Today was another big day! This morning at 9:30 AM we completed the adoption, meaning Caitlin is officially ours! First we spoke to an official who asked us if we wanted to complete the adoption (I said "of course!"), then asked us questions about what we do, why we want to adopt, why China, etc. When we passed that "interview," we moved on to the next official, who again asked some of the same questions, as well as asking us to swear to never abuse or abandon our child. We signed a bunch of papers, and put our thumbprint on top of our signatures in red ink. Then they stamped Caitlin's footprint in red ink as well. She actually liked that part and even gave the official a little smile! The province gave us a gift (a plate with a bunch of pandas on it- very pretty!), we gave out our gifts, and we were done!
Caitlin's nanny and her orphanage director were there again. I was a little nervous about how Caitlin would handle that; I didn't want to upset her all over again! But she just looked at them like "Oh, it's you." The nanny put out her hands to take Caitlin, and Caitlin did go to her, but then when her nanny told her to go back to her "Mama" she reached right for me! And she went willingly, and when the ladies said goodbye and left, she did not cry one bit! I took that as a very good sign!
Caitlin woke up very confused and clingy again, but I had to get dressed and could not do it with her attached to me, so Paul finally just took her. She screamed for awhile, but eventually calmed down and allowed him to hold her long enough for me to finish getting dressed, but then she wanted me again. We went back down to try the restaurant downstairs again (hoping we would still be welcome after Caitlin's show last night!), and she did SO much better! She even let me sit down! This is progress! She ate congee and tried some other liquid/soft foods like yogurt and such, but the only other 2 things that she liked (and didn't spit out- with force!) were sweet potato and very soft cheese that they had on the buffet. And she wouldn't even eat those until I ate them; then she decided that she wanted whatever Mommy was having!
After breakfast and the adoption finalization appointment, Helen took us to a supermarket to get some things we need. I hadn't brought any formula because I hadn't thought Caitlin would still be on it, so we picked up some of that, as well as some more diapers, and a few more bibs because boy can that kid drool! Like a fountain! It's cute, but her clothes are getting soaked so I thought a few extra bibs might come in handy! The supermarket was fun, but I'm so glad we had Helen there to help us. We would never have made it on our own! Caitlin passed out in the bus on the way home, and wound up taking an almost 2 hour nap. She is a sound sleeper! She even slept through Helen coming up to talk to us, and a maintenance team of 4 or 5 people who came in to fix various problems we were having with the room. She did not move!
When she finally woke up we went back downstairs for lunch, then Paul had to go back to the supermarket because we were told to buy the wrong size diapers so he went to get some more in the right size. While he was gone, Caitlin and I went to sit at the pool with another adoptive family. She relaxed quite a bit, and before we knew it she was smiling nonstop and even giggling! I wish I'd had my camera- it was really cute! I saw a face that was so different than the pouty one that we've seen. Even in all of the pictures we were sent of Caitlin, she always looks so sad and looks like she's been crying. I kept saying that I couldn't wait to get to her because I wanted to see how long it would take to make her smile. Well, it took less than 24 hours! And she has the most beautiful smile, and even a cute, almost mischievous grin where she crinkles up her nose at you. It's so cute!
After Paul got back from the supermarket, we all walked around the park and lake that is in front of our hotel. It is really beautiful! I decided to try out my Mei Tai to carry Caitlin, since my arms feel like jelly after having to carry her nonstop. Thank God- she LOVES it! It was a huge success. And my arms are SOOOOO thankful! In the park we noticed a lot of people staring at us and politely smiling. One lady took my picture holding Caitlin! And a couple of people tried to talk to us, but we just couldn't understand them. We're starting to feel like celebrities! I'm not sure if I like that feeling or not...
After breakfast and the adoption finalization appointment, Helen took us to a supermarket to get some things we need. I hadn't brought any formula because I hadn't thought Caitlin would still be on it, so we picked up some of that, as well as some more diapers, and a few more bibs because boy can that kid drool! Like a fountain! It's cute, but her clothes are getting soaked so I thought a few extra bibs might come in handy! The supermarket was fun, but I'm so glad we had Helen there to help us. We would never have made it on our own! Caitlin passed out in the bus on the way home, and wound up taking an almost 2 hour nap. She is a sound sleeper! She even slept through Helen coming up to talk to us, and a maintenance team of 4 or 5 people who came in to fix various problems we were having with the room. She did not move!
When she finally woke up we went back downstairs for lunch, then Paul had to go back to the supermarket because we were told to buy the wrong size diapers so he went to get some more in the right size. While he was gone, Caitlin and I went to sit at the pool with another adoptive family. She relaxed quite a bit, and before we knew it she was smiling nonstop and even giggling! I wish I'd had my camera- it was really cute! I saw a face that was so different than the pouty one that we've seen. Even in all of the pictures we were sent of Caitlin, she always looks so sad and looks like she's been crying. I kept saying that I couldn't wait to get to her because I wanted to see how long it would take to make her smile. Well, it took less than 24 hours! And she has the most beautiful smile, and even a cute, almost mischievous grin where she crinkles up her nose at you. It's so cute!
After Paul got back from the supermarket, we all walked around the park and lake that is in front of our hotel. It is really beautiful! I decided to try out my Mei Tai to carry Caitlin, since my arms feel like jelly after having to carry her nonstop. Thank God- she LOVES it! It was a huge success. And my arms are SOOOOO thankful! In the park we noticed a lot of people staring at us and politely smiling. One lady took my picture holding Caitlin! And a couple of people tried to talk to us, but we just couldn't understand them. We're starting to feel like celebrities! I'm not sure if I like that feeling or not...
You will notice that in all of the pictures Caitlin has something in her hands. It can be anything- a package of cookies, her container of Puffs, an empty container, whatever, but she HAS to have something in her hands. I think it's a comfort thing, but we think it's cute!
It was a bit of a roller coaster of a day today. While we had a lot of ups and things that went so much better than yesterday (I'm so relieved to see the smiles and giggles, and we're seeing a bit of her personality peek through little by little), there are also things that have gone downhill. Caitlin has developed a severe fear of our hotel room. I wish I could understand why, but each time we return to the room, her reaction gets worse and worse. Now she starts crying out in the hallway as we're just putting the key in the door, and pretty much cries- or screams- nonstop until we leave again. But unfortunately we cannot avoid the room. She also does NOT want her diaper changed. She has a pretty bad case of diaper rash (the worse I've ever seen, in fact), and I'm sure it hurts her, but I can't avoid changing her. I've been using "Butt Paste," but I haven't noticed an improvement yet- in fact, Caitlin throws a bigger and bigger fit each time I have to change her. I know that it's only been a day and things don't heal that fast, but her tantrums seem to be getting worse.
Tonight I had to give her a bath. I wanted to avoid it as long as possible because I knew it would not be a big hit, but it was unavoidable. I put my bathing suit on and got in with her, but even with that she screamed bloody murder. I was afraid that the neighbors were going to report us! Then she fell asleep again promptly at 8 PM (as we were Skyping with Paul's parents again- I think we will call them every night at bedtime! They're good!), but when I tried to put her in her crib she woke up and started screaming. This time it took about 5 tries before I finally got the brilliant idea to give her some Benadryl, thinking it might help with her rash, and she was scratching at her head and eye as well. And I hoped it might help her to sleep. Thankfully that worked and I was finally able to put her down in her crib without her waking. But it took over an hour!
However, even with the "bad," she is still a totally different child than what we saw yesterday and even this morning. As long as things improve each day, even if only a little, we will be OK!
Oh yea- We have been invited to visit Caitlin's orphanage! We will go either Wednesday or Thursday, depending on when our agency can get us tickets on the fast train. I'm afraid it might be hard for Caitlin, but I also strongly believe that it is important that Paul and I see where she spent the first 19 months of her life. And I'm not going to lie- I'm also pretty psyched about getting to ride the fast train!
Tonight I had to give her a bath. I wanted to avoid it as long as possible because I knew it would not be a big hit, but it was unavoidable. I put my bathing suit on and got in with her, but even with that she screamed bloody murder. I was afraid that the neighbors were going to report us! Then she fell asleep again promptly at 8 PM (as we were Skyping with Paul's parents again- I think we will call them every night at bedtime! They're good!), but when I tried to put her in her crib she woke up and started screaming. This time it took about 5 tries before I finally got the brilliant idea to give her some Benadryl, thinking it might help with her rash, and she was scratching at her head and eye as well. And I hoped it might help her to sleep. Thankfully that worked and I was finally able to put her down in her crib without her waking. But it took over an hour!
However, even with the "bad," she is still a totally different child than what we saw yesterday and even this morning. As long as things improve each day, even if only a little, we will be OK!
Oh yea- We have been invited to visit Caitlin's orphanage! We will go either Wednesday or Thursday, depending on when our agency can get us tickets on the fast train. I'm afraid it might be hard for Caitlin, but I also strongly believe that it is important that Paul and I see where she spent the first 19 months of her life. And I'm not going to lie- I'm also pretty psyched about getting to ride the fast train!
2 comments:
Sounds like you are doing great! It is amazing all of the personallity changes you will see each day! Glad to see you are hanging in there and so excited you get to go to the orphanage! I am loving all the details of the trip and the wonderful photos! Can't wait for your next post!!!
A&D was the only thing that cleared up the diaper rash on Jada when she was little. Also, that holding on to something reminds me of Jada. She was clinging to a little tissue box when we got her and she had to have something in her hand at all times, too. She would fall asleep with it in her hand and if she woke up and it had fallen out of her hand, she was distraught until she found it and held it again. I hope things continue to improve and she has less fear of the room. I am glad that you've seen some smiles though! Hoping things just keep getting better and better. Try letting her bottom "air" as much as possible (without a diaper) because that will help that rash heal up. Also, if she's got the rash and drooling, could be teething. Try a little infant motrin.
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