This morning we had to meet early so we could take a van ride to Zhoukou city, where we would file for Matthew's passport. Even though Matthew is from Taikang county, his passport needs to be processed in Zhoukou city. And for reference, in China, a county is smaller than a city. So there were 3 families total in our group with children from Zhoukou city (2) and Taikang (1). We asked Viviene, our guide, for more info on Taikang and she explained it is about another hour and a half drive past Zhoukou city (which was already a 2.5 hour drive from Zhengzhou). She explained that Taikang is very small and that his orphanage is more of a foster home than an orphanage because of it's size. We still feel so blessed that Matthew has had such a small setting to grow up in thus far. Of course because of that more personalized attention he has a lot more "only child" tendencies than the behavior you would expect from a child living in a large orphanage. It's a good thing he's so cute ;)
Wondering what that picture was of? This was our view of the trip from Zhengzhou to Zhoukou city! It was a cold and rainy day here. The van we were in did not have air that worked properly so the driver kept manually defogging his window with a towel. Couple that with driving >65mph in the rain with no child seats or seat belts and you can just about guarantee that was the most terrifying 2.5 hour trip of my life!
This was the driver's view.
Thankfully Joseoh kept himself occupied nicely.
Marthew did too :)
Just before we got there this little one woke up one happy kid!
This little hand movement he does, he does it when he dances or hears music. That is when he is most happy!
Joseph shared the iPad with his little brother and even taught him some things!
Like how to wear headphones...
And play games. Joseph was so sweet with him holding Matthew's hand to show him where to press.
We finally arrived at the passport office.
And look who surprised us! I didn't realize that the directors would be there but they were. Matthew got a huge smile on his face when he saw him. He was very loving to Matthew and picked him up and had us take pictures with him and for him.
Just before he left we asked Viviene to translate that we wanted to thank him for all he has done for Matthew and for loving him so much. He got a bit teary and walked out quickly. I know that must have been so difficult for him. Matthew was very sad too. He watched him leave and cried some. Just as soon as the directors left we also left to go do a drive by of the orphanage the other 2 children were living in before gotcha as well as the finding spot for one of the children. Matthew's orphanage and finding spot were way too far away to even be a possibility to travel too. It was a privilege though to still see some of the city where he had spent some time during this last year of his life. The city itself was very typical of China. Very crowded and a mix of old and new. There was a lot more old than new in this city though. And you can see the poverty more distinctly here than in Zhengzhou. We were told today that Zhengzhou has about 9 million people and Zhoukou city is "small" with about 4-5 million people!!
I took this picture because it shows the crazy traffic patterns. There are bicycles, motorcycles, carts , cars and large trucks all going in different directions. That small bike with the girl in pink on it...she looked like she was 12 or less, driving through all of that traffic.
Random beautiful modern looking park in the city with a giant screen playing Ice Age...
High rise residential buildings
This lady carting around all of that in her wagon!
We are so, so blessed to be this kids mama and daddy!
On our way out of town we stopped in at McDonald's. It was so good!! And you know their apple pies...they had a banana pie option here. Maybe I missed this one at home but that thing is so good!!
II
This kid took my camera again...
And actually took some cute pics :)
Yep, photographer Joseph's work...
When we all were sufficiently full as well as sufficiently grossed out by the squatty potty in there we left to head back to Zhengzhou. Thankfully this sweet child slept the whole way back.
Reference for how little his hand is :)
After getting back to the hotel, we gave the boys a bath (cause Matthew had his second blow out diaper with us so far just as we were pulling up to the hotel) and then headed out to dinner. We went to the noodle place at the Holiday Inn where they make homemade hand stretched noodles. We ordered some as well as some dumplings and discovered Matthew loves dumpling wrappers! Glad I have some in my freezer for when we get home!
So it's a good thing we also have chopsticks at home because Matthew loves playing with them. And drumsticks and drums because he loves to bang things together or drum on anything he can as long as it is the loudest surface possible!
When we got back to the room we got ready for bed and played a little. Matthew was struggling today with anything related to Ronnie. If Ronnie holds him he cries. If he even looks at him he will pout. He has definitely picked a side and is making it known. On one hand, it's good to see him attach to someone since the first day he really was just in pleaser mode. We can tell he is grieving and therefore starting to show some signs of survival attachment with me. He cried a sad, sniffle, deep breath, quiet cry for about 30 minutes this morning on waking up. I am no longer able to be out of his sight. Thankfully he will let me put him down still but if I leave the room he will immediately start crying and come to me with his hands help up for me to pick him up. His stomach has been upset the last two days too so I know that can't help him to feel any better. Sow more good things though, today was the first time he ran to me to pick him up in a public setting. And he is starting to pick up a few sign language signs we have been using to help us communicate better. He really is as clever as they described him!
Can't wait for these posts each day. I refresh my screen at least 100 an hour and to see if anything new has been posted. I know you must exhausted and so glad you will have a day to relax. So thankful to have the all these pics to look at each day. Keep them coming....hugs and kisses to you. Can't wait to be able to talk to you and hear more about each and every day. Love you!
ReplyDeleteA drummer like his daddy!
ReplyDeleteWe now have 4 boys total between both families...I "hear" a band in their future!
P.S. I haven't seen any pics of my daughter. Do you have her?;)