4 Month Anniversary
Today however is the actual anniversary of his adoption (unless you shift things for time zones, as Cameron pointed out). So I wanted to write about how much he has changed and grown. Maybe I'll have some time to do that this weekend. But I do have what I think is an even better entry. On this day, four months ago, after we completed the adoption at the civil affairs office in Shijaizhuang I had to drive 2 hours back to Baoding alone with our guide. Tina was alone with the three boys. While I was gone she wrote an entry for the blog that never got posted. Neither of us remembered that writing for some time, until I found it again the other day. So here is Tina's story of how Hui-Hui came to us...
4 Months Ago
Today
Yes! I am finally
officially mama to didi KaiHui Ocheltree~and getting
a moment to check the computer! Kai is resting, Scott
went back to Baoding to hand deliver the paperwork to
make sure we get our passport for Kai by Friday. Our
guide Bob didn't want to chance the mail~he was
concerned it wouldn't come in time for our flight.
Very nice man.
Our day yesterday was an odyssey that has continued
into today on our journey to Kai. I have to say that
China is an incredible, awesome, enchanting...and
completely foreign land! The people have been more
than gracious and kind to us. Our guide Chen Chen in
Beijing was fantastic, and we had a wonderful time
exploring Tian An Men Square, the Forbidden City, the
Great Wall and the Jade factory with the Oppliger
family. We really enjoy their company, and their son
Adam is a trouper! Looking forward to meeting up at
the White Swan! Chen took very good care of us, and
shared so much about her own life growing up in
Beijing. As we headed out Sat. morning for our
adventures she announced to us that we would be
visiting the orphanage after all, and receive Kai the
next day. Dare I say we lost it!!! So much for
focusing on our day ahead!
She recommended that we take the East Great Wall, so
our family did that, and the Oppligers did the West.
(main one) I made it to the second to last tower and
found myself completely alone for up to 20 minutes at
a time. It was a crystal clear day, and the beauty
and power of it was overwhelming. I highly recommend
the East Wall.
Yesterday we wandered to the local grocery store for
water and moon cakes before our new guide Bob picked
us up to head to Baoding to meet Kai. We headed
southwest on a hazy warm day out of the explosive
population and building of Beijing into miles and
miles of farms and deserted communes. It seems China
is in the midst of another revolution. Out with the
old, in with the new. We would pass truck after truck
loaded with "stuff." We are guessing it is the
remnants of all that is being torn down to make way
for the new. Very curious. We also got to catch a
glimpse of the Marco Polo bridge, and where the
Japanese invaded China.
As we pulled into Baoding and worked our way further
into the city I began to realize just how lucky we
all are. And yet, with what appears to us to be such
poverty, the people are happy, kind and enjoying a
kind of community we just can't seem to grasp in our
culture. As we drove up to the orphanage it looked
like a palace next to it's surroundings. We were
welcomed by the director of the children's section,
and another man. They brought us water bottles, and
soon Kai's nanny Tseng Chin-yen brought him in the
room. He had just woken from his nap, and was very
confused. We spent a few minutes getting acquainted
and then it was decided we should all go to lunch!
So, Chin-yen went with Kai (Dang Hui) back to the
children's building. As we got to the van she
reappeared with him, both in new clothes! So we all
piled in and headed to "deep China." We were also
told we would take Kai's visa photo while we were
out. The whole day was so surreal. It soon became
very apparent that Chin-yen was more of a foster
mother to Kai than a nanny in the orphanage. She did
not want to let me too close to him, and would only
reluctantly let me hold him when told to by the
director. So there we all were, in a back room with
our family of 4 and 6 others, men smoking and
drinking beer, eating chicken's feet and ???, plus
little Kai in complete befuddlement. It was actually
a great way to warm him up to us, and begin the
transition to his new life. From there we went to a
photographer's place a few blocks up the street.
(walking) OK, at this point I could go on and on, but
all I can say is that the whole time felt as though
we were in some foreign film, but didn't know the
whole story or our lines!! We got the photos, and
family and all group photos inside and out, and then
went back to the van.
When we returned to the orphanage (Chin-yen sat in
front away from us. 
) We went inside, answered
questions, gave gifts and then were told we
would be taken on a tour of the orphanage!! And
yes, our sons could take pictures and video
tape! The moments in the babies rooms were
beyond what we could describe, or really
process. Let's just say that we really need to
do more to help them. The deepest depth of human
need, and strength of those caring for them in
one place.
On a much happier note, we asked about Liam (Carol's
son) and we got to see him!!! I can't say more yet in
case Carol hasn't seen my post! 
They took us on a tour of the grounds, and showed us
a new building that is being constructed for the
older babies...all donated by Jackie Chan!!!
Really!!! We'll post pics on our blog. It is
beautiful, and will be ready for winter! We finally
were given Kai, and after many teary goodbyes and
thank yous (even our guide was wiping tears) we got
in the van and I held Kai for the 2 hour trip to
Shijaizhuang with him sleeping in my arms. He is
pretty much in shut down, but is very cuddly with me
and Scott, and warming up to his brothers. We even
got a couple of smiles! He slept well, and is still
on a bottle!!! Happy mama dance!
As this is getting really long, and Kai is going to
wake up any sec, I will just give a brief story of
today. We went with Bob to the Civil Affairs Office.
The staff from the orphanage arrived, and Chin-yen
swiftly had Kai. This was SOOO hard, but they both
needed it. She brought him a beautiful amulet for
long life on a red thread and tied it on him, and a
shirt that she put on him. As we left for the notary
she really wanted to take him in her car. (freaked us
out!) The director made her give him to me, and he
cried hard for about 30 sec. He was fine in the car,
and I gave him a bottle of cereal and formula. When
we got there....they pulled up and he was hers for
this paper work session too. After a while the
director once again told her to let "mama" hold him.
He of course was not happy, but only cried for a few
seconds, and then fell asleep (shut down). We waited
for a long time, so I passed him back to her in the
blanket Scott's mom made so that she could hold him
one more time.
He was still sleeping when we departed. He is very
tiny (20 pounds), and it will take a while to really
know what he will need to catch up, but we know he
will eventually let us see the wild side of Kai!
This has been the most difficult and wonderful 2 days
of my life. As hard and long as this "gotcha" was, I
know it was as it should have been. Kai needed to
transition, and even more, the woman who has cared
for and loved him since he was 9 days old needed to
be given this time. I will never be able to thank her
or express my gratitude for the what she has meant to
him, and to me. I can only weep for her sadness for
having to say goodbye to such a beautiful and sweet
boy. Even the director was crying. We have been given
a very precious gift.
Time to play, and eat some dinner!!
Hugs to you all!
Tina, Scott, Cam, Ben and "Mr. Peanut!"
P.S. The big boys are having a grand time and are off
to the mall across the street to buy a guitar and
harmonica to play for their didi!