Mama Day

You read that right.  Everlee spent almost all of her awake hours with yours truly.  Brent took off for a few hours to get photos this morning, and he and Beck went on a river boat dinner cruise tonight.  It was preplanned with our agency and travel group.  I opted out because it ended late and I wanted to get E to bed on time with our consulate appointment in the morning.  Plus, I envisioned the Raging Rickshaw plunging overboard.  No thanks, I'll pass.

I did get out for an 1 1/2 during her nap.  A friend and I took a cab down to a market we toured earlier this week. When it came time for us to return, we could not get a taxi to save our lives.  We'd show them the address and they'd wave us away.  We even got in one cab and he booted us out.  I don't know what the deal was.  A passing moped offered to take us.  He pointed to numbers on his odometer to wheel-and-deal a price.  We agreed on 40 RMB.  Divide by 6.  Less than 7 US dollars.  For that bargain, we got a high speed ride weaving in and out of rush hour traffic without the safety of a metal car frame, doors, a roof, or helmets.  It was thrilling!  Being the adventurous spirit I am, I didn't think twice about getting on the back of a stranger's motorized bike.  On the other hand, Ali feared for her life.

That's what you get when you befriend me.

 It looked like this.

We made it to our hotel unscathed.  With a story to tell.  

E and I went to dinner solo.  Table for two.  I enjoyed having her alone.  We ate at the same Italian place as a family last night but it is So. Darn. Tasty.  Best Italian food we've had outside the motherland.  Who'd have guessed?! 

In China.  

The crowded pizzeria plays the right tunes, pushes the tables close together, and serves a heck of a frutti di mare.  If I closed my ears to the language being spoken around me, I could revisit a long meal in Vernazza and taste fresh pesto on my lips.  Moscato, per favore.  

Before Brent headed out earlier, he warmed up his photography skills by taking pictures of Everlee in the garden.  There are so many great ones... I apologize in advance for how long you'll have to scroll down.    

Every child born into the world is a new thought of God.  

An ever fresh and radiant possibility. ~ Unknown

EVERLEE

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a very exciting hour ahead of me... hand washing, rinsing, wringing, and line drying essential laundry.  I know you're jealous.  

     

    

The Emperor and Everlee-isms

Market shopping again this morning, and E actually stayed in a stroller the entire time!  In this 95 degree heat, it was a treat for Brent to not carry her.  He wandered off and did who knows what, but that doesn't matter... He got away.

Everlee, Beck and Mommy got our 'shop' on.  Bought some silk dresses for her and T-shirts for the boys that say big brother in Chinese.  Beck picked out a traditional silk two-piece outfit and called it his emperor clothes.  He's been asking to buy an outfit since we landed almost two weeks ago.  He was BEAMING when he tried it on.  He wants to wear it out, to school, to church.  He's named every place you can think of.  I love his excitement and how he doesn't care if it's dorky or not.  He is who he is.  And he is proud of his travels.  Just wait, he'll pair it with his wide-brimmed, straw rice hat!

  

Also managed to get almost all of our gift shopping done for the loving, patient, awesome people who have helped with Penn-a-licious.  I miss that kid!!!  I can't wait to wrap my arms around him!!!

Nothing more to report, really.

Since this is a short entry, I'll tell you some Everlee-isms:

1.  She sucks her right thumb and turns her hand sideways so the rest of her fingers brush against her left cheek.  She only sucks her thumb when she's tired.  When I put her in her crib, she then takes her left hand and puts it under her shirt.  Every time.

2.  Because she stuffs a hand under her shirt, she has woken up twice like this:

She must have tried to get her arm back out but straightened it through the head hole, rather than pulling it back out from the waist.

3.  When she drinks her formula bottle just before bed at night, she sucks and twists the bottle at the same time.  The bottle the orphanage gave us has handles on it, so she turns the handles and switches hands to keep it twisting/moving. All the while, she drinks the milk.  Impressive.

4.  She likes to configure her pointer and middle fingers into and oval shape.  If you look back through photos, you will notice this.  I'm guessing it started out of boredom.  As a baby, she probably spent hours upon hours in her crib killing time.  Maybe it's become a sort of stem.  Either way, it's her thing.

5.  She loves group hugs.  She imitates the "awwww" sound when it happens.  When B is carrying her, she'll reach out for me to come in for the hug.  Sometimes, she'll reach out to include Beck too.     

6.  She likes to put caps on bottles.  By herself.  

7.  And have I mentioned... Daddy-ism!!!!!  Obsession.  

      

Gentle, Gentle... Uppercut

The 'No-Daddy Strategy' aka NDS is working.  A little. Baby steps.

At the supermarket Daddy conveniently had his arms full, so Everlee held my hand as we walked back.  At the zoo today, Mommy strolled E around because Daddy went missing.  *wink*  That only lasted ten minutes, but hey, any break is a break.

We bribed her into the stroller with snacks and craisins. She bit Brent over a small sippy cup debacle and when he softly reprimanded her, she displayed a defiant fit on the walkway by the lions.  As if we didn't stand out enough.  

I like to document these moments simply to show our children when they become parents.  Passing Chinese families smiled and laughed in a been-there-before manner. Toddler tantrums are a global common denominator.  A universal occurrence.  

And we laughed.  

Even Daddy couldn't pull the Dragon Princess (nickname #4) out of her drama.  One second a darling princess, the next a fire breathing dragon... She and Penn are gonna be best friends.  Ha!  When she decided she was done, she looked up with the biggest smile and crawled towards us. Those dimples get us every time!

Later, Brent took some nice pictures of E in our hotel room. Here is his first photo shoot of our youngest child and only daughter, Everlee.  (Both definitions are still weird to say, yet exciting to verbalize.  Soon, "youngest" and "daughter" will roll off our tongues.)    

The many faces of E.

Beck's Blog

Raging Rickshaw and the 'No-Daddy Strategy'

Emotions run high today.  E only wants Brent, and he is thrilled to love on her.  But it's exhausting when he can't be relieved.  She arches her back and flails around when I try to give him a break.  He has remained calm, but I know he is at his breaking point.  I feel helpless.  I've shed some tears. There is not much I can do.  I'm not hurt that she prefers him, I just feel bad for him.  Oftentimes, adopted children bond with one parent and leave out the other.  I don't take that to heart.  I just wish I could help Brent.

Our outing today was to a market.  We picked up some small purses for the young ladies in our lives: cousins, neighbors, friends.  Had some special gifts made for the grandparents too.  (Don't want to reveal on here as they read this.)  Also, we bought Everlee a high quality pearl to give her on her wedding day.  I had it set in a ring, but she can decide if she wants it hung as a pendant or made into a bracelet.  Pearls are cheap in China and are traditionally worn at weddings.  The entire time Brent carried her.  She wasn't a fan of the Ergo or a borrowed stroller.

She is a busy, active little thing.  Think 15 month old curiosity but with 31 month old mentality... constantly wanting carried, terrorizing the house, into everything, making messes, and moving on to the next thing in seconds. It's a constant game of chase and protect.

Thankfully, we've been here before.  We are not first time parents.  It's an all-too-familiar, draining stage we have all been through.  The difference is, only one parent is the chaser.

Brent has yet another nickname for her:  Raging Rickshaw. Suits her today especially.

It is mind boggling that all that energy and busyness is still wrapped up in a sweet, compliant, I'll eat whatever, do whatever package.  But it is.  Like two vastly different kids rolled into one.

Pray for physical and mental rest for Brent.  I told him to take a mental health day or afternoon.  Go blow off some stress with his second love... his camera... roam around and get pictures.  (He hasn't been able to get picture since he carries her.  Hasn't even brought his camera on outings knowing she will be a handful.)

She'll survive with just me.  And I'll survive too.  If Dad is not an option, I think she will concede.

We tried the 'No-Daddy strategy' yesterday afternoon. (We don't tell her "no Daddy" but we removed him from the equation.)  We took her to the pool, and I purposefully was the only parent to wear a swimsuit.  She had to swim with me.  After a short fit, she gave in and then splashed happily for a long while.  She LOVED the pool!  A fearless water baby is she.  Beck tried to hold her hands again.  No go. But, she let him hold her up in the water when Mommy walked a few steps away.  It may have been a survival instinct... if brother doesn't hold me I'll go under... but we didn't tell Beck that!  He was super duper proud.

A few more pictures:  Completed US Visa paperwork yesterday too.  Daily outings are just a way to pass the time while we wait for our paperwork to clear.  Our US consulate appointment is Thursday. 

Had Chinese Mexican for dinner last night with our friends, the Fogarty family, from our first flight and Beijing. Toasted to our baby girls! 

Ritual of playing cards at night to stay quiet while E sleeps. 

 

Buckled and Barefoot

Arrived in GZ late last night after our flight was delayed. Everlee rocked it.  She didn't try to get down or run through the aisles.  She liked snapping the buckle and immediately wanted her shoes removed.  Buckled and barefoot... a perfect combination.

She was happy with stickers and stuck them on every surface... my legs, Brent's arms, paper, the fold down tray, the seat, and herself.  Whatever works.

Even though the flight was a short 1 hour 40 minute ride, the Chinese airline served a full meal.  We knew she'd be set then!  The way to this girl's heart is through her stomach!

This morning, we had a standard medical appointment. (This is for the US side of the adoption.  The Chinese side of the adoption was finalized in Chongqing.)  They looked her over, took her height and weight, and drew blood for a TB test.  The results will be in Monday afternoon.  For as easy going as she's been, we were surprised by her reaction to the nurses and doctors.  Straight up fear.  It must stem from her time at a hospital when her lip was repaired.  One picture was all we needed.  Poor baby.  

I told Brent I wanted to be the savior waiting with a treat after it was all done.  That way I'd have a fighting chance against her preference-turned-obsession with Daddy.  With a chocolate stick in her grasp, a smile soon returned and Mommy was the victor.  She was fine as soon as we walked away from the white coats.  Thank goodness.

Kept whispering in her ear on the ride back "hao bao bei," which means "what a good girl."  Michael had taught us a few helpful, reassuring phrases to say to her.        

Back napping now.  In case anyone wondered, we are 12 hours ahead.  So, the same time in number form, but the opposite time of day.  It's 2 pm here.  2 am on the East Coast... and Penn is sleeping inside the fort he built with Uncle Nate.    

    

  

          

Dairy Queen

E's passport is ready.  Michael is picking it up now from the police station and soon we'll be off to our final city, Guangzhou.  This will be Everlee's first flight but certainly not her last with this family. 

I forgot, our 14 hour flight home too in a week.  *Sigh*

Last night we took her to get her very first... drumroll please... Dairy Queen!  Like mama like daughter.

Walking back, we watched and then joined the nightly ritual of ladies dancing on the square.  There is not much green space here, so crowds gather on the plazas to participate in dance or exercise.  They take it very seriously and we followed along respectfully.  It was a cool cultural experience.  Beck and I caught on quickly and stayed out there for two songs.  Even though this is their social time, the dancers don't crack a smile.  Though some onlookers did at Beck.

Everlee and Baba sat on the sidelines.  She enjoys being out and about.  She is such a smart girl.  Her intelligence is certainly not lagging behind.  Cognitively, she is on par for her age.  She continues to add signs that we teach her and imitates any behavior she sees.  She walks well with but with that toddler godzilla waddle.  She climbs stairs slowly but with assistance.  Her gross motor is better than we initially thought, maybe more like 20-24 months.  

Listen to us, we think we're doctors...    

Beck really desires her to want him as much as she want us. She likes to play with him but doesn't let him hold her hand. He has made it his life's mission to change this.  So far, he's up to 2 seconds.  

I've been asking him to write another blog, telling him he is in high demand.  

Come on, Beckster.  Give the readers what they want!  

Maybe tomorrow, he says.  

Domani.  

Yep, we are definitely more like Italians!

Home Boss and a Cough

Didn't do much today because she was up coughing most of the night.  Had several things scheduled but asked Michael to take us only to the zoo so we could be back in time for her nap.  She hasn't had a nap since we got her, and that, combined with the drier air from air conditioning, are probably the cause for her congestion.  The previous days had required, official meetings during her nap, but today was only sightseeing.  Took a few snapshots with the pandas, slurped up an ice cream, and called it a day.  It is 40 degrees celsius (around 100 F) so I am thrilled to be back, cooling off.

Brent, Michael and Beck are out to lunch and running to the pharmacy.  We brought an arsenal of medicines from home but Michael suggested a particular herbal remedy.  I hope they run to the grocery store again too because E finished off that stash of bananas.  The store is literally the next building over, inside a four story mall.  We ventured there on our own two nights ago to grab snacks.  It's a whole other world.  Dried goods like rice, beans and noodles are in open bins and you bag them yourself like we do produce. On each end cap was a worker speaking though a microphone, attempting to sell her product.  It was very loud and very chaotic.  Just across the street is another mall, even bigger.  Eight stories tall.  Subway is on the fourth floor and we've eaten there a couple of times.  Oh, America.  We penetrate every culture on the globe.  But thank you, for giving us familiar six inch subs!  

Speaking of cultures, here are my observations:  (I wrote this on the plane from Beijing but hadn't found the right time to insert my musings until now.)

_____________________________

In many ways, China is the complete opposite of Italy.  People stay busy, are soft spoken, and don't care if they match.  Women here are completely obsessed with panty hose, even an weird ankle sock kind worn with sandals and flats.  They follow the rules, drive the speed limit, and wait until the plane is at the gate to unbuckle.  The sole exception is line formation.  You've got to elbow your way into places, even public toilets.  There is no waiting in line.   

Italy had daily ripsoso (naps,)  animated voices with lots of gesturing, high fashion and expensive eyewear.  It was an "anything goes" culture in terms of rules and work.  There were no speed limits enforced, families ate late, and tasks were put off until tomorrow… domani, domani.  Italians stood up as soon as a plane's nose touched down, grabbed their luggage in the overhead compartments, and stayed in the aisles while it taxied to the gate.  The only rule they follow is to live life.

Perfect example of cultural differences:  Swimming.  The Chinese require a swim cap and appear to only swim laps.  When Brent cannonballed in with Beck, we got a lot of chuckles and stares.  They don't let themselves have any fun.  

The Italians would have had one too many bottles of wine and swam naked.    

Americans fall somewhere in between the systematic, obedient Chinese and the passionate, pleasure-driven Italians.  I'd like to think we Waldmans fall somewhere closer to the latter.  

_____________________________

Without any creative writing segue because I am too tired to think...

I've said how she favors Brent (who wouldn't) but I forgot to mention how possessive she was yesterday at the orphanage.  Any kid that came near Baba was shoved.  She put them in their place... Step back, that's MY Daddy!  She seriously lights up the moment she sees him.

Hey, they just walked through the door.  Guess what they brought me?!  A sub.

The medicine they bought came in a long, rectangular, flat box similar to a milk duds carton.  Inside are six glass vials. You puncture the seal with a thin, needle-like straw and suck it up.  E will have to drink her magic potion.  Hope it does the trick!

My love to you all.  Oh, oh.  I have a new title.  I am a Home Boss.  They don't call stay-at-home moms homemakers here.  They call them home bosses.  I'm running with it!