Dad's Perspective

Those of you that know me well know that I'm a man of few spoken words. If I say it, it means it is important to me. So you can imagine how that relates to my written word.

I don't know where to start. I have so many thoughts as I am rested and thinking back on the day. I know most men with wives that are expecting will understand what I mean when I say you will do anything to make your wife comfortable. She was stressed out about the hotel, stressed about not being able to keep up on the blog, and a few other things understandable so. So we were able to fix most of them and it helped her greatly. Which helped me.

God is amazing. We went on a walk to find a shop we had heard about. It took awhile and I was not giving up until we did. It is the one described in Syd's post. The woman gave Shelley about a 30 minute course in the basic sounds of Chinese. With out being asked. As you saw in Shelly's post it came in handy later. She was able to communicate the basics to Asher. Which helped him a lot. God is amazing how he places people in your path that you will need. Hold on I think Asher wants to type. jhgyihukhjkhkkk xcv OK he's done with his first blog. He doesn't stay with one thing too long.

Well it was a short trip to the office to get him but a long one for him. He is from Shinzhen city which is close to Hong Kong about 2.5 hrs from us. Lots of people there. Lots of kids. Very loud and a lot of things going on at the same time. Not a place I even wanted to be think of how the kids must have felt. They rushed us into a "private room" which wasn't all that private but was nice not to have to be out in the middle of everything. Needed to check paperwork and then bang in start coming the kids in two minute intervals. Asher was second. When our eyes met I felt he recognized me from the pictures and it set in what was happening. You have to understand just how loud it is in that place. Think of the most crowded place you have been and then double it. He did not seem comfortable with anything but we were thrilled. My heart just melted.The pictures didn't do this boy any justice. I just wanted to rush to him and squeeze him but I was the camera and video guy and wanted to capture those first few moments when he met Shelley and Sydney. He sure is a sharp little man. Long story short I felt as though the journey was fulfilled and our family was finally complete.
Now things were not pie in the sky and I knew it was ripping my two girls apart. Machelle your comments came at a perfect time for me to prepare and be there for them. Thank you and God bless you. I soon realized nothing I could do was going to take the pain away for our new little guy. So my focus turned to Shelley and Sydney. See I'm the fix it guy in our family. Size up the issue and bring on the solutions and make things right or at least bearable. I got to tell you the streangth my wife showed even impressed me and I know how terrific she is. She was so strong. All I had to to was keep reminding her that he was ours and it was going to be ok. Did I happen to mention that this place is just crazy noisy and at the top of the chart when it comes to sensory overload. Shelley collected important information while Sydney and I tended to Asher. Then I took care of the paticulars while the two girls tended to him. Finally it was time for us to leave and our guide Helen(who is a blessing) spoke a few words to our guy and he took her hand and Sydney's and headed out the door a lot calmer. After a few short steps out the door Shelley took his other hand. I brought up the rear and got to tell you it was cool seeing my family together headed out of there. A unit for the first time. I just wanted to get him out of there. I was so thankful Sydney was there. She is so mature for her years. She did everything she was asked to do which was a lot. Get this, go for that, help with this. We could not have kept track of our stuff or gotten things we needed without her. She is a special one I tell you. I'm blessed.
So we are out of there on the bus and headed away. He is sitting with the girls doing well. I feel we are on the right track. If it wasn't for 3 more days of paperwork and then 2 days of passport red tape they could have taken me to the airport right then. I just want to come home and bring him to his house and see all the many people that are waiting to show him love. I thought I would be ok with spending Christmas here. I'm not. I just want to bring my family home.
To close out. Our first night as a unit was not without hiccups, but was great. I would not trade it for anything. One of them being on a bathroom run. I'm not quite used to a boy and going potty. So we soiled some clothes. I think it was more my fault than his. No big deal we had others and I did better on the next time. Our first dinner together was priceless. The boy can pack in the grub I tell you. And he isn't shy about it. We called it a night about 9:00 pm and we all slept the best we have since we have been here. Thanks to everyone for the prayers and thoughts. The comments have really helped and we love them. We love and miss you all. I can't wait to bring the family home. See you soon but not soon enough.

More Pictures

IT'S A BOY!!!!!

We have him!!
Oh my, what a day.
We woke early of course, had breakfast, a walked around the island for a couple of hours. We switched hotels because the room we were in was just terribly too small for the four of us, which works out so much better because we have extra beds and a computer in our room....AWESOME!!
We left our hotel at 2:00 for the Civil Affairs Office where we were to meet our son. It only took us about 15 minutes to get there and about 5 minutes after that...they walked him in the room. He was calm at first but very standoffish. I tired to talk to him and give him some suckers and a stuffed monkey, still very standoffish....then all the tears just let loose. Poor baby, it was such a site to feel your heart ache for this little thing that cannot understand anything that you are saying. The nannies were good at trying to explain things to him but he was just having nothing to do with any of us. We all thought for sure that he would like Sydney at least right off...but Bou Yau!!! was all he kept saying over and over threw the tears and then let into a full tantrum. All I kept thinking was let it out baby. I kept looking at Keith as if he could fix it.....I only cried one tear and was so strong....Keith just kept saying, "Shelley everything will be alright". The nannies continued to fill us in on all of his information threw all the screaming. There were two others there with us - one at 17 months old was perfect and fell asleep as soon as they handed her to her mommy - the second was all smiles and very huggy - and then Asher, which I just know the other two couples were thanking God he wasn't theirs. Our guide told us there are usually three reactions, one happy - one quiet and comatosed - one mad as a hornet...Asher. (Machelle, your message could not have come at a better time....those were the perfect words we needed right before our meeting.)
I can't say I blame the little guy....that place was nuts and so loud and so confusing....I would have probably been the same.
Our guide sent off the nannies and then came back in and stood Asher up and told him that we were all going to be ok and that we were going to the hotel and she told him to take her hand and Sydney's hands and he did just as he was told. Then she walked forward and he totally stopped crying! Then two steps later handed me his hand and he looked at me as if to say alright like it or not I'm stuck with you so we may as well make the best of it. We loaded on the bus with the three of us still holding hands and all sat together and then I asked him if he was hungry and he shook his head yes and I gave him some animal crackers which were gone 2 minutes later and he was at peace. Amazing...don't say it, I tired to give the silly cookies several times before but Bou Yau!!!! NO NO.
By the way my Mandarin in the past 8 hours has grown immensely...I think I am freaking Keith and Sydney out by how much I am able to converse with him right now. They both just look at me and say what did you just say to him. Everything that I say to him, he repeats, it is very cute. I am thinking that he is very smart and very interested in things.
So, 15 minutes later we are back at the hotel and he is still willing to hold our hands. It is amazing to realize how isolated these poor kids are from the outside world. He just looks at everything with brand new eyes, knowing that it is the first time he has ever seen everything around him. We go ahead up to our room with orders to just work on bonding and get some dinner at some time and to call if we need any help translating. We go to the room and he is ok for 2 minutes then we overload him with toys of course and he starts to spaz again.....he just does not like change or new things at all. So, I remember that we brought a beach ball and I start blowing it up as fast as I can and is enough to distract him while Sydney grabs the gameboy...and then just like that all is well. He still remains a little reserved with his possessions and will not take his coat off or let his bag go at all. But that is ok. I do not know how these little kids don't sufficate, they are dressed with three layers on plus a coat....I was about ready to hyperventilate and they are comfortable, something else.
After helping him play with the gameboy for a few minutes we have him smiling and laughing...like a totally different child. After playing for a couple hours we decide to venture out to dinner at a very relaxed local place which we ran into one of the other couples that we went with today (the very smiley huggy child, very sweet). They kept commenting on how they could not believe that is was the same child...he was so bubbly and alive and happy. He just kept smiling from ear to ear and laughing. It was a true blessing to be there in that moment. It is clear to say that he is all boy. He ate and ate.....I just wonder if they even fed him today at all. He tried several new things and loved them all, I don't think I have to worry about a picky eater with him. Anyway, I am pretty sure that he is a mommy's boy so far, tee hee. We head back to the hotel and he is just a bucket of laughs and ornery as can be....already picking on Syd, which she has been amazing through this whole day. When we were at the Civil Affairs Office and Asher was having his fit, I looked at her and told her how much I love her and she looked so pale like she was about to throw up...I am sure this is not how she pictured today although we tried to prepare her for the worst.
By the end of the day back at the hotel, he was thrilled to take a bath, brush his teeth, and put him to bed with little effort other than kicking Sydney in bed to tease her and just laughing... It is already predicted that he is a bit rotten and a real corker. He is also very organized and particular about where things go, loves the water and washing his hands, and totally reads us as push overs, which we probably are for now at least. He absolutely loves electronics, typical boy and used the cell phone for the first time to tell his Nai Nai Hello and that he loves her....too precious.
He is hugging us and snuggling. My mind is at ease. I am so pleased and happy with this day, God is good. We are in love and I think he knows it. Can't wait to get him home.

New pictures on all blogs below!!

Almost Time by Big Sis - Sydney

It's almost time to leave!!!! It is 1:00 and we leave at 2:00...... 1 HOUR!!!! We were walking around wasting time and we walk into a little shop...... and what do we see? A Christian!!!! The store we walked into was a Chinese shop and the owner just happened to be a Christian. Pretty cool, right!! Soooooo she told us that she did not know Christ until some Americans came and told her about the Bible, she studied the Bible for 3 or 4 years. Now she is telling other Chinese people about God. Awesome!!!!! We are going to meet her at church on Christmas Eve.
Mom was just pacing saying, "Is it time to go yet?". Dad looked at me and said, "Time is going to go fast, right Squeak?" (Squeak is my nickname) We have packed a bag for Asher with some toys, some candy, and things like that. I can't wait to see him and the look on his face. I hope he likes us but, he'll catch on to us soon. There is a really cool park around the corner from the hotel that I have been waiting to go to, but my dad says that we will be here for several days and will go as soon as we can ALL go together. I CAN'T WAIT TO PUSH HIM ON THE SWINGS (IF THEY HAVE ANY) Talk to ya soon! 30 minutes til we leave!!!! hehehe!

We Are In Labor!!!

We are here at the new location....it is so warm here. But, we are officially counting down....as if we weren't already but it is really game time now.
It is 7:30 pm here and we will be receiving Asher at approx. 3:00 tomorrow...so we have 19 of labor to go. I am thinking it will be very light sleeping tonight with anticipation.
Will bring picture to you tomorrow!!!!
Cheer, cheer, we are almost there!

Crazy Days and world wonders

Hello All. Thank you so much for your comments, it is so reassuring to know that you are all with us in thought and prayers.
These last two days have been a blur. Sorry that we missed the update yesterday.
Yesterday was pretty crazy....we toured all day to the major government areas, Tenneman Square, and to the Forbidden City. What spoiled people these Emperors were. Huge compounds all to honor them. It is amazing to see how much detail went into these buildings and how much each little tiny detail stands for something. The Forbidden City is over 800 years old and has had 24 emperors reside there.
It was a really cold and breezy day.
When we were in Tenneman Square we were invaded by Asian fans. Yes I said fans....we were famous. Blond hair is quite the draw here. But, the famous of us was Sydney, go figure!!! We were stopped by SO many people wanting there picture taken with us. Our tour guide actually had to ask us not to allow any one else to stop us because we were getting so far behind schedule. Of course Sydney loved it. It was so funny seeing them grab her and beg for her picture, then me for my hair. Our guide kept telling us that they are amazed by foreigners. It is really odd to be the ones drawing a crowd. There is a ton of walking here, this may be the first holiday season ever that I loose weight. We ended the tour with an acrobatic show that would just blow your mind.
We were so tired when we got back to the hotel that we ordered delivery pizza and crashed. It was so nice to have normal food I think Kieth was actually pouting because he wants to eat as much exotic food possible. This morning he ate squid...the whole thing. He did get Sydney to hold the squid with chop sticks and hold it to her mouth like she was going to eat it for a picture, quite funny.
Today, our tour included the Olympic Village. I was really thrilled to see that. I think the bird's nest is just the coolest structure. The people who live here are so proud that they had the Olympics and say that their city has improved leaps and bounds due to the preparation of them.
Second, we went to the much anticipated Great Wall of China......WOW WOW WOW!!!
It was amazing to try to climb that beast. It is so steep and the steps are so high. I made it an agonizing 500 steps one way to Keith and Sydney's 647 one way. We really got some cool pictures. Sydney had to call her Grandma from up there, it was pretty funny calling 9,000 miles away standing on that structure that was built 700 years before Christ was born.
Thirdly, we visited a jade factory and Keith treated us to a couple goodies. Beautiful artsmanship.
And lastly, we visited the Emperor's summer palace which was my favorite yet. Very beautiful structures and gardens set on a beautiful lake. It was so cold today though and we were so frozen from being up on the Wall that we cruised through it pretty quick.
We are now heading to dinner for the famous and Beijing must....Peking Duck!! Keith is in his glory again for food. I am a little worried.
I just want to go to bed so that tomorrow will get here because in 15 hours we leave for Guangzhou where Asher is.....I am so ready to get what we came here for....our babe. Touring is great but our excitement for him is so grand!!! Keith is busting at the seems for dinner so I am clocking out for now and will post again after we arrive tomorrow in Guangzhou. We miss you all and will see you soon with our new son!!!