Caleb, Maryn and I made it home last night around 11 pm! We had smooth flights, no air sick issues for me! We travelled with another adopting family from our group through LA. Rich and Josh were in Hong Kong by the time we arrived home last night. They are probably still crossing the Pacific ocean as I type.
We were greeted by my family with balloons and flowers at the airport last night. Mayrn has been all smiles, charming her way into the hearts of all! :) We got a good night sleep and Caleb was able to go to his middle school orientation this morning.
We appreciate your prayers as Rich and Josh finish their journey home. They arrive around 10:30 tonight. Hopefully we'll have some new pictures for the blog when Rich and Josh are home!
August 31, 2007
August 30, 2007
Not the way we wanted this to end
Please pray, pray, pray ...
Josh woke Sherry and I this morning at 3:30am because he was sick. An boy does he do it well. He (and I) were up most of the night and he got progressive worse (although we didn't know it). By the time we got to the airport this morning, he couldn't even sit up without being dizzy. So, we had to make the horrible decision to split up. Sherry, Caleb and Maryn are on their way home and Josh and I headed back to the hotel. We immediately went to see the doctor at the clinic in the hospital. After a shot, 1/2 a liter of IV and 4 prescription medicines, we were back to the room. It's now 3:30 and I just took him back because he has a slight fever (99.5). Add Ibuprofen. It's amazing how hard it is to get over the counter meds ... I can't even find plain old Tylenol. If I can get him well enough to travel (and stay well myself), we'll make attempt number two in the morning. Pray for me, I'm okay but quite stressed and trying not to turn every stomach turn into a fear that I'm coming down with "it" (whatever it is). Please pray that he (and I)will be able to eat and drink (which he seems to be able to do at the moment) and get his strength back. Pray I have wisdom to make the right decision. Lastly, pray for Sherry, Caleb and Maryn's safe trip so I can not worry about that.
Josh woke Sherry and I this morning at 3:30am because he was sick. An boy does he do it well. He (and I) were up most of the night and he got progressive worse (although we didn't know it). By the time we got to the airport this morning, he couldn't even sit up without being dizzy. So, we had to make the horrible decision to split up. Sherry, Caleb and Maryn are on their way home and Josh and I headed back to the hotel. We immediately went to see the doctor at the clinic in the hospital. After a shot, 1/2 a liter of IV and 4 prescription medicines, we were back to the room. It's now 3:30 and I just took him back because he has a slight fever (99.5). Add Ibuprofen. It's amazing how hard it is to get over the counter meds ... I can't even find plain old Tylenol. If I can get him well enough to travel (and stay well myself), we'll make attempt number two in the morning. Pray for me, I'm okay but quite stressed and trying not to turn every stomach turn into a fear that I'm coming down with "it" (whatever it is). Please pray that he (and I)will be able to eat and drink (which he seems to be able to do at the moment) and get his strength back. Pray I have wisdom to make the right decision. Lastly, pray for Sherry, Caleb and Maryn's safe trip so I can not worry about that.
August 29, 2007
We're Headed Home!
August 27, 2007
Guangzhou update
It's Monday night and now we're in Guangzhou. This is were the US Consulate is and where we will go through the paperwork to get her visa. We arrived Saturday night and immediately went to see a doctor at a clinic in the hospital. He noticed that she had a sore throat and put her on some Chinese medicine and vitamins. What's a parent to do except trust the doctor. Good thing we did. Whatever he prescribed, it seems to be working. Last evening the "old Maryn" that we got a week ago started to return. She started drinking more and her happy personality returned. The diapers are not 100% back to normal, but we're getting closer.
Yesterday we filled out all the paperwork for our visa and hung out at the hotel. Oh. And we shopped. For dinner, we all went out to a Thai restaurant and the language barrier became a little problematic. Caleb and I ate some chip-like things that were made of shrimp (that we're both allergic to). Thank goodness for Benedril. We're both fine. We also got together for pictures in the lobby of the hotel. Wait til you see these pictures. Did I say we went shopping? At one of the stores we're having a dress made for Maryn (and Mom) and the owner let us borrow a dress for the picture. To emphasize, wait til you see these pictures. What a doll! In the evening, Caleb and Josh finally wore me down and we went down to play pool (the one with the table and balls, not water). I'm sure they'll be wanting to play every day (if allowed).
Today (our Monday) we spent the morning in the pool with a waterfall. Quite nice. It was really nice given that it's close to 100 degrees during the day (and real humid). Sherry's stomach was bothing her a little at lunch time so the boys and Maryn and I went to Lucy's for our American Classic Hamburger (with Cheese). It's the first burger I've had since we left and it was goooooood. :) After lunch, guess what we did? Four letters. Starts with "S" and ends with "P". Shop. It was actually fun and everyone (including me) got something. After that, our group marched over to a clinic for the baby's visa physicals. We've had her a little more than a week and now she has seen three doctors. Too say the least, that is not a profession she loves at the moment (Sorry, Bob & Kim). She got through it without any problems and exercised her lungs. After that, we went off into a less touristy part of the city with another couple and their baby. It was quite an experience. There was one section where we were trying to guess whether the animals were pets or food. The final vote was for pets. While on the topic of food, Caleb and I stopped by a restaurant this afternoon and saw sand worms (think 8 inch, fat worms) and water beetles out as meal choices. We passed. Back to this evening ... so we wandered around and landed at a huge outdoor mall that was just booming with people. Yes, there really are a lot of people in China. We did some window shopping and then ended up at Papa Johns. It was good to look at your food (and menu) and know what you're getting. Maryn got a hold of a bread stick and she just munched away. She wasn't too happy when it got small enough to choke on and Daddy had to take it away. On our way back to the hotel, guess what we did? Yup. Shopped some more. Before we leave, we're going to have to buy another suitcase. :(
Thanks to all of you that are faithfully reading this, commenting and praying. At this point, please pray for Maryn's complete recovery, that all the visa processing will go smoothly, and that we get well rested before the long trek home. Sorry it took so long to get you info ... internet access (that was remotely reasonable) was hard to find.
Yesterday we filled out all the paperwork for our visa and hung out at the hotel. Oh. And we shopped. For dinner, we all went out to a Thai restaurant and the language barrier became a little problematic. Caleb and I ate some chip-like things that were made of shrimp (that we're both allergic to). Thank goodness for Benedril. We're both fine. We also got together for pictures in the lobby of the hotel. Wait til you see these pictures. Did I say we went shopping? At one of the stores we're having a dress made for Maryn (and Mom) and the owner let us borrow a dress for the picture. To emphasize, wait til you see these pictures. What a doll! In the evening, Caleb and Josh finally wore me down and we went down to play pool (the one with the table and balls, not water). I'm sure they'll be wanting to play every day (if allowed).
Today (our Monday) we spent the morning in the pool with a waterfall. Quite nice. It was really nice given that it's close to 100 degrees during the day (and real humid). Sherry's stomach was bothing her a little at lunch time so the boys and Maryn and I went to Lucy's for our American Classic Hamburger (with Cheese). It's the first burger I've had since we left and it was goooooood. :) After lunch, guess what we did? Four letters. Starts with "S" and ends with "P". Shop. It was actually fun and everyone (including me) got something. After that, our group marched over to a clinic for the baby's visa physicals. We've had her a little more than a week and now she has seen three doctors. Too say the least, that is not a profession she loves at the moment (Sorry, Bob & Kim). She got through it without any problems and exercised her lungs. After that, we went off into a less touristy part of the city with another couple and their baby. It was quite an experience. There was one section where we were trying to guess whether the animals were pets or food. The final vote was for pets. While on the topic of food, Caleb and I stopped by a restaurant this afternoon and saw sand worms (think 8 inch, fat worms) and water beetles out as meal choices. We passed. Back to this evening ... so we wandered around and landed at a huge outdoor mall that was just booming with people. Yes, there really are a lot of people in China. We did some window shopping and then ended up at Papa Johns. It was good to look at your food (and menu) and know what you're getting. Maryn got a hold of a bread stick and she just munched away. She wasn't too happy when it got small enough to choke on and Daddy had to take it away. On our way back to the hotel, guess what we did? Yup. Shopped some more. Before we leave, we're going to have to buy another suitcase. :(
Thanks to all of you that are faithfully reading this, commenting and praying. At this point, please pray for Maryn's complete recovery, that all the visa processing will go smoothly, and that we get well rested before the long trek home. Sorry it took so long to get you info ... internet access (that was remotely reasonable) was hard to find.
August 25, 2007
Moving on ... to the next city
Just a quick note to let you know where things stand. We received Maryn's passport yesterday so we are done everything required in Nanchang. We leave for the airport in about an hour and a half. Next stop ... Guanghou and processing for her visa.
Please continue to pray for Maryn's health. We are now in day 5 of diarrhea and it's starting to take it's toll. Last night she took over an hour to settle and go to sleep (and it was an unhappy hour). Then, she woke up at 4:30 this morning and cried for almost an hour before going back to sleep. We talked to the adoption agency rep at breakfast and she is trying to get in touch with the doctor here and already called the rep in Guanghou. If things don't change for the better quickly, Maryn may need to be taken to the hospital. To say the least, we're starting to get concerned. The other thing we don't know (at this point) is if her being sick will impact the immigration process and keep us from coming home on time. As you might expect, we need lots of prayer that this will not happen and that we'll be able to travel on Thursday.
Yesterday, we visited the only Buddist temple in Nanchang, followed by a "Christian" church down the street. It was quite a contrast in buildings (and focus). After that we went shopping for porcelyn (however you spell it). This area is where it was made for the emperors. After that, we and another family decided that we had enough chinese food for a few days and walked to Pizza Hut. We should have taken the taxi for 6 yuan (about 90 cents). It must have been 95 degrees and all involved (parents and kids) were rather hot. To end our outing, we took a taxi home. That was quite another experience. If you think things look bad from inside a bus, try sitting in the front of a taxi (the craziest drivers) about the size of a toyota corolla.
Will update you when we get to Guanghou.
Please continue to pray for Maryn's health. We are now in day 5 of diarrhea and it's starting to take it's toll. Last night she took over an hour to settle and go to sleep (and it was an unhappy hour). Then, she woke up at 4:30 this morning and cried for almost an hour before going back to sleep. We talked to the adoption agency rep at breakfast and she is trying to get in touch with the doctor here and already called the rep in Guanghou. If things don't change for the better quickly, Maryn may need to be taken to the hospital. To say the least, we're starting to get concerned. The other thing we don't know (at this point) is if her being sick will impact the immigration process and keep us from coming home on time. As you might expect, we need lots of prayer that this will not happen and that we'll be able to travel on Thursday.
Yesterday, we visited the only Buddist temple in Nanchang, followed by a "Christian" church down the street. It was quite a contrast in buildings (and focus). After that we went shopping for porcelyn (however you spell it). This area is where it was made for the emperors. After that, we and another family decided that we had enough chinese food for a few days and walked to Pizza Hut. We should have taken the taxi for 6 yuan (about 90 cents). It must have been 95 degrees and all involved (parents and kids) were rather hot. To end our outing, we took a taxi home. That was quite another experience. If you think things look bad from inside a bus, try sitting in the front of a taxi (the craziest drivers) about the size of a toyota corolla.
Will update you when we get to Guanghou.
August 23, 2007
Waiting in Nanchang
We've been busy ... changing diapers and trying to convince an unhappy baby to take her medicine and drink Gatorade (Maryn has had diarrhea since Tuesday morning). Unhappy is a relative term. Maryn only fusses when tired or hundry; and she means business when it's time to eat.
Tuesday we hung out at the hotel and saw a doctor that our adoption agency sent. While the boys tour the city (new Nanchang and an old palace), Sherry and Maryn stayed back at the hotel. Today (Thursday), we visited the countyside. We took lots of pictures, but we'll have to explain what we saw. Each of the families brought candy or snacks to give to the kids in the village.
We decided God chase Maryn for our family because it was going to take all four of us to keep up with her! On Monday she was crawling like an inchworm. Now she's up on all fours and even crawled a little across the room (to follow Mommy). She throws herself from a sitting position to get what she wants. She jabbers and has lots to say. We just haven't figured out if she's speaking in Chinese or English.
We're still in Nanchang and should get Maryn's passport tomorrow. Saturday we fly to Guanghou. We are all doing well. Please pray that Maryn's GI system settles, that she doesn't become dehydrated and that she takes her medicine. She loves her formula, but doesn't seem to want to drink anything else.
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