The past few days have been a whirlwind. Nothing too exciting has happened but a few people have asked for updates, so here goes:
Wednesday and Thursday were "free" days in Nanning, meaning no adoption related events were occurring and we could do some site seeing. On Wednesday our guide took us to us to a beautiful park. I had wonderful scenery and a "children's corner" that we thought would be a playground but instead was an area with a handful of carnival type rides. We let the kids ride several of the rides and the bought the boys each a foam airplane and the girls each a plastic helicopter type toy. The kids payed with their toys for an hour or so. As I mentioned in my previous post, Faith had a good time throwing the plane to me and having me throw it back to her. At one point we had a bathroom break where we had a water fight with each other as we were washing our hands and it was big fun. Then, just a few minutes later, Faith started crying when I asked to hold her hand as we were leaving.
Thursday our guide took us to the "mountain". We rode a tram up to the top where there stood a giant tower which overlooked the entire city of Nanning. It was nine stories tall and between each floor was a narrow spiral concrete staircase. The boys took off and were out of sight. Mom, Kev and the guide opted not to climb the tower, leaving me to fend with the two girls. Going up was fine and we had no issues. Once we reached the top, it was a gorgeous sight. At one point I picked Faith up to try to show her some of the scenery. Well she was pretty sure my plan was to throw her out the window! She screamed bloody murder until I put her down. Then, when it was time to climb down the staircase, Faith was Pissed (with a capital P) that I made her hold my hand on the way down to make sure she didn't fall and smack her head on the concrete steps. Then, at one point, she attempted to jump from the third step up down to the floor and when I stopped her you would have thought I was the meanest mom in the whole world the way she screamed and cried and carried on. I tried to pick her up to comfort her and that was the way wrong answer! I'm pretty sure the other Asians walking up and down thought I was attempting to kidnap her. When we finally made it to the bottom, I happily handed her screamy butt over to daddy.
Friday we took the bullet train from Nanning to Guangzhou where we will get Faith's American Visa. When we met our guide in the lobby, she told Faith that I had the train tickets so she had to make a decision, did she want to go with Mama on the train or did she want to stay there. (This was a risky question that we didn't know she was asking until afterwards when she told us.) Fortunately, Faith agreed that she would rather go with me than stay there. She willingly sat by me on the train and even fed me a few gummy bears.
This morning we were scheduled to take Faith to her medical exam. All adopted kiddos have to get a medical check and a TB testif they are over 2. The medical consists of a height/weight check, a vision screening, an ENT screening, a general exam and a blood draw for the TB test. We are allowed to stay with the child the whole time EXCEPT when they are sticking them with a needle.
When we met our guide this morning to leave for the medical appointment, she told Faith once again that we are family and mama loves her and does she love her mama (no). Then she asked her why she doesn't like her mama (I don't know). It's ok, I know. And I know it will come in time...but that didn't stop me from wanting to be the one who comforted her when she came out of the blood draw room. Kevin and our guide sent her into the room and then left the immediate area and went and sat around the corner. I was waiting outside the door with a sucker in one hand and her Play Doh in the other. She came out all teary and upset. She did come right over to me, took the sucker and even let me pick her up - just for a minute, but immediately asked for Baba. I didn't want to cause more trauma so I quickly walked her over to Kevin and he hugged her and I handed her the tablet. This really helped calm her down.
When we were back to the hotel it was time to meet our "shopping guide". Today is Casey's 12th Birthday. Since he was originally disappointed to be spending his birthday in China, I arranged for a special guide to take us to the "Toy Market" and let Casey pick out his own birthday present. That cheered him up. We shopped our butts off today. We got toys for each of the kids and pearls for the girls to wear on their wedding day. Turns out, it may be possible to buy my way into Faith's heart because as we were shopping, she actually gave me a hug, kissed me on the check and when I said, "Mommy ai ni." (Mommy loves you), instead of screaming "No!" and shaking her head, she actually said "Wo ai ni" (I love you). She still very clearly prefers daddy but today seems like a little progress was made.
We just got back from a very nice dinner to celebrate Casey's birthday. We are letting the girls play a little before calling it a night. Tomorrow will just be spent relaxing by the pool and having a day of rest.
Please keep praying for Faith's heart (and mine).
Wednesday and Thursday were "free" days in Nanning, meaning no adoption related events were occurring and we could do some site seeing. On Wednesday our guide took us to us to a beautiful park. I had wonderful scenery and a "children's corner" that we thought would be a playground but instead was an area with a handful of carnival type rides. We let the kids ride several of the rides and the bought the boys each a foam airplane and the girls each a plastic helicopter type toy. The kids payed with their toys for an hour or so. As I mentioned in my previous post, Faith had a good time throwing the plane to me and having me throw it back to her. At one point we had a bathroom break where we had a water fight with each other as we were washing our hands and it was big fun. Then, just a few minutes later, Faith started crying when I asked to hold her hand as we were leaving.
Thursday our guide took us to the "mountain". We rode a tram up to the top where there stood a giant tower which overlooked the entire city of Nanning. It was nine stories tall and between each floor was a narrow spiral concrete staircase. The boys took off and were out of sight. Mom, Kev and the guide opted not to climb the tower, leaving me to fend with the two girls. Going up was fine and we had no issues. Once we reached the top, it was a gorgeous sight. At one point I picked Faith up to try to show her some of the scenery. Well she was pretty sure my plan was to throw her out the window! She screamed bloody murder until I put her down. Then, when it was time to climb down the staircase, Faith was Pissed (with a capital P) that I made her hold my hand on the way down to make sure she didn't fall and smack her head on the concrete steps. Then, at one point, she attempted to jump from the third step up down to the floor and when I stopped her you would have thought I was the meanest mom in the whole world the way she screamed and cried and carried on. I tried to pick her up to comfort her and that was the way wrong answer! I'm pretty sure the other Asians walking up and down thought I was attempting to kidnap her. When we finally made it to the bottom, I happily handed her screamy butt over to daddy.
Friday we took the bullet train from Nanning to Guangzhou where we will get Faith's American Visa. When we met our guide in the lobby, she told Faith that I had the train tickets so she had to make a decision, did she want to go with Mama on the train or did she want to stay there. (This was a risky question that we didn't know she was asking until afterwards when she told us.) Fortunately, Faith agreed that she would rather go with me than stay there. She willingly sat by me on the train and even fed me a few gummy bears.
This morning we were scheduled to take Faith to her medical exam. All adopted kiddos have to get a medical check and a TB testif they are over 2. The medical consists of a height/weight check, a vision screening, an ENT screening, a general exam and a blood draw for the TB test. We are allowed to stay with the child the whole time EXCEPT when they are sticking them with a needle.
When we met our guide this morning to leave for the medical appointment, she told Faith once again that we are family and mama loves her and does she love her mama (no). Then she asked her why she doesn't like her mama (I don't know). It's ok, I know. And I know it will come in time...but that didn't stop me from wanting to be the one who comforted her when she came out of the blood draw room. Kevin and our guide sent her into the room and then left the immediate area and went and sat around the corner. I was waiting outside the door with a sucker in one hand and her Play Doh in the other. She came out all teary and upset. She did come right over to me, took the sucker and even let me pick her up - just for a minute, but immediately asked for Baba. I didn't want to cause more trauma so I quickly walked her over to Kevin and he hugged her and I handed her the tablet. This really helped calm her down.
When we were back to the hotel it was time to meet our "shopping guide". Today is Casey's 12th Birthday. Since he was originally disappointed to be spending his birthday in China, I arranged for a special guide to take us to the "Toy Market" and let Casey pick out his own birthday present. That cheered him up. We shopped our butts off today. We got toys for each of the kids and pearls for the girls to wear on their wedding day. Turns out, it may be possible to buy my way into Faith's heart because as we were shopping, she actually gave me a hug, kissed me on the check and when I said, "Mommy ai ni." (Mommy loves you), instead of screaming "No!" and shaking her head, she actually said "Wo ai ni" (I love you). She still very clearly prefers daddy but today seems like a little progress was made.
We just got back from a very nice dinner to celebrate Casey's birthday. We are letting the girls play a little before calling it a night. Tomorrow will just be spent relaxing by the pool and having a day of rest.
Please keep praying for Faith's heart (and mine).
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