All Is Great

We are now in Guangzhou, at the China Hotel, I've never stayed at a more luxurious hotel. For this reason, everything costs a fortune, including internet time, so I'll just write lists from now on!

The trip down went really well, Joaquin's first flight, he's a total trooper. He had a meltdown after we arrived, new hotel, new everything all over again. He recovers quickly. I'm so proud of him, can't believe all we're putting these kids through on a daily basis.

I love our travel group. We have a sports announcer, air force family, several therapists, DEA agent, the whole gamet. Fortunately for me, also a speech pathologist. She says Joaquin's lip repair was excellent, wouldn't be surprised if it was an American doctor. She said his babbling is great, he is close to words, his resonance sounds good, not nasal. She said he'll probably need minimal speech therapy after his surgery the way he's acting. Go Joaquin.

His gross motor skills get better every day. His little legs were underused, having lived in a walker until last week. His upper body and fine motor skills are phenomenal. He picks lint and hair off of himself, he doesn't like to be dirty.

The last 3 days he is really sleeping well and relaxing into his new life. He is turning into a goofball, truly the mascot child of our group. He waves goodbye and blows kisses to pretty much anybody he likes. He initiates play with the other kids and with adults and is generous. He does reciprocal play really well, throwing a ball, organizing his blocks. He is smart and is a quick study; show him once and he's got it. He loves outside, exploring leaves and water and trees. This is all new and he's loving it. Dogs and cats are particular favorites. He's going to love his kitty Carlos when we get home.

Guangzhou is very cosmopolitan compared to Taiyuan. We no longer create international incicents wherever we go, people are far less curious, which is easier on J and on Mommy. We are finding good food to eat - hot pot and Malaysian and delicious traditional Chinese food. We also have a 7 Eleven and Starbucks when we need a break. Everything is at our fingertips here, just makes it a lot easier on the parents. We rented a stroller and he loves it, we only use the Baby-Bjornish thing when he is a bit timid about a new environment.

We are bonding so well, every day just gets better. He's a great little companion, more and more outgoing. We have created little routines and rituals. When we first got here and he was cranky, I threw him in the bathtub with his colored cups, that's all it took and he was better. He's a little Michael Phelps.

Speaking of the Olympics, before we left Taiyuan we met a great Dutch family whose daughter was competing in the ParaOlympics swimming. It was great to hear first-hand about the Water Cube and the Olympic village. Everybody had glowing reports. They said the Opening Ceremonies could not be topped.

Off I go, my 20 minutes is almost up. Oh, quickly - tomorrow is the medical exam, then Thursday the American Consulate appointment. We spent 2 hours yesterday afternoon as a group filling out what I hope to be the rest of the paperwork. Seriously, we have all had it up to our eyeballs with the paperwork, it's nice to be able to commiserate with folks who know exactly what you've been through.

P.S. All the kids in our group except for one have special needs. We have a blind girl, a boy with spinabiffida (sp), a couple cleft palates, Hep B, congenital heart conditions, the whole nine. I just love these families, they are amazing people, many already had birth children, which impresses me so much. There are many older kids in the group - it's touching to see them integrate their new little siblings into their families.

I am grateful grateful grateful and so aware of how blessed I am. Joaquin is a revelation every day. His official adoption date was 9.9.08 The number nine means longevity, a very good number. And number 8 means prosperity. So we're pretty much set as far as the calendar goes.

We miss you all and cannot wait to see you! We'll be back Friday late afternoon. I'll try to blog again before we leave.

P.S.S. Went to a jade and pearl market this a.m. - stimulation overload.

Bye Bye - Joaquin and Karen