The waiting...

Hi everyone, and so sorry for the lack of posts lately. Illness finally caught up with us. My cold worsened, and although it didn't really keep me down, by the end of the day, I was just too tired to post anything. Then Hannah got sick (don't worry Grandma, she's fine...we have a general practioner and a pediatrician traveling with us). That kept the three of us (Roger, me and Hannah) cooped up in the room for about 24 hours. I'm happy to say everyone is on the road to recovery now. Marian is the only one who has managed to stay 100% healthy.

I know I already posted about Guangzhou, but I'll back pedal for a moment. We left Nanchang on Saturday. It was bittersweet leaving the Jiangxi province. Who knows when Lucy will return? Here's the last photo I have of her in her home province. We're at the airport, and she is playing with her friend Mimi (sitting in Mom Terry's lap):

Leaving Jiangxi

Originally uploaded by MomTo2.

After Hannah got her grilled cheese sandwich on the first day (which was quite an experience...we ended up with two of every drink we ordered, and no grilled cheese sandwhich, but finally got things worked out), we headed to the playground. Lucy slept through most of it:

Sleeping Lucy

Originally uploaded by MomTo2.

Hannah and Dad

Originally uploaded by MomTo2.

Most of our days here are spent killing time. It's a waiting game, and we're all anxious to get home. We're waiting for Lucy's US Visa to be issued. I'm not quite sure how it works, but she enters the US with a Chinese passport and US Visa, but is a US citizen. Anyway, we've been seeing a bit of Guangzhou, including a beautiful park called Tian Tai Gardens. I was feeling pretty bad at this point, and I think it shows:

Tian Tai Gardens

Originally uploaded by MomTo2.

Also, we made a stop at a Buddhist Temple, where the babies all received a blessing from a Monk. The camera batteries died just before we went in for the blessing, but Marian caught it on video. Here's a shot of Roger and Hannah outside the temple:

Buddhist Temple

Originally uploaded by MomTo2.

Finally, on Monday we headed out for Lucy's required Medical Exam. It's all part of the process for getting her US Visa issued. As usual, she was completely laid back about the entire process, and didn't cry once. Even in a room full of crying babies. There were two signs outside this room. One said, 'Medical Exam for Adoptive Families' and the other said 'Keep Quiet'. Right. Practically every other baby was wailing at the top of their lungs (understandably). Lucy just flew through the exam with her normal level of curiousity:

Medical Exam

Originally uploaded by MomTo2.

Tomorrow, we pose for our group photo with all the babies, and then in the afternoon it's the swearing in ceremony at the US Consulate, where we pick up the babies visas. We're free to leave after that. Unfortunately, we won't get to leave for another day. The flight back to Portland from Guangzhou on Thursday was completely booked, so we'll be here an extra day. That should give me time to catch up on my shopping, since I've been out of the shopping loop the past couple of days. Don't worry Darian! I'm on a mission to find you what you asked for!

Hannah has still refused to take a bath or shower. She's growing dreadlocks at this point. And with her being sick this week, it's not a pretty sight. She's doing well though, and as usual, keeps us all thinking and laughing.

Lucy is such a happy baby, and I can't wait for everyone to meet her. She is still very much Daddy's girl, but is letting me and Marian in on the fun as well now. She is so curious about everything, and has continued to be a great eater. She's progressed developmentally even since we have had her. She is pretty much right on track for a baby her age. She can roll front to back, and back to front, and can almost pull herself up to a sitting position by herself. She sits by herself really well. She is very verbal, and loves to imitate sounds (just like her cousin Francis!)

All of the babies in our group are doing great. There was one baby in particular that is the same age as Lucy, that we were concerned about. When we got them, this baby was so lethargic. She didn't respond to much stimulus, and several of us in the group wondered if there was something more serious going on. However, with just a little attention and interaction from her new family, she has really progressed. She is completely social now, and very responsive. It's amazing how little it takes.

Marian has been our eyes and ears the past couple of days, and has continued to participate in all the group activities. I'll try to post an update again this evening on what has been happening here, along with some new photos.

It's 4:45am here right now. I couldn't sleep due to my 'snottiness' (I don't mean my attitude, I mean the condition of my head). Sorry to be so graphic, but that's the only way I can describe it. I guess I'm just trying to readjust to the time change a little early. Anyway, I thought I might as well use this time to my advantage.

We miss everyone so much, and can't wait to come home. Just a couple of more days!