Well, we are finally getting close to meeting little Hailey! We will use this site to post her pictures and write about our travels to China. We are pretty sure we will get her referral(picture) next month. After four long years it's hard to believe! When we turned in our dossier of paperwork, we truly expected a wait of 6-8 months. We figured what could possibly go wrong??? Well...SARS, terrorism, bird flu, the Olympics, an ever changing economy, the Hague Convention, the loss and subsequent gain of our agency's Hague certification, swine flu and oh did we mention two years ago our dossier was pulled from its original stack and moved FARTHER back in line???!!!
More progress
Hailey is doing remarkably well! She walks/runs(when she wants to), helps water flowers, helps feed the dogs, plays hide and seek, climbs the stairs and dances to any music she hears, even comercials! She also has many days when she goes back to wanting to just be carried around. She seems to like the security of knowing we will still be there for her, so she doesn't want to appear like Ms. independent yet. She can also be soooo funny, talkative and animated but RARELY in front of anyone but us!!!!! She usually hides her face behind her hands when we have guests etc. She is also finally following a decent schedule with one afternoon nap and then bedtime about 7:30-8 pm. She usually sleeps about 10-12 hours! She eats more than a grown man- and with desperation. I feed her many meals throughout the day. From what I have heard of others that have adopted this is VERY common and USUALLY calms down as the attachment grows.
Update
Hailey is doing well. Poor thing- it was a big shock to have to get used to yet again a new surrounding(and 4 huge dogs), but other than her deciding she shouldn't take a chance on going to sleep, she is making so much progress in such a short time. She smiles, giggles, uses a sippy cup, babbles, makes gestures for twinkle, twinkle, pat acake, and is exploring new toys. She regressed to crawling however today she was standing and walking a few steps. She absolutely beamed when she stood up!!! There are two new videos that show off her total cuteness!!
Grandpa awaits
Don't worry about when you arrive. I will wake up when you do. Come in the front door, i'll leave unlocked so she doesn't have to meet the "girls" all at once. I bet she has never seen this many dogs at once. I estimate arriving in Athens 2 AM. Hailey looks as smart as a whip don't worry about Dylan and Hailey as I can see he is definitely a "ladies" man. See you soon do you need anything at the house regarding food, etc? Let me know if you can. Love you, Rick and Hailey
See ya soon
Liz and Josh-so far, all is on time.Will try to call ya tomorrow from New York. Daddy, we wont be in uif she is ntil after midnight so will try not to wake you! Wouldn't you know, she has had the most interactive days yet-several little smiles, playing with toys etc. Now the poor thing will be confronted with a new world once again. everyone, please don't be offended if she is not responsive- she will once again be shell shocked. Also, remember that although she is older than Dylan, developmentally she is miles behind.
last pics up!!
ok, added the last pics of Hailey in her adoption dress(Isn't she adorable Angela???) and the red couch pictures. We are busy today packing and organizing-thank god!!! We are ready to come home. We can't wait to see the doggies. right now Hailey is entertaining herself with the lid to a sippy cup, a luggage tag, and a plastic bottle. She has decided baby einstein toys and toys r us are for fools- this stuff is way more interesting!!!!
It's official!
Well, we had some day! It was suppose to be a simple day- quick ceremony, then off to the hotel for the red couch picture. it turned into a nightmare! first, the wait for the ceremony was long,then the woman gave a huge history of the consulate, then a history of her position, and finally the ceremony. Hailey was in her special adoption dress you loved Terry, but she was hot, tired, hungry, sick-poor thing looked adorable,but couldn't hold her head up!! Then we visited the Zen buddist temple and had the babies blessed by a rather grouchy looking monk who didn't look like he even liked babies! Hailey did perk up for his chanting though. THEN, we got on the bus, drove to Shamian Island, undressed from thr first outfit, put on the pretty Chinese dress to pose the babies on the red couch. Wow-what a comedy. Hailey was not happy!!!! She wailed through the whole thing!!!! She was tired, hungry and over it!!! The funny thing is- as soon as we walked into the hotell room, she actually looked the most joyous she has ever looked!!! I even got a smile!! She was ""home". Poor thing, little does she know that in two days she will once again be introduced to a whole new world !!!!!!
i
Today we become a family!
Today is the swearing in ceremony and the traditional "red couch" picture taken at the White Swan hotel. That's when the babies are dressed in traditional chinese dresses and posed on the big red sofa. We got Hailey the cutest dress so will definitely post that pic!! Yesterday we skipped the pearl river cruise because Hailey's fever had returned that night(higher than ever) and her cough was very congested.It was scary-we decided to start her on antibiotics and she slept off and on all day yesterday. Today she ate a huge breakfast- omelet with tomato, congee, bread pudding, orang slices!! Her congestion sounds better all ready. I am adding new pics now- some with her in her cute blue hat!!
On Duty in Athens GA
I arrived and vas given my orders by Sarah.;-) Dogs OK doing fine, getting daily walks more for me then them. Glad to hear Hailey feeling better, can't wait to see you all in GA USA! Weather clear, sunny and in the 50's. Enjoy your trip see you in USA, have you seen Chairman Mao's crypt.? Just kidding.
Thank goodness-better day
Yesterday was miserable for Hailey. Her fever stayed constant and she just couldn't be consoled. She was beyond exhausted, yet so miserable she couldn't relax to sleep. She has been so easy going yet not yesterday-the ONLY thing she wanted was to be held(standing up and rocking). If I even bent my knees to re[position her, she wailed, terrified i was putting her down. So I walked back and forth all day and all night.......Today we called Dr Newman just for reasurrance and to ask if we should start the antibiotics because her cough sounds so congested. Dr Newman's nurse said they don't even treat for that low of a temp and it sounded more like a cold so that was reassuring. Sure enough, throughout today her temp has returned to near normal, she is acting like she is feeling better and the only thing we have now is giant snot bubbles coming out of her nose!! The most frustrating part is I felt Hailey was just starting to come out of her shell- walking and yes, we actually got a few real smiles(not giggles, but smiles) and then she got sick and became limp baby again!!!
She has usable legs
She is definitely regressed. You would never know that Hailey has usable legs and yet...she can darn near run!!!(see the new video taken this morning!!) Fever seems to be part of just a cold(so far) we will continue to use cold towels on her and give tylenol as needed. The medical exam this morning was chotic and a comedy of screaming babies.
Sick baby
We awoke to a screaming baby hot with fever and a gurgly cough. We quickly rapped her in cold wet towels, gave her a small dose of baby tylenol. Rick was running around taking her temperature over and over with two different thermometers- we kept getting different readings. yesterday was a cold drizzly day at the zoo. We think that did her in. Today's our medical appointment anyway, so we will see what they say. We let ya know how it goes. Sorry the dogs are being so difficult. That's what ya get for giving them so much attention!
Post By Hailey
Today mommy and Daddy said we are going to the zoo. What's a zoo? All the adults were pointing and screaming " look, look!!" I looked and saw some big things. So what? I did see lots of black metal railings. Those were neat. I could grab them from my stroller. They were cold. I could hit them. Everyone was excited about something called pandas. I couldn't concentrate on that though because I saw a boy eating a banana. Did he steal that banana from my room???? I liked the people that did the singing and dancing show the best. The music was loud. They flipped their hair and ate fire.
new pics and video
ok, 2 new albums in picture section(if you look closely you can see her "smile") and a new video.
Baby Meltdowns
First, Terry, there are two videos up. One is in the section called "video" at the top of the blog you will see a tab. The other one Rick put in the "inchina pictures" section. I think we have 24 pics up now and will put up more later. At the bottom of the pictures you will see a video.
2nd-not sure why Maggie isn't eating. Is it possible she got into something? Ate a sock? She is pretty sly. She might need to vomit. AAs long as she is acting normal it should be ok. Let me know if she goes another whole day.
ok, Babies..well Hailey(knock on wood) is doing well. She can really wail, but she is easily comforted. Last night was miserable for several families. Their babies really came undone and they were like the walking dead!! Things Hailey likes: eating. Things Hailey doesn't like: when you stop to god forbid take a bite of your own food. Although I feel they did a good job of functional care at the orphanage(all of our babies appear healthy, no scabies, diaper rash...), I don't believe she was EVER fed to satisfaction. I am sure it was a strict timetable to get all babies fed. She is overwhelmed with how much food is presented to her now and she is petrified the day will come when it is now longer available. I feel I am feeding her so much!!! Not only does she take bottles, but baby cereal, bananas, baby food jars, scrambled egges, baby crackers.....As far as her development, right now it is EXTREMELY delayed. (she is like an infant), however I am not sure if this is a true representation of what she can do because she has regressed to very baby behavior. She walked easily briefly the 2nd day and now she wants to be carried everywhere. She had so little expossure to anything and now she is bombarded with everthing: shuttle rides, hotels, museums, shopping. Her eyes watch EVERYTHING. She is very interested in everthing. The good news is she activily reaches for me and if she is apprehensive she looks me in he eye to see if its ok. She loves to be held. The tighter the better.Do you remember seeing pictures of monkeys and their babies? The baby puts it's cheek against it's mom's cheek and hugs the moms shoulders. That's what Hailey does to me. Its precious. She is still silent and pretty exxpressionless, yet not completely "flat baby". We have tried desperately to pull out a smile. Dancing, clapping... she watches everything, yet nothing. She has two expressions: a little nervous, and relaxed face which says " what your doing is of interest to me". Oh and she is so tiny around the waist all the cute outfits I pack just fall off her!!!!! I am typing as she sleeps. Today's another big day. Chen Clan Temple and Jade and Pearl Market.
From One Dad to Another
Now you know, Dads are suckers for their daughters. It will only get better. The best part of sleepless nights, airline misschedues etc is that you then have some many stories to re-tell to everyone. Hang in there see you in Athens , GA on the 19th. Don't worry about getting all the videos etc. on to the blog. Just get them! imagine Hailey graduating from college and you and Danielle showing the videos! Wow- imagine the wedding! OK Rick sit down take a deep breath. Having a daughter is a whole new experience. I am one happy grandpa, Oh by the way that is the designation I have chosen (LOL, ;-) )
video!
ok,ok, I added another video!!! Its actually the one that comes prior to the "banana video". Its the one where she is first handed to me!! This time its in the video section(tab on top)Also added more pics!!
Good Day
First, there's a video up, but Rick put it in the picture section(see tab above). We are having a difficult time adding the video that comes before it(the one where she is handed to me!!) because it is longer and it is VERY SLOW trying to add video here. So, we will edit it a little bit and get it up ASAP!!! i think there are a few more pics to!! Hailey is a real trooper, she slept 11(yes 11) hours!!!! We actually had to wake her up because we had another big day scheduled and had to meet in the lobby at 9:00. Yesterday she hung like a limp noodle and today she actively reached to be held and snuggled. She also found her legs again and stood and took some steps. Then she quickly faked that she had never walked in her life so I would need to carry her!!! This afternoon she was quite fussy but then it seems that she had a major tummy ache and finally pooped for the first time. She is definitely giving lots of eye contact-yesterday it was ONLY to Daddy and today it is all about me!!! Seems it is just too overwhelming right now to deal with two people!!! We will try to get more pics and video ASAP-honestly, these first few days are jamm packed with appointments and everyone is beat and starving when we get back to the hotel. Oh- one more thing, if you want to leave comments, leave them where it says "comments" right at the end of the journal entry. When you start another journal entry, I run out of room for more entries! But we LOVE reading the comments!
Post by Hailey's Daddy
What can I say... 5 years and 20 emotional headaches before I had a daughter I can smell, feel, touch, love, and then some... I have to say.... I'm the luckiest and happiest man in the world. We got our Hailey and she is all that, a bag of chips, ten holidays, 1000 vacations, and that doesn't scratch the surface I just love her and want to eat her up and Dani is in absolute heaven as am I. What can one say and how do you even go there and touch our love for her. I love you Hailey! Your adoring Daddy...
What a cutie!!
She has such a sweet look in her eyes.
So Happy!!!!!!
She is absolutely darling and Sani, you look so happy I can hardly stand it. Rick, the pictures of the group of parents is very difficult to see, so I can't see your face. Looks like she's had a hair growth spurt. I can't wait to meet and greet her. Now, Sarah's right, get as much sleep as you can. I miss you and I love you, mom
Welcome Hailey
Sarah's right, sleep when you get the chance. Doe you see much of Beijing? I hear it is real polluted so watch your allergies. How is the new Daddy doing? We need some shots of him and Hailey. Good luck
finally it happened.
She is beautiful. I so happy for you. I would not believe it would happen until I saw her.I know all three of you must need about a week of sleep . When you get home!!!
All is well here. Winnie is the one that misses you the most. As long as the rest have someone to fill the bowls and take them for a walk they are fine. I need sleep ,too. Maggie is not a very good bed partner.Take it easy. If Hailey naps both of you nap. Thniking of all three of you. I will tell the dogs about their sister.
Magical Day!!
Well, where do I begin?! Rick and I awoke at 7:30 am with butterflies in our stomachs!! Rick was literally giddy with excitement!! By the time 1:00 rolled around, we were already exhausted from anxiety.We drove to the adoption center by bus and entered a room filled with parents and new babies. I almost passed out-it was sooooo emotional!!!! One problem....our babies hadn't arrived and so- after such intence anxiety that you could hear everyone's heartbeat on the bus, we were once again......WAITING!!! Suddenly the elevator opens and in scurries a group of people with babies. After all this, none of seem to be paying attention!!!!! Some of the group were messing with their camera, some had gone to the restroom etc. Then, Elsie says, "hey guys, did you see your babies???!!! "What??" we scream????? "Those aren't our babies!!! They are too small!!!!" NOT ONE OF US RECOGNIZED OUR OWN BABIES!!! Those pictures made our babies look sooo huge!!!!! I thought Hailey was a chunky monkey-she is TINY!!!!! OK, how did the moment go? I will have to watch the videos and get back to you!!! Here's what I remember: They had her so overdressed she couldn't move and was soaking in sweat. She was handed to me and I could see the fear in her eyes yet she stayed quiet, eyes darting frantically about the room. She was trembling, it was heartbreaking, but she was trying to be a trooper. I took her to corner of the room(which is a sea of chaos, cameras, crying, screaming) and tried to sooth her. She wanted nothing to do with the bottle, but found happiness in bits of banana I fed her off my finger. I mean SHE LOVED BANANA. She had a couple of cying bouts(deep, from the pit of her precious soul), but she was easily comforted. Afterwards, we were driven to the grocery store to buy baby goods and then brought back to the hotel where RIck had to do more paperwork and I got to bring her to the room and strip away the layers of clothes. She was terrified, but slowly she began to give me more eye contact and even copied me playing with a toy. (no smiles however. actually she always looked one second away from crying.) Although she fought it for a good hour, she has finally collapsed in our bed, emotionally drained. Rick and I are enjoying staring at her. She is beautiful. She is perfect. Yes, Mary and Angela, we have lots of video but we can't promise we will get them up tonight. We are absolutrly drained and haven't eaten since 7:30 am!!!! We will get the video up soon though!!!!!!!!
Dogs in Ga
Sarah said dogs doing OK, she is eating dinner at Terry's tonight. It is cold in Ga and Florida, well cold for Floridians anyway. Remember when stressed rather than screaming out load take a long deep slow breath, exhale..... then SCREAM!
We made it!!!!!!!!!
Finally!! Of course, not without drama!! Our flight from NY to Beijing was over an hour late, then we had huge lines in customs and we missed our flight last night from Beijing to Guangzhou. The China Air manager put us up in a hotel for the evening and we got the 8:00 am flight(which when we frantically called our coordinator Elsie, she laughed and said "that's ok, that's the flight all the other families are on!" The flight from NY to Beijing was exhausting. 14 hours of sitting in one spot. It was almost a relief to get to stay in BEijing and fly out this morning. Anyway...we are checked in to the China hotel(It is really nice!), we have unpacked and now need something to eat. We took lots of airport shots but tomorrow we will have Baby photos and video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We meet Hailey at 2:00pm. Simon our guide said they have a 6 hour bus ride to the adoption center, so they should be good and cranky!!!!!!
Happy Trip!!!!!
We will be watching your website! Congratulations and enjoy!
Debbie Stevens
Two more days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On Friday we board a plane to China!!!!!! Finally!!!! I am doing last minute cleaning, organizing and packing. I have my documents copied and organized. I have purchased everything on my Hailey list. I have done everything on my to do lists. Rick is finishing up his to-do lists today. I have made my dog-sitting instructions for my mother. Let's get this party started!!!!!!!!!!
China Baby, here we come!!!
We have decided to skip Beijing and so will be leaving Atlanta on the 5th and going straight through to Guangzhou:
Thurs, March 4: leave the US
Fri, March 5: Group arrive in BJ (Radisson SAS Hotel)
Sat, March 6: Group Sightseeing in BJ-TianAnMen Square, Forbidden City and the Great Wall (Juyongguan), lunch is included; CHI orientation
Sun, March 7: fly to Guangzhou (CHI will make these flight arrangements for you.)
If skipping BJ,
Sun, March 7: Please arrive in your province (it’s possible some families will meet their children today) Hotels in various provinces not available at this time
Mon, March 8: meet your child at the provincial adoption center
Tues, March 9: do adoption process, registration and apply for the passport
Wed –Thurs, March 10 & 11, varies sightseeing, free days and adoption appts
Friday – flight to Guangzhou for families not already in Guangzhou (China Hotel)
Sat. March 13: medicals for children
Mon, March 15: medical rechecks for children over the age of 2
Tues, March 16: confirmed ACS appt
Wed, March 17: take oath at the ACS and sign DS230 forms
Thurs, March 18: receive children’s visas late in day
Fri, March 19: you can leave Guangzhou on this day and return to the US
ugg...more waiting
We are still waiting on TA(travel approval) so we still are working with the tentative travel dates given to us- March 4-19th. Other agencies got TA yesterday, so we are hoping ours arrive Monday. So there has really been nothing new to say! My travel buddies Denise, Angie and Char have just been exchanging "packing list ideas" via email just to keep our sanity. Our big exciting news to each other was when we received our visas!!! Oh, and going to Walmart Pharmacy to pick up antibiotics and scabies medicine was soooooo exciting!!!!
"A friend of the heart"
I wrote to someone on China Adopt talk (Rumor Queen) website. I only know her as NJ13!!!! She has been an invaluable resource for all things Chinese. She has taught us alot about Chinese Culture especially the more modern China. One great thing she has been doing is translating our Babies names and finding the "deeper meanings" . The surname "Ji" is given to ALL the babies at Hailey's orphanage. Literally, it translates as lucky, or fortunate. The Ao and You are as follows:
奧 means "profound"
友 means "friend"
Combined, they convey a meaning of one who is a very important friend, "a friend of the heart" Awwwwww....yep, she's definitely MY heart's BEST FRIEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ji Ao You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can you say PRECIOUS????!!!!!! On 12/28/09 Rick and I got a call about this little cutie!! She is from Guangdong Province. She is 13 months old (born11/21/08). She has a few teeth, She can stand alone briefly, she is active and laughs out loud!!!!!!!!! We are still waiting for more translated information, but we are on cloud 9!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We can't wait to meet her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thoughts and Prayers
Thank you to everyone for your kind calls and emails through this difficult time. We will continue to advocate for Li Si Qi through our agency and other organizations so that she can get the help she needs and find her way to her family.
From RQ
Here's the latest from RQ(Rumor Queen). This is not good news to me since the last rumor we heard had us hoping they would refer through 3/29/06. Now there is a chance I won't have a referral until December.
October 12th, 2009
I’ve got multiple people reporting that the CCAA internal box has changed to show the cut off as March 28th. Enough people are reporting it that I’ve changed the box here, and I’m calling it an R5.
One would assume that this means referrals have been mailed, but I’m not seeing agencies reporting they have something on the way yet
My Guardian Angels
A special shout out to some very special folks that have kept me sane, motivated and inspired throughout this adoption process:
Angela AKA "Twin A" - you are are a true friend, a soul sista
Mary AKA "007"- the red thread was stretched but it didn't break because of you!
Ann T AKA "the rainbow"
Debbie AKA "my secret pal"
of course lots of love to ALL my March '06 LIDers- four years of exchanging posts of emotions ranging from sheer joy, excitement and hope to complete dispair. I have been so excited to see most of you get your babies already- and the rest of you-your day is very soon!!!!!! Big Hugs to the RQ April '06 group that I joined this year(since I didn't know what group I was moved to). I have really enjoyed our "virtual watering hole" and of course the infamous "cussing thread"!!! Also, thanks ahead of time to Melody who is going to take all the quilt squares I collected 4 years ago and FINALLY have that quilt made. Melody does beautiful quilting and I know this quilt is going to be a wonderful keepsake! I can't wait to have the picture of the finished quilt!!
Love Letter To Hailey
9/18/09
Dear Hailey,
I have now been waiting over 44 months for you, and although this wait has been excruciating and full of setbacks, I have not given up. I know you are out there, and we are destined to be together. Many people have questioned why I have remained on this long journey and have suggested other alternatives along the way. How can I step off this path that is leading me to you?? ? They just don’t understand that even though there have been moments that have brought me to my knees in sadness and despair; I will continue to wait for you no matter what. So many nights I have dreamed of you, and dreamed of the day we will meet. I think about you often-are you safe? Are you being cared for? I am thankful for all of the people that have been caring for you until we can be together.
I think of your birthmother often and I am so thankful to her. I know it must have been such a difficult decision for her, and I know she prayed that you would have a beautiful life. I have looked up to the stars many nights and made promises to her. I have told her that you are the love of my life already, and I will do anything to provide you with a safe and loving life. I have promised to hug and kiss you every day. I have promised to hold you and tell you that I love you every day. I promise to make sure that the moment you wake up each morning, that you know I am already excited to see you! I promise that when you go to sleep each night you will feel safe and loved.
Hailey, I always want you to feel proud of your self and confident. I want you to know that you are my special angel. I want to set you up for success and root for all your dreams to come true. Most of all, I want our days to be full of love and laughter. I want you to know that I will always feel so privileged to be given this opportunity to be your mother. I love you with all my heart and soul. I am sending a kiss to you right now…did you get it my angel??
Love forever,
Mommy
