Bye For Now!

In about 24 hours we will be boarding our flight to Montreal and we can't wait! It's been a great adventure... an adventure of a lifetime. Although it's only been two weeks, I feel that we have known our boys a lifetime... They're so precious to Amar and I, it's awesome..

The next time we will write will probably be from Canada. I'd like to thank you for your comments and e-mails. Each time I logged on, they were a treasure to find. Hope to see you all soon!

Bye from China!

A Trend

There seems to be a trend that strikes me as kinda funny. First I need to explain that my husband, Amar, is Aryan (Chetri caste) ... in "loose" terms he looks East Indian, but he isn't. He's Nepali. As I have posted earlier, I am a typical-looking Newfoundlander. (Our picture is in an earlier post.) Anyway, I've been asked quite often by Chinese ladies if the two boys are brothers and if they are both ours. Of course I say yes. They smile, and say that the boys don't look like me... they look like their father... "Amar," I say, "The Chinese think you're Chinese." "That's possible," he replies, "A lot of minorities here, you know."

I smile to myself... Geez, they're making us feel right at home...

Is She Going Out Like That?!

Today we went to the Beijing Zoo to see the pandas. The boys were delighted and didn't want to leave! Before leaving the hotel for the zoo though, I took a quick shower. Five minutes into the shower the boys started banging on the door, turning the knob and shouting Mama! Mama! I told them that Mama was there, everything was OK, I would be out soon, calm down, etc. This was to no avail. Finally I decided to open the door a crack, clad in a bath towel, to show them that Mama was safe and sound and needed just a few more minutes. When I did so, they looked at me with genuine concern, quietly shut the door and turned talking in a local dialect with about 20 sentences all starting with Mama. Here is my "loose" translation:
- Did you see Mama? Did you see what she was wearing?
- Yeah, and she's all wet.
- You don't think she's going to go out in that, do you?
- Geez, I hope not. She'll perish with the cold...

Hello Hollywood, Here We Come!

Yesterday we went to Tiananmen Square and were overwhelmed by its size - man, it's huge! The boys were hungry. (Are we surprised?!) At one point we stoppped and gave them a bag of Chinese potato chops to share. When we turned around again a few minutes later, there were 5-6 people in a circle around the boys taking pictures (click, click...) Outside the inner circle of photographers there was a circle of about 20 people watching with wonder the boys - big smiles all 'round. Then a lady pointed to herself and to me, asking if I would pose in a photo with her and the boys. "Sure, why not," I said. (I turned around and jokingly siad to Thomas, that we should charge 10 yuan a photo!) It turns out that many Chinese tourists there had never seen a Westerner before!

Summer Palace

Today we visited the Summer Palace of the emperors. We walked along the waterside taking in the beautiful structures and workmanship that must have taken years to build and create. The view was spectacular. Of course the boys thought the view of the popcorn container was great too. It kept them moving along the long corridor. Wherever the popcorn went, the boys trailed closely behind! (We have a great picture!)

The boys talk to each other in a regional dialect of Mandarin. They talk constantly. We think they understand each other most of the time, but are not sure. They also call each other on their imaginary cellphones!!! The chatting becomes very vocal when there is excitement around, like taking a ride on a big boat with a dragon's head (which we did today). Everybody in the vicinity knew the boys were excited because they talk so loudly and there's nothing we can do to keep them quiet! And do you think they get attention?! I am surprised at how many Chinese know the word "twin" in English! "Twin?" they'll say, pointing to each of them. No, I say. And the more the boys act up, the more the people are charmed by them. "Good naughty," they say. If the boys are dressed the same, the attention doubles... What a set of charmers mom has!

Thanks, Thomas Li Zhu!

I just wanted to offically thank our fabulous guide, Thomas (aka. Li Zhu) for posting the last few pictures from his home because I couldn't at the hotel.

Thanks, Thomas!

(I'll introduce you all to Thomas with a photo once we're back in Canada.) I think we have seen the last of our pictures online. You'll have to use your imaginations from now on!

at Pool with Baba

Waiting for Mama to get off the computer

Isaac at Nanning Airport

The Great Wall and Skittles

Today we went to a pearl factory where we picked out two identical, very reasonably priced strings of pearls for.... the boys' future wives. (I know, I know, mama is a hopeless romantic!)Our guide, Thomas, said that we were thinking for very far in the future. That's true, I said, but we believe that our lives are planned and these here boys were chosen and set aside just for us. Then, it makes sense that their wives have already been chosen as well. Yes, he said, I understand, with a big smile.

Then we went on to the Great Wall. It was magnificent! The boys weren't all that impressed though. Jonah had eaten his candy at the Pearl factory and set his sights on Isaac's Skittles, which Isaac had preciously and slowly been eating throughout the course of the afternoon. And, b'ye, did Jonah want those Skittles! Every time we tried to take a picture of the boys on the wall, Jonah's eyes would be glued to the bag of Skittles in Isaac's hands! Life is tough, eh?! Every time we take a picture of them together, one is looking up, around, down, at the Skittles, has his eyes closed.... You get the idea.

How fortunate we are though that our two boys both have special needs, but they are perfectly healthy. Not even a cold, a sniffle, a cough, or a pain. Gee, and all the meds I brought... I'm NOT disappointed!

Amar just got back from the grocery store across the street and he took Isaac with him. Amar came back without 60 yuan and with two bags of groceries. What did you get? I asked. Nothing, just water. Isaac picked up everything else... In the bags were noddles, yogurt, biscuits, buns, fruit candy, chocolate, gum and, of course, two varieties of Skittles... Tomorrow the fun continues....!

In Awe

Tonight I was watching them eat. They were sat quietly on a big bath towel in the middle of the hotel room eating noodles and I just watched them eat... I was in awe. We've come this far to get our boys and here they are right in front of our eyes, our boys; it's so hard to believe sometimes. It's amazing. They are beautiful. Just eating noodles on a bathtowel.

Just a Note

We are having techincal problems. We just spent about 30 minutes running around trying to get an image on for you guys, but it isn't working so I think we'll proceed with text from now on. We have lots of pictures of baba with the boys, but we'll have to post them once we're back in Canada.

The boys are crying for breakfast, so I'll keep this short. They are doing much better. They get along better and are attaching to the "other" parent.... slowly, but surely. We try to keep to a regular routine and that works well.

A funny thing happened yesterday. We were in the Beijing airport and saw a car on display. I told Isaac that mama had a car like that one. He didn't seem to understand. So I asked the guide to tell him. "No, no," Isaac said, "I don't believe it!" I told the guide not to tell Isaac that Baba has a car too because that would be really pushing it!

Mama is a Newfie and a Newfoundlander

Well, I'm very surprised today to see what some have said about the Newfie comment. Oh well.

For the record, I (Melissa/Mama) am a Newfie and a Newfoundlander and very very proud of it. Those of you who know me,know this. I thought about mentioning before, but thought that people had a funny bone. I guess mudder has to be careful about such comments. Sad...

Now, I am not here paying 2 Yuan a minute to talk about this....

Jonah is a Newfie/ We're Starved!

I'm having trouble with the Interent connection here at the hotel. I've been trying to post pictures and write texts, but either the Internet isn't working or Explorer isn't, or the pictures don't come up on the screen. So while I'm here, I'll post for now, but leave the pictures for Beijing, as we're going there tomorrow anyway.

Jonah is definitely a Newfie. How do we know this? He's rough and tumble, and he's afraid of the water. Do you know why Newfies don't know how to swim? It takes longer to drown.

He was so rough and tumble that we had to start discipling him already. We didn't want to do this during the trip, but the fact that we are adopting two at a time makes it such that we have to be careful of both of their adaptations. They have a new mama and baba and brother. You do not hit your brother, or take his toys. No, you can't do that because if you do, your brother will want to and we can't have the two of you doing that... (You get the idea.) Jonah is finding this the most difficult, but since the new measures have come in, his behaviour has improved quite a bit.

The second point of today is that the boys are STARVED! Today at supper, Isaac (that's the quiet obedient one - sort of), after eating noodles and wonton soup, insisted that he was still hungry. We ordered four more dumplings for him and while he "waited," he stood on his high chair, with his spoon hanging form his lip, pointing frantically to any waitress who came by, pointed to himself, pointed to the kitchen, and to himself and then to the table. This went on for about 15 minutes. There was nothing to do but laugh. The boy is starving, don't you see?!

And where was Jonah, you ask? Amar took him for a walk so he wouldn't even see the dumplings... Jonah, if left to his own devices, will eat and eat and eat until he gets sick and throws up. So, we have to stop him. Thank God it's just food and not the drink!

Jonah's Finding Place

(Sorry that that this is on its side... I can't read the Mandarin to fix it!)

Anyway, we got a chance to meet the lady who found him... She was so happy to see him!

"He takes me to a safe place because He delights in me..."

Our boys get a second chance just like Jonah did because we are so precious to Him...

Isaac's Finding Place

Coming here and talking with people has made us come to a greater understanding of what happened. It doesn't mean we agree, but we must try to be understanding.

Isn't he precious?

Walking in the Park Near the Hotel

Meeting with the Foster Families and Finding Places

Thanks everyone for your well wishes and e-mails. It's great to know you're all at home cheering us on!

Yesterday we went to the orphange and met the foster parents. You could see very clearly that the boys were well loved and will be missed. It was sad, but they were so happy to see the kids one more time. It was worth it.

Today the guide is taking us to the finding places and then to a park. Forget the name. I'm so focused... Anyway, the boys are getting tired of waiting for mama.

One last note; for those of you who know about the Half the Sky program, the orphanage gave us the boys' binders. They are beautiful and have many pictures, drawings and texts about the boys. The guide is translating it for us... Must be about 20 pages on each boy! They did an excellent job!

Bye for now.

First Bath

That's all for now... The guys are getting a bit antsy - it's taken quite a while to get these photos on here with such a slow connection.

There's a meal waiting for us downstairs in a real Chinese downstairs where no one speaks English and Mom or Buwa has to go around the walls pointing out to pictures to get everyone fed! .... yeah, there's a "Western Restaurant," but it ain't as much fun!

Waiting to Meet the Orphanage Director

First Night

Jonah and Mom at the Chinese Restaurant

Only two spoons were broken at this meal...!

The Cars Are a Hot Item

Try again

I'll just try to see if this works...

Meeting Place

This is the day we met the boys at civil affairs... I forgot to mention last time that we're having trouble with publishing pictures because they don't have the equipment here to see them off the camera (business centre at the hotel), so Amar and I went out and got it... Sure hope it works...!

Together at last!

We met Isaac and Jonah on Sunday; offices were open because they were returning form a 7-day Moon Festival Festival.

The first time we saw the boys, they were looking around and we saw them accidentally! Isaac recognised me and I blew him a kiss. He blew one back. Too much.

Jonah was too busy to notice that we were mama and baba, but he knows now. He said, "Hello, how are you?" Isaac said, "Hi Mom!"

The Mini Coopers we gave them have saved us from many a meltdown. It is the transition toy - even with the batteries out! (Gee, I wonder what happens to the batteries?!)

Jonah is very very busy. When he's smiling, you know he's doing something wrong. This happens quite a bit. Every 30 seconds or so. Quite the "hard ticket." (Much "worse" that previously estimated...!)

Isaac is the real charmer, listens to us and tries to please. Major meltdown on the first night... Poor baby, heartbreaking... Mama cried too of course. But he is doing much better now... He laughs and plays a lot with Jonah. Having Jonah around helps him in his adjustment. Jonah doesn't need anyone! He's too busy to get involved in the emotional stuff! He doesn't appear to know that this is forever, but Isaac knows exactly. Mama can't be far from Isaac or a meltdown could occur. Jonah is baba's boy right now, but both boys knows who we are and play with us.

That's all I'll say for now. Needless to say, the boys are cause for attraction. Nanning people have been wonderful.

Guess who snores? Jonah. Plays hard. Eats and drinks a lot. Sleeps hard. Rough as they come...! No surprise there, eh?!

By the way, Mary Ellen, Isaac is the red car man!

Leaving now!

We are leaving on the first leg to our trip to our boys... We are leaving in a few minutes, but we just wanted to let everyone know that we can be reached at blandfme69@yahoo.ca. Please feel free to write us!

It's all so exciting!!!
Melissa and Amar

Our Itinerary in China

Amar was in Montreal today finalising our trip to China. He came home with our plane tickets, travel authorisations, and Visas to enter China. Here is our itinerary:

Friday, October 6th (in three days - OMG!!!) - Leaving for Beijing.
Saturday, 7th - Arrival in Beijing. Fly on to Nanning, Guangxi, where the boys are!
Sunday, 8th - Rest.... (Who can rest with all the excitment!)
Monday, 9th - Meet the boys at the civil affairs office.
Tuesday, 10th - Register at the office of civil affairs and at the notary.
Friday, 13th - Receive the boys' Chinese passports.
Saturday, 14th - Fly back to Beijing.
Sunday, 15th - Visit the Great Wall of China.
Monday, 16th - Boys' have their medicals and go to the Canadian Embassy.
Tuesday, 17th - Visit Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City.
Wednesday, 18th - Visit the Summer Palace.
Thursday, 19th - Receive the boys' Canadian visas.
Friday, 20th - Visit the Beijing Zoo; pet a panda!
Saturday, 21st - Return to Montreal.

Can't wait! :-)

We have TA on day 158!

We got TA this past Tuesday... on day 158 of TA wait! I couldn't believe it! I didn't believe our coach when she called... I mean, how could it be possible?!

As it turned out, the CCAA had misplaced our SN file by putting it in with the NSN files. I figure we lost about 2-3 months due to this error. And then our file was put at the end of the those waiting. Fortunately, it has all been straightened out and now we have TA!

It has taken us a few days, but we have just finished planning our trip to China; we will be there from October 6-21st. We will meet our boys on Oct. 9th, Canadian Thanksgiving! How meaningful it will be for us in the years to come!

Signature

It seems that everyone has a signature for people to know where they are in the process and here is mine, which I finally created:

Melissa

DH Amar

DS Isaac (Nanning SWI, Guangxi)

12/19/02

cl/cp

DS Jonah (Nanning SWI, Guangxi)

07/28/03

VSD

For both:

LOI 03/13/06

LID 04/14/06

PA 04/18/06

TA (Day 118 of wait)

I hadn't planned on creating one, but I guess I have come to the point where it seems necessary. The first 80 days were pretty easy; it was the days that followed that it became harder. The average wait was 8-12 weeks. This is week 17 for us. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to this. There are people who have waited less who have already gone. Our file is not lost; this has been checked. Maybe it was the extra medical letter saying I was able to raise children, or the extra letter saying that we were ready for TWO children at once. I don't know; there's nothing I can do but wait.

Introducing Isaac and Jonah

These are pictures of Isaac and Jonah. Isaac is holding his truck and Jonah is wearing his yellow vest. These are pictures that I have spent hours looking at and dreaming about. I imagine kissing their cheeks and noses. I think of seeing them for the first time, holding them and, eventually, them calling me mom. I have to pinch myself because they are so beautiful.

No news yet regarding our TA. We are waiting for our visas so we can travel to China. They should be here next week. As for the TAs, we don't know when they will arrive. The China Centre for Adoption Affairs (CCAA) in Beijing just moved to new offices so we know that we have another few weeks to wait.