A stressful day 4

Fuzhou in the summer is like walking on the surface of the sun..  Basically, your skin falls off.  And we're used to Houston weather!  We visited a park today, which was beautiful.  We took a pic of a 1000 year old banyan tree.  We were so miserable though.  Will did not nap that day, so we were all annoyed with each other.  We were finally able to get him to bed for the night at 6:30, and he slept until a brief wakeup at 5, then back down until 6"30.  I think he is escaping from the stress in his sleep.  We will travel to his orphanage today, just to take pics of the outside, as it was where Will was found.   Please keep the comments and emails coming!

The end of a very long day one.....

Will's true grieving has begun.  Happy one minute, crying uncontrolably the next.  Yesterday he was in shock, today, he realizes we are not going anywhere.  He's great eating - just fill him up like a baby bird, but change his diaper?  Total dispair, and hysterics.  Those diapers can hold a lot of pee let me tell you!  We signed all the paperwork today to make his adoption official.  He can't get rid of us now!

He is starting to recognize his name, and can sign "more" to us.  In a switch from our last adoption, he is much more attached to Greg.  Greg can hold him, Greg can put him to sleep.  He tolerates me, which is ok for now.  He is fighting going to sleep right now, and every parent out there knows what that is like.  Greg's arms are wearing out.

We are still not adjusted to the new time zone, and are walking zombies.  We hope sleeping  tonight will help us.

Please keep the good wishes coming - boy do we need them!!

Pictures

Here are a few pics of the little guy.  Not too happy!  We'll all get there eventually.  Did I mention lack of sleep makes your brain work slowly?  Wow, it's been a long time since the Jenna days...

On the ground in Fuzhou

After more than 24 hours in airports or planes, we've arrived in Fuzhou.  A very, very long day.  It is currently 11:15 a.m. local time, and we meet Will in approximately 4 hours.  Panic would set in, but we are too tired for panic.  :)   I would offer insight, or at least observation, about Fuzhou, but we are too tired for that, too.  For now, we are here.  We are safe.  We are hungry.  And we are excited about meeting Will.   A reminder that we are posting to the blog via email and cannot read comments.  If you wish to send us a message (and we hope that you do) please do so to either gregbeth2004@yahoo.com or to gregbeth@cebridge.net.  Please do not comment on the creativity of our email account names..    Our next post will be all about meeting Will.  I promise that it will be more informative. Greg

Away We Go!!!

This is it - the final post stateside. We leave for the airport in just a few minutes....and can't believe it!! 2 big suitcases, 2 carryons, and 2 backpacks. Man.

One thing has made the day difficult, my dad had a heart attack this morning. It was not severe, and he is ok after having 2 stents put into his arteries. We'll miss you dad!! I joked that he was just trying to get out of taking care of Jenna for a week. Hopefully our little energizer bunny won't complicate his recovery. They have a very special relationship, so I know she'll keep PopPop's spirits up.

I want to thank everyone who has wished us well on this trip. It means so much to know we have friends and family looking out for us!! We hope to post from Fuzhou, including some pictures.

Off to China we go.........

The final week

Here we have reached the final week of preparations. Are we done? Not by a long shot. It seems like there is way more stuff to worry about this time around. Our entire load of travel gear (minus clothing) is spread out on the dining room table. How is it all going into the suitcases exactly??

One piece of good news - we received our updated approval for a special needs child from USCIS. Truly amazing - they got it back to us within a few days! Who says a gov. agency can't move when they want to! It is a huge relief, because we won't have to worry about our consulate appt. in Guangzhou on the 5th.

Jenna got a very special gift from Auntie Ruth - a Big Sister necklace that she just loves! A big thank you to Ruth - we love you! We ordered a personalized Big Sis t-shirt for her to wear when she meets us at the airport, and she was very excited. Now if we could just carry that excitement over to get us through our first week back home.....