Today however is the actual anniversary of his adoption (unless you shift things for time zones, as Cameron pointed out). So I wanted to write about how much he has changed and grown. Maybe I'll have some time to do that this weekend. But I do have what I think is an even better entry. On this day, four months ago, after we completed the adoption at the civil affairs office in Shijaizhuang I had to drive 2 hours back to Baoding alone with our guide. Tina was alone with the three boys. While I was gone she wrote an entry for the blog that never got posted. Neither of us remembered that writing for some time, until I found it again the other day. So here is Tina's story of how Hui-Hui came to us...
Yes! I am finally officially mama to didi KaiHui Ocheltree~and getting a moment to check the computer! Kai is resting, Scott went back to Baoding to hand deliver the paperwork to make sure we get our passport for Kai by Friday. Our guide Bob didn't want to chance the mail~he was concerned it wouldn't come in time for our flight. Very nice man.
Our day yesterday was an odyssey that has continued into today on our journey to Kai. I have to say that China is an incredible, awesome, enchanting...and completely foreign land! The people have been more than gracious and kind to us. Our guide Chen Chen in Beijing was fantastic, and we had a wonderful time exploring Tian An Men Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the Jade factory with the Oppliger family. We really enjoy their company, and their son Adam is a trouper! Looking forward to meeting up at the White Swan! Chen took very good care of us, and shared so much about her own life growing up in Beijing. As we headed out Sat. morning for our adventures she announced to us that we would be visiting the orphanage after all, and receive Kai the next day. Dare I say we lost it!!! So much for focusing on our day ahead!
She recommended that we take the East Great Wall, so our family did that, and the Oppligers did the West. (main one) I made it to the second to last tower and found myself completely alone for up to 20 minutes at a time. It was a crystal clear day, and the beauty and power of it was overwhelming. I highly recommend the East Wall.
Yesterday we wandered to the local grocery store for water and moon cakes before our new guide Bob picked us up to head to Baoding to meet Kai. We headed southwest on a hazy warm day out of the explosive population and building of Beijing into miles and miles of farms and deserted communes. It seems China is in the midst of another revolution. Out with the old, in with the new. We would pass truck after truck loaded with "stuff." We are guessing it is the remnants of all that is being torn down to make way for the new. Very curious. We also got to catch a glimpse of the Marco Polo bridge, and where the Japanese invaded China.
As we pulled into Baoding and worked our way further into the city I began to realize just how lucky we all are. And yet, with what appears to us to be such poverty, the people are happy, kind and enjoying a kind of community we just can't seem to grasp in our culture. As we drove up to the orphanage it looked like a palace next to it's surroundings. We were welcomed by the director of the children's section, and another man. They brought us water bottles, and soon Kai's nanny Tseng Chin-yen brought him in the room. He had just woken from his nap, and was very confused. We spent a few minutes getting acquainted and then it was decided we should all go to lunch! So, Chin-yen went with Kai (Dang Hui) back to the children's building. As we got to the van she reappeared with him, both in new clothes! So we all piled in and headed to "deep China." We were also told we would take Kai's visa photo while we were out. The whole day was so surreal. It soon became very apparent that Chin-yen was more of a foster mother to Kai than a nanny in the orphanage. She did not want to let me too close to him, and would only reluctantly let me hold him when told to by the director. So there we all were, in a back room with our family of 4 and 6 others, men smoking and drinking beer, eating chicken's feet and ???, plus little Kai in complete befuddlement. It was actually a great way to warm him up to us, and begin the transition to his new life. From there we went to a photographer's place a few blocks up the street. (walking) OK, at this point I could go on and on, but all I can say is that the whole time felt as though we were in some foreign film, but didn't know the whole story or our lines!! We got the photos, and family and all group photos inside and out, and then went back to the van.
When we returned to the orphanage (Chin-yen sat in front away from us. :( ) We went inside, answered questions, gave gifts and then were told we would be taken on a tour of the orphanage!! And yes, our sons could take pictures and video tape! The moments in the babies rooms were beyond what we could describe, or really process. Let's just say that we really need to do more to help them. The deepest depth of human need, and strength of those caring for them in one place.
On a much happier note, we asked about Liam (Carol's son) and we got to see him!!! I can't say more yet in case Carol hasn't seen my post! :) :) :)
They took us on a tour of the grounds, and showed us a new building that is being constructed for the older babies...all donated by Jackie Chan!!! Really!!! We'll post pics on our blog. It is beautiful, and will be ready for winter! We finally were given Kai, and after many teary goodbyes and thank yous (even our guide was wiping tears) we got in the van and I held Kai for the 2 hour trip to Shijaizhuang with him sleeping in my arms. He is pretty much in shut down, but is very cuddly with me and Scott, and warming up to his brothers. We even got a couple of smiles! He slept well, and is still on a bottle!!! :) Happy mama dance!
As this is getting really long, and Kai is going to wake up any sec, I will just give a brief story of today. We went with Bob to the Civil Affairs Office. The staff from the orphanage arrived, and Chin-yen swiftly had Kai. This was SOOO hard, but they both needed it. She brought him a beautiful amulet for long life on a red thread and tied it on him, and a shirt that she put on him. As we left for the notary she really wanted to take him in her car. (freaked us out!) The director made her give him to me, and he cried hard for about 30 sec. He was fine in the car, and I gave him a bottle of cereal and formula. When we got there....they pulled up and he was hers for this paper work session too. After a while the director once again told her to let "mama" hold him. He of course was not happy, but only cried for a few seconds, and then fell asleep (shut down). We waited for a long time, so I passed him back to her in the blanket Scott's mom made so that she could hold him one more time.
He was still sleeping when we departed. He is very tiny (20 pounds), and it will take a while to really know what he will need to catch up, but we know he will eventually let us see the wild side of Kai!
This has been the most difficult and wonderful 2 days of my life. As hard and long as this "gotcha" was, I know it was as it should have been. Kai needed to transition, and even more, the woman who has cared for and loved him since he was 9 days old needed to be given this time. I will never be able to thank her or express my gratitude for the what she has meant to him, and to me. I can only weep for her sadness for having to say goodbye to such a beautiful and sweet boy. Even the director was crying. We have been given a very precious gift.
Time to play, and eat some dinner!!
Hugs to you all!
Tina, Scott, Cam, Ben and "Mr. Peanut!"
P.S. The big boys are having a grand time and are off to the mall across the street to buy a guitar and harmonica to play for their didi!
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