Kevin's Stories

I had emailed some friends some stories that I have experienced with Kaylee and my  wife loved them.  She asked that I post them on the blog since she laughed so hard.  I guess it depends what end of the story you are on.  Looking back I guess they are funny; however, at the time they were quite stressful.  To set the stage you need to know that my experience with kids is.......well, there is no experience.  I have never changes a diaper, burped a child, or even fed a child.  Getting Kaylee has been awesome but with a huge learning curve.  Some of the learning curve has not been pleasant and one may even say shocking to say the least.

Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2010

Just thought I would let you know that we have had Kaylee for 2.5 days and she just FILLED her pants.  I was playing with her and her face turned red and the grunts began.  I looked at Kelly and said WTF and Kelly informed me what was going on.  Kaylee's face was red and she  had beads of sweat on her forehead and.....the odor began to permeate the room.  I opened doors and windows because the room was quickly becoming uninhabitable.  Kelly said "I changed the first one so it is now your turn", I looked at her with loving eyes and said, "I'm still not ready especially for this pant filler".  So.....I wimped out but you should have smelled what the Kaylee was cooking.  OMG, I can't believe something that small can shit so much and it stink so much!  Hopefully the "plug is out" and we will have better poops(no such thing I know) but at least a notch down would be better.  Kelly told me it was a 3 wipe blow out.  I hope I never get to know what that means.

Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010

My luck ran out today in regards to dirty diapers.  We had just gotten up from a nap when the coordinator called and asked that we review the docs for Kaylee's VISA and passport.  Kelly said there was no need for me to go so she left me with Kaylee.  Kaylee was sitting on top of my stomach laughing and playing with her stacking cups when all of a sudden she started crying.  Just so you know, Kelly had not been out the door more than two minutes.  I picked her up to walk her around the room and the grunts began. I'm thinking "dear GOD in heaven, please don't let this happen to me.  God had different plans and the odor began.  I kept thinking OMG, OMG, OMG!  I sprung into action to get the wipes and diaper.  My mind went to shit as the baby cried because I was so distracted.  I finally found the diapers, which were in the first place I looked but with the baby crying and the fumes watering my eyes....well, I was just distracted.  I got the diaper off and just went Holy shit(no pun intended) and repeated that in my head as I looked at the "pearl" left in her diaper.  Luckily it was just a pearl and not a wave of poo.  She then smiled the whole time as I wiped her dirty but and other stuff which was horrible.  I then proceeded to put the diaper on and it proceeded to come undone as I was putting her clothes back on.  I  it on the correct area...I guess and then put her pants on to find I forgot to button the shirt thing.  Then Kaylee started to cry which put my mind back at shit.  She wiggled all over the place as I tried to button the shirt.  I then got the pants on and of course her legs got caught.  I pulled them off and two legs went into one hole.  I'm thinking OMG these must be magical pants.  Finally I got the pants on.  Kelly walked in shortly and said what's that smell?  I said "Armageddon" and then told her Kaylee had cooked a surprise and the timing was perfect.  Kelly laughed...still not sure what was funny but at least one dirty diaper is under me

Our 1st full day with Kaylee

Today was a paperwork day.  Nanchang is the capital of Jiangxi Province so several governmental offices are located here.  I am not exactly sure what all the paperwork was about.  I just followed our guide as she shuffled us in and out of offices.  I believe most of the paperwork was centered around applying for Kaylee's passport.  But, I believe after today we are paperwork free for the rest of our stay in Nanchang until we fly to Guangzhou on Friday and start the paper trail again.  Probably the highlight of today (other than getting to spend it with Kaylee) was our trip to Wal-mart to stock up on supplies.  It was actually very similar to Wal-marts in the U.S.  You know very crowded with people trying to run you over with their carts.  Since it was 2 levels, probably the neatest feature was the escalator that you got on with your cart and somehow your cart would become magnetized or locked into place.  They had most of the brands we are use to such as Pampers, Huggies, Heinz, Keebler.  Probably one of the weirdest things is their variety in potato chips.  They have Lays and Pringles, but the flavors are different than what we are accustom to seeing-- hot and sour fish soup, BBQ steak, and all kinds of other wonderful sounding flavors.  Luckily, they do also have original which is of course what I got, but Kevin sure was eyeing some of the odd flavors.  Kaylee is doing well.  I think she is overwhelmed with all of the activity.  When we are out, she is constantly turning her head from side to side watching all the happenings.  She seems to be most comforted just being in the hotel room with us.  That is when she smiles, laughs, and makes all kinds of crazy noises.  She loves her daddy and cries when he leaves the room.  Kevin was so worried that she would be scared of him, but that has not been the case at all.  It has been heartwarming to see his interaction with Kaylee.  Of course, he still has not changed a diaper, but we are working on that.  We are still waiting on our first bad diaper.  They give the babies some sort of rice paste for the 3 hour trip from the orphanage to Nanchang so that they will not have a dirty diaper when they are handed to their new parents.  So waiting on your first poopy diaper is always a big deal in China adoption circles-- it is talked about all over the blogs. In fact, prunes were on the packing list given to us by our adoption agency. We have given her one container of prunes, but no action.  I guess we will give her the second container today.  At last count, 2 of the babies in our group had been set free!!!! but the other 3 babies have not.  I cannot believe I am writing about this, but this is what has been consuming the conversation of our little group.  Hopefully, I will have good news to report tomorrow on this lovely subject.

GOTCHA DAY!!!

Long awaited arrival!!!  At 4:00 on Monday April 5, 2010 in conference room 6 of the Galatic Peace Hotel in Nanchang, China, our lives changed forever.  Yi Xiao Cui was placed in our arms and for the first time in my life I realized that love at first sight is not just a cliche, but something that can actually happen.  I guess I should start off by explaining the term Gotcha Day.  That is the term used in International Adoption to describe the day that you receive your baby.  Most families will then celebrate that day each year.  So every April 5, we will celebrate Gotcha Day or the day we became a Forever Family.  My words are not going to do justice to the emotions that we are experiencing, but I am going to try to explain the happenings of the day.  The 5 families from our travel group whose babies were from the YiYang orphanage gathered in a hotel conference room that looked very similar to any conference room you would find in the United States.  Exactly at 4:00 several of the orphanage caretakers walked in carrying the babies.  One by one using alphabetical order each family was called up to receive their new daughter.  Kaylee did not cry.  I guess she figured that since I was shaking and Kevin was crying that someone had to be strong.  Instead she just looked very serious and scared.  In fact, she did not cry until a few hours later when we changed her diaper.  At this point, she seems to be a very good natured baby, but we are fully aware that we may still be in the honeymoon stage of the process.  Most babies adopted from orphanages go through some type of grieving process.  Kayless has not cried that much.  In fact, she laughs alot, but there are times when you look at her and she looks so serious and scared.  It makes you wonder what she is feeling in that little heart of hers.  She slept really well the first night and has now just got up from a 2 hour nap.  But each time she awakes, she stares so intensely at Kevin and me.  We just hope that every time she awakes and realizes that we are still here that it will reinforce in her mind that we are her Forever Family and will love her unconditionally.  Now if you have not already done so-- scroll up and check out how cute she is!!!!

Nanchang, China-- Culture Shock???

Today we left Beijing and traveled via plane to Nanchang, China which is the capital of the Jiangxi province where Kaylee was born. Nanchang is a very large city with lots of high rise apartment buildings.  Beijing was similar to many American large cities, but Nanchang not so much.  I think everyone in our group agrees that we are now officially experiencing a little culture shock.  It is a vey noisy city with the constant sound of people laying on their horns.  In fact as I type this post, that is the only thing I hear and it is never ending.  Watching the traffic outside our hotel window is like watching a virtual game of Frogger.  There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the traffic pattern.  You have large buses sharing the same lanes with small cars and people on bicycles and motor scooters.  And the people on bicycles are not scared to cut right in front of the large vehicles.  Not to mention, you have what seems like hundreds of people milling around on the street and they seem to cross the street whenever and at whatever point they want.  It does not seem to matter if a large bus is headed toward them or not-- they just nonchantly walk out in front of it. 

I was a little fearful of our inner China plane rides, but turns out the plane we flew on was nicer than most planes I have been on in the U.S. and the flight attendants were defintly nicer than the ones you encounter on U.S flights.  It was only a 2 hour plane ride and they served a full meal.  A quick side note-- one of our travel mates had a forgotten pocket knife in an obscure pocket of their carry on luggage which was not caught at all by U.S security, but the Chinese screeners caught it right away.

We were warned that Chinese people like their beds very hard, and boy do they!!!  Imagine sleeping on plywood.  Our guide arranged for some extra padding to be put on our beds, but it literally feels like a piece of plywood.  I guess the hotel we stayed out in Beijing caters more to westerners so their beds were softer, but evidently we are now going to experience true Chinese beds. 

Today is the day that we will finally get to hold Kaylee.  In fact, our hotel room came equipped with a crib and stroller.  If that doesn't make this experience seem real-- nothing will.  We were hoping that the babies would arrive this morning so that it would correspond to Our Easter Sunday, but it does not look like the babies will arrive until later on this afternoon.  We have been told to just relax (yeah, right!!) and rest because this may be our last opportunity to ever do that again.  The babies our scheduled to arrive at 4:00 pm China time so that will be 4:00 pm Monday morning for everyone on Eastern time in the U.S and 5:00 pm for everyone on Central time.  Our guide has told us that most babies have one of 3 reactions.  1.) they cry because we look funny 2.) they laugh because we look funny 3.) they are very serious because again we look funny and they are trying to figure us out.

I cannot believe that our 4 year journey to Kaylee is getting ready to end and we will then start our next journey as a Forever Family!!!! Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers today.  Hopefully, my next post will include pictures of the one we have all been waiting so long to meet.

We made it to the top!!!

Everyone will be happy to know that Kevin and I made it all the way to the top of the Great Wall today.  It was actually alot more difficult than I anticipated.  In fact, only us and one other couple from our group made it all the way.  I think I am in decent shape, but I have to admit there were times when I thought about turning around.  I did not realize how steep some of the portions would be-- there were times when you felt like you were climbing the steps instead of walking.  Not to mention, the steps are not the same height.  One step might be equivalent to a step on a normal staircase and then the very next step would be equivalent to 3 steps combined.  And for everyone wondering, Kevin did make it to the top as well!!!-- I think he was mostly fueled on by not wanting to be out done by me....


We also went to a Jade market today which was really cool.  Beijing is supposedly the best place in the world to buy Jade so we got the whole scoop on everything you need to know about Jade.  It is Chinese tradition, for the mom to pass down a piece of jade to her daughter so we purchased a Jade bangle bracelet.   After the Jade market, we went to the Emperor's Summer Palace and learned more about Chinese history.  The Great Wall has definitely been the highlight of our stay in Beijing. I realize the Chinese history stuff is important, but this is a very, very old country and all the info. about the many, many different dynasties and rulers are starting to run together.  All I am hearing now is blah, blah, blah...  They are going to have to get me a Chinese History for Dummies book if they expect me to retain any of this information.  I think everyone in our group has the same mentality--enough with the history lesson-- just give us our babies!!!


You guys are probably wondering how we are adjusting to the time and with the food situation.  Kevin is actually adapting better than me as it is 2:00 in the morning as I type this post.  Kevin seems to be sleeping soundly.  I can sleep good for about 4 hours, but then I get restless and cannot go back to sleep.  Probably the main reason for the stay in Beijing prior to receiving the babies (other than learning about Chinese history and culture)  is to try to get everyone adjusted to the time.  They have kept us on the move from early morning each day until about 7:00 each night so they pretty much make you get on their time schedule.  The food situation has been interesting.  Kevin is all about trying exotic things and has been on his own little culinary journey which I am sure he will continue with as we trek around China.  The breakfast buffet at the hotel is actually really good.  They have an Asian side and a western side.  Kevin got to have squid for breakfast which he said was very good as was my cereal and toast I found on the Western side of the buffet.  Kevin has been disappointed in my unwillingness to try different foods, but I don't have a stomach of iron like he evidently does.  It is funny though, I have not eaten at McDonalds in probably 5 years, but I have already eaten there twice since we have been in China and yes, the french fries in China taste the same as the ones in the United States. 


I am hearing that there are some really nice comments about the blog and I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for their love, support, and prayers.  Unfortunately, I cannot see the blog or the comments.  China has all social networking sites (blogs and facebook) blocked so we pre-arranged with the lady that designed the blog to e-mail our daily posts and somehow they show up on the blog.  The lady that did the blog is an adoptive mom and specializes in doing blogs for people adopting from China so she knows how to get around the blogs being blocked.  But, I cannot wait to read the comments when I get home.  Also, I do have access to my personal e-mail so you can leave us a message there if you would like!!


Above are the pictures from the Great Wall.  Noticed the one that looks like it is taking from the back of a group of Chinese people.  Kevin and I are actually in the middle of that group.  We had walked back down a little ways so that someone in our group could take our picture with the Great Wall in the background and when we did a Chinese guy asked if he could take our picture.  When we said yes, all of these Chinese people started running toward us for a group photo.  It was pretty funny-- of course they were all smiling / laughing and talking a mile a minute.  Makes you wonder what the caption on their picture is going to be--probably something like-- You can find annoying Americans everywhere even on the Great Wall of China!!!

We have had a long day plagued with jet lag; however, since I did not sleep on the plane, I was able to sleep last night.  Kelly asked that I write the blog today so she could go to be.  She woke up at 2am and is just going to bed at 9pm.  The day started with a wonderful breakfast but it depends who you ask.  Most of you know, the stranger the food, the more likely I will eat it.  I believe the best way to experience a culture is through its food.  This morning I had fried eggs, sauteed cabbage, rice, steamed veggies, and squid.  The squid was awesome but the chilis were a bit strong.  Kelly stuck with the simple eggs and such.  We headed out on a tour of the Huton village (spelling).  We had difficulty understanding the guide but it sounds like the folks have a social security network built in.  The inside of their house is taken care of the home owner while the government takes care of the outside.  Other home dwellers share the same yard.  The village was run down but the people seemed to like living there.  We were able to go into one of the homes and speak to the home owner and ask questions.  My interpretation from the guide seemed to be that the older generation enjoyed the Huton living while the younger generation are moving into the high rise apartment buildings which are very nice.  Beijing is similiar to a Manhattan and the rest can be any large city in America.  The Huton village is what I though Beijing would be like.  Beijing is clean, trendy, and uses lots of technical features outside of the large buildings.  The electric billboards are as clear as most of our televisions.  People do not drive any clunkers, in fact they seem to be brand new!

The next stop was to Tiananmen Square and I looked across the vast "square", a strange sense of sadness came over me.  We may not agree what a countries political belief is but when it envolves a person giving up their life for what they believe in.....I think you know where I am going.  I could not get out of my head that many lives were lost on the exact ground where I was standing.  There was not a large military presence but it was felt.  Guards stood on post at every monument, door way, and other strategic points.

We then headed over to start our journey through the temples and ultimately to the forbidden city where various Emperors held a throne.  We spent two hours walking through the forbidden city and garden.  The architecture of each building was amazing.  They able to build the temples so that they could make it through and earth quake with minimal damage.  Thats not to say they would not survive major damage but they would not be completely destroyed.  The ground that I am talking about are massive covering 7,800,000 square feet with 980 surviving buildings with 8,707 bays of rooms. 

Upon leaving the Emperors "shack" we headed to the Olympic Village where we were able to get out and walk to the famous Birds Nest and Water Cube.  I remember seeing the opening ceremony and how amazing the Birds Nest was.  Seeing it in person brings it into a different light.  The construction of both of these establishments leaves you in Awe!

The next stop was the Chinese Theatre to see the Chines Acrobats.  These acrobats were amazing and flexible; however, with such a long day I think we had too much on our plate.  All of us were a bit tired so I am not sure we were able to take in the full effect.  So we got some takeout and came back to our rooms. 

Today was tieing but a wonderful day that brings us closer to Kaylee.  What a great idea it is to learn about your childs culture when adopting internationally.  There is so much I wish I could tell her about today and how great her country is.  I look forward to the day when I can tell her stories from today.  I wish I could tell her about her dads crazy sense of humor during our travel today.  I was in a joking mood today and everything seemed funny.  For example: we were going through the forbidden city and the tour guide said, "can anyone tell me why the the Emperor would have such large spaces between building with no plants or trees?".  I said "becasue he had really bad allergies?"  Everyone thought it was funny including me! 

Hope everyone enjoyed my first blogging experience and I hope this was what Kelly will be pleased with my first assignment.

We Made it Safely!!! (April 1, 2010)

Well one thing is for sure... We are not in Kentucky anymore!!!!  We left Louisville early the morning of Wed. March 31 and somehow after flying for what seemed like forever, we arrived in Beijing on the evening of Thurs. April 1.  So we literally lost a day our of our lives, but I am being promised that I will gain the day back on the trip home.  The flight went as good as could be expected.  We had a 3 hour delay in Chicago for which we were never given a reason why, but according to Kevin when you fly through Chicago, you don't need a reason for a delay because it is just given that there is going to be one.  In Chicago, we met up with 2 other families from our traveling group so at least we had people to visit with during the wait.  We did learn one valuable lesson.  If you are going to be flying for a long time and you are asked if you would like to pay $300 extra to upgrade so you will have 5 extra inches of space--JUMP ON IT-- IT IS WORTH IT.  We declined because I didn't think that 5 inches would make a difference, but boy was I wrong.  The worse seats on an international flight are the middle seats and that is right where we were-- I had 3 people to one side of me and 2 people to the other side.  So it was very cramped!!! and we had a very turbulent landing.  I must say this was the first flight that I had ever been on that after landing the flight attendants walked up and down the aisle with one of those red bio hazard bags for people to dispose of their throw up bags... Luckily Kevin and I were not among the sick.  It seemed like it was mostly the Asians on the flight that were having difficulty with it.  But, the most important thing is that we made it and are safely in China.
 
We are staying at the Kuntai Royal Hotel in downtown Beijing.  As you can imagine, Beijing is a very busy place.  I was surprised to see that most of their signs have both Chinese and English on them.  We are scheduled to do some sightseeing tomorrow.  I think we are going to the Olympic village so I am very excited about that.  I hope this e-mail makes sense since I have not had much good sleep in the last 24 hours, but I mainly just wanted to let everyone know that we arrived safely.  The plan now is to get some sleep-- Kevin is already working on this and doing a pretty good job!!  Maybe tomorrow we will have some pictures of Beijing to post.