Lizzie wants more pics...........
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Monday 27th July
Today we decided to visit the local market with Michael. We were rather dubious as to what we might see but actually, it wasn't as bad as expected. Most of the stalls were selling very strange ingredients for Chinese Medical Remedies. Others were selling pets - little puppies, kittens, budgies and fish. We were so worried about seeing dogs and cats in cages but mostly they seemed well nourished and reasonably well kept. (Although, some looked very sad and far too hot!) One of the worst sights was a woman who had three very large plastic bowls (about 1m dia). Inside were hundreds of scorpions which she was mixing rigorously with a stick. We discovered that she was, in fact, drying them - gross!!! We managed about half an hour and then decided it was far too hot and made a hasty retreat back to our hotel. Michael and Judy carried on and discovered the most beautiful Chinese temple.
Later today, we visited the Police Station where we were handed Mae's Passport. Almost the last bureaucratic hurdle! Tomorrow, we apply for the Visa and Wednesday (hopefully) we collect it.
We then took a short trip to the Sun Yat Tsen Memorial Hall. The Hall itself was fantastic but the grounds were something else. The Banyan Trees were amazing - one tree hosts 10 baby trees which grow within the main trunk but send out their own trunks which root themselves outside the mother tree... amazing!
Mae getting a little better every day. She's revelling in every new experience. Today she decided just how much she loves baths. She now lies in the bath, rocking on her tummy, dipping her head in an out of the water. Can't wait to take her swimming. Think she'll be a natural!
Monday, 27 July 2009
Sunday 26th July
Today we visited the Huizhou Social Welfare Institute where Mae, or 'Jaio Jaio' as her carers called her, spent the first 14 months of her little life.
It took us approx 2 1/2 hours by car and it was interesting to watch the scenery change from the industrial chaos of Guangzhou to the still and rolling hills leading into Huizhou. Huizhou sits on the other side of those verdant hills and is about 45 mins from the sea. It's a pretty town with quite a mix of traditional and modern architecture. It has a river runnning through it and wide promenades.
The Huizhou SWI sits in the centre of the town and, I think, was built about 30 years ago. It's entrance and exterior walls have been painted with colourful pictures of children and animals. Inside it's clean and reasonably well equipped (for Chinese standards). It's called a 'Social Welfare Institute' because it's home to 78 occupants, only 12 of which are children between the age of 0-16. Of these children only 5 were likely to be adopted. The other occupants were adults with mental illness.
The Director was very welcoming, pouring us tea and answering all our questions. He explained that his policy is to ensure that the carers are very well trained. His motto is that the children must be treated as if they were the carers own children and the adults as if they were their own parents. He also ensured that Mae's main carer was with him to answer any of our questions. He then took us on a tour of the orphanage and many of the adults and children came out to greet us. They were obviously very curious as to who 'Jiao Jiao's' new parents and Aunty were but seemed very happy for her.
All in all, it was a very emotional journey but one which we are so glad to have undertaken. We've taken lots of photos for Mae's Lifebook, obvioulsy, much of which is very private to her. But I'm posting a few pics of the day which I'm sure you'll all be interested in.
I have to say the Director looks rather like 'Oddjob', don't you think?!!
Friday, 24 July 2009
Saturday 25th July
Here's the photo we've all be waiting for...
Little Mae is still poorly. We've had some very troubled nights but she still does her best to play between meals. We had to cancel sightseeing today as both Jude & myself have come down with nasty colds as well as Mae now. Just hoping we'll all be well enough for the orphanage visit tomorrow.
Thursday, 23 July 2009
Thursday 23rd July
Poor Mae.. she really isn't well. We were up every hour on the hour - no sleep for any of us... We decided to keep her at home and asked Michael to rearrange the orphanage visit. Hopefully, we'll be able to go on Sunday.
So, not much to report today - posted some more pics of previous few days.
Hope she'll be much better tomorrow.
xx
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Wednesday 22nd July
Difficult night with a 1am start. Mae seems to have developed a cold and together with teething, she's very restless and upset. She ended up in bed with Daddy and went back off to sleep eventually. Just as we dropped off at about 6am - she woke again, refreshed and ready to start the day.... oh dear!!
A couple of coffees later, Will and I were back on track and Mae and I took a bath. A much more successful event then previously, when she wouldn't even sit in the water. This time, she splashed in the bubbles and seemed alot more comfortable. We all went down for breakfast where she ate a HUGE plateful of scrambled egg, a slice of watermelon and half a banana. She'd already had a bottle but she just can't seem to get enough food. She filled up at lunch and dinner too. We reckon it might be the first time she's really had enough to eat. Pretty sure she'll catch up in size, weight and developmentally now that she's eating enough and getting lots of love.
We attempted a walk in the park but she seemed to be very restless and we ended up coming back to the hotel for more Calpol and another bottle.
We met Michael, our guide at 3pm who took us back to the Notary office. We were given our numbered ticket and told to sit in line. Again, everything was very bureaucratic and efficient. Michael soon had us sorted out though with our official adoption certificate - meaning everything is now legalalised and official this end.
Later, Mae seemed to really pick up and we packed her into the sling and wandered down to the park and to 'Lucy's' Restaurant for an early dinner. On the way, Mae decided to serenade us with the most beautiful songs. We sang along which really got her going.... so cute!!
Early start tomorrow as we're off to visit her town of birth, the orphanage and the hospital where she spent her first few days. I'm expecting this to be a very emotional experience but an important one. Jude's bought another bag full of presents for the orphanage children....
A couple of coffees later, Will and I were back on track and Mae and I took a bath. A much more successful event then previously, when she wouldn't even sit in the water. This time, she splashed in the bubbles and seemed alot more comfortable. We all went down for breakfast where she ate a HUGE plateful of scrambled egg, a slice of watermelon and half a banana. She'd already had a bottle but she just can't seem to get enough food. She filled up at lunch and dinner too. We reckon it might be the first time she's really had enough to eat. Pretty sure she'll catch up in size, weight and developmentally now that she's eating enough and getting lots of love.
We attempted a walk in the park but she seemed to be very restless and we ended up coming back to the hotel for more Calpol and another bottle.
We met Michael, our guide at 3pm who took us back to the Notary office. We were given our numbered ticket and told to sit in line. Again, everything was very bureaucratic and efficient. Michael soon had us sorted out though with our official adoption certificate - meaning everything is now legalalised and official this end.
Later, Mae seemed to really pick up and we packed her into the sling and wandered down to the park and to 'Lucy's' Restaurant for an early dinner. On the way, Mae decided to serenade us with the most beautiful songs. We sang along which really got her going.... so cute!!
Early start tomorrow as we're off to visit her town of birth, the orphanage and the hospital where she spent her first few days. I'm expecting this to be a very emotional experience but an important one. Jude's bought another bag full of presents for the orphanage children....
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Tuesday 21st July
Today we had to get meet our guide in the lobby at 8.30am. No mean task when you have a little one who loves her sleep. Mae slept very well and wanted to dally over her morning bottle. Unfortunately, Mum was wondering at which point she could shower, dress and apply the make-up. By 8am Jude was knocking at our door reminding us that we had 30mins for breakfast. Mum still had to dress Mae but the make-up had to give!
Not only did she take a full bottle but she ate a massive amount of scrambled egg for breakfast. She certainly loves her food.
Off again to the Civil Affairs Office for an interview and final paperwork to legalise the adoption and then another interview and more paperwork with the notary (very odd little Chinese man who kept asking me questions in a Chinese-English accent which I just couldn't understand!). At one point he appeared to be telling our guide off for missing paperwork - we kept calm but it was very unnerving. Eventually, we left with all the relevant paperwork AND our daughter.
We spent the rest of today checking out Shamien Island.
Monday 20th July
'D' Day - Daughter Day!!
Wow! Actually woke up with butterflies in our stomachs this morning. It was a very long wait until 2pm when our guide came to collect us.
We arrived at the Civil Affairs Office at about 2.25pm only to find approximately 30 other couples all grouped in the reception area also waiting for their children. It wasn't really what we'd imagined - certainly not an environment to revel in such a personal moment! The bulk of the group were Belgian families but there were also a couple of families from USA and us (the only British couple).
My heart sank, (and I could see the Jude was equally upset) when the first little boy was brought in to be united with his waiting parents. As his carer passed him to his new Mummy, the little boy open his lungs and filled the whole building with the sound of very traumatic crys. He was absolutely devastated and everyone in the room grew more anxious immediately. He was about 4 years old though, so this must have been so difficult for him.
Our daughter arrived next. A tiny little bundle, wide eyed and curious. I took her carefully and spoke softly to her - she stared at me hard and then took a long look at her new Daddy. Again, she stared at him for the longest time and then held her arms out for him to take her. We couldn't have hoped for anything more. It seemed that she knew who we were instictively and knew that she was safe with us.... she checked us all out some more and then fell asleep in my arms. Wow!!
Wow! Actually woke up with butterflies in our stomachs this morning. It was a very long wait until 2pm when our guide came to collect us.
We arrived at the Civil Affairs Office at about 2.25pm only to find approximately 30 other couples all grouped in the reception area also waiting for their children. It wasn't really what we'd imagined - certainly not an environment to revel in such a personal moment! The bulk of the group were Belgian families but there were also a couple of families from USA and us (the only British couple).
My heart sank, (and I could see the Jude was equally upset) when the first little boy was brought in to be united with his waiting parents. As his carer passed him to his new Mummy, the little boy open his lungs and filled the whole building with the sound of very traumatic crys. He was absolutely devastated and everyone in the room grew more anxious immediately. He was about 4 years old though, so this must have been so difficult for him.
Our daughter arrived next. A tiny little bundle, wide eyed and curious. I took her carefully and spoke softly to her - she stared at me hard and then took a long look at her new Daddy. Again, she stared at him for the longest time and then held her arms out for him to take her. We couldn't have hoped for anything more. It seemed that she knew who we were instictively and knew that she was safe with us.... she checked us all out some more and then fell asleep in my arms. Wow!!
Saturday 18th July
Finally.... on our way!
Although our Quantas flight was booked for 1.10pm, we left at 7am - wanted plenty of time to get there, check in and have breakfast. Unfortunately, it all started rather badly when I realised that I'd forgotten to print out the car parking details and had to go back. At 7.30am we began our journey. All went swimmingly until we were flagged down by a police car whose job it was to slow traffic in advance of a nasty accident. We spent a good 3/4 hour doing about 20 miles per hour but still arrived at Heathrow in plenty of time.
We checked in our baggage but realised that the seats allocated had place Judy 5 rows in front of us. Not only that, she was wedged between two teenagers who unsurprisingly sank into their ipods throughout the journey. Poor Jude - I think it was a very uneventful flight for her.
Following a VERY dodgy landing (apparently Hong Kong had suffered from very bad weather that morning and there was talk of diverting us via Singapore), we landed and made our way through the many bureaucratic check points. We gave up putting our passports away as there was yet another check point hiding around the next corner. We then prepared to the 5 hour wait for the internal flight. Southern China Airlines was excellent - clean and well equipped plane and very friendly flight attendants. No sooner had we taken off and had a coffee, we were preparing to land.
Thankfully, our guide Michael was waiting for us at Guangzhou Airport with a mini bus and escorted three completely exhausted but excited English people to the Victory Hotel.
Although our Quantas flight was booked for 1.10pm, we left at 7am - wanted plenty of time to get there, check in and have breakfast. Unfortunately, it all started rather badly when I realised that I'd forgotten to print out the car parking details and had to go back. At 7.30am we began our journey. All went swimmingly until we were flagged down by a police car whose job it was to slow traffic in advance of a nasty accident. We spent a good 3/4 hour doing about 20 miles per hour but still arrived at Heathrow in plenty of time.
We checked in our baggage but realised that the seats allocated had place Judy 5 rows in front of us. Not only that, she was wedged between two teenagers who unsurprisingly sank into their ipods throughout the journey. Poor Jude - I think it was a very uneventful flight for her.
Following a VERY dodgy landing (apparently Hong Kong had suffered from very bad weather that morning and there was talk of diverting us via Singapore), we landed and made our way through the many bureaucratic check points. We gave up putting our passports away as there was yet another check point hiding around the next corner. We then prepared to the 5 hour wait for the internal flight. Southern China Airlines was excellent - clean and well equipped plane and very friendly flight attendants. No sooner had we taken off and had a coffee, we were preparing to land.
Thankfully, our guide Michael was waiting for us at Guangzhou Airport with a mini bus and escorted three completely exhausted but excited English people to the Victory Hotel.
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Am overwhelmed by the kindness of the people around us. Having only worked at Eastbourne Borough Council since May, the lovely group of girls that I work with schemed and plotted to throw me a surprise baby shower! I came home with bags full of little goodies for Mae, all of which were so special...
Came home from work this afternoon to find Mae's cot/bed had arrived and looked fantastic in her little room. A perfect birthday present for the man who has everything (today being Will's birthday). He was delighted.
Still madly panicking but gradually getting there - where is the time going? Only 2 more days til we fly!
Came home from work this afternoon to find Mae's cot/bed had arrived and looked fantastic in her little room. A perfect birthday present for the man who has everything (today being Will's birthday). He was delighted.
Still madly panicking but gradually getting there - where is the time going? Only 2 more days til we fly!
Sunday, 12 July 2009
Invitation to Travel
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The invitation to travel arrived by 'signed for' post yesterday at 8am. We had already booked our flights to leave the UK on 18th July but without this document we wouldnt' have been going anywhere. Phew!!
Have ticked off most items on our list now too. Mae (we're trying out the Chinese spelling of her name) has at least 6 little outfits now as well as numerous baby grows and vests. Friends and family have been donating and buying her all kinds of lovely things and there's a general sense of excitement in the air. Her new cot/bed arrives on Tuesday from Mum which is also Will's birthday - couldn't have asked for a better birthday present! I spent a good half hour staring at items of baby food in Sainsburys but finally deciding on packets of rice/noodles/pasta which can easily be rehydrated once we arrive. It's so difficult packing for a little one we've never met and know very little about............
Have ticked off most items on our list now too. Mae (we're trying out the Chinese spelling of her name) has at least 6 little outfits now as well as numerous baby grows and vests. Friends and family have been donating and buying her all kinds of lovely things and there's a general sense of excitement in the air. Her new cot/bed arrives on Tuesday from Mum which is also Will's birthday - couldn't have asked for a better birthday present! I spent a good half hour staring at items of baby food in Sainsburys but finally deciding on packets of rice/noodles/pasta which can easily be rehydrated once we arrive. It's so difficult packing for a little one we've never met and know very little about............
Am attaching a picture of Mae forwarded by our lovely Chinese guide Chris. He kindly asked her Social Welfare Institute to take it for us recently. She still looks a little warey. Can't wait to catch her up in my arms and reassure her that everything will be alright.
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