Great Day and Pictures!

We had a great day today!-we visited the international adoption pediatrician and were accompanied by a Mandarin interpreter. JianHui's comments were enjoyed by all. He is a very funny and thoughtful boy! There are not any cognitive/brain concerns as he "wow"ed the interpreter and the doctor with his reading/comprehension/vocabulary/etc. We are now scheduled to see the orthopedic doctor in early January. JianHui told the doctor that nothing could be done to make his foot normal. He looked like he was about to cry but held it together. She told him that his foot will never be perfect but that the doctors here will be able to help him. (I had my first foot surgery at age 17 for bunions and my second a few years later. This proved to be a great connection for JianHui and me. He wanted to see my scars- to prove it. So we spent some time tonight comparing and counting scars-we each have four on one foot-his left, my right and I have two more on my left. I think he was impressed I had more than he did. Little did I know years ago that my scars would connect me with my future son!)
At one point, the doctor asked JianHui how things were at home. He explained that we can't understand him. Then she asked if he liked his new dad. JianHui said "Yes!". She asked how is your new mom? He responded "my new mom oh she is excellent". It was really funny and sweet(you had to hear it in his words/voice inflexion)! Wow, I think I will post that one on the fridge just in case anyone forgets or needs to be reminded...like me.

Fabulous Five


Brothers Forever

JianHui & Ginger

Joshua's comment after JianHui's arrival "he is even better then I thought!"

Home two weeks

THEN....

NOW!!!!
I wish I could speak Mandarin! JianHui has so much to say and he talks to me continually as if I understand his every word. Ohhhh how I wish I could!

We skyped our guide, Sarah, yesterday for the first time and he was so very happy to speak with her. He told her I talk too fast and that he can't understand me. I told her to tell him I would talk slower to him! Then he told her it makes no difference; he can't understand me when I talk slower either. He wanted to know when he can go back to China. I don't think anyone has explained adoption to him completely. I don't think he understands that we are in this together for the long haul and that we have chosen him as our son forever. He often says that he is "Dang JianHui". He told her that there are only foreigners here. He told her he would like more fried vegetables to eat so that he can be big and strong. He wanted to know when he can go to school. She explained that I am his teacher and that we do school here at home. I'm not sure what he thinks of homeschool. It was good to hear his questions and comments amidst the tough stuff, it gives me more insight into how he thinks and what makes him tick (he is quite funny too).

However, we had a hard time at bedtime after the phone call. We had a hard day today too. JianHui was sullen and sad. He repeatedly asked to call Sarah again but now I am not sure if it is a good idea. He was adamant in China that he would always remember his Chinese and he wants to talk to Sarah so he won't forget. Maybe it is too soon though? I'm not sure?
It is hard to keep him busy for any length of time. He constantly asks to play on the computer or watch a DVD. He gets upset when I say no even if he has already been allowed to play and or watch earlier in the day. He will opt to to go to his room upset and he seems to want to be alone to pray to Buddha. Then he will refuse to be involved with anything the rest of us are doing. Maybe I need to make a daily chart and mark off after he has been allowed computer/DVD time for the day. I know his DVD time is special as it is his only "Chinese" time but he can't have screen time all day long either.

I don't mean to make our week sound only difficult. There have been good times too. There are the great bear hugs, the thank you Mama's, and the squeals of glee when I do say yes to the computer or DVD :) . There are the constant thank yous for food, clothing, and help with any little thing imaginable. There are the good night I love you's and the cute good-bye's when I say good-night. I have heard him calling various sibling to come see something he has done. He is an amazing, adorable 8 year old boy and I love him with my whole heart!! Every time I look at him I am so thankful for OUR SON! I just wish I knew Mandarin.....

Finally Five!

This was taken the morning after we arrived home. JianHui had slept in till noon and still looks a bit sleepy!

Home one week

I can't believe we have only been home for one week! Today was the Children's Christmas Program at our church. JianHui sat with Greg and I while our other 4 children sang with their classes. He enjoyed the music, clapping, and searching for his siblings! He was excited to wear a tie with his dress shirt this morning that matched his brothers. In fact, he ran to show me when he put it on, too cute!

This afternoon we introduced him to play-doh and stamping. We discovered our Jian has an interest in art. He enjoys markers, stamps, stencils, colored pencils, and crayons! Tonight, I read stories to Hannah, Sarah, and JianHui. He kept bringing more?! Wow, I was surprised. I wonder how much he understood. After the girls were in bed I told him I would read one more. He made me do a "pinky promise", something he had done with our guide, Sarah, in China. He brought me "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss. It was perfect. He wanted to repeat each word I said. He even knew a few of the words already like box and fox. He picked up a few more with the repetition. I think he is amazing and we will start phonics with him tomorrow.

Last night, JianHui found the photo albums, with pictures of our family, I had sent to China for Hannah and Sarah. I had taped their Chinese names to the front of the albums before sending them to their orphanages. Since he can read Chinese he said "Jiang Jing" and I said yes Jiang Jing is Hannah. Then he read "Wu Yi Mei" and I said yes Wu Yi Mei is Sarah. He thought about that for a moment and kept looking through the photos. Then he asked again and I explained again. Then I thought maybe I could try to explain the name we have picked for him-Samuel. I said Jiang Jing= Hannah, Wu Yi Mei= Sarah, and Dang JianHui=Samuel. He smiled but I'm not sure what he really thinks....

What a great week!

Thoughts from today...

we were busy but it was good! Jian appears to be happy. I keep wondering what he is thinking but when we make eye contact he almost always smiles at me :) . When I kissed his cheek goodnight tonight, he kissed me back! I think it will take some time to teach him how to play/keep himself busy. He tends toward only wanting to watch movies but I am working on involving him in legos(zero interest), puzzles(no interest for several hours but finally put one together with Sarah and grabbed my hand to come see), and board games (we tried shutes and ladders but it is too hard to wait for your turn when you have 4 other siblings, maybe we will try with only one or two siblings next time).

We are all working on saying his Chinese name JianHui correctly but usually we don't. Andrew and I have accomplished receiving a Yes from Jian but Hannah and Daddy get consistent No's. Sarah has not even tried. The closest I can come is to say the letter "G" and then add "yen" but you have to say it fast and get the accent in the correct spot or he will laugh and say "no". Then you add the Hui part which sounds like whay when you say it fast but more like whee when you break down the two parts(if that makes sense?). I have to stop and think every time before I say his name. I wonder should we encourage him to pick an English name or do we try to tell people his Chinese name and hope we say it correctly??

At one point today when feeling a little frustrated or maybe just needing some space, Jian went to his room and sat against the door. I followed him a few minutes later and tried to enter but did not. Then I knocked and said "it's mama may I come in?". He did not answer but moved away from the door. He was lying on the floor pretending he was asleep. I grabbed a blanket and covered him up. Then he opened his eyes. I asked him if he was okay and rubbed his back. He closed his eyes again. I brought him his pillow but he did not want it. I then started straightening up the boys' room a bit and picked up a pair of shoes. Jian wanted to try them on as he saw me measuring them to his shoes. He tried one on his right foot and then took his sock off his left "clubfoot". He had a whole conversation with me about his foot and I have no idea what he said :( . I really don't know what to do for shoes for him until we see the doctor. His left foot is much smaller then the right and is twisted. His foster parents had sewn a shoelace to the inside of his left shoe so he could tie it around his ankle to keep it on. Anyway, after our foot conversation I told him I needed to go downstairs and start dinner. He said "Okay" and off we went together. This morning he helped me load the dishwasher, he seems eager to help. This afternoon we went outside and he attempted to ride a bike for the first time in his life. Of course I had to help alot but I know soon he will not be needing my help. He kept smiling but I'm not sure if he was having fun or feeling a bit embarrased by all of my help. He has to help his left leg over the bike, he can't seem to lift it without help from his hands. He does not let anything stop him though.

We just LOVE our new son. He has done amazingly well. I look at him walking around our house and am amazed it is really him, flesh and blood finally!

We are home!

Our trip home went smoothly. Jian did wonderfully once we were on the plane. Our shuttle bus ride from our hotel to the airport and checking in process was a different story as Jian was screaming and crying as Greg carried him to where we needed to be. I think he was just overtired and not understand why we were hurrying him along. When he does not want to do something he just sits on the floor and won't move, so we had to carry him. He has enjoyed meeting and playing with his siblings! He has tried and eaten many new foods. He is doing great! Looking back over the pictures I posted so many were very dark and had no explanation-my goal is to go back and fill in the missing pieces, so keep checking back.

Close to the end of our trip

Tomorrow (Friday) we ride the train to Hong Kong, we spend the night near the airport and catch our flight home (Sat).  We can't wait to see you Joshua, Hannah and Sarah!!!!!!!!!

Zhengzhou

Visiting Swallow's Nest Foster Home in Zhengzhou

Luoyang

more pictures-luoyang

here are more pics -sorry I have not caught up with my posts, we have had a few challenging days with JianHui......