Sisters

Madeleine and Genny enjoy each other's company...at times giggling and whispering make believe games...other times cranky and annoyed with their sibling or downright fighting over my attention, but above all they love and take real joy in each other.

Christmas beauties

Okay there are those moments in a parents life when you can capture the beauty of your child in a photograph allows you to just sit back and admire the end results...they are clean, clothing is spotless and the spirit of their personalities shine through....voila my christmas photo this year of the girls.... it doesn't get any better than this!

Up and Running, A little behind!

Okay, due to popular demand....I am relaunching the blog to post and update family and friends on the crazy world that is my family life.

Since I last posted while in China adopting my second daughter Genny I can say that a few years and lifetimes have passed.

Then Genny was 15 months old quiet, clingy and wide-eyed.

Fast forward 2.5 years and she is nearly 4 years old, anything but quiet, only occasionally clingy and I'm the wide-eyed one watching my little Princess-cum-Energizer Bunny make tracks through my heart and life.

Madeleine, my older daughter, was the gentle, timid kindergarten child whose teachers' were wondering if she had a speech problem because she was so quiet in class. Now she is the soccer star, monkeybar queen, cleaner extraordinaire and math whiz who roars like a lion and sparkles her smile at her little sister and mom on a regular basis.

Photos of Genny on Group 240 site

http://www.cbgroup240.com/
Follow this link to find Genny's photos

Beijing and Genny

Beijing, Jan. 21 10:40am

I'm finally on a computer today after a bit of a break...in Nanning it was in the hotel room so I could access whenever...but in Beijing I have to come down to the business center and use their machine.

This morning Debbie took the Old Town tour with the rest of our group and I'm doing some down time and banking with Genny. She has a mouthful of teeth and at the moment is teething up a storm. Another day on a bus with a cranky puss was not my desire this morning. So we hit the fresh air, gave her a dose of tylenol and teething gel for her gums and she was asleep before we hit the first set of lights.

Now I'm taking the opportunity to do a bit of blogging...

So what is Genny like?

Her reports from the orphanage said extrovert, naughty and curious. I can attest to the the last two, but the first is a bit suspect. She is quiet and watchful, much like Madeleine was and is. Marilyn also says Genny reminds her of Madeleine, so it's not just me that sees the introvert in her. But she has a mischievous personality...clearing the hotel room tables and suitcases of everything that isn't tied down...all the while with a grin on her face and twinkle in her eyes. Keeping her out of the bathroom and garbage pails is proving a challenge.

We had our medical Saturday morning here and the doctor says she is on track developmentally (thanks to a charity Half the Sky that was working in her orphanage, providing training and support to the nannies and bringing grannies in to play with the children) but is mildly malnourished. She is under the zero percentile in weight, and in the 50 percentile for height. So we need to get her eating a bit more. She has no butt to speak of and everything (except what my friend Peggy, mom to another Guangxi gal) leant me is dangling around her knees.

She loves congee, kind of a rice porridge that we have at every meal, and peaches, banana and noodles and dumplings. I've started her on the North American formula without much trouble with some prunes to keep the constipation at bay.

She is walking around like a drunken sailor, but loves to watch people and scenery pass by on the bus. She's a good sleeper and once I figured out she was missing a midnight bottle, has slept through the night once that is provided. She goes down around 8pm snuggled on my chest like a little cuddle bunny. Then after a few minutes I can transfer her to the crib. The crib in Nanning was too small, but here it's big enough for her to move around which she does traveling up and down the sides in her sleep.

Yesterday we climbed the Great Wall. Debbie did more than me. Visited a Jade factory too and lunched at a Friendship Store. Tomorrow is the Forbidden City and a banquet of Beijing Duck!

I'm counting the days to Thursday and our departure.
Love,
Michelle

A Taste of Zhuang Living

Nanning, Guangxi, 8:30pm
Today we took a trip back in time and a visit through the countryside surrounding Nanning. The journey in the "time machine" was courtesy of a visit to the Zhuang Minority Village, sort of an Upper Canada Village but featuring artifacts, recreations and cultural details of the Zhuang people. The Zhuang ethnic group is the largest minority group in China and 90% of the Zhuang live in Guangxi Province, making up nearly 50% of the 44 million people in Guangxi province.

Musicians playing trumpets and wearing traditional garb welcomed us to the village and then we began a journey down cobblestone streets to learn more about Zhuang culture. Besides seeing traditional homes (think house on stilts where you don't live on the first level but store everything below and live on the second or third levels), drinking "3 tastes tea" (bamboo, sugar and ginger) and eating sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves, we also got to try traditional dances...villages held long pieces of bamboo and knocked them rythmically on the ground and on each other, in time to their folk songs. Dancers step lively in between the knocking bamboo, trying not to trip or be caught up in the sticks.

Next we got a chance to lift the average villagers load of sticks...40, 50 and 60 kg. balanced on a pole...not an easy task let alone walk miles with it...I think most of us Westerners would fail horribly as Zhuang peasants. It was a bit different to see white monkeys roaming freely in the village. We were told not to have any food out as they are bold in getting it from visitors. They looked a little fierce so I as wondering if I'd have to run them off away from Genevieve, but the tour finished before I was forced to face down any nasty monkeys.

The outing also included a bit more emotional component with a visit to a typical rural village in the countryside. Because the towns where our children's orphanages reside are too far away, or because the orphanage directors don't wish to allow us in (hard to say which), we aren't getting to visit any of them. This trip to the countryside was to at least to give us a glimpse into the life our daughters might have had if they grew up here.

Rural China is a very hard life for most of its residents. It's grinding out a living on maybe 500 Yuan a month or roughly $75 Canadian. One local woman invited us into her home to see the cement block building where she and her two sons live. They share it with livestock, bare wood table and chairs and no running water or proper drainage system by north american standards. I think we all had a better appreciation of what faced some of the parents of our daughters, when they made their very tough decisions about abandoning them.

Tomorrow is the last day in Nanning, we fly to Beijing in the evening and are that much closer to getting home. I am counting the days, believe me, until I get to see Madeleine and you all.
Michelle

Exploring the Green City of China

Nanning, Guangxi 3:30pm.
We've all just returned from a tour of the Green Mountain Park in Nanning. Our local guide Cindy says Nanning is noted for three things...1st being China's Green City for all the parks, almond trees and flowers that are found in plentiful amounts here. I would love to see it in summer when flowers would be at their best...now there are flowers as the winter barely gets below 8-10 degrees Celsius, but not the lushness of summer.

Second is the number of motorcycles found here...over 1/2 million licensed motocycles. They are everywhere and you better beware crossing the intersections and streets, because here the motorist/cyclist has right of way and pedestrians stand ready to be mowed down if they don't step lively enough. We've experienced the difficulty of trying to cross the road even when we've had the green light. If a car doesn't plow you down, a motorcyclist or cyclist will.

Third is the river which divides the city in two and provides a very scenic vista from its banks. Of course we all feel that the fourth special quality of this city is the beauty of its girls! All of us can certainly attest to that...as it was an especially gorgeous group of toddlers ready to hit the outdoors this morning in their warm clothes and hats. The day was a chilly 10 degrees Celsius and on Mt. Quingxiu, where the park resides, the mist and damp made it a day for fleece, hats and mitts, at least to start off with...after climbing path to the huge stone Longxiang Pagoda I was not feeling too chilled.

The park besides containing the highest views of Nanning, also offered a Buddhist temple which we stopped at first before going on to the pagoda. I'm dragging my tale this morning as Genevieve had a bit of of a temperature, was pulling at her ear and was restless during the night...I gave her a couple of doses of tylenol, and it seems to have held things at bay...her nose is congested and she may have a bit of a cold coming on...situation normal for this time of year, whether in China or Canada. About 3 or 4 of the girls have the beginnings of colds.

So I'm working on reduced sleep...I had part of the twin bed and shared it with Genny...she definitely doesn't like the tiny crib provided by the hotel. She seems to sense every time I'm putting her in, even if I've started her off in my bed...less work to just let her have part of my bed. The first night I slept in a tub chair pulled up to the bed. But last night I managed to use 1/3 of the bed and Genny 2/3rds...you may have noticed the discrepancy, yes she is a bed hog, flailing her arms around and tossing and turning...I just tried to stay out of the way.

Today I found out there are many types of buddhas...I thought there was just one...silly me. Buddha today in this temple was a woman and called the Bountiful Buddha, known for bringing children to young couples...so we were an appropriate crowd to light the incense to her today...all of us feeling thankful for our girls (although I can reveal that we were the majority over 35 rather then 20somethings, so I guess she's pretty good at bringing children to oldsters too!) and ready to acknowledge any devine help along the way.

After wandering through the temple and lighting three sticks before her alter, we headed up further into the mountain to the Pagoda which is not the original structure, that was demolished in the 1950s and rebuilt to the existing one in 1980s. Debbie was the stair climber today to the windy top of the 7 storey structure...I waited at the bottom with about half a dozen strollers and moms.

After desending back to the bus and feeding a few carp with Cheerios and the scraps from our snack at a stone bridge, we headed to the store which housed the Guangxi Pearl Monopoly(another specialty of the region!)I won't say what I bought but they will look lovely around my neck...many China pearls found new Canadian homes today.

After a nap and pictures for Genevieve's visa, I made arrangements for the purchase of "chops" in Genevieve's and Madeleine's Chinese and English characters (these are stamps with their Chinese and English names carved in stone)as well as a caligraphy scroll for Genevieve.

Then we headed to our favorite dim sum place to watch Genevieve wolf down dumplings and flat noodles with beef...we had a few too along with the most delicious wonton soup...food here is a mixture of delicious Cantonese, Vietnamese and weird Chinese interpretations of North America fare. How about a little pizza with cuttle fish added to taste! Or Club sandwiches with Spam! Yummy.
Take care,
Michelle

Officially Family

Nanning, Guangxi 3pm
Genevieve sleeps on the bed and mom types at the computer...both of us exhausted but happy about the proceedings this morning...

At 8:30 after a too short night, we had to head off to the Civil Affairs office again. There, the orphanage directors (3 out of 4 were women, a sign of changing times?) and the government official from yesterday held interviews with each family and then after we satisfied them that we would be good parents, approved the adoptions. All the documents are signed, stamped by my thumbprint and Genny's footprint in red ink. We are family.

I've made solemn oaths to care for her, never abandon or abuse her, to educate and love her...all things that come naturally to me but the Chinese take very seriously in their wish to ensure she has a better life than her previous one. The official's last comment to me, was for me to promise to dress her warmly... In case you don't know, the Chinese take quite seriously the bundling up of their children. Most walk around with 4 or 5 layers of clothing looking like small snowmen...This official questioned with Canada being a cold country and Yu Yin coming from the south, how would I keep her warm? I mentioned every stitch of warm clothing, hat, mitts and fleece I would dress her in when venturing outside.

Once the interviews were over, we gathered again as a group in the room with flags lining the front wall and the government official called our name, and we were presented with a red certificate of adoption, complete with our family photo inside. Each orphanage director presented parents with some small gift. Genny's gave her a shell decorated and from Beihai's famous beaches. We said thank you to each other even though I'm not sure she spoke much English and I speak zero Cantonese (the major dialect around here).

Next was the notary office. She makes all the documents official...again short individual family interviews where we promise to care and never abuse our children. Everyone is getting tired and many of our small girls just want to get out and stretch their legs...as I take Genny for a walk she pulls me out the door and heads in several directions at once...she continues to be a quiet and determined girl...I think she is going to give Madeleine a run for her money.

Genny was firmly in my arms for the majority of the morning's activities. She is definitely taken to me and every time I put her down reaches up to get in my arms again...the only person who had the magic touch and can give me a break is Debbie. She will go to Deb and looks at me making big air kisses (or fish faces, not sure which) across the space separating us or waves bye-bye. When we head off back to the bus, Genny checks to see that Debbie's following behind and not forgotten.

At lunch in the neighboring dim sum restaurant I am reintroduced to the eating experience of moving all things out of reach of lightening-quick hands or hear them crash and bang to the floor, juggling someone else's attention to so they don't destroy the table, while trying to grab a bite or two of food. Hmmm. How soon you forget.

Most of our group has gone off to Walmart for shopping this afternoon...We are purchasing some winter clothes for the orphanages as kind of an extra gift to them. All are quiet poor, but dressed the children in brand new clothes...we want to pay back the favor.

Thanks to all the family and friends following our experiences...it's so surreal getting your comments half a world away, but very welcome. Like a hug from home!

I am beat and so enjoying a bit of a quiet time here at the computer while Genevieve finishes her afternoon sleep. Still haven't figured out the photos problem yet...the computers are linked to servers and no usb ports...take care, Michelle

Genny Arrives - All is Right With the World!

Nanning, Guangxi 8:39pm
Genevieve Yu Yin Valiquet has stolen her mother's heart...she is currently sleeping soundly in my bed after falling asleep in my arms about a half hour ago..."Beautiful" and "Graceful" as her Chinese name (Yu Yin) means...

She and I first met today in the Civil Affairs office at 3pm. A Civil Affairs official came into the boardroom we nervous parents had gathered in....first she introduced all the ophanage directors and then one by one, each child and parent's name was called...They said Guo Yu Yin and the guide looked directly at me and I can truly say my heart skipped a beat as this quiet angel in the thickest pink ladybug decorated fleece outfit was placed in my arms. I was so taken back to Madeleine's and my first meeting...these huge brown eyes staring up at me and I just started talking and rocking my way around the room...

Some children's reactions was to cry, some were quiet and some were doing a bit of both. The room was a loud and jarring place to be, with flashes going off, people excited about the kids and the kids definitely not too sure about all these people surrounding them...

Genny was watching everything going on and listening to me. Her only tears came when the nannies, peaked into the back door of the room just before we left...they were checking out how the kids were doing and Genny caught sight of what I assume was her nanny...big tears came rolling down her cheeks as the nannies head down the hallway back to their orphanges...

After about 5 minutes she was back to her quiet watching and listening mode...In her fleece outfit I thought she was getting a bit hot...It's about 20 C. here and we are enjoying the tropical winter. In the conference room with the lights and people it was stuffy and with her three layers of clothing, I felt hot for her...but Chinese do love to bundle their kids so I didn't dare undress her there. Instead I put her down to walk a few steps...She did some motoring around the room...yes this girl is definitely on her feet and ready to move...walking, running and staggering with me following close behind. She knew where she wanted to go...and darted right out the door and down the hallway to follow the nannies. After recapturing my daughter, our guide announced we would be heading back to the hotel after barely half an hour to start our lives together as families.

Genny watched out of the window while we drove back to the hotel. She spent the short trip tapping the window and being facinated by the ebb and flow of traffic, bicycles, motorcycles and humanity that filled the streets of Nanning. We had one last official task - getting a family picture taken for the final adoption proceedings that will take place tomorrow morning at the Notary's office.

The next hours were a bit of a blur of walking with Genny, playing with her, Debbie and I getting the first bottle ready and into her as well as some barley/yam cereal (think pablum with a sweet taste), part of a banana, some rice crackers and goldfish crackers. After her meal(s) Debbie and I ventured to the Cantonese restaurant in the hotel for dinner...after throwing her toys everywhere and enjoying some eggs from my plate and rice from Debbie's we left with the floor a mess but Genny quite content.

Debbie did amazing work today, clicking away to capture every moment for not only me, but many other families in our group...she has over a hundred pictures, but unfortunately you'll have to wait until tomorrow for photos when we can get access to a card reader... my computer in my room here at the hotel doesn't allow me to download our camera shots with my USB cord.

I'm heading to bed...sleep seems a good idea.
Love Michelle