Photos Galore

So now that we have baby girl, I've been pondering how to organize the gobs and gobs of photos over the rest of her life that I will no doubt be collecting. I'm thinking of maybe organizing pics by month and then creating each year that she's with us into its own album. Or perhaps, I could instead organize it into each year of her life. I'd like to add captions to most pictures too. This could get tricky though.

I'd love to commit to scrapbooking everything, but seriously, I'm still working on a scrapbook that I started 12 years ago in college and STILL haven't finished. Scrapbooking is only for the highly-efficient creative types and that I am not. Sorry Creative Memories.

I'd love any suggestions from those of you that like to keep your photos organized with minimal creative effort involved (I said minimal, not nil so some creativity is okay). Are there particular albums that you've found useful or easy to accomplish this feat? Do you have a systematized way to doing this? As you go or at the end of the year? Do you recommend a scrapbook, but minus the "scrapbooking" per say? How about the Snapfish photo books? Hmmm, so many options...do share please.

A Month with Elyza

Eight months old today, Elyza has had a busy first month with us. She's met both sets of grandparents, her aunt, friends and neighbors. She's had her first visit to the pediatrician and her first of many visits to the zoo, and has already been baptised. She's thriving with each day and discovering new things everyday. We're loving every moment with her!

More on Transracial Adoption

An excerpt from The New York Times Relative Choices:

A Chinese friend who visited from Beijing thinks I’m daft, lugging my girls to New Year’s banquets and dragon-boat races. “They are not Chinese. They are American,” she told me. She meant American in more than address, American in a way that’s obvious to anyone who is not from America. It’s the way they stand, how they carry themselves, the cut of their hair, the things they find funny or sad.

The irony is that in this country, my daughters are seen as wholly, fully Chinese. Indeed it is Chinese blood that runs in their veins.

Like every father and mother, I know that later on, it will be all my fault — as it has been the fault of parents through millennia. So when that time comes, when Jin Yu is a teenager, full of the certainty of her years, which blame can I live with? For having dragged her to National Day parades and Moon Festivals? Or for not having done so, for having let the tie to her past slip away like the string of a wind-tossed kite?

At least I get to pick.

I hope someday my daughter will see that her mom and dad made an effort, however flawed and imperfect, to restore part of what was taken from her. I hope if we do return to China that some of what Jin Yu learns in this country will help her make sense of that one. That if we can visit the orphanage, she will feel at ease, even if she doesn’t feel at home.

Oh the Binkie

Okay, so why did I not know that pacifiers create a love/hate relationship !? When we met our daughter, she was a finger-sucker, literally sucking her fingers day and night. It was very adorable, and used for self-soothing during stressful times (no doubt), but we had two problems - when the fingers fell out, she'd wake and cry AND we were worried that fingers in the mouth all day might mean further developmental delays. So we switched to a pacifier, and she and it became fast friends...inseparable...except...

Well, guess what?! Paci's fall out of the mouth TOO, like every hour y'all...and hence, the baby cries. And in our case, we become slaves to the pacifier. And by some mystery, baby also forgets to use the fingers as her sucking "back up". How could 3 weeks with a binkie totally erase the memory of 6 months of fingersucking? I don't know, but it did! And to solidify the relationship even more between she and it, it's also become her teething pal. She chomps on it like some bored teenager smacking a wad of chewing gum.

So...here we are...joining the binkie-users club. So I worry about BPA (unsafe material in plastics) in the pacifiers. Luckily, I found this info at Safe Mama.

BPA-Free Pacifiers

Playtex “Binky” (one piece silicone pacifier)

Gerber Silicone NUKs (All Gerber pacis are free of polycarbonate plastic)

The First Years Soothies Silicone Paci’s

Vice Versa Binky w/ Case

Natural Rubber Natursutten Paci

BPA-Free Teethers

Sassy Jelly Fish Teethers

Sassy Coolin’ Teether

Sassy Chilly Dilly Daisy

Luv n’ Care Icy Bite Teether

Nuby Jiggle Giggle Teethers (cow and butterfly)

Nuby Nibbler

Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys on a Ring

Nuby Bug-A-Loop Teether

Je Je Vibrating Teether (rubber)

Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teether

Vulli Chan Pie Gnon Teethers

Comfort + Joy Teether (coming soon)

Leapfrog Gentle Vibes teether

Sassy Buzz n’ Bites teether

**Please note that this is not a comprehensive list. There may be other makers of BPA-Free teethers and pacis.

A Gift from China

While in Guangzhou, I happened upon a lovely, quaint little shop called A Gift from China, located just around the corner from the White Swan Hotel. Add this place to your list of "To Do's" once you get to Shamian Island for those of you adopting. Actually, anyone can purchase from their store online. They have wonderful little gifts. The best part - all proceeds go to help orphaned children through the work of The Good Rock Foundation and other charities.

Blog Housekeeping

I've decided to reserve the Digging-to-China blogsite for posting info related to adoption, parenting, and other topics of interest. I've created a new private blogsite where family and friends can stay up-to-date with little Elyza through photos, incessant bragging ;) and such. If you didn't receive the invitation to the private site and would like to be included, just leave a post here with your email, and I'll add you.

Happy Valentine's Day

My Sweet Love!

Smiling Eyes

She turned to me & whispered, don't you just love it when you get so excited you forget to breathe? & the thought of her smiling eyes still makes me laugh. - Story People

Happy Chinese New Year!

My good friend Hollie gave Elyza a book in celebration of Chinese New Year called D Is For Dragon Dance by Ying Chang Compestine. It got me excited about other books regarding this same topic. Below are a few that I saw online. I'm sure that there are many others too.

Lanterns and Firecrackers

Happy New Year

Chinese New Year for Kids

My First Chinese New Year

Bringing in the New Year

Moonbeams, Dumplings, and Dragon Boats

This Next New Year

Jet Lag?

Home Sweet Home

Well, we made it home late Sunday afternoon, absolutely exhausted, but elated to be home. The flight from Hong Kong to Chicago was 13.5 hours, with a 4 hour layover in Chicago and a 1 hour flight home from the Windy City. Elyza had a rough start, but proved to be an excellent traveller, enduring the many hours of flying, little sleep, and jet lag.

Our dear friend, Klaudette picked us up from the airport winning the official title of "first friend in the USA to meet Elyza" and in Klaudette fashion, provided us with a basket of homemade goodies, a SALAD (which we had been craving ever since we landed in China), beer, and more. Thanks, Klaudette! When we pulled up to the front door, we were greeted by a decorative entry and "Welcome Home Elyza" sign courtesy of Suzanne and Nancy. Thanks, girls! And we found our refrigerator stocked with milk, fresh produce, and cookies courtesy of Will and Kerri! Thanks, guys! And, thanks to my mom, who drove 4 hours last minute on Sunday to lend us an extra hand since Jay and I came home with souvenirs of sinus colds and serious jet lag. Thanks also to Halie who coordinated meals for the next month and all the friends who are graciously participating. Seriously, I don't know what in the world I would do without you all! I'm so indebted to you, my friends. We have been so encouraged and inspired by your comments, emails, gifts and gestures of generosity and kindness. It's reminded us of just how sweet our lives are with people like you in it.

We've had one full day at home so far, and Elyza is doing absolutely wonderful! She is so happy and healthy! She has been studying her new home, taking it all in, and she seems very comfortable and content with her new American life. Jay has time off from work until March and we are so grateful to have the time to bond as a family over the next few weeks.

This whole experience has been overwhelmingly wonderful in every way. Thanks to you all for sharing it with us!

With love from our home to yours,
J, C, and E

China Weather Conditions are Serious

This is from Half the Sky:

We’re still trying to get through to a few orphanages. We’ll provide information regarding those and other orphanages needing help just as soon as we have it. In general the needs are for fuel, food, disposable diapers, warm clothing and bedding. Prices are soaring because no goods can be shipped and cold weather has destroyed all winter crops. Half theSky is responding to the emergency by getting funds directly to the institutions in a variety of ways.
Beihai, Guangxi – Although ill-prepared for the bitter cold, the institution has so far managed to keep the children warm and fed.
Changzhou, Jiangsu – suffered the largest snowfall in Jiangsu Province. Several buildings have collapsed. But the institution rushed to preparefor the cold and the children are fine.
Chengdu, Sichuan – is experiencing the coldest winter in memory. They need a large room heater, diapers, shoes, socks and winter jackets.
Chenzhou, Hunan – still facing the most difficulties of the orphanages we’ve reached. They’ve had no electricity or running water for 8 days andthere is almost no possibility that power will be restored before NewYear’s Eve (the 6th of February.) Because of the blackout, the hospital is closed. 20 children are ill and being cared for by institution staff as well as they can. The banks are closed so staff is contributing personal funds to buy food, coal and diapers. Prices are skyrocketing as all roads to Chenzhou remain impassable.
Chongqing – warm and well, despite the terrible cold
Chuzhou, Anhui - has both water and power. Only public transportation has failed. HTS nannies and teachers are walking to work. They are leaving home extra early to be there for the children.
Fuzhou, Jiangxi - lost power for a few days but now it is back to normal.The snow stopped a couple of days ago but now is falling again. The directors and HTS staff have gathered all the children into one big room to keep them warm. They’ve bought New Years clothes for the children and will have a party no matter how bad the weather. This year, however, the foster parents will stay home to keep the children safe. The institution has enough food and water. They want us to focus on those in more serious trouble and ask us please not to worry.
Gaoyou, Jiangsu – Despite incredibly heavy snow, the children are warm and well.
Guangzhou, Guangdong – This city is truly unaccustomed to cold and it is getting more difficult to find necessities to keep children warm. Theyask for 30 space heaters and warm bedding.
Guilin, Guangxi - has two broken HTS heater/air conditioners in the Infant Nurture rooms and they’ve asked us to replace. The rooms are very,very cold. They ask for more soft matting for the floors and also snowboots for our HTS nannies who’ve been slipping and falling in the ice and snow as they come to work. They are so ill-equipped to handle severeweather.
Guiyang, Guizhou – no report yet.
Haikou, Haikou – Even sunny Hainan Island is experiencing a chill. The orphanage request a clothes dryer to keep the children in clean warm clothes.
Hefei, Anhui – reports that they have everything under control and the children are warm and well-fed.
Huangshi, Hubei – is in desperate need of disposable diapers. They ask for funds to purchase since goods can’t be sent to them right now. All heater/air conditioners have stopped functioning. They need quilts andwarm clothes for the children. Several HTS nannies have fallen on the ice on their way to work and they need medicine to treat cuts and bruises.
Jiujiang, Jiangxi – had another heavy snow storm last night. Pipes haveburst and the five boilers are broken. They are unable to bathe the children and are having trouble keeping them warm. They need quilts, bedding, warm shoes and space heaters. They need medicine for infant coughs and colds.
Lianyungang, Jiangsu – is doing the best they can despite the lowest temperatures in history. While they still insist we help others first,they do request winter jackets for the children, warm mats to cover the floor and bottles for babies with cleft lip/palate. The last item we’ll have to ship from Beijing as soon as we are able.
Luoyang, Henan – all is well. They are accustomed to the cold.
Maoming, Guangdong - no report yet
Maonan District, Maoming, Guangdong – In the sunny south, they have never seen this kind of cold and damp weather before. It’s been a month with another month in the forecast. They need space heaters. Local citizens have donated warm clothes and blankets for the children. Nanchang, Jiangxi – asks for warm floor mats and disposable diapers. They need a working room heater. Their electrical supply has been sporadic andwith only a small generator, they’re not confident they can continue to provide heat to keep the children warm.
Nanjing, Jiangsu – continues to manage, despite the heavy snows. Theywould like 200 children’s blankets but insist that we look after others with greater needs first.
Nanning, Guangxi – is experiencing its worst winter in 48 years. They are doing their best to weather the storm but could use 6 large space heaters, 86 warm quilts for our Family Village and disposable diapers. Like many places, they are having trouble finding affordable food right now and would appreciate a subsidy to help through this difficult time.
Qingyuan, Guangdong – no report yet.
Sanya, Hainan – all is well in this southernmost tip of China.
Shaoguan, Guangdong – needs disposable diapers for 27 babies. They need 3large room heaters and warm mats for the floors.
Shaoyang, Hunan - has seen heavy snow every day for 20 days. There is sufficient water and, for the moment, there is power, so the children are warm. However, 5 of 6 power poles have been downed by weather. Only one stands and the institution fears it will fall as well, leaving them without electricity. Much of the rest of the city is already dark. Children and caregivers continue to work and play together. High school students are cramming for exams and trying to ignore the cold. Everyone prays that the power pole will continue to stand.
Wuhan, Hubei – is having a very hard time finding affordable food, “even cabbage.” They ask for food subsidies for the Family Village, 20 spaceheaters and 50 warm quilts. Heaters are working but there is no water for bathing. The local community has offered to take children in for the Chinese New Year and the institution feels this may be the best decision to keep them safe, so their requests are only for the Family Village.
Wuzhou, Guangdong – is enduring bitter cold. They need warm mats for the floors, disposable diapers, warm clothes and shoes for the children.
Xiangtan, Hunan - has had snow for the past 10 days. The main water pipe is “broken again.” There is no water for cooking right now but they do have electricity, coal and blankets. They are still able to buy food but prices have gone way up. Not all of the HTS nannies can get to work everyday. They are keeping the programs going as well as they can and make sure that at least five nurturing nannies are there with the babies everyday, along with the institution’s caregivers.
Xinyang, Henan – is accustomed to the cold and all is well.
Yibin, Sichuan – no report yet.
Yiyang, Hunan – still has electricity but the water has been shutting off and on. They have stockpiled food for the children. The greatest challenge is for the nannies to get to work. Because the buses are down,they must walk on icy roads.
Yueyang, Hunan - also has no electricity. The one functioning power generator is being used in the children’s dormitory. They are relying on coal heat but the price has tripled in recent days. They are running out of food and have applied to the local Bureau of Civil Affairs for funds to buy more. Our HTS nannies have been walking for hours to get to work, often slipping on the ice, “even though they try to be cautious.”

To contribute to Half the Sky’s Little Mouse Emergency Fund to meet these emergency needs and others, click here: Half the Sky.

Our Time in Guangzhou

The White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou and the "red couch" traditional photo

We're in Hong Kong

Well, we made it to Hong Kong by train. Yes, by train from the same train station in Guangzhou that as been in international news.

We had a long day yesterday. Elyza has decided that she needs a schedule and is ready to be in the USA! She's been miss cranky pants for the last two days, bless her heart. Too much traveling and overstimulation and not enough naps. Yesterday morning we had to wait in our hotel from 8-12 while our guide took all of our paperwork to the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou. We did some last minute shopping before all the families went to the U.S. Consulate yesterday afternoon for our official swearing-in adoption ceremony. From there, the three of us said our goodbyes to the group and rushed to the train station to catch our train that was leaving 45 minutes later. We had no problem in our terminal though there were mobs of people as we entered the station.

We arrived around 8 p.m. tired and hungry. It was a very long day for all of us. I'm not sure how much of Hong Kong we'll get to see since Elyza is being a bit "spicey" (JiangXi girls are called spicey girls because of the spicey food and the sometimes spicey temper).

We'll be heading home in 24 hours. I can't believe how the time has flown.

I hope to post more pictures later.