We met Chuan today

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I think we finally got the pics to post and these pics say 1,000 words.  Little boy losing everything to gain the world so sad today.  I didn't even get a picture posed with me.

We were up at 4:30 this morning with Liam.  He was early bird this morning, and frankly I don't think I could have slept much longer anyway.  We ate breakfast and then were off meeting the other families also here for adoption.  2 from Florida, One from Utah, 2 from Cinncinnati.  THere were also a few other families at the orphanage when we got there.  Sandra said there were a total of 9 kids today meeting their families. 

We got to the orphanage and started on paperwork while we waited on the kids.  They brought the two youngest kids in first and there were 3 other families from other countries who got their children before us. 

THey brought the older children in last.  Chuan could not stop crying.  His nanny said he was excited to go but he could not stop crying.  He cried all morning.  He did not want to sit with me or even interact.  He did take some of the things out of his backpack and was able to write almost his whole English alphabet.   The Chinese man who is our driver was very kind and sweet and talked with him.  The ladies from the orphanage also talked with him but he was just weeping and so sad.  It breaks my heart to know that he is leaving behind everything he knows for a totally unknown life.  He must be so incredibly scared. 

On the way back to the hotel he was talking in Chinese and Sandra said he was asking if he would get to see his friends again and what will happen to them.  He just kept asking to go back to the orphanage.  Once we got here she explained we had some clothes for him and he needed to try them on for me.  He was happy to do so once we got upstairs.  He liked the soft fluffy socks and the mocassins with fluff that I bought him.  I'm hoping they will be soft on his little feet. 

We left and went to a Wal-mart type store and a mall.  He picked out some soap, a toothbrush and toothpaste, some lotion for himself and a remote control car and a transformer toy belt that makes lights and noise.  He wanted more toys and gave me the pouty boy face but we did just a few things not to overdo it.  We went downstairs and to McDonalds in the mall area.  He did not like the fries or the hamburger.  He ended up eating Liam's chicken nuggets and Liam liked the fries.  He does not walk with me or even seem to repond much to touch.  He had a young girl in his orphanage that was his caregiver and he called her momma so he is very traumatized and not ready for me to fill this role for him.  I will have to be patient. 

We stopped at a french bakery in the mall and bought some treats to bring back to our room which were yummy also!

On the trip back we had to stop at a bank for some of the other families to exchange money which is a long process.  Chuan needed to use the bathroom
so we went on an excursion through starbucks into a electronics mall and to find the bathroom which actually was very clean and nice except when we walked by the men's restroom the door was wide open and some guy was almost exposed just standing there with the door wide open.  We went down some other stairs thinking we could find our way out and ended up somewhere we did not recognize, so backtracked up 4 flights of stairs and back to the starbucks and out on the street!  THey were not even done at the bank yet!  Chuan opened his toys and Jake's dad helped him put the remote control car together.  IT was in about 9 pieces that reqired more technical skill than I possess to put it together.  

Later we were back at the hotel and I remembered I had the video from the Journey of Hope camp that Chuan and the other kids attended.  Chuan sat on my lap and watched the video on my laptop.  That was the most contact he has had with me so far so I'm planning on letting him watch it again!  The 2 deaf children, Ling and Jake came by to see if we wanted to go to dinner with them and their families and they came in and watched some of the video.  CHuan is not deaf, but he gestures and signs quite a bit.  Hopefully this will help us when we are back at home and trying to learn English!

We ended up going to dinner at a CHinese restraurant which is probably off the beaten path.  THere are some street level restaurants like  a KFC and a McDonalds just a few blocks away, but we climbed to the 6th floor of a mall and found a great little restaurant.  We fed 11 people for less than $100 and there was food leftover.  One of the families here has grandparents with them who used to live/work here in China and they ordered most of the food.  We had duck, chicken, beef, shrimp and pork dumplings, some fried rice and several different noodle dishes and some Chrysanthemum tea.  Its one of those Chinese restaurants with the big lazy sussan on the table so they put the food and everyone just passes it around and grabs a bite here and there.  It was probably the best and most authentic meal we have eaten here so far. 

Chuan wanted a soft drink because he saw the other boy get his dad to buy him one and I told him we would get one when we were back at the hotel.  He made a whiny face and pouted for a while.  Then he asked the other mom to get him one and she told him to ask me.  So glad we can all be on the same page!  We walked back to the hotel and stopped at the 7-11 type store and bought him a 7-up. He came back and let me help him with a bath and is drawing and writting and avoiding going to bed now!  Liam has already passed out. He is too funny and holds his hands and arms up in the air for you to rub him in a massage like manner on his arms.  He is such a loving and touch feely baby. 

We skyped with dad and the girls from my office and Chuan did talk to them and wave and say hello which is an improvement.  We are hoping for little wonders at his point and praying for his heart to soften toward his family that loves him already.  Today is another big paperwork day.  Chuan has to sign that he wants to be adopted and we are praying all goes well then. 

From Shanghai, Amanda, Paula Liam and Chuan.