It's official - we are parents

More paperwork today but that should be it for awhile. The group had to go back to the adoption office to sign papers making it official that we are approved as parents for Aidan.

Then we had to go to the Public Security Bureau to get Aidan's passport photo and all of our official adoption documents rubber stamped. That took up the entire morning and then it was lunch and a nap.

And speaking of lunch, Aidan is an eater. Today, from morning 'til night, he ate and ate and ate.

During his afternoon nap, Angie went shopping with the group to the local WalMart. We need a few things like diapers and toys and snacks. I had the enviable task of staying behind to not ruin a good nap (for both Aidan and I :-) We then had a group dinner at a local Chinese restaurant.

We are bonding extremely well and Aidan is taking to both of us. He is routinely calling me Baba (daddy) and all is well i n that area. A few pictures below to round out today's report will tell the rest of the story:

(yep - he lost a battle with mosquitoes as have most of the kids in our group)

Tomorrow is a sleep-in day. We will get out and walk to the local lake/park in the morning and go jade shopping in the afternoon with a Pizza Hut dinner - yeah! More later...

WE HIT THE JACKPOT!

Never in our wildest dreams did we think this would have gone so well. "Kai Kai" as he was called is the sweetest, chubbiest, and funniest little guy imaginable. But I digress...

First we had to fly for two hours to Kunming. And in order to fly domestically in China we are only allowed one 44 pound check-in bag each and 11 pound carry on - and this is STRICTLY enforced. So we found ourselves last night and this morning balancing out our luggage and packing one to leave behind at the White Swan in storage until we get back next Friday. I mentioned in a previous post we packed for eight with all the gifts for orphanage and foster family. That added to the necessary things we needed to pack for today. We will unload all of that this week and be OK for the trip back to Guangzhou.

This morning, our group of five families traveled to the airport and our tour guide escorted us right up to the ticketing desk bypassing a throng of travelers. Guangzhou airport is huge - we literally taxied for 15 minutes in a hot plane until we were lined up on the runway. It was 95 degrees with at least 80% humidity in Guangzhou. So it was a hot time getting off the ground.

Landed in Kunming right on time, met our escort from Holt, got our luggage, got right to a bus and made it to the hotel at 2:00. Had to take another 30 minute ride at 3:30 to get to where the children were. Aidan was the only boy of the bunch and the only one walking. The group of kids arrived and one by one they called our names and we got to hug him tight for the first time. Lots of crying and upset babies as would be expected. Aidan? One brief cry when he was handed to us and then he warmed up incredibly.

We quickly got him playing with a Thomas train and took pictures. He is a little ham! He knows when to smile and pose for the camera. After some more paperwork on the spot, and once all the kids were finally settling down, we got back on the bus and back to the hotel.

The cutest thing was Aidan came to us clutching the small family photo album that we sent over weeks ago. He pointed to "Baba" (me) and "Mama" (Angie) and even "Gu Gu" (brother). He would not let go of the phtoto book as if it was his only worldly possession - which it actually was besides the clothes on his back. Now he owns us!

We ventured across the street to the Blue Bird restaurant where we were able to get some Italian food, go figure. Thanks Carole and Pierre for giving us the tip it was there. Aidan eats everything in sight!!! He certainly knows his way around a plate of food - he's so chubby. Got back to the hotel and bathed him, which he loved. Put on his PJs, gave him a bottle of milk, and by 9:00 he was asleep. So far no terrible grieving issues other than while falling asleep he was murmuring "Mama, Mama, Mama..." We don't know what to make of a child that actually falls asleep easily. Maybe he can teach Alex a thing or two.

Weather in Kunming today was about 75 and overcast. It is raining right now at 10PM. This is rainy season but it sure beats 95/80 in Guangzhou. Tomorrow more of same. We work on more paperwork for Aidan's passport tomorrow morning and then venture to WalMart in the afternoon for supplies.

We are thrilled, to say the least how this is going.

Day One In The Books

Still battling some jet lag, but today we toured around the White Swan Hotel on Shamian Island by foot and then by bus with the rest of our adoptive parents group. Hey Paul - I see now why you wanted to come with us just to stay at the White Swan again. I just came from the lobby where I was looking out over the Pearl River with the neon lights lining the opposite shore, the lobby waterfall was ever flowing, and a pianist/violinist duo was playing nearby. Chinese children all around added to the joyful sounds. A huge wedding dinner was taking place with elegantly dressed guests milling about. This place is magical.

I was in such a hurry on this morning's post that I forgot two incidents worth mentioning during the flight. First, at Detroit, while my bag was being searched right at the jetway, a Japanese woman came sprinting back up the jetway screaming about leaving her handbag behind. It was odd enough that about five security folks were hot on her trail. She found it. Angie and I had aisle seats from Detroit to Tokyo. The young Japanese man sitting in the window seat did not get up to move around, let alone take a potty break for 11-1/2 of the 12 hour flight. It hurt me to think about it. I guess he made it once he finally got up to the lavatory.

Today we had the tour of the Chen Family Museum that houses many provincial pieces of fine art. The wood carvings were incredible. Bonsai trees were all over. The ornamental roof was carved from porcelain. A lovely place, but hot in the Guangzhou heat and humidity. I'd throw in a few pictures but this computer is not recognizing my thumb drive.

Tomorrow is Gotcha Day! We fly to Kunming and then we will get Aidan. We cannot wait to see him. We had an interesting tease today. All of the 10 adoptive couples in orientation received a nice binder with info about the upcoming week, latest update on our child, and a latest picture. Oh, except for us five couples traveling to Kunming - no updated picture. Darn the luck.

I guess we'll just wait to see him in person.

The Eagle Has Landed!

This might as well have been a trip to the moon. 18.5 hours in the air, 27 hours door to door, three planes, two luggage searches, and one strip search (just kidding). And we were thinking about bringing Alex? And Uncle Jaime does this on a monthly basis? No thanks. But we made it! Angie is absolutely exhausted - I'm doing pretty good. Breakfast this morning was great. The bed is like sleeping on plywood. But the White Swan Hotel is awesome. For those of you that teased me about flying on "Northworst" Air, I gotta say Northwest was exceptionally smooth flying and right on time. Knock on wood for the trip home. Enough for my five minute chance to type something - gotta go to an orientation meeting. Then it's off to some light local touring today. It is wonderful to see many families already with their adopted children in the hotel - that will be us tomorrow afternoon.
See ya!

What's a Kammuri?

Just the name of a little tropical storm about to hit Hong Kong and affect Guangzhou right before we arrive. You know, why not throw a little scare into us about travel delays. But judging by the forecast it should pass south and west of Guangzhou by the time we fly in. Hopefully we will dodge the bullet on this one.

Packing is the theme at this point. We need to pack for eight people – of course for Angie and I, Aidan’s clothes and some books and toys (and portable DVD player. He will learn to love Thomas the Tank Engine), Alex’s gear for his two week stay at Grandma’s, and gifts for foster family, orphanage director, and orphanage staff. We are very tired of packing and unpacking, if you know what we mean ;-) More on that later.

So to show the Olympic spirit, we are ready to sprint through airports, lift heavy bags (and toddler), sail through more paperwork, wrestle with more packing, and hang a gold medal around Aidan’s neck. Tomorrow we triple-jump all the way to China…

Follow The Bouncing Ball

Hi all! We are counting the hours until we depart for China to bring home Aidan. We’ve been remiss in blog updates as of late, but those that are in the know realize we have been a little bit busy lately… I will post that story after we get back from China.

So here we are on the cusp of our grand adventure! You can see by the below itinerary that we have quite a challenging trip. Please stay tuned for periodic updates and pictures. Remember to save as a favorite http://welcomeaidan.blogspot.com/.

August 7, 2008
Depart BWI 12:42pm on Northwest Airlines (NWA) flight 1977
Arrive Detroit Wayne County Airport 2:17pm
Depart Detroit Wayne County Airport 3:40pm on Northwest flight 0011
Arrive Tokyo Narita Airport 5:35pm (August 8)
Depart Tokyo Narita Airport 7:15pm on Northwest flight 0027 (August 8)
Arrive Guangzhou Baiyan Airport 11:00pm (August 8)
Staying at the White Swan Hotel, Guangzhou, China http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:White_Swan_Waterfall.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guangzhou

August 9, 2008, Guangzhou
9:30am orientation with Holt staff
Group lunch
Walking tour of Shamian Island http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamian_Island
Tour the Chen Clan Classical Academy (a school of classical learning established in 1895, now a working museum devoted to the collection and care of handicrafts from various regions of China)

August 10, 2008 (Gotcha Day)
Depart Guangzhou Baiyan Airport 10:55am to Kunming
Arrive Kunming 1:10pm
Afternoon - go to the Kunming Civilian Affairs office to meet Aidan. He will be with us for good from that point.
Staying at Kunming Grand Park Hotel http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Grand_Park_Hotel_Kunming.htm

August 11, 2008, Kunming http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunming
Adoption registration and notarization at the Civilian Affairs office
Apply for Aidan’s passport
Group dinner at local restaurant

August 12, 2008, Kunming
Lay day. Shopping for baby stuff. Local sightseeing. Bonding with Aidan. Catching our breath.
Optional visit to Yunnan Nationality Village http://www.chinahighlights.com/kunming/attraction/yunnan-ethnic-village.htm

August 13, 2008, Kunming
Lay day. Local sightseeing. More bonding.

August 14, 2008, Kunming
Lay day. Visit Kunming orphanage where Aidan was based. Although, he was with a foster family.

August 15, 2008
Travel back to Guangzhou. Flight departs 6:35pm.
Arrive Guangzhou 8:20pm.
Back to White Swan Hotel.

August 16, 2008, Guangzhou
Paperwork. Lay day. More bonding. Laundry?

August 17, 2008, Guangzhou
Optional activities/sightseeing to be determined.

August 18, 2008, Guangzhou
Optional activities/sightseeing to be determined.
Visa appointment.

August 19, 2008, Guangzhou
Optional activities/sightseeing to be determined.
Oath taking ceremony.
Receive Aidan’s visa for travel to U.S.

August 20, 2008 (Finally!!!)
Depart Guangzhou Baiyan Airport 8:20am on Northwest flight 0028
Arrive Tokyo Narita Airport 2:05pm
Depart Tokyo Narita Airport 4:15pm on Northwest flight 0012
Arrive Detroit Wayne County Airport 3:00pm
Depart Detroit Wayne County Airport 5:29pm on Northwest flight 1144
Arrive BWI 7:10pm (come one, come all, to greet us!)

Over The Rainbow

Two weeks and counting until we land in the Peoples Republic of China. What a journey it’s been. This started back in the summer of 2006 when Angie and I went through the adoption application process all over again, just like we had done for Alex. Physicals, fingerprints, background checks, and more paperwork than imaginable just to get to a point where we could send the dossier through our adoption agencies (Catholic Charities in Baltimore and Holt International in Oregon), and then off to the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA), where it would eventually be logged in as an official application. Finally, in October 2006, we received word that our application had been “logged in” which gave us the all-important Log-In-Date (LID). Those adoptive parents who read this are nodding their heads thinking yep, been-there-done-that, never-wanna-do-it-again, would-have-rather-been-pregnant–for-nine-months-and-had-a-36-hour-delivery… Heck, the paperwork alone can easily take nine months! To those who have not experienced the process – let’s just say no words can ever do it justice. But we do it because at the other end of the rainbow is our pot of gold!

So we had our LID and at the time were thinking OK, the current wait time is about 15 months, our friends had done this in 2004 and they were about the same timing, so looking ahead we should be on our way in early 2008. Right? Wrong… Early 2008 had come and gone and the word was that there was a HUGE backlog of applications at CCAA and there could be HUGE delays to the tune of two more years of waiting. This was not sitting well with anyone in the backlog. Apparently, so many applications had flooded the China adoption system that the demand was far outweighing the available children. There was still the same amount of children needing homes, but way more applicants. We were beginning to question what was in store for us. Would we be able to wait that long? Our background clearances would expire yet again and there’d be more paperwork. Alex was getting older and the age difference between our children would be greater. Heck, WE were getting older. We were extremely uncertain where this was going to lead us.

Then Holt and Catholic Charities stepped in to provide some options. Seems there is a parallel system of children just outside of the mainstream that have some medical issues. These children are often hard to place in an adoptive home. Oh, and by the way, if we were open to adopting a boy, there are boys available in that program and that could speed up a referral. History lesson: available children in China’s adoption program are usually girls. To us, a boy was just as much of a blessing as a girl. We signed up for the program.

This worked faster than we could have ever hoped. Within six weeks we had the referral for Aidan. A boy. A medical issue so minor that it may very well have cleared itself up by now. We rec’d pages of medical information showing an otherwise healthy toddler. And as mentioned earlier, he is already chasing the cat in his foster family's home. Our pot of gold!

All that’s left now is to get to the end of the rainbow…