This Little Piggie Went to Guangzhou

May 21, 2010

The last 24 hours have been very busy with getting Benjamin to the hospital for another IV treatment and traveling to Guangzhou. Then this morning we had to hurry to the International Adoption clinic for Benjamin's physical and TB test...in the rain through muddy, torn-up streets. I picked the right day to wear a white linen skirt. :oP But then, with Ben sick the last few days I didn't do much laundry. There wasn't much to pick from. I'm now at Michael's Place down the street from the White Swan using his free-to-customers-and-adoptive-families Internet service. Of couse we will pay for it in the long run. He's got a great little shop here.

During the past few nights Dale and I have alternated getting up throughout the night to check Benjamin's temp to make sure he's not fevered. Last fever at all was yesterday morning and it was low, Praise the Lord! Dale took him to the hospital with one of our guides yesterday after breakfast so I could pack for the next flight. It's always a challenge to squeeze 10 pounds of flour into a 5 pound sack, and Dale opted for what he thought would be less complicated. He had an ordeal, though, with Benjamin feeling better. Our guide, Rita, informed Dale that she has no children yet, but after taking the trip to the hospital with them she plans to have only girls. She told me later that she was just kidding, and I said, "Yeah, right."

Benjamin continues to be quite a charmer. He turns heads everywhere we go, though some in our group would say that's because of his hair style. They ask me when we're going to cut it and I say, "Who said we were?" :o) Actually it really suits his personality. :o) We'll let a professional deal with it when we get home, though.

Abigail sat by the window with Ben in the middle on our flight to Guangzhou, Benjamin's first flight (to my knowledge). It was also Abigail's first time to sit by the window. That really shocked me considering how many times she's been on an airplane. I'm not sure who was more fun to watch on our flight. Benjamin LOVED the take off and landing. Abigail kept exclaiming about seeing the farms, houses, cars, etc. from her window and how tiny they looked. She has been the perfect little mama hen with Ben. She helped him buckle his seat belt. Problem is he's very independent in his thinking. He unbuckled it and then tried to rebuckle it himself. She fastened it back for him and he threw a royal fit. It took a few tries, but finally he got it before we took off. I think we know now where the scar came from on the back of his head. He throws himself backward with surprising force when he's angry or doesn't get his way. It happens REALLY FAST, too, and it's usually over pretty quick. But by then, unless you catch him in time, the damage is done.

We arrived at our hotel, the Whie Swan around 10:30 last night and then had to wait to check in and for our luggage to arrive. We walked in to our very cool hotel room...with the two TWIN beds and a crib around 11:00. All adjoining rooms were booked so we shoved the beds together to make one huge family bed. Worked great. Now if I can figure out how to keep the little feet out of my face for the next 6 nights. :o)

This morning after breakfast we hustled to the clinic, stopping on the way there for Benjamin's visa photo to be taken. It's SO HUMID here compared to the coolness of Zhengzhou. Why did I bother with hair and makeup?! Benjamin fell asleep while waiting for his turn and I thought that would be a good thing, but the clinic doctor wanted to wake him up before giving him the TB test. Bummer! She was afraid he'd have nightmares and insisted that I wake him up first. Well, the test was nothing to him. My taking away the hard candy she gave him for being such a good boy on the other hand turned him into the Tasmanian devil. But no way was I going to let him have that candy in his mouth, just the right size for choking, while we strolled back to the hotel.

On the way back we passed the 7-11 and stopped for one of Nick's favs: Apple icee. Benjamin loves it, too. It was so refreshing, though I think it gave him a brain freeze initially. However he kept coming back for more.

We have the rest of the day off to shop, rest, whatever before filling out more visa paperwork tomorrow. We on the downhill slope from here on out. Just pray Benjamin's TB test is negative when they check it on Monday. He already had one test in Beijing while at Angel House and it was negative, so we're expecting good results.

Love to all!

COMMENTS FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY:

*Oh my heavens..that picture of Dale Croy holding his sleeping boy is priceless. Glad I missed you waking him up and taking away his candy. Bet that was priceless too. Nick will be so jealous over the apple Icee! Be sure to shop at the art gallery down by the embassies where Jordan's shop used to be. They have awesome farmer's art. We tried to break the bank there. Go see Jordan as well. He was a treasure trove of info on Zhengzhou and Henan in general. Remind him that we had him write down "Water in Swim" which we were pronouncing Shwaydi yoda. It was the first term Bekah taught us and he said people would think we were crazy if we used it! He wrote it on paper with her name on the back.
Posted by: Teresa on May 22, 2010 at 05:10 A.M.

*Hi,
Congratulations on adopting your beautiful little boy. I adopted my daughter in july 2006 and stayed at the White Swan Hotel. There is a doctor at the hotel if you should need one. If I remember correctly, the office is on the second or third floor. I needed to use them for my daughter because she had abcesses on her forehead when I got her. Good luck. I hope your little one feels better soon.
Posted by: Liz on May 22, 2010 at 05:19 A.M.

*Carmen, enjoying so much reading about your adoption adventures. Can't wait to see your little son at church when you all get back. He is such a cutie! My daughter and her husband are adopting too and we will have a new grandchild in the next few months. Saying a prayer for your safe journey back and for Benjamin's T.B. test. God bless.
Posted by: Rita Balsano on May 22, 2010 at 05:07 P.M.

*Carmen,
I'm so glad to hear that Benjamin is feeling better. I felt so terrible to hear of his struggles earlier. I can't even imagine how that was for you and your family. I will continue to pray for rest, relaxation, and a safe journey home. Enjoy your last few days of your trip!

Miss you here!
Dawn Pirke
Posted by: Dawn Pirke on May 24, 2010 at 04:10 A.M.

*We (my children in class) have enjoyed going on your journey with you the past three weeks.
We have turned it into a Geography lesson and cultural experience. It means so much more when they can relate the informatin to someone they know. I am sure they will drive you crazy with questions when ya'll get home. I wish you a safe return trip and I am happy that Benjamin is healthy. God bless you all!!
Posted by: kathy Young on May 25, 2010 at 05:50 A.M.