Medical Appointment

 

So thinking back to 5 years ago when we were here with Hannah, we were not looking forward to the medical exam here in China. It was a very hot and a long wait, standing with about 100 people in one little building. But today was a great surprise...the building was air conditioned, many places to sit, and we had a special area just for us, adoptive families!!! Our guide said that they moved it from Shamian Island a few years ago. 

 Oliver had three rooms to visit- the ENT, weight and height, and the general screening. He did great with all of it...only a few screams. Of course I would scream too if someone tried to put a popsicle stick down my throat!!  Thank goodness he was under 2 years old...not a TB shot for him!! Lots of screaming from that room.

 

 

His look after the popsicle stick!

Shoes that catch your eye!!

So the talk of the group since we have been here are the crazy shoes that they ladies are wearing!! In Beijing and Zhengzhou, we seldom saw any ladies wearing normal looking shoes and definitely not tennis shoes. Unfortunately, we didn't think about taking pictures of them until we arrived in Guangzhou, where they aren't so crazy.  Guangzhou is much more westernized and their dress is much like ours in America.   But while at our medical appointment, we did catch a few out of the ordinary...(this is Holly, by the way- giving Roger a break)

 

They just want to be tall here.

 

We hope to continue our shoe photography and possibly create a book of shoes worn in China!! :)

TOURING GUANGZHOU DAY 1

Today we toured a 1,500 year old Buddist temple with our guides Jason and Paul. This one was at the entrance. 90% of the country is at least partly Buddist. As Jason put it, "90% Buddist, 10% either Christian or nothing--believe in own self". As Western Culture takes hold here, we pray that God will sweep across this land to encourage people like Paul who are interested in the Bible to have people to help him find Him.

Oliver kept his new hat on for most of the time, but there came a point in which he tried to throw it off his head. Roger got this picture before then.

Here is an embroidered picture from the Chen Art Museum we toured today.

And today was Oliver's first teeth brushing experience. He was confused at first because it was the first time he put something in his mouth and didn't eat it! He seemed to be ok with it in the end.

 

 

We are settling in here in Guangzhou. Our plan for the week is shaping up with a Pearl River tour with Papa John's pizza and a magician tomorrow, our consulate visit Wedneday

 

ON THE GROUND IN GUANGZHOU

 

Greetings from one of the largest cities in China and home to the US Consulate. We arrived late last night after Thunderstorms delayed our flight by 3 hours...the last two we sat on the plane waiting for clearance. But we are here!

It's 90 today with 95% humidity. It's muggy!

Wednesday is the big day here. That's the day we go to the US Consulate and take the oath for Oliver to make him an American citizen. Then we make a break for home next weekend.

MAKING THE TRIP TO ZHUMADIAN

The last 24 hours has seen our adoption of Oliver become final, and what turned out to be one of the most emotional days of our lives take place here in China. Wednesday we boarded the bullet train which took us at 180 mph to the town where Oliver's orphanage was located. We had to go there to apply for his passport to bring him home. We were offered the chance to go to his orphanage and visit, and after a brief hesitation (for fear it might make it confusing for him) we said "yes". This first picture is the name of the facility....

When we got inside, they took us to the place where Oliver has been cared for. They cheered when we walked in because they said they had hoped we would come so they could see him one more time. He immediately went to them and they started to play with him and feed him noodles. We were taken into his sleeping room and got pictures of his crib and living area.

These are the faces of the people whom God put in charge of watching over Oliver until we could come and get him. He clearly was loved and cared for very well and very much. We are grateful to them and God. When it was time to go, he came back to Holly with no resistance and we waved good bye. Oliver was fine...but I am not so sure about the rest of us...

This is what it looks like about half a block away from where the orphanage is located. It is hard to imagine that his birthmother could have imagined paying for the surgeries that he required. We're glad she made the decision she made.

We are reminded daily of how good we have it in America, and how much we should be grateful for. We have a heart for the people here...and especially now for the women in that room who continue the work of caring for the babies that have been 'left at the gates of life' for someone else to deal with. May God bless them and the orphanage in Zhengzhou, from which we took a little piece of Monday and where we left a little piece of us today.

GOTCHA DAY IN ZHENGZHOU!!!

After a 30 minute bus ride Monday morning, we walked into the Zhengzhou Civil Affairs Building. Waiting for us in the lobby were 7 Chinese children who were about to meet their 'forever families'. Back in the corner, sitting in the lap of his primary caretaker, was this little guy...

On the left is the orphanage director, and to her left is Oliver's primary caretaker. They both gave us a lot of good information on his habits and tendencies. All of the reports on Oliver have been spot-on! He says very little...ok nothing...and the only noise he has made so far is to fuss when one of us lets go of him (which is a very good sign). He has gone to both of us, and today he's eaten egg, banana and watermelon!

And this has been is main activity! He eats and then falls asleep. Our guess is that because is not expressive at all, the stress and strain of the change of the last 24 hours has been harder on him than most. He doesn't express anything and his only real facial expression is one that makes him look annoyed.

 

He's great! We're both very happy and we thank God for bringing us here again to grow our family. May Oliver Dale Yong Grossman come to know the man he's named for, but more so may he know the God of Dale Grossman and become a great champion for Him!!!