Parenting Cubed

We have been back at the hotel for a few hours now and everything is going smoothly.

Cheryl and Barb have left for Beijing and we'll meet them in a few days. Frank and Hanlin went for a walk to "scout" out the area and the girls and I are having a bit of some down time.

We arrived at the orpanage at about 9:00am. Hanlin and his foster family arrived late. About 45 mins later. We were waiting upstairs, but it was smoking hot and we saw some children outside singing, so we went outside to wait.

We waited about 5 more minutes and saw them arrive up an alley way. We were able to say hello, and she gave frank some bags, then the orpanage staff took them away to another little room off to the side. They kept the foster parents in there, and lead Hanlin out to us. I could see the staff with thier arms across the door holding the foster mother inside, against her will.

I gave him a kiss, and heard some commotion, and screaming, when I looked up, She had pushed through thier arms and was screaming at them, as she ran towards us, they chased, she was wailing loudly and screaming at them waving her arms.

they were trying to hold her back, I rushed to her and hugged her and let the staff know that it was ok.

The staff had to pry her arms off of us. they weren't too happy, but she didn't care neither did we. I tried to put the pictures in order.

Abigail saw her running at us, and grabbed Lily and put her into our van, Isabelle soon followed. Hanlin so far wasn't showing much emotion. Her was quite happy to come up into our arms. the foster mother gave us bags and bags, very very heavy bags.

Total "adoption"time took about 15mins. Signing a couple sets of paper. Waiting was about 45 mins and then the rest was about another 15mins.

We were all shuffled into the van, and the foster mother stormed down the alley way, the foster father following. Once we drove out of the alley way and out of sight of the staff, the driver pulled over and the foster parents came to the window of the van, and gave us some sort of medicine, (if his pee gets dark?) We let him go to the window to say goodbye, one last time. He started to get upset, so we had the driver start to leave. She at least was able to say goodbye on her terms, this was very important.

The girls were amazing. Lily didn't say a peep the whole time, never once did she quesiton it and Abigail and Isabelle were obviously crying with the rest of us. Hanlin sat on Frank's knees, quietly. He opened up and smiled at us quickly. and once we got back to the hotel he was full of energy. I gave both Hanlin and Lily the llbean backpacks that we had for each of them and they played with them for quite a while. they play well together.

Once we got back to the hotel. We searched into the bags she sent. Wondering why they were soooo heavy.

In one bag she packed a full watermelon!!!! In another bag 12 bananas, and 4 large apples and 4 large asian pears. Also he had a bag full of toys and 1 plastic shopping bag with a bit of clothes, and I mean a bit.

She also sent a pile of meds.... somthing to do with dark pee, and another to do with digestion.

He was soo well loved. He loves to be cuddled and he is as smart as a whip. Frank brought him to the washroom here in the room once, and he peed all over the place, then the next time he needed to go, he went to frank, pulled his arms to stand up and brought him to the bathroom. frank got him to "aim" it this time. and he did. LOL

We went out for lunch and to the supermarket almost right away. He can't use chopsticks.

He has been fed by the foster mother, always and doesn't even hold his own water. When he was thirsty he grabbed a bottle of water from Barb and had her pour it into his mouth, at the same time, Barb and I said...ohhhh noooo you don't ...you have 2 hands... hold it yourself.!! LOL

and he did. It's not something that he does automatically on his own. If he needs his mouth wiped, he'll push his face towards you and grunt. LOL

We need to get another DVD player. Ours is now garbage and we think it will help to have something as down time... for every one....

We played stickers with both kids, and also coloring etc.. cars.... but Lily at times needs "space" LOL from everyone. There is only so much entertaining you can do in a small hotel room.

I'll post more later as time permits.

We don't actually have much happening for the next few days. So we'll be cabbing it back towards the Hyatt for more shopping. We transfered to the Hopeway Hotel and there isn't a thinkg near by and IS NOT child friendly! AT ALL. At the Hyatt there was a park around the corner, pastry shops, nice supermarket...water front and lots of shopping at different markets.

We'll have to spend a fortune on taxi's to go anywhere from this hotel. At least we are only here 4 days.

Talk soon!!

the Dolan family of 6!!!!