Love Internationale

James here. (I am the Belgian guy)…

 BONJOUR,

 DANS QUELQUES SEMAINES, NOUS DEVRIONS PARTIR POUR LA CHINE. BIEN ENTENDU, NOUS SOMMES IMPATIENT DE RETROUVER NOTRE PETITE SOPHIE FU DUO.

 VOICI LE PROGRAMME DE NOTRE TRIP :

 
JOUR #1. DEPART VIA SEATTLE ET TAIPEI. ARRIVEE A HONG KONG

JOUR #2.VISITE DE HONG KONG

JOUR 3. DEPART POUR CHONGQING (VILLE OU SE TROUVE L’ORPHELINAT DE SOPHIE). C’EST LA PLUS GRANDE VILLE AU MONDE.

JOUR 4. SOPHIE EST DANS NOS BRAS…. BIEN SUR LES GRAND-MERES PRENDRONT DES CENTAINES DE PHOTOS….SOPHIE RESTERA DESORMAIS TOUT LE TEMPS AVEC NOUS. PLUS D’ORPHELINAT.

JOUR 5. ADOPTION REGISTRATION AVEC LE BUREAU CHINOIS DES AFFAIRES CIVILES.

JOUR 6-7-8-: ATTENTE DES PAPIERS/VISA/… + VISITES TOURISTIQUES

JOUR 9. ON RECOIT LE PASSEPORT CHINOIS DE SOPHIE ET NOUS PARTONS POUR GUANGZHOU, VILLE OU SE TROUVE LE CONSULAT AMERICAIN.

JOUR 10. VISITES TOURISTIQUES

JOUR 11. RENDEZ-VOUS AU CONSULAT AMERICAIN POUR RECEVOIR LE VISA DE SOPHIE.

JOUR 12. DEPART GUANGZHOU - HONG KONG - U.S.A.

 VOILA DONC UNE IDEE DE NOTRE ITINERAIRE POUR LA CHINE. CHAQUE JOUR, TOUT AU LONG DE NOTRE VOYAGE, VOUS POURREZ DECOUVRIR DES PHOTOS ET DES COMMENTAIRES.

GROS BISOUS. JE VOUS TIENS AU COURANT. JAMES ET JOANNA

They say that one of the ways the CCAA matches babies is by resemblance. What do you think?

I think she has my chin and general face shape.

Baby gnosh….

I actually bought baby food yesterday. How trippy. I bought organic baby food (I wonder how organic it really is, but they got me with the labeling. I admit it), stage one to take with us to China. I bought just a few kinds. Since we don’t know if she’s eating solid food yet and, if so, we don’t know what kinds of solid food, I’m playing it safe and starting her out with stage one.

Babies need to build muscles to chew and swallow without choking and I know the nipples in the SWIs are cut with very big holes. The formula just slides down their throats without them having to work for it very hard. Since I don’t know how much sucking she’s done, and therefore building the muscles in her mouth and throat. I figure, better to go slow. Out of everything baby at this point, it’s the introduction of solid food that freaks me out the most.

Once she’s home I’m hoping to be super mom and buy organic foods and make our own baby food. We’ll see how long that resolution lasts once we’re back.

Travel…. 

There are things happening in my family right now that are…well, not good. I feel horrible to be leaving for China while this is going on. Isn’t it strange how sometimes there are periods of time when everything monumental happens all at once? Like little portals of change tucked into our lives. Sometimes the change is happy, sometimes sad. Right now it’s a mixture of the two for me. I’m hopeful and worried on two different fronts right now.

I’ve been researching airline tickets to China. It’s a little early because we don’t have travel dates yet, but I want to be ready to play Beat The Travel Agent when the time comes. There is a travel agent who will quote us a price, but I’m confident I can beat it. As it stands right now (definitely subject to change) our best bet is to fly to Seattle and take Eva Airways to Hong Kong. In this scenario we would come to Seattle a day ahead and fly premium economy to Hong Kong (that’s something between economy and business class). Would be cool since I have friends in Seattle.

But all this is just for info. We have to wait for the travel dates. I just want to be as well informed about our options as possible when the times comes to book.

Shopping Illness…

Yesterday I bought a bear that makes womb sounds for Sophie Fu Duo’s  crib (yes, go ahead and make fun of me. James did. *g*) I also bought an air purifier for her room. I figure that she won’t be able to sleep in the quiet, quiet, quiet. Not after being used to the SWI. And we live in the country so this is a quiet like you’re never heard before. So I’m trying to find things to mask sounds in the house while also creating a soothing auditory environment. James and I both have trouble sleeping without an air purifier on.

We’re going to try to move her straight to her crib when we get home. Wish us luck.

Now, work. I have so much work to do before we leave! I have a big long list.

I just found these on You Tube. They show a helicopter view of the skyline. Wow, it’s a huge city. Unbelievable.

This is Chongqing by day:

Chongqing by night (actually extremely pretty):

You can definitely watch them without the accompanying music.

1. Some families are getting updates on their babies. We don’t have one yet. I hope we get one soon, but I know we might not get any at all.
2. All paperwork from the Paperchase Part Deux: Return of the Paperchase is now airborne. We’re just waiting for the travel approval now.
3. I have taught myself how to say “Baby, don’t cry,” “Baby, don’t be afraid,” “Mommy and daddy love you” (although it’s not exactly these words, it’s the equivalent) “Mommy and daddy are here” and couple of other simple phrases in Mandarin.

The word for baby in Mandarin is Bow Bow (phonetically). I think this is unbelievably adorable.

Sophie is here… (you can make fun of my arrow, if you want)

At this exact moment it is Saturday, 6:26 AM. Sophie is probably either just awake or will wake up soon.

A little about Chongqing:

• Chongqing was discovered about 3,000 years ago
• Chongqing is the fastest-growing urban center on the planet. Its population is already bigger than that of Peru or Iraq.
• Known as a “Mountain City”, Chongqing was constructed on the mountain slopes and along the riversides.
• The main ethic groups in Chongqing are: Han, Tibetan & Miao
• Chongqing is famous for its hot Sichuan cuisine and world-famous hotpot dishes.

Our trip will be about 15 days:

• We’ll go to Hong Kong for a couple days to tour and get used to the time difference (yeah, right).
• Then off to Chongqing (where we’ll get Sophie Fu Duo nearly immediately!! Yaaaaaay Sophie Day!!).
• We’ll stay in Chongqing for about a week.
• Then we’ll go to Guanzhou and stay there for about a week.

It is looking doubtful we’ll be able to visit her SWI. It’s been hard for me to find out a lot about this SWI (though what I have heard is positive). I believe that the SWI is a long drive from where we get the babies, so trips to the SWI are not possible. As hard as it would be to see her SWI, I would like to do so. It’s a part of her history and I will do all I can to find out as much as I can for her because I think she’ll value the information when she’s older.

Okay we’re ready to go. Let’s GO ALREADY!!

Even as busy as I am, this month is killing me. It’s true (even though I wanted to smack people who told me this before we got the referral) that the pain of the wait disappears once you have her picture, name, ect. However this is a whole different kind of agony. I hope those TAs come fast! Even busy as I am, I’m still angsting. It helps to know that she’s getting good care in her SWI. The more I hear about this particular SWI, the better I feel. I think she’s in a really good one.

We’re getting stuff on our packing list and throwing it into a suitcase in the nursery. The red bags are for the gifts we’ll give to the SWI director, assistant director and nannies.

Paperwork is being notarized today. Visa applications and other paper-related goodies are being sent out tomorrow. In Belgium, my MIL is doing what she needs to do in order to come with us. This ship is getting ready to sail.

I went to my asthma and allergy doc this morning and am now armed with a multitude of prescription meds to ward off asthma and allergy related problems in China. My lung function is very good now, (thanks to her care), and she thinks I’ll be fine. Whew! I got the scripts for “just in case”.

Here’s a picture of my state-side immediate family giving a toast to Sophie. Her pic on the table.

From left to right… my mom, me, James, my dad & stepmother. My aunt was taking the pic. (WordPress always cuts off my pics. Sorry, stepmom! My dad doesn’t have it much better since he has a champagne glass stuffed up his nose.)

Here is a good site for those trying to learn a little Mandarin…

 Chinese Pod

I am currently learning how to say things like, “Don’t cry” and “Don’t be afraid” as well as “Good morning” and other useful simple phrases. It’s a very lyrical language and very difficult. Even learning simple phrases is complex for me.

We got our second set of travel instructions from the agency last night. Wow. It’s like the paper chase part deux, the Return of the Paper Chase. We waited idly for so long, it’s jarring to have to immerse ourselves in bureaucracy again. However, immerse ourselves we must… and FAST. We have to move on this second part.

At least it’s distracting us from the fact that Sophie is there and we have pictures and a name and scant notes about her…and we want her now….and we won’t have her for over a month yet.

Busy is good.

Our family is overjoyed. Well, most of them. I’ve had a couple “Buying a Baby” comments (from non-family) and “Why Didn’t You Adopt American?” comments. I even had one that combined the two in a festival of Buy American! rudeness. But I’ve been able to shrug those off in my happiness. Later on I’m sure I’ll feel more combative. Right now my bliss swallows up my ability to be offended by stupidity.

But to make up for all that, my lovely father-in-law, who is an awesome guy and has been super excited about the adoption from day one, sent us a DVD from Belgium about a family who adopted from China. He showed it to the whole family over there before he sent it and that is terrific because it promotes involvement and understanding. Understanding is good. And my sister-in-law in Belgium has purportedly printed out Sophie’s picture and given it to all the family members. It’s a Sophie Love Fest both here and across the North Atlantic.

Have I mentioned that Sophie might end up a triple national? China doesn’t destroy her passport and we think (need to look into it) and because her daddy’s Belgian, she might be able to get citizenship in Belgium too.

But now back to the second paperchase and getting ready to travel because….in about a month we’re going to China! And we’re bringing back more than souvenirs, people!

Per mandarintools.com, the proper way to say Fu Duo is Foe Duwah. Wow, I need to practice that a lot. I want to be able to say her name properly before we get to China.

I need to learn some other phrases too. Luckily the above web site is pretty cool. It gives auditory examples of how to pronounce things. Chinese Pod (I believe that’s the name) is also an excellent web site.

Chinese New Year is on February 18. The year of 2007 is a “Red Fire Pig Year”, however this year’s female pig is in the water group. (I’m, er, still trying to figure that one out). I have also read that 2007 is supposed to be the year of the golden pig. I’m still trying to figure that out too. The year 2007 is supposed to be an extra fortuitous pig year because it is a red pig, which comes only once every 60 years.

Sophie was born in the Year of the Dog. She is, specifically…

THE FIRE DOG 1946 AND 2006

Fire Dogs are natural leaders. Fire Dogs are popular, charismatic people, always surrounded by a group of admirers because of their vibrant personalities. These people are adventurous and vivacious, yet, honest and openhearted. However, because they are so active, they are generally not the settle down type.

I am…

THE WATER OX 1913 AND 1973

The Water element gives the Ox a flexibility and liberty. Water Oxen are as hard-working as anyone, and particularly systematic, and are probably the quickest-thinking of the other elemental Oxen. They are much more prepared than the other Oxen to recognize the points of view of others and to think about their ideas and suggestions, making them easy to work with in a business environment. They generally consider the feelings of others which makes them good roommates or partners. In addition, their sincerity and patience ensures their popularity with friends, peers and family.

James is…

THE FIRE SHEEP 1907 AND 1967

Fire Sheep are not as likely to get their feelings hurt nor are they as likely to desire the approval of others as typical Sheep are. They are capable of taking care of themselves, standing up for themselves and putting themselves first. They are vivacious and charismatic, preferring theater to any of the other arts. Fire Sheep generally enjoy a tight circle of friends and family and enjoy the social limelight.

Those are pretty accurate for me and James.

~*~

I sent the care package this morning. We were delayed for various reasons. Because we were out of town and because we realized at the last minute that Sophie had a crib mate who needed gifts too. But it went this morning and should be there between 4 and 10 days. I’m pulling for 4.

~*~

I went clothes shopping with my ever-so-excited mother this afternoon. We shopped specifically for travel to China and got a mix of 9 month/12 month sizes. We also got some cool weather outfits and some warmer weather clothes. Oh, and a cute spring jacket! I suspect it will be cool in Chongqing and warm in Gaunzhou (I know I just misspelled that). A friend sent me a BIG box of hand-me-down clothes too and I’m definitely taking some of them.

We should have some updated measurements for Sophie in about 3 weeks. I’m keeping the receipts in case I screwed up on sizes. And…you know how I said Sophie was a little shortie-pie? I have revised that opinion. In fact, she’s not short at all.

Sophie Fu Duo’s armoire after my mom and I hit the stores. Babies R Us is evul! Eeeevul, I say! (Not as evul as Hanna Anderssen, though). We bought a lot of practical clothes — lots of sleepers and onesies with pants I can roll up, ect.

Dress for the Red Couch photo. It comes with a little sweater too.

One of my favorite outfits from today. Those were the only shoes and socks I bought. I couldn’t resist them. Yes, yes, I know. These clothes will be stained toute de suite. At least I can enjoy them for a millisecond. (Okay, I now realize the cute little shoes were cut off in this photo. Whoops! They’re triple cute, I swear.)

I also bought….

The Rainforest Jumper! It bounces, it allows the baby to turn around, it makes really annoying music, and it has a ****load of toys on it.

I just couldn’t see me carting Sophie to Babies R Us and putting her in one to try. I’m just going to hope like hell she likes it.