One More Night in Guangzhou

On Wednesday our guide picked us up and we stopped at a temple in Beijing. It was a very beautiful place too bad it was pouring rain…Unfortunately, during our stay in China we have seen a lot of rain…After the temple we stopped at a museum. The museum site had the unearthed temple site. In the late 1980’s someone was building a hotel when the temple was found. The unearthed many beautiful items along with the body of the king that was buried there. Paul loves stuff like that and again Jacob was not very impressed…After the museum we went to a tea ceremony…We were able to try many different tea’s and bought some really good ones. Caleb has been drinking tea the whole time we have been in China he really likes it….Hopefully that will continue once he returns to the U.S., Jacob doesn’t like tea. After the tea ceremony we headed over to the White Swan Hotel. The White Swan hotel is pretty famous for the fact that is used to be close to the former U.S. embassy and pretty much all adoptive families stayed there while in Guangzhou. It is tradition to get your child’s picture taken on one of their red couches. Needless to say Jacob is not a big fan of getting his picture taken so we got a few pictures but in none of them is he smiling…We then headed over to the U.S. Embassy as we had our 3:30 appointment. There were about 15 to 20 families there with us. You could tell most of the kids in the room were special needs and only a few babies. The lady from the embassy said they processed 3000 adoptions (which is way down from what it used to be) and that over 60% of the adoptions were for special needs kids. I guess that is one good thing about the decrease of healthy babies available for adoption is that now many kids who otherwise would not be adopted are!!! When we were done at the Embassy we headed back to our hotel and let the boys swim. When Jacob is in the pool he is happiest…I think he is entering the next stage of this process…which is being pissed off!!! We have had to be pretty stern with him today as he is trying to push our boundaries. When we were at the Embassy he would not sit next to us but would only sit about 4 chairs away…We tried to do a little shopping at the White Swan but after being asked many times not to touch everything he continued so we left….He loves to screw around and wrestle with Caleb and I really think he is starting to bond with him. I am sure it is going to take time and eventually he will start to like Paul and I…I won’t however, allow him to be disrespectful to us…I need to get this kid out of this country!!!! Right now he is in his comfort zone and I think once he gets to the U.S. he will have to rely on us more and hopefully that will help the bonding process...We skyped with Ling Sun today…She introduced herself to Jacob and told him that she will be his teacher once he gets home… I am going to have Ling Sun work with him hopefully Monday thru Friday for 2 to 3 hrs. a day, mainly working on learning English but also working in his Chinese workbooks we bought him. I also want to get him signed up for swimming lessons and hopefully something like gymnastics. Today are guide is going to pick us up and take us to the Jade/Pearl markets.

We really haven’t bought anything on this trip and I hope to pick up a few gifts before we have to head back to the Embassy to pick up Jacob’s passport and visa the LAST step before we come home!!!! Tonight we are staying at a hotel by the airport as the rate at the hotel we are staying at right now doubles …and it will be easier to get to the airport in the morning to catch our 10:10am flight. I am anticipating a pretty unhappy boy tomorrow as I am sure the reality that he is going to the U.S. will finally hit him…I just pray we all get some sleep on the plane ride home!!!!

The Farr Boys goofing around!

Caleb eating. . .something?

Brothers

Jacob on the Red Couch

Getting ready to leave Beijing!!!!

I am not sure where I left off but now that we are in Guangzhou I no longer have access to my blog. China doesn’t allow access to social networking sites… I had access in Beijing but not here? I am going to post and have my sister Kelly post them for me.

Jacob has really been coming out of his shell the past few days!!! He is a busy, typical boy full of energy!!! I can tell he is getting more and more comfortable with us everyday…He now will walk around the room in his socks, where before once he got out of bed in the morning he had shoes on from sun up to sun down. Last night he was doing summer salts (sp) in our room and he even put on shorts and flip flops to wear for dinner, where usually his outfit consists of 2 shirts and long johns under his jeans. He now calls Caleb by name (Caler) and says pool (cool)…he won’t call Paul and I Mama and Baba yet . He grunts and points at us when he wants to get our attention, but I am sure over time that too will change. Are last few days in Beijing we did a lot of swimming. He is getting braver!!! When he wanted to go in the deep part of the pool he would put on the floaties that I brought for him but they still didn’t really hold him up so he let me hold him while he tried swimming. Sunday we went to the Great Wall…Wow!!! That is something else….We took a cable car up and walked the wall for about an hour. The views are awesome and would have been better if it wasn’t so overcast that day…Walking the wall is no easy task!!! The stairs are really steep and uneven so it is more like a hike or a climb…We went down on a toboggan like slide I was a little scared but it was easier than I thought it would be…Jacob rode down with Paul and I think he liked it…That night Caleb got a migraine headache and threw up our last full day in Beijing so he spent the day in bed while we took Jacob to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Our last night in Beijing we had dinner with our friend Shou Hong. We had a wonderful dinner at Made in China at our hotel. We had Beijing duck and many other wonderful things. After dinner we took the boys to the lounge to listen to music. Tuesday the day we were leaving Beijing was Paul’s birthday…We spent Tuesday morning packing…Jacob, got sad when he saw the luggage sitting in the hallway…we said goodbye to some of the staff at the hotel and he cried a little but not much, by the time we got to the airport he was fine. I was afraid he would cry again once we said goodbye to our guide Cindy but he didn’t have any problem. Like Cindy said he probably thought of her as the mean lady who took him out of the orphanage!!! Our flight to Guangzhou was only 3 hrs. We were met at the airport by our guide Kelly. We had about an hour car ride to our hotel. The scenery here is similar to that of Florida, warm w/palm trees and very green traffic is bad but not as bad as Beijing. We are staying at the Shangri-La hotel in Guangzhou Wow!!! It is beautiful!!! We had dinner reservations for 8pm at the Italian rest. This was an Italian rest. But not your spaghetti and meatballs kind of place….We had a table where we could watch the cooks make dinner. Jacob was not all that impressed…We ordered a cheese and mushroom pizza and he liked that along with the Carpaccio we ordered…Paul, Caleb and I had a pasta dish. Dinner was very good….We then went back to the room and had cake to celebrate Paul’s birthday. Then bed!!!! Good night!!!

Friday Our Trip to Xi'an

Friday morning we had to stop at the clinic to have Jacob's TB skin test checked on our way to the hospital.  Everything was ok so off we went...Xi'an was the first capital of China it was started in the 1st century, so Xi'An has a very long history.  Our guide explained to Jacob that he would have his first plane ride today and he didn't seem too concerned.  He handled the flight very well..Thank goodness!!!! We arrived in Xi'An and were greeted by our guide Frank.  Frank then took us to the Wild Goose Temple. 
(In old China, there was a monk who was a religious Buddhist. He thought the world's ethics were out-of-order and people stole, killed, and were not honest any more.  So he got the emperor's approval and decided walk alone to India get the truth. 15 years passed and he walked thousands of miles, overcome the language barriers，the desert , many countries, the forest, and travelled from Xi'an to India and carried back thousands of books of truth. When he came back he propagandize the love and honesty and taught everything of love, so the country's civilians became civilized. The emperor was very glad and commanded to build a temple for him, and built the pagoda as his library.) This was a very beautiful temple with many beautiful Buddahs. The weather was nice and warm and overall an enjoyable day.  After the temple we went to the history musuem.  I could tell Jacob was getting bored so we walked thru it pretty quickly and then headed back to the hotel.  We stayed at the Sofitel in Xi'An another very nice hotel.  We took the kids down to the pool and again Jacob loved it.  They had a really big circular hot tub and it wasn't really hot so I had him swim in there.  He loved how the jet's spun him around in a circle.  He then grabbed a floatie and headed into the pool itself much deeper...He is getting brave...I had to watch him like a hawk!!! We all enjoyed a good swim and then headed up to change for dinner.  We went to a Morroccan restaurant for dinner.  Jacob is such a good eater and is willing to try anything!!! After a good dinner we headed up to the room for a good nights sleep as Saturday we had a lot of sightseeing to do. 
Unfortunatly, we didn't have wireless access in our hotel in Xi'An so I am a few days behind on the blog but now that I am back in Beijing I can get caught up.

Jacob's first plane ride

The Farr's at the Wild Goose Pagoda

The Farr's and Buddah

Caleb and Daddy having mint tea at the Morroccan Restaurant

Good nite!!!!

A Visit to the Summer Palace

We were supposed to go to the Great Wall today but the weather was cold and raining...So our guide took us to the Summer Palace instead...The Summer Palace is located about 40 min. from our hotel. 
The Summer Palace was built in 1750 by the Emperor Qianlong it's name was Garden of Clear Ripples.  The Palace and gardens were destroyed and rebuilt twice in 1886 & 1902.  The Palace was the Summer resort for the Empress Dowager, she used it as her summer home.  It is a very beautiful place with many artfully constructed buidings and beautiful gardens...Jacob was a trooper but I could tell he was bored...he had been to the Summer Palace before with the orphanage.  I did notice alot of people looking at us and I am sure people made comments about why we Americans were with a Chinese boy...Cindy our guide said she thought he was a bit embarrassed because of the people's stares...I told her once we are in the U.S. people won't look twice at us as this is pretty common...
After leaving the Summer Palace we stopped for lunch at a Sichuan restaurant.  I  am amazed at how Jacob loves spicy food...It was pretty funny as when we were about to leave a bunch of the waitstaff gathered around Caleb...I asked Caleb what they were asking him and he had no idea becuase they all were speaking Chinese...We then stopped at a bookstore...I wanted to get Jacob some books for him to read and some workbooks...I hate to tell him but soon once we return he will still have to keep up on his studies!!! He picked out some books one about dinosaurs and one about ancient history...good choices!!! We got him many workbooks mainly math and he told us no more!!! As we were getting ready to check out I heard a guy demonstrating this reading device....we went over to check it out...it was similar to the leap pad reading system but it's books have both Chinese and English words for an item....you point to the Chinese word and it says it then you point to the English word and it says it...We bought the system as it will not only be a good way for Jacob to learn English but also for the kids to learn Chinese...I figure it is something they can sit down and do together.... We went back to the room and Jacob immediatly put on the TV and started watching cartoons...We brought along a selection of cartoons that were in Chinese...they have been a good distraction but again I hate to tell him we are being overly generous with the TV watching right now...
He did start to get a little weepy and I caught him crying softly to himself...this was the first time today he got sad or atleast showed it...Looking for a distraction I pulled out the memory game I brought and started playing it with Caleb.  We asked Jacob to join us but he refused...I could tell he was watching us....Caleb and I continued to play...Paul left to make a call in the lobby and all the sudden Jacob came down on the floor with us and started to play...He was a pro and ended up wining!!! We played a few games and again I got some smiles!!!!
Last night Paul and I took the boys down to the pool....He loves the pool!!! We took along a ball and he LOVED throwing the ball as hard as he could and making Caleb and Paul swim to get it....Caleb again was a really good brother because when him and Jacob were both going for the ball Caleb would always let him get it first...He is also starting to get more brave and even tried going in the deeper part of the pool....He will be enrolled in swimming lessons when we get home....
It is soooo cute when he smiles...he tries so hard not to...sometimes it just slips out!!!
Well we are on our way down to eat something...This hotel couldn't have worked out any better....Since we have been eating such big lunches we haven't been too hungary for dinner...but since we are staying on the club level of the hotel every night they put out really nice appetizers, desserts and drinks...So instead of going out for dinner we have just been having a few snacks and drinks then to bed early....
Our guide picks us up at 7:30am tomorrow...we have to stop at the hospital to have Jacob's TB skin test checked then we are off to the airport for a 10:30am flight to Xi'an, China.  Jacob's first plane ride!!! We will fly to Xi'an to see the Terra Cotta Warriors and the tomb of Qin Shihuang di which date back to 210 B.C. and were just discovered in 1974...
As I am sitting here he and Caleb as putting together a lego car set....he is really becoming more engaging...

The $500 Lunch....

The Crab Jacob Ordered

I am making a post early today because we have had an interesting one.....Jacob woke up in a BAD mood...he was very sad and again said how much he misses his friends....He wouldn't drink anything for us or change his clothes...he did however, brush his teeth and wash up...We met our guide Cindy in the lobby at 9:15am....We went to the civil affairs office to pick up our official adoption certificate!!! We then went to the office of the notary and had all the documents notorized!!! We then went to the police station in Beijing and applied for his passport....a long morning of waiting...waiting...waiting....both boys were troopers!!! After all the appointments...we back to the hotel for lunch....we went to a upper end Cantonese place...They had a beautiful menu!!! Once again Jacob just stared pointing to things on the menu and wanted to order like 10 things (we let him do this yesterday and ended up with much to much food)...we cut back and still ordered a few dishes he wanted...mind you he pointed to the South China Sea Spotted Crab and the lobster!!!! We decided to order one of them....We asked how much they were...both were VERY expensive but decided to order the lobster because it was a bit cheaper....after all this was a celebration as the Chinese part of the adoption is now done!!! We had a bottle of chardonney and a few other dishes....they delivered the full crab to the table...Jacob saw this and got a REALLY big smile on his face as I am sure he has never seen anything like this...(we just assumed since we ordered the lobster they misunderstood us and we got the crab instead...no big deal the extra $$ was worth it just to see the smile)....we continued to eat and many more small dishes were delivered....then came out the lobster!!!! oh boy....they really screwed up the order and we knew it was going to cost us a fortune but again Jacob got a big smile when he saw the crustation delivered to the table...He wasn't crazy about the lobster....oh well....Paul, Caleb and I have had our share of seafood for awhile!!! Jacob told us in Chinese that he wanted to go home except this time he ment up to the room....everytime else he has ment to go home to the orphanage....so another good sign....
We got him up to the room and he agreed to change his clothes...another battle behind us....The orphange people promised Jacob that they would have his friends call him after they were done with school....well, this has yet to happen even though we would sit in our room the past 2 days at 4pm WAITING for the call!!! Today, our WONDERFUL!!! guide Cindy said she would go to the school at dismissal time and wait for the kids and put them on her cell phone....Well we had success!!! She called about 3:05pm and Jacob talked to about 6 of his friends (including the 2 boys who dragged him to the car on Sunday) from the orphanage and 2 of the nannies....he was happy...atleast now maybe he can have a little faith in us that we made this happen even though the orphanage did not!!! Thank you Cindy!!! So far a bad start to the day turned out good...I anticipate that we will be riding this roller coaster for a while!!! The good moments and smiles are soooo worth it!!! he is a sweetheart and has so many things to figure out...it is our job to be there to guide him....Tomorrow we are going to visit the Great Wall of China...we are going to visit a "wild part" not at all touristy I guess we have to walk thru a couple farm fields to get there but it should be worth it....just like the $500 lunch to see a smile!!!

The Lobster

The words of the day are emotional and jet lag....

Jet lag is really starting to set in for Caleb and I...Paul is very resistant he has always amazed me how well he can travel...
After a good nights sleep..I am so thankful that Jacob is a good sleeper at night so far no nightmares or anything like that...he wakes up well and immediatly puts on clothes and shoes.  Today we had to meet our guide Cindy in the lobby at 7:15am...Jacob had his medical appt...Believe me I have a whole new appreciation for the U.S. healthcare system....his physical consisted of us going from room to room (small rooms) with many people in it...NO privacy!!! everyone in line getting the same examination...they checked his vision, hearing, ears, nose, throat, blood pressure, they took 3 vials of blood, urine, TB test, EKG and full physical...believe me when I say NO privacy, standing in a room with other people and he had to bend over and touch his toes if you know what I mean....my poor baby!!! Rooms full of people in line getting the same examinations....I sure hope the U.S. healthcare system never get's like this....We did get some good news however, He only has cleft lip NOT palate...His leg is still unexplained but I am certain it is because the unbillical cord was wrapped around it...and he has a mild club foot.  I can't wait to get him to Children's Hospital in Philadelphia and have him checked out...All of these issues are basically cosmetic and really don't stop him in anyway...He ended up getting 2 more vaccinations which should make him pretty much up to date by U.S. standards...Jacob handled everything very well and never cried or showed pain....
After the doctor we stopped at a local dept. store....Jacob insists on wearing long john type pants under his jeans (wearing layers and always being warm is a part of the Chinese culture)...since he only came with one pair of these-very warm winter ones we stopped to buy him some lighter cotton ones....Again he was very worried we would get rid of his pants but we reasurred him we only wanted to wash them. 
We got back to the hotel for lunch...Jacob told Paul what to order but ended up not eating much...He complained his arms hurt and he looked very uncomfortable so I cut my lunch short and took him back to the room...I gave him some tylenol and put him down for a nap, hoping I could get one as well...however, rest time only lasted a few short minutes...I then put on Mulan and sat down to watch it with him...we watched it for a short time until he brought me the Chinese cartoon DVD to watch instead....we sat down and watched that together...Paul and Caleb came back to the room and I decided to take a nap, which lasted like 3 hrs. 
Caleb fell asleep (I could tell he was tired as he was crabby all day).  We were meeting with Guo Fei at 5pm. she is a friend of Ming's from AAI (AAI is our adoption agency).  Guo Fei agreed to meet with us to talk to Jacob and discuss what was going on...I couldn't get Caleb to wake up so Paul, I and Jacob went down to meet with Guo Fei...she was terriffic!!! she was very patient with Jacob...she asked him questions and more importantly she explained to him how much we Love him and why we decided to adopt him...Agian he expressed to her how much he misses his friends from the orphanage...He was very disapointed because again today they were supposed to call and they didn't...We have got to make this phone call happen!!!
I had Guo Fei read Jacob a letter I had prepared for him...Ling Sun translated it for me...with the help of Guo Fei, Jacob read the whole letter out loud himself....in the letter I expressed to him how much I loved him the first time I saw his picture, how Paul and I would alway take care of him, provide him with everything he needs including a good education and a loving family... I asked Guo Fei to ask him why he thought we wanted to adopt him and he had no idea??? She explained to him the story of how this came about...
I told him our intention was to alway adopt a Chinese baby....Paul used to work and travel to China alot!! Paul had visited a few orphanages and we decided it was something we wanted to do someday...We had Caleb then decided to adopt our 2nd daughter Jade...We then wanted a sister for Jade and Caleb so we adopted Lily...Then one day I was on a field trip with Jade's class and I checked my email on my Iphone...there was an email from Ming that said looking for a loving home for Jake...the name Jake caught my attn: Paul and I always said if we had another child we would want a boy and we would name him Jacob...anyway...I immediatly sent Ming a return email saying I would like some more information on this child...before she would I had to send her information about us to see if we were even qualified...Long story short...Paul came home that night and I said " you better have a glass of wine" Ming had sent us a picture of Jacob and we opened it togther....We both looked at this beautiful child and just knew he was our's...
We worked very hard to do all the things we needed to do to make this adoption happen as fast as possible!! it was not easy and unfortunatly, it seems like the process is getting harder and harder...There were many signs along the way that made me feel confident we were doing the right thing....I always told Paul I would not have anymore children once I turned 40yrs. old...Well, we ended up getting approval from the Chinese Govt. the day before my 40th birthday!!! Another sign this was ment to be is that since we have started this process the Chinese Govt. has changed their rules...Paul and I found Jacob and THEN started doing the ppw....Now you have to do the ppw first and THEN find a child...I am a BIG believer in everything is ment to be...and in this case that is the truth!!!
I only hope someday Jacob will know and understand the story of how he joined our family...
Jacob also explained to Guo Fei he is worried because he does not understand English....and is afraid if he learns English he will forget how to speak Chinese....She reasured him that eventually, he can speak both languages...she also told him that we are all trying to learn Chinese and he was happy with that...
We also told him that even though he was moving to the U.S. he is still Chinese and so are his sisters...we appreicate and will always embrace their Chinese culture with food and celebrations...We also have many pieces of Chinese art in our home...The point I was trying to make to him is just becuase you are moving to the U.S. doesn't mean you will lose your culture...
Another good thing that happend to day was when he was asked about all the hugging, kissing and affection being shown to him by his parents did he mind? Guo Fei said the Chinese culture is not really huggy, kissy...however I told her we are....Jacob said he did not mind the hugging and kissing he didn't say he liked it but again he doesn't not like it...so that his awesome!! I am sure in good time he will just be another kid in and out of our bed in the coarse of the night...
Guo Fei as well as other adults who have met Jacob have commented on what a nice, polite boy he is...he is really soft spoken and full of emotion....I really think he is doing great considering the circumstances...
Tomorrow...we get our adoption certif. and we apply for his Chinese passport...Thursday we are going to the Great Wall and will have a few days of sighseeing and fun...
Thanks to all of you following this journey....I know these posts are long but it is really good for me to put all this down...someday it will be very important to Jacob to have all this documented....I better get to bed...I mentioned earlier Caleb hit a wall well he has been sleeping since like 3pm this afternoon....hopefully, he sleeps thru the night...

I think he is starting to turn the corner....

I think today was a bit of a turning point!!! Jacob had a good nights sleep...he slept thru the night...Paul and I took turns getting up to check on him....He awoke around 7am. and layed in bed for awhile.  The minute his feet hit the ground he put on shoes and his coat was sitting next to him and remember he slept in his clothes....I think he thought maybe he was finally going back...I sat on the couch with him and we watched cartoons together...We asked him to brush his teeth and he started crying....He spent the next 1hr. in the bathroom w/me sitting next to him sobbing telling me over and over he wanted to go home...We called a Chinese speaking friend to speak to him and he started to settle down a bit...Paul ended up brushing his teeth for him and he was not happy....We went down to breakfast and he refused to eat anything...We then met our guide in the lobby at 9am.  We were off to the Civil Affairs Office to do the paperwork for the adoption and make it official...At the civil affairs office he saw the lady from the orphanage and again I think he thought he might finally be going home...We then were called into the office to sign the paper work and answer a few questions...We had to promise to always take care of, never abandon an provide Pan Shi Zheng with a good education...We enthusiastically said YES!!! Then Paul and I had to sign all the paperwork and Shi Zheng had to sign by his hand print...they put his hand in red ink and he had to put his hand print on the paperwork by our signatures and fingerprints...I think this was the moment he realized this was FOREVER and he would not be going back to the orphanage...
We came back to the hotel with our guide and asked her to come up to our room with us to help us convince Jacob he needed to change clothes...She talked with him and he agreed, apparently he was afraid if he took off his clothes he thought we would get rid of them....We promised we will never get rid of his clothes (I actually have all of the outfits the girls came with from the orphanage as well)  but would like to wash them...he agreed and put on some of the clothes we brought for him...the clothes we brought are a bit too big as he is smaller than I had thought he was...He is built very much like Jade....skinny...but muscular...Caleb says Jacob has 6 pack abs!!! We then took him for luch and he was hugary since he didn't eat any breakfast...He loves noodle dishes (which is typical the people in the North part of China are more noodle eaters and the people in the South of China eat more rice) he ate some of my shrimp, Pauls fish and again he loves cucumbers!!!! We then went shopping for some new clothes for him...Our guide asked him if he ever had any new clothes and he said "No, they shared clothes in the orphanage" He picked out a pair of pants and a shirt and was very proud to carry the bag back to the room!!! He still insists on wearing the long underwear type pants under his jeans but that is ok...He looked sooo cute in his vintage Stone Temple Pilots t-shirt Paul had bought for him...and warm sweatshirt I bought him at LL Bean before I left.  He even agreed to the super hero underwear I bought...We went back to our room...the boyz watched TV and Mom hit a wall (only sleeping like 4 to 5 hrs a night) and HAD to take a nap...I slept for like 3 hrs. and woke up a much better Mama....Earlier in the day the orphanage agreed for Jacob's 2 buddies from the orphanage to call us so they could speak to him....This is the biggest problem for him...he misses these 2 boys really bad!!! The boys were supposed to call at 4pm but something came up and they are going to call tomorrow instead...I was suprised that Jacob was ok with this...I need to do some investigation when I get back to find out more about these boys...not sure what their special needs are but they looked good and healthy to me!!! I only pray someday they find families!!! Paul woke me from my nap and to my suprise!! Jacob, Paul and Caleb were all standing there in swimming suits ready to go swimming!!! I put on my suit and down we went...Jacob, LOVED the pool!!!! It was precious to see him in the pool for the first time in his life!!! there was another little boy in the pool he was asian but live in the U.S. and spoke English (Jacob spoke Chinese to him but Ben only spoke English)  his name was Ben he was 5yrs. old and he splashed Jacob on purpose...Jacob started LAUGHING!!!! his first smile, laugh and swim all at the same time!!! He became soooo happy!!! the water was very shallow and I stayed right by his side....as time went by more and more of his body went into the water....soon I was teaching him how to blow bubbles!!! We swam for awhile until Jacob became cold...so we warmed him up and took him back to the room....We all changed clothes and went down for appetizers and drinks...Jacob had 2 sprites and took his Baba around showing him what foods he likes...then much to our suprise when he was done was asking the waiters to come over andtake his plate away...We then went to the mall for a walk (the most amazing mall is basically in the lower level of our hotel)...we took Jacob to a store and he picked out another shirt, we then took the boys to McDonalds for dinner...Jacob enjoyed the french fries and sprite....We went back to the room...it was bathtime!!! I was not looking forward to this...Much to my surprise he jumped into the tub but asked me to leave (however, I spied on him) he did a great job washing his hair and body...he started to dress in his clothes but I stopped him and asked him to put on Pj's...he agreed and put on his Spongebob Pj's!!! Yea!!! another battle behind us...Caleb and him played PSP's for awhile...Paul and I kissed him good night and asleep he went!!! He is a VERY polite, sweet boy...never harmful or angry...just sad sometimes....he is now saying Thank you to us when we give him something...Caleb is really warming up to him!!! He is trying really hard to keep him engaged!!!

It's a boy and he's not a Happy Camper!!!

After a really nice breakfast this morning we met our guide Cindy in the hotel lobby at 10am to take care of the banking part of the adoption.  After the bank she showed us around the area...pretty much a HUGE mall and many places to eat and a laundry service (I packed light so we will either have to buy more clothes or have them washed).  We departed for the orphanage at noon.  It was about a 40min. drive w/out much traffic.  Beijing has become a very modern city, yet mixed in the historic city...Except for the extream pollution a very nice city...
We arrived at the orphanage gate and before we could enter had to have a temperature scan. 

Beijing CWI

We were told we couldn't take pictures once inside the gates so we put our camera's away.  We walked into a very nice lobby with no kids in sight...Then were led into another formal type room. There we signed paperwork and then I started to get nervous.  Before I knew it he was walking through the door...What a beautiful boy!!!

He walked in crying...came up to Paul and I and said Mama and Baba I could tell he was told he had to say that...he continued to cry we both kissed and hugged him but he was pretty unhappy...the orphanage director and another staff member as well as our guide tried to console him but nothing was working...We continued to touch and kiss him....I was able to ask the staff a few questions about him before it was time to walk out the door...I grabbed his backpack (which contained all the things I sent him in prior pacakages that he hasn't seen yet and the photo books, which he did get to see) and out the door we went...He was being pretty much dragged out the door by the orphanage staff...We got into the parking lot and he was resisting big time!!! the orphanage director allowed his 2 best friends to come outside to say good bye!!! All the sudden these 2 boys come out of the front door and come to Jacob...They both gave him a big hug!!! The bigger of the 2 boys started to cry as he said he wanted a family too!! I wanted to say "jump in let's go"...both boys helped Jacob to the car we got in I held him and we left................................
We had to stop to get a family picture and passport photo's of him, then we got back to the hotel...our guide Cindy came to our room...we showed Jacob his room , bed, his I-pod and PSP games...he was semi interested in the game....However, for the next 4hrs. or so he just cried and kept saying he wanted to go back to the orphanage...We just kept, rubbing his back and kissing his head....he was just sooooo sad....How would you like it if you were taken out of the home you lived in for the past 7 years or so and were given to 2 people who's ethnic race you have never seen before (Jacob has never seen an American person maybe only on TV and that is doubtful), and all the sudden they just started kissing you and loving you??? I was hesitant to go for dinner...but our good friend Xiao Xiohung (Paul used to work w/her in Beijing) came to pick us up for dinner.....this actually turned out to be a good thing....Xiao Xiohung took us to a famous Peking duck place and Jacob ordered his own dinner.....I think he was quite proud!!! He LOVES cucumbers!!! I am so happy that he and I can grow them in our garden this summer...he also ordered wheat noodles...he ate well and had 2 sprites...I don't think he has ever had a soda before because the way he enjoyed them were priceless....He doesn't have any table manners but we will work on that...
We all ate a great dinner and then were ready for bed....We stopped at a grocery store on our way back to the hotel so the boys could get some ice cream....We got back to the room and Jacob and Caleb ate ice cream in bed....they played their PSP's and the crying as stopped for a few hours...I called Jade and Lily on the Skype and Jacob heard what was going on and ran right over to the computer to say Ni hao to his Jie Jie (big sister) and Mai Mai (little sister)...I was very happy to see his reaction....I think because they are both Chinese he will feel more comfortable...He then popped into bed and went to sleep....I tried to get him to put on pajama's but he wouldn't...and mind you this kid is wearing atleast 3 layers of clothing...he has on long johns under his long pants...and I think atleast 3 pair of socks, everytime we go anywhere he insists on wearing his winter coat and it is about 70 degrees here today....Oh yea, to all my Green Bay friends and family guess what Jacob had on today!!! his Green Bay Packer sweatshirt that Paul and I sent to the orphanage!!! Paul and Caleb both had Green Bay Packer shirts on as well...I atleast got him to take off his sweatshirt before bed but he was not willing to put on his Spongbob PJ's....I will pick my battles for now!!!
One of the best parts of today is that he has not once tried to push us away....we are alway kissing him, holding him and touching him....I think that is a REALLY good sign!!! This child wants to be loved and have a family it might just take a few days to get used to us.....Good night to all!!! I am SOOOOOOOO tired and not sure I will sleep....

Daddy trying to make Jacob feel better

Caleb is trying to show him the ropes!

Brothers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Waking up in Beijing

We arrived in Beijing at 9:30pm Sat. night April 17th....We had a 4hr. flight from Japan...Really glad to finally be here...Again Caleb did great on the flight and has been quite a trooper...We were met at the airport by our guide Cindy.  Cindy will be our guide while we are here in Beijing.  Cindy speaks very good English and seems very nice and helpful.  Beijing airport is HUGE!!! It is almost like it's own city...We had a 30min. drive to the hotel from the airport and checked into our hotel the Beijing Grand Hyatt.  The hotel is very nice!!! We are on a club level and have a 2 bedroom suite, there is a bedroom for Paul and I and one for the boys...2 bathrooms, a small kitchen and a full living area.  We had a quick bite to eat and went back to the room...We skyped with Kelly, Cory and the Boys and finally got to bed around 1am.  I was up at 5am. guess sleeping only 4 hrs. at a time is ok....I am sure it will catch up with me but for now I think I am going on adrenaline.  We will go down for breakfast around 8:30am then meet Cindy in the lobby of the hotel at 10am.  We need to go to a bank and convert our US dollars to RMB (yes, the bank is open on Sunday), then Cindy will show us around the area...There is a big mall and grocery store pretty much attached to the hotel, everything looks very convenient.  Our driver will pick us up at noon to take us to the Beijing orphanage where Jacob is.  From that point on not sure how things will play out...should be interesting!!! I am very calm this morning but I am sure the nerves will kick in once we are in route...
We talked to the girls last night...they are doing good..sounds like they have been too busy to miss us!! We are very proud of them...
My next post will be once we have our boy!!!
Wish us luck....

We arrived in Tokyo!!!!

We just arrived in Tokyo!!!! I must say a pretty quick 12 1/2 hrs. and I only slept like 4 hrs. but did get to catch 11 episodes of Big Bang Theory...Caleb did great and was treated like a Rock Star!!! The American Airlines staff was terriffic!!! Caleb had a good time!!! the pilots (a total of 5 pilots) invited Caleb to sit in the cockpit at the controls of the 777 (before takeoff). We all enjoyed a nice meal a few drinks and some sleep!!! I am so very proud of Caleb so far he has been a trooper and we got a ton of comments from people on how well behaved and polite he is oh yea, and what a good eater he is as well...
We are 3/4 of the way to Beijing....Just one more 3 hr. flight from Tokyo to Beijing....Hopefully a quick dinner then to bed....Hopefully, I can sleep....I am wondering what Jacob is thinking right now??? I wonder if they are having some kind of celebration for him???
Next post we will be in Beijing.....hope everyone is having a good nights sleep becuase as I write this it is 3:03am central time and I have been pretty much up for 24 hrs. except the 4 hr. nap I had on the plane...
Kym
P.S. Caleb just checked out the toilet seat in the mens room and said it has a massage button!!! he is thrilled...

Our 777

Caleb's Seat

Caleb at the controls of the 777

Tuckered out!!!

We are in Chicago

We left the house at 4:45am and flew from Philadelphia to Chicago.  We have a four hour layover here in Chicago but don't feel bad for us because we have access to the first class lounge.  Caleb is enjoying all the free drinks and food while he is watching cartoons. Paul and I presented him with a gift a few minutes ago...his very own flip video camera...we expect him to document his trip so he can share his experience with his classmates.  I am sitting down and having a glass of champaign while I make my very first post.  It is a miracle this blog ever came to be...I have been extreamly busy getting not only Paul, Caleb, Jacob and myself packed and ready for this trip but I had to make sure the girls were all set as well.  Speaking of Jade and Lily they have been buddies in the few days before our departure...I told them they needed to take care of one another and I think they are taking that seriously...they have been sleeping together and last night while Jade was taking a bath Lily was standing by the tub with a towel over her arm and she said to me "I am Jade's servant" I guess Jade is making the most of the time alone with her sister.  Thanks to our good friends and family the girls will be well taken care of while we are gone.  We are just 2 flights away from Beijing the home city of our new son!!! I will try to post again once we get to Tokyo where we will have another 2 hr. layover...Once again we will have access to wonderful lounge Caleb is excited to eat the sushi!!! I always look forward to the heated toilet seats!!! (Yes, in Japan they have the MOST wonderful toilets)...we go from that to the squatty potties in China...I pray I get some sleep!!!! Before I sign off I want to Thank You to my Wonderful!!! husband Paul....This is the 3rd time I am making this journey and the 3rd time I flew 1st class...everytime we have been able to do this because of all of his past travel and time away from us...(yes, frequent flier miles)...Kym

Paul and Caleb in Chicago