Medical Appointment

Sorry for the lack of blog post yesterday. It was a pretty awful day. The kids are very VERY homesick and missing us, and its very hard to see. One of the other adoptive Moms in my group knew that I was very upset, and she just asked if he could pray for me. So comforting to have another believer on this journey with you. I think Avi is having the hardest time, I asked Emily to watch her for the night and I think it was a VERY good thing. Emily said that she was laughing and giggling with kaylee.. and doing some sewing projects with Kaylee all on their own. It was a great distraction for her. I also started telling her that I would sleep with the ipad so she can text me whenever she wanted. I think that made her more comforted because she said "thank you mommy that makes me feel better." It makes me tired, but its worth it if that helps her get through the last few days. We also let the kids pick out Alliots clothes, and they think thats pretty cool.

At the medical clinic

Some of the other babies in our group waiting for their medical appointment

In the afternoon we went out shopping with a local lady named Ann... It was an interesting experience! She walks really fast, and supposedly knows where to get the best deals. Next it was time for paperwork, and in the evening Dan and I decided to go to the "island." I guess its a huge tourist attraction for adoptive families. We LOVED it! Retail therapy was exactly what I needed. I was then able to show Avi when she facetimed me everything that we got for them. She was excited.

This morning started off better. The breakfast here at the hotel is amazing! Today was his medical appointment! It is the second to last step! It is a required step before you can apply for the visa. Everything checked out well, they told us he has a cleft palate (duh?). We also found out that he gained 4 lbs in ONE week with us... kinda crazy! Then its back to the hotel for a rest. Tonight we are going on a cruise down the pearl river with our group, and having a pizza party (Papa Johns pizza)!!










Alliot must be feeling pretty comfortable with us because he is starting to scream for anything he wants. Its especially frustrating for Dan and I because we dont know what he wants. Eventually he will learn that he doesn't have to scream everytime he wants another bite of food, or be held. He really hates it if he isn't attached to one of us all the time. We have been using more language with him today, "up" "please" "more" etc. Instead of just responding to his screaming. We can't figure out how he likes to go to bed either, the first couple days were easy... now he is getting a little more picky. THe orphanage said he likes to be just put in his bed. Well... that does not work! But when we hold him, he does often act like he wants to stretch out and be left alone. So we cant figure it out. When he is falling alseep he sucks his thumb and makes a very sweet humming sound. :) Ill try to video it.

This afternoon Dan decided to venture out in the city during naptime.  He went to search for saline solution for contacts.  Our guide told us where to go under ground through the subway tunnels.  So he emerged and walked towards a big building.  He had to ask someone there where the eyeglasses store was.  When he finally got there, they spoke no English, so Dan had to point at his eyes try to explain what he was trying to buy.  Finally, he found what appeared to be contact solution and paid 28 yen.  The sales lady had to go upstairs to get change and came back 5 minutes later.  All that work for some saline solution :)

During naptime, Dan also ventured into the health spa, which was an interesting experience.  There was a hot tub in the men's locker room, but it was almost too hot to sit in, so he tried to turn down the temperature which he later realized was the emergency button.  The workers came by and motioned toward the button, but couldn't speak English either.  They wanted me to turn it off, so he did.  He tried explaining it was an accident and that he was just trying to turn down the heat.  Eventually they seemed to figure it out and turned the heat down, so he was able to get in comfortably.  Then later on a naked Chinese man walked in and sat in there with him which apparently is normal in their culture.  (Awkward).

Now its bath time!!! Right now Alliot is in the tub with dan, and NOT crying!! Thats huge progress. Last night I tired to bathe him in the sink, at the same time the housekeepers were changing our sheets. You would have thought I was starting an IV.... He was so MAD! So him not screaming in the tub right now is HUGE.

Saturday when we got here we met another couple in the playroom, who is with another agency. We LOVE them!! They also have a little one at home, a boy Ashers age. We just click.... We were able to talk about lots of stuff together- being homesick, flight home, adjustment, everything.... Its comforting to be able to talk to someone who you just click with!! They leave Wednesday, so we will miss them! They live in Texas. Hopefully we will stay in contact on Facebook.