Nightmare Continues

Once my plane landed in LA, Kora and I had to go through immigration and customs where they processed Kora's adoption paperwork, and she became an official US citizen.  We had over 4 hours for a lay-over this time.  My next flight to Minneapolis left around 12:45 am Pacific time.  There was no extra room on this flight.  It was full, and I had a window seat with everyone trying to sleep next to me.  Luckily, Kora slept for all but an hour of this flight.  I wasn't able to sleep holding her. 

Well, all this time that I have been making my way home, Jesse and the kids had made it to Vancouver and then flew to Denver.  Wouldn't you know it, a snow storm hit Denver ahead of schedule and there were not enough deicing crews available to keep the flights going.  They were snowed-in  at Denver and stayed the night in the airport.  So instead of them getting home on Wednesday night at 11pm, they weren't even able to fly out of Denver until 12:40 on Thursday. 

Kora and I made it to Grand Forks at 10:30 on Thursday morning.  What did we do then?  Sat in the airport for another 6 hours waiting for Jesse and the kids to get there, because Jesse had the keys to our trailblazer.  They got in around 3:40pm and were we happy to get out of the airport.

So we spent around 42 hours in airports and on airlines, getting home 17 hours later than expected, with Jesse and I getting only a few hours sleep.  I now know what sleep deprivation feels like and it is not pleasant.  But thank God, we all made it home safely.

Getting ready to go home

We got packed up and headed down to the hotel lobby to wait for our guide and driver to pick us up to go to the airport.  We were so excited to be going home, we got down there a little early.  So Megan and Jason rode the escalator a few more times before it was time to leave.  Jason came back saying he was so happy that now he too is a "rock star."  Someone had asked to take his picture which made his day.

We got to the airport over 3 hours early.  We had been talking to different people, including the China airlines, immigration officer in Vancouver, our agency, and the Canadian Consulate in Guangzhou about us having any difficulties with Kora going to the United States through Vancouver, Canada without a Canadian visa.  If you are from the US, you don't need one.  And basically all the information we got was wrong.  When we went to the airline desk, there was no way they were going to give Kora a boarding pass without a Canadian visa.  They said the Canadian government has warned them absolutely no Chinese citizen can board without a visa, or else big fines for the airline.  Apparently China and Canada aren't too friendly.  Getting a Canadian visa was not an option, since it takes 30 days to get one.  Jesse even tried calling the Vancouver Consulate to see if they would give us approval, but no luck.  So the only thing left to do was for Jesse and the kids to go home on their scheduled flights and to buy a whole new ticket for Kora and I going straight to the US.

By the time we got this all figured out and repacked carry-on luggage, Jesse and the kids had to go through security to get on their plane that left at 2pm.  I got a new ticket purchased and then had to wait 7 hours in the airport until my flight from Guangzhou to Los Angeles left at 9pm.  Luckily, God has mercy on me and gave me an isle seat with no one sitting next to me for the long 13 hour flight back.  Kora was able to lay on the seat next to me and sleep almost 7 hours.  I slept on and off for a few hours.  I would keep waking up to make sure Kora wasn't going to roll off the seat or hit her head on the armrest of the person next to her.   

Free Day

We didn't have anything scheduled today so he hung out around the hotel for our last full day here in China.  Our guide dropped off Kora's passport with visa this afternoon so we are ready to go tomorrow.  The kids wanted to do all their favorite things at the hotel one last time.

In the Hotel's Garden, there are many ponds that contain Koi fish that people feed bread to.  Megan and Jason also enjoyed feeding them pieces of bread.

 

 

They also went swimming in the afternoon and played in the Children's Playroom one last time.  We asked them what the best part of staying in the hotel was and they answered buffet breakfast (had lots of different donuts), swimming, play room, riding escalators and elevators, feeding fish, and going to Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and Subway for supper. 

Below is a picture from our hotel window of the entrance to the hotel and the street in front of the hotel.  Except for late at night and early morning, there was steady, heavy traffic going by all the time.  For those of you who dislike driving in the twin cities, China is 10 times worse.  Other drivers will cut right in front of you.  Nobody waits for pedestrians to cross the street so they just have to walk out in front of the vehicles.  Bicyclists are darting in and out.  It's pretty crazy, but we felt safe with our driver since he was used to it.

Consulate Appointment

Bright and early this morning, we headed to the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou for the appointment allowing Kora to receive her US visa.  We had to go through security to get to the floor where they process the adoption paperwork along with the other families adopting children from China.  All together we repeated an oath about being truthful on everything we were submitting, etc.  Then each family was called up individually for submission and review of the paperwork.  We luckily weren't completely last, but close to it.  If you haven't noticed yet, there is a pattern to all the appointments for completing the adoption in China.  The actual process at each place doesn't take very long, but you have to wait your turn.  The waiting time is by far the longest.  When we were finished at the window, we were free to go.   

We then went to a another local park that had a small amusement park inside.  There were lots of local Chinese people singing, playing instruments, dancing, exercising, etc.  They play a game similar to US hacky sack, and it's not just for the young adults.  Lots of middle aged women were out there playing, too.  Most of the people in the first part of the park were retired adults.

The kids had fun riding some of the rides and playing on the playground.  Jason's favorite by far was the bumper cars.  He went against Megan once and that was enough for her.  Then he talked Jesse into going against him.  The people watching couldn't believe that Jason would go head on towards Jesse at full speed with no fear.  When they hit head on, Jason would fly back several feet from the impact, but he thought it was great.  And no injuries.

 

 

Banyan tree in the park.

 

Here are some pictures of Kora, one with the thumb she loves to suck.  She has been playing more and more with toys and us.  She has started to imitate sounds and actions.  She will copy you clicking your tongue and saying "la" and "da".  Jesse has been working hard on da da.

Folk Art Museum

Today, we went to the Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family which is now the Guangdong Museum of Folk Arts and Crafts.  It contains exhibits of artists' sculptures, paintings, carvings, etc.  It also contains several shops where you can buy things at pretty reasonable prices. 

 

 

 

We got something for each of the kids.  Megan wanted a painted scroll and the picture below is the artist writing Megan's name on it in Chinese Calligraphy.   

 

 

Guangzhou Zoo

We went to the Guangzhou Zoo this morning.  Megan and Jason liked seeing the Panda, Rhinos, Hippos, Elephants, and Jaguars the best.  The skies have been overcast and hazy in Guangzhou since we've been here, but today we saw the sun and clear skies.  Only bad thing is that it made it feel hotter.

 

As soon as we got back from the zoo, Jesse and the kids went swimming again to cool off.  We heard the first giggles from Kora today.  Jesse was bringing her feet up to her face and tickleing her legs.  When we have free time at the hotel, we've been going to a play room that's in the office building/apartments that are connected to the hotel.  It's more for preschool and toddlers, but you know the imagination our kids have.  They can make anything fun.  It also gives Jason a chance to be loud and a little wild.  Kora liked the room, too.

 

 

 

Here's another interesting thing we found out about China.   When we were getting a pizza to bring back to the hotel from Pizza Hut, they gave us disposable gloves to eat the pizza with.  I guess you don't need napkins that way.

 

 

 

Orphanage Visit

Today, we headed out early to Yangxi to visit the Social Welfare Institute where Kora is from.  It took 3 1/2 hours to drive there.  On the drive, we saw fields of rice, corn, and sugar cane, and man-made fish ponds.  We also saw water buffalo by the rice fields.  There were lots of hills/mountains covered with a variety of trees along the way, including bamboo and some time of pine.

On the way, we stopped at a gas station to use the restrooms.  Megan, Kora, and I were standing outside waiting when I saw a young Chinese couple hanging around talking to themselves.  Finally, they came up so the girl could get her picture taken with Megan.  This is the second time someone has taken Megan's picture.  Jason was mad because he hasn't gotten his picture taken by anyone, but he hasn't been around at the right time.

Once at the SWI, we were only allowed to see Kora's room and the only picture allowed to be taken in the room was of her crib.  There were about 22 other children in the room, most with special needs.  Two other children had families waiting to adopt them.  The directors and the nannies all wanted to hold Kora.  She didn't care who held her as long as that person was standing or walking with her.

 

 

Here is a picture of us with the director and assistant directors in front of the orphanage.

 

 

 

This is outside of Kora's room.

 

 

After we finished at the orphanage, we went to see the spot where Kora was found.  It was at one of the gates of a local park.

 

 

 

It was important for us to see the orphanage and finding spot, so that we can tell Kora about it when she's older in order to give her some history of her life.  We tried to take everything we saw and heard in, so we'd remember it later.  Seeing how she lived her first year of life also helped us better understand her behavior and developmental level.  After leaving, we were so glad that we didn't wait any extra time to bring her home.

 

 



 



Medical Exam

Kora had her medical exam today.  They basically checked to make sure she didn't have anything contagious that she'd be bringing to the United States.  They looked at her eyes, ears, and noses, listened to her heart and lungs, looked her body over, and took her weight and temperature.  All done pretty quickly.  They were most concerned about her not having a high temperature since she had a fever a couple days ago.  Luckily it was normal so she was cleared to go.

She has been more willing to explore and play today.  This morning she was crawling to try to get the remote and camcorder we put in front of her. 

 

This afternoon, Jesse and the kids went swimming at the outdoor pool at the Hotel.  The water temperature is pretty cold so now that the air temperature is cooler today, they didn't last too long.

 

 

The hotel let us borrow a stroller, so I walked Kora around the pool.  She doesn't mind being in the stroller as long as you don't sit still too long.

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday

I'm afraid to say Kora is still feeling sick, and it has been rough going this morning.  She still doesn't want to eat much and only wants you to hold her while standing or walking.  She will lay on her stomach while you pat her back for short periods of time.  Since her cough sounded worse and coming more from her chest, we gave her an antibiotic.  That made a big improvement in only a few doses.  By evening, she was eating better and willing to play for a short time.

We went out to the hotel garden today and she liked being in the baby carrier.  Here are the kids in front of the waterfall.
 

 

In the afternoon, we went to the police department to apply for Kora's Passport.  Kora found Jesse's hat and glasses during the van ride and was trying to pull them off the entire time he was holding her.  After we finished at the police department, we went to Yuexiu Park which is a large park with a lot of hills and trees and several man-made lakes.   All the paths were paved, and you weren't allowed on the grass.  But it was quieter in the park, than around the rest of Guangzhou.

 

 

 

Here we are in front of the 5 Ram Sculpture.

 





Adoption Registration Day

We went back to the Civil Affairs Office this morning to complete the paperwork to make the adoption official.  We had a picture taken with Kora and Jesse and I and met with an official to sign some paperwork.  Then we went upstairs to the notary office.  We met with the notary who asked us questions like, "Will you abandon her,"  "Why do you want to adopt her,"  "How will you care for her when you go home," etc.  He also asked us our professions, and we're pretty sure he didn't know what physical therapists are, but didn't want to ask.  The actual paperwork part didn't take too long, but it did take some time to wait our turn.  All of the families who received their children yesterday were there waiting to do the same thing as us.

 

Here is picture of Megan, Kora, and I at Civil Affairs Office.

Kora is not feeling well today.  She hasn't wanted to drink much from a bottle and has been sleeping a lot.  After her nap, she woke up with a fever and has been pretty fussy most of the afternoon and evening.   What we do know about her so far is that she sucks her right thumb to soothe herself.  She doesn't like her hands touched, especially the right.  She likes motion: to be bounced or rocked or held while walking around.  She also will bang her head on the crib mattress to soothe herself  at times.  She also does not like to feel water except her hands if she puts them under the water herself.

Gotcha Day

We all ended up waking up at 5:00 am this morning after going to bed at 9 pm.  Not sure if we got up so early because of the time change and jet lag or because of the hard beds that make you feel like you are sleeping on wooden boards.   Later after eating and napping, it was time to get ready to meet Kora.  Our guide, Lucia, picked us up at 2pm to go to the Civil Affairs Office.  There were several other families waiting to receive their children.  After signing a piece of paper, they brought her out.  She didn't have any problem coming to us.  Actually, she never cried at all while we were there.  We found out that she had a cold for the last few days causing her to have a runny nose and cough.  Then we filled out some more paperwork needed for tomorrow, talked to the Social Welfare Institute (SWI) assistant director a little bit about Kora, and then headed out to a supermarket to get formula, diapers, etc.

 

At the Civil Affairs Office with the Assistant Director of the SWI who brought Kora to us

We made it to China!

After 13 and 1/2 long hours in an airplane, we are in China.  We left at 12:30 pm Pacific time on Saturday and arrived at a little before 5pm China time on Sunday.  It was strange to be on the plane that long and for the sun to never go down, making it seem like one long day that never ended.  Megan and Jason did very well through it all.  They only got restless and grumpy towards the very end of the flight and waiting to go through customs. 

Megan and Jason outside the Garden Hotel where we are staying in Guangzhou.

Lobby at the Garden Hotel

Departure Day

We left home for the Grand Forks airport at 3:30 this morning.  Megan and Jason were so excited they couldn't sleep on the drive there.  Here's the family before our first flight which left at 5:57 am.

 

Leaving on a jet plane

We are almost all packed, got the house baby-proofed, and the crib and the rest of the room set-up.  We are ready to bring our baby home!  We leave at 5:57 tomorrow morning.  I'll try to post updates as often as I can while we are there.  Please pray that we will have safe travels and that everyone will stay healthy as we begin our new adventure.

Update on Kora

We received another update on Kora from our agency when they contacted the orphanage to set up everything for our trip.  Here is what was written and a picture:

Height: 71cm, weight: 8.2kg.

She is presently healthy. Her personality is tender and friendly.

She eats only cereal with formula, not cold and hard food. She likes colorful toys.

 

 

 

Now we continue to get all our stuff ready to go.  The items to bring are starting to pile up.  There's a lot to think about when you are packing for 5 people for 12 days in a different country.  

 

 

 

 

Travel Itinerary

Here is what we know so far about our travel Itinerary.

Saturday, October 13 6am:  Leave Grand Forks. Fly to Denver then to Vancouver and finally to Guangzhou.  Since Guangzhou is 13 hours ahead of us, we will arrive there at 5pm on Sunday, October 14.

Monday, 10/15:  Meet Kora in afternoon
Tuesday, 10/16:  Adoption Registration and apply for Passport
Wednesday, 10/17:  Medical Exam and Visa Photo
Thursday, 10/18: Get Medical Test Results
Friday - Sunday, 10/19-10/21:  Free days while waiting for passport and notarized documents
Monday, 10/22:  Embassy Appointment at US Consulate
Tuesday, 10/23:  Pick up Visa
Wednesday, 10/24:  Fly home.  We leave at 2 pm from Guangzhou and fly to the same airports as when we left.  We will arrive in Grand Forks at 10:45 Wednesday evening since we gain the time back for the time difference. 

We also hope to travel to Yangxi to see Kora's orphanage on one of the free days, but we won't have that confirmed until next week when the China government offices reopen after their week long holiday this week.

Both flights from start to finish with lay-overs are about 22 hours.  The longest flight is from Vancouver to Guangzhou which is 13 hours.  So we'll find out how well all of us can sleep in an airplane. 

Map

 

Below is a map of China so you can see where we will be traveling to.  Guangzhou is near Hong Kong, and we will be staying there for 11 days, 10 nights.  The Social Welfare Institute where Kora lives is in Yangxi County which is about a 4 hour away drive from Guangzhou.