Last full day in Nanjing

Kobi loving the markets :)

Every time I tried to take a pic of Kobi, Ty would pop his silly self in front of her...typical little brother :) 

This sweet boy has completely captured my heart. 

At the Ming Tomb

So surely this is not what they are there for, but the kiddos sure thought it was a fun way to get around a history lesson of the dynasties and emperors of hundreds of years ago.  

Thank you so much for all the comments about the food.  It really made me feel better.  He was thrilled that we stuffed his little bag full of snacks!  It really helped showing up at breakfast,,, he'd already had a few snacks so he wasn't super hungry.  I think that is the key, not letting him get hungry.  

 We also had him eat breakfast with his chopsticks, which made him eat much slower... and took a few trips to the buffet. It was great because he finished about the same time as the rest of us.

It was reassuring that he would continuously pull out his little snack bag, but he didn't feel the need to eat every last bit.  He would put it back in his little pack and take them out again a few minutes later.  He is distracted by the tours, and by being out and about, which is very good too.  He has eaten a ton today, but not all at one sitting.    I really feel like this will work itself out in due time.  He does need to put some meat on his bones,, I am thankful that on a whim I threw a pair of 2T shorts in my bag... they are the only ones that really fit him at 5 1/2 !  And his feet are the same size as Mina's. Not to worry my dear son, Food is our family love language :)   We leave for Guangzhou tomorrow which is good, Marc isn't feeling well today and I can only think of how easy it would be to take the kids around Shaiman island by myself... hopefully he feels better tomorrow though... and praying that whatever he has isn't "catchy".      

Lazy day

We have had a great day so far.  We visited a beautiful garden area but mostly just hung around in our room (which is very unlike us) and did some shopping.  
 So the thing I worried most about before we adopted Ty was that he wouldn't really like us or that he would run off when we are in busy places, which is so funny now seeing how he is the one who always makes sure he is holding our hand.  He also realized today that he loves to be carried... a lot.  We oblige him for now, as he weighs next to nothing.. and it is so cute that he just wraps his little arms around me even when I have him on my hip.  When I look at him he can't help but smile ear to ear and usually gives me a big 'ol smootch.  Such a little love baby.   

He is very busy and you can tell he has never sat in a restaurant or really been told no.  He thinks it is so funny to be naughty.... that we will have to work on.  Most of the time he is very good.  We are trying to figure out how to handle the "food issue" stuff.  He eats very fast, he wants to eat a lot but we think that is why he got so sick the first day.  He is super tiny,  just a bit bigger than our Mina,,, who we always thought was teeny.  So our gut reaction is to let him eat.  This morning at breakfast he put down a ton of food in minutes flat, before Marc had even sat down.... we had to take him out of the restaurant right away because we thought he would end up getting sick if he ate any more.. so needles to say, mealtime is NOT relaxing. So for any Mama's out there who have dealt with this... the question is, To feed or not to feed?  Do I let him eat until he gets sick, or do I stop him at normal portions, which are still probably twice what he is used to?  Would love some advice.

 We also finally got Ty some new kicks!  Which was much harder than one might imagine around here.  He thinks they are pretty cool and was just beaming when he put them on.  Don't you just love N-K-I-E's ... too funny.

I am so happy that Kobi is loving China as much as we do, she is even liking some of the food,, but  mostly the shopping :)  so many little trinkets, so little time :)

He's napping now (yes, he still naps!) so I figured I would post..last night took way too long and I felt guilty for being on the computer when he was about to go to bed.  We hope to do a river cruise tonight.. should be fun!  

Peace Out- from China!!

If yesterday was Sweet, today was Bittersweet

What an absolutely CRAZY day!!!  So we thought it was so cute last night when Ty was scarfing down mcnuggets, milkshakes and jellybeans...  now I know that was a huge rookie mistake as they totally wreaked havoc on his little system and he woke up this morning after his poor little skin and bones body has exploded at both ends.  After we cleaned him up he seemed much better so we headed for the breakfast buffet.  

My queasy boy in the car

We had a little meltdown when Marc walked away to get the food as he did not want to see him leave.  He is super attached to us and rarely wants to let go of our hands. 

 Afterwards we headed to the civil affairs office to complete the adoption in China's eyes.  

Walking into the Civil affairs, yeah I know I need to buy him some new shoes.. I was way off on  the ones I brought and still have yet to get to a real store. 

Kobi playing with Ty's nannies and her silly band collection.. Ty trying to figure out his upside down leapster :)

Then we headed to the orphanage... it was quite surreal that the Orphanage director and two nannies hitched a ride for the two and a half hour journey to the SWI and then took us to lunch.. So we had tons of time to ask questions.. all the while our boy was tossing his cookies in the sick bags I swiped from the airplane. 

They were very gracious, even letting us have tons of photos and info from his original file!  Then they took us on a tour of where our son has been living since he was one day old and it was enough to make you cry a river. 

  I will forever worry about some of the children that we met today.  Their faces so sweet and so bright.  Most of Ty's class has had their file at the CCAA for over 2 years, I know what that means for most of them and the way their eyes beamed... oh it rips at my heart. 

Then the baby class walked in and I about lost it.. oh the cuteness. { And yes Penny, I got photos and VIDEO!! of your little man, who was actually much happier until the freaky blonde lady started making silly noises and flashing her camera at him.. He is too cute for words.}

 

Then Ty got to show us his room, he was so pleased.  in seeing his little bed it was made clear why he fell out of bed last night :)  

  Then our guide took us on a 2 hour tour of the city while she asked nearly 2 dozen people how to find his finding spot.  But find it she did!  I am so glad we found it,  but it sure was a kick in the gut to see.  My sweet boy.. I don't even like to think about the enormity of it all. 

I want to just live in the now and soak in his contagious smiles.  

So all in all a very good day, I will be happy someday to be able to give Ty as many answers as I possibly can about his start in this world... but I am really glad it is over.   Heartbroken, 7 hour car ride, 5 sick bags later and we are all cleaned up and hanging in the hotel room looking forward to a lazy day tomorrow...  Bless you all. Goodnight from China... Your comments are like a big hug :) Thanks

 So I couldn't go to sleep tonight without finishing out the day on the good ol' blog.  It has been such a surreal day.   I will admit that this morning Marc and I both had serious butterflies in our stomachs... not the good kind either.. the- I'm gonna toss my cookies kind.  We had no idea what to expect from this child whos world was about to be turned upside down.  There are 101 cute stories from the day,,, I will try to narrow them down.  

We did go to McDon@lds tonight, and you would think it was the best thing that could ever possibly happen.  Ty would look at us then look at his french fry and just giggle.  Then he would show me my french fries and try to tell me to eat.   I gave him some ketchup and his eyes about popped out of his head.  

 We walked over to a large outdoor mall and anytime he saw stairs or escalators he would jump into our arms and hold on for dear life, but he never stopped smiling ear to ear.   Then this evening we were walking in an outdoor pedestrian market, a few times Marc was walking ahead holding his hand, Kobi and I were right behind... he would look back to check we were still there and smile so big I thought he was going to burst...then he would look up at Marc and just beam.    

Oh,, he also started telling our guide that he had older brothers, and sisters... she looked at us and said, " I think he was in foster care"  I told her that his paperwork said that he had been in the orphanage since he was one day old.  She kept asking him questions and then realized that he was talking on and on about our family from the photos we had sent and the ones that we had brought for him.    He did get a bit nervous at bedtime.  I am sure he normally has a routine of which I have no idea.  He had gone to bed with a comb after bath time..  I laid down with him and he just kept combing my hair which was surely a ploy not to go to bed, and yes it totally worked.  He is a charmer.  He is super busy and super excited.  We haven't been able to pull out many of the fun things we brought for him as it seems like he would surely pop with excitement.   He is a major copy cat, already copying some of our English words.  He is going to keep me extra busy... I am in t.r.o.u.b.l.e.!  and 100% head over heals

 Tomorrow we go to the orphanage, we are driving back from the Civil affairs office( over two and a half hours) with the director and two nannies from the orphanage, then we will go to lunch with them.  I always hate the anticipation of this day.  I am anxious of how it will all play out. I know it will be a hard day, but I know for sure that I won't regret a second of the memories we make.

We've got our Boy!

I have so much to say, but I know y'all REALLY just want to see these photos...  I am shocked at how happy this child is... over the top hysterical.  He is the most confident and self assured kid ever...The second we walked into the office he spotted me and came running at me with a bear hug.  He has been ridiculously busy, excited and happy ever since.  As we were headed out of the civil affairs office he grabbed my hand and then walked a step ahead of me warning me that their was a step ahead.  I think this kid is going to teach us a few things.  Our guide told him we would take him to McD@nalds tonight and he was jumping up and down so I gotta get going.  I will probably post more tonight but I couldn't leave you hanging without the cuteness......

We made it to Beijing!

We are sitting in the airport sucking down ice coffee, trying to
stay awake during our 5 hour layover until we board our next flight to
Nanjing :) The flights so far have been long but otherwise
beautifully uneventful. A few weeks back I prayed that we would be
able to buy our plane tickets by my birthday, it was the one thing I
really wanted.. just to know when we would travel. How funny is it
that today is my birthday and I spent it in the air flying to get my
boy! Best present ever! Especially since I am "celebrating" one of
those milestone years that I had thought I would dread, but I could
care less about the number.. I am blissfully happy -combined with a
bundle of nerves thinking of all the what-if's about the next 24
hours. I can't wait to meet Ty, but I am trying to keep my excitement
in check as I know it may be a very tough day for him. Thanks to you
all for following along, we covet your prayers. Next post will be
photos of meeting TY!!!! Much love, Amy

Next Step... China baby!

After 2 full days of insane rushing around, I am D.O.N.E. packing.  This isn't a throw your clothes in a bag kind of trip, especially for us members of an elite group known as "Over-packers Anonymous".  We are talking clothes, meds (prescription and OTC) for every imaginable illness, toys, snacks, books, laundry soap, rushed visas, paperwork galore and the list goes on...  you'd think I was going camping not to a country that has a Wal-mart 3 blocks from our hotel.  

We have changed our arrangements around a bit so we leave early tomorrow (Saturday) morning instead of today.  Which means we get into Nanjing at 10:00 pm Sunday Night and we meet Ty the next day.  I am praying for smooth and timely flights!   

Check this out....

This just happens to be the back pack of the most excited 8 year old on the planet!  

Our girl, usually so mellow and stoic,, is crazy, over the moon excited to be going on a trip of a lifetime to meet her baby brother and on a mission to consume as many steamed dumplings as possible.  

 Next POST--From China!!!!!!   Please say a prayer for our Sweet boy and for our safe travel. Much love to everyone following along...  Amy

Holy Smokes

Breathe Amy.... woke up to an email.... we are going to China in 2 DAYS.... Breathe Amy.... Went to bed thinking we would be there next month..... Breathe Amy.... But no,  we are leaving THIS Friday...  Breathe

to do list item #17... CHECK

I went to S@m's Club this afternoon and crossed off a major to do list item.  Making meals for while we are in China and some from when we come back as well!  My awesome in-laws are coming to stay with the kiddos while we are gone for 2 weeks!

 I went prepared... I had looked up a bunch of freezable recipes that had some of the major ingredients in common and went to town.    Seriously 10 pounds of lean ground beef and 5 rotisserie chickens (major step saved,,, just had to chop up the meat and do all the mixing!)     This is the before photo of all necessities...

If you have twerps like me,,, let them stay up hours past their bedtime so they can fill and roll enchiladas

 4 hours later and I have 19 meals in my freezer!! The after photos:   I'm feeling pretty good about that right now.

 My recipe choices will surely not win any culinary awards, but I am psyched to have some comfort food on hand for when we are suffering from jet-lag and looking to appease SIX hungry kiddos... just the thought flips me out.

 I'm pretty shocked how quickly it all came together.. but it makes sense to brown up 10 lbs of meat and then dole it out to each different recipe,  chop up an entire bag of onions and use them for several different recipes.. and have 4 different dishes of shredded cooked chicken going into 4 different recipes at the same time.

Here's what I made & recipes for some:
Chili ( I just put in my regular ingredients but didn't cook it up... I will thaw it out, then throw it in the    Crockpot when I'm ready to use it)
Chicken Broccoli Casserole ( i use a "recipe" in my head close to this)
Pizza Casserole
Chicken Spaghetti ( i used a can of rotel in place of the bell peppers & pimentos)
Chicken Enchiladas (for the filling, i use 1 can of cream of chicken soup, 1 cup cheddar cheese, 1 cup sour cream and 1/4 bunch of fresh cilantro chopped up... roll in flour tortilla, cover with enchilada sauce, more cheese, cilantro)  of course I quadrupled this recipe to make 4 pans of Enchiladas... they freeze great
Ravioli Lasagna (meat sauce layered with prepared quality large frozen ravioli & mozzarella)

Spaghetti & meat sauce
Chicken noodle soup

WE GOT AN UPDATE ON TY!!!!

I am smiling ear to ear this morning!!  I just got an update on our precious little guy.He looks so happy.

Here are a few of the questions we asked:
 How does he feel about being adopted by our family?   He is very happy and very much would like to be adopted.

What makes Xi He Hai scared?

He is afraid of being disfavored by the people who loves him. 

What makes him happy?  

Play games or play with other children makes him happy. 

What are his favorite type of toys so we can be sure to bring some for him when we meet?  

Legos and electronic toys.

To be honest, I really wanted to hear how he felt about being adopted.  He looks like he has a lot of fun with his friends, it would be very logical for him to be scared about being adopted and just want to stay with his friends and caretakers.  I am sure he will be nervous, but it sounds like he is at least being prepared for being adopted and meeting us.  

I have started my packing in hopes to eek in before the October moon festival  (need to make a note to add some legos to our suitcase)... it will be a miracle so we are praying and our amazing adoption coordinator is working on it!    If you have anyone in your home that is and adult (18 or over)  when you adopt, you have to have background checks, fingerprints and a homestudy done for them...  We would really like to be home before Collin's 18th bday so we can save ourselves a bunch of time and $$, and stress.    We should know by next week if we are going to make this deadline... please send up a prayer for us if you would.