May 26, 2010
Benjamin is almost a citizen of the United States

We traveled today to the US Consulate in Guangzhou to raise our right hands and take our oath. we were congratulated by the officer and told that Benjamin will become a citizen of the United States as soon as he hits American soil. Just a few more days to go.

We were not allowed to take a camera or phone into the Consulate, as usual (bummer). Just once it would be great to document the occasion in pictures. The Consulate has been moved to a new building since our adoption of Olivia in 2005 and instead of walking 5 minutes down the street we hopped on a bus and rode 40 minutes across town. The ride was an EXPERIENCE in itself. The roads are incredible. Think of the Crosstown Expressway on steroids and you're almost there. For example, we were riding past highrise buildings and our bus was on the road level with the 7th-8th story of some of these buildings. And these skyscrapers were too many in number to count. Everything about China is simply amazing!

Benjamin loves to be independent. Riding on the escalators - he will not tolerate being carried without kicking a fit. He wants to walk it like his big sisters do. Fastening his seatbelt in the stroller - don't even think about doing it for him. Fortunately he's pretty quick about it. The noodles may be scorching hot, but don't worry. He can feed himself with a spoon or fork despite the heat. He just winces a little bit. Just be prepared to give him a bath afterwards, because it's not good unless you get a little bit (or a whole lot) on ya!

Today after our swearing in at the Consulate Dale took the girls back to the pool while Benjamin and I picked up laundry, diapers, etc. While they were dancing around stripping their clothes off to dress for the pool Benjamin got caught up in the moment and stripped his clothes off, too. He didn't know what all the excitement was about, but he didn't want to be left out. I promise to get him to the pool tomorrow. Dale reports that Abigail and Olivia are both swimming better than last summer, Abigail on her back, too, and Olivia swimming quite a distance to him from the edge. Swim lessons should be fun this summer. Hopefully there will be a class for Benjamin's age, too, since he has no fear of the water.

I've included a shot of Benjamin hiding behind the chair in our hotel room having his BM. You can't tell by the look on his face what he's up to, can you? He is just too funny! I think he was possibly potty trained before his surgery back in September since they had reported from Angel House that he was potty trained. And he seems to know what the bit potty is all about. He just doesn't do anything when we seat him on it. I'm thinking that once we get him home for the summer we'll be able to concentrate on getting out of the diapers. The disposable diapers here don't really go up to his size. The XL go up to 12 kg, but he needs the next size up to fit comfortably, and that size doesn't exist. Thankfully Angel House delivered him with a whole package of diapers that are larger and more absorbent. We're saving the last six of those for our flights home. The "Pampers" that we can buy here are not very absorbent and don't wick the wetness away from the skin so we're going through quite a few of them. Had we known Benjamin was still in diapers (or again in diapers since his surgery) we would have brought some from home.

Benjamin is more and more loving, though he's a bit rough about showing affection. He gets all wound up and before we know it he hits or pinches in the middle of a hug. He smacked me in the face really hard today with both hands. Whew! I was not expecting that. Nor was I expecting the really hard bite he gave me when pressing his face against my hand. I told him he hurt me and looking really sad at him. That's when he grabbed my hand again and I braced for another bite. Instead he kissed my finger when he had bitten me and patted my hand. That was my first kiss from him. Abigail claimed the first unsolicited hug. He is very loving toward her and she is gentle and patient with him. I'm very proud of my little girl. She is a wonder.

More posing with the statuary today. We saw several models out being photographed today and Olivia took note. She struck a pose for the tourist/photographer statue outside of Lucy's Cafe tonight on our way to dinner. Oh, and Dale was on TV here in Guangzhou. While Olivia and I were inside a shop Dale and Abigail were outside with Ben asleep in the stroller. A TV crew interviewed Dale and asked what he thought about all of the construction here on the island. He told Dale to watch GZTV tonight. We'll see.

Hope all is well at home. Several of you have asked when we are due to arrive. I don't have the flight number with me, but I've emailed it to Cindi, who is picking us up from the airport. I'll try to post the flight info tomorrow. Anyway, it's a United flight and we're due in from Chicago around 2:45 on SaturdaY.


COMMENTS FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY:

*Won't be long now till we can introduce Benjamin to the ways of the world in Polk County. Can't wait to meet him and see the girls.
Posted by: Cynthia Kuhlman on May 26, 2010 at 12:15 P.M.

*You will have to break him of the hitting and biting stuff because I need to kiss him and I don't want to risk life and limb to do it! I have always imagined Dale Croy on TV.. kind of like Miami Vice but with postal workers. As for your little ladies, they are living into everything I ever dreamed they could be. Benjamin is more blessed than he will ever know.
Posted by: Teresa on May 26, 2010 at 01:06 P.M.

*This is so interesting. I am so happy for you and your family. Carmen, you will have to write a book on all your experiences adopting and going to China. Have a safe journey home.
Posted by: Rita Balsano on May 26, 2010 at 02:23 P.M.

*Oh Carmen, what a funny little boy you have! Nope, couldn't tell at all what he was doing behind the chair ;-o Funny how our families mirror each other. Ava had 2 febrile seizures at 17 mths old. One in my arms while in the hospital while we were settling her in a room for testing after the first one. Thankfully they never returned. It's not the level of the fever, but how quickly it elevated. We can compare notes when you get home. I am going to try to make it to the airport for your arrival. If not, call me when you are up to visitors. Love love love your stories!
Posted by: Elisa Criden on May 27, 2010 at 12:22 P.M.