Hi, Everyone,
We had to finish-up our medical checks and VISA on Monday morning. We decided just Max and I would go with Molly to make it easier on Kira if we got stuck waiting somewhere. That was a good idea. It was hot. There were many umbrellas outside – not to protect from rain, but from the sun.
If you recall, we thought Max hated photographers. This is possibly not true. It may actually be getting out of the stroller when it’s hot and there is no food involved. It’s a complicated combination, but seems accurate. He likes to lounge when it’s hot, and the stroller is a prime place to do it. Of course, if the food comes too late and critical mass has been reached, the effort is lost and the mission must be scrapped. After some deft work with a rubber ball by a middle-aged Chinese lady and a new toy cell phone, we got a picture without wailing. They edited the picture to remove some of the angry red from his face and my hands holding him in the chair. He actually looked compliant after they were done.
Next, we ran to the medical clinic where his TB test was read amid the chaos (and was negative), so we wandered back to the hotel where Michelle and Kira were waiting in the play room. There’s a garrison of soldiers near the island and they were practicing hand-to-hand fighting in the park. We stopped to watch them a little while on our way back. Max was uninterested. Apparently, he’s already had enough of that with his sister.
The only hurdle remaining now is the US Consulate’s process, which will require the remaining time to complete. Our Consulate appointment is tomorrow afternoon, and we should get Max’s VISA by Thursday morning at the latest – if all goes well. We understand the need for protocol, but it seems a little ridiculous that after the literally months of forms and paperwork, fingerprinting, FBI checks, and USCIS checks and processes that our own government would still need three more days to get their stuff done while we wait in-country. The identity of the child has been known for many weeks, now. We don’t have a problem with the cost of the process. The time it takes just seems excessive. The fact that we want to adopt a kid is not exactly a surprise at this point.
I was mixed-up about the river cruise being Monday. It’s actually Tuesday, so instead, we went to the pool at the hotel. It’s a beautiful pool. We didn’t use it at all last time we were here, but we’ve been a couple times, now. Both kids love it. The grounds around the pools are extremely well-kept, with a couple stone walkways that meander through a tropical garden. On one side is a walk that follows along the river. For some added excitement, there’s a waterfall that ends in one of the pools. It’s been a challenge for the kids’ bravery to get close to it. Max has done very well. He’s taken a couple stumbles face-first in the water, but never cried. We played for some time, talking with other families as well. When the kids seemed to be getting tired, we ran back to the room, cleaned them up and went down the street to the Cow & Bridge Thai place (one of our favorites). Max was so tired when we got back, he went down with barely a whimper. So did we.
Throughout our trip, we’ve remained remarkably well. Max has a little cough and runny-nose, but hasn’t slowed-down a bit. The possibly-cat-based antibiotics are working well for me. I’m already feeling much better than I had been.
After a good night, we went to breakfast and had to get back to the room in case Molly called with any questions. She was at the Consulate this morning for us to be sure there was no problem with the last of the documentation. By 11:15, she called to tell us all was well, so we took the kids to the pool for a quick visit. Today is a hot, gray, smoggy day – very good for the pool. We ran back to the room for a light lunch and naps. Max was tired, but had a big problem with napping. Eventually, he gave up, covered himself up and went to sleep.
The kids had good naps, so were well-rested for an escape if the buffet crowd became too aggressive with the tongs and serving spoons, but that did not happen. Instead, it was very enjoyable. It was not crowded and there was no apparent accidental cannibalism. Molly got us one of the best tables on the boat with Julie and her daughter Jose. After dinner, we all went to the top deck to watch the lights as we cruised by. Max was pretty excited by the other boats and the pork meatballs. The rest of us enjoyed a broader spectrum.
We had to finish-up our medical checks and VISA on Monday morning. We decided just Max and I would go with Molly to make it easier on Kira if we got stuck waiting somewhere. That was a good idea. It was hot. There were many umbrellas outside – not to protect from rain, but from the sun.
If you recall, we thought Max hated photographers. This is possibly not true. It may actually be getting out of the stroller when it’s hot and there is no food involved. It’s a complicated combination, but seems accurate. He likes to lounge when it’s hot, and the stroller is a prime place to do it. Of course, if the food comes too late and critical mass has been reached, the effort is lost and the mission must be scrapped. After some deft work with a rubber ball by a middle-aged Chinese lady and a new toy cell phone, we got a picture without wailing. They edited the picture to remove some of the angry red from his face and my hands holding him in the chair. He actually looked compliant after they were done.
Next, we ran to the medical clinic where his TB test was read amid the chaos (and was negative), so we wandered back to the hotel where Michelle and Kira were waiting in the play room. There’s a garrison of soldiers near the island and they were practicing hand-to-hand fighting in the park. We stopped to watch them a little while on our way back. Max was uninterested. Apparently, he’s already had enough of that with his sister.
The only hurdle remaining now is the US Consulate’s process, which will require the remaining time to complete. Our Consulate appointment is tomorrow afternoon, and we should get Max’s VISA by Thursday morning at the latest – if all goes well. We understand the need for protocol, but it seems a little ridiculous that after the literally months of forms and paperwork, fingerprinting, FBI checks, and USCIS checks and processes that our own government would still need three more days to get their stuff done while we wait in-country. The identity of the child has been known for many weeks, now. We don’t have a problem with the cost of the process. The time it takes just seems excessive. The fact that we want to adopt a kid is not exactly a surprise at this point.
I was mixed-up about the river cruise being Monday. It’s actually Tuesday, so instead, we went to the pool at the hotel. It’s a beautiful pool. We didn’t use it at all last time we were here, but we’ve been a couple times, now. Both kids love it. The grounds around the pools are extremely well-kept, with a couple stone walkways that meander through a tropical garden. On one side is a walk that follows along the river. For some added excitement, there’s a waterfall that ends in one of the pools. It’s been a challenge for the kids’ bravery to get close to it. Max has done very well. He’s taken a couple stumbles face-first in the water, but never cried. We played for some time, talking with other families as well. When the kids seemed to be getting tired, we ran back to the room, cleaned them up and went down the street to the Cow & Bridge Thai place (one of our favorites). Max was so tired when we got back, he went down with barely a whimper. So did we.
Throughout our trip, we’ve remained remarkably well. Max has a little cough and runny-nose, but hasn’t slowed-down a bit. The possibly-cat-based antibiotics are working well for me. I’m already feeling much better than I had been.
After a good night, we went to breakfast and had to get back to the room in case Molly called with any questions. She was at the Consulate this morning for us to be sure there was no problem with the last of the documentation. By 11:15, she called to tell us all was well, so we took the kids to the pool for a quick visit. Today is a hot, gray, smoggy day – very good for the pool. We ran back to the room for a light lunch and naps. Max was tired, but had a big problem with napping. Eventually, he gave up, covered himself up and went to sleep.
The kids had good naps, so were well-rested for an escape if the buffet crowd became too aggressive with the tongs and serving spoons, but that did not happen. Instead, it was very enjoyable. It was not crowded and there was no apparent accidental cannibalism. Molly got us one of the best tables on the boat with Julie and her daughter Jose. After dinner, we all went to the top deck to watch the lights as we cruised by. Max was pretty excited by the other boats and the pork meatballs. The rest of us enjoyed a broader spectrum.
Once we got back to the hotel, we were on our way back to our room when we heard a string quintet playing in the fancy bar. There was hardly anyone in there so we stopped in to listen and had a drink. They had peanuts for the kids. The quintet was quite good and we were happy share a civilized moment without anything getting broken or improvised tantrums exploding. Unfortunately, we didn't quite make it. Max worked out something that was bothering him and needed his diaper changed. As we were getting ready to leave, he decided to dart for one of the table lights and broke it. They weren't very tough. No one got hurt, but it cost us 30 yuan for the light. We found it strange that the manager knew immediately off the top of his head how much they were. Either he had a great head for numbers or this was not an unusual occurence. In any case, it was still cheaper to break a light there than to have a drink. We were not banished from civilization as they made money whether we drank or our kids broke stuff, but we left, anyway, having failed at a civilized interaction. We'll try again around 2018.
Back at base camp, bedtime is getting a bit easier each time. The tantrums are becoming a little shorter, but devolving into chants in baby talk and Shanghai dialect. We don't understand them, but it's clear he is sure there has been an injustice. He should get used to that soon.
Thank you again for your comments, emails and prayers. We really do appreciate them!
Kim, Michelle, Kira & Max
Thank you again for your comments, emails and prayers. We really do appreciate them!
Kim, Michelle, Kira & Max
Max is SO cute. His pouting expression,buddha belly and chants in ShangHai dialect make me laugh. wish your final process happen smoothly and quickly..
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