We have arrived. I have to be very quick as Alex thinks i am photocopying important documents that are due for the Canadian Embassy. We are fine. Arrived in Bejing last night, arrived at hotel room at 12:30 after midnight. Has thrown Monkeys schedule out the window and she is quite crusty, not to mention that it is 5 c and she has never felt it this cold in her life. (February is the cold month with temperatures for us that were 25-30 c) She doesnt much like her snow suit and is letting us know.
Our trip to the Orphanage was amazing. What highs and lows. How the nannies loved little monkey. They greeted her with "Mantou!, Mantou!, Mantou!". (Chinese name for a little steamed bread) They had nicknamed her! We didnt hear of anyone in our group with a nickname. A group of them even followed us back to the gate afterwards singing her nickname and clapping the whole way. We saw her crib and found out that Sophie was next to her. We put them back in their cribs and they started playing together.
The trip to all the finding locations was quite emotional. Some children found on busy stree corners, others in the bushes at the side of the road. While we will all have great difficulty in explaining this part of their story to our children, i think that some will have greater difficulty. A street festival was on at our finding spot and the traffic was diverted onto the sidewalk at the location of Hailey's finding. It was difficult for us both to handle.
I will have to go into more detail later.
Love Alex, Jason and Mantou.
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13 comments:
Sorry to hear its been difficult. I hope you blink and find yourself home. Off topic, here's something cute, tonight Jackson got out of the car..looked up at the sky and said "Look there's sparkles up there!". I'll make a wish on a sparkle for you. ;o)
Paula
What an emotional trip it must have been for all. Just think, you'll be home in less than a week. I will make a wish on Jacksons sparkles as well. Much love to the three of you.
Ni-how, glad to hear you arrived safely in Beijing. You only talk about Hailey not liking the winter weather but you didn't mention how she felt about flying so that might be good news for the trip home in only 6 more days!!!! Our weather is very cold and has been for a few weeks now so it is good that she is being exposed in Beijing and won't get the shock when she comes off the plane. She will like the cold better after a little trip down the hill on a toboggan or watching Avery & Ewan have some fun skating on their rink!! Grandpa is ice fishing this weekend and catching lots of fish (Avery makes a fish face and maybe we just teach Hailey how too!!).
Big hugs to all of you, we love you and can't wait to see you; stay safe and keep warm.
Avery came into our room this morning (half an hour ago) and the first thing she asked about was her little cousin! We are all excited for Thursday.
I know how the snowsuit goes...Avery never minded hers but it's like UFC to get Ewan into his. I find that if I can get him into a half-nelson while Avery holds his legs, Erin can usually get it on him. Too bad there are only two of you!
Hope you took lots of pics of the finding spot...it was difficult for me to read about, so I'm sure that it will be difficult to explain to her. I can't imagine the despair her mother and father must have experienced as they left her, knowing only that she would eventually find a home...imagine how thrilled they would be to know how loved their little girl would be in her new family!
Dear Alex and Jason,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with everyong back here. You have brought tears to my eyes and I can feel your emotions in your writing. What a journey!
I have been delighted by the support and love of your family and friends.
Wishing you a safe and happy trip home with your beautiful little Hailey.
With love and admiration,
Cathy Harvey
Thanks for the post, Jason - we really miss you when we don't hear. Glad to hear you're safely in Beijing now - enjoy the next few days. The agenda looks amazing. I know you'll keep the monkey warm and bundled up, and she'll adjust to the weather, I'm sure. Everyone sounds so excited, planning on your arrival in Toronto and their chance to meet the little kiddo in person - I'm dying down here thinking I have to wait until April!
Group hug to the 3 of you!
PS to Kev - your Ewan snowsuit story was hysterical. James and I were howling picturing that! Can't wait to see your little munchkins too!
I'm glad you're safely in Beijing. As Kevin described - pretty accurately, in fact - it can be so much fun dressing uncooperative toddlers in winter clothing. Hopefully Hailey will get a little used to it in Beijing so it won't totally freak her out landing in Toronto. I can only imagine how emotional your trip to her finding spot was and as difficult as it must have been, you will be able to share a much better story with Hailey when it is time to explain it all to her. I can't begin to fathom the pain her birth mother must have felt leaving her but if she could only know what a wonderful gift she has given Hailey, and given all of us, as Hailey could not be any luckier to have you for her parents. Waiting not so patiently for Thursday.
Love,
Erin
xoxo
Reading your journals and seeing your pics has been quite a ride. I loved your account of your trip to the orphanage and how the nannies had a nickname for Hailey. They loved her. And then your visit to her finding spot - the emotions - WOW !!! And you are sharing it with us !!! We can feel it. Thank you for that. Have a safe trip home.
Love to the 3 of you.
Auntie Joan & Uncle Tom
Ni-how, I read in the Carmody's blog that your accomodations are not as spacious as they were in Guangzhou but only 5 more days until you are back in Canada for another chapter in this wonderful book called life! You can do it, you've weathered many little rains, and big storms to get where you are and you are on the last leg of this chapter of your incredible journey. A few more days and you will be back to the real world, laundry, housework, cooking, etc. and what no room service? Almost sounds good doesn't it? No more living in 1 room out of big suitcases that have become decorative items where you are.
It feels to me like you have been gone forever but I am waiting patiently for the big day. It is much like a child waiting for Christmas morning to come and feeling like it never will. It always does, of course, and it is such a magical morning coming down the stairs to see the gifts that have magically materialized over night. This is how I know it will feel when we greet you at the airport and see you coming with our wonderful new addition to the family, Hailey. Truly a gift that was well worth the wait; even if it seemed to take forever for that wish to come true!!!
Kevin took Avery and Ewan up to the Scotto's for some ice fishing with Grandpa yesterday. I haven't heard how the day went but would think that they loved their new experience with skidoos, on the ice in the ice huts with the big holes to catch the fish. I am looking forward to hearing all about it from Avery. I am sure it will be quite a story!!!
Robyn was doing a marathon of baking Valentine sugar cookies (Alex are you drooling?) for coworkers and friends - I guess the apple really doesn't fall from the tree. I am looking forward to baking with the newest little monkey. We love it when Avery is here and wants to help in the kitchen. Ewan is still a little young but will get there as will Hailey. I will have to find a way to get all three in there at the same time! It will be interesting but where there's a will, there's a way!
You must be busy, we haven't heard much news but will wait patiently for the next post. By the itinerary you will visit the Great Wall today, likely already have as I write. What a trip that will have been! Can't wait to hear all about it and see the pics.
Stay safe and warm, wha-i-ni,
Jason, Alex and Hailey,
As difficult as it has been for you, it is absolutely incredible that you have experienced first-hand the orphanage and finding spot, and that you will be able to share your memories with Hailey. Thank you for including us in this intimate experience as well. She sounds like an extraordinary child and we cannot wait to meet her. Safe home, Love Mells, Scott and Nate.
Still think of you every day, wondering how you are.
Can't believe you'll be home so soon. We just can't wait to see you all.
Sending our love...
Tracey, Chris, River
Hi Alex, Jason, and Baby Hailey
So glad to hear that you arrivied safely in Beijing. Before you know it, you'll be home in no time. Can't wait to talk with you. What an incredible journey you've been on. Stay well and safe journey home. Love you guys,
Jennifer, Ken, Colin, and Liam. X0
Hi Hailey, Alex, and Jason,
How wonderful you got to see the orphanage and where Hailey was found. It is emotional just reading about it, so it must have been very emotional for you both to experience. I can't begin to imagine the pain Hailey's birthmother felt having to give her up. She is so beautiful. I wonder what Hailey was thinking returning to the ophanage after so many days away? This is quite the ride for her. She probably never seen such tall people before you both arrived in her life, never mind Alex's blonde hair! I saw the picture of the cribs on Olivia's website. It is sad to think of Hailey living in such a place but at least she was close by other babies to keep her company. How nice that you know who was beside her so that you can keep the two babies in touch. Hailey must have been well loved to get a special nickname like little steamed bread! Looking forward to hearing more on your adventure.
Lots of love,
Auntie Elaine
xoxo
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