Day 2 in China- Great Wall of China April 30st.

Besides getting Emma, this was the day I was most excited about when I thought about China.  My great-grandmother, Tai Tai, was Chinese and I have always been so proud of my Chinese heritage. I couldn't wait to see this historical monument. 

At breakfast Edmund brought a balloon we had blown up in our room, but shortly after he sat down it popped.  He made a sad sound but didn't cry-cry and almost immediately a young Chinese man came over and gave Edmund a beautiful baton type thing.  He smiled and nodded and handed it to him.  Edmund was thrilled to be given something and he said thank you.  We still aren't sure what it is for but we have it and it brings a smile to my face. 

During our time Edmund used a few Chinese phrases: Hello, thank you, goodbye.  And whenever he did the people loved it.  I loved it too. 

The day was sunny and clear and it was nice as we gathered with our group to already have started to get to know them and their families.  I had dressed Edmund in a pair of shorts and as we walked down the stairs I realized they were falling off so we quickly ran back to our room and changed his shorts and got on the bus. 

We drove a while and then we were there!  We could either walk the steeper sections or a not-as-steep (but still steep) section.  We chose the less steep section and began to climb.  Edmund climbed some by himself, some with me carrying him, some with Matthew carrying him.  Every little bit there was a "tower" lookout and Edmund would want to get down and look through the windows and over the edge. I held on tight to his shirt. 

We walked to the top of that section of the wall and there was a little gift shop at the top.  Edmund chose a tiny snow globe of the Great Wall.  He loves that globe.  The pictures and the presence was enough for me. 

We walked back down and our group was bused to the Jade Factory and attached restaurant.  The Jade factory toured us on how jade was important to Chinese culture and how they made the pieces they had there.  It was very fascinating and we bought a few pieces to have for Emma and Edmund. 

Then we were taken to a Chinese resturant that was attached.  We all sat at a round table and shared dishes.  We didn't have a big selection as we are vegetarian but it was enough (but Edmund wasn't happy with what it was so we fed him snacks when we got back.)

Then we bused back and took a nap. (Naps were a daily necessity).

Each day Edmund opened a little gift from Grandpa and Grandma White that they had given us to pack before we went to China. That day we opened a small Lego set and put it together. 

Then we played at the pool again and ate dinner. (Why can't I remember what we ate???)

We bathed and put Edmund to bed.

I did laundry and repacked our bags as the next day we would be traveling to...

Zhengzhou!

Where we would meet Emma!!

Day 1 in China- Saturday, April 29th

We woke up hungry. Dressing we walked to where we knew there was breakfast.  Sitting down we saw the large spread of food and were amazed.  A fellow adoptive mom commented on a post of mine about how big the breakfast was and she said wait until the other hotels!  I couldn't imagine a more lavish breakfast at a hotel. Much of the food was different than a typical American breakfast but we found plenty for us and Edmund.  As we ate I looked around at any American looking families and tried to guess if they were in our group.

We finished breakfast, went back to our room, and prepared for the day ahead.  Our group would meet together in the lobby and we would walk to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden Palace.  The rest of the group would take rickshaws to a house to have a meal but since it was Sabbath we didn't want to make others work and decided to just walk back to the hotel after the Forbidden Palace.

We packed water and snacks.  With a toddler you always pack snacks.  And we brought a carrier for Edmund.

We met our guide, George, and the other families. We did a little small talk and then began to follow George out the hotel to Tiananmen Square.  It was bright and sunny.  Hot without a breeze but we opened our eyes to the city, our hearts to the culture, and our ears to the history.

Edmund was interested at first and then soon waned as it got hotter and we just kept walking.  Eventually it was decided that it was hot enough and the rest of the group went to the rickshaws and we walked back to the hotel.

We ate spaghettios (I think) -- snacks, and napped.  After our nap we went to find the swimming pool.  The swimming pool required swim caps so we each got one.  We even got one for sister because we knew there would be pools at other hotels.

That evening we walked around trying to find somewhere to eat.  But we couldn't find anything so we ate again in our room and did baths and bed.

Tomorrow we would go and see the Great Wall of China!

Traveling and Arriving in Beijing, China

We woke up at an airport near Newark Airport.  We could see airplanes and Edmund was so excited he was bouncing on the little couch thing.  I pulled out my phone and decided to ask him why he was so excited. I wanted to record his excitement for whatever the reason was--staying at a hotel, riding an airplane...  But to my complete joy and surprise he said, "Because we're going to get sister!"

And so we were.  After ordering up a light breakfast we headed to the airport.  Suitcases in tow, papers carefully held close, and hearts excited!  And honestly, totally nervous about how Edmund would do on the long airplane ride.

When checking in we saw we didn't have seats together but a great flight personnel came over and without us even asking made all three of our seats together!  What a gift!  We would have tried to make it work but it was so nice to not even have to worry about that.

April 27th we boarded our airplane.  It was a 14 hour flight. Straight from Newark to Beijing. We kept Edmund entertained with Water Wow books, modeling clay with his digger trucks, some Mickey Mouse videos, and walking around and around the airplane.  And naps!  We had this amazing seat extender thing that made a little bed for Edmund in the airplane. It made his naps so easy!  We made a little tent covering for him to help keep noise and light out, especially when we were landing.  Matthew and I tried to sleep when we could.

Then we were finally there!  In China!  Days away from receiving our long await for, and much prayed for and loved little girl! With the time difference we landed in China Friday, April 28th in the afternoon.

We went through customs and baggage claim and then headed out to where we were to meet two people.  One would be a representative of the Show Hope offices.  We had volunteered to bring a suitcase (that they supplied) full of needed things for the orphanges that Show Hope runs.  Someone would meet us there to pick up the suitcase.  We were happy to bring it with us and help out the place that was giving our daughter incredible care.  I noticed the Show Hope sign and waved at the young man.  He waved back at us and we handed him the suitcase.  I think in my mind I wanted to say, "Thank you! Thank you for caring for our girl!"  But alas my jet-lagged brain couldn't do any of that.

Then we saw the CCAI sign and our guide for our Beijing portion of the trip, George.  He told us that the others coming were delayed and put us in a taxi to take us to our hotel.  Talk about trust.  We just loaded in, and sat back and watched Beijing pass by.  The taxi was not air conditioned, or it it was it wasn't enough.  We were all tired and felt dirty and sitting there didn't help.  But we were excited to see the new world we were coming into.  And really excited to get to our hotel so we could shower, change, and rest! While we drove we noticed there seemed to be fluff flying through the air.  I wasn't sure if it was pollution or what. But it ended up being part of a tree that was flowering.

After about 40 or so minutes (maybe more) we arrived and got out.  We went into the hotel and it was beautiful. Definitely the fanciest hotel we have ever been in.  After getting checked in we went to our room.  It was a suite.  There was a kitchenette, table, couch, and TV in the first room. (And a small washer and dryer by the kitchen!) Then the bedroom had a walk in closet, and the bathroom was large and had a huge round bathtub/jacuzzi.  So we bathed and even through we were tired we knew we needed water and to try and get on the same time zone.  So we walked around the hotel to a nearby convenience store and bought water (they don't recommend you drinking the water).  Edmund was SUCH a trooper.  He barely fussed and was fascinated to be in China where sister was.

I think we ate food I had packed in our suitcase. I can't remember really.  Then we took baths, and went to bed.  The three of us snuggled in together. I couldn't believe we had made it so far.  We looked forward to the next day when we would meet the other two families (there were only two other families because our groups was an expedited group) in our group and begin this China adventure.

Preparing to go to China

I left this blog kind of abandoned as we prepared to leave for China.  But now that we have been home for a little over nine months I want to go back and share about our journey.

February 20, 2017 we go the call and email with the match we had long been waiting for.

That night we sent off the information to the International Adoption Clinic at John Hopkins and Little Hearts Medical for a medical review of Emma's file. We wanted to know as much as we could before we officially said yes. We felt in our hearts that Emma was the one but we wanted to be smart about our decision and be prepared for what we would expect to happen next.

By the 21st Little Hearts Medical had the review done.  On February 22nd we had an email back from John Hopkins as well as a phone conversation with the doctor from John Hopkins.  We took notes on what everyone said.  We felt the initial reports were all very hopeful. It seemed that she was stable and with correct medical intervention Emma could lead a happy and normal life.

On February 22 we emailed CCAI our Letter Of Intent to Adopt (LOI).

On February 24 we got a "soft copy" (email) of our Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from China. We had to sign that we accepted our daughter.

On March 2 we were able to send 5 questions.  Here is what we sent:

 1) Tell us about when Pu Bing Bing gets upset or frustrated.
What makes her mad? What helps her calm down?

2) Tell us about when she was brought to the orphanage.
Was she left with any items or a note? How did she get her name? And her birthdate?

3) What are some special memories you will have of Pu Bing Bing?

 4) Do you have any baby pictures of Pu Bing Bing?

5) Tell us about her sleeping.
Is she attached to a special nanny? Does she sleep with someone or alone?
How does she go to sleep (rocking or laying down alone)?

On March 3 we got an update with a few reports and a video.  We sent these off to John Hopkins and Little Hearts Medical for their thoughts.  There was so much medical terminology that I didn't understand, and while I knew it had to deal with the heart I just couldn't tell alone how serious it was.  

Because we were coming up on a year since we had been LID, our home study and I-800A form needed to be renewed before we could do the next step of I-800.  This was excruciating for me to learn. It was another hold in our process. Something else to hold us back.  

March 8 we received out updated home study. We had to wait for the receipt number from USCIS so on March 10th we sent it off.  We then had to wait for the 1800A to renew and the I800 to be approved.  

March 10th we received an updated report.  While I didn't understand all the information one this I did understand was on the 1/4/17 report was the words "poor prognosis."  And that terrified me.  

The medical reviews said that it was due to her mitral valve regurgitation. There were also questions about her pulmonary hypertension listed in some reports and not on others. So then we began to question about expediting Emma home.

March 13th we received word that both forms had been received by USCIS.

There are two "sides" of adoption. The China side and the USA side.  As far as the China side, our paperwork was flying through and already seemed to be on the expedited level.  Our LOI (2/22) and our LOA (2/24) was an amazing turn around!  So what really was needed was for us to see if we could expedite the USA side.  I had no idea how to go about this.  CCAI gave us some tips but weren't sure if it was even possible for our case since Emma was stable.

March 15th we received an update with picture and Emma not only had an NG tube but had gained three pounds!  Even in the pictures you can see her filling out!

But I met another adoptive mama of a CHD girl that they were trying to expedite home and share with me how to help expedite the USA portion.

March 16th the doctors at Little Hearts Medical looked to determine if Emma should have a medical expedite.  March 17th they responded that they did believe she needed to be expedited.

March 18th I received the expedite letter from Little Hearts Medical.  They were instrumental in this portion of our journey as they wrote the letter stating the medical necessity to expedite Emma because of her heart condition.  I knew it was vital for Emma to come home, but reading the expedite letter made me realize how serious it was that we bring her home right away.

March 21 I tried to get Emma registered at our local pediatrician to begin setting up all the necessary doctors.  When I tried to register her earlier the people were really difficult.  However, that day when I called there was a really kind and helpful lady and as I talked with her she said she had adopted 3 times domestically! That was just another thing that God did to give me beauty in the midst of our wait. 

A blessing we received through out this whole adoption process was the village of new friends we made in the adoption process.  Two of those families were able to visit Maria's Big House of Hope while we still waited.  This the message I wrote on Emma's private group:

I want to share about the goodness of God in the form of the care center that Emma is in. I have never been there but three other adoptive mamas have recently shared with me and I want to share with all of you.

This is from an amazing friend who just went to Maria's a few weeks ago and went to see if she would be able to see Emma. She couldn't but she sent me this. "Girl that place [Maria's Big House of Hope] is amazing. It's like you can feel the Holy Spirit. They're just amazing and they LOVE those kids. She is being prayed for and over living there."

I got this message last night from a sweet adoptive mama who is in China now to pick up her child and went to see if she could see Emma and get pictures for me. "I went to Maria's today. I asked if I could take pics of your daughter just in case and they said no. But, they said she is doing really well. I asked three different people separately about her and they all mentioned that she's doing great. They did say that she's in their ICU unit, but I think that's where they put all the kids with slightly more serious issues.
We were so impressed by the facility and when I showed them her pic they each said "Oh, that's [Emma's Chinese name]."

I wavered between tears about the ICU and being calm. It isn't the ICU like America. More of an isolation unit and floor where they do care for their sickest babies at Maria's.

Then I was messenging this other adoptive mama and she had my number from something else and she called me. I don't know her. But God told her to reach out to me and she did! God bless her for doing that. She told me her daughter had been on the same floor of Maria's her whole life. She said, "You have hit the jackpot of orphanages." She went on to talk about how careful and clean and loving it is at Maria's. AND get this, the doctor, Dr. Steve, lives on the ICU floor. Emma has immeidate care 24/7 from a doctor. This mama said they give their babies baths everyday and that Emma probably has two nurses a day and night nurse and is getting the best individual care.

How blessed and amazing is this adoption community?! I have been so humbled and blessed by those I have met on this adoption journey and I wanted you all to know how God is answering our prayers for Emma's care.

The fact that she needs to be on the ICU floor does make me cry. It does hurt my mama heart. But God is bigger. God is good and He is giving me peace. Continue to pray. I am hoping to hear good things from the USCIS department, and praying that they will say they can expedite her file.

Thank you for joining us on this journey!

As you can see, the news of Emma needing to be in the ICU floor scared me, but what a blessing to know she was SO well cared for and loved.

March 23 we received an email from out USCIS officer that they would not be able to expedite until our fingerprint refresh came back. We then asked if we could just get new fingerprints (someone had mentioned that it can be faster than a refresh). 

March 24th we were told that we couldn't do a new fingerprinting and needed to wait until something happened that was a problem with refreshing our fingerprints. 

March 29th we received a CT that Emma had done the week before. We were confused and questioned why this had been done, was she sick? What happened that caused her to get a CT?  We were told that another family had looked at her file and had requested the CT.  Somehow it the messages to and from China it was lost that we never requested one.

A happy surprise came in our mailbox April 3rd as BOTH our I800A renewal and I800 approval were there! While our USCIS officer hadn't told us they were expedited it was clear that they had been able to expedite it once the fingerprint refresh had come through.

The next step was now the National Visa Center for Emma's pre-visa approval and information.

April 3rd I emailed the NVC and requested the expedite, same as I had with USCIS, and included the letter from Little Hearts Medical.  

April 6th I mailed off Matthew, Edmund, and my visa applications for China.

I emailed the NVC every day.  I figured it couldn't hurt.

On April 6th I posted in Emma's Facebook group: All that bugging help! We got the NVC approval letter and filled out DS-260 (visa application for Emma). Monday it will all be delivered to the US Consulate in China. Sunday we will email our expedite letter and pray that they expedite our Article 5!

April 9th I emailed the US Consulate in Guangzhou a request to expedite Emma's file.  April 9th is Sunday, but since China is ahead it was their Monday. 

April 12th Edmund woke up in the early morning hours and asked for water.  I checked my email and saw that the US Consulate had issued our Article 5! 

April 12th I waited for CCAI to open and then asked them how long they thought it would take before Travel Approval came and we could travel.  They estimated 2-3 weeks! I was ecstatic!

April 13th I posted this in Emma's Facebook group: Family Day (or Gotcha Day) is always on Monday. If we traveled in 2 weeks our Family Day would be May 1, but that is a holiday in China. So we wouldn't be able to go them from what I understand. Sooo...May 8 is the next soonest. Now we still don't have any official travel notice but would you pray, that if it is God's will, we could meet Emma May 8?

April 14th we received our China visas!

April 18th I posted this: We have TRAVEL APPROVAL!!! Okay. Deep breath. Now we wait for the US Consulate to give us our appointment date and then we will know exact dates for travel. Because we are being expedited we might travel NEXT Thursday if we get a consulate appointment!! 🇨🇳💛🌎 Which means I was wrong about dates, we would possibly be holding Emma by May 2nd! 😍💕#onestepcloser #almosttimetobooktickets

And then this on April 19th: WE ARE LOOKING AT TICKETS!! Which means we are officially leaving on Thursday, April 27!!!!!!!

I received a call on April 19th while I was at a play date with my mom's group.  We were at a park painting rocks.  I couldn't believe it when they said we would be traveling in 8 days to China! I was so excited I couldn't think straight.

April 20th Edmund began to get sick. From April 20-26th we were in and out of our local pediatrican's office. He had medicine to take and breathing treatments to do.  We ended up having to take his  to China with us along with his medication. 

April 26th I received two confusing updates. One was that she was off the NG tube (that made me relieved because I was terrified about using the NG tube and what if it came out? Plus I had asked local areas if they could teach me to put in an NG tube and no one would help me) and then the other report said she was still on it.  I didn't want the NG tube but I didn't want her to be sick either.

That night we drove to the hotel near the airport to try and sleep and then take a big long airplane ride with a three year old.