With snacks, we travel.
Forget split pants, this is the front apron, with a string around the neck, waist and each leg. DH and I wonder, why even bother; let the kid go naked.
The "I'm hot and your pointing the camera at me again" look.
DS1 and DH on carnival rides in the Zoo! DS1 kept asking, "why are there rides in the zoo?" I said because its fun!
DS2 likes raisins. And the digging in the box keeps his fingers active. Guess what they look like coming out the other end!
General happiness about being in the tub.
Just wanted you to see I'm not making it up. He is skinny and his head is large. Yet, with this combination the kid manages to still appear handsome to me. Impressive.
In the People's Park. It looked like they were exercising, but they also could be practicing some sort of dance?
When I get home I will touch up this photo to bring out the man's face. Love it!
With snacks, we can go anywhere!!When I logged in just now I first went to weather.com as I didn't want to exaggerate - "97 degrees - feels like 127"!!! I totally agree.
Well, sorry didn't write yesterday, but was just busy with boys. When DS2 went down for a nap, I went swimming with DS1, which took my best window for writing. But I had fun in the pool. He is a swimming machine! Today we took both boys swimming. DS2 gave his little "help me" cry, but never properly broke into tears. He would laugh a lot at DS1 spitting water fountains, and even liked it when I help him in his floating boat and jumped up and down a bit. He likes splashing his legs and hands, but wasn't thrilled about water on his back. I'm sure this is the coldest water he had ever been in. He was very concerned at first. When in the tub, which I use warmer water, he didn't mind water on his back or head, so I totally think its a temperature thing.
I wanted to touch on emotions today. Do we love him, DS2? The answer is yes; there is love. But its also a little like a neighbor you didn't know very well suddenly knocked on your door and handed you their kid. You care for him, and love him, but you just don't know him that well. Additionally, the kid is a bit scared of you as well. DS2 is doing very well, but I feel bad when it takes 5 minutes of crying to find out he wants a drink of water. He also becomes a wet noodle when he's physically exhausted, which happens after 5-10 minutes of walking. When the wet noodle kicks in I feel bad that I've pushed him too far. He has started trying to kiss me. He sees me kiss DH and ds1 and then tries. Its a funny open mouth slobber on mommie approach. DH laughs. He is becoming more comfortable with us. He is willing to wander from our living room to our bedroom without me. But then checks to see that I am still there. He let DH give him a bottle if I staid close by. He doesn't like anyone to hold him but me though. He likes taxi rides. I know how much I love DS1, but that has had three and half years to grow. I can see the love for this son will grow as we know each other better, but it is somehow disappointing not to see it at 100% from the first moment.
On the Chinese reaction to adoption - they are overwhelmingly supportive. However, I've had two episodes now where I had to quickly get out of a crowd scene because I have a boy. The lip is really well repaired and I don't think everyone notices. But it starts with whispering and pointing and eventually someone say something that makes me think they figured out his a boy. Then they start yelling at me in Chinese. I'm sure they are just asking questions, but the volume and tone don't feel friendly so I high-tail it. The first time DS1 had just sat down with ice cream and wasn't happy to be moving again, but even he seemed to sense it was a bit scary. I really just think its surprise and intrigue. In a more friendly example, DS2 and I were in the elevator alone with one of the hotel's doorman last night, DS1 and DH went up in the first one and we caught the second. The door man said good evening, as did I. Then he said your daughter, and I said my son. Remember this is a guy who is trained to be polite, he looked closely at my son and said, "a boy, how unusual".
The floor of our hotel is now full of adoption families. There are at least 10 families here. One of the other moms said curtly to me, "I see they are now giving away the boys too". It pissed me off, I said nope, he's special needs and I'm lucky. Needless to say, I won't be talking to her any more. But I've been meeting the others in the hallway. Its a bit like a walking track, we are all out there at 8 pm with babies in slings tying to get them to go to sleep. They are generally nice, from all over the US, and they all have young (10-16 month old) baby girls. Several have older biological children like us, but none chose to travel with them.
On the food. Yes, There is Pizza Hut, Kentucky fried chicken and McDonald's. I boycotted McDonald's years ago, so we haven't gone there. The Pizza Hut is very high end. People dress fashionably, and it is all table service. We have found two so far, both by high-end department stores. KFC is for the younger crowd. Lots of young kids, and young families. The chicken is only available in spicy. But they give you a picture menu to order from. I thought I found a non-spicy, which I did, but it was the fish sandwich (who would have thought that it was totally edible). At both restaurants and anytime we are on the street, people will try to sit beside DS1 and take photos. He's been good about it, but I do wave people away a fair amount.
Amazingly, we have been enjoying a variety of Asian cuisine. In Beijing, we had great Thai, Japanese, and Indian. Tonight we are going to a Japanese restaurant. While each restaurant claims to be one cuisine or another, it seems to me there is a bit of natural fusion going on. Just like Chinese food in the US has evolved for the US palate, the Japanese/Thai/Indian here has evolved to suit the Chinese palette.
On DS2, DH and I have decided he's about as developed as a 9 month old. Sounds, no real words, although he is very close to calling DS1 by name. Walks well for short spurts, but not strong enough to crawl. If he tips over, he can get up but it make take some maneuvering to get into the perfect position from which to get back up. And if he is tired, forget it, he'll just lay there and cry. He feeds himself, but needs food cut small. Also I have to limit the food in front of him, or he shoves it all in his mouth at once. He is two in that he is throwing his food once he has eaten enough and taking only 1 nap a day. I think we will see growth by the end of the trip, and he is repeating sounds he hears, mostly raspberries and hums. He seems to have a generally pleasant disposition and curiosity about things. And yes, we had a poopie. I resorted to the prunes mush I brought. I got one teaspoon in, which he hated, spit out, smeared with his hands on his face and hair. But while I thought none got in, within 10 minutes we had poopie!
Well, sorry didn't write yesterday, but was just busy with boys. When DS2 went down for a nap, I went swimming with DS1, which took my best window for writing. But I had fun in the pool. He is a swimming machine! Today we took both boys swimming. DS2 gave his little "help me" cry, but never properly broke into tears. He would laugh a lot at DS1 spitting water fountains, and even liked it when I help him in his floating boat and jumped up and down a bit. He likes splashing his legs and hands, but wasn't thrilled about water on his back. I'm sure this is the coldest water he had ever been in. He was very concerned at first. When in the tub, which I use warmer water, he didn't mind water on his back or head, so I totally think its a temperature thing.
I wanted to touch on emotions today. Do we love him, DS2? The answer is yes; there is love. But its also a little like a neighbor you didn't know very well suddenly knocked on your door and handed you their kid. You care for him, and love him, but you just don't know him that well. Additionally, the kid is a bit scared of you as well. DS2 is doing very well, but I feel bad when it takes 5 minutes of crying to find out he wants a drink of water. He also becomes a wet noodle when he's physically exhausted, which happens after 5-10 minutes of walking. When the wet noodle kicks in I feel bad that I've pushed him too far. He has started trying to kiss me. He sees me kiss DH and ds1 and then tries. Its a funny open mouth slobber on mommie approach. DH laughs. He is becoming more comfortable with us. He is willing to wander from our living room to our bedroom without me. But then checks to see that I am still there. He let DH give him a bottle if I staid close by. He doesn't like anyone to hold him but me though. He likes taxi rides. I know how much I love DS1, but that has had three and half years to grow. I can see the love for this son will grow as we know each other better, but it is somehow disappointing not to see it at 100% from the first moment.
On the Chinese reaction to adoption - they are overwhelmingly supportive. However, I've had two episodes now where I had to quickly get out of a crowd scene because I have a boy. The lip is really well repaired and I don't think everyone notices. But it starts with whispering and pointing and eventually someone say something that makes me think they figured out his a boy. Then they start yelling at me in Chinese. I'm sure they are just asking questions, but the volume and tone don't feel friendly so I high-tail it. The first time DS1 had just sat down with ice cream and wasn't happy to be moving again, but even he seemed to sense it was a bit scary. I really just think its surprise and intrigue. In a more friendly example, DS2 and I were in the elevator alone with one of the hotel's doorman last night, DS1 and DH went up in the first one and we caught the second. The door man said good evening, as did I. Then he said your daughter, and I said my son. Remember this is a guy who is trained to be polite, he looked closely at my son and said, "a boy, how unusual".
The floor of our hotel is now full of adoption families. There are at least 10 families here. One of the other moms said curtly to me, "I see they are now giving away the boys too". It pissed me off, I said nope, he's special needs and I'm lucky. Needless to say, I won't be talking to her any more. But I've been meeting the others in the hallway. Its a bit like a walking track, we are all out there at 8 pm with babies in slings tying to get them to go to sleep. They are generally nice, from all over the US, and they all have young (10-16 month old) baby girls. Several have older biological children like us, but none chose to travel with them.
On the food. Yes, There is Pizza Hut, Kentucky fried chicken and McDonald's. I boycotted McDonald's years ago, so we haven't gone there. The Pizza Hut is very high end. People dress fashionably, and it is all table service. We have found two so far, both by high-end department stores. KFC is for the younger crowd. Lots of young kids, and young families. The chicken is only available in spicy. But they give you a picture menu to order from. I thought I found a non-spicy, which I did, but it was the fish sandwich (who would have thought that it was totally edible). At both restaurants and anytime we are on the street, people will try to sit beside DS1 and take photos. He's been good about it, but I do wave people away a fair amount.
Amazingly, we have been enjoying a variety of Asian cuisine. In Beijing, we had great Thai, Japanese, and Indian. Tonight we are going to a Japanese restaurant. While each restaurant claims to be one cuisine or another, it seems to me there is a bit of natural fusion going on. Just like Chinese food in the US has evolved for the US palate, the Japanese/Thai/Indian here has evolved to suit the Chinese palette.
On DS2, DH and I have decided he's about as developed as a 9 month old. Sounds, no real words, although he is very close to calling DS1 by name. Walks well for short spurts, but not strong enough to crawl. If he tips over, he can get up but it make take some maneuvering to get into the perfect position from which to get back up. And if he is tired, forget it, he'll just lay there and cry. He feeds himself, but needs food cut small. Also I have to limit the food in front of him, or he shoves it all in his mouth at once. He is two in that he is throwing his food once he has eaten enough and taking only 1 nap a day. I think we will see growth by the end of the trip, and he is repeating sounds he hears, mostly raspberries and hums. He seems to have a generally pleasant disposition and curiosity about things. And yes, we had a poopie. I resorted to the prunes mush I brought. I got one teaspoon in, which he hated, spit out, smeared with his hands on his face and hair. But while I thought none got in, within 10 minutes we had poopie!
On logistics - We've been to the People's Park (highly recommend), The People's Square (cool, but exposed in the heat), and the Zoo (highly recommend). At the People's Square, or sometimes refereed to as August the 1st square, there wer some serious kite flying going on. Unfortunately I didn't take my camera with me on that trip. There is also a huge WalMart, but we didn't go in. We saw the Pizza Hut and made a bee line for food! The People's park is gorgeous, with lake, little boats, lots of gardens and a small amusement ride section. The Zoo is a nice diversion. We watched an elephant performance, but the heat was there too. The zoo is old and the animals are in rather small stark cages compared to the Bronx zoo, but totally worthy of a visit.
So all for today! Thank you for the comments and wishes. We've a few more days before heading to Guangzhou.
6 comments:
Sounds like you are finding lots of ways to stay busy and active with your two handsome sons. Don't worry. He'll catch up with his weight. Josie has gained nearly 4 pounds since her heart surgery and our arrival home in March. Keep the posts coming we're enjoying seeing parts of Nanchang that we were unable to visit. Hugs.
Nora and Lyssa were both REALLY skinny when we got them. In fact, Nora looked very similar to ds2 -skinny and a big head :). After three months, Nora has gained almost three pounds. It took Lyssa about 12 months of eating to catch up on weight. The most important thing is that he is eating and bonding. And, don't worry about your attachment/love, that comes in in full, in time too. And, WOW, will it blow you over! We had a nsn group at our hotel too, they will likely follow you to GZ. It's great to see you out and about enjoying the city.
So glad things continue to go well. Katelyn didn't speak much until recently... I don't think she even spoke that many Chinese words... just sounds. It'll come.
If you can, and if you haven't done it already, try to go see the water show... If I remember correctly, it started at 8:30pm... I know it's warm outside, but the show is beautiful.
Nicole
Bravo! and honestly, his head doesn't look that big at all : ). Both of your sons are gorgeous! xoxoxoxo
Sounds like all is going well. Glad to hear it. I'm sure ds2's weight will catch up - especially once he's home helping mommy & ds1 cook dinners. My guess is that once your whole family is back home & settling into daily family activity, the love will start kicking in overwhelmingly. So much for you all to share with him - & that he'll bring to your life in return.
We are so happy to read all of your posts and celebrate in your miracle. ds2 looks adorable - so happy for all of you. Please let us know if we can do anything or prepare anything for your return...seriously..ANYTHING is the operative word. Need different size clothes - I can pick them up. Special food? Whatever.
Enjoy the rest of your trip and come home safely to all of your loving friends and family.
Love, H, B and Max
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