Well the Dillons called home to check in Thursday. They made it to China safe and sound. I didn't get a chance to talk to them, but mom said they sounded tired and too far away from home. Apparently Evelyn loves China very much and is soo busy taking in her surroundings that shes actually speechless! Evelyn, speechless?!?! She must really be extremely moved and mesmerized. I'm excited to get Evs version of everything when she gets home.
Yesterday they had planned to see Tiananmen Square, and today is the day they were going to visit the Great Wall and the Ming Tombs! Cannot wait for pics and videos of this! What a special treat to get to witness such beauty! I'm so happy that they get to experience this.. and even more thrilled that Evelyn gets to see such a huge piece of Chinese history.
Just 2 days until my sister gets to hold her son in her arms. I wonder how shes holding up...
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Update From the Sister..
Ok.. So I told my sister that I would try to post updates on the blog to keep everyone informed on the details of their trip to China. I will do my best to step into my sisters shoes, but I'm warning you all now... I am not as talkative, imaginative, or animated as my sister. God love her. So, the story telling details & updates from me will not be as entertaining, but I'm just filling in people! I'm more like a 'get to the point kinda girl'. So here we go...
My son and I went to their house last night to spend the night and drive them to the airport this morning. I had the pleasure of witnessing some last minute packing 'discussions' (oh my.. did she really need 2 downy spray dewrinklers and 2 frebreze air fresheners?), some major concerns and good-byes to Billy Bones, and ofcourse some passing off of little cut up papers and pink tickets from Evelyn to Brevin. God help him to keep track of them because Evelyn will know if even ONE tiny piece is missing. Oh well, its his butt on the line, not mine. And at one point, after my sister made 4 complete circles around her kitchen and did absolutely nothing, I finally had to say... "Sis..whats goin on? What r u trying to do?" Then she just changed directions. I'm still not sure what she was doing. All I know is that she was a nervous wreck, but she was trying her best to keep her shit together. (which btw would have fooled anyone else but her sister) We settled down kinda early, seeing how they had to be up by 5 am. But rumor has it the only people that actually got any sleep were the kids.
We left early enough this morning to stop and get breakfast. It was a mixture of emotions. Happy, because we were together & I was able to see them off with love. Sad, because we were going to be apart for two weeks. Nervous, because its going to be a very long hard trip. Happy because Liam finally gets to come home. Sad, because its going to be hard on him. Nervous, because they are soo far away. And those are just my feelings. I cant speak for them and I wouldn't even begin to try.
On to the details.. their 1st flight left @ 10am, then they had a layover. Their 2nd flight left @ 12:20 and they will arrive in Beijing @ 2:40 am our time. 2:40 pm China time. They're going to try to stay awake and keep busy until evening, so they're able to adjust to China time.
My son and I went to their house last night to spend the night and drive them to the airport this morning. I had the pleasure of witnessing some last minute packing 'discussions' (oh my.. did she really need 2 downy spray dewrinklers and 2 frebreze air fresheners?), some major concerns and good-byes to Billy Bones, and ofcourse some passing off of little cut up papers and pink tickets from Evelyn to Brevin. God help him to keep track of them because Evelyn will know if even ONE tiny piece is missing. Oh well, its his butt on the line, not mine. And at one point, after my sister made 4 complete circles around her kitchen and did absolutely nothing, I finally had to say... "Sis..whats goin on? What r u trying to do?" Then she just changed directions. I'm still not sure what she was doing. All I know is that she was a nervous wreck, but she was trying her best to keep her shit together. (which btw would have fooled anyone else but her sister) We settled down kinda early, seeing how they had to be up by 5 am. But rumor has it the only people that actually got any sleep were the kids.
We left early enough this morning to stop and get breakfast. It was a mixture of emotions. Happy, because we were together & I was able to see them off with love. Sad, because we were going to be apart for two weeks. Nervous, because its going to be a very long hard trip. Happy because Liam finally gets to come home. Sad, because its going to be hard on him. Nervous, because they are soo far away. And those are just my feelings. I cant speak for them and I wouldn't even begin to try.
On to the details.. their 1st flight left @ 10am, then they had a layover. Their 2nd flight left @ 12:20 and they will arrive in Beijing @ 2:40 am our time. 2:40 pm China time. They're going to try to stay awake and keep busy until evening, so they're able to adjust to China time.
Something to read while we're away......
http://chinaadoptiontalk.blogspot.com/2010/07/amy-eldridge-of-lwb-speaks.htm be sure to scroll down and read some further comments by Amy Eldridge in this one.
http://nohandscurrentinfo.blogspot.com/2010/07/my-baby-tells-her-story.html this is a video and it is incredible, you just have to watch it (Sister, you already did )
http://keirajoy07.blogspot.com/2010/02/beginning.html
http://keirajoy07.blogspot.com/2010/03/middle.html
http://keirajoy07.blogspot.com/2010/03/ending-and-beginning.html
http://keirajoy07.blogspot.com/2010/03/her-special-need.html
http://tobuildafamily.blogspot.com/2010/06/new-but-familiar.html
http://somebodyneedsanap.wordpress.com/2010/06/26/thinking-back-to-may-31st/
http://somebodyneedsanap.wordpress.com/2010/06/30/reflections-on-an-emotional-day/
http://shirlee-mccoy.blogspot.com/2010/06/this-is-what-i-saw.html just save me some time here and read anything and everything this woman writes
http://nohandscurrentinfo.blogspot.com/2010/07/my-baby-tells-her-story.html this is a video and it is incredible, you just have to watch it (Sister, you already did )
http://keirajoy07.blogspot.com/2010/02/beginning.html
http://keirajoy07.blogspot.com/2010/03/middle.html
http://keirajoy07.blogspot.com/2010/03/ending-and-beginning.html
http://keirajoy07.blogspot.com/2010/03/her-special-need.html
http://tobuildafamily.blogspot.com/2010/06/new-but-familiar.html
http://somebodyneedsanap.wordpress.com/2010/06/26/thinking-back-to-may-31st/
http://somebodyneedsanap.wordpress.com/2010/06/30/reflections-on-an-emotional-day/
http://shirlee-mccoy.blogspot.com/2010/06/this-is-what-i-saw.html just save me some time here and read anything and everything this woman writes
Monday, July 19, 2010
The Bike War of 2010
Last summer Ev learned how to ride her bike, training wheels off and all. There was a small crash late in the season last year and that resulted in a very minor skinned knee.
Fast forward to this summer, with us being so busy and Ev obviously harboring some reluctance in her heart- no bike riding. Until I said something about it and we all said "Oh yeah we should do that"
Two days ago, in the evening, Ev asked Les to help her practice her bike, he agreed and they went out to do just that. And that's where things went sour.
Despite the calm attitude of her Papa and many reassuring words, Ev just did that Ev thing and turned into a complete stinker. She whined, she moaned, she made declarations about hatred (the bike), incompetence (her parents), she flat out refused to out her feet on the pedals, she screamed. Les ended the session.
Then I got wind of the entire story and I intervened. And then things went beyond sour.
I had the gall to attempt to question Her Royal Highness and well, she hates that. The information that I gleaned from this unwanted interview was that she :
1) hated her bike
2) hated riding her bike
3) was uncertain as to why we would purchase such a thing for her
4) that she was NEVER going to ride it again
5) the bike was stupid
Well, I thought to myself, we shall see if you want this bike Miss Mouthy Mouth Stubborn Face.
I had her put her shoes on and go to the garage. I had her walk her bike to the curb and then I told her that if she hated it so much and it was so awful that she could leave it there for the trash.
Cue the drama.
Red faced, snotting, tight shouldered drama.
Imagine the tragedy of this moment and you will just laugh. I know! I am mean, but really it was so heartbreakingly tragic it was funny (though I never laughed). I mean the only person in the world who didn't know I was bluffing was The Bike Hater.
Picture this: Tiny diminutive girl in a silk night gown, standing on the curb, screaming. SCREAMING " BUT I WANT IT BUT I WANT IT BUT I WANT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tears rolling, face beet red, death grip on the bike, scowling face, just shaking with rage at the complete unfairness of what was happening.
I said , "ok then show me you want it, ride it".
She straddled that bike and she moved it, and she whined and moaned and whimpered and complained. It was the worst that I have ever seen her behave. She was a force of nature- whiney, petulant, hateful nature.
Back to the curb with the bike.
Mama leaves to come in house and see what Screaming Bike hater will do now.
It seems that she will stand, shoulders hunched, pink bike helmet askew on her head, staring angrily at the house and emanating pure rage. Then it thundered. I swear, for a moment, I though she called that thunder to her aid. I know it's weird, but we will always treasure that moment of her braving the forces of nature to protect what is hers- that's Ev. That's how strong she is. This is what I am up against every single day. Not in a bad way, just Strength, just this immovable little rock of a person. My God how I love her!
Kid pried away and brought inside.
Kid up to her room where she stood in her bed and watched her bike laying on the curb from her window and screamed her displeasure out to the world.
I thought someone would call the cops.
After a terrible amount of time (no longer than 5 minutes I swear). She was permitted to go and get her bike and bring it to the garage. She told us, all on her own accord, that she would practice every day.
And for two days she has geared up and went out and muttered and complained and practiced. It was the take off that was the issue, and today she got it.
I am sitting here now listening to the happy "ting!" of her bike bell and proclamations of "I am a bike rider from way back!" I can hear her saying, nay shouting with joy, "I am riding in the grass now!"" I am going all of the way down the driveway now!". It seems the accomplishments are stacking up at an exponential rate.
Now....
Before you go away thinking we are evil and cruel let me explain some things.
Ev had been bordering on emotional breakdown for days, what with the new brother coming and the harried parents swirling in chaos around her. Ev had partially convinced herself that she did not want her bike, but I knew that she did and I knew I had to prove that to her. I also know that she is 6 and you can not reason with words sometimes. I knew that she had this perfect storm of life changes, bike frustrations and independence with a bit of those old trust issues rearing their heads. I know that sometimes I want and desperately need an excuse to completely and utterly loose my grip and get down and dirty with the fit throwing. So I planned it all. Yes I did. I knew that she would get that mad and I knew she needed it. We never shouted at her, we never lost our cool, we were actually as kind as we could have been, firm and unyielding but kind.
So this war is at an end. My heart is light as I hear her out there shouting out her bike comings and goings. I can hear her pride, her joy and it is wonderful. Because it was more than the bike. It was all of it and she needed a release and she got that and some new mad biking skills at the same time.
I can not wait to hear her version of this when she is grown.
oh! And the cops never came.
Fast forward to this summer, with us being so busy and Ev obviously harboring some reluctance in her heart- no bike riding. Until I said something about it and we all said "Oh yeah we should do that"
Two days ago, in the evening, Ev asked Les to help her practice her bike, he agreed and they went out to do just that. And that's where things went sour.
Despite the calm attitude of her Papa and many reassuring words, Ev just did that Ev thing and turned into a complete stinker. She whined, she moaned, she made declarations about hatred (the bike), incompetence (her parents), she flat out refused to out her feet on the pedals, she screamed. Les ended the session.
Then I got wind of the entire story and I intervened. And then things went beyond sour.
I had the gall to attempt to question Her Royal Highness and well, she hates that. The information that I gleaned from this unwanted interview was that she :
1) hated her bike
2) hated riding her bike
3) was uncertain as to why we would purchase such a thing for her
4) that she was NEVER going to ride it again
5) the bike was stupid
Well, I thought to myself, we shall see if you want this bike Miss Mouthy Mouth Stubborn Face.
I had her put her shoes on and go to the garage. I had her walk her bike to the curb and then I told her that if she hated it so much and it was so awful that she could leave it there for the trash.
Cue the drama.
Red faced, snotting, tight shouldered drama.
Imagine the tragedy of this moment and you will just laugh. I know! I am mean, but really it was so heartbreakingly tragic it was funny (though I never laughed). I mean the only person in the world who didn't know I was bluffing was The Bike Hater.
Picture this: Tiny diminutive girl in a silk night gown, standing on the curb, screaming. SCREAMING " BUT I WANT IT BUT I WANT IT BUT I WANT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tears rolling, face beet red, death grip on the bike, scowling face, just shaking with rage at the complete unfairness of what was happening.
I said , "ok then show me you want it, ride it".
She straddled that bike and she moved it, and she whined and moaned and whimpered and complained. It was the worst that I have ever seen her behave. She was a force of nature- whiney, petulant, hateful nature.
Back to the curb with the bike.
Mama leaves to come in house and see what Screaming Bike hater will do now.
It seems that she will stand, shoulders hunched, pink bike helmet askew on her head, staring angrily at the house and emanating pure rage. Then it thundered. I swear, for a moment, I though she called that thunder to her aid. I know it's weird, but we will always treasure that moment of her braving the forces of nature to protect what is hers- that's Ev. That's how strong she is. This is what I am up against every single day. Not in a bad way, just Strength, just this immovable little rock of a person. My God how I love her!
Kid pried away and brought inside.
Kid up to her room where she stood in her bed and watched her bike laying on the curb from her window and screamed her displeasure out to the world.
I thought someone would call the cops.
After a terrible amount of time (no longer than 5 minutes I swear). She was permitted to go and get her bike and bring it to the garage. She told us, all on her own accord, that she would practice every day.
And for two days she has geared up and went out and muttered and complained and practiced. It was the take off that was the issue, and today she got it.
I am sitting here now listening to the happy "ting!" of her bike bell and proclamations of "I am a bike rider from way back!" I can hear her saying, nay shouting with joy, "I am riding in the grass now!"" I am going all of the way down the driveway now!". It seems the accomplishments are stacking up at an exponential rate.
Now....
Before you go away thinking we are evil and cruel let me explain some things.
Ev had been bordering on emotional breakdown for days, what with the new brother coming and the harried parents swirling in chaos around her. Ev had partially convinced herself that she did not want her bike, but I knew that she did and I knew I had to prove that to her. I also know that she is 6 and you can not reason with words sometimes. I knew that she had this perfect storm of life changes, bike frustrations and independence with a bit of those old trust issues rearing their heads. I know that sometimes I want and desperately need an excuse to completely and utterly loose my grip and get down and dirty with the fit throwing. So I planned it all. Yes I did. I knew that she would get that mad and I knew she needed it. We never shouted at her, we never lost our cool, we were actually as kind as we could have been, firm and unyielding but kind.
So this war is at an end. My heart is light as I hear her out there shouting out her bike comings and goings. I can hear her pride, her joy and it is wonderful. Because it was more than the bike. It was all of it and she needed a release and she got that and some new mad biking skills at the same time.
I can not wait to hear her version of this when she is grown.
oh! And the cops never came.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
T-minus 3
Three days until we leave.
Nine days until we meet our son and brother.
That slow burn of excitement that I was talking about has turned into a million butterflies and shaky hands and a complete inability to process reality. In other words, this waiting Mama has turned on: FULL ON EXCITEMENT.
I can not believe that I am lucky enough in this life to get to call these two beautiful children my own.
In packing news....kids are the only ones packed and that is strictly clothing and diapers. Tomorrow is the day that Les and I are going to pack the rest of thecrap much needed items and sundries (Lord help us).
Les does truly have me stoked about carry on's only and I am really and truly trying to make it. If we don't it will be because of the meds- I just know it. Because listen, I am only taking one pair of shoes and THAT is really not Michal-like at all. At all!
In Evelyn news....she is in a bit of a rocky place. She is see-sawing between this inclusive, happy, excited girl and a girl that is stubborn, grumpy, un-trusting and secluded. Changes between the two are fast and un-scheduled. We are trying desperately to meet her where she is and offer her lots of patience and understanding. Sometimes we get it right and sometimes we don't. I can hear her feet upstairs now and she is runnig back and forth and there is the omnipresent rustling of paper, this is good it means that with the next encounter I can expect Happy Girl, I wonder how long that will last?
I have to confess that I will be unable to Blog or post pictures from China. I know! I LIVE on the posts that come from China, I NEED them. So, I feel pretty rotten about being one of the "update you all when we get back home" set but it can not be helped. My sister is going to try and post some updates while we are away but I feel certain that we won't be able to get pictures sent home. We have no lap top and I am trying to de-stress the trip as much as humanly possible and that means cutting out the stress of finding computer access and the like. Sorry.
OK. We have some finishing touches on Liam's room and I have to keep chiseling away at the laundry!
Nine days until we meet our son and brother.
That slow burn of excitement that I was talking about has turned into a million butterflies and shaky hands and a complete inability to process reality. In other words, this waiting Mama has turned on: FULL ON EXCITEMENT.
I can not believe that I am lucky enough in this life to get to call these two beautiful children my own.
In packing news....kids are the only ones packed and that is strictly clothing and diapers. Tomorrow is the day that Les and I are going to pack the rest of the
Les does truly have me stoked about carry on's only and I am really and truly trying to make it. If we don't it will be because of the meds- I just know it. Because listen, I am only taking one pair of shoes and THAT is really not Michal-like at all. At all!
In Evelyn news....she is in a bit of a rocky place. She is see-sawing between this inclusive, happy, excited girl and a girl that is stubborn, grumpy, un-trusting and secluded. Changes between the two are fast and un-scheduled. We are trying desperately to meet her where she is and offer her lots of patience and understanding. Sometimes we get it right and sometimes we don't. I can hear her feet upstairs now and she is runnig back and forth and there is the omnipresent rustling of paper, this is good it means that with the next encounter I can expect Happy Girl, I wonder how long that will last?
I have to confess that I will be unable to Blog or post pictures from China. I know! I LIVE on the posts that come from China, I NEED them. So, I feel pretty rotten about being one of the "update you all when we get back home" set but it can not be helped. My sister is going to try and post some updates while we are away but I feel certain that we won't be able to get pictures sent home. We have no lap top and I am trying to de-stress the trip as much as humanly possible and that means cutting out the stress of finding computer access and the like. Sorry.
OK. We have some finishing touches on Liam's room and I have to keep chiseling away at the laundry!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
A Few Words on Excitement
"Aren't you so exited?"
"Isn't it so exciting?"
"Oh! How exciting!"
These are words that I am hearing over and over again right now.
And I am.
Excited I mean.
BUT.....
I am also afraid and nervous.
Not for me. (Okay a little for me)
But for him.
I have said it before and I will say it again: To him we will be strangers, complete with weird faces and strange smells. To him we are just another shake up.
I know that time will march on and we will all come out on the other side of this thing loving and trusting and with a whole new family.
But the getting there? That might be rough.
Then again it might not.
The thing is, I have no idea how he will be.
I do know though that even if he is Wonder Baby - mellow and loving and easy to adjust, we are still going to have that trip. Another one of those two weeks in a strange land kind of experiences.
Even if he never bats an eye and Ev is all goodness and light. I will still be adding another child to this equation.
In one glorious moment they will hand me the cutest, chubby cheeked little 21 month old boy, and they will walk away.
And we will be thousands of miles away from home and have days upon days until we can even begin to turn our faces towards home. So that in and of itself is daunting and worrisome.
I could write a book on what he will be going through. Our little Liam. My bright son.
So.
Excitement.
Yes it is there, a long slow burn of excitement.
I am doing all of the things that make my heart light with anticipation.
The highchair, the crib, the endless fondling of clothes and picking out the perfect toy cars to take. I am cleaning and making lists and I am gathering unto me the tools that I will need to meet his needs.
This morning I thought, in a sleepy haze, "Six days. Only six days until I can get on that plane". And it was joy. Pure joy.
Not like with Ev though, where I was just eaten alive with feelings of joy and excitement for myself.
It is a quiet joy, thoughtful and cautious, mixed in tightly with worries for him and his spirit.
And I have come to realize that it's ok. That no matter what he is wanted and loved and he will be cherished and spoiled and have cookies, and Grandparents who are proud to know him, and an
Aunt who is fierce in her love, a cousin who shouts, no, SCREAMS with joy when he hears that Liam is coming, a sister who will be the best big sister a boy could ever know, and there will be healing both physical and spiritual... oh and a Papa, a sweet, kind lovely bear of man to teach him the ways of life.....
And so if I feel fear and anxiety mixed with love, anticipation and joy and that long slow burn of excitement, it just means I have done this before. It means that I am still a bit shell shocked form our first weeks home with Ev. It means that I am placing Liam over my own feelings, and that's not all bad is it?
Because even though the expenses are over the moon and alot more than we counted on. Even though it will be hard, even knowing what I know about what is to come- you would have to literally take my life and breath from my body to stop me from going to him.
"Isn't it so exciting?"
"Oh! How exciting!"
These are words that I am hearing over and over again right now.
And I am.
Excited I mean.
BUT.....
I am also afraid and nervous.
Not for me. (Okay a little for me)
But for him.
I have said it before and I will say it again: To him we will be strangers, complete with weird faces and strange smells. To him we are just another shake up.
I know that time will march on and we will all come out on the other side of this thing loving and trusting and with a whole new family.
But the getting there? That might be rough.
Then again it might not.
The thing is, I have no idea how he will be.
I do know though that even if he is Wonder Baby - mellow and loving and easy to adjust, we are still going to have that trip. Another one of those two weeks in a strange land kind of experiences.
Even if he never bats an eye and Ev is all goodness and light. I will still be adding another child to this equation.
In one glorious moment they will hand me the cutest, chubby cheeked little 21 month old boy, and they will walk away.
And we will be thousands of miles away from home and have days upon days until we can even begin to turn our faces towards home. So that in and of itself is daunting and worrisome.
I could write a book on what he will be going through. Our little Liam. My bright son.
So.
Excitement.
Yes it is there, a long slow burn of excitement.
I am doing all of the things that make my heart light with anticipation.
The highchair, the crib, the endless fondling of clothes and picking out the perfect toy cars to take. I am cleaning and making lists and I am gathering unto me the tools that I will need to meet his needs.
This morning I thought, in a sleepy haze, "Six days. Only six days until I can get on that plane". And it was joy. Pure joy.
Not like with Ev though, where I was just eaten alive with feelings of joy and excitement for myself.
It is a quiet joy, thoughtful and cautious, mixed in tightly with worries for him and his spirit.
And I have come to realize that it's ok. That no matter what he is wanted and loved and he will be cherished and spoiled and have cookies, and Grandparents who are proud to know him, and an
Aunt who is fierce in her love, a cousin who shouts, no, SCREAMS with joy when he hears that Liam is coming, a sister who will be the best big sister a boy could ever know, and there will be healing both physical and spiritual... oh and a Papa, a sweet, kind lovely bear of man to teach him the ways of life.....
And so if I feel fear and anxiety mixed with love, anticipation and joy and that long slow burn of excitement, it just means I have done this before. It means that I am still a bit shell shocked form our first weeks home with Ev. It means that I am placing Liam over my own feelings, and that's not all bad is it?
Because even though the expenses are over the moon and alot more than we counted on. Even though it will be hard, even knowing what I know about what is to come- you would have to literally take my life and breath from my body to stop me from going to him.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
On Making Friends
Sometimes my daughter? She just amazes me.
If you watch her in a cloud of peers she will always make a friend. Or two.
She has always been a bit like this, I mean after we got her settled and feeling somewhat secure.
She will approach, then make a few casual drive-by's and then before you know it she is bossing about three or four kids around and they are all giggling and laughing.
Just look what happens each year when we report to The Station for fireworks on the 4th.
If you watch her in a cloud of peers she will always make a friend. Or two.
She has always been a bit like this, I mean after we got her settled and feeling somewhat secure.
She will approach, then make a few casual drive-by's and then before you know it she is bossing about three or four kids around and they are all giggling and laughing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)