Fuzhou and Teddy's first loves

After our first night in Fuzhou I woke up feeling a bit shocked.  Reality hit that I was all the way around the world everyone I loved and cared about with the exception of our sweet Teddy.  I felt nervous thinking about how the rest of our time in China would go after an evening filled with tears.  I wouldn't have expected to roll over and see Teddy watching me eagerly waiting for permission to get up.  I was surprised to see a slow smile come to his face.  He was quiet and a bit hesitant, but he was smiling at me.  I started to feel just a little relaxed.  We got dressed and ready for our first full day together.  I was surprised to see how independent our little guy was.  I had figured I would have to help him a lot, but before I knew it he had his pjs off and his clothes and shoes on waiting at the door with his backpack full of toys and his sunglasses on (upside down of course).  Just like at home he even seemed to be a bit frustrated that it took me longer than him to get ready.  Oh Teddy, Daddy & Sam will tell you that you better get used to waiting on Mommy. :-) I am the only girl in a house with 3 men after all. 

Doesn't this look like a guy ready for a full day? :-)

We went down stairs for breakfast.  Our guide greeted us in the lobby and sat with us for part of breakfast.  I was quite surprised to learn breakfast in China is pretty much like any other meal during the day.  No light start cereal or toast. The breakfast buffet included rice, noodles, fish, salad... Teddy was thrilled and he ate like a champ.  I fixed him a small plate at first like I would fix for Sam.  Penny quickly explained he would need much more.  I was shocked to see my tiny son eat 2 full size plates of food for breakfast.  He had fruit, 2 cups of yogurt, noodles, rice, congee (boiled rice-porridge), ham, bannana chips... You get the idea.  I ate a piece of watermelon and some type of breakfast pastry. 
After breakfast we met up with a family from Chicago to go to the registrar and notary.  I felt so comforted to meet someone who lived so close to home.  It made me feel so much more at ease.  Silly I know, but it made a difference.  Toby, Anndrea, and Wen were fantastic!  Teddy & I were blessed to spend a good deal of time with them in Fuzhou.  It was such a gift to have someone to share this expeience with me.
On the way to the registrar's office Penny explained that the 2 nannies from Teddy's orphanage would be there.  I started to get nervous all over again.  What if he cried and begged to go home with them again?  After we arrived Teddy was of course very excited to see his nannies.  He smiled, hugged them, and followed them around the office like a lost puppy.  I signed more forms, they took our fingerprints and we were done and ready for our next stop.  To my surprise, Teddy happily said goodbye and held my hand as we headed back to the van.  Not one tear from our brave little guy.
By this time, I was starting to realize how much Teddy was starting to notice our guide Penny.  I should mention Penny is 23 and quite pretty.  Like the other men in our family, Teddy is able to spot a pretty girl from a mile away.  I'm pretty sure it was love at first sight.  Teddy loved to hold Penny's hand, hug her, kiss her cheek, and he giggled everytime she even looked his way.  It was too cute.  He was excited to go into the notary's office with Penny.  It was okay if I tagged along, but he was definitely following Penny's lead.  When we got upstairs Anndrea and I decided we better take the kids to the restroom before we sat down with the notary.  Well folks, if you have never heard of a squatty potty, let me explain.  It's basically a porcelain bowl set into the floor.  There is no seat so you basically have to hover.  There is typically no available toilet paper (always carry Kleenex in China) and often no running water to the potty.  A bucket of water is used to flush. Eeeeek!  This was my first experience.  Teddy had no problem with it at all.  It was at this point, I vowed to work on my bladder control and potty any time I saw a western toilet whether I thought I needed to go or not.  After our quick trip to the restroom, we sat down with the notary.  She asked a few quick questions about why Tom and I wanted to adopt and how we chose China.  A few more documents were signed and Teddy was officially a Crawhorn! Praise God after 11 months he was ours.  It's an amazing feeling! Well, it's getting late so I better head to bed.  As I mentioned in my last post, we now have 2- 3 year olds to keep up with.  Things have changed in the Crawhorn household.  We now get up at around 6:30.  Unlike Sam, Teddy likes to turn in early and rise early.  Please check back for my next post.  I have a lot of stories to share over the next few days!

Melissa :-)

*Pictures of Teddy and Penny to come later.  I'm struggling with how to include a photo due to the way the camera was turned.

Traveling to Teddy & our first day together

I'm working a bit backwards as we are now all home together. I had good intentions to post to our blog while in China. It wasn't until just before I left that I found out the site was blocked. Then I got home and had 2 busy 3 yr. old boys and a 12 hr. time difference to adjust back to. So I'll go back and start at the beginning.

It took 3 planes and just over 24 hrs. to get to Fuzhou, China. I had never been on such a long flight and have to admit, I will be in no hurry to do it again anytime soon. I first met Teddy in a meeting room at our hotel 3 hrs. after arriving. He came in being carried by one of his 2 favorite nannies with a snack cake hanging out of his mouth. That should have been my first sign we had a big eater on our hands. :-) When they first handed him to me he was in a panic. He sobbed and tried desperately to get back to his nannies. It wasn't the reaction I had hoped for, but I could only imagine what he was feeling. They quickly had me sign a few forms and took our first picture together (not our finest, but I will still treasure it). Then our sweet guide, Penny, walked us back to our room with the hope of helping Teddy calm down. Penny went so above and beyond. She stayed with me for over an hour while I rocked Teddy, rubbed his back, gave him a bath, put his pajamas on, and ordered room service. Our boy is a fighter. He cried for more than 3 1/2 hrs., vomited twice, refused to eat & eventually fell asleep in the floor by the door totally worn out. I thank God for Penny that night. She gave me a hug when I broke down and cried. I completely understood Teddy was scared. I think the tears came mostly from exhaustion and fear myself. I never expected to be traveling to bring our boy home all by myself (I did, God watched over us, and we made it home safely). Before Penny left that night, the one thing she could understand Teddy saying over and over was "go home, go home..." He is smart and strong. I had to end up putting my suitcase in front of our door to be sure he didn't get out and make a run for it. :-) My heart ached for our sweet boy and I prayed for his comfort.
Please stay tuned for my next post. Teddy warmed up to me quickly and happier memories were soon to come.

Notice our precious son still accepted his backpack with toys, sunglasses & toy cell phone.  I look at this picture 3 weeks later, and he looks like a completely different child. Wow! What a change!

Melissa has Teddy.

Melissa now has Teddy. They ate doing well, sounds like big adjustment for both. He is eating snacks that Melissa got for him and playing with toys and cell phone. They should be going to the consulate to do paperwork. I am also on Facebook which I am posting to more often. Just send me a request on there Tom Crawhorn.

Melissa is in Fuzhou.

Melissa is in Fuzhou at the hotel. She will get Teddy in about 3hrs from now. She said flights were little rough, ready to be home.

Saturday post.

Melissa should be in Ganzhou, China. She should be getting on the plane to Fozhou.

Melissa has landed safe in LAX.

First leg of the flight is finished. She has landed safely in Los Angeles.

Fed Ex Stalker

Is it normal to be obsessed with FedEx trucks when you are adopting internationally? 

As we wait for LOA I am becoming crazier if that is even possible.  I watch every one I pass wondering if good news may be in the back of the truck.  Rationally, I know our agency will call & say we have LOA before FedEx comes, but that doesn't stop me.  I see 3 in a days time and tell Tom "3rd times a charm maybe today's our day."  I'm sure I'm driving him batty, but still he loves me and says "I'm sure you are right Honey."  Afterwards he may look for mental health facilities on his phone, but he acts like I have a totally normal obsession.  They come in all forms.
                                                                 

Several apparently pass our house everyday.  Yesterday we pulled out of the driveway and passed a FedEx truck.  I told Tom I was going to turn around just in case it was going to our house so we didn't miss it.  Have to say that's where he drew the line.  "Dear, I'm sure Marilyn will tell you when it's coming so we are home."  I couldn't stop thinking about it all day and nearly jumped from the car when a small box was sitting on the bench.  Silly starter for his parents' lawnmower. All I need is for one to stop and pull in our driveway.  I've seen people take photos of the driver with their envelope.  Poor driver has no clue what they are in for when they ring our door bell.  I'm so anxious I may just accidentally knock him/her over, give a quick kiss, or hug until they beg me to let go.  Can you imagine this isn't even the last step? Someone in our house needs to calm down a bit.  I'm not saying it's me, but the boys are acting normal so guess it's a good chance.  Ugh!  How much longer????? I'm so ready to hold my boy!!! Sam asks about him every day now.  Tom buys 2 of every toy.  Don't let him kid you.  One is for Sam and he is using the 2nd until Teddy gets home.  This is getting to be a good deal for him.  Still waiting! Still praying! We are praying for Teddy to be safe, remain in good health, know we love him, and that God grants Mommy an extra helping of patience.  :-) 

Growing According to God's Plan,
Melissa (still waiting for God's perfect timing)