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We're home!

We arrived safely home Friday afternoon. Po-po and gong-gong (Shayne and Norah's grandma and grandpa) picked us up from the airport. The flight was long, but fairly uneventful, praise the Lord:) After dinner on the plane, we changed the girls into PJ's. Norah slept well in the little bassinet they hung from the wall (her long legs hanging out from the edge), and Shayne slept on top of mommy most of the ride. She didn't even mind my occasional cough. I watched the Incredible Hulk twice zoning in and out of sleep. We made it to LAX and thought the arduous trip was over. Then, we saw the line to clear their visas. Cameron and I contemplated letting the girls scream and cry so that the airport security would consider working faster. Unfortunately, Shayne and Norah waited patiently.

Cameron commented that they seemed so relaxed despite their new environment. I wonder how much of it had to do with the fact that mom and dad felt relaxed and relieved to be home sweet home. We showed them their room, their cribs, our room and opened a new toy. Then, the dog came home from the groomers. Indi was CRAZED with excitement. Good girl, she was quite gentle with the babies. It took them a while to get acquainted with the idea of a pet. Before the adjustment, Norah went wiggly running opposite of the dog, eyes wide open, arms flailing and screaming. It was hilarious. It was only a matter of hours before all three played in peace.

We went to Sunday service today. It's early in our return, but it seemed appropriate to worship our heavenly Father on Thanksgiving Sunday. It was heartwarming to introduce the girls to all their aunties and uncles who have been praying so diligently for us!

million photos

Have a million photos to load up and share with you all, but just haven't had the time. Actually, I've gotten sick the last couple days. Coughing and sniffling. Patience is short because nothing is more frustrating than trying to get a kleenex to your nose when your hands are full. Anyways, would you all keep me in prayer? Otherwise, Cameron's going to be flying home with three babies!!! Please pray that we'll pack appropriately for the flight as well.

BTW, they're doing wonderfully. Norah's made leaps and bounds these last couple of days. She's swinging back and forth when I sing, she's holding our hand, giggling, gleeful when we pick her up from a nap or from her sleep at night. Shayne's learned to blow kisses and can put her finger up and say "Shhhhh!". She also likes to mess around with Norah when we're trying to make them sleep - then, quickly puts her head down when I walk in the room - what a little prankster.

We leave tomorrow morning on a train to Hong Kong. Spend the night there. We'll be having dinner with extended family. Then, the next afternoon, it's off on our long flight. I plan to make friends quickly with our neighbors. I've brought plenty of earplugs to share just in case.

Promise more pictures soon. Lots of love to you for all your support! Carolyn

schedules

In our prayers last night, we asked that God would give us greater wisdom regarding the immediate needs of the girls. We're on a nice schedule now and the girls are responding wonderfully. We hope this will make for a smoother 15+ hour flight home. Then, we'll finally be home to start all over re-establishing their schedule, and ours:) Yippee.

Mourning

As we’ve learned, these precious little people will go through a mourning process. Each child processing in their own way. Shayne and Norah couldn’t be more different in how they’ve coped the last few days. Shayne is small and feisty. Her first afternoon and evening home with us, she cried, got distracted, cried, got distracted, cried, cried, cried. Our ride home from the Civil Affairs Office was smack in the middle of evening traffic. It was long and I’m sure part of her crying was due to road rage – already an L.A. girl, huh? But she wasn’t happy. In fact, she was downright mad. Slowly, but surely, smiles and giggles have increased in frequency. Starting late yesterday, she loves grabbing onto mommy and daddy’s legs or hands when she’s walking her wiggly walk. Food makes her oh-so-happy too. Her favorite practical joke is to poop right after mommy’s done cleaning and changing her. Sigh. Norah is truly gentle and quiet. She reached her hand out to pat her crying sister numerous times the first day. She ate, she drank, she found walking and falling on her butt just great. She seemed content to be held by any of us, even by some of the other parents (they can’t seem to help but steal her frin ys – she’s so cute). A little bronchitis hasn’t seemed to phase her either. But it’s obvious that she’s mourning in a very different way. Yesterday and today, she became very aware of her unfamiliar environment. She wants to eat only jook (porridge) and sweeter fare. We know that she was given porridge daily by her caretakers, so I’m assuming she’s finding it familiar and consoling. Her paperwork also indicated (unlike Shayne’s) that she had two very good friends in the orphanage named “Ji Hua Zu”, and “Ji Hao Shuang.” Notes also indicated that she was particularly close to three caretakers, including Ms. Li. Norah’s cry – it’s clear that it’s a mournful cry. I don’t know how to describe it, but it’s very clearly a deep, soulful cry. She’s sleeping right now…I rocked her to sleep in my arms after one of these episodes. I’d promised myself before these last few days that I wouldn’t cry in frustration. But I didn’t think I’d struggle with crying in empathy. Dear Norah’s cry brought my heart to learn more of what they must be going through, and maybe even what Ms. Li or Norah and Shayne’s biological mother may be experiencing. Shayne’s out shopping for Norah’s clothes with daddy. I will stay here, in hopes that my presence will show Norah that we will do our best to love and care for her in her new life at home with us. And that we will also embrace her past. We’re exhausted. As we enjoy the girls, we’re still trying to see – two naps or one? mix formula with cereal or straight formula? snip open the nipples or leave it alone? More bananas for you, and more fiber for you. Don’t forget the sunscreen, oh no, where’s her sock? But God has truly been gracious. He’s granted us excellent health, travel mercies, wonderful support and precious little ones to look after. The girls have been extremely understanding as well. Now, how can I convince one of these hotel housekeepers to come home with us? Thanks, Mike and Nanci, for lending us the Ergo and giving me a grab of those diaper ziploc thingies. Thanks, Ryan and Sarah, for the camera to catch priceless moments. Thanks, mom, dad, Marcus, Bonnie, Megan for the RMB. Thanks, sister Evelyn, for the gobs of clean hand-me-downs. Thanks, Scott and Stacey, for the poppy, linky toys – it doesn’t get old with these girls. Thanks, TPC group, for the backpack carrier – Cameron’s out with one right now!

Built in playmates

Last two days have been busy with appointments to register and notarize documents, apply for Shayne and Norah’s passports, doctor’s appointments, shopping at the local grocery, clothes for Amazon Norah (she hardly fits anything I brought). Today, Thursday, is our first day to completely relax with the family. Amidst the feeding, changing, bathing, napping, carrying, crying, hugging, snacking, document signing, bib and bottle washing, we’ve been able to capture a gazillion precious moments. One of my favorite moments was seeing the girls totally crack up at each other. Shayne handed over a stacking cup to Norah. Next thing you see, they’re throwing their heads back laughing so hard their little eyes disappear. More later on our bonding experiences…bottles are done – it’s diaper time. BTW, daddy, the more experienced diaper changer, has yet to change a poopy one.

Truly, madly, deeply in love…

With this cold pizza. It is sooooo yummy. It’s 5am Wednesday morning and the lovelies are asleep. The last two days have been the most beautiful, wonderful moments of our lives. And it’s left me hungry for nasty, leftover, junk food!
Let me start with Monday, “Gotcha Day”. We left Beijing on a 3 hour flight to Guangzhou early in the morning. 15 families, eager, excited, dazed, ready. Hotel lobby, bus to the airport, check in everyone’s overweight luggage, take a few elbows pushing our way to the gate, tram to the plane, load the plane, air traffic jam, three hour flight with a mystery snack, we’re in Guangzhou.
I have all of half an hour to doll myself up to go and meet the girls. Strangely enough, I want to look pretty for them. I think I caught Cameron checking himself in the mirror to make sure his outfit matched.
We make it to the Civil Affairs Office. Haven’t seen our babies yet, but several of us mommies were tearing up already. The daddies all had their heads down… “getting their cameras ready.” One by one they call our family names.
Oops, commercial break…Shayne’s now sitting on my lap with a bottle. 6am, on the dot…her wake up time.
Ok, one by one, our names are called and nannies walk in with gorgeous babies. Some crying, some still. Norah is asleep in her nannies arms. Shayne is awake, peering in every direction, turning her head towards noise. They’re dressed in matching pink outfits, small nametag attached, so as not to confuse one for the other, though they’re so different in appearance, it would be impossible. Shoes are pink and gold patent leather. They’ve obviously had more time to get dolled up than I did! Nannies hand over the girls. We get out of the way for other families and run to our corner with treasures in hand. Cameron and I can’t stop smiling and laughing. They’re precious. Moments later, we have a chance to speak with the nannies - it’s amazing that I didn’t need a translator. The nanny, Ms. Li spoke to me in Mandarin, heavily accented by her local dialect. I spoke to her in my obviously-didn’t-go-to-Chinese-school Chinese. It was easy to see how fond she was of them, referring to Norah as Tuan Tuan and Shayne as Yuan Yuan. She was eager to tell me what the girls like to do, about what makes them laugh, how they like to take their food, how beautiful they are. I emphasized our gratefulness for their good care – how it was obvious that the girls were loved. At the end of our conversation, she gave me her business card with her email address. She asked several times that I send her pictures of the girls growing up. At that moment, the girls were quiet and comfortable in our arms. It was heart-breaking for me to see Ms. Li go. For the girls, it will be a process for them, I’m sure, to realize that this was possibly the last time they saw the loving, caring mother they’ve known for the last 13 months.
We were told that Norah is quiet and gentle, likes playing with friends, loves sun-bathing and walking hand-in-hand with her caretaker. Sounds like someone mommy can get along with wellJ
Shayne is wide awake, peering in every direction. The paperwork we received months ago tell us that Shayne is active, likes to play with friends and loves the outdoors. Sounds like daddy’s little girl.
Interestingly, Shayne’s a bit more attached to mommy at this point and Norah is always looking for daddy!

Haven't had a chance to load up pictures as promised.  It's a busy schedule and we haven't had much time to sit down and organize much other than our luggage.  Breakfast today, 2-3 hour flight to Guangzhou, then paperwork, couple hours to shop in Guangzhou, then it's "Gotcha Day!!!!"  Cameron and I will be first time parents to a pair of beautiful girls.  We got updated pictures yesterday.  Apparently, the barber at the orphanage is a fan of Sinead O'Conner.  Their heads were shaved again!  Doesn't matter.  The Hello Kitty hairclips will hang on for dear life when I get them on.   

Families we've met in our travel group have been absolutely darling.  Wonderful stories and interesting, diverse backgrounds.  

Lots of love to you all who are keeping updated.  We're so excited.  Can't even believe it's actually here.  

We're in Beijing

Flight to Beijing was great. We're staying with our friends, Faith and To. I've got their five-year-old daughter, Caitlyn, sitting on my lap blogging with me. She asked, "Why does Shayne look like a boy? We need to buy her some princess clothes and dress her up!"

Today, some sight-seeing and tomorrow, we'll meet our travel group downtown. We'll stay at the Novatel Peace Hotel for our last good night's sleep before meeting the twins!

Caitlyn says, "Hi everybody...I will be a great 'da jie jie' (big sister in Chinese) to the twins and somebody's going to take care of them, but this somebody will be GOOD parents. And that's all!" Amen, sista!

I'm going to load up a video of Caitlyn singing her Bible verses in Chinese and Korean for last night. Da jie jie Caitlyn will hopefully have an opportunity to teach these wonderful verses to Shayne and Norah one day!

Can anyone tell me why dear husband had to start nesting only 2 weeks before we leave? And why does the height of very noisy nesting activity have to begin precisely 3 minutes before my bedtime? But I have to say, new closet looks great. Shiny, new sink and tub fixtures looking pretty as well.

I think poor Indi (our first child with four paws and a tail) is starting to get the picture...

Dates! Dates! Dates!...you're welcome?

That's what Cameron yelled to me upstairs when he got the email this morning. He said, "Carolyn! Dates, dates, Omygawd, dates!" I was upstairs and misheard. Thought he said, "Thanks, thanks, thanks!" So I responded, "Ummm...You're welcome!?"

What he meant, of course, was that we've finally received our travel dates! We've been waiting on seat's edge for an appointment with the Consulate in China. Our travel dates centered around this particular appointment where paperwork allowing our girls to leave China would be finalized.

Cameron and I will be arriving in Beijing November 8th with 8 other families adopting through Holt International. We'll then travel to Guangzhou. "Gotcha' Day" is November 10th. This day, as well as many days to follow, will be filled with so many emotions - joy, love, new hope, as well as sadness, grief and loss. It will be an exciting time for us, but it's undeniable that the twins will be experiencing an extremely traumatic loss. We know that it will be trying. We've read many accounts of how infants deal with this grief. May God grant us wisdom, patience and lots of energy during this time.

AND we'll get it all on video for you to witness on the coolio new camera that we received from our dear friends, Ryan and Sarah.

If all goes well, we'll be home in time to celebrate a particularly special...and messy...Thanksgiving with friends and family. CAN'T WAIT!!!!

Happy Birthday Shayne and Norah!

BTW, the girls turned 1-year-old on the 29th of September. Cameron texted me mid-day, "Happy Birthday Shayne and Norah". This brought a smile to my face as I imagined the twins sporting a birthday hat and enjoying cake...chasing it down with formula (that's hopefully free of Melamine:)

During my lunch break, I went to run errands. Tears came to my eyes as I realized that I would be missing this big milestone. I wanted to hug them and tell them that I wished them a happiest first birthday, that mom and dad love them and would be there soon to give them endless hugs and kisses until they turned 13 and don't want anymore. Then, we'll force more hugs and kisses on them.

Hang in there girls! Enjoy your first birthday. Hope you got our package and like the gifts we sent you. Smile for the disposable camera we included:) Love, Mom

Typhoon Hagupit hits our daughters' orphanage!

Last week, our hearts skipped a beat when we heard about the big typhoon that hit southern China, primarily because it was going to hit Maoming city, where our daughters currently reside. Thankfully, they and their friends are doing just fine.

This is my opportunity to tell you a little about a program called Half The Sky (HTS), that has contributed greatly to the success of our daughters' physical and mental development. HTS is a Berkeley-based organization founded less than a decade ago by adoptive parents, Jenny and Richard Bowen. They started this program after realizing that children living in institutions are able to truly thrive under the care of HTS's trained, loving nannies. Shayne and Norah's orphanage is enrolled in HTS's wonderful program. To read more about HTS, go to http://www.halfthesky.org/.

Here is a report from Jenny Bowen that made us realize how thankful we should forever be to the nannies that love and care for our girls:

"For those of you who are worried about Typhoon Hagupit which hit Maoming, Guangdong on Wednesday, I have this report from ZZ, Half the Sky's managing director:"It was a big wind but not heavy rain, so a few brave people could still go out in the street. At Maoming CWI, they allowed the nannies to stay home and our program has stopped for one day. In the Family Village, some of the windows were broken due to strong wind, but they were immediately repaired."In Maonan CWI, (this is Shayne and Norah's orphanage!!) the nannies were so brave they came to work, but in the street they had to get help from the trees or the street light poles when the wind was too strong. Since they were told that the wind and stormwould arrive at about 6:30am, many of the nannies came before then –around 5:30am. What a group of dedicated and strong women!"All of the children are fine and there is no damage to either institution."

Thank the Lord that He's watching and protecting our little girls.

Now that the dust is settling from all the excitement...

We're now waiting for travel dates. In the meantime, we need to baby proof this house!

The first weeks

It's been almost exactly two weeks since we received our referral call (our match to our daughters, Nan Qi Tuan and Nan Qi Yuan) from our adoption agency. A smile still comes over my face everytime I relive this moment in my mind, the moment we've been waiting for for almost 28 months. I have to laugh when I re-imagine the surprise in finding out we were blessed with TWO precious girls. Twins!

Our social worker had informed us that a FedEx package would be arriving the next day with pictures and information about the girls. My face was glued to the window all that morning looking for the FedEx truck to pull up. When I tore open the package (couldn't wait for Cameron to come home) I read every detail with total fascination struggling to study their photos through my tears.

One twin is a few pounds heavier - she was given the name Nan Qi Tuan (pro: chee twan), the smaller twin - Nan Qi Yuan (pro: chee yuan). My mother explained that a combination of their names (Tuan Yuan) refers to a family gathering or an event where the family is gathered together. Qi means to pray or hope. Nan means "south" in Chinese and refers to the orphanage where our daughters have been cared for in the last year (Maonan SWI in Maoming, China).

We've renamed our girls Norah Qi Tuan Kim and Shayne Qi Yuan Kim. Norah means Honor and Shayne, God is Gracious.

Each day, we're praying for the girls, their character, their health, the caretakers they know as mom now, their biological parents and...our future sanity!