We're Home

We're Home!

Well we've been home for 6 days! We arrived home on Thursday Dec.18th at 12:30pm. The flight home was painless. Ava didn't make a peep the entire flight. She slept 6 out of the 11 hour flight.

We arrived at LAX and were greeted by our family. I spotted my brother first and that was it for me. I was a blubbering mess. I didn't expect my brother, Salli and the kids until the 19th so I was so surprised. The kids ran up to us caring one red rose each. Ava was very quiet, just taking it all in. Dave picked her up and put her on the ground. That was the moment she became an official US Citizen. We had two limos waiting for us outside for a relaxing ride home. Everyone came over the house and my mom and uncle had dinner waiting for us. We were able to stay awake until 9:30pm. We had been up since 6am the previous day! Ava woke up at 10:30pm and she and I stayed up playing until 3am. I slept until about 10am, woke up feeling great. No jet lag for me! But now we are all down and out with colds and sinus infections. Yuck!

I have to say the entire trip was flawless. We were prepared for glitches or bumps along the way, but it never happened. We both are easy travelers who just like to go with the flow and I think that helped. The hardest part was catching the train to Hong Kong. There were 7 families and our guide wasn't really helpful. We had so much luggage and so many children and didn't have a clue to where we were going it was slightly tense. Once we boarded the train we all took a deep breath and enjoyed the scenery and each others company.

I think I've said this before, but I'll say it again... we could not have had a better travel group. We all got along so well and had so much in common.

Hong Kong was beautiful! We arrived about 7:30pm, checked into the hotel, dropped off our luggage and headed out. When in Rome... right? We went to the Outback Steakhouse for dinner and then walked the boardwalk. What an amazing view! Missy had been to Hong Kong before so she was kind enough to stay with us and give us the tour! Thanks Missy! We walked through the famous Peninsula Hotel and then called it a night.

So since we've been home we have been very busy. We had a neighborhood party on the 19th. Ava did great. She sat for a moment on Santa's lap (enough time to snap a picture) I had our family party at my house on the 20th. Note... Ava loves tamales! We went out to dinner on the 21st to celebrate Dave's birthday. The 22nd it hit us. We were all exhausted and napped on and off all day. We finished our shopping on the 23rd and wrapped all the gifts. Today is Christmas Eve. I have to go grocery shopping for tomorrow, then it's off to church and over to Cathy's for dinner and dessert.

Ava appears to be content here at home. She is a very friendly, social, little girl who knows exactly what she wants. Most of the day she is happy. She seems to be acclimating to the time difference just fine and she slept through the night last night. (Yeah for me!)

She likes...

Noodles
Yogurt
French Fries
Mama
Baba
Toys
Christmas lights
To be Bossy

She doesn't like...
Bath time
Rice
Eggs
Bed time
The Crib
When she's not the boss

We Made It

Yesterday Ava had her first airplane ride and she did great. She slept the entire time. Ok that was 1 1/2 hrs, do you think she'll sleep 11 1/2 hrs on the way home? That might be asking too much! All of the babies did great. All of the parents were relieved!

So we made it to Guangzhou! Although I did like my time in Nanchang there just wasn't much to do. The traffic was a nightmare and the hotel food was terrible. The shopping was expensive and the smog was so bad at time you could hardly see the buildings in front of you. The highlight of our days were going to dinner. The dinners were so good. Really spicey! Our guide was good and we all really liked her. Mary did take us to a porcelain shop and we bought Ava some gifts from her home province. Leaving was bittersweat. We were leaving my daughters Province, the only place she had ever been. I am forever grateful to Jiangxi, the Wanzai SWI, and especially her foster parents!

The hotel we are staying at in Guangzhou is on Shiamen Island, along the Pearl River. They speak and eat mostly Cantonise. The hotel is nice and our rooms have a great river view. There is tons of shopping and they all speak English and try so hard to get your business. I bought Ava her first pair of sqeeky shoes and will buy more today. She loves them! We ate at the famous LUCY's (all adoptive parents know of Lucy's) and shopped at the famous Jordan's.

Ava stepped off the plane and became a different baby. The biggest challenge we were having was when we would be in a public place she would let go of my hand and wander off. If I would try to get her to follow me or pick her up, she would throw herself on the floor and throw a fit. Well, last night it seems she finally wants to be with us. She held my hand the entire evening or would put her hands up so I could carry her. That's a huge breakthrough for us! I can tell she was very well taken care of and very very loved by her foster parents! She is just too cute. She is very talkative and likes to sing to herself. She says Mama, Baba, Kyle, Hello, Bye-bye and a lot of Chinese words. We are just so head over heals in love with her and love to wake up every morning to see the daily changes that are taking place in her.

James update...

I saw and spoke to James on the computer this morning. He is doing great. The doctors said they will keep him until Monday just to make sure his kidneys are 100%. His friends are coming to visit him and he is in great spirits. He will have to take it easy and no weight lifting or exercise for a while, but should make a complete recovery.

Kyle and Kara...

I hope your having a great time at the Polar Express. Have fun on the train tonight and don't forget to give Santa your list. Make sure to take a picture on Santa's lap so mommy and daddy can see. Have fun and listen to Nani. We love and miss you guys so much. See you in 4 more days. Can you hear the bell? I can!!!

God Bless You both,

Mommy xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Enjoy the pictures... (I'll post more later, it's breakfast time and you know I can't miss a meal)

James Update

Praise God!

I spoke with James and saw him on Skype this morning! He looks great! Healthy! His test results came back today and they were much better. His kidneys are working fine! He may be released tomorrow. It was so good to see and talk to him. His dad says he's been fine... texting non stop. He had his dad running around getting him food. James said he doesn't like the hospital food. Probably because it had veggies and is somewhat healthy.

Thank you all for you prayers, they have been answered! I did ask James to remain still and preferably in a bubble until I get home!

I have to tell you. I have the best travel group ever. We are all so much alike. So last night the ladies decided to leave the babies with the guys and get a much needed massage. My stomach is sore from laughing so hard. The four of us were side by side with four male masseuses (sp??) Well we became typical girls and got the giggles. We were laughing at them laughing at us. I'm sure they were thinking crazy Americans. That was just too much fun.

I wasn't sure about leaving Ava with Dave, but he said she did great. He said she talked the entire time. It was good bonding time for them.

I'll post again tonight with more pictures.

Sorry For Not Posting Sooner!

I have so much to catch up on, but tonight will be short. Ava Jinjue is doing wonderful. Everyday she is changing and really opening up. I still don't think we've seen the real Ava, but I know we gotten glimps. She loves to talk, but will only do so a few times a day for about 10min at a time. She is still nervous for much of the day. You know when she is nervous because she spits. That's right.... she spits. Very lady like! She will also play with her hands and put her head down. She has really warmed up to Dave. He can do everything with and to her except hold her. We went out yesterday and there was one point where we had to be quiet and watch a short show.... well Ava decided to act like a typical 2 year old and throw a fit. I took her outside and she decided she didn't want to hold my hand or be carried and would scream and throw herself on the floor if I tried. There were hundreds of people watching (judging) my parenting skills. Thank God I'm not a 1st time parent and I don't really care what they think, but the stares do become a little intimidating. Needless to say we left the group and headed back to our hotel. Both Ava and mommy needed a nap by then. Tonight we received the last of her paperwork which included her passport, so tomorrow we will travel to Guangzhou. I am very excited for this 2nd to last leg of our trip. I hear the food, the hotel, and the shopping is great. I'll try to catch up and post more tomorrow.

This trip has been hard for many reasons, but most of all was leaving my children at home. My worst fear was that one of my kids would get sick and I wouldn't be able to be there and comfort them. Well, my fear came true last night. I am asking for prayers for my eldest son James. He is 17 and is currently in the hospital. He has Rhabdomyolysis. This is caused from working out. He told my mom that he was having blood in his urine and thank God my mom acted quickly and got him to the hospital. His blood levels are extremely abnormal. His kidneys are working overtime and he can go into renal failure. If his kidneys stop producing urine he will need dialyses. When I spoke to him he said he's not in pain and is in good spirits. My mom and uncle are there with him along with his dad and step mom. His dad is staying the night and promised me that (I think he would have said yes to anything I asked with all the crying I was doing) he would not leave his side for a moment. When I spoke to them around 7:30pm his creatinine level had decreased a little. There plan is to increase his fluid tonight and try and flush out the tissue. If all goes well he can go home on Sunday.

I can't tell you how desperate, heartbroken and just devastated I am. I need to be there with him and I just want to go home. I need to see him and touch him. I just can't believe this is happening. I can't stand the the fact that I can't do anything. I am helpless. Please pray that tomorrow his numbers are better and his kidneys continue to function and that his overall condition improves.

I have faith that the Lord has his arms around my entire family and I know he will heal my son. I know that he is taking care of all of us and I praise him!

I know I can't say Thank you right now because I keep falling apart, but I need to thank you Mom for taking care of my babies. I will never be able to express the gratitude and comfort I have knowing you are there. I'm sorry so much has been put on you, but I'm just so happy it's you. Thank you Robin, for watching the kids and listening to me blubber on the phone. I am so blessed to have a friend like you. I got the pic that Thor sent from dinner tonight and the kids looked really happy.

I'll write more tomorrow

A Free Day and Video!

I'm trying to upload a video. I hope you all can see it.

Today was a free day. Nothing official to do. So, we went down to breakfast. Much better than yesterday. I'm not sure if I have mentioned this, but the food here in the hotel is NOT very good compaired to Beijing. The food there was sooooo good. Anyway, I ate toast and jelly with some noodles and a piece of banana bread. Dave had the cook make him an egg and made an egg and bacon sandwich. The bacon tastes a little different, so I just don't go there. After breakfast we went back to the room and talked to the kids. This Skype thing is just so great. It makes us feel so much closer to all of you and makes us being so far away a little easier. If any of you want to see Ava and haven't, just download Skype to your computer (it's free) then under contacts look for us Dave & Stephanie Crivelli or Crivellifam1. You have to have a camera on your computer for it to work.

Around 10:30 we went down to the lobby to wait for some other families because our guide was taking us to the Walking Street (outside mall) She was at the hospital with another family who's baby is sick and needing outpatient antibiotics. They were running late so we didn't leave until almost noon. By that time Jinjue (Chin Chwe) was ready for her nap, but we decided to go anyways. The walk was over a couple of miles, and did I mention I am the only one that can hold her. Needless, to say I thought my arms were going to fall off by the time we got there.

The walking street was like a cleaned up version of Downtown LA (minus the dirt, and homeless) and add high end shops. There were a lot of people with a lot of stares. Not too much at me. I think because I'm brown with brown hair and short with almond eyes, people just overlook me. But boy to they look at the others. They look at Dave because he is tall and big. They were looking at the other family because they are all blonde's with two Chinese children. They would talk to their five year old, I think expecting her to talk back, but she only speaks English. The older people would get right up to your face and stare and say something. All in all they are just really curious and kind. We had a few ask for pictures with us which we happily accepted.

At the end of the mall is a Mc Donald's. We had to try it of course. We had heard all these stories. From putting an egg on the hamburger, to using cheese whiz instead of sliced cheese. All false! Everything tasted exactly like home. The fries were a little better!! Ava acted like she knew the place and went right for the fries. Ok she ate a lg. fry by herself. Our guide said it was impossible for her to know Mc Donald, but let me tell you that girl knew exactly what to do. Our guide, tried to hold Ava and spoke to her in Chinese telling her to give me a rest. But she wouldn't have it and cries if anyone but me or Dave even touch her. Mary, our guide said it was very good for her age and looks like she is really attaching to us. It feels great to hear someone else say it. Once Ava fell asleep on the walk back, Dave was able to hold her and gave my arms a rest. My legs are still sore from the Great Wall, my back and neck are sore from the bed, and my arms are sore from the baby.... I'm a mess too!

Dave and I left the other family at that point and headed back to the hotel. We stopped at the grocery store for more Doritos (Did I tell you they are the best, better than ours) and Pepsi of course. (no diet here, and tastes slightly different)

When we got back to the room, our guide took three of the men for a massage. Ava and I stayed in the room. We put on a Friends DVD and played on the floor. Dave said the massage was awesome and he's going back today. The girls are going to try and go too, but I don't know if I'll be able to since Ava will still only stay with me and cries if I'm not in her sight. I don't want to leave and scare her.

Then we all met and went for dinner. We tried a new place. It was good but yesterdays was better. All the kids love this egg dish. I'm going to have to learn how to make it. It looks and has the same texture as flan (yuck) Ava ate 3 bowls with rice and egg and about 6 or 7 pieces of watermelon. This girl can eat. When she's had enough she just spits it out. She cracks me up. Most of the Chinese children are very disciplined and very particular about being clean. Not Ava... she's a mess! She spits on herself, pees on herself, smashes cookies all over the place. The only thing she wants clean are her hands. She will wipe and wipe them until there is nothing left to clean. That is funny, because when we got her those were the dirtiest hands we had ever seen. It has taken 3 full days to get those hands and nails looking pretty.

All in all she is doing very well. She is still having many many moments of sadness. It's very healthy for her to grieve and we just hold her through it. She is having many more moments of happiness where we get to see a little of her personality. She is just a clown!!

That's Friends playing in the background!

It's Official

She's ours! Today we received Ava Jinjue's Official Adoption Certificate!

Today we left our hotel around 8am to fill out some paperwork and complete the adoption. Our first stop was the Jiangxi Province Center of Adoption Services. There we took a family photo, Ava's visa photo. We were also interviewed and asked why we wanted to adopt from China, how we plan on raising her and promised to never abuse or abandon her. There we met the orphanage director. We were a little nervous for Ava to see him again, considering the way she reacted on the first day. Well, she never even wanted to leave my arms. She didn't really acknowledge him at all.

We also stopped by the notary office, and police station. Dave of course made a friend with a female police officer and they stayed talking via our guide for a while. She spoke a little English and has a friend in San Francisco. They exchanged emails.

Then, it was back to the hotel. Ava has a hard time going to sleep. She sobbed for about an hour and a half before falling asleep for her nap. Dave and I also knocked out. That was our first nap here and it was wonderful.

We woke up from our nap and went back to the police station. The Internet was down earlier so we had to complete the process.

When we got back to the hotel, Dave and I walked around for a little bit looking for shoes. I didn't bring Ava a jacket or shoes. We walked over to Tiffanie's (most of the adoptive moms from this province know about her shop) We tried on shoes, but they didn't have any that fit. This girl has a big foot. She was so excited trying them on and shopping, however when we left without anything, she cried! Dave is in trouble!!!!

We let her walk back (I have carried her up until now) She is a clown. She threw her chest and arms back and strutted down the street. She looked like George Jefferson. When we walk into the lobby and she the Christmas tree, she gets so excited and starts talking and talking. It's the only time we get to see a glance of her personality. The ladies from the orphanage said she is very friendly and social, but I think it will still be a while before we see it.

As far as bonding and attaching she seems to be on target. She makes wonderful eye contact and keeps her eye on her when I'm not holding her. Oh, she is not having anything to do with her crib! I just can't see her cry so she is sleeping with me. I think she must have slept in bed with her foster family, although when we asked they didn't know. She rubs my face at night and is stuck to me like glue. She is fine as long as she is in my lap. She is doing better with Dave. He can play with her and touch her and he is the only one getting kisses, but he can't hold her yet.

It's really amazing to see the babies transformation. The two oldest babies are Ava 22mo. and Hope 26mo. They have had the hardest time. Ava is the vocal one, she cries every time I do something new. Even changing her position on my lap. Hope is very independent and was having trouble making eye contact, yet would stay very close to Dwight and Marie. Tonight at dinner Hope was the funniest thing. She is just too cute. She loved her food and was eating with chop sticks. She showed her sweet personality and was interacting, making eye contact and talking with her mommy. The young babies are doing great. They all seem to be adjusting well. My friend Missy's baby is Sophia. Sophia has pneumonia, although by looking at her you would never know. She is just the happiest baby. She does sound terrible. They take her to the hospital two times daily for IV antibiotic treatments. She is doing much better. I went up to the room last night to suction her nose and pound (CPT) her chest to help open up the lungs. She cried with the nose suction, but loved the CPT. It's hilarious how we parents get so excited over pee, poop, and buggers! We pulled the biggest snot out of Sophie's nose and were all so excited and displayed it like real gold!!!! I absolutely love this family. Missy also brought her parents with her and they are just the best people.

Although we are having a wonderful trip and enjoying every minute of it. It does get harder and harder everyday. We are trying to savor our time hear, but in our hearts we just want to go home.

Below are a few pictures from the day. Nine more days until we come home!

Happy Ava!

We hold on tight to eachother!

Jiangxi Center for Adoption Services

Me, Ava, Sophia, and Missy

It's OfficialThe notary office

A quick nap on the bus

The Police Station

Gotcha!!!

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away...

Gotcha!

Okay go ahead and look at the pictures, then come back to hear about our day! We left Beijing around 10:30am and arrived in Nanchang about 2:15pm. We were originally told that we would meet the babies at 5pm, however when we landed our guide told us that we would meet them at 4pm. So we checked-in our room, unpacked, got the diaper bag ready and headed to the 2nd floor to wait for the babies. There were a total of 5 other families with us. They brought Jinjue right by me and I did not recognize her. I looked and thought for a minute, no too young. But it was her.

The ladies from the orphanage recognized me from the pictures I sent. When I approached Jinjue she melted. She cried at the sight of me. When I held her she pushed me away. Once I let her down, she walked over to the ladies from the orphanage and calmed down. She was fine as long as she didn't have to look at us! She interacted with the other kids and took some cheerios from Dave. It was heartbreaking to leave the room. She screamed and cried. Once we got her in the room she stood facing away from us trying to open the door to leave. About 10min. later I wiped her nose and that was it! She let me! So I took the opportunity and undressed her. She had on about 3-4 layers of clothes on. I will count them later. Dave ran a bath and I bathed her. Once I had her in a towel close to me she held on!!! She hasn't let go since. She is fine as long as she is on me. Which by the way is just fine with me. If I try to walk away she cries. She wouldn't sleep in the crib last night, so we cuddled! She is just waking up now, so I have to go. There is so much more I need to say about our day. I am hoping to have some down time today to catch up on our posts!

Kids- We love you and miss you very much. You sister is beautiful and I can't wait for you to see her. We will talk on Skpe tonight! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoox

Our first look at her
Gotcha

The Orphanage Ladies

As close as I can get

As close as Dave could get

The clothes she was wearing

After a bath

Much happier after a bottle, bath, and some toys!