Hello Jake!

Sunday 10/30/16


We got up Sunday morning anxiously awaiting the arrival of JAKE!  He was scheduled to arrive at our hotel between 3 pm and 4 pm.  We had some breakfast at the hotel's buffet.  It is seriously amazing.  Full meals including noodles, dumplings, cereals, made to order eggs, pastries, yogurts, cheeses, fruits, and anything else you could possibly want. It has been a life saver to have that each morning in our first two cities.  After breakfast, we went down and walked along the river for a little while and explored.  We happened upon a convenience store that had some ice cream bars, so we indulged the kiddos and ourselves with a treat.  On our way back to the hotel, we found some more "exercise" equipment in the park to amuse ourselves and all the people around us :) I wish I could count the number of times someone has taken our picture or engage in a full on stare.  We must be quite the sight. 


Do you even Crossfit?

Went back to the hotel to get Milo a nap before Jake arrived.  He was brought to the hotel by our guide Shirley and by the director of his orphanage which was Nanchang SWI.  He was so scared.  Jake has been with his foster parents for a very long time.  He calls them his grandparents.  According to the orphanage director, he was very loved by them. We were told the foster parents took him for some special adventures in the days leading up to his adoption.  He had fun and when they returned to their home he said, "Whew, I am just exhausted!"  Very verbal little one we have here.  While they were happy he was going to a family, they are devastated.  They asked many questions about our family and if we are a good family.  They want us to send pictures to them regularly.  I will be happy to oblige.  So, he left their home and rode with the orphanage director to our hotel.  I can not imagine what was going through his mind.  We met him in the lobby and my very first thought was....Um....he is HUGE.  Seriously, it was my first thought.  After my shock wore off, I held him while they gave me a quick run down of his schedule, eating habits, medication, etc.  Then they left and he was ours.  Whether he liked it or not!


Poor sweetie

Daddy's 1st Jake hold

Daddy calmed him down. This has been a continuing theme.

Jake with his foster parents. 

Back to the room for a little play time and getting acquainted time while I finished some paperwork with our facilitator.  We then headed to the hotel's playground for a bit of fun.

Kota getting in some Milo cuddles

Our sweet boy in all his many Chinese clothing layers. 

Do you see the difference in the boys' sizes???  Craziness.

After some playtime and rest time, we walked over to the mall to look for some dinner.  We looked at several menus that we couldn't read before we saw a place that looked like a buffet.  I ventured inside to check it out before we committed and saw they had labeled things (mostly correctly) in English as well.  I thought it might be the best way for us to find some foods we liked as well as explore what the boys like.  It was really delicious but a bit comical.  The staff followed us around smiling and offering us foods.  There were at least 100 different selections.  Much of which we did not attempt.  We found out that Jake likes food.  Pretty much all food.  He also hates a mess and tries to clean up his hands and table constantly.  Thank you, Jesus.  In addition to all the buffet items, they did the Brazilian steakhouse thing to and brought all of the mystery meats in the world by our table.  All of them.  Finally, they found a piece of paper that explained some of the items they were offering.  The titles also validated our many "no's." They also insisted that we eat the "hairy crabs" that came with our meal.  I guess as a dessert since they insisted at the end of the meal?  No idea. 

Not necessarily "international"

The "hairy crabs"



Always ask, "What is it?"

We headed back to the hotel to get everyone ready for bed.  Milo insists on being walked to sleep before we put him in his crib.  Jake slept with his foster family in their bed.  Given the limited sleeping arrangements in our room, it seemed like the best fit for us as well.  He cried quite a bit but finally settled down and slept a full night's sleep.  While we have struggled some with bedtime with the boys.  I am SO thankful that they do sleep.  All. Night.  I'll take it.




Monday 10/31/16




Today we had to get all packed up to leave Nanchang very early in the morning.  Between leaving the hotel and making our train to Guangzhou (our next city) we had a full morning of appointments.  Thankfully the other children were able to stay in the van and play games and rest instead of sitting in government offices waiting.  We had to go to the civil affairs offices and the notary with Jake for his passport and visa photos and all our other paperwork for the China side of the adoption. We were strapped for time, so our guide ordered some pizza for us to eat at the train station while we were waiting on the train.  Once again we were the center of attention while we doled out our pizza to 5 children.  They are just so curious, I imagine.  First of all the idea of such a large family is completely foreign to them.  Plus two are clearly Chinese. So there's that.

Waiting to checkout of our Nanchang home

Right before Reese got in trouble for climbing the railing.

Van with table.  Perfect for games and cards while riding and waiting. 



Waiting on the train.

Now we get to board the much anticipated bullet train.  Our first train in-country was a sleeper so it wasn't the fast variety.  But this one went over 200 miles an hour! And we all go to enjoy it!  Except Brant.  Because today Jake decided that only Brant will do.  Only.  And only if Brant was standing up or walking him.  And sometimes not even then.  Brant enjoyed his train ride by standing up the vast majority of the 4 1/2 hour ride.  He was so glad to disembark and go straight to the hotel for some sleep. 

Bullet train pulling in!

Before it all went downhill ;)

We have been settled in Guangzhou (in Southern China) since Monday evening.  I'll get the rest of the updates up as soon as I can.  Know we are well.  The boys have their struggles.  Milo has a cold and could use your prayers to get that cleared up.  Jake is grieving.  Some times heavily.  Most specifically at bedtime.  But throughout the day as well.  He doesn't let Brant leave his sight.  He tolerates me at most.  But I see glimpses of him coming around.  He truly has a smile that will light up the room.  And those dimples....sigh.  Milo is just a baby doll. He loves cuddles and kisses.  What he doesn't like is being put down.  We are learning about each other and figuring it out.  Keep praying.  More updates soon!