please ask all your friends to help out

I hope you can take a minute and kindly ask everyone you know who cares about the little people around the World, the kids coming from China now who must get TOO many shots all at once risking their health and possibly their lives to have a family after all they have endured already. A family is brave enough to adopt a SN child only to have harm done by giving all those shots at once by AMERICAN rule when there used to be a waiver that a parent signed stating they would just catch up the shots like the American children standards via their American Pediatrician. How unfair to treat them this way, the child and the family! Its like Russian Roulette with their health adding one more injury to a child who already is SN just by the fact of adoption. No one knows how safe, and even a lot of American parents cringe at shots PERIOD!

 

thank you so much for helping to gather more signatures showing your support to change this back to the way it should be!

Marie Ausdenmoore
http://ausfamily.blogspot.com
http://chasecomeshome.blogspot.com

 

 

 Re: Family in China now-mentions prayer

They went to the clinic. Her fevers are down.  I think they are going to try to get home sooner.

 

If you have not signed the petition, please do http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/internationally-adopted-child-immunization-waiver.html

 

This bill is watiing for the state department to sign off on some language changes.

 

J.

It's Sienna Grace.  She had a bad reaction to the 7 shots she had to get in one day.  I believe they were taking her to back to American doctors and may have ended up in the hospital.  She has thalassemia (SP??) and they think the high fevers may have been too much for her.  I'm so upset for this family.  This is the last thing they should have to deal with over there.

and its your turn to guess!

We are home and ready to share what we found but didn't know if it was safe to share while in country...and some have hinted they know what it is. So, for fun, let us know what you think it is and we will see who's right! I hope we don't let you down but we were way excited to have this for our little boy...and more!

While Chase naps...

While Chase naps on our bed I can hear Braelyn tease Aus when he calls her French Fry…just like our friend in China! The night went fairly well but Chase and Aus decided it was morning at 4am only for the school closing calls to come in. Braelyn came to our room and did sleep in her nest next to me on the floor. When she kicked off her covers she fussed until I covered her up again. Today we are DETERMINED to put the beds up so both little ones have a space to sleep and let US SLEEP! Chase was snuggly but not as clingy all night. He fell asleep in my arms before putting him to bed and he even let Aus lay him down. We held our breath and it worked!


All morning he kept calling upstairs for Brianna not realizing she was in school so I took him to the bus stop to see where Braelyn went. He loved seeing the bus drive up and the driver just beamed at him! She was so happy to tell us how she heard about the little guy. As a trial we took him to dance class but had to wake him early from his nap. He had trouble moving in his winter coat, hat and mittens. My dear friend Susan gave me a winter coat, I’m blessed to have things from Rachel, Tonya, Sheri and Kathy! I gave most all of my kid clothes to friends over the years only to find I needed to start over and what a blessing to share things like this! Its like having sisters to pass things around with! I loved passing down stacks of little girl dresses to friends years ago then Lisa gave back a stack as did Terri…so we’ve made things go a long way!

We are making progress layer by layer here at home but I so wanted to mention all the kindness from friends who brought meals for the freezer! The C family left a bag with of treats, crayons and coloring book for each little one, the F and B family brought food as well and there is a huge box of juicy oranges and apples that make it so easy for me to just grab and share with the kids. At 4am yesterday I sat in bed snacking on an apple with two little mouths waiting for their bite at the apple…

And, all of you who have followed our journey, making comments and offering support have been what have kept us going! If we knew what we were going to face even just coming home, we really would have freaked! We haven’t had the time to explain the 32 hour ordeal. Believe me, it was not something anyone would look forward to if you knew just what you would have to do, in the amount of time, in the weary condition of your not so young body, with the amount of luggage you were hauling…and the mood of your travel companions. Poor Aus almost had a hissy fit when our first suitcase was 2.5 over the weight limit. Our friends got to average their 5 cases for 100 kg, but OUR airline had to be the one that wanted EACH case to weigh 20 kg. Here I am trying to calm my DH while unlocking and repacking our private belongings, dirty laundry and foreign treasures all in front of the line of other travelers waiting their turn. Thankfully our guide’s husband came along to assist our process and bridge the communication gap with the airline employee.

At least this time Aus didn’t say he wanted to get home…in the worst possible way! It was not nearly as challenging as last time!

Commercial break…time to dress the girls to go out in the snow…turn up the radio, grab a warm drink, check on the washer…

Well, Chase woke up but he’s letting Ba’ba hold him! And here comes the girls already…

home and back to school tomorrow!

It was over 32 hours of traveling to get home. We got up at 5am Saturday in China to leave. After eating breakfast we took a large van ride to the airport. Mom and Dad carried back packs and pushed carts with our large suitcases. We rode four different airplanes. The first ride was about an hour. Then we had to wait a long time for the next ride. It was about 12 hours and we ate then slept then ate. I did not mind the food. After four plane rides we got home. My oldest sister Brittany was there to pick us up. Chase was very afraid of the carseat. Mommy spent a lot of time trying to get him to just sit in a chair in China to get ready for it.

 

I will be happy to see you at school.

Brianna and Braelyn

 

Home!!

We got home alive and well - and even managed an OK day - but the jet lag has been killer for all of us. Marie will post details I'm sure - but wanted all to know that we are well and everybody is OK!

 

hugs - aus

 

Marie Ausdenmoore
http://ausfamily.blogspot.com
http://chasecomeshome.blogspot.com

We're on the way!

02/06/2010; 05:45

As soon as the porter arrives we're on the way home! Thanks all - and hugs around

 

 

Time to head home!

It has been a long and fun time in China but we can not wait to get home! Its so noisy and busy here. The beds are really hard. We cannot drink the water unless Mommy boils it or we buy it. The food is a lot different. I have rice noodles and egg rolls for breakfast with dragon fruit. We have to ride in a taxi or a big bus to get places. There is always a lot of people and the cars go really fast. They almost run over you. The people are nice but some ask a lot of questions and do not speak well. We do not get to sleep in, there is so much each day.

 

Our new brother is a lot of fun. We like him a lot. He smiles and laughs when we play with him. He is repeating words we say a lot. Braelyn likes to get him to repeat the word "finally" for some reason. Mommy taught him to do sign language too. He is afraid of men but likes daddy.

 

We will ride 4 different airplanes and it will take a day to get home.

 

We miss you!

 

Brianna and Braelyn

 

A day in 'real China'

A day in real China

With all the glamour of this ritzy hotel its easy to forget the people of this country who's children we are blessed to now call ours. After our 12 course breakfast and a quick change into romping clothes we met in the lobby at a very early 9am. For most people that isn't real early but to GET that far with three little ones you first have to get them to BED on time! RIGHT! I've gotten them spoiled rotten at bathtime. We fill the soaking tub with really warm water then turn on the rain shower head in the middle of the room to get it really steamy. Since they bring us a bottle of bath gel plus shampoo plus lotion plus one of condition and lastly, blue bath salts…we can't let them all go to waste! And with our suitcase only being allowed to weigh 44# there is a limit to what can be toted home. So this ever frugal mama lets them dump a whole bottle of bathgel in the tub while letting Chase dump the bathsalts all over the shower floor to keep him busy until the water is ready. It keeps him quite intrigued at the color and texture then all the bubbles catch his eye. He loves to pour from one container to the other so I kept the last three water bottles for him to use plus the dipping cup we use to rinse their hair. Of course I didn't stop there. With all three of them in the tub we made water bombs. Chase can now count to three then I drop a filled bottle of water at arms length between them to splash as high as it can. Aus could hear the giggles in the next room. I love how all three have such funny belly laughs. I guess I shouldn't be teaching my kids "bad things"!

     So, it was late, real late by the time I got them ready for bed and to sleep. The girls crash quite well but Chase is still being a bit hypervigilant. He bounces around on the bed and I do my best not to tickle him or get him wound up but its just so darn hard. With the light down he will lay next to me if I ask him but he's back to wiggling around again. He is a real snuggle bug when he takes his bottle and I plan to keep him on one just a couple times a day for the special snuggle time but when he's using his cup we'll let him decide if he wants a snuggle or not. Braelyn was still wanting to snuggle when she took juice or milk right up until our trip but on the road she hasn't insisted. I've still offered and tried to hold her by herself then with Chase at times so she still gets her special time.

     Getting up at 7am was ugly. None of the kids wanted to be up at that hour. Brianna is usually cheerful when she gets up but for her to want to go back to bed…we know we wore them out. We made the 9am meeting time to head to the Old Village tour and went in spite of it being the first rainy day. It was only a light drizzle, we took the umbrella from our closet and ponchos for insurance. Today we used the Greyhound type bus with a step up to the seats but some of the little ones miss that step. Its ugly let alone noisy when that happens. About 15 minutes of stop, start, swerve, don't look now but some van is coming our way in our lane against traffic then turning left on red across three lanes of traffic and we are there. No seatbelts, no car seats and no way to contain this very precious child you just traveled across the World to adopt. We got there just fine. Its not as depressing as the trip we took in Beijing two years ago to the WhuTong but close. The people were friendly and you can view the pictures but they do lead a simple life. Several locals would be walking along carrying a bag with fresh vegetables protruding and no where did we see anyone consuming junk food. I did hand out several pieces of wrapped candies to the children we came across and they dove for any that dropped to the floor which I hated to see.

     A few of the doorways off the alley's we walked were decorated for being newly married or for the NEW YEAR with mean looking men in costume to scare away any bad spirits. One house was built of sea shells. Most did not mind their picture taken but one woman was hiding behind a book or something across the moat as the cameras were clicking. In a chair near the tiny grocery was a lady announcing she was over 100 years old!

     With a trip back to the hotel to rest we went to the American Consulate for our swearing in Ceremony and were given a paper that will allow our guide to pick up our Visa for Chase tomorrow. Several of us hoped to get a bit more formula so we all took a stop at the near by Justco store. Most items are written in Chinese so it's a wonderful help to have our guides able to help us with our choice of purchases.

     Eating pizza in our room for a simple dinner we bathed with bubbles and crashed with hopes of sleeping well. Tomorrow we pack, head over to Shaiman Island for the items friends have requested just hoping we are not over in weight. We should have sent something large for him but there is still time to get one more case if we need. I hear Aus's razor humming and Chase's breathing getting more regular so I'd better sign off before my fingers fall off.

 

 Marie Ausdenmoore
http://ausfamily.blogspot.com
http://chasecomeshome.blogspot.com

Hi Everybody!

Thursday 02/04/2010 7:30 PM China Time

This is Brianna and Braelyn -

 

Ms. C - I finished my homework today, I thought you might like to know! This is our second last night in China, tomorrow we will go out for a while, then go back to Shamain Island to get some stuff for my big sister, and then we'll come back to the hotel and pack our suitcases.

 

They will come for our suitcases at 6 AM on Saturday morning, and we'll leave for the airport at 7 AM after breakfast. Then we'll start the long flights home. Our first flight is about a hour long from Guangzhou to Hong Kong. Then we'll make a 15 hour flight from Hong Kong to San Francisco in the USA. When we get through immigration and customs in San Francisco our kid brother will be a US Citizen (If dad doesn't open the 'brown envelope' on the way!). Then we'll fly from San Francisco to Chicago, and then finally from Chicago to Cincinnati and we'll be home.

 

When we leave at 7 AM on Saturday it will be only 6 PM on Friday night for you - so we'll leave on Saturday morning - travel about 26 hours - and get home on Saturday night!

 

Braelyn and I are looking forward to coming back to school on Monday - but we might still be pretty sleepy - it takes a little while to get used to being in different time zones - it's called 'jet lag'.

 

We'll have some more stories for you when we get there - thanks for following our trip!

 

hugs -

 

Brianna and Braelyn (via Mr. A)!

Marie Ausdenmoore
http://ausfamily.blogspot.com
http://chasecomeshome.blogspot.com

Picture post 11

This is possibly the last picture post before we leave - I don't know what time there will be tomorrow. There were many requests for a better look at 'real China' - it's here - we took a walking tour through a village near here today. Have a look when it's good for  you - hugs - http://www.anaturalplace.com/chase/

 

aus

 

Marie Ausdenmoore
http://ausfamily.blogspot.com
http://chasecomeshome.blogspot.com

Picture post 10

Thursday 02/04/2010 - 08:40 China time

 

For  your viiewing pleasure - picture post 10 is up! Sorry I didn't get the captions done - but time is fleeting today!

 

www.anaturalplace.com/chase/

 

aus

 

Marie Ausdenmoore
http://ausfamily.blogspot.com
http://chasecomeshome.blogspot.com

     With each passing day I've tried hard to make a post but only after giving each of the children some of their special time. The last couple days have taken a toll with the pace continuing quite rapid. I'm amazed at how busy they plan our schedule knowing we just added a new family member! When is the child going to get into a "routine" or even get an uninterrupted nap? He's done quite well in spite but yesterday was his first fussy day as if it's been too much. I'm surprised I've managed to haul his almost 30#'s around EVERYDAY in the sling. He finally rode in the stroller for less than half an hour at the Zoo only. Then I wear about 20# in the backpack full of water bottles, juice cups, clothing and diapers…but it seems to keep the load more balanced so this pack mule can walked upright. You should see the looks! Yesterday we ventured out after the Zoo trip hoping just to find plain paper for Brianna to draw on after using up the first 50 sheets we found in Korea, then all the hotel stationary!

     Chase fell asleep in the sling drinking his bottle I held with my chin so I could hold a hand or push a stroller.  It gets a little annoying when even kids point us out to parents. Its not like we have 3 Asian children who look nothing like us when they only have one dear child. I can't help but feel a bit guilty even though we CHOSE children with special needs and not the cute ones on the list! It took so very long to locate the market yesterday we almost gave up. Our guide said it was behind the Friendship Market past the Starbuck's coffee shop. Okay. We didn't know where the coffee shop was since there is one out to the left of the hotel. To cross the six lanes of traffic in this super busy metro China location you have to be OUT of your mind! Even crossing ONE lane makes your skin crawl dragging the children in front of fast moving traffic that does not slow or swerve out of your space. I hate to think how many close calls we've had. This location was picked because the Island is under construction and the curbs cut up but we are finding it the very same here. You try to cross the street but have to lift the stroller across a foot of chewed up pavers right up against traffic where you must be even more cautious.

     This morning we had to wait for the call about our CA and it just came so we are free to venture out for more formula! These kids get a bit stir crazy and the few toys I brought have been helpful but only last so long…more later...

Marie Ausdenmoore
http://ausfamily.blogspot.com
http://chasecomeshome.blogspot.com

Picture post 9

Tuesday 02/02/2010 at 8:15 PM China Time

Hey guys - Brianna and Braelyn would be typing to you right now - but they are busy wrestling with their new kid brother!

 

We just wanted you to know - just in time for school to start today - that picture post #9 is up and available! You can go to www.anaturalplace.com/chase to find it!

 

See you guys soon -

 

Mr. A

 

Pictures

Post 8 just went up - hope that all enjoy!

 

http://www.anaturalplace.com/chase/

 

hugs - aus

 

Hi Friends and family.doc

Hi Friends and family! This is Brianna. I miss you guys. I wish you could have come with us and I'm REALLY missing you REALLY much! We got to go to the sea in Qingdao, and I also got to touch a real oyster and starfish! We got to see a botanical garden (it's like a zoo for plants), we got to go to Shamain Island – which was VERY fun! We got to go shopping at both Shamain Island, and at the Liwan market – which is the biggest market in the world I think.

 

The hotels are great and the food is great too – even the octopus we ate for dinner. Guess what floor I'm on? I'm on the 12^th floor here. At the other hotel we were on 19. In Seoul we were on the 2^nd floor.

 

I liked my home country. I brought some stuff back to show you. I can't wait to see you again.

 

Love - Brianna

Sunday 1/31/2010 9 PM

Today was another busy day! We spent most of the day at the LiWan market - think of it as the biggest mall you've ever seen, and then make it about 10 times bigger! There are thousands of shops selling everything from fine pearl and jade to discount movies! We got some cool movies on DVD, some shoes, some sweaters and dresses, and even bought some traditional silk and hand sewn items to give to family and friends. There were SO MANY PEOPLE there - you wouldn't believe the crowds - but everyone gets along without any fighting or anything. It's all very cool!

 

We came back to the hotel to rest while Dad confirmed the air plane tickets to get us home and picked up the laundry. We gather everything up and send it to a lady near hear who washes it for us and then folds it into little plastic bags. When it comes back we just throw the bags back into our suitcase and we're ready for the next few days. It's easy to pack that way too!

 

Our whole group then met in the lobby and went to a traditional Vietnamise restaurant. The food was good - but some of it was hard to eat - it's all a part of being in China!

 

Finally we got back to the hotel - grabbed a bath - and headed to bed. These days are busy - and there is always something new to experience and learn. Tomorrow we go back to the medical clinic to find out about Chase's TB test (but we can't remember where he got it and we can't tell by looking either - so it will be OK), and then we'll spend some time on the Island with our friends from Cincinnati - we'll have some fun there!

 

We'll write more later - hugs -

 

Brianna and Braelyn

 

Post 7!

Sunday 1/31/2010 at 16:35

 

And with that - it seems that we are able to post again! Picture post #7 is also up for all to enjoy with their Sunday morning coffee! I've been adding some comments with the posts - you can find the pictures at www.anaturalplace.com/chase

 

Next up today will be a group dinner tonight at 6 - a Thai place that is supposed to be famous around here. On a practical note - I'm late going to pick up our laundry - so more tomorrow!

 

aus

 

Picture post 6!

Sunday 1/31/2010 - 14:00

After much persistance and a little help from my male offspring at home - picture post 6 is up for all to enjoy.

 

I'll start working on #7 now - but the data transfer leave something to be desired!

 

Hugs to all - and thanks for following.

 

aus

 

Braelyn's Thoughts!

Hi everybody - Braelyn here! I wanted to say hi to all my friends back home, thanks for following our trip!

 

We've had a lot of fun - and some times it's been hard too - Chase is still learning how to share and be part of a family and sometimes it's hard to be nice when he is just taking stuff.

 

China is really cool though. We're in a part of China that is really warm and humid, and it has a river that gets deeper or shallower depending on the tide in the ocean coming in or out - sometimes it's so low that there is only mud at the bottom of the river - no water at all - other times its 20 feet deep!

 

I'll try to write more but the Internet here doesn't work very well so it's not easy for messages to get out.

 

My big sister Brianna says HI to all her classmates and friends too - she's going to have to do some homework when we get back tomorrow afternoon!

 

I'll write more later -

 

Braelyn (and Brianna!)

 

the Medical Exam day

 I'm propped up with pillows trying to type while Chase is drinking his bottle, tummy to tummy all snuggled so close and sweet smelling from our bath. He was a bit anxious about the tub initially but getting in with him worked great. He prefers to sit on my leg while the girls romp. Its a huge tub here, a deep soaking tub so occasionally I have to pull one of the little ones off the bottom but no one cries. He doesn't mind getting water in his face or getting cleaned. He tells me if he needs his diaper changed and doesn't run away....yet. Aus dressed him for the first time after tonight's bath and started to play chase the naked baby game so I had to ruin his fun or Chase will want to be chased for every change from now on. I'm "too old" for nonsense. We tickle, play little piggies and blow raspberries...just no running away!

     Its 11pm here and 10am there! I'm gonna hate myself in the morning after staying up a bit when I could crash but I don't want to forget the things we did. We were up at 7 am when the alarm went off. I had to smack Aus with a pillow after he didn't budge for a while as the alarm got louder and louder. Chase was great sleeping a bit longer so I could let the girls climb up and snuggle for a quick minute. We did a quick pick up incase breakfast took longer so we could come back for our things and depart on time. The breakfast here takes quite a bit of time just collecting the foods. One buffet has the line of beverages, one the breads, one the Asian foods, one the cold salads, one the raw fish and sushi, one the hot breakfast foods then one more with pastries and muffins. Chase had to have a banana in each hand then was happy for me to collect plates of fresh fruit, cups of yogurt, glasses of juices (Brianna had tomato then watermelon juice but Braelyn kept to her usual orange juice then apple). The waitresses hover watching your every move. You have to get used to eating while being watched. Just like on the street, people just stare and even turn to keep watching.

     Chase likes scrambled eggs, congee and watermelon. He likes milk and does NOT seem to be lactose intolerant like us girls! He will let me feed him some like we are supposed to in the program "Taming the Tiger while its still a Kitten" by Nancy Thomas if you want to really get your child on track. Its on the internet if you Google it. Doing a lot of what she says and Holding Time by Martha Walsh have helped us heal a lot of trauma with our girls. I do plan to look into Neuro-feedback as well.

     Up to the room then back to the lobby right on time to leave for the Medical Appointment a half hour away on the Island where we really wanted to stay. Its all torn up being updated throughout with the street and sidewalks plus the building fronts getting face lifts. But, its a quieter place than mid city where we are staying. Here at the Garden there are tons of people swarming in and around constantly where on the Island you can just stroll to little shops and restaurants. Its hard to say which is the better place in the end.

     Knowing I did not want the girls to see how upset all the babies were getting their check ups and shots, I had Aus take them shopping for a few things for our keepsake box. I had my back pack with things for Chase, him in the front carrier and $1000 in US money converted to Chinese to pay for the shots the US government now demands they get before coming to the US only because they are adopted. Chase is current on his vaccinations in his Chinese medical status but our US regulations want him to have a lot of shots that even in the US are optional like the flu shot and chicken pox. So, with the new Hague Conference, to be compliant, he was required to get SIX shots all one right after another PLUS a TB skin test in one sitting. He was such a trouper through the whole two hour process from his hearing, ear and throat check, heart and lungs, height and weight, physical inspection of his skin, palpation of his internal organs, a close exam of his special needs, his left knee hemangioma then his head circumference. His head is whopping 19 inches! Everyone there kept remarking on what a BIG boy he is, how big his head, how he must never miss a meal etc but really, when you really look at his torso, he's not fat. He just has a larger head and broader shoulders and the sweetest smile showing those Hollywood teeth! He smiled and waved at people getting on the bus to the exam now we have so many in our group, its like a Greyhound bus and Rebecca uses a microphone.

     If anyone is planning on adopting, for this part, do take a plastic folder for your papers, you will get quite a few and two very important ones. She gave me a yellow shots record book showing the six shots from today plus the ones he had prior in China. Then a document in English showing he is compliant on shots to get home with us. We have to show this at customs along with his passport. So many technical things. I let Aus go to the Visa meeting this afternoon to complete that part of the paperwork so the kids could rest and Chase was finally napping. He never got crabby after his shots at all. He'll fall asleep while I'm carrying him so I just unbuckled and laid him on the bed with a pillow alongside him so he'd think I was still there. It worked! I had a chance to snuggle the girls and help them re organize their suitcases and get out the art supplies. Brianna will need more paper soon as she's almost used up the pack of 50 we got her in Korea.

     Once the medical was over I took my little pin cushion out to see Aus waiting with the girls to go shopping for squeaky shoes and updated Chinese dresses. Tomorrow is picture day! I wanted them to have matching dresses and for Chase to have a traditional looking outfit. The store Aus chose as having the best prices was so very pushy. I told them what I was looking for and the size but they kept showing me things in other colors, sizes way too large that I had to put my foot down. I found an outfit I liked but it was a 12. There is NO way he is that big. I asked for a 4 or 6 but it took a long time to finally get a size 9! I'll just have it for him for a long time. Tomorrow we'll just roll up the hem for the photo and use the tape we brought. It is quite the spiffy Chinese dude suit for sure! Can't wait for you all to see it!

     Strolling over to our old favorite place to eat from two years ago when we adopted Braelyn, we ate lunch at Lucy's. At night the lights along the river on the back patio are magnificent. One evening we get to do on a Riverboat dinner cruise! Tomorrow we are to get the group picture then depart for the Plaza with the electronics, toys and clothing. I told Brianna what is in her allowance and she is so excited to shop. She has seen quite a few things so far she wanted but was really good not to beg knowing she will get to use her saved money when we find the better deals. I'm so glad she is learning to save and budget.

     For dinner tonight we walked around, went down to the subway then back up the other side to the Friendship Store but it was not the friendliest place. So much make up and lotions and potions when you first walk in then up to Woman's wear but items were $2950 RMG divided by almost 7 is still EXPENSIVE! Most things are cheaper in China. McDonalds doesn't have a dollar menu here, its a 6RMB where that is almost a dollar. So we got the girls and Chase a 6 6RMB ice cream tonight. He was so funny trying to stick his tongue out and learn to lick it around so it didn't drip.  

     So, before Chase has a fit with me typing here with him on my lap, I'd better hand the laptop over to Aus for his turn.

thanks!

Marie Ausdenmoore
http://ausfamily.blogspot.com
http://chasecomeshome.blogspot.com