Journey to Claire

I'll just post pictures - you tell me if you think she had a good time!

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Claire had a very rough day today and I finally got her to go to sleep. I brought her to the hospital this morning to have blood drawn for all the tests her pediatrician wanted - it did not go well. Of course no child likes to be restrained and have strange people poking them with a needle, but this was awful.

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We waited for quite a while for our turn; they were waiting for someone to help/observe. Then the technician told me they were going to try to get 5-6 vials of blood! The poor kid doesn't have that much in her! Anyway, the tech puts an elastic tourniquet on one arm to check for a good vein – couldn’t find one. So she switches it to the other arm and says she got one. I hold Claire tightly in my arms while the assistant holds her arm still – by this time Claire is screaming. Then the poke and frantic screams from Claire. And now the tech can’t get the vein or blood to flow, but she keeps trying! Finally she gives up, pulls the needle from Claire’s arm and goes to get more help.

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Poor baby is crying hysterically. But the 2nd tech is here to save the day (and yes, that is sarcasm). She goes back to the 1st arm and gets a vein. So now they are trying to fill all the vials but had to take the tourniquet off before they got to the last one – Claire’s arm was turning purple!

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Needless to say, the poor thing had a really bad morning and really didn’t get over it. She had a hard time falling asleep tonight, but hopefully my happy baby will return in the morning.

Sorry it has taken so long for me to post an update - jet lag had taken it's toll on us!  I think we are now officially over the jet lag & I'm trying to set up a schedule for Claire and I.  She is taking her morning nap right now so I have a few minutes.

Our trip was exhilirating & exhausting at the same time.  Some days felt really rushed and others were just sitting around doing a lot of bonding.  I will post some of my thoughts on the trip later.

Claire seems to be adjusting well.  She pretty much sleeps through the night; last night was the 1st time she spent the whole night in her crib.  She eats anything; her favorites are watermelon and Gerber Puffs.  She's a little behind in a few areas, but is a very determined little girl so I think she will catch up quickly.  She has brings a smile to my face every day, something I didn't think would ever happen again.

OK, now I am going to try and upload some pictures from the trip - it may take me a couple of days so keep checking the posts from the past couple of weeks to see them.

ENJOY! 

I thought I'd let you all know that she, Claire  and Carmen are officially back on American soil!! Yippee!!! They landed at JFK at 1:08pm EDT!! Now if she would only turn on her cell phone..... 

I am sure that she will be adding her own update soon.....

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OK, so here is my update.  It was a VERY long flight, but Claire slept through most of it!  As soon as we landed at JFK & went through immigration, Claire was officially a US citizen.  Now we need to get some sleep and recover from jet lag.  I'll post and update as I can.

Today was our last day in Guangzhou.  We took the famous red couch photos this afternoon before heading to the US Consulate for the oath.  Claire is now officially a part of the family!  And this is when I cried - a lot.  All I kept thinking was that Gerald should be standing next to me saying this with me.  I know he was there is spirit - I could feel him standing right there with me, holding my hand.

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After the oath, we took a train from Guangzhou to Hong Kong.  The train ride was great.  The "health police" took Carmen & Claire's temperatures when we got off the train; I think if they would have taken mine I may have lost it!  We then had to figure out where the hotel was.  Come to find out, it was on the other side of Hong Kong!  We had to take a 30 minute cab ride to the hotel!  But I think the Novotel City Gate was the nicest hotel we stayed in during the entire trip.

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Our plane leaves at 9:30am tomorrow.  We are coming HOME!!!

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Today we made a trip to the pearl and jade market.  Holy Cow!  These malls are close together and several stories tall!!  Luckily our guides took us to some of the more reputable shops so we could be sure we got the real thing.  At the first pearl shop, I bought a strand of pink pearls that they made into matching bracelets for Claire & I while we waited.  I also bought Claire a lilac-colored fresh water pearl drop necklace with matching earrings for when she's older.

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At the next shop, I bought a couple of pearl rings - one for me and one for Claire (again, for when she's older).  Carmen bought a several rings in this store!

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At the jade shop - it was all about me!!  I bought a gorgeous jade bangle bracelet.  I will probably give it to Claire at some point, but for now it's all MINE! LOL

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We spent most of the day walking around Shaiman Island just shopping and sightseeing.  Apparently it is a popular place for couples to take their wedding photos - beautiful!

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I had the disposable cameras from the foster family developed.  Some great shots of Claire with her foster mother in Fengcheng, but there were also some that made me very sad.  I'm not sharing these; I think these will be for Claire when she's older and she can decide what to do with them.

First - Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad. I hope a granddaughter is a good "present".

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We are finally in Guangzhou, the last leg of the trip! We arrived late last night so we are all a bit tired today. Let me say the in-China flights are AWFUL! But Guangzhou is beautiful - much nicer and cleanier than Nanchang. We did some shopping today and went to a Thai restaurant for dinner. The shopping is amazing! I bought two Chinese dresses for Claire for $9 and am having one custom made for me for $28! There is jade, and pearls, and ivory - OH MY! I had to keep reminding myself this is only the first day and to take it easy.

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Tomorrow will not be pleasant for Claire - it is her visa physical. Because I am a Hague (I800) family, she will most likely need several shots. I'm going to give her a dose of Motrin before we leave. I also will be filling out LOTS of paperwork tomorrow, so a pretty boring day.

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Today we left Nanchang and Claire's birthplace.  I cried on the bus ride to the airport - for us, for her birthparents, for this beautiful country.  I hope someday I can bring Claire back here to experience this place as only she can.

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We decided to take it easy this morning. The group had an optional tour to a nearby village, but we needed a break. We met the group for lunch at a local reastaurant then went to the Tengweng Pavilion. This was the first sightseeing we have actually done. It was beautiful.

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