Monday, March 15, 2010
Getting to know Violet
Since I basically told you about our Monday morning activities in my last blog entry I'm going to take the time to share what we're learning about Violet.
First off, she is still very tiny. I "kind of" weighed her yesterday on the bathroom scales. I just had her stand on them and it registered 20 lbs. So she hasn't gained much since our referral info that we received.
I chose one of her smallest outfits yesterday (that we brought with us) and it was still a little big in the waist. We haven't measured her height as the ruler on our desk is only 15 cm. It could be done, but we'd need a string and I haven't looked for one yet.
I don't expect it to take too long for her to gain weight, though. She loves to eat. One of her favorite drinks is like a yogo drink. The orphanage had some for her in the bag that they gave us. We picked up more yesterday at Walmart.
She doesn't use a bottle, but drinks from a cup. She doesn't seem to like the sippy cups that we brought so we bought her a cup at walmart that has a straw. She'll walk around the room holding the straw with her teeth so that she has her hands free to hold other things.
She really likes to "hold" things. Yesterday she was either holding her Kai-lan doll, the bank ticket, or both.
She doesn't care for potatoes or french fries. But she loves crackers, rice, etc. I've got to try to get an apple from the breakfast buffet this morning for her. I was too rushed yesterday to get one.
Violet seems very content to be held and doesn't struggle to get down or off your knee. I held her in my arms all of Monday morning and she was completely fine with that. (As you can imagine, so was I!)
She can walk. The hotel bathroom has a slight step up into it and she has no trouble managing that on her own.
She has 16 teeth!
Her feet are probably about a size 5. She doesn't like having her shoes taken off. Sunday night when we took them off she cried. Monday morning when we did her footprint at the foreign adoption office she cried when Roger and Tori took off her shoe and sock (I was signing paperwork).
One of the pairs of shoes that I brought for her was way too small, so I gave them along with the orphanage clothes as a gift yesterday.
During both of her baths she has held something in her hands, first the Kai-lan doll. Last night was a fist full of raisins. She doesn't care to eat them, but she seemed to have fun playing with them and teasing Tori with them. (She'd hold them out to Tori as if she was going to give them to her and then when Tori would put her hand out she'd yank her hand back and laugh.)
We're starting to see her comedic personality shining through with actions like that.
She has a way of putting her chin down to her chest and looking at you out of the corners (or top) of her eyes. It is so funny.
She is very cooperative at getting dressed. And she is a dream to change her diaper. She lays there just as content as can be. According to the orphanage questionaire that Isabel had done for us, she usually has one "dirty" diaper a day. Yesterday it was around 8:30 in the morning - just as we were leaving the hotel for our business. So it was a quick jaunt to the ladies restroom in the lobby to change her before our excursion. She was a very good girl.
I was concerned about how she would react when she saw the workers from the orphanage yesterday at the government office. Especially since she had cried so hard the night before when they said goodbye to her and left the room. But she didn't pay attention to them. We figure she was giving them the silent treatment. Isabel told us afterwards that they had commented about how smart she is. It was like she was ignoring them and punishing them for leaving her. And I could completely agree with their opinion.
She kind of gave me that look last night when Roger sat her on the bed next to me when I woke up to eat supper. (I was dead to the world last night - 5 days of only about 2 hours sleep each night finally caught up to me. I slept for about 2 hours in the afternoon with the rest of the family. Then slept from about 6 pm til 2:30 this morning with only snatches of being awake in between. Feeling rested!) Violet looked at me from the corner of her eye and I said, "Oh, how quickly your loyalty changes!" My sleepiness was probably a good way for her to bond with Roger, though.
When I woke up for supper Roger was holding Violet feeding her rice. I said, "Look, Tori. Violet is letting dad hold her!" Tori was quick to tell me that if I'd been awake I'd have seen her going to dad a lot. But maybe if I had been awake she wouldn't have gone to dad...not sure. We'll see when she wakes up today if she will come to me again.
She has slept through the night both nights now. Well, it is still very early morning here (3:45 am) Tori and Roger just woke up. Tori is writing in her journal right now and having a snack.
Violet is not very vocal. Yesterday she did say "Hi" several times at Wal-mart with Tori's prompting. Then Tori asked her, "Can you say 'Bye' and Roger said, 'Let's not teach her Bye quite yet.'" We all agreed that for now "Hi" is the word we want her saying. She did rattle off several words to Tori yesterday evening and Tori said it sounded like she was trying to tell her something. So maybe when she gets more comfortable with us she will start trying to communicate with us more. But according to the orphanage she doesn't say a whole lot of words anyway. Last evening Violet and Tori were throwing a kleenex back and forth (who needs expensive toys? bank tickets and kleenexes are great entertainers) and Tori said, "Oh!" when it landed. So then Violet started saying, "Oh!" too. Of course, I missed it because - you guessed it - I was sleeping!
Today we have a leisurely day planned. Isabel is meeting us here at the lobby to go take us to the park for a walk. And that is about all that we have planned for the day. So it is just some time to get to know each other and bond. ah...that sounds nice.
We just tried Violet very briefly in her stroller yesterday in the hotel room and she did not seem to enjoy it. I was going to try to distract her, but Tori was saying, "Take her out! Take her out!" Tori doesn't like to see her little sister cry or fuss. We'll try again this morning, as I think it would be convenient to have her in the stroller at the park.
We did pick up a snuggly-type of baby carrier yesterday at Wal-mart. She would go in it for me, but at that point she didn't want Roger to hold her yet, so she did not enjoy it when he tried to carry her in it.
We spent some baby shower money on things for Violet at Wal-mart. We got the snuggly, a blanket (I thought the hotel would have one for the crib, but they didn't), a Chinese children's dvd, a Chinese/English picture book, sippy cup with a straw, brush and comb set.
Prices are very reasonable here. For example, I bought a bag of cotton balls for me - $2 RMB which is equivalent to 29 cents US. Even beats Dollarama! I can't remember the prices on everything, and since the receipt is in Chinese we can't use it to check. We might ask Isabel to help us, just so we can keep track.
Still haven't found any postcards to mail. There were ones at the hotel in Beijing but they were over a $ Canadian each. I figured that I could find them cheaper elsewhere and haven't seem them yet. I haven't checked out this hotel gift shop yet, though.
Thanks for the messages that people have been sending us on facebook. That's the only way we can keep in touch right now - can't access the blog comments or facebook notes on our walls, etc. until we get back to Canada.
Our appointments yesterday morning went so smooth. Part of that could have to do with the fact that we are only two families, but I was impressed! Isabel even did the paperwork for the passports for us. Since they were already signed, she just had to drop them off. I think most of our "work" for the week is done now. And we can just enjoy ourselves. We do have to pick up the passports on Friday - (my birthday!) but that is it. Well, I need to check our itinerary again to make sure.
Violet's cold seems to be not bad at all. We didn't give her the cold medicine because when Roger removed the safety seal he was able to read that it should not be given to children under 4 years old. That couldn't be seen with the safety seal on. She hardly coughed at all last night. She does have a bit of a runny nose, but not bad. She is a very good girl to get her nose wiped, too. Thanks for your prayers.
Thanks for taking the time to keep in touch. We can't wait to introduce you to Violet in person.
Monday Activities
Well, today has been a very busy, but very good day!
Violet slept all night long for us. When she woke up she was in a good mood. She surprised me at breakfast. Roger had brought me a plate with some pancakes on it and congee (rice-type hot cereal) for Violet. The congee was too hot for her to eat right away so I cut up some pancakes on a plate for her. I sat the spoon down on the highchair and she picked it up and started eating it right away. She is very good at handling her spoon. She ate pancakes, toast, ham and congee for breakfast. But she didn't care for the hashbrowns.
After breakfast we quickly got everything together and met up with our guide in the lobby. This morning we visited the bank (thankfully I got all the travelers cheques with my signature on them cashed as it was a huge hassle – now Roger can handle the rest of them when we need to exchange money). Then we went and signed official paperwork to adopt Violet. Then we stopped at the passport office – our guide took the paperwork in and we all stayed in the van. Then on to the notary's office. Then we went to Wal-mart. Yes, China has a Wal-mart! There were three floors and we did most of our shopping on the third floor as it was where the baby department was. We also got some bottled water and snack food.
Then when we got back to the hotel I fed Violet some applesauce – which she loved. Roger went with Ray to get takeout at the Chinese restaurant nearby. After we ate we all laid down on the king size bed and had a nap…a long nap. Which means I missed the opportunity for getting this posted before my sister heads out for work for the day.
Violet and Daddy had some bonding time at the bank (we were there a long time) While I was signing 60 travelers cheques Roger gave Violet our ticket (what you take when you are waiting in line to show your number) and they played with it. She held that in her hand the whole time. And then for most of the morning until we got back to the hotel. So sweet.
She's warming up to Roger and Tori and even sat on Tori's knee several times today.
The hotel that we are staying at is beautiful. But Tori is a little bummed that the only swimming pool is outside and not in commission yet for the season. Oh, well…we know there is a pool at the hotel in Beijing.
It is warm here and very muggy. In fact one building we went in today had condensation forming on the glass doors and the marble floor was slick because of the moisture.
I'm hoping for a better sleep tonight…for me! Roger is getting ready to order room service since I am wiped and sore from not getting a good position for our family nap. :D Next time mommy and Violet get first dibs on the location.
Monday Photos
Discovering the pocket in my ladybug outfit - and liking it!
Giving a smirk and looking out of the corner of my eyes.
Big girl eating with a spoon!
Mmmm .... congee!
With officials when we completed the adoption paperwork Monday morning in Fuzhou. Government official (on the left) and the ladies from the orphanage (on the right).
Laughing at the Notary's Office (We went first and this was during Ray and Fiona's time.) Violet was teasing Tori and laughing about it. Tori was squatting on the floor in front of me, and Violet would put her foot out and tap it against Tori's chest, and then give a little push.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Gotcha!!
GOTCHA!!!
Wow! What a day we have had. Today we traveled from Beijing to Fuzhou, there is a lot to tell about our day – but most of it is inconsquential…because we have two daughters sleeping in our room right now!
Yes, Violet Anna-Mei joined our family today. There were some tears when I held her in my arms and off and on later on. But on the whole everything went smoothly. She fell asleep in my arms with no trouble at all. She opened her eyes when I laid her in her crib, but fell right back to sleep. Roger just adjusted her foot to be inside the crib, and she woke up but didn't cry. Just fell back to sleep.
I still can't believe it.
Our day started off with Tingting telling us that it was snowing out when she came to take us to the airport. It looked like rain to me, but then when we headed out on the highway I could see that she was right. Our trip to the airport was much faster than our trip to the hotel when we arrived in Beijing. We had no problem getting our boarding passes. Roger, Ray and Fiona were "frisked" coming through security, but Tori, Ainsleigh and I weren't. But my carry-on was searched.
When we got to our gate (Tingting was gone) we heard that our flight was delayed, but I thought that 8:35 am was the original departure time. So we weren't too concerned. We boarded around 8:35. Then we sat there on the plane, and sat there…and sat there!!!!
To say that our flight was delayed would be the understatement of the century. We sat there on the tarmac for over 7 hours before the flight actually took off! Yes. SEVEN HOURS!!! When I heard the announcement, "Crew be seated" I didn't think that I had ever heard 3 more beautiful words in all my life.
That meant that we didn't arrive in Fuzhou until around 6:30 pm. In my mind all thoughts of meeting Violet today were gone because of the time. Thankfully our guide in Fuzhou, Isabel, was there to meet us when we picked up our baggage. I have to admit that was another concern of ours. She and our driver had also spent 7 extra hours at the airport today.
She told us it would take about an hour to get to the hotel. Then she said she would take us through our itinerary of our week. "When you arrive at the hotel," she said, "You will meet your baby."
Both Fiona and I, in astonishment, said, "Tonight?" I started crying.
We checked in very quickly and then met Isabel and went to the meeting room. Logan and Violet were both there with people from their orphanages. Tonight we signed guardian papers, which means we have the right to have Violet in our care tonight. Tomorrow the real adoption paperwork happens. Violet was held by a lady from her orphanage and she was telling Violet, "This is your mama" Then someone told me to hold her. Of course, she cried. She had a doll and was not letting go of it for the world. (Which was not an issue, because we wanted her to feel safe.) It all happened very quickly and soon we were heading back to our room. Isabel came with us and showed us the homework we have to do tonight. She also explained that we should give Violet a bath tonight and check and see if there was any marks that we had questions about to ask the people from the orphanage tomorrow. She didn't want to let go of her doll, so she had her bath holding the doll. There are no pictures from her first bath, as I got in the tub with her. She seems to have attached herself to me, possibly because I was the first one to hold her? But her first smile was for Roger. (Got on video) Tori commented that perhaps Violet will be like she was and be a Momma's girl…which is fine with me!
She seemed very calm this evening. (We got back to our room around 9 pm and she was asleep by 10 pm.) She also would put her chin down and look up at us with those adorable eyes, and I can only imagine the thoughts going through her precious head.
I was overwhelmed with the gifts that the orphanage gave Violet. There is a CD with pictures on it from her time at the orphanage. They gave her a jade pendant depicting the year of the rat – year she was born. They gave her a framed picture with Violet and her caregiver. They gave her a doll. They gave her several clothes and a bag with snacks that she likes. It was more than I ever could have hoped for.
Our guide had been in contact with the orphanage and had asked them all the questions that we would probably like answered. She had typed all the answers out for us and presented us with them to read on the bus ride to the hotel. I was so appreciative.
Violet is tiny. I'm hoping the size 18 month clothes are not too big, but hey, if they are I like to shop! I meant to weigh her when we got out of the tub (the hotel has bathroom scales) but we forgot.
She seems to have a bit of a cold – stuffy and a runny nose. The orphanage director mentioned it us. He said it just started. So maybe it was from the changes she experienced today. A big trip for her, too!
Well, it is now 11:30 and I still need to go on-line and send this message. And I'm not sure when I'll be up in the night.
Oh, my heart is so happy! She is beautiful.
More to come tomorrow.
Fw: Gotcha!
Getting ready for her bath (7313)
falling asleep on mommy's shoulder
settled in for the night