Day 5

I’m back tracking a bit as I have been without a computer – we made to Beijing to the Apple store and are now back in blogging business.

By the fifth afternoon we have gotten to know Maya and I plan to mother her while she is here.  She too is adopted from China and from the Berkeley area.  Second trip alone to China for spring break.  She was supposed to be with a tour group but the rest of the group decided to go another week and thus she has been rerouted to the Inn with us. 

A few days ago, I expressed my horror about the nannies feeding some of the sick babies while the babies were lying down.  The baby that I fear won’t live long was having problems breathing.  Due to my background as a nurse, I was summoned by one of the American doctors to do rounds with her and come up with care plans for each of 21 children that have the greatest medical needs.  Wow - that is a big job.  Oh by the way, the staff here have tried many times to get the nannies to not feed children while lying down and have gone so far as to have the nannies lay down and be fed. 

The most amazing part of the day was that a wonderful set of parents came to pick up their 5^th child Sophia (Brynn) today.  It was a very cool for Hannah and Maya to experience.  I spent a long time talking to Brynn’s new mom.  We talked about the anxieties of the waiting process and the stress of being in China while trying to bring a new child into your family. 

It was nice being able to assure her that all of her feelings were normal.  They are amazing people and will be able to give Brynn so much.  Brynn’s new dad said the nicest thing to me before they left, he said “You may do many good things and have many purposes for being here, but one was to talk to my wife, thank you”. 

I remember how hard the trip to get Aidan was for me.  I remember when he walked in the room and we weren’t even sure it was him.  He looked so different from the pictures.  I remember the shame of not feeling like I loved him the first few days.  It is just different when the child is older than when you have or adopt a baby.

I remember falling in love with Aidan.