We left Shanghai and have now arrived in Guangzhou. All adoptive families end their trip here as this is where the US Consulate is and we get her visa to come home. It's much warmer here and the people overall, seem friendlier to me. It's also nice seeing other families in the hotel who are in the same "boat" as we are.
Lily's favorite way to snuggle her Mommy
Eventful. That's our current situation. So many tidbits to share but where to start? For starters, Michael has not been feeling well the last few days. Feverish, not hungry, cold chills. He's been a trooper in not wanting to miss anything though. Hoping he's better soon.
Showers. Those are good things. Great things. Don't ever take them for granted. Yesterday, I actually got a shower but no shampoo. You see, Lily is greatly attached to me so for me to be able to put her down doesn't happen. Like never. So, I put her in her stroller and wheeled that baby into the bathroom while I showered with the shower door open. It worked! And today got even better...no stroller needed as she just walked around (yes, by herself!) and brought her Daddy toys and played on the Ipad. So that means I got a shampoo too. Even a little make up! Score one for me!
Yup, already reading! Isn't there a test to skip kinder and go right to first grade???!?!
Our first flight as a family of three: Really great until we went to get off the plane and then it was total meltdown mode for little Lily. Even though the flight was only a little over 2 hours, we had about a 50 minute drive to the airport, then to wait in line to check bags, through security where everyone is checked with a hand wand, then the loading of the plane, the flight, waiting for the bags, then another 30 minute or so drive to the new hotel. Needless to say, someone missed her nap and we all (as in the whole airport) paid dearly for it.
Today we had Lily's medical appointment. Good thing is that the whole floor where this takes place, now knows that her lungs and voice are healthy. Just a little screaming during this part! She was weighed, hearing checked, circumference of head measured and the dreaded TB test.
Not a fun time
The doctor writing his report
How pitiful is that??
Good news is that part is over. It also wore her out so she napped with her Daddy when we got back to the hotel.
One worn out from doctors and one not feeling great
One last story...this morning before leaving for our medical appointment, I ventured out alone with Lily to have breakfast while Michael rested a bit more before leaving in hopes of feeling better. First time out alone and we traveled all the way up to the 17th floor to the concierge lounge for breakfast. I mean what could go wrong there? New mommy, two year old, language barrier...no big deal.
No pictures from breakfast today since I was solo with the little one. She played a lot with the food, ate cantaloupe and bread and I tried to get some gulps of coffee. There was a little glass container on the table with sugar and equal packets. That is until somebody decided to wipe her arm across the table and that was in her path. So it crashed and shattered on the floor. Nice introduction for us in the new hotel! Thank you Lily!
Then on the way out, I decided to give her one more piece of cantaloupe for the ride back to the room. As we approached the elevator and I'm reaching for my hotel key to be able to choose the floor I want, she dropped the cantaloupe on the floor. Right there with people around and started to whine/cry. I did the right "Mommy" thing. I picked it up, brushed off any germs (because that's what you do with germs, just brush them off, right???) and handed it right back to her. Yup, I'm the Mommy that feeds her new daughter food from the hotel floor. Never would have imagined that before today. But one must survive out here in this world called "Parenthood". Besides, I'm just helping her build her immune system up!
You guys have jumped into parenthood with both feet! And I can tell you three are on the right path. During these first few days (almost a week now:)) and the next few weeks, you will have experienced so many events that most parents undergo gradually during their child's first two years. You three deserve an extra gold star for facing all of this while living out of suitcases in a foreign country! As the saying goes: Improvise, Adapt, Overcome. Sounds as if you can check off all three of these! XOXO
ReplyDeleteHaving just read your whole blog, I will have to say there were a few tears, a few chuckles BUT mostly a heart full of joy for you, Mary, and your husband and your beautiful new little baby girl! I had missed seeing you the last few times I had been at Buckalew so I asked Kristy C. and she told me about your blog. What a wonderful gift for Lily Grace when she gets a little older! In time, she will come to know how blessed she is to have you both as her parents and I can already see you two know how blessed you are to have her! Your love for each other will keep growing and growing and growing!
ReplyDeleteMuch love!
This is claudia...I've written this 3 times and this time I forgot to sign my name. Oops!
DeleteYou know how technologically advanced I am! Thus the writing and trying to get it to send 3 times! BUT - I am persistent!😘
DeleteSo glad you are following along with us on our blog Claudia! We are just so fulfilled right now it's hard to even express. I'm glad you were persistent in posting!!
DeleteI've read the last paragraph over and over and every time it truly makes me laugh out loud. That is so un-Mary! However, I love, love, love the way you are going with the flow. The way you are handling all life is throwing at you right now ensures me you will make it through anything to come. Most of all, thank you for taking care of my sweet Michael. I'm so sorry he is under the weather and hope he gets better soon. Only five more sleeps and then I get to meet Lily Grace. I wish I could sleep them all at once and wake up tomorrow to pick you all up at the airport. We are missing and loving you and joyously looking forward to your return home. (And just remember, everything is better with dog hair on it. Lily's immune system will thrive.)
ReplyDeleteGreat job Mary and welcome to motherhood!
ReplyDelete