Will has completely impressed me. For being home for only one week, he has done a great job transitioning. He is warming up to Mommy and he loves Daddy and the kids. He had his first doctor's appointment, and the doctor was really impressed with our little fellow. He recommended that we don't do anything with his arm until he has stopped growing. This seems to be the leading piece of advice. A coworker of Jim's, who is also missing a hand due to an accident when she was a toddler, highly recommend doing nothing. Her boss was very skeptical that she could do the job, so he put her on 90 days probation. Within 30 days, she was hired full time and never looked back.
Will also had the trauma of having blood work and shots. The pediatrician was very skeptical of the shots he received, so he STRONGLY recommended that we redo them. The shots have definitely put Will in a touchy mood along with a running fever. It's been a long two days. Last night he slept like a champ so I'm hoping we are through the worst of it.
Today, we are a bit nervous. We are heading off to Mobile to visit the USS Alabama Battleship. Jim and the our older boys are going to be spending the night on the ship. Will is staying with mom and the girls without daddy. That's why mommy is nervous. Hopefully, he will sleep well and not wake the entire hotel up!
I'll post pictures on Sunday when we get home from our first adventure.
Holly
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
Will made my day!
Sunday night, Will finally decided I may not be too bad. Jim was putting Hope to sleep, and he left Will with me...glup! He was sitting in the chair and started to whimper. I quickly got a Clifford book and it successfully distracted him. He contently sat with me reading the book. When Jim came back in the room, I expected him to spring from my lap and run to Jim, but he didn't. This time he just settled in and ultimately fell asleep. It was so nice.
Holly
Holly
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Great Story
Jim had a very touching story about China. The second day after he got Will, they had to run back to the to civil affairs office to complete the adoption. On the way home, the taxi driver asked Chris, our facilitator, about Will. Chris filled filled him in on his story, and the taxi driver turned around, and gave him a huge smile and a thumbs up.
Once they got back to the hotel, the taxi drive refused to accept any money. He was adamant about not excepting any fee. Chris tried really hard, but the taxi driver would not accept any money. That gesture meant so much to Jim, he asked Chris to express his appreciation.
Holly
Once they got back to the hotel, the taxi drive refused to accept any money. He was adamant about not excepting any fee. Chris tried really hard, but the taxi driver would not accept any money. That gesture meant so much to Jim, he asked Chris to express his appreciation.
Holly
They are Home!
It's been a whirlwind since Wednesday, but what a joy. Hope's wildest dreams have come true. Will loves her. They play amazingly well together. It is great to see. He even readily shares Jim's lap with her.
Will is doing really well. I am amazed at how well he is taking all the changes in his life. The main sticking point is Jim must be available to him at all times. He constantly must know where Jim is. He will be playing in another room, and will coming running to where Jim is. He climbs into his lap, kisses him, and moves on. We have had several meltdowns, when he comes back for his quick check to find Jim gone.
So far, mommy is not really rating too high. He will let me hand him stuff - juice cups, cookies, etc. He will go to anyone but me. He loves the 3 older kids, but mommy is someone to be concerned about. That will change with time, but boy would Jim like that to change quickly.
At home, we have a few too many pets for Will's taste- 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 rabbits, 5 goats, and 1 turtle. So far, Will is very unimpressed with the pets. He has finally gotten to the point where it doesn't jump into Jim's arms when one comes close too him. He still growls at the them as they pass by. So far, we have been keeping the dogs outside until bedtime so he doesn't get too stressed out.
That's all for now.
Holly
Will is doing really well. I am amazed at how well he is taking all the changes in his life. The main sticking point is Jim must be available to him at all times. He constantly must know where Jim is. He will be playing in another room, and will coming running to where Jim is. He climbs into his lap, kisses him, and moves on. We have had several meltdowns, when he comes back for his quick check to find Jim gone.
So far, mommy is not really rating too high. He will let me hand him stuff - juice cups, cookies, etc. He will go to anyone but me. He loves the 3 older kids, but mommy is someone to be concerned about. That will change with time, but boy would Jim like that to change quickly.
At home, we have a few too many pets for Will's taste- 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 rabbits, 5 goats, and 1 turtle. So far, Will is very unimpressed with the pets. He has finally gotten to the point where it doesn't jump into Jim's arms when one comes close too him. He still growls at the them as they pass by. So far, we have been keeping the dogs outside until bedtime so he doesn't get too stressed out.
That's all for now.
Holly
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Last Day in China
[Jacob’s Comments]
Today we woke up around 9:00 (last night we stayed up watching Lost and Star Trek - TNG – the episode were Picard is turned into a Borg) and went to eat breakfast. The food tasted fine, except my favorites food there was out. I mainly ate cereal [Dad’s Note: He also ate two very large helpings each of fried rice and Chinese noodles.]
After breakfast, we took a walk and bought the remaining souvenirs we needed. Then we went to the embassy.
The embassy was located in a rather large building that was an hour drive away. Once there, we went up 5 floors to the U.S. Consulate. After they called us, we went up to a desk and they gave us Will’s VISA, and asked Dad where’s Mom. It was the only question they asked. We then sat down again and then 20 minutes later, a U. S. official appeared made all the parents swear an oath that basically stated that all our paperwork submitted and signed was true and correct. That was it and then we went back to Shamian Island.
Once back at the hotel, Dad began packing and getting things that we would use to entertain our selves during the long flights home. (You might not know, but this is our last day here)
And here I am now, typing an entry for the blog.
[Jim’s Comments]
Today was a very busy day for us, as I essentially waited until the last minute to finish all our shopping – Holly made a rather hefty list of things to consider purchasing while here. I think we did pretty well in what we got – I think the kids will all be happy with what Jacob and I picked out for them – assuming it all makes it home (one item won’t fit in our luggage and will have to make the journey checked in by itself – which I’m greatly concerned about!)
Unlike Jacob, I found the consulate appointment interesting - it’s not everyday you get to see a large room full of new U.S. citizens (Will technically won’t be a citizen until we readopt him in Alabama – this is the price we pay by Holly staying home. Adopted children whose both parents travel, come to the U. S. on an IR4 VISA and are automatically citizens the moment they step off the plane in the U. S. This is not so when only one parent makes the trip. Those children get an IR3 VISA and won’t become citizens until they are readopted in their home state.). It was also comforting when the U. S. official came out for the oath. I felt he was someone who really cared about what we were doing and that he would have done everything possible to help us along our way. I also felt just a bit like I was at home (you might be able to tell that I’m feeling just a little bit homesick and am quite ready to be back home!)
I remember the feeling of elation on my first trip with Hope when we crossed into Alaskan airspace (after having so many problems at the Guangzhou International airport) and the incredible relief of stepping off the plane in Newark, New Jersey. There really is no adequate way to describe the feeling of being back home (and Newark did feel like home, or at least close enough!) I’m sure I’m going to have the same feeling on this trip home too!
That’s all for now.
Jim
Today we woke up around 9:00 (last night we stayed up watching Lost and Star Trek - TNG – the episode were Picard is turned into a Borg) and went to eat breakfast. The food tasted fine, except my favorites food there was out. I mainly ate cereal [Dad’s Note: He also ate two very large helpings each of fried rice and Chinese noodles.]
After breakfast, we took a walk and bought the remaining souvenirs we needed. Then we went to the embassy.
The embassy was located in a rather large building that was an hour drive away. Once there, we went up 5 floors to the U.S. Consulate. After they called us, we went up to a desk and they gave us Will’s VISA, and asked Dad where’s Mom. It was the only question they asked. We then sat down again and then 20 minutes later, a U. S. official appeared made all the parents swear an oath that basically stated that all our paperwork submitted and signed was true and correct. That was it and then we went back to Shamian Island.
Once back at the hotel, Dad began packing and getting things that we would use to entertain our selves during the long flights home. (You might not know, but this is our last day here)
And here I am now, typing an entry for the blog.
[Jim’s Comments]
Today was a very busy day for us, as I essentially waited until the last minute to finish all our shopping – Holly made a rather hefty list of things to consider purchasing while here. I think we did pretty well in what we got – I think the kids will all be happy with what Jacob and I picked out for them – assuming it all makes it home (one item won’t fit in our luggage and will have to make the journey checked in by itself – which I’m greatly concerned about!)
Unlike Jacob, I found the consulate appointment interesting - it’s not everyday you get to see a large room full of new U.S. citizens (Will technically won’t be a citizen until we readopt him in Alabama – this is the price we pay by Holly staying home. Adopted children whose both parents travel, come to the U. S. on an IR4 VISA and are automatically citizens the moment they step off the plane in the U. S. This is not so when only one parent makes the trip. Those children get an IR3 VISA and won’t become citizens until they are readopted in their home state.). It was also comforting when the U. S. official came out for the oath. I felt he was someone who really cared about what we were doing and that he would have done everything possible to help us along our way. I also felt just a bit like I was at home (you might be able to tell that I’m feeling just a little bit homesick and am quite ready to be back home!)
I remember the feeling of elation on my first trip with Hope when we crossed into Alaskan airspace (after having so many problems at the Guangzhou International airport) and the incredible relief of stepping off the plane in Newark, New Jersey. There really is no adequate way to describe the feeling of being back home (and Newark did feel like home, or at least close enough!) I’m sure I’m going to have the same feeling on this trip home too!
That’s all for now.
Jim
Red Couch
Here are Will's Red Couch pictures. The "Red Couch" is a red couch at the White Swan where it is a tradition to get your new child's picture taken. Usually, you will get a group shot of all the babies/children in your travel group. It's a really nice space to gather all the kids together.
Holly
Holly
Monday, March 19, 2007
Embassy Excitement
[Jacob’s Comments]
Today dad woke us up around 9:00, and went down to eat breakfast. Once we ate, we went to the room and waited there in case Chris was to call. Sure enough, at 10:15 am he called. He needed my Dad to go to the embassy for more paperwork. He left me to do my math. 5 minutes later, Dad came in AGAIN and left me with Will. He said my math could wait until he got back. I think I would rather do my math than listen to Will’s crying. Will is SCREAMING at the top of his lungs. (And Dad thinks Will would be calm if I held him long enough. I did, but It just made it worst) so, while Will is screaming, I am typing this.
[Mom's comments]
Hang in there Jacob. You are almost home! I'm proud of you. It's never easy taking care of a fussy baby, but you really gave Dad the needed time to get the paperwork right. That was really important to get done. 2 days to go and we are ready to see you! Then you will have two fussy babies chasing you down!
[Dad’s comments]
Will was fine when I got back. I was gone for about 1 ½ hours (the embassy used to be only a 5 minute walk from the hotel, but now it’s about 45 minutes away by taxi.) I had filled out the NEW I-854EZ form instead of the EXPIRED I-854 form. The new I-854EZ form had three questions that if all were answered yes (which I did), allowed you to use it instead of the traditional I-854 form (per form’s instructions) – it also didn’t matter that there wasn’t an updated I-854 form available.
It turns out that the Department of Homeland Security had released the new form earlier, but our U.S. embassy in China won’t begin using the newer form until next month (less than 6 months before it too expires!)
This wouldn’t be all that bad if the 2 forms weren’t virtually identical AND that I hadn’t already given them the exact same information requested on the form repeatedly on other similar immigration forms!
Aren’t bureaucracies wonderful?
This afternoon I think we’re going to take another walk off Shamian Island to do some last minute shopping before we start packing up (doesn’t that sound great?) Tomorrow we have our swearing in ceremony at the embassy (assuming no other “problems” are found in our paperwork,) and then Wednesday we’re homeward bound!
Today dad woke us up around 9:00, and went down to eat breakfast. Once we ate, we went to the room and waited there in case Chris was to call. Sure enough, at 10:15 am he called. He needed my Dad to go to the embassy for more paperwork. He left me to do my math. 5 minutes later, Dad came in AGAIN and left me with Will. He said my math could wait until he got back. I think I would rather do my math than listen to Will’s crying. Will is SCREAMING at the top of his lungs. (And Dad thinks Will would be calm if I held him long enough. I did, but It just made it worst) so, while Will is screaming, I am typing this.
[Mom's comments]
Hang in there Jacob. You are almost home! I'm proud of you. It's never easy taking care of a fussy baby, but you really gave Dad the needed time to get the paperwork right. That was really important to get done. 2 days to go and we are ready to see you! Then you will have two fussy babies chasing you down!
[Dad’s comments]
Will was fine when I got back. I was gone for about 1 ½ hours (the embassy used to be only a 5 minute walk from the hotel, but now it’s about 45 minutes away by taxi.) I had filled out the NEW I-854EZ form instead of the EXPIRED I-854 form. The new I-854EZ form had three questions that if all were answered yes (which I did), allowed you to use it instead of the traditional I-854 form (per form’s instructions) – it also didn’t matter that there wasn’t an updated I-854 form available.
It turns out that the Department of Homeland Security had released the new form earlier, but our U.S. embassy in China won’t begin using the newer form until next month (less than 6 months before it too expires!)
This wouldn’t be all that bad if the 2 forms weren’t virtually identical AND that I hadn’t already given them the exact same information requested on the form repeatedly on other similar immigration forms!
Aren’t bureaucracies wonderful?
This afternoon I think we’re going to take another walk off Shamian Island to do some last minute shopping before we start packing up (doesn’t that sound great?) Tomorrow we have our swearing in ceremony at the embassy (assuming no other “problems” are found in our paperwork,) and then Wednesday we’re homeward bound!
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