Thursday, May
17, 2012
U.S. CONSULATE
APPOINTMENT
“Adopting a
child won't change the world, but for that child their world
will change.” ~Unknown
Today was our final step here in China! We had an 8:30am
appointment at the U.S. Consulate. There were no strollers,
cameras or any food allowed inside this government building. I
signed our FINAL piece of paperwork and took the official oath.
I, along with many other adoptive parents, stood and raised my
right hand and swore that all our paperwork was completed
honestly and accurately to the best of our ability. We were
congratulated on reaching this amazing milestone with our
children. We are dressed in red-white-and-blue today to
celebrate. I am now waiting for Quinn’s U.S. visa and then we
will begin our long journey home tomorrow evening. Quinn will
become an American citizen as soon as his “big” feet hit the
good old U.S.A. This will be at the JFK airport!
After our early appointment we really didn’t have anything at
all to do and I just can’t take the heat anymore. I tried to
walk to two parks and I do not know what my malfunction is, but
I can’t find them. They are walking distance away and I get very
confused with these underground tunnels. After two attempts I
gave up and took Quinn to McDonald’s for lunch.
I then visited a little shopping area where I was bombarded by
the shop owners. I think I am traveled out because I just
couldn’t take it and walked out. They were coming at me from all
directions trying to get me to look at their stuff and they were
very insistent. Most of the things I have already bought. I
honestly just wanted to be in the air conditioning. If you see
one shop here you can see them all – they all have the same
things. AND when Quinn is tired or stressed he sucks his thumb.
I have talked to our pediatrician already and she explained that
this is a soothing mechanism for him. Well, doesn’t some older
Chinese lady come up to the stroller and knock his thumb out of
his mouth and start scolding him in Chinese. She holds up four
fingers to me – trying to guess his age. I actually was getting
upset – this woman does not know him or his story at all. Quinn
started to shutdown and began to climb out of the stroller and
grab onto me to pick him up. I knew I had to get him out of
there. We can deal with his thumb sucking at home. There are a
lot worse things in life. Heck – stress causes some people to
over eat, drink, sleep, not sleep, etc. The list is endless. We
can handle this – it is NOT the end of the world.
Quinn learned a playground lesson today. He received a very –
very – very mild injury. Hardly one at all, but BOY can he act.
He walked right in front of a swing and got bashed in the mouth.
The 1st thing he did when we returned to our room was look for a
mirror. What a trip!
Well, nothing else exciting to report. We are currently waiting
for our room-service to be delivered. More chicken congee for
Quinn tonight. After dinner I will begin organizing and packing
for tomorrow! I will try to post late tomorrow if I can, but it
is a travel day. We will not reach our Hong Kong hotel until
very late. So, I may just wait until the following day when I
post pictures of Quinn’s surprise!
|
Ready for our
U.S. Consulate Appointment
Ready for a Sunny Day
Quinn Enjoying the Outdoors
Anyone Care for a Drink? |
