Random Pics

I don't want to be THAT person who keeps posting pics and video of their kid on facebook (although actually, I don't really care!)....so I'll do it here :)

 

Yes, this is how he fell asleep for a nap!  Benson risked waking him to take this. :)  Olympics 2030 for gymnastics! 

 

 

 

He did learn to love the swing.

 

 

Worth EVERY penny for Brayden to have his own seat flying home!!!  I'm sure the person who sat in this seat next was confused as they adjust the seat belt ;)   

 

 

Peek

 

 

a Boo! :) 

 

Our flight path home was the same one we took to get there.  Thanks mom for this cool pic!  I know a lot of people were tracking us...thank you for the thoughts and prayers! 

Chinese Culture

Being foreigners, and having curly hair, we felt well prepared to be stared at, have our pictures taken (I had a photo shoot on the Great Wall), and them to come up and cover Brayden up more or something like that. We were NOT prepared for a woman to get off the elevator, give Brayden a brownie, and then proceed to give him an entire carton of chocolate! His first temper tantrum when we took that away!

First Doctor Appointment

Today was the day I was looking forward to and dreading all at the same time.  We had a few concerns, but also didn't know what the doctor would do/say/etc.  Brayden's self soothing/stimulating of hitting himself in the head was our biggest concern and the doctor told us to ignore it.  It's hard to do, but ok!  He answered all of our questions, didn't make us feel stupid, and had no problem giving us three referrals to an eye doctor, ear doctor, and a physical therapist (bright light makes him scrunch his eyes close, and he's still not super steady when he sits up).  That was the easy part.  Next, the nurse came in with three vaccinations (MMR, chicken pox, and the flu shot) and also taped a bag to him to collect a urine sample.  I don't know why the doctor bothered to check his lungs before all this happened because they work! ;)  Once the bag was filled at home, we had to go to the lab to drop it off and also so Brayden could get blood drawn.  Six vials later, and two arms, our brave little man calmed down and promptly fell asleep in his car seat.  He's been a bit fussy tonight, but who can blame him?!?!  Plus, he then had to wear a ridiculous costume for awhile...I'm sure he was plotting his revenge in the car! :)  The best part of these visits were the nurses and technicians commenting on how comfortable he is with us....soothing news to an adoptive mother's (and father's) ears!  The routine is slowly coming along and a few nights of good chunks of sleep has helped immensely.  I am nervous for Benson to go back to work next week (thank you Mom for taking Monday off...anyone want to volunteer for Tuesday afternoon?  haha), but also feel that this will help the routine become consistent. 

Keep the prayers coming please....they are working!!!!  Benson and I look at this little guy God chose for us and just know this was a bigger act than us!  He is so perfect and matched just for us!

Pumpkin Farm

I grew up going to Sonny Acres and have been so impatiently waiting to take my child there!!!! Yesterday was the day!!! It was drizzly for a bit and I'm sure he was sooo confused about what we were doing, but he loved tossing his baby pumpkin to the ground while Pappou, Grandma, Mom or Dad would fetch it for him :) and we got some good pics so everyone left happy. It will be totally different next year with a mobile toddler!

 

Woo Hoo finally a measurement we don't have to convert ;) 

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

So we will not be having 12 people over at our house to meet Brayden at a time.  Saturday night was rough!!!  He is a great little entertainer, but I think it is too much for him and sets him back.  And to top it off, Benson had a stomach thing that put him out of commission for most of Sunday, so it was a long day.  My parents stopped by on their way to bringing AJ back for their Brayden fix, and then Benson's parents stopped by to bring chicken noodle soup for the patient...and get their Brayden fix :)  I will admit, we put a little Benadryl in his bottle Sun. night to speed up the routine, but it still took him a long time to fall asleep.  He was out until past 10 Monday morning though, but then that set everything off. 

We went to Costco and got his first haircut Monday afternoon (it started off good and then fell apart!).  Friends stopped by with dinner (and their three kids for a bit until Grandma brought them home) and Brayden fell asleep right before dinner so it was nice to have an adult dinner :)  He then woke up as they left at 8 and by 10 I was wiped so I left Brayden to dad and went to bed.  I woke up at 1 on my own and couldn't fall back to sleep until after 4 (with Bray waking for a small bit at 3).  I was so frustrated!!!!  Benson was up at 6:30 and then took a two hour nap in the early afternoon so we are all just off.  One of the travel group mom's suggested Melatonin for all of us and we will be doing that tonight.  A trip to the chiropractor, Payless, and Walmart got us out of the house for three hours and cleared our heads (plus the adjustment/mini massage was perfect!!!!!!). 

I feel bad that I just want a routine when I remember this is only our fourth day home.  The adoption was a process and the adjustment home is too.  I'm also struggling with rocking him to sleep versus letting him cry it out (with one of us in the room with him of course....we want him to establish trust with us).  He's our first and we waited so long for him, but a routine is what is best for all of us. 

On the other hand, it has been a BLAST watching him explore the house, learn how to play with some new toys (we bring them out slowly so not to overwhelm him, but he of course has more fun with laundry baskets, paper, and water bottles), and introducing him to people!  He gets so excited to eat, when he sees his bottle, bath time, and he's been pretty good in the car (when he has been fed haha).

So his first haircut and some other videos are on our phones now (or with our parents), so I PROMISE to do an all Brayden photo montage next post :) I will leave you with the photo above.  These were in each of our hotel rooms and I didn't know whether to laugh, feel relieved, or terrified....I think it was a mix of all three!!

The boys are eagerly anticipating tip off for the Bulls game (well, one of them any way), so I'll have lots of pictures of them in their Rose jersies.

Thank you again for the prayers that got us there and home; now if I could request patience, wisdom, and restorative sleep, we would greatly appreciate it!!!!!!!!!!!

First 28 hours home

Yes, I plan on still blogging :) 

Our flight from Guangzhou to Beijing went smoothly.  Brayden was a little antsy and of course fell asleep as we started the descent so only got about a 45 minute nap.  We got to fly with two other families so we all stuck together to find our luggage and transfer over to international flights.  Of course our flight was in a different terminal so we had to say quick good-byes :( take a bus, find United, go through customs and security and when we found our gate they were lining up already! There was an extra security check, but having the baby let us jump the line woohoo!!  He had been in the carrier for most of the day by this point (except for the first flight), but our motto was SNACKS the second he would fuss (pretty much the only thing I bought on our last trip to China Wal-mart was snacks!) so he held up pretty well for not knowing what the heck was going on! 

We found our seats and the money we spent for his own seat was well worth it!!!  We put a pillow on each side of him and behind, gave him his bottle and he sprawled out!  Then I pulled out all new toys he hadn't seen in any of the hotels and he LOVED the stacking cups!!  Brayden played with those for about 20 minutes....until he was done with them and started pushing them off  the tray table (we lost two or three).  Dinner was being wheeled down the aisle so Benson walked around with him for a bit, we ate, gave him a bottle and it's like the flight crew knew...the cabin lights went down and he was out!  He moves around a lot in his sleep so we didn't sleep very well since we were terrified he would roll right off, but he slept until we landed!  He did wake up once and freaked a bit, but snuggling with him for a few minutes had him out again.

We landed about 30 minutes early and Customs and Immigration took about 45 minutes.  My parents were waiting at Gate A....and we of course walked out of Gate B!  I was prepared for tears from all of us, but I think everyone was just too excited!!!  After the flight, the next part that made me nervous was putting Brayden in his car seat (thank you Medinah staff!!!!!!!!!!!!!) since he had never been in one before.  You couldn't tell!  Benson's parents were already at our house and it was amazing watching everyone interact with the newest family member....and eating homemade meals!!!!!!!!!!!  Brayden's bib that we chose for dinner was perfect, "Are these people really my relatives?" He fell asleep on Benson after entertaining everyone around 8:30 so they left.  I brushed my teeth using sink water, not bottled water (you have NO IDEA how excited I was to do this!!!!) and tried to sleep but I was too wired.  Benson was getting ready for bed and said he would take the first shift when little man woke up and about 20 minutes later he did and I was up with him until 2!!  Not sure how that happened?!?! ;)  It was so fun watching him explore and then I gave him a bottle and when he was almost done I could tell he wasn't the least bit tired, but I put him in his crib, crawled into bed and said, "Tag, you're it!"  I slept until 11, but woke up a bit when Benson came to bed at 7; Brayden slept from 4-11 and Benson 7-11. 

People started slowly coming, and leaving, and coming over again around 2:30, and by people I mean family members.  At one point we had 12 people here, plus the three of us! :)  Brayden would go to other people as long as one of us was in his line of sight and then he got more and more comfortable :)  He fell asleep in my arms about 3:30-5:15 and we wanted to keep him up then as late as we could in the hopes that jet lag will be non existent by Monday so having both sets of grandparents, his AJ (Aunt Jeannine), and great grandpa over to entertain helped!  We did the bath and bed routine we started in China and he was out by 9:30. 

We're going to try going to church tomorrow...and maybe Costco before family starts to come by again! :) 

Typing this from the computer is faster, but adding pics is easier from the ipad.  The boy is going to be blind before Thanksgiving from all the flashes from all the cameras in his face most of the time!

It is still so surreal to me that we traveled to China, were gone for 16 days, that I rocked my son in the glider last night and tonight, have the baby monitor on listening to him breathing, and when I go in his room a little person is in the crib!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I want to pinch myself, but I know it's real!  Worth the wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I'll double up on pics next post to make up for none today ;)

Chinese Amusement Park

We finally found it!!!! That park is GINORMOUS!!!!! Brayden went on two rides....and somehow I wound up going on the spinning, up and down one?!?!?! 

Down these steps and then still at least another five minute walk....after a 15 min, slight incline walk! It's just sooo pretty!!!

Bray's first ride was being in a fire truck shooting water at the buildings. It went around the track twice. He got into it a little...right as the ride ended!

Don't you just want to tickle that belly?!?! :) since I had to sit in a truck by myself, we found another ride that I could do with the little guy. The park was pretty empty, but people were definitely watching us be on the rides :)

Terrifying!!!

Looks harmless enough....

Definitely not Disney World!! ;) it wasn't too bad, but felt like we went around way too long!! He held on for dear life and didn't make a sound, but I saw a few smiles :) he loves when air is blowing on him, so I think he liked it, but he was probably just sooo confused!!! To be able to read his mind!! :)

A great way to end our time in China soaking in some of Brayden's culture!

Can't wait to come back....soon????? :) 

Last Night in China?!?!?!?

These past 16 days flew (except for the free days in Zhengzhou), but I feel like we've been gone FOREVER!!!! Thank you for following our adventure and sending love, prayers, and support....we needed them, appreciated them, and felt them!!!

I of course cried saying goodbye to Sarah, Nora, and Maddi :( soooo incredibly thankful to have met them, shared this trip, and to have even more reasons to visit Texas!!! We will truly miss hanging out with you three!!!

We can't wait to use water from the sink again!!!!

As gross as public bathrooms can be in the States, they aren't squattie potties. ;)

All the Texans talk about eating Mexican food has me craving some flautas....guacamole....Oreos....oops, not Mexican but everyone should be proud of my willpower for not eating their version out of the snacks in the hotel room....which are in a glass shelf so I see them all the time!! Smart marketing!! ;)

Denying the fact that when we wake at 5 tomorrow morning, the next time I'll see a real bed is more than 24 hours later with two flights in between....with a 19 month old. But the light at the end of that tunnel is we will be home, in Chicago, and that bed will be ours and our friends and family can be reached right away....and we can see them!!! And that 19 month old is our son!!!!! Hope saying/typing that never gets old!!!!

I want to go to Target!! :)

I need to go to bed! :)

Thank you again!!!!!!

Group Pics

Cutest ever!!!!!

Benson's quote: "That's my boy...sitting between the only two girls in the group!!" :)

Pearl River Cruise

What a beautiful night (sorry to all the Midwesterners who had snow today)!! It was probably low 70s with this amazing breeze. The River runs down the middle so both sides of Guangzhou were lit up. Brayden did pretty well with only a one hour nap (not sure why it was so short), but didn't seem too impressed :) now that he is such a mode of transportation traveler, I guess he can be picky ;) The food wasn't the greatest, but he tried ice cream and I'm SO mad we didn't have the camera ready because his reaction was priceless!!!!!!!!!! It was definitely NOT what he was expecting!!!

Sunset

Buffet being set up

Another boat (obviously)

The view inside from outside

One of the tall towers. There is a restaurant in the middle and an observation deck at the top, so just a touristy tower.

This really cool bridge.

China's version of a clown.

Sme of the families in our travel group.  She balanced the spinning ball on all of the kid's fingers....

Did you expect anything less?!?! :)

Brayden isn't too sure about this balloon...

...but wouldn't put it down :)

Good times, great views, great people :)

Pearl Market

The Consulate appointment went smoothly (except for when alarms went off and the PA system told us to stay away from the windows...twice....and the workers didn't bat an eye....the guy working with us said no big deal??????) and our guide will pick up Brayden's passport tomorrow with his visa in it.

All dressed up for the Consulate so mommy and daddy can take the oath on my behalf. Unfortunately, no cameras are allowed inside.

We then had a few minutes to change to go to the optional Pearl Market trip. On our van ride over, Jason explained how to test the pearls to see if they are real.

Six floors of pearl whole salers. If the sign looks the same on different floors, it is the same store. It was crazy!! We looked, but I'm more of a shiny gem girl (although I told Brayden if he wants to buy me one in the future I won't say no....been teaching him that each time we walk past the Swavroski store in the hotel haha). 

Right outside the market was shop street. We are still on the hunt for some souvenirs, but couldn't find anything.

Not even here:

Took a cab back to the hotel, rented a stroller for $3 a day and am trying to stay real quiet so Brayden will take a nap. The Pearl River cruise is tonight and we don't get back until 8:30 and he's been falling asleep 7:45ish so we will see!

Tomorrow we take group, family, and baby pics (in traditional Chinese clothes if you bought them....don't even ask if we did! :), have a meeting about departing on Friday (or for three fams tomorrow night) and then the rest if the day is free. We have to hit up Walmart one last time (it's been a week!!) and I REALLY want to go to the amusement park. One mom came down to breakfast today singing, "2 more sleeps!!" :) I can't believe it's finally time to come home!!!! :)

Being Tourists

I would love to go back to the medical office today because Brayden just kept eating at breakfast so I'm sure he added a few pounds :) he LOVES fruit....and ate green beans with dinner so we have a chance he will also eat veggies.

We got to FaceTime with my parents for a good amount and Bev/his dad this morning so that helped with a little homesickness....but we got to do that because little man woke up two hours before we needed to be up!!! Of course tomorrow and Friday when we need to be up super early.....

Our first touristy stop was a Buddhist temple called Six something Tree Temple. The pagoda was built in the 200 or 600 year....I feel bad not remembering the details, but it was built a super long time ago!!! We also felt bad taking pictures of everything while everyone was praying, but Jason, our tour guide, said it was fine.

Another reason to love Ghengzhou....clear skies and scooters have been banned in the city since 2007. Zhengzhou has the scooters on the sidewalks and there is no room for pedestrians! Anyway, the pagoda is leaning slightly so Jason said it is Asia's Leaning Tower ;) 

Offerings outside the Great Hall. The water lilies were GORGEOUS and the fruits all symbolize longevity and keeping evil spirits away. The incense and bowing is done in threes for past, present, and future. The next three pics of Buddhas are in the Great Hall and even though they look alike, their hands are placed differently and they stand for past, present and future. They are the largest Buddha statues either in China or Guangzhou.

If there had been time, I wanted to take a pic of just Benson and me in front of the past, the three of us in front of the present, and just Bray by the future :) 

Next stop was an engraving museum, but they bring us for the master calligrapher who will write the babies Chinese names on a scroll :) 

The top of the museum....love that detail!!!

When we were at the Great Wall, Benson had really liked a scroll of it, but i told him since it wasn't in Brayden's Provence to pass since we bought shirts. He kept mentioning it and I felt bad. Well they had one here and since Wu Yu Xuan means high and lofty jade and the wall is high and lofty....everyone is happy :)

This man makes these beautiful ink paintings using the side of his hand and fingernails!

Finished product.

Last stop was the shopping place :) it wasn't exactly what I was envisioning (touristy souvenirs), but we made a dent in our list....plus a jade ring for mommy and a jade circle necklace for daddy like our guide Jason has since his daughters American name means Jade :)

Playground, tried to find the amusement park in the park across the street but it was too humid and we (I) forgot Bray's sunglasses and the light really hurts his eyes :( so we hung at the hotel for a bit before the optional group dinner. Really good food!! Getting a bit sad to leave all our friends and instant adoption connection people, but I'm ready to come home!!!! Consulate appointment tomorrow, but i guess he doesn't officially become an American citizen until we land in Chicago Friday!

I was so worried he would cry if I put him down, or worse fall over (we are working on his core muscle strength!!) but I think he was happy to be "free" 

I swear he is super happy here tracking me as I moved over by daddy so he would look at the camera :) and then of course he saw the leaves in the sand beneath the palm tree and wanted to eat those so the photo shoot was over :)