Shaiman Island

Today after our last medical appt we ate breakfast and then headed to Shaiman Island. It is where the US consulate and medical clinic used to be. It is where the White Swan hotel is. Last trip the White Swan was down to concrete studs- it is being renovared. Now it has windows! Still not open though. 

Medical exam and Swimming

Such a brave boy!! He had sputum testing, a blood draw that took 3 sticks, a chest xray and a physical. 

Ayi (aka Brandi) got him a treat after

Then we went swimming in the pool. 

Made it to Guangzhou!

Today we flew to Guangzhou!! It was Alex's first flight. He did great. He thought it was fun. Our new guide, Kathy met us at the airport. We stopped at the medical clinic to get registered and pay the fees. We will be going there the next 3 mornings in a row for testing. We were so glad to see the China Hotel! Our room overlooks the 4th floor play area which is outside. 

We are going to dinner with friends that are here and had their consulate appt today- so they leave soon. So excited that we made it!!!

Visit to Alex's foster home

This afternoon we went to see the foster home where Alex was living. He wanted to go to say bye to all his friends and caretakers. He did much better than Brandi and I did. We both left crying. The caregivers were so nice. The director is a nurse. There are currently 31 kids under their care. They had to rent a second apartment. 

The boy in the striped shirt is one of Ting Ting's best friends.  He is 9 and really wants a family. 

Isn't he cute???? Many of the kids here have families and are in the foster home to get medical care. Several are from orphanages and need families. 

 These girls are from the same orphanage but their files have not been prepared. 

Aren't they beautiful? 

Right before we left all the older school age kids came home. So many kiddos. I am overwhelmed. I don't even know what to say. I heard heart breaking stories from the director- how they would be evicted if the neighbors found out they had HIV positive kids in the foster home. How orphanage directors do not want to waste time and money on files for HIV positive kiddos. How one 9 year old boy desperately wants a family. 

We said our good byes and had to go. 

The guy in the white shirt is David, our CCAI guide. He has been absolutely wonderful. He has such a great loving heart for these kids. He also volunteers in several orphanages and in several Asian countries. He may need his own blog post:). I am forever indebted to him for what he has done for us this week. He would say it's his job. 

But those kids. I have thought of them all constantly since we left. 

Signed and official!!!

This morning we went back to the civil affairs office and finalized the adoption. Alexander ChenTing is officially and forever our son! We had to go to the notary and there was a lot of waiting for the paperwork. We celebrated after at McDonald's. 

I have a new hero

Alex, or Ting Ting (which is his Chinese name that he goes by) is doing so great. The day started with a walk in the park and breakfast.  Then we went to the bank to exchange money. We ate lunch at Pizza Hut and we ran to wal mart and got snacks and drinks and such. We had just enought time to change clothes at the hotel and head to the civil affairs office. It was a quick ride. Good thing Brandi had the camera ready because Ting Ting was already there. He was nervous but seemed happy to see me. We looked at pictures of the family and he looked at the things we brought him. I had to sign some paperwork (guardianship agreement for 24 hours) and he has just been so brave. He had to say good bye to those who cared for him for the past 3 years. He cried most of the way to the hotel- grieving. It is hard to see but so good for him to do. He warmed up and eventually was jumping on the bed and getting himself snacks and drink. He is all boy. More paperwork and dinner and a bath were all done- he loves the water. We facetimed Scott and he knew that he was Ba Ba. He has the cutest smile. 

Such a brave boy. Leaving everything he knows. Tomorrow is adoption day and he becomes a son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin. 

Tomorrow is The Day!!

I saw his face a year ago. We started paperwork 7.5 months ago. 

Ready to go. One more sleep.