The Strength of Mommy

Sleeping off a rough night.

Checking in. 

Our bedroom.

Hello from Guangzhou where I write to you from a two-room suite at the five star Garden Hotel, which is quite posh. 


The morning view of Guangzhou from our room.

The pool from above.

There are dozens of other American adoptive families here and the scene in the breakfast buffet is equally heartwarming and hysterical.  Guangzhou, formerly known as Canton, is the home of the U.S. Consulate, so every American adopting from China has this as their last stop.  It is nice to reach the end of this process in luxury, though we are not without a little strife, as well.

Did someone say something about being hysterical at the breakfast buffet?  'Cause I am. 

And that's what I wanted to share with you today.  I mentioned in the first blog post after we got Lillian that she did not cry.  Well, that is no longer the case.  In a way it is reassuring.  You're two years old.  You've been removed from everything you've known in your short life and you're now stuck with these strangers with whom you cannot communicate verbally, and who do crazy things with you like put you on a pressurized, jet propelled tube hurtling through the sky.  I know I'd be pissed.

We continue to enjoy a lot of fun and giggles, laughs, hugs, lotion applications and feedings (more on that later) but on the flight from Nanjing to Guangzhou - an inconsolable meltdown.  There are about a dozen Chinese nationals seated in our immediate area on the flight currently working to have us removed from the country.  At bedtime last night - an inconsolable meltdown that seemed like it was far more than an overtired child.  At the medical center this morning - an IN-CON-SOL-ABLE MELT-DOWN for three different doctors.  It's quite likely that her experience having surgery as an infant on her own is still with her - Pomona Pediatrics should be on notice. 

At the Guangzhou Travel Medicine Center, not even a lollipop could dull her pain.

Because Nina is the one she is bonding with primarily and trusts, she is the one who bears the brunt of the each tear and each shriek and each whimper.  It isn't easy.  When we shared that burden with Max, I know how it wore on me and that had far fewer complications.  Nina holds her and rocks her and speaks as reassuringly as she can and swallows her own frustration that she can't let her daughter, whom she has loved powerfully even before she knew who Lillian was, know just how strong that love is and that everything is going to be okay.

Those of you who know Nina, are not surprised because we know what a remarkably strong person she is.  But watching rather powerlessly at these difficult moments, reminds me of that strength and for those of you who are sharing this journey with us through this blog (and thanks for all of the kind words you have shared), it's something you should also know, as it is one of the things I will certainly remember about this life-changing experience.

This is a vending machine in the lobby of the building that houses the Guangzhou travel medical center.  In case you can't tell, those are bottles of wine.  I love this for so many reasons.

However, there is one unexpected aspect of the bond between mother and daughter that is truly appropriate.  (Key information point before I go on - Nina studies birds, for those who don't know).  I have posted pictures of Lillian feeding her mother.  It is unbelievably cute.  However, this behavior has taken on a new aspect - Lillian pops a snack into her mouth then takes it out and feeds it to her mother.  That's right, the baby bird is regurgitating for the mama bird.

And Lillian is resilient.  She bounces back pretty quickly.  After this morning's trip to the medical center, we spent time in the room.  She enjoyed putting her bunny doll to bed over and over again.






















Then things got very silly.  Max put on some of the hotel slippers to go down to the pool.  Well Lillian wasn't going to allow big brother to have all the fun with the best shoes she had ever seen...




A fashion trend setter is born

Who wears them better?









Finally she arrived at the pool. 

And here are a few other good pics from the day.