Only 41 Fingers Now

Lee is out of surgery. Doc said it went better than he thought it would. However, there is some question about his ability to manipulate / bend his thumb at the joint because the ligaments won't be "wired" in the same way that a normal thumb is wired. But, we won't be able to comment on that further until the cast comes off in 4-6 weeks. 

Here's a pic of the finger:

Lee when we first got home: 

Ava thought she needed a cast too

 

Yes- those are Taco Bell napkins. Don't judge. 

Chris is busy assembling the bunk bed while the kids turn the boxes into a house:

One Month... Under Water!!! Kidding!!!

As most of you know, Lee is having surgery on his right thumb today. It's sad that it took Lee going under antisesia for me to have the time to update this blog- but I have lots of good news to report!!

Lee's transition continues to go smoothly. He seems to love his new family. Every morning he wakes up (after a long night of nightmares) with what we think is a look of relief on his face that he is still with us. He insists on a good morning snuggle before breakfast to celebrate! Ava also likes to wake up with mom, so we finally blew up an air mattress in Lee's room for Ava to sleep on. The experiment led to an easier bedtime, a more comfortable sleep, and both were sleeping at least an hour later in the morning. Chris and I assume they must take comfort in each other.... So we invested in a really cool bunk bed (Ava will bed in the twin top bunk and Lee in the full bottom bunk). The bunk bed has stairs and great safety rails. And now Ava is the envy of her friends.... So score!! 

Lee is trying to speak English- but he only speaking in single syllables. So, for example, hungry is "re". But, he seems to understand us- even the less common things like "move back from the tv". We try to challenge him to say the individual sounds correctly- which for the most part he can do.  I'm sure with time and help, the correct pronunciation will come. 

Our lazy days of summer are fairly typical- lots of water play and sports. Lee has quite an arm on him!! 

Ava still likes her brother, although she's a little tired of sharing. But I've noticed that around other kids, she is extremely protective of him!  

Lee has regressed a bit- something that the books said will happen. He loves to be held most of the time (especially when he's hungry, making dinner prep a challenge). Potty training has gone completely out the window for now (we'll try again later this summer). He's getting molars, so he chews on anything in sight. And he is still super clumsy. I'm considering a fanny pack full of first aid supplies!  

Bonding with dad has drastically improved. Dad has been allowed to help with dressing, diaper changes, and holding!! Finally!!! 

For the most part, it is me who has struggled the most with the transition. I have a hard time with the noise and mess, but it's getting better every day. I will be significantly improved when I can sleep in my own bed and possibly have a moment to myself here and there. But- I knew this would be hard and am trying not to complain. (The Darius Ruckers' song It Won't Be Likre This For Long keeps playing in my head.) 

As for the surgery, the doc is working in his right thumb today. The extra will be removed and they are trying to straighten out the remainder. Unfortunately he will be in a full arm cast for 4-6 weeks- which will be interesting considering Lee finds band aids to be awful. But, we are rewarding the kids' patience with a fun beach trip at the end of July!! 

I'll try to post a few post surgical pics later today. 

Sleepless in.... Whatever Town We are in Now

We are home!!! Although with all the travel we've had over the last two weeks, we are still somewhat disoriented and often have to pinch ourselves with disbelief. A special thank you to Evan and Courtney Courtney and our neighbor Halle for the beautiful welcome decorations on our door and mailbox!! And a huge thank you to the Byers family for the welcome home pizza!!!

The last two days can only be described with two  words: jet lag. On the first night both kids woke up at 3 am- so we did the only thing any respectable family would do... Eat junk food and watch tv! 

The second night was even worse with Li up at 1 and back to sleep at 3... With Ava up at 3 for the day. On top of jet lag, my orphanage respiratory funk has developed into a full blown sinus infection with horrible headaches- so lack of sleep has been especially hard. But, Chris rallied and let me sleep a few hours this morning. I'm crossing my fingers tonight is better. 

Li loves the bonanza that is the Dinkel residence. He has been so happy playing with his new toys. There hasn't been too much "hey that's mine!!" between siblings yet... But that may be due to exhaustion. 

Chris and I have been holding our breath everytime Li goes up and down the stairs because the stairs' height is up to Li's knees- so he isn't terribly stable on them. But, he is 3... And going to do it....  

Because we didn't want the Home Depot to suffer any longer than it already has in our absence, we took our first ride in the Dodge and bought some plants for the house. Li wasn't at all scared of the engine growl, and even tolerated the seat belt! 

Cross your fingers that everyone sleeps well tonight (you too Henry!!) and that Ava can go back to school Monday- she is really missing her friends!! Hard to believe that this is her last week of preschool!! 

Also- a quick note to our neighbors that we are very aware of the jungle of weeds growing in our mulch bed. We are on it!!! Man!!! Wish our grass grew as easily as the weeds!! Hope Li likes to play in dirt! 

Checking in from Hong Kong!!

Just a quick note to let the family know we are safe and sound in our Hong King hotel room. Tons of Americans staying here- so we feel very safe. 

US Soil... At Least for an Hour!!!

Today we had an appointment with the US Consolate to process Li's citizenship and apply for his visa to enter the US. To Michelle and Eve- you guys did not prepare me for the sheer terror of entering the building! There was a mob of people (Chinese) trying to push their way in. Luckily our guide was able to get the attention of the guards and we got to go directly in the gates (membership has its rewards:)). 

Once inside, the appointment was fairly anticlimactic. They took Chris' fingerprints and we had a simple swearing in ceremony. 

Li wore his first tie for about 5 seconds! 

Now we just wait for the visa to be printed, which takes about 24 hours. 

So here's where the fun begins: on Wednesday morning Chris begins to fly home from Guangzhou (luckily) with layovers in Beijing and Dulles. 

Once we have the visa in hand, Kelly, the kids, and I have a car service that is driving us to Hong Kong (approximately 2 hours we are told). We spend the night at the Marriott by the airport where we will run the children down!! Then we are scheduled to leave Hong Kong around noon and have just 1 layover in Chicago (which Kelly and I now affectionately have dubbed salad land!!) 

In Chicago we say goodbye to Kelly. (Listen for the sigh of relief from Kelly- she's not used to non stop kid noise). Then the kids and I fly home to Nashville. Luckily, if all goes as scheduled Chris will be home and able to pick us up at the airport. And we are already dreading Li's first ride in the baby mobile torture device (aka, the 5 point harness). 

Because China censures internet usage, we have only been able to post to the blog via our 3G connection on Chris' cell phone. Once he leaves, I probably won't be able to post unless Hong Kong has different rules. So, don't worry if you haven't heard from us in awhile. I'll definitely check in from Chicago. 

Now.. What to do with 2 bored kids in a hotel on a rainy day while waiting for a visa to arrive...........

Good News Henry!! He Likes Cats!!

Correction: Run for your life Henry!!! He's obcessed with cats!! We visited the Shamian Island- which is by far the coolest part of town. The man made island was originally built to keep all the foreign businessmen out of China, and somewhere along the way was under British and French rule. So the architecture is beautiful, kind of New Orleans meets Charlestown. 

There wasn't much to do on the island but shop- so Chris resumed his need to bargain with the shop owners. And that is where Li found the kitty. It was love at first sight, and Chris and I were thoroughly relieved that he wasn't allergic ( one of the things that would have been disasterous since we have a 14 year old cat named Henry that we are not interested in giving away). 

Although the kitty tried to get away, Li followed him around for at least 30 minutes, and there were serious tears when we left. 

While shopping we also got the kids some traditional Chinese clothing. 

Oh- and we learned how to say Caramel Frappacchino in Chinese: Caramel Frappacino!! Ha!! 

This was the end of the Chinese Labor Day holiday, so back to business tomorrow (thank god!!). 

City of Brotherly Love!

Top 2 list of best parts of Guangzhou (I tried to make the list longer, but...)

2. Our hotel has free sushi and wine every night!!! When does that happen?!???

1. Wine vending machine in the lobby of the medical clinic!!! 

Li survived the medical exam. He was very cooperative with the doctors and nurses right up till they carried him away to the baby torture chamber for a blood draw. We could hear him screaming down the hall "Mama... Mama!!!"  Luckily Dad was waiting at the door with a lollipop. And further evidence of dad bonding- Li wanted dad to fix the booboo. 

Overall the clinic was much nicer than we expected. They let us hang out in the adoptive families corridor, which helped. 

After the clinic we visited the Pearl Market, where Chris entertained the group by negotiating every purchase. I wouldn't stand next to him... The lady had strings the pearls right in front of you. Pretty cool to watch! 

We got some great deals- and let's just say Nana made out!!! 

After that we had another afternoon at the pool- and this time Li kept his pants on!!! Li dedicated most of his time to chasing and hugging Ava. Really cute! 

The kids were exhausted by the end of the day.