Pictures from China

Macy with Chinese family
First step in making Cloisonne
Concubine room at the Forbidden City
Marble sculpture

As promised here are some more pictures from China. As usual, I am backwards. The blog started with the 3rd or 4th blog in this series. So just start reading until you come to a blog you have already read.

The pretty little blond in the first picture is the daughter (and new big sister) of one of our group adopting. Her name is Macy and she is 4 years. The second day in Beijing, we went to the Forbidden City. As we walked into the square, Macy was completely surrounded by Chinese people wanting their pictures taken with her. They were holding her, touching her, basically scareing her to death. Our guide intervened. In China, a fair skinned, blond child (girl) is considered an angel and they want to touch her for good luck. After a while Macy was a trooper about it. After a couple of days she would even pose. Now toward the end of our stay she is completely tired of it.

The second picture is the beginning of the making of a cloisonne plate. The process is completely fascinating. The end product absolutely beautiful.

Next pic is of one of thousands of the Emperor's concubine's room. He visited the concubine only once then she was a prisoner in the Forbidden City for the rest of her life. The last pic is of a marble sculpture in the Forbidden City. It is at least 15-20 feet long. Breath taking.

There more pictures to follow.

More

Statue of the 5 Rams
Jade carving of horses
Jade carving of chickens
Jade carving of a ship
Maddie on the "Red couch"

The first picture is of the statue of the 5 rams. The city of Guangzhou has two nicknames, one is the city of flowers because there are flowers blooming year round (even in the winter). The other is the city of the 5 rams. This comes from a legend. There was a farmer who couldn't pay the governor (land owner) the grain due because of a sever draught. The farmer was taken by soldiers and the farmers son was told his father would die if the boy could not pay the amount due by the next day. The boy cried so loud that night that the 5 immortals heard him and came down riding the 5 rams. The rams each had a grain of wheat in their mouths. The immortals told the boy to plant the seeds and the next day there would be enough to pay the governor. The boy wasn't sure this would happen but he planted the seeds and did all the immortals told him to do. The next day there was an abundant harvest. He took what was demanded to the governor. The governor in turn thought the boy had stolen the grain. The boy told him what had happened. The governor being greedy wanted the 5 rams and sent soldiers out to capture them. The soldiers swords were broken because the rams had turned to stone. Therefore, the monument. Also since that time this area has been blessed with rainfall and growth.

The carvings of the chickens and horses are of jade and show the different shades of jade. They are for sale, if anyone is interested. Around 800,000 yuan (approximately 100,000 US dollars). The jade ship is also carved from one piece of jade. It is very large, at least 9 feet high. Can you even imagine the size of the jade from which this was carved?

The last picture is of Maddie on the "Red Couch". This is also a tradition for the Chinese. The babies who are adopted have their pictures taken on the red couch and is supposed to bring the baby and their family good luck.

More pics

Wooden carved ship with gold
Ancient water gathering apparatus

Old rickshaw Silk hand embroidered room divider
A panel of the room divider

These pictures were taken at a museum we visited. The rickshaws now are pulled by guys on bicycles. The carving (even the very old ones) are so intricate.

Keep going.

Pictures

Main Bridge on the Pearl River (night view)
Swimming with Daddy (first time experience)
Country side around the village where Maddie was born
The beds the babies sleep in (in the orphanage)
The tree outside the hospital where our Maddie was found

As promised pictures from the past couple of days. We were told the country side around Guangdong was beautiful although the town was very dirty. Teri, Josh, Shirley and I did not take the trip to the orphanage. I don't think I could have taken that. The tree above is where our little Maddie was placed just a few hours after her birth. It is just outside the gate to the local hospital. She was found by some hospital workers and taken into the hospital. Maddie was lucky, most of the places the other babies were found were very dirty (down right filthy according to those who went on the trip).

The babies sleep in the beds just as you see them. No sheets, or cushoning. To keep themselves occupied, they rub their heads back and forth on these boards they sleep on. As a result the back of the heads and side of the heads are rubbed almost bald. Fortunately, hair is growing back in these spots. Some of these babies have flat areas on their heads but as they grow that should fill out. We were very fortunate in this group of parents. We have a retired Orthopedic surgeon, 2 pediatric RNs and me (emergency RN). Some groups don't have any one with them with medical knowledge. See how awesome God works!!!

This will be it until I get home. Have a great weekend.

One more thing to do

Tomorrow (Friday) the kids will take Maddie to the American Embassy and take an oath to take care of Maddie and all the official "stuff" will be done. It has been educational, fun and exciting being here. But, I am so ready to come home. Everyone in our group feels the same way. Many friendships have been forged and I look forward to keeping in touch with this "family" that has formed. It will be interesting to see how the kids grow, what their interest develop into, how the older brothers and sisters at home take to this new little addition the their families.

I never thought I would ever say this but, I am ALL SHOPPED OUT! It took me two weeks and much money but I think I have finally reached my limit. But hey, it has been a once in a lifetime trip and I have certainly made the best of it. I have started packing for the return trip home Saturday. My suitcases are full of gifts and little to NO room for my clothes. I will find a way to get all this home.

This is it for the night. We will not be going to the embassy until tomorrow afternoon so, I will blog for the last time from China in the AM (which will be PM to you). I will post more pictures at that time of some of the places we have seen over the last two days. I know I said I would do that tonight, but once again I am worn out.

One note before I go. Keep little Maddie in your prayers. She is having a very difficult time using the bathroom. She is very constipated and it is causing Teri and Josh some frustration. She tries so hard and just screams trying to go. I am hoping when we get home and she gets into a regular routine this will solve itself. Until then the little pumpkin is having a hard time of it as are her parents.

More tomorrow.

Counting Down

It is Wednesday night and I am dog tired. Have walked around for about 4-5 hours. Great exercise but it does tire one out. I was called to Teri's room and another couples room tonight. Both babies have a small case of ringworm. I was called to look at another baby yesterday and she had ringworm also. I got really curious as to why these babies are breaking out now. They have been with their parents for a week today and it seems another baby breaks out with this fungus each day.

I looked this up tonight on the computer. It seems the incubation period is 4 to 10 days after exposure. Then the rash starts. It is very contagious. It would seem that the kids were exposed to this in the orphanage and are breaking out now. Maddie had two little spots on her and the other baby had one. Both are being treated, so hopefully their case won't become as bad as the little girl I spoke of yesterday.

We have two more days here. We leave Guangzhou Saturday morning around 8:45. Go to Hong Kong and leave there headed for the States around 12:30. It will be a 15 hour flight coming back. We will fly into Chicago and have a 4 hour layover there, then on in to Atlanta where the place will be packed with family and friends to welcome us back. Ok, they are not really there to welcome us back, they will be there to see Maddie. Once again I can hardly wait to be home again.

Will post pics tomorrow of a few places we went today. I am too tired to look for my camera right. So until tomorrow - good night.

Another hurdle accomplished

Just one more thing accomplished in the process of getting on the way home with our little Maddie. Teri and Josh, and the group, took their babies to the "Physical Examination" office today. They were warned by the Chinese guide that has been with us throughout this process, that there would be alot of crying. Teri said all the babies screamed. It was very noisy. No shots were given. This was basically a checkup to see if the children were healthy enough to be released to go to the US.

Only one family had a brief glitch. One of the children has a small case of ringworm. It is being treated with Tinactin and the rash is fading. But, the doctor that examined the baby was concerned and the parents were concerned that the baby would not be allowed to leave. The guide showed up about that time and told the doctor that the baby was being treated and the rash was healing. She seemed to be satisfied with whatever the guide told her and signed the paper to let the baby leave.

Our baby passed with flying colors. The only problem Teri and Josh have had, Maddie has had some constipation. I think that is beginning to change as of today. She sure has had a tummy ache the last few days. Would you believe some of the babies (all the same age) are using the potty. The Chinese potty train their children very early. One of our guides is married with a little boy. He was being held over the potty at 3 weeks of age and trained by the time he was 3-4 months old. Does that mean we in the States are lazy or slackards?

The children already have their passports and visas. The last step is the meeting at the American Consulate. The babies will receive their American citizenships then. I hope I will be allowed to be there for that. I have heard that only the parents go. I hope that is not so. I haven't had the chance to ask one of the guides yet.

We have our plane tickets already and I think all of us are ready to get home and continue with out lives. The new parents are ready to get their babies home and into a routine. I know I am ready to get back to my little piece of clean air and quiet. I am also ready to get back to a place where most people are considerate( for the most part). I know it is their culture but to me these are the rudest people I have ever seen. They give no ground. You are the one who has to step aside. They will practically run over you and each other. Women to some extent are still considered below men. The men don't hold doors, step aside and let women on the elevators first, or off first, or hold the elevator doors to keep them from slamming into someone attempting to get on the elevator. Totally strange to this Southern born and bred girl.

Just 3 more days and 4 nights and we will be in the air and on the way home. Continue to keep us in your prayers. Will update on the progress.

Modeling New Clothes

Our little watermelon
Faith Elizabeth and Maddie
Two "sisters" forever
"Aren't we just the cutest?"

We went shopping today. I know this is hard for you to believe but I did more looking than shopping (for once). But, we are going back there tomorrow so I will shop then. I have gifts to buy for family and friends. It is just a matter of deciding what to buy for whom. I have seen so many things I would really like to have. Getting this all home is going to be a challenge. God is in control and Teri is helping me stay in control. I can't even begin to describe so many beautiful things we have seen here.

For instance, at the Cloisonne Factory, we saw paintings that were not really paintings. They were intricate embroidery. Totally amazing. Wish I could afford some of them. Very expensive and since I know how to embroider (absolutely NOTHING like this though) and the time it takes, I am simply blown away by the talent in this land.

For instance, today we saw painting done by the side of a hand. I couldn't believe what I was witnessing. No brushes, just the side of the hand. Paintings with leaves, birds rocks, anything you can imagine. Completely unbelievable.

I did buy the baby a few outfits. The pictures are of her and one of her little Chinese sisters (they came from the same orphanage and are just a few days apart in age). Her name is Faith Elizabeth and I have been adopted by her and her parents (Steve and Jodie) as her Memama also. They are from the state of New York.

We will be going to a museum tomorrow and then MORE SHOPPING!!!!!!!! Until next time.

For all the Moms out there 'HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY'.

Legally Ours

Scooting on floor and laughing
Talking to Mommy
Laughing at Mommy
Laughing at Mommy blowing bubbles
Happy Baby

Yesterday we went to another government agency where Teri and Josh had two interviews and at the end of the interviews the official told them that now Maddie is their child. This afternoon they went to the agency where they applied for the baby's passport. They also have to get the baby's visa to go to the American Consulate to become an American citizen. So many legalities but so very worth every minute.

Maddie knows who her Daddy and Mama are. She is cooing, laughing, eating ok (bottle milk). Teri tried to feed her some cereal but she didn't like that too much. She is most definitely a happy child. She is also the prettiest of all the babies and that is not just a proud grandmother speaking. She truly is the pretties. Her Chinese name is Zi Juan which means Zi=purple and Juan=the pretty girl. So her name fits.

Tonight we go on a dinner cruise on the Pearl River. I'm ready for a relaxing dinner. We have been looking for places to eat that are not Chinese. We have found a Mexican and Italian Restaurants that we have been told are pretty good. The old faithfuls like McDonald's and KFC have different tasting foods than we are used to in the States. So far the best food we have had was from a place called Danny's Bagel. We ordered Chicken Parmesan over spaghetti the other night and it was delicious. I guess tonight will be Chinese but tomorrow I think we will try the Mexican.

Still having loads of fun, enjoying the kids and their baby. I have been adopted by another couple and their baby's Memama (they are from New York). The newest pictures I have are of the baby laughing at her Mama blowing bubbles.

More to follow.

Gottcha Day

Hey Mom, see what I can do
First Bath, "My thumb sure is good"
I'm not a proud Memama!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK, I am!!!
The Joshua Cardwell Family

Keep going, I had to post x 3 to get the pictures in and I still didn't get them all posted.

Gottcha Day

Adoring Daddy
Daddy's Sugar is best
Mommy and me (I can take my thumb out!)
First bath (takes two)
Getting ready for bed

More pics follow keep going

Gottcha Day

Teri, Josh and Maddie
Maddie loves her new "bankey"
Our Beautiful new Baby
Hi Mommy
My Prince came and got me!!!

The day for which we have waited finally arrived yesturday (Wed. May 9th at almost 5PM). It is now Thurs here in the AM. We FINALLY got our little Maddie. She is so beautiful and a thumbsucker (like her Aunt Tata). She took her thumb out of her mouth long enough to stick her tongue out a few times. It was a very emotional time for all of us. I couldn't stop crying, my baby getting her baby. A dream come true. The picures tell our story of yesturday. Enjoy.

Labor has begun

Teri seeing the updated picture of Maddie on the Adoption paper. Adoption Group

(L) Josh signing Adoption papers, (above) updated pic of Maddie on Adoption papers; Teri sigining Adoption papers


Teri and Josh have spent this morning (Wed. May the 9th) signing the official adoption papers, promise to care for Maddie and other forms required by the adoption process. The group had jokingly called this the beginning of labor pains. The birth is a little over 4 hours from now (4pm - it's almost 12 noon here).





Will blog again tonight with pics of Maddie and her parents meeting for the first time.

Just a few hours

The Emperor's Summer Palace
Chinese Acrobats
An Oyster at the Pearl Factory (see the pearls?)
A carved piece of Jade and the Jade Factory
The Emperor's Marble boat at the Summer Palace

We are now in Guangzhou (spelled it wrong before). It is 11:30PM Tuesday May the 8th. We will be getting Maddie around 4PM tomorrow. I am tired but can't seem to settle down to sleep. I know I must, I am sharing a room with Josh's(my son-in-law, not Greg's son, my nephew) mother and she doesn't believe in sleeping late (past 5AM) nor does she believe in being quite when she gets up.

This is a short blog so I can try to settle down and get some sleep. I will try to blog in the AM with more pics of our trip so far and most definitely tomorrow evening with pics of our little Maddie. By the way her Chinese name is Zi Juan and "The pretty girl".