Saturday, May 11, 2013

It's WAY more fun with friends

If taking two kids for doctor's visits is fun, it's even more fun when 40 new friends take their kids along, too!  Rebecca and Miko met us all in the lobby at 9:30 this morning to give us the low down on the physicals required for our children's entry visas.  We then loaded up in a comfy bus for the short drive over to the medical center.

Our sweet guides keep us in the know and really make every task so much easier to handle.  They prepared us for each step of the morning during the drive over and then ushered us into the building and up to the second floor.  Each child had their visa photos taken first.  In addition to the Lifeline families in our group, we recognized many other adoptive families we've seen in various cities around China.  Pretty cool, if you ask me.  While we waited, we swapped stories and admired the beautiful faces of the cherished sons and daughters of the people we've met here in China. 

After the visa photos were taken, Rebecca and Miko handed out the necessary forms and we went to work filling them out.  They were close by and ready to collect the forms (and help those that needed a repeat of the directions - ME) once they were completed.  After each family had submitted their paperwork, we moved as a group back to the examination area. 


There were families from many agencies represented, and it was exciting to recognize people we've met in Zhengzhou, on our walks in Guangzhou, at the Garden and in Facebook and Yahoo group.  The atmosphere was electric.  There were babies crying, and it was hot.  I can't imagine what it would've been like without the air-conditioning in that building! 

Each child needed to visit four different examination areas.  Our guides helped us to divide and line up so we weren't all waiting for the same examination area. 


We began with our two at the general examination room.  There were three families in front of us, so our wait was not terrible.  I chatted with a sweet WACAP mama traveling alone with her new treasure and with an American couple that lives here in China.  It was very interesting to hear about the adoption process for Americans living in China.  Riley was less than thrilled with the whole situation, as you can see. 


When it was our turn, I took Jubilee into the exam room.  She was a little lady, just looking around observing all the happenings - until it was time to lay down on the table, that is.  She does not like me to put her down.  The exam was quick and the doctor had no concerns.  Yippee!!  Next, it was Wyatt's turn to be examined, and he was immediately unhappy.  I'm guessing he's done this before.  He did settle down and let me answer the doctor's questions, but became upset again when it was time to lay down on the table.  I wrestled him into place and was thankful that the exam was so quick.
After the general exam, we waited in line for the ENT.  Jubilee cried the entire time.  Again, thankful it was short.  The ENT wasn't really paying attention when I sat down with Wyatt, and she grabbed her ear-checker-thingy. (I know what this is called on a normal day, but it's gone, I tell ya.)  She looked puzzled for a second and then shrugged her shoulder, smiled at me and put her little tool back down.  I guess if you don't have auricles, there's not much to look at with an ear-checker-thingy. 

The nurse's station was the most entertaining part.  How many adults does it take to take's Wyatt's temperature?  At least 3!!  He's a wiggler!! Both babies screamed through their weight and height checks but calmed right back down as soon as they were over.





Wyatt is over 2 years old, so we had to wait in the longest line - the blood draw.  I was grateful to Dean for standing there because I was pooped!  NOTE:  If your child has to have blood drawn, the nurses will take him from you when it's his turn.  You can't go in the room, and even though there's a little window that you can peer through, they will pull a curtain across if they see you peeking.



Wyatt was finished crying by the time Dean walked across the waiting area to me.  Whew!  That was something else!  As the last families finished up their examinations and blood work, there was a collective sigh in the room.  We were a much quieter group leaving than we were coming, that's for sure.  Hot, sweaty and tired, we headed back to the bus.


We noticed this wine machine on the way out the door.  More than one parent commented that it would've been better placed on the floor above than on the way out the door.  Funny!



Nap time was amazing today.  I think we might have skipped lunch.  I can't remember eating.  Both babies were in much improved moods this afternoon and Jubilee played for a long time on the floor by herself, which is a miracle since she usually screams hysterically when you even act like you might put her down. 

We ate dinner at The Paddy Field, an Irish Restaurant a few minutes walk from the hotel.  We loved it!  We had wings and hamburgers and felt like we weren't in China for a few minutes.  We are loving China but feeling pretty homesick today, so the fall-away feel of the Paddy Field was just the ticket!  The babies gave us lots of smiles while we were eating….food seems to be their love language (I've probably said this before.  It's becoming sort of an affirmation statement, a reminder when the going gets rough.)

Feeling especially blessed tonight on the eve of Mother's Day!

1 comment:

  1. I think I shall visit that wine machine and I shall not be ashamed.. :)

    ReplyDelete