Sweet Home Sweet Home

We made it.  We are home.  We arrived right on schedule yesterday at 3pm.  It was pretty much the longest day in the history of long days!  But I don't think it could have gone much smoother.  Our day started pretty early, we had to make the the 7:20 shuttle to the airport.  Apparently, our terminal in the Hong Kong airport is the second largest in the world.  It was pretty big.  But we got all checked in ok and had plenty of time before our 10:45 flight.  And thus began the long journey home.  The first 2 hours went so well.  Nolan apparently loved the little headphones that they hand out, and played with those for about an hour.  But approaching 1pm, we could tell he was getting tired, it had already been a pretty long day for him.  So we gave him a bottle and tried to lull him to sleep.  This is when the trouble started.  He fights sleep, and not sleeping in a bed makes it pretty much impossible for him.  So he cried and screamed for about an hour.  Then finally he did indeed fall asleep.  God really did have mercy on us.  Although he only slept that one time (for about 2 hours), he woke up happy and didn't cry for the rest of the flight.  It was a full time job keeping him happy, and our seat row was an absolute mess, but we made it.  Then, we had a really tight connection in Detroit, with so much to do.  We had to go through immigration twice, once for us and once for Nolan, pick up our bags, go through customs, recheck bags, and go through security.  At one point Jason said he was pretty sure we weren't going to make it.  I was literally praying through every line we had to wait in.  But sweaty and tired, we ran to the gate with about 5 minutes to spare before boarding our flight to Indy.  And by that point, Nolan had had enough.  He did great until we took off, then he started to doze off to sleep but began fighting it and cried the whole way home.  But the hour long flight seemed like the snap of a finger compared to what we'd just endured, so we just shrugged and smiled and waited for the descent.
The kids were waiting for us with their grandma in the baggage claim.  I saw the backs of them sitting on a bench, and I couldn't run down the escalator fast enough.  I couldn't hold it together finally seeing them!  I kept saying I didn't realize how much I missed them until I saw them.  They looked so big!  And old!  I missed them so, so much.  Anyways, they had their little welcome home bags ready for Nolan, which really broke the ice and we sat there in the baggage claim getting to know one another a bit.  They enjoyed making him smile and passing little cars back and forth.  Once we left, we were wondering how he'd do in the car seat, but he was lights out before we left the parking garage.  It was nice to catch up with the kids while Nolan slept.
Nolan is adjusting.  He was up at 3am today, due to jet-lag.  We are hoping he can be on a normal schedule by Christmas.  We really feel like his temper and attitude are dictated so much by sleep...I mean, what kid's isn't?  But his anger can blow up pretty quickly.  This has been tough for the kids too who just want to help him and make him smile, and don't understand why he's angry and doesn't want their help.  But in his defense, they don't give him much space  :)  To them, he is the funnest, funniest, cutest little guy.  When he is well rested, he runs around with them smiling and laughing and having a great time.  It has been fun to watch them play.  And the girls especially are loving having a baby in the house.  Julian is still waiting for him to be a wild, crazy, wrestling brother.  I assured him, he will in time  :)  It will take some time for us all to adjust and figure out new family life together.
Thank you all once again for your thoughts and prayers during our journey to Nolan.  I guess the journey is just beginning!

Visiting Hong Kong Disney Land 

Daddy and Nolan riding RC

How cute is this guy?  Unfortunately he didn't like it and only posed for a split second  :)

The teeny-tiny castle 

Running to Mama

Our plane home

Ready to go!

Our first meeting

The Home Stretch

Today is Tuesday afternoon.  Nolan is taking a nap, and we leave in 2 hours on a train to Hong Kong.  This will be our last stop before the big journey home!  We are only going to Hong Kong because it was where we could find a decent flight home.  So while we are there, we are planning to visit Disney Land and introduce Nolan to the real live Mickey Mouse. 
We have spent 4 days in Guangzhou, and to be honest, we are pretty much done with it all.  Everything has  been very nice, but we really miss our other kiddos, and are anxious for real life to begin.  In this city, we did some more sightseeing, went on a dinner cruise, and most importantly, applied for Nolan's visa (the whole reason for the stop).  We are still praying we get the visa on time before the train pulls out because when we got there, the computers were down and they weren't sure how long they would be...they can't print Visa's without computers.  So people who had their flights scheduled today were probably a little panicked.  We do have a buffer day if they are not ready, but we have prayed they will be ready, and believe they will be. 
In downtown Guangzhou, they have some pretty impressive buildings.  2 pictures I am including are of a skyscraper and a tower.  The tower is the second tallest in the world (the tallest is in Dubai) and the other building is 108 floors, almost as tall as the twin towers.  It just looked so incredibly tall because there is nothing even close in size around it.  It was massive.
As for Nolan, he is continuing to progress.  In addition to the rest of his vocabulary, he will now say wawa for water, baba for bottle, and wave and say bye-bye.  He has also been using the signs for eat, all done, please, and help.  The help sign is helping with fits.  And he will do them unprompted, so I know he understands their meaning!  He is such a sweet, smart boy.  Since we've seen so many other adopted babies in this city, it all the more affirms to me that I wouldn't want any other baby in all of China.  That sweet face is all mine!  Even when he is kicking and screaming on the floor, I love him to pieces and am confident with proper guidance he will learn to adjust and cope and thrive.  Jason keeps asking me if I'm ready to be a mommy of 4...and I am!  I can't wait to see the dynamic between all of the kids together.  I feel so certain Nolan will be the missing piece to our 6 piece puzzle. 
If I could ask for specific prayers, please pray for the flight home.  I would really like for things to not be delayed, and to get home on time, and of course that Nolan would do as well as possible.  It's alot to ask of a 2 year old, so we will all need God's help!  I will try to post one more time before we leave, but we are scheduled to leave Hong Kong Thursday morning, at 10:45am, which is Wed. night 9:45pm IN time. 
I couldn't narrow down my pictures very well this time, so I hope you enjoy a few extra! 

 

Us in front of the giant building, and the Tower lit up at night

This one is especially for Audrey, Layla & Julian--they bought him this horse, and he has not liked it at all up to this point, but now look! Nolan is hugging his horse!  He likes him now and we named him ZungZung, Nolan's nickname in the orphanage. 

Nolan eating ice cream for the first time.  He liked it!

     

 

Playing with the remote (he loved turning on the TV), and dancing with daddy

Putting on mommy's shoes

Signing "please" for more noodles

Looking super cute

Us at the American consulate to get his Visa

 

Sweet, silly face, and walking holding daddy's hand

 All of the babies from our traveling group:  Marin/Mckenna, Wesley, Nolan, & Tia

Lost in Translation

Today is Saturday, our first full day in Guangzhou.  The weather is very nice, and a bit warmer and might get into the 70's this week.  In order to get here, however, we had to take a plane...Nolan's first flight.  It was just a 2 hour flight, and overall I would rate it a B-/C+ .  Could've been a whole lot worse, but could have been better.  He did great for about 60% of the time, and then he was just done.  The Chinese plane was very tight, and he was on my lap in a middle seat.  Let's just say 14 hours on the flight home will be interesting.  We'll just start handing out apologies when we board   :) 

Earlier we had our medical exam for the adoption.  Kinda funny that you just see bus loads of American families with their Chinese babies all coming to the same place.  In Shanghai we stuck out like a sore thumb, but in Guangzhou, we fit right in.  All families adopting from China must complete things in Guangzhou.  The "exam" was fairly quick because they are pretty much pushing tons of families through one after another.  But Nolan was not a fan.  The nurses were dressed in while dresses with the traditional nurse hats and big face masks on, and they come and take the baby from you to do measurements, etc.  Pretty tramatic for little ones who are probably scared to death to be handed to another stranger.  And it was a noisy, busy place.  After that, we did some quick shopping in the area. 

I mentioned that another families is adopting twin girls.  They also brought their 4 year old son with them, so now they are in a foriegn countrry with their son and new 16 month old twins.  I really feel for them...It's tough enough with just our new little guy, and we are used to juggling 3, but doing it here in China would be so much harder.  We can keep no schedule really, so meal and nap times are when ever it happens and these babies schedules probably did not deviate by one minute in the orphanage.  Tired and hungry babies on a bus ride is no fun.  But I know how much fun twin girls are, so I will try to remind them of that along the way.

We wanted to share some funny things we've learned or seen while in country, especially so we don't forget them either.  Almost every sign is translated into English here just like everything is English/Spanish at home.  There are so many funny translations.  A few we've seen are "perilous rocks" for dangerous rocks, "no striding" for no running and the bacon on the breakfast buffet is labeled "Baconic".  I know they use a more British translation so maybe that all makes better sense in England.  Also our guide told us he'd never heard of fortune cookies until an American asked about them.  They do not have fortune cookies here!  And he said, contrary to popular belief, they do not eat dogs  :)   I'm on my 4th toothbrush because I keep forgetting I can't rinse with tap water.  Everything accept for grocery and restaurants is bartered here.  There is no waiting in line in China.  I guess with the population being so incredibly high, it is every man for himself.  We, along with another American adoptive family were dead last getting onto the plane (which boarded outside) cause we were not nearly aggressive enough.  It was especally funny since we got to go out first because we had babies, but somehow we were still pushed to the back.  Elevators are crammed uncomfortably full. We really miss the smoking ban in Indy because apparently smoking is pretty big here.  The airports had drop off boxes outside security just full of lighters.  Like hundreds of them.  They do not use dryers here so every balcony has all their laundry hanging outside.   There are hardly any minorities here.  6% percent of China is minority (with most minorities still being an Asian people group) so white people with a Chinese baby grabs everyone's attention.  In Shanghai we got lots of stares and 180 degree turns, especially to verify that Nolan was indeed Chinese, while we, well, are not.  Not rude stares, just stares and lots of pointing and talking that we do not understand, not one bit.  A little uncomfortable, so we just smiled alot.  Although maybe they were staring because Nolan is so dang cute.  It could be that. :)  It has really made us appreciate the diversity we have in America.  Our guide said an interesting thing.  He said he could come to America, and people would just think he's American, but we could never come to China and be considered Chinese.  So true.  I do love the melting pot that we are.  I hope that Nolan can feel that he fits in well in America.  For sure better than we fit in in China  :)

Waiting in the airport and then on the plane

Getting his exam

Pretty much sums up what he thinks about all that

Guangzhou

Funny sign



Goodbye Shanghai

Today we leave Shanghai.  It feels good because we are now 2 cities down with 2 to go...and home is within reach.  We are really starting to get homesick, especially as we show Nolan the pictures of the kids, we almost can't bear to do it.  It feels like now that we have him, lets go home!  But we are on the other side of the mountain, so hopefully this last week goes quickly. 
We had a lot of rain in Shanghai, so we were not able to do exactly what was planned, but feel like we got a good background on Nolan's city.  In the orphanage, all the children admitted in 2010 were given his last name Feng, all the babies admitted in August were given the first name Sheng, and he was given the second or personal name Cheng.  So his name means prosperous city which is a nice tribute to Shanghai.  We learned our pronunciation is off, the a is not long but more like 'ah'--Shahnghai.  It is a new city.  Much of it was farm land until the 1980's, and today it looks like NYC.  There are 23 million people and is the second largest city in China.  Shanghai is known for it's unique architecture and for its dumplings.  We've eaten lots of them!  They also are known for fresh water crab called hairy crab.  It tastes like sausage  :)
We visited a popular shopping site called Yu Garden which has lots of restaurants and shopping in traditional Chinese shaped buildings, and a river walk called the Bund. The Bund is an Indian word meaning muddy river bank.  It was a French Concession and the buildings there remind you of something like Paris.  The Bund is a popular date location because the river walk has the lit skyscrapers in the background.  Very pretty.
Nolan is doing well.  I think he is becoming more and more comfortable with us every day.  Especially while out in public, he is very clingy to me, and doesn't even want Jason, though in the comfort of the hotel, he really will go to either of us.  Strangers have held their hands out to him and he pulls away and says mama, which is a great feeling.  He is really thriving.  Only 3 days with us and he has said a new word every day.  Pretty good for a baby who has only heard Chinese yet didn't speak a word of it.  It is so clear to me that while his orphanage did a great job of meeting his needs, they can not replace a mom and dad.  His little brain was just wasting away while he waited.  I have wondered if he was my son all along where he would be by now.  He is now saying mama, dada, daddy, more and nana (for banana).  He has mimicked the signs for all done and eat.  He can follow one step commands, ie, "go get your shoes", I point to my shoes then in the direction of his shoes, and he does it.  So smart!  He feeds himself well with his hands.  He has started to be a little choosy with his food, which is probably a good thing.  He also throws fits.  Not really sure how to deal with them, especially since we're in this important "bonding period".  I've tried to ignore him for a few seconds, walk away while he cries, then come back.  Any suggestions?
It's been really fun to watch him do and discover new things.  We went to a restaurant that had 4 stairs in a row, and it was pretty obvious he had never done stairs before.  He just laughed uncontrollably as I held his hand while he stumbled up and down them.  Also, I gave him a package of 8 chunky crayons.  He didn't really care to color, but took them out of the box and put them back in the box for well over an hour. 
I can't wait for Audrey, Layla and Julian to meet him!  They will have a blast showing and teaching him new things.  He is a sponge just waiting to be stimulated.  We are trying to get him to say the kids names, which would be a real treat for them.  He is close to saying La la for Layla.  We will keep trying, kiddos! 
Thank you to everyone who has left such sweet messages!  I am reading them!  I can't wait to get home and share the real thing with all of you.  We are definitely home sick and your messages are encouraging.  We are leaving today at 2:30 local time for Guangzhou (pronounced Guang-Jo) to finalize immigration and shop! 



  Learning to brush his teeth

First bath 

Playing

Adoption Ceremony

Old and New buildings of Shanghai

Yu Garden

Making the famous dumplings

Yu Garden at night

Practicing Stairs

Like cold water to a weary soul, is good news from a distant land. Proverbs 25:25

Gotcha Day.  Today was the day we've been waiting for and anticipating for many months.  And it could not have been any better.  It really was one of our Best days Ever...at least one of just a few.  Nolan is ours.  And honestly, he is exactly how I pictured him from the 5 pictures I'd received of him over the last 9 months.  We were cautioned not to allow our minds to create a personality from pictures, since a few pictures cannot really speak to who he might be, and they don't want families to be disappointed.  But his pictures portrayed him as a sweet, smiley boy, and that seems to be who he is. 
So our day began at 8:15 when we drove to the orphanage.  We arrived around 9 am.  His orphanage is very nice, large and well kept.  There are about 500 children ranging up to 16 or 18 years old.  It was gated and had a large outdoor garden.  We went into a big conference room, where we began some paperwork.  After that, we went up in an elevator to the financial office, and when we returned, Nolan's nanny was holding him in the room.  I think he knew something was up, because he was starting to cry.  Once I was able take him from the nanny, he cried a bit...and that was the one and only time today.  He calmed down quickly, especially when we pulled out some cars and a sucker.  He is the happiest, most easy going baby!  Only day one, I know, but it could have went a million different ways, and yet it couldn't have been more perfect.  He smiles and laughs constantly.  So far, he has loved the stacking cups, and is still playing with them.  He seems very thoughtful and quiet.  Other than lots of laughter, he doesn't say much.  This evening, we got him to say Ma, Oh and Ooo.  He is an excellent eater.  I didn't know what to give him, but it didn't much matter to him.  I actually felt like I had to take the plate away from him, which has never happened with our other children!  I'm fairly certain he's never had unlimited food.  He feeds himself well too.  He is walking, though his walking is a bit stiff, like a new walker might be.  His fine motor skill are excellent, and I would put his gross skills at 15-18 months.  The 18 month clothes I brought seem to fit him perfectly too.  If I hold my hands out to him, he will come running to me and put his hands up to be held, and is even giving kisses too  :)
It seems this really must be his personality, because apparently we were given special treatment at the orphanage because of it.  He was many people's favorite because of his easy going, sweet temperament.  So we were given a tour and got to see his "classroom" and bedroom, including the very crib he slept in.  It had Mickey Mouse sheets and was near a bright, busy window.  There were 2 other families adopting today too, who did not get the tour, so we waited until they left...I don't know if they asked to see the room, but I did, and am so glad I did.  Also, normally they bring the babies to the Social Worker's office far away from the orphanage to give the babies to their families, but it is under construction, so this is why we got to go to the orphanage, something that was so important to us.  So we were able to get pictures of where he has played and grown for his little life, which we normally would not have gotten.  God is so good.  His handprint was on every single detail today.  While we might have been take around because Nolan was special to them, we know that he is so special to Him.  The day was no coincidence.  The God who loved him before he was born, loves him still, and brought him to us.  Though we might not understand His ways, we are sure His goodness is never failing. 

What a whirl wind day!!  Also, the orphanage put together a photo book for us, including the first picture ever taken of Nolan, along with dozens of other pictures.  They gave us a "chop" of his Chinese name (which is a stone carved traditional stamp people use here), formula, diapers, a change of clothes, answers to FAQ about him, and a 100 year anniversary mug with the orphange logo.  We know he was well taken care of there.  We are so thankful.  To his orphanage, to God, and to anyone reading.  God's goodness and grace was on display today in so many huge ways.  My baby is mine!  He was loved!  He was well taken care of!  He will have photos and gifts to cherish when he is older!  He has a family who already loves him!  He will learn about the God who loved him enough to die for him, something he may never had heard in China.  A 1000 thank yous to any and all who prayed for this day.  It was amazing...

Our very first moments with Nolan

Outside his orphanage before we left

First evening in the hotel room

We Made It!

We are officially not in Kansas anymore!  We arrived in Beijing, Friday night at about 11:30pm, which was 10:30am Indiana time.  The flight out of Detroit was 14 hours, and really couldn't have been any smoother.  We had seats in a aisle row, so about 6 feet of leg room, and unlimited movies.  Really, if this is any indication of how the trip will go, I'll take it. 
Today was an action packed day.  We traveled to Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City.  Basically, Tian'anmen Square is a large courtyard outside of the Forbidden City.  The Forbidden City was "forbidden" because only the Emperor and his family were allowed inside.  The city consisted of several palaces and courtyards for his wife and many concubines.  It was very cold!  We then traveled to the Great Wall, and climbed a small portion of it...and Jason's been complaining his quads hurt ever since!  The wall goes on for miles, and it's really a great wonder how they were able to build it so long ago.  We enjoyed an authentic lunch consisting of Peking Duck and Kung Pao Chicken, which really packed a punch (really spicy).  And then this evening we took a cab just a few miles to Olympic Park to see the Bird's Nest where they held the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics, and also the Water Cube where Olympic swimming events were held.  It was fun and interesting to learn about Nolan's country's history.
In our group are 2 other couples, one who is from Bloomington!  It really is a small world!  They are also adopting a young boy, while the other couple is adopting twin girls...heaven help them  :)
Tomorrow we fly into Shanghai where we will have the afternoon to prepare to meet our baby.  We found out we will actually be able to go pick him up at his orphanage, which was something we really wanted to be able to see and take pictures of for him.  So we are very excited about that.  Jet lag is starting to set in as we have both hit a wall, and are ready to crash!  Our next update will likely be Monday evening, after our first day with Nolan.  Please pray for a smooth transition on that day.  We will pick him up at 9am Monday (8pm Sunday in IN).  We're getting Excited!!

 The South Gate to the Forbidden City

 Part of the Great Wall

 A large portion of the Great Wall in the mountains

 Choose your weapon!

 I climbed the Great Wall!!

In Olympic Square with HuanHuan  :)