Our Adoption Experience

DAY ELEVEN: Guangzhou

Hello faithful readers. If you've stuck with us this far, you are indeed a trooper! Today was medical checkup day. We started with a quick stop at the photo shop where each baby got a set of pictures taken for the final paperwork. We then proceeded to the medical clinic where each child went through a quick three-stop checkup just to make sure all looks good before the trip home. Shane did fine at the first two stations, but when we got to the third, where the doctor was wearing a surgical mask and had a mirror and light on her head, Shane would have nothing of it and politely asked to leave -- well, actually he screamed at the top of his lungs. I guess the doc figured if he could wail and fight that well, he MUST be a strong healthy boy and so we were sent on our way. We figure that our little Shane has not been a stranger to doctors with his recent abdominal surgery and so after a week of living the cushy resort lifestyle with two grownups that respond to his every whimper and need, there was no way he was interested in the medical treatment stuff again!

The rest of the day was relaxing...we went to "Lucy's" restaurant with a couple of our traveling group and enjoyed a nice lunch outside at an umbrella'd table and successfully avoided Chinese food. Shane took a long late afternoon nap (so Dad joined in on that fine idea) and then Mom had a 7pm 'final paperwork review' session to be sure everything was in order before the critical American Consulate visit on Tuesday. We got a Chinese dinner in styrofoam and brought it back to our room. Because of the late nap, Shane wasn't exactly ready for bed, so we went back outside and took a nice stroll along the waterfront outside the hotel. We have been SO very lucky with the weather and it was simply gorgeous outside.

Just a note on how absolutely blessed we are with the apparent "bonding" between Shane Fu and his mama and 'baba.' One topic that gets a lot of attention in adoption journals and writings is the sometimes difficulty in the child bonding with the new adoptive parents, especially in the case of toddlers and older children. We know that we have a long way yet to go, but we are so pleased with how attached he seems to be so far and we don't see any reason that will change. We're sure their will be some rough spots once Shane realizes that he has to share us with 3 brothers, among other things, but it has been amazing how well he has latched on to us. It's VERY cool and we praise God for that!

Tomorrow is the last full day in China! While it has been an incredible experience, we are more than ready to get home to our boys. We have a 9:15am appointment at the American Consulate for our final "adoption interview'...please pray that we "pass"!

Today's pick of the pix:

	<- Shane spots "baba" behind the camera while they wait for the checkup.
Sarah Haas and her mom get their turn ->
	<- Shane Fu handles at least one part of his medical exam like a champ!
"Hello to all my big brothers in Scottsdale! I'm coming to America soon!" ->
	<- Fellow orphanage pal Danielle Brister eyes Shane Fu from across the lunch table. She'll be coming to Phoenix to live too...
Shane chows on some local cuisine. My brothers in Arizona eat this stuff, too, don't they? ->
	<- The Pearl River at night