots later he had barely cried and was happy to be given a piece of candy! What a brave boy!!! We stopped and got some children's Tylenol which he took easily. The medical team suggested he have 30 minutes of no activity and that he drink water all day. We've been back in our room now for awhile and he is on the bed sucking his fingers and rubbing his belly...his clues that he is going to sleep.
I'll write more later.....
amy
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Packing up for Guangzhou!!
Today we leave for Guangzhou. This is the city all adoptive families must go to for the child's medical exam and consulate appointment before receiving their new child's visa. We happily are leaving Nanjing after 4 days of miserable weather. Guangzhou is having sunny skies and 70 degree days!! I also love being there and seeing all the families with their new children, having better food, and the very, very
inexpensive shopping.
Aiden had his first ice cream yesterday. We have a beautiful Haagen Dazs next to the hotel, so we had an afternoon treat. I played it safe and ordered him one scoop of vanilla in a cup. He pulled up to the table and patiently waited until Mama got situated.
I fed him his first two bites knowing it was cold. It took him 3 bites to take the spoon and feed himself. As with any meal, he ate until it was gone. He spotted where some had dripped down the side of the cup, and politely tried to scrape it into his mouth. LOL
Dinner was at a Japanese place next door. I ordered one fried egg, Japanese fried rice, fried sweet potato, and an order of dumplings. Rick got some very spicy noodles, and we each had a beer. The cost of the meal was $7.00. Love it! Aiden ate and ate and ate....Seriously, he can eat three times more than me! Thank goodness he can walk, because he is hard to carry for very far. He's catching on that his Mama and Baba are old!
Soon I will have more pictures soon from Guangzhou.
Hope all is well with all of you!
love,
amy
inexpensive shopping.
Aiden had his first ice cream yesterday. We have a beautiful Haagen Dazs next to the hotel, so we had an afternoon treat. I played it safe and ordered him one scoop of vanilla in a cup. He pulled up to the table and patiently waited until Mama got situated.
I fed him his first two bites knowing it was cold. It took him 3 bites to take the spoon and feed himself. As with any meal, he ate until it was gone. He spotted where some had dripped down the side of the cup, and politely tried to scrape it into his mouth. LOL
Dinner was at a Japanese place next door. I ordered one fried egg, Japanese fried rice, fried sweet potato, and an order of dumplings. Rick got some very spicy noodles, and we each had a beer. The cost of the meal was $7.00. Love it! Aiden ate and ate and ate....Seriously, he can eat three times more than me! Thank goodness he can walk, because he is hard to carry for very far. He's catching on that his Mama and Baba are old!
Soon I will have more pictures soon from Guangzhou.
Hope all is well with all of you!
love,
amy
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Taylor Swift is the bomb!!
(Okay... Cynthia wrote the title... I am extremely jealous of Ms. Swift's friendship with a certain teen wolf... so whatevah!!! I was unable to post this earlier today because the Pacific Northwest was invaded by aliens who sabotaged our DSL trunk line. Jerks. On with the update from Amy!!!)
Aiden is becoming Americanized very quickly. Today we took him over to the mall across the street. The 4th floor has a children's department that has a wonderful play area just for small children. We paid $7.00 for one visit that would have entitled us to the entire day, although a 45 minute visit was enough for us. I was expecting a stamp on our hand, but the girl raised a laser gun and zapped our foreheads. I keep hoping I will gain some extra brain power, but I can't help think it took away some of what I have left.
Aiden was very cautious about the play area preferring to sit back and watch....you know, check it all out before jumping in. I understand and respect that personality trait in a person no matter what age. Soon we had him engaged in the block area. These were not regular blocks, these were soft but dense blocks. I love watching Aiden play. He has a precise manner which shows the perfectionist in him. He is a typical boy wanting to build the highest structure and taking delight in knocking it down.
We had a late lunch at a little restaurant in the mall. I have been so frustrated because none of the restaurants here in Nanjing have high chairs. Luckily this place had comfy suede seating at the table, and we were able to pull the table up to him. Kate and Grace will be delighted to know he heard his first Taylor Swift song at lunch today.....And better yet, he saw his first Taylor Swift video on the TV just a couple of hours ago.
We found some nice crayons and a little notebook to see if he was interested in drawing. As you can see in the photo, he drew a masterpiece. Kate and Grace will be impressed by his use of all 24 colors from his box. Aiden also loves the few books I brought for him especially the one about animals.
We are taking it easy tonight because I still do not feel well. Before we take the flight to Guangzhou Friday, I will have to take several Tylenol so that I do not get pulled aside for my temperature to be taken. I am anxious to leave Nanjing.
Love,
Amy
(This one deserved another Photoshop moment.... SO SWEET!!!!!!)
Aiden is becoming Americanized very quickly. Today we took him over to the mall across the street. The 4th floor has a children's department that has a wonderful play area just for small children. We paid $7.00 for one visit that would have entitled us to the entire day, although a 45 minute visit was enough for us. I was expecting a stamp on our hand, but the girl raised a laser gun and zapped our foreheads. I keep hoping I will gain some extra brain power, but I can't help think it took away some of what I have left.
Aiden was very cautious about the play area preferring to sit back and watch....you know, check it all out before jumping in. I understand and respect that personality trait in a person no matter what age. Soon we had him engaged in the block area. These were not regular blocks, these were soft but dense blocks. I love watching Aiden play. He has a precise manner which shows the perfectionist in him. He is a typical boy wanting to build the highest structure and taking delight in knocking it down.
We had a late lunch at a little restaurant in the mall. I have been so frustrated because none of the restaurants here in Nanjing have high chairs. Luckily this place had comfy suede seating at the table, and we were able to pull the table up to him. Kate and Grace will be delighted to know he heard his first Taylor Swift song at lunch today.....And better yet, he saw his first Taylor Swift video on the TV just a couple of hours ago.
We found some nice crayons and a little notebook to see if he was interested in drawing. As you can see in the photo, he drew a masterpiece. Kate and Grace will be impressed by his use of all 24 colors from his box. Aiden also loves the few books I brought for him especially the one about animals.
We are taking it easy tonight because I still do not feel well. Before we take the flight to Guangzhou Friday, I will have to take several Tylenol so that I do not get pulled aside for my temperature to be taken. I am anxious to leave Nanjing.
Love,
Amy
(Okay... is it just me, or does Aiden not look like like Amy???)
(This one deserved another Photoshop moment.... SO SWEET!!!!!!)
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
HAPPY ADOPTION DAY!!!
Aiden slept through the night without a whimper. Rick and I woke up with the chickens. Literally, I heard a rooster coming from a nearby apartment around 5:00 am. We had an early appt. to finalize the adoption with the registrar, notary, and orphanage staff. It went smoothly, and Aiden's caretakers saw that he was happy with us and had survived the first 24 hours.
It is raining cats and dogs here in Nanjing, so we are sitting in our hotel room passing the time. After suffering through some terrible meals at the hotel restaurant, we were told about two places nearby to find dumplings, noodles, etc. I can't wait. Aiden is wonderful about eating by himself. He is very careful with his spoon and uses his sippy cup all the time. He didn't want a bottle this morning at all. Fine with me! He loves to snack, but I can see how he would eat all day if he could...LOL
We got our first hugs today from Aiden, and he is trying to say Kate and Grace when we look at the photo albums from home. He lights up when he sees the girls' pictures and says Mama when he sees my picture now. He seems very content with us, and we are delighted by him!
Hope all is well with all of you reading. I wish I could see my blog, but I hear that it looks fabulous thanks to Cynthia!
That's all for now....I'm hoping for a little nap....I see that Baba is trying to sneak one in on the couch while Aiden is changing the channel on the TV......LOL....so typical!
love,
amy
It is raining cats and dogs here in Nanjing, so we are sitting in our hotel room passing the time. After suffering through some terrible meals at the hotel restaurant, we were told about two places nearby to find dumplings, noodles, etc. I can't wait. Aiden is wonderful about eating by himself. He is very careful with his spoon and uses his sippy cup all the time. He didn't want a bottle this morning at all. Fine with me! He loves to snack, but I can see how he would eat all day if he could...LOL
We got our first hugs today from Aiden, and he is trying to say Kate and Grace when we look at the photo albums from home. He lights up when he sees the girls' pictures and says Mama when he sees my picture now. He seems very content with us, and we are delighted by him!
Hope all is well with all of you reading. I wish I could see my blog, but I hear that it looks fabulous thanks to Cynthia!
That's all for now....I'm hoping for a little nap....I see that Baba is trying to sneak one in on the couch while Aiden is changing the channel on the TV......LOL....so typical!
love,
amy
Monday, December 7, 2009
WE HAVE AIDEN!!!!!!
This morning (Sunday evening for the U.S.) Aiden YinQiang McAfee made the long 2 hour trip from the orphanage in his birth city of Zhangjiagang to the Jiangsu Registration Center for Foreign-related Marriage and Foreign-related Adoption along with his friend YinTian, two caretakers, and WuWei Zhong the vice-president of the orphanage. Both boys were dressed in matching brand new baby blue fleece jackets and pants and brand new shoes as well as a few extra layers of brand new sweaters, turtlenecks, and pajama pants...LOL. His friend from the orphanage will be living with his family in New York, and they are staying in our hotel as well! We hope these two will have the opportunity to stay connected in the future. It seems they climbed back and forth between cribs at the orphanage, so they may be longtime friends!
The staff brought a bag of formula, snacks, lollipops, pullups, and wipes. They also brought a beautiful photo album of Aiden and the orphanage. I am so grateful for this! It is a tremendous gift and shows the love and care that they give the children in their care. We were told we will not be able to visit the orphanage because of precautions due to the flu this year. I am disappointed, but I also very much understand. The toys and photo album I had mailed to Aiden also came back with him. In that package to him, I had also sent a picture Kate had drawn for him. He seemed to recognize it! We showed him a picture of his new sisters, and he smiled and touched the photo. Somehow he knows they love him.
Aiden was handed off to me first. He let me kiss his chubby cheeks, touch his jet black hair, and whisper into his ear. Of course I was holding the cookies! He seemed easily convinced that we were his Mama and Baba, so soon he was playing with his new cars, eating cheerios, and agreeing to let us both hold him. No tears, no glances back at his former caretakers as they left the office, and no hesitation to hop in a cab and relax in his hotel room.
Aiden is wearing 24 months clothing which is exactly what I thought. So the few clothes I brought are 24 months and 2T. He definitely was smaller once we got all his layers off, but he loves to eat. He will fit right in at home. He is a gentle, quiet little boy. He is cuddly and soft, and I think you can tell by the photos that he is very sweet. He seems to be a thinker and is very quick to mimic ways to play with his toys. He can throw as straight and fast as any little league ball player.
His unrepaired palate seems not to be much of an issue, but I haven't gotten a good look yet. His lip was repaired flawlessly.
He and Baba have been sleeping soundly for the last 2 hours and 45 minutes. They had played a big game of toss and needed to rest. On the other hand I have been awake since 4:00 am this morning with no nap and what seems to be a slight fever. So, I will write more later tonight.
A happy day....this child has been kissed by an angel. And he is ours.
love,
amy
The staff brought a bag of formula, snacks, lollipops, pullups, and wipes. They also brought a beautiful photo album of Aiden and the orphanage. I am so grateful for this! It is a tremendous gift and shows the love and care that they give the children in their care. We were told we will not be able to visit the orphanage because of precautions due to the flu this year. I am disappointed, but I also very much understand. The toys and photo album I had mailed to Aiden also came back with him. In that package to him, I had also sent a picture Kate had drawn for him. He seemed to recognize it! We showed him a picture of his new sisters, and he smiled and touched the photo. Somehow he knows they love him.
Aiden was handed off to me first. He let me kiss his chubby cheeks, touch his jet black hair, and whisper into his ear. Of course I was holding the cookies! He seemed easily convinced that we were his Mama and Baba, so soon he was playing with his new cars, eating cheerios, and agreeing to let us both hold him. No tears, no glances back at his former caretakers as they left the office, and no hesitation to hop in a cab and relax in his hotel room.
Aiden is wearing 24 months clothing which is exactly what I thought. So the few clothes I brought are 24 months and 2T. He definitely was smaller once we got all his layers off, but he loves to eat. He will fit right in at home. He is a gentle, quiet little boy. He is cuddly and soft, and I think you can tell by the photos that he is very sweet. He seems to be a thinker and is very quick to mimic ways to play with his toys. He can throw as straight and fast as any little league ball player.
His unrepaired palate seems not to be much of an issue, but I haven't gotten a good look yet. His lip was repaired flawlessly.
He and Baba have been sleeping soundly for the last 2 hours and 45 minutes. They had played a big game of toss and needed to rest. On the other hand I have been awake since 4:00 am this morning with no nap and what seems to be a slight fever. So, I will write more later tonight.
A happy day....this child has been kissed by an angel. And he is ours.
love,
amy
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