Day 7 started out with a medical appointment for Liena. We were taken by our guide and driver, along with two other families, to a medical office where our adopted children underwent brief exams and TB tests. These are required by the US consulate in order to grant their visas. The whole process took half a day, and by the end of it Liena was tired of waiting and being patient, and so were we. How glad we were to be dropped back at our hotel!
That afternoon and evening and the day after were spent walking endless miles around the city sightseeing, exploring, and trying local food. Our guide had some excursions planned for the two families we had medical appointments with(not a travel group, we just happened to be sharing a guide), but we preferred to do things on our own time and in our own way.
Monday was entirely free, so we took the opportunity to visit Lotus Hill. This requires a subway ride and a bus and took roughly an hour. Subways in China(at least in Nanning and Guangzhou) are surprisingly easy to navigate. Signs and announcements are in Chinese and English, so even I, who can get lost on a straight road with one destination, can manage them.
Lotus Hill is a huge garden on a hill(obviously, right?) that encompasses several sights including a 2000 year old quarry. We walked for miles(no joke) and saw so much beauty, I don't know if I'll be able to upload enough pictures to convey it.
At the end of the day everyone's feet were tired. Liena fell asleep in my arms after running up multiple hills and flights of stairs. Aria and Calin would have fallen asleep in our arms if they were younger. Since adopting little sister, they seem so big and capable now. I didn't expect to feel so sad about that. Motherhood so far has been such a mixture of pride and joy in who they are at the moment, and yearning for the little stages that have passed.
Now we arrive at day 10: US consulate day! This morning we were picked up by our guide and driver at 7:15(Whyyyyy??? Way too early to function for such an important appointment!), and proceeded to two other hotels to pick up the other two families who attended their medical appointments with us.
Our guide gave very specific instructions for where to go, what to do, and definitely what not to do. She could not accompany us inside, and I could tell this was causing her a great deal of anxiety. She likes to keep close tabs on us and is hesitant when we go off on our own (evidenced by her complete shock that we dared to attempt Lotus Hill on our own, and surprise that we did so successfully!), so parting from us at the consulate gates included many repeated instructions and warnings.
We were told that we could bring snacks and drinks for our children inside the Consulate, along with our file bin worth of paperwork. Justin thoughtfully offered to walk our bag through security so I could concentrate on Liena, who is constantly trying to run off, climb something, or ask for other people's food. Liena and I went through security then paused to wait for Justin to catch up.
I must pause here to explain that Liena backwashes. So much. We had a fresh bottle of water for her this morning, and on the way to the appointment she nibbled on a cliff bar and sipped on her water just enough to turn it a murky white color. This is what her water always looks like, no matter how often we change it.
Back to security. Liena and I got through, and turned around to wait for Justin. As I looked back, I could see the guards asking about the snacks. Justin pointed to Liena and I, and said they were for his daughter. Nodding, the guards said "For the baby?" and let him put them back in the bag. Next they turned to the water bottle and asked what it was. Justin responded, "It's water, for the baby." They shook their heads "no," and he said "But she will need it and we can't get more inside." Staring back at him, one of the officers said, "Then drink it." This all happened very quickly, as things tend to at security check points, and next thing I know, Justin is taking a swig of the murkiest water I've ever seen in a water bottle. The guards nodded, he tossed it in the bag, and then joined me sputtering and saying "I knew she'd need it, what else could I do?"
I could barely breathe for laughing at that moment. He was laughing too, as were the other families. I was laughing out of disbelief and the plain hilarity of the moment, but then it hit me what a thoughtful and protective father he is, and then it hit me what a momemtous thing our family is doing. I'm not saying that out of pride or high opinion of ourselves. It is a plain fact that adoption is an enormous undertaking for everyone involved. For the parents who dream, and save, and plan, and walk through miles and miles of paperwork. For the agencies who shoulder the responsibility of maintaining Hague accreditation and supporting families in bringing little ones home, to the orphanages who raise the children until a family (hopefully) comes for them. Most of all, for the child who leaves his or her home of origin, being expected to acclimate to complete strangers and then a foreign land and culture. They lose and gain so much in the span of a few weeks. Most adults would not cope well, it is amazing when children are able to.
All this hit me like a ton of lead bricks as I walked though the US Consulate property, giggling about my husband drinking backwash water. When I had to wipe laughing tears from my eyes it dawned on me that I was on the brink of hysterical crying. I've held it together this trip, tending to the needs of not only our new child, but those we already have who are grappling with this change. They love Liena so, and this does not negate what a transition they are managing. Aria is now big sister to two siblings, and Calin suddenly finds himself a middle child instead of the baby. As most moms do, I have focused on the tasks at hand and have not fully processed everything myself. Hence, the almost ugly cry on US soil in China. A few deep breaths and determined redirection of thoughts later, I was again contained and ready to continue with the consulate appointment. I know I will be able to talk through everything later with friends and family once we are home, and I am so grateful to know they will be there to pick up the phone and listen. I also look forward to sleeping someday again.
The consulate appointment was really very easy. We paid a fee, turned in paperwork, stood around while it was reviewed, took an oath, then answered a couple questions from the adoption officer. Afterward, we ditched our group and took the subway back to our hotel, much to the dismay of our guide. The other families wanted to tour Canton Tower, but we wanted to return to our kids and Tamsin, who was patiently watching them again. Our guide warned us repeatedly to be careful on the subway and to keep track of our paperwork, and then reluctantly joined the rest of the group.
We made it back without incident and enjoyed an afternoon wandering the city. Justin, Aria, and Calin toured a house which belonged to Bruce Lee, and Tamsin and I did a little shopping nearby with Liena, who simply had to buy a kitty hat. The evening ended with a quick date with Justin while Tamsin fed our kids takeout in our room. Having time to chat with Justin one on one was so nice, especially as we reviewed the events of the day and checked in on how we are doing with everything.
Tamsin leaves us tomorrow as she has college finals to take. We are sad she has to leave us but are so grateful she joined us on this trip. We are truly thankful.
Entrance to Lotus Hill
