Our Little Sponge

She looks very grown up here!



Giving kisses to her favorite toy, Tad



"Can I please have an extra large with pepperoni and mushrooms?"



Blowing kisses



"Hmmmm...can I please have U.S. Presidents for $800, Alex?"



Winking



Please note: most of her pants fit better than this!


Isn't it amazing how much a baby can absorb in such a short time? I'm sure Bryn has learned more in the past seven weeks than we've learned in the past seven years.

She's almost crawling. I think if we didn't have hardwood floors she would be. She took her first assisted steps the other day and she was almost as excited as we were.

She's learned how to wink which is hilarious because, like all kids I'm sure, she winks with both eyes. And she gets her mouth going too.

She waves hi and bye and blows kisses. She kisses everything...her toys, her books, our dog Jessie and even us.

She gets very excited when I start singing Rubber Duckie because she knows it's her bathtime. (Or maybe it's just my singing.)

She's very curious and wants to know what everything is. She points at everything and says "ah? ah?" and won't stop until you tell her what it is. She loves to tour around the house with her dad looking at new things.

We're amazed at how many words she understands. And she's starting to talk a bit. She can say mom (yay!), bottle, book, eyes, hi , button, banana. For some reason she always yells when she says banana...ANANA, ANANA! Girard is working on getting her to say "dad" but she's holding out on that one for now.

She's learning some baby signing and is especially good at "hungry", "more" and "bedtime".

She can point to all the parts of her face and loves to look for eyes in pictures everywhere. The other day she saw a picture of an ATV in a magazine, pointed at the headlights and said "eyes". I know that technically she's wrong but you must admit that's quite brilliant!

Bryn's Travel Ramblings Vol. 1

Here's me, when I'm still not sure if I like these big people yet.

I'm tired of mom and dad revealing personal, embarrassing details about me when people come to visit. They talk about things like my sleeping, eating, even pooping. I don't do that to them (and the stories I could tell too), and I can't understand why they would do that to me, with me sitting there, like don't they even know I'm listening? So I thought I'd figure out how to work these letters attached to this wire and little TV screen and set the record straight.

I remember when I first saw mom and dad. Back then I called them big man and thin woman. I was OK with the arrangement, but not overly thrilled, as I was wishing they would have been younger and had more energy. Now I'm worried that they will be an embarrassment to me when I get older, but we'll see. In the first few days it became obvious to me that big man and thin woman didn't have any kids, as they would just not leave me alone for a second. I couldn't move a muscle, or even blink, and they would be in my face. They would ask if something was wrong, as if they could understand my response, or they would make silly faces and talk in very strange high-pitched voices, almost what I imagine gibberish to sound like.


Thin woman holds me as if she's known me all my life.


Big man looks tired on my first night with him, but just imagine how I felt?

When we were in China, every day right at my morning nap time big man and thin woman would rush like mad to get me ready to go down the drop shaft, where the sliding thing would open and there would be all my friends, with their big people. We were always close to the last to arrive, and my friends would tease me about how slow and old my big people were. But my mind started to change about thin woman and big man when I found out that all my friends had equally strange big people who did weird things, so it wasn't as if there was a different, better pair out there, so after a few days I started to smile, and you wouldn't believe the effect that had on big man and especially thin woman. Big man talks in a very monotonous voice, and it's next to impossible to get him to raise an eyebrow to show emotion, but thin woman would laugh and cry and I could see it in her eyes that she loved me very much, so one day I thought a simple smile couldn't hurt, and it didn't, as they lightened up considerably after that. How was I to know it would be that easy?


Here's me laughing, which improved the mood of everyone.


Me and my friends Caia and Kennedy compare stories about the strange things our big people do

As I was saying, every day they'd bundle me up, and off we would go to some building for the big people to sign papers, or we would go on a tour of spots I had only heard and read about, and never thought I'd get to see. Or the best part was we would go for lunch, where I would get all the rice noodles and steamed egg I could eat. Big man and thin woman often said how good their food was, but it couldn't have been near as good as mine. So I quickly got used to the fact that when thin woman and big man bundled me all up, that there would be a reward in the end.


Here big man and thin woman sign papers after they told this person they wouldn't mind it if I lived with them. I wasn't asked my opinion though.


We're at the Tengwang Pavillion in Nanchang on one of our many tours.


Mom and me go for a walk in Beijing. She thought it was a very busy place but it seemed normal to me.


Here's me and dad at the Great Big Wall.

This daily cycle went on and on, and it was getting very tiring, for as much as I like my steamed eggs, I like routine better. I was so out of whack for a while there that I couldn't sleep. Big man and thin woman talked to themselves about what I did during the night, things like crying, which I couldn't remember doing, so sometimes I thought they made stuff up. But again, my friends all did the same thing, according to their big people, so slowly I was able to trust that what big man and thin woman were saying wasn't just a bunch of bunk.


Dad had to be a pack mule sometimes, especially when mom was shopping.


Here I'm leaning my head back on a bus trip. Why? I don't know, just felt like doing it.


Dad held on to the handle of the bus seat in front of us, so I did too, which mom found so funny she had to take a picture. Sheesh.

One of the most stressful things for mom and dad — after a while that's what I started to call them because like they were in my face saying "mom, mom, mom" and "dad, dad, dad" over and over again it was driving me nuts — so a stressful thing for them was when when we had to sit on the big, long, noisy, tube-with-seats. We sat and sat, and nothing was happening, and I could tell dad was getting very anxious because he was starting to emote, so I decided to be a good girl. I didn't say much, and just played with my toys until finally there was this noise like I've never heard and my ears started to feel funny. It wasn't all that bad though, in fact it got very boring, so I decided to shut my eyes for a while, and it turned out I slept for like eight hours.


Dad is starting to look stressed while we sit in a big long tube-like thing with lots of seats.

Imagine my shock when we got out of that tube thing and all I saw were a bunch of big people who looked and talked like mom and dad, and even walked in that same slow shuffle they have. There was a lot of space at this new place to do things without bumping into other people. No one was yelling or pushing us, and I didn't see anyone spit on the floor. Even the air didn't smell right, in fact it didn't smell, which I thought was strange. Mom and dad said I was in Vancouver and was almost home. I thought Vancouver would suit me just fine, but then the next day we went on another big shiny tube, and again it was so boring, and dad tried to look calm but I could tell he was tense, he seems to get that way when he travels, so I decided to be good. I should have raised a fuss, because when we finally got to what mom and dad called home, all I could see was the coldest, bleakest, whitest place I had even seen in my life. So this I guess is home...better run now before mom and dad catch me. I'll write again when I have time about my life at home.

Bryn

Family Time

Bryn has had loads of visitors since we've been home. We're grateful to everyone who has come to see her! Unfortunately most of the cousins, aunts and uncles who came were here the day and day after we got home. We were so overwhelmed with the welcome we received (not to mention the jetlag) we didn't think to take photos of everyone with her. I guess they'll just all have to come visit again so we can get pictures (hint, hint).

You'll see either Girard or myself in all of these because Bryn has only let one other person (her Auntie Nonie) hold her so far. At least now she's letting other people near her and is particularly drawn to anyone wearing jewellery.

Bryn and her Great-Grandma Holth

Bryn and her Nana Lynne (Raelene's aunt)

Bryn with her Pubba and Nana (Hengen)

Bryn loved her Nana's necklace

Bryn and her Papa (Holth)

Reunion!

Bryn and Caia...together again!


After being back from China for a month we finally had a chance to get Bryn and Caia together for their first playdate at home. Bryn and I ventured out today for our first road trip without Girard (which went much better than I thought) to meet with Shea and Caia at "Grandma Darlene's" (Shea's mom). And what fun it was!

For those of you who don't know, Caia and her mom, Shea, were in our travel group. We're so very lucky to have been able to share this amazing experience with someone from Saskatoon and it will be fun to watch Bryn and Caia grow up together.

Caia is such a happy girl and so funny! She loves to squeal and is full of energy...now I know why Shea calls her "Crazy Caia". The girls had a great time sharing Cheerios and toys and Shea and I had fun catching up and swapping baby stories.



Bryn and Caia share a snack. Shea's niece, Ayven, is in the background on her Auntie Shea's lap.

Travel Ramblings No. 2

Bryn with a rose she received at our farewell supper

We learned a lot about Peking duck from our guide, Fay, during a long bus trip in Beijing. She talked and talked about Peking duck, so much so that among our travel companions, the eyes were glistening (possibly from near exhaustion) and the mouths were watering (possibly from uncontrollable drool due to exhaustion) by the time we arrived at the restaurant for a Peking duck lunch. We should have taken notes, but as far as we can remember the duck selected at a young age to be a Peking duck is doomed. It enjoys life while it is still with us, as it is pampered, injected with fat and watched over as if it is guarding the family jewels. Then, of course, nature takes its course, it is carved into about 120 pieces, and set out on a platter. So after the obligatory glass of beer, I was ready for the Peking duck, and as duck goes it was very moist, and tasty and fatty, and did not contain any lead shot, which as a kid I would accidentally chomp on while eating duck — the bounty from my dad's hunting expeditions.

It has been four weeks since our return to Canada, and I find myself desperately missing our lunches in China. Who can top Peking duck, eaten on Bryn's first birthday (Feb. 10)? In fact, other than that whole business of getting our baby, some of the most memorable moments of our trip to China involve the people with whom we shared the experience, and the food we ate together.


James, Helena, Beth and Ava Hendricksen pose for a family photo on our last day in Beijing


Gary and Marvin (left) dig into a typical lunch feast

Buried in the travel notes supplied by our adoption agency was a line about how adoptive parents tend to lose weight during their two weeks in China. Such people weren't part of our group, as we enjoyed some fabulous feasts. But things didn't get off to a great start. Our first meal as a group occurred on the first night all of us were in Beijing, the Sunday night before we got our girls. It was a hot pot type supper, wherein one boiled in some kind of small vat all of our food, from cabbage to beef, chicken to veggies. Being North American, the thought of boiling our raw chicken in the same vat as our veggies made us squirm. After that meal, I thought the agency was right — I'd be shedding some pounds on this trip. (Word to the wise for future travels — go easy on the cabbage.)


We dive cautiously into our first meal

The next day we travelled to — for China — the little city of Nanchang (pop. four million) to get the kids. We arrived at our hotel in time for lunch, and to our delight, it was a North American-style hotel. Our Saskatoon travelling companions Shea and Darlene joined us for a buffet, so I filled my plate with recognizable foods — we were getting the babies that afternoon and I didn't particularly want any cabbage moments to spoil the day. Here we are in a relatively poorer region of China — I'm half-way around the globe and I should be partaking in the local flavour of the country, food and all — but I'm thrilled to find pizza by the slice.

The next week, in Beijing, there was much joy about the close proximity of a McDonald's to our hotel. Rae and I have been together for what seems like 34 years, give or take, and I can remember us going to McDonald's once in all that time, and that was because nieces and nephews wanted to use the play area. But we and our very good friends Carolyn and Marvin had a memorable meal at a Beijing McDonald's, if not for the food, then for the interest we generated among the crowd. We did have our adventurous moments, though. A side order of camel hump one day, fried eel on another occasion, a shot of 56-proof rice-based liquor to close another scrumptuous lunch.


Dads Girard and Marvin worship at a shrine called McDonald's

All in all, I really miss the eight course lunches at the big round tables. This was where we got know each other, talk about our ups and downs, watch the babies and chow down ourselves. I also miss the buffet breakfasts, the sausages and bacon, stir fried rice and potatoes, breads and buns, fruits and juices. What a start to the day. By contrast, now that I am home, one morning this week I was able to sneak in a Cheez Whiz on bread sandwich between looking after Bryn, taking the dog for a walk and running errands. My lips smack when I think about the breakfast buffets in China.


Bryn and Roshandra get acquainted during our farewell supper


Kennedy and Caia become friends during a supper in Nanchang

Mostly, though, I remember our last night out in Beijing, such a release of energy and emotion. The food was spicy, very hot for our tastes (travel tip — don't chew on red things), the group was loud, there were birthday cakes and gifts presented, songs sung, pictures taken and stories told. Amid the general mayhem we sensed that this was the last time all of us will be gathered in the same place, at the same time, and we better make the most of it. We told each other we would keep in contact, and through the magic of emails and blogs share our experiences as parents and watch our girls grow. But emails and blogs can't convey our emotions — we had grown in a short span of time very attached to our friends in our group. We have very fond memories of good food shared among great company, and these memories sustain us as we settle into the routine of daily life.


General mayhem during our final night out in Beijing, complete with cake for the kids


The proud mothers, and one dad, and daughters

Snow day

Yesterday we discovered Bryn doesn't like the snow. We wanted to get a picture of her on the huge snowbanks in our yard but the minute we plopped her on top the snowbank she started to cry. This is the only shot we managed to get before we had to take her inside and cheer her up.

Last night Bryn's Auntie Nonie and Uncle Wayne came to visit and Bryn was putting on quite a show for them. She's really coming out of her shell. We also visited at Girard's office and she was a hit there, too. Girard goes back to work on Monday so it will be another adjustment for Bryn (and me) but I know we'll do just fine. Girard would much rather stay home and have me go back to work but fortunately I came out the winner in that discussion.

Tomorrow we're going to the monthly gathering of the Saskatoon group of children adopted from China. We'll finally be able to met Regan, newest daughter of Sharon and Daryl Lesyshyn and sister for Tanys, who came home the week before us from Guandong. We'll post some photos in the next few days of them and the other children we meet there.



Look out Rocky Balboa!


Who's the pretty baby?



Jessie reading one of Bryn's books

Repost - Travel Ramblings No. 1, Part 1

For some reason the photos on the March 2 post of this have disappeared. Some of you are still wanting to see the photos so we're reposting this in two parts, hoping it works.


(Nanchang travelogue, first of my random thoughts of our trip to China.)



Smoggy first night in Beijing


We'd still be in Nanchang if not for Gary. Some people edit words for a living (that would be me), but others do things that are useful to society, such as fix bus engines. I had a great view of everything too. We were on our way to the Nanchang airport on Feb. 9, babies and spouses in tow, when our ice-veined bus driver was faced with a dilemma. He could plough head-on into a black Audi that had suddenly crossed what can, in Nanchang, only loosely be called a centre line. The centre line in Nanchang is actually more like a guideline, in which generally traffic stays on one side or the other, but if you feel like it you can cross over and just for fun watch the vehicles scatter. Or, our bus driver could avoid a certain collision by stalling the bus and limping to the shoulder. So we limped to the shoulder.



Another traffic tie-up in Nanchang


Lucky for us it was downhill or Gary would have had to get out and push us. We were stalled, and the engine wouldn't start, and we and our kids had a flight to catch to Beijing, but I had no fear. Since Gary works with heavy equipment at a construction company in Regina, I knew a) that he might know what he's doing, and b) if he does know and doesn't have the parts or tools, he'll use good old Saskatchewan ingenuity and concoct something with binder twine and the cuff of his pants. I don't know how he did it, but Gary got the bus going. If only he knew how to fix airline toilets, but we are getting ahead of ourselves.



Gary examines the stalled bus, James supervises, frantic Cindy tries to figure out Plan B


We left Nanchang, and Jiangxi Province, on Feb. 9 with bittersweet memories. This is the province of my daughter's birth. Her first home was a couple of hundred kilometres to the southeast, in the city of Xinyu, southeast China. She's had a rough go of life so far; we hope to change that but on Feb. 9 we had only had her for four days, and while we had waited for her for months and loved her from the moment two months earlier when we first saw her photo, she had not been waiting for us. She didn't ask to join our family, and maybe if given a choice she wouldn't have wanted to. But by the time we took that bus ride out of Nanchang, she seemed somewhat content, if not a little mystified at the strange voices her parents made when they talked to her and dangled things in front of her nose.

As we left Nanchang I thought about the journey we had taken: the long flight from Vancouver to Beijing, our stomachs doing cartwheels in anticipation and fear of the unknown, my panic attacks over losing our passports and paperwork. Seated on the flight behind us were Kevin and Catherine, whom we did not yet know, but Kevin soon learned about my missing passport phobia, which provided no end of amusement. Oh the laughs we had at my expense.



Catherine and Kevin enjoy the plane trip to Beijing


We landed in Beijing on Sunday in a shroud of choking, grimy pollution, so thick I thought I could set my drink on it. We met the other couples in our group, and I was relieved to find out Tsingtao beer is not so bad after all. We were up early Monday, Feb. 5, shared breakfast with the Kazakhstan national soccer team, and soon were back at the airport to fly to Nanchang. We were a tired lot when we arrived in the afternoon, but I sensed our spirits pick up when we met our guide, Cindy, a bright, radiant university student who, more than anyone, was responsible for getting our group through the week and on the bus to the Nanchang airport with kids on our hips and our spirits intact.



Bryn and Cindy say farewell at the Nanchang airport

Repost - Travel Ramblings No. 1, Part 2

The rest of that first day in Nanchang is a blur, memories fading into one another. It was decided we would walk to pick up our babies from the government office, a 15 or 20 minute stroll skirting grimy bike shops, choking traffic and clogged sidewalks. We were quite the sight during our Great Leap Forward, a dozen or so Canadian couples walking in a row, picking our way through the congestion. We got more than a few gawks, but the reception was more one of bemusement than hostility. Speaking for myself, by the time we arrived at our destination on the 26th floor of the office complex, I was numb. Soon it was our turn to receive our daughter. Joy, camera flashes and screams filled the room.



First photo we have of Rae and Bryn



Girard gets a turn, and Bryn doesn't scream



The walk that produced the gawks



Was this really happening to me, I thought? Is the old me having a nap on the couch, sun in my face and dog on my lap, dreaming about becoming a dad? Truth be told, that "is it really happening to me" feeling still lingers, four weeks after the fact. So do the bittersweet memories of Nanchang, a city that did not make a good first impression. But the longer we stayed, the more we got to like the people — the courteous servers at our hotel restaurant who had to pick up after us and our kids, the gracious and smiling staff at restaurants, the families we met strolling through an amusement park, the friendly workers at Wal-Mart trying to understand my pleas to find the beer aisle and the laughs each of us had when we couldn't communicate. These are people who seem to enjoy their work, cherish their families, love their kids. Funny, then, that as glad as we were to leave Nanchang on Feb. 9 and be closer to home, we were sad that no one was there to say goodbye to our little Bryn when she left her homeland on the laps of strangers.



Little Miss Bryn in our Nanchang hotel room