She's beautiful!

I took a flight to China...to become a mom.  So unbelievable.  I've uploaded today's pictures to Shutterfly because my connection is so slow and that seemed to go faster.  I will post one picture here though 'cause I know you're all anxious to see Meiying.   I came down the steps from the elevator in the hotel to a crowded lobby of babies and toddlers.  And there she was, tall, dancer-like, in a beautiful pink dress w/ the sweetest pair of dress-red shoes ever.  She was beaming amongst the babies.  She was dancing and looking for me.  I stopped in amazement at how beautiful she was.  I started crying and grinning from ear to ear.  She looked right at me and waved.  I waved back and then she pulled the staff member over towards me.  They had some exchange of words and he ushered her back into the crowd.  She kept peeking around the column waving and smiling at me.  She finally just shouted mama and hid her face behind the column.  At that, my guide ushered me into a conference room, but before I could even get all the way into the doorway, Meiying was running behind me.   I took a flight to China...to become a mom.  I will write more later.  Meiying is taking a bath and she's calling for me.  She has been happy and wonderful.  She's doing her best to help me fumble my way at being her mom when I don't understand most of what she's saying.  She just smiles.  She is very good; she turns the lights off behind her; folds the towel after drying her hands.  She holds my hand on her own doing everywhere we go.  She has already called her foster mom twice since about 4:30, but that's okay.  They were together 4 years and I want her to feel secure.  It's part of the process.  The first time she called, our guide was in the room and told me that she mostly telling her foster mom about she had done so far and that she was with her American mommy.  The second time, the guide wasn't here, but she said "Mommy and pointed to the phone."  I could tell by that conversation that she was telling her all about the things that she got today (some toys and books).  Both times she hung up the phone very happy.   Gotta scoot and get this beautiful flower to quiet down for the night!  Thanks for all your comments.

Luggage update and shopping

Thanks for all the comments; I am publishing them, but apparently they're not uploading to the blog.  I so appreciate hearing from you all!   Here's some photos; views from my room and what a hairdryer looks like in this 5 Star hotel?!  Anyone having flashbacks to he early 70's?  Haven't tried it yet, but it makes me laugh when I go into the bathroom.   Also, I bought this all-natural motion sickness oil for the plane ride; you dab it behind your ears.  I have to tell you it works great even for nauseau and headaches.   I had the wonderful pleasure of getting a Skype call from Kelly this morning!  Kelly's daughter Katie was in Yangdong when we went w/ Eliza and I took a few pictures of Katie for them.  That Skype call was so special and made me feel closer to home.  Thank you so much Kelly.  I've enjoyed being able to Skype home to Derek, Eliza and Allie too.  I miss you all so much.  And Judy, thank you for walking Hogan or should I say, letting Hogan walk you.  Derek told me you came by on Sunday to do that.  Awww...I know Hogan loved it.   Luggage was still in NY at JFK.  It's supposed to be on the flight to Beijing today (last night for you back home).  We'll see.  They said it could be tomorrow still or later than that before I get it.   Okay, so I've got 2 hours 'til Ava time and I really need to shower.   I am staying at the Majestic (kind of a dump for a 5 star) and have met 3 other American fam's here for adoptions.  (I can't remember if I already posted this and since I can't look at my blog, I don't have the editing ability.)  One of them is adopting a 2 year old boy from Ava's orphanage and they will ride the 5 hour train trip together.  They've put all of us on the same floor, which is nice.   One of the families has a 3 and 5 yo boys and are adopting a toddler girl.  They are here with both sets of their parents and I'm jealous (that their parents are here witnessing this).  They are having a blast.  They're all from Oregon (south, I think, Julie).  Anyway, they're cracking me up and have taken me under their wings.  We just got back from a very long, hot walk all over Nanning just to find the Walmart.  Keep in mind, I'm in jeans and it is hot and so steamy from humidity.  I'm craving my skirts that I packed.  Can't stand when I'm this sticky...you know what I mean about that ladies!   So, apparently, I wear an XL or 2XL in a Chinese Walmart!  LOL...seriously.  I'm not itty-bitty, but I'm not an XL.  I bought a cute pear of capris at a little shop for about $7 and the size was US 8.  Got back and couldn't even pull them up on my leg.  So, that's when we decided to head out looking for the Walmart.  Not a Walmart like ours at home.  They had hardly any clothes and everything was winter wear.  So, I bought some sweats that will be cut off and a long sleeve shirt that will be cut off (the sleeves that is).  It was so nice to have this family to join up with today.  They made me feel like I was part of their family and took away some of my nerves.   They will be bringing the children to the hotel; no more Civil Affairs Office I guess.  It's now done here in the hotel.  We're all anxious.  Me, from NC; a family from Rochester, NY; a family from Ohio; and the Oregon clan.  OH...AND I BOUGHT A CAMERA cord at a little shop so we're all good to go in getting you the latest in pictures!!  Okay,gotta get ready for Ava!

Can't sleep

Okay, so I did sleep on the plane off and on.  I might've ??? slept for minutes at a time here in the hotel after my last post, which was 4 hours ago.  My body feels tired, but everytime I closed my eyes, words, voices, faces from the aiplane just kept whizzing through my head.  I can't seem to turn it off.   So with time on my hand and it being only 6:30 a.m. here in Nanning, what would I normally find myself doing?  Reading everyone's blogs, of course.  Nope, can't do that.  I feel sort of like an addict, trying to figure a backdoor into blogger, all while having the shakes from being tired. LOL...  So, looking through my list of "favorites" stored on my computer, where else can I spend familiar time?  Craigslist!  So far, FB is also blocked.   Not to get too personal, but to answer some of your questions, I did manage to bring some meds on the plane with me for the "then" next 48 hours.  I also had a pair of "under" garment packed in my carry-on.  I also had all my photos of Ava, home; and the album of Guilin family photos in my carry-on.  No, I didn't have the camera cord though.  So, I'll have to hunt that down.  I know that's all you are all interested in anyway!   I honestly have no idea when my bag will arrive since they couldn't tell me for sure where it even was.  Good advice, Adriana, about the laundary and the camera cord.   Unfortunately, I wore jeans and a black shirt and it's HOT in Nanning.  Plus, you all remember, after you've been in your travel outfit for that long, you're ready to burn it!   Let me know if your comments are appearing on my blog.  Just curious.   Toodles for now!

Arrived

Ni hao!!  Okay, I'm here in Nanning.  Blogger is definitely blocked.  I can't access it so I'm updating my blog from within my e-mail.  I'm getting your comments though. I'm not sure when I say "publish" the comment whether it's going thru to my blog or not.  So either way, keep sending the comments for me to read and also to let me know that my e-mailing of posts to my blog is actually working!   The flights were fine.  My bag didn't make it to Beijing thanks to lovely JFK and American Airlines.  So, after 22 hours of flying, I'm sitting here in the same clothes.  I guess my idea of showing up to meet Ava-Meiying looking like a fairy-princess-godmother isn't going to happen.  Instead, I'm going to show up, wrinkled, disheveled, smelly, wearing black and exhausted.  Everything was in that bag (my clothes, her clothes, toiletries, gifts, the wooden bowl, her backpack of things I bought for her, etc.)  Basically, what I have w/ me now is my camera, my laptop and the adoption papers!  Um, I'm thinking my camera cord that sincs to my computer was in there too, so I might not be able to upload pictures?!   Skype works.  I already called home and saw Derek and Eliza; and of course, started crying.  I feel so far away, duh.  During the long 13 hour flight, I thought so much about Eliza's adoption, Eliza's life, all the while getting myself more and more worked up and homesick.  I finally had to turn off the thoughts and emotions.  But getting to Beijing and finding out my bag didn't make it, somehow made me feel even more isolated and lonely.  They're just material things, but they were from home.  Oh wawwww!  I'm just tired.   So, in about 9 hours, I'll be meeting Meiying.  I'll feel better once I can go into mommy mode.  By the way, Air China was very nice, food wasn't bad and Beijing airport is beautiful.  It is so efficient.  I got thru the temp check for Swine Flu, Immigrations, Customs, Baggage and Lost and Found, and checked in for the next flight all within 1 hour.  It took me 1 hour just to get thru security at JFK!!!  Ridiculous.   More later...

Ta da....T-day...that is "travel" day.  Finished packing yesterday; got all the updated Guilin family photos that those families sent me of their children put into an album to give to the orphanage; gifts packed up; documents packed up...a little nerve-wracking when one spouse does not travel for the adoption (extra documents, extra notary forms, powers of attorney, etc.)

I haven't gotten a walk in once this week.  Hogan really needs to take ME for a walk...and I need that too; so he and I are heading out now.  Need to stretch those legs, breathe fresh farm air, take in the sight of the early morning mist rising off the ponds before I get couped up in a plane and airports for the next 22 hours!

I feel relaxed today after a week full of nerves.  Next post, from China! Xie Xie everyone!

My stomach has been doing flip flops and is full of butterflies...already and it's only Tuesday.  Woke up to this yesterday a.m.  I'm just about packed.  A few more supplies (meds, sleep aids, Yogi tea) and I should be done.  I know, why am I bringing tea when I'm heading to the land of teas?  I love Yogi brand and my internal system has gotten used to a few of them to keep the plumbing harmonious!

Also, if you haven't updated blogger to the new posting features, go do it (found on your dashboard).  I love the new capability for uploading pictures and then dropping/dragging them around.  Fantastic!  Thank you blogger!!  So, here's the latest...

The absolute necessities in bribery and late night cravings!

The chocolate in China is very bland and waxy tasting.  If Ava's not a chocolate girl (like Eliza), how could she atleast resist a Starburst?  Allie can't believe I'm not opening them to share before my trip!?  Last week I bought candy for the trip only to have it eaten aleady so this stash is now ziplocked and in the suitcase!

The very scary room that Eliza refuses to sleep in!

This used to be Eliza's room and now it's The Girls' Room...

We added Ava's bed and suddenly Eliza stopped going up to her room...ha, ha.  Does this room look scary to you?  I think she'll be fine once Ava comes home.

My birthday present from Dave; this one is Oak and NOT for the foster parents!

Look what I just brought home. This beautiful, maple bowl handmade on a lathe by my sister's boyfriend is for Meiying's foster parents! Isn't that wonderful! I loved how Dave signed with "USA" too. He was very proud of that and posted to his wood-working group that he was sending this bowl to China! He wants me to take a picture of it in China...I'll have to find some creative setting for it. Thank you so much Dave. It's an amazing piece of art and this was so generous! I only wish I could be there when it's presented to the foster parents.

Saturday...next Saturday, I will be heading to the airport.

On this Saturday, I'm heading to our favorite chinese restaurant with 2 letters in hand for translation: 1) a letter to Meiying to be read to her by the SWI representative at our first meeting (after I overzealously hug her tight, then gain composure and practice adoption-101 space control); and 2) a letter to her foster parents.

On this Saturday, I'm also packing the VERY important essentials to have on hand for a mom-and-7 yo bonding experience:

Check...ziplock bag of Eliza's PEC cards (picture exchange communication) of important words and tasks because when in doubt, "visual" communication (i.e. a picture of a car, toilet, person eating, etc.) will certainly be understood better than my little chinese.

Check...ziplock bag of assorted hair accessories fit for a head of long, black hair.

Check...self-sticking, press-on nail jewels.

Check...Aveeno lotion (for that sensitive asian skin)

Check...Some small craft projects, coloring books, new box of crayons (my favorite)

Check...Sampler size perfume just for her

Check...Photo album of pictures from home and pictures of Meiying and her friends

So, as if I don't have enough to think about, I'm also pondering a few statements from the book Strange Son I'm reading, pertaining to Eliza being affected by autism:

"Perhaps in autism, there is a peripheral neuropathy in infancy. Perhaps it disrupts development. It could be the Merkle cells, or maybe the Pacian cells" (pressure-sensing mechanoreceptors found in the skin)."

"...study in the field of brain plasticity--how the brain can change and learn in response to a new environment."

***Now, Megan, don't read this to Greg and say, "see how smart Sarah is, I'll never understand any of this." It took me a year to get here and this was still way over my head and required an encyclopedia at my side!...along with a glass of wine.***

Okay, normally I keep Eliza-topics on Eliza's blog, but I thought it was important to do a cross-over today. Those of us who have adopted from China are all too familiar with the severing of ties, in one swoop, never to go back again that our children experience just before Metcha (Gotcha) day under the Chinese adoption process. Sorry to sound so abrupt, but that's how it is. There's no slow transition like some other countries; no visiting the orphanage for an hour or two; and gradually transitioning these children.

Some children handle the disruption better than others; some react right away; some, show the effects after months or years. We tend to prepare for it in emotional terms...grief, attachment. What does it do to their brains though, the wiring, the development, the science of it...forming of sensory, language, behaviors, compulsions. Most families are told when they receive their baby in China, to expect delays and expect to go back to "0" with the child. Imagine that with a 7 yo who has attached to a foster family for 4 years.

As I work to understand and hopefully unlock the veil of autism that "protects" Eliza from our over-stimulated world when it's just too much for her, I'm reminded how our world may seem to Ava-Meiying as she leaves a quieter, simpler world that she's known. Am I anxious and feeling protective? Do I want to minimize the shock to her brain and it's further development? Am I even capable of doing that? Little late to be worrying about this now, eh?

Maybe I need to go back and re-visit my checklist above and just worry about packing a pair of shorts and shirt, my sneakers and have my hand ready to be extended?

Shucks, maybe I should just have faith and go with the original check list, but include lots of snacks, candy, toys, shopping excursions, all as bribery so that she doesn't mommy-shop for a chinese mama that looks like her or sneak out of the hotel room at night. After all, I was hoping that I'd finally be able to SLEEP SOUNDLY even on those hard-as-rock beds in China, while I enjoy having the bed all to myself, without my 4 yo and snoring husband pushing me to the edge of the bed?!

As you'll see in my sidebar, I have a Shutterfly page set up where I'll post most of the pictures from China. You can link to it by clicking on Ava's picture. Comments can be left on that site and/or on this blog as well. Since Blogger has been known to be blocked in some parts of China, please make sure to check Shutterfly if you don't see any update here.

For my friends and family who aren't familiar with Blogger, you can click on the word "comments" at the bottom of this post and leave me a message. If you don't have an account, simply select "anonymous", but make sure to type your name at the end of your message. You won't need an account to view my Shutterfly pictures, but I think you will if you want to leave a message on the Shutterfly page. Just set one up; no fee; no hassle. That's it.

I will be very homesick and craving conversation, so please e-mail me and leave comments, okay?!

We did it...we got our requested CA!
Better start packing; I'll be solo-
traveling in just a few weeks!