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2.26.2010

Medical Exam and Shamian Island

Much earlier than our bodies wanted, it was time to get up Thursday morning as Darcy had to go for her medical exam.  I had read wonderful reports from Lifeline folks that were here a few weeks ago that the breakfast buffet was really good and thankfully it did not disappoint!  We filled up (and Ian and I had at least three coffees each) and then hurried to meet our guide and the five other families in the lobby to get on the bus.  (Two of the families are first time adopters, but have other bio children in the home, one family is a second timer with a son from Vietnam, one family is adopting a little boy who makes kiddo number 8 in the house (fourth from China), and the last family is here adopting a ten year old who is their THIRTEENTH daughter!)  It is a delightful bunch of folks, and we're enjoying getting to know them all.

We stopped near the White Swan to have the Visa photos taken, and then walked to the back of the island to the medical exam.

 
My girls running to the medical exam with Daddy.
  

Checking off one more mandatory step before coming home.

Most of the exam was not much of a bother for Darcy.  She sailed through both the height and weight AND the ENT (ear, nose and throat) stations with smiles.  But the other part of the exam brought her to tears. 


Offering some snuggles and words of love during the exam.
 
Then it was time for her vaccinations.  Like so many others, I totally disagree with us being forced by our own government to administer shots outside of our own pediatricians office.  I signed a form for both Kylie and Caleb stating that I'd have them vaccinated when we got home, and I did it.  But now because of the Hague regulations, I had to let them give Darcy four vaccinations plus her TB test.  Poor baby was so stoic and hardly made any noise though a few silent tears rolled.  The most frustrating thing about it was that several of them she already had (according to her orphanage medical records) but our government only recognizes some of the vaccines if they are given from two clinics in this entire country.  Thankfully though she only had four.  The two babies being adopted this time had seven and eight shots each.  IN ONE DAY!!!  Darcy had a light fever last night ~ little booger wouldn't take any Tylenol ~ but the 14 month old had a raging fever of 103 this morning.  I'll stop before I really get charged up on the forced vaccinations, but after I say that Darcy's cost us about $250, but would have only been a $20 co-pay after we got home...

Needless to say, we were looking for a way to make the kids smile after the exam and shots, so we stopped and let them play for a while on a playground on the island.  Here are just a few sweet pictures...


You see the mischief, don't you?

 
So thankful that these two still have love to spare for each other! 


  
When communication ceases to be a barrier, these two together are going to give me a run for my money!   


  
My belly sliders.  (You shoulda seen Darcy's shirt when we left the playground ~ it may not come home with us...)


And then it was off for a bit of shopping.  We needed a dress for Darcy for the red couch picture on Saturday.  And where else would we go, but to visit a friend...








and were amazed at how many of the shops were closed on the island due to the construction in preparation for the Asian games that Guangzhou is hosting later this year.


No one offering us the "special friend" discount along the main street this time... 

and then headed back to the hotel for some MUCH needed nap time.  While the rest of the family napped, I joined several other families in one of the suites to celebrate one newly adopted child's birthday, and then our family headed out to an Italian restaurant for some AWESOME pizza.  Cindy, couldn't help but think of your pizza fiasco three years ago.  And then that king size bed (minus three pint sized bed hogs who were in the "really cool little bed") was calling my name...

(It was a productive nap time for me, so scroll down for a few more posts)

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those dresses/shirts are adorable! I so want them, even if it's covered in dirt. Totally and absolutely agree on the vaccinations. They would be free for us from the military.

Somewhere In The Sun said...

I am amazed every day at how Darcy looks so happy! I am sure she has her times but she really looks like she feels at home with her family!
Love the look on her face in the picture with Jordan!
And I LOVE that they are wearing their dresses together!! I remember thinking about the two of them in China wearing them when I was sewing Darcy's! It's kind of surreal to see.

~Lynn

Amy Woods said...

Isn't Shaiman Island crazy right now? I was a little disappointed but completely understand why they are doing it. I had to take Rhett to the dr this week and was told that his blood work came back and showed he was not immune to Hep B even though in CHina he received 6 shots the day of the medical exam. So we are starting all over with all of his shots because the dr doesn't trust the shots from China. Sad, huh? So he got 3 shots on Wed and has had 103 as well. Its just too bad...

I LOVE the dresses the girls are wearing!

Ally said...

I know you are counting down the days now till you are all home sweet home. Darcy is just beautiful!

Cindy M said...

Okay, where do I start?

The shot thing just honks me off. Yeah, the money. But TOTALLY unnecessary. Grrr.

And, yeah, I still have flashbacks to my plain cheese pizza with CORN and SPINACH and yucky ham chunks. BLEH.

Now, about those dresses. They're just about the cutest things I've ever seen. I want to take their photos in those when I see you, okay? AND you KNOW somebody who made them??? Hmmmm...

So good to hear from you. I missed you yesterday! :-)

Love ya!

Grandma Shultz said...

Darcy was so brave getting all those shots and not screaming at the top of her lungs! It is so sweet to see them playing so well together. Awww
LaoLao

Shannon said...

Yes, I love the dresses too..BUT you know you know are going to get even more ARE THEY TWINS? (or triplets?)questions...even if you put their barrettes on opposite sides..:)
Just kidding of course...they are adorable ...but I must say I struggled to figure out who was who as they were walking behind Ian...and Darcy from behind in the medical exam pic..looked just like you could have been holding Kylie!!
All that said though...I realize I need to find Lottie and baby corrie some matching or coordinating duds for spring and summer!!
And yes the hotel looks fit for a King!!! Of course you are children of the KING OF KINGS!! Royalty INDEED!!!!
Counting the days until your return Miss ya!!!

Anonymous said...

Poor little girl! I don't like that shot ordeal... that stinks.

The girls look so cute in their matching dresses.

Aunt Cici

Di said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kathy said...

The kids look so relaxed together - what a blessing! And they look like such experienced little world travelers. I hope they won't think life at home is too boring. Darcy seems like such a brave little girl with all she's had to adjust to and then the medical exam. What a brave spirit!! I'm glad you are getting to experience new things in Gz like the hotel lobby as well as seeing old friends at the engravers. See you next week!!
Love, Grandma

Jess Danielson said...

So sorry Darcy had to endure the "shots" too! Gabe was not quite so brave-it broke my heart! I loved to see the pictures of Jordyn! If you think of it as him if he has an email or if he will mail things??
What a bummer that the 7-11 is closed right now!! We lived in that place getting little snacks, pop, and those little rice cracker things the kids love!
Loving all the pictures!!
Jess

Nancy said...

I love those little shirt dresses the girls are wearing! ADORABLE!

Sharon said...

Adorable that they are dressed alike...Darcy is looking more peaceful everyday!

Larry and Carol said...

I alway feel like I am there with you when you write. The kids look adorable together. XO's AC

Lisa said...

Ugh...the shots. I hate that you are having to put your little one through them. It's just wrong!

It seems like with each post Darcy looks a little more comfortable and seems to be settling in so well. Well, enough for you and Ian to enjoy three cups of coffee on a day when you had flights to catch! I'd say you are all adjusting very very well!!!

Love those dresses two! Dressing them alike is going to be hard to resist, I'm sure!

TanyaLea said...

Kristi, your photos are just beautiful...they tell a story of their own.

But the vaccinations part, like you, really lights a fire within me. It's SO frustrating and we know that all too soon (or not soon enuff, depending on how ya look at it!) we'll be in that chair ourselves. I seriously don't get it. You'd think our gov't would PREFER to have it done in our own country. But whatever...I guess it is what it is.

Enjoying your posts. I was behind a bit, so I'm playing catch up!! Gives me an insight of what I have in store in a month or two!! :)

Blessings and Hugs,
~Tanya

Our Journey said...

First - the girls are just toooo cute in their little matching outfits. I love it! Seeing the pictures of that medical blg. brings back so many memories.. Anne Marie did not do well @ all there, and I can only imagine how that would go now w/ all those shots! How frustrating!! What a trooper you have there.

Melissa said...

Finally - I can leave some messages!!! Hope you got the emails I sent you in the meantime! This post was like a walk down memory lane from us last year....the kids look so happy, and what fun with all three of them!!!