Journey to China

This blog documents the Spitlers' progress towards the adoption of Xia Ping He (Noah Spitler) from the PR China. It also documents Noah's medical process in pursuit of a total repair to his CHD (congenital heart defect).

Monday, July 19, 2010

Gotcha Noah!

We have a little boy named Noah!
 
We started out as 4 and ended up 5!  At 3pm, we headed over to the Lottery Hotel, a hotel the orphanage uses as a meeting place for their adoptions.  We went up to the fourth floor and into a medium-sized meeting room - where small speeches and banquets are held.  There were several other couples and tour guides milling around, then small kids and orphanage directors began showing up.  We had just gotten our camera going (at the hands of CiCi, our guide), when I turned around and heard someone say, "Xia, Ping He" (Noah's given Chinese name).  There he was!  Oh boy - he was SHY, too!  He wanted NOTHING to do with four non-Chinese-looking people! :)  He was urged our way several times, but kept looking at us and nervously shaking his head "no!"  I squatted down and started fumbling through all the Chinese phrases I'd practiced for hours - and he seemed to hear me, but not really care. The orphanage workers all seemed surprised at my Chinese and kept repeating what I was saying: "Wo shi ni de Ba ba" (I am your Daddy.)"; "Wo men dou ai ni! (We all love you!); and "Zhen dao ni, hen gou xing!" (I'm so pleased to meet you.).
 
He seemed to know our names - they asked him who "ba ba" and "ma ma" were - and he pointed at us.  Then he seemed to gravitate to Robin, so she spent some time with him and I decided to drop back, somewhat (I thought perhaps a tall, bald red-haired man might be a little too much...).  The girls tried to say "hi", but until we brought out the matchbox cars, we got little progress.  The toys and writing tablet/crayola markers helped.  He enjoyed writing his name.  We ended up on the floor, passing a matchbox truck between 4 of us.  He didn't seem interested in any snacks, though Robin did push some Toy Story Gummi Bears on him - he did try one of those.  After about 45 minutes, we were able to snap a couple pictures - one was required for the adoption paperwork and the other, a souvenier (whole family).
 
Our guide (CiCi) told him we were going to the hotel, and he seemed pretty fine with that.  I said "La ju wo de show" (hold my hand) and he grabbed it and off we headed toward the elevator.  Next thing we knew, we were in the van, riding home, and he started pulling snacks out of his backpack (his foster grandma had packed for him).   He had small rolls (packaged in plastic) for each of us, an egg (?) which he left in the backpack, and some kind of hot dog sausage food that he quickly finished off.  (Robin turned her nose up to it - reminded her of Brawnschweiger).
 
In the hotel, he loved the balloons the girls had prepared - and hit and kicked them all over.  He ran straight to the "Chinese cartoons" we'd purchased...some sort of goat (like a Chinese version of Dora the Explorer).  We turned that on and it kept him entertained for about 20 seconds (that seems to be his attention span!).  We then went to tossing bean bags around, then silly bands (a big hit), and finally the Nintendo DS.
 
After about 20 minutes of paperwork (signing all sorts of Chinese documents, and also pressing a red-ink thumbprint over our signatures), CiCi told us about our 1/2 day of paperwork (and fees) tomorrow, then she had to go.
 
We walked down to KFC (CiCi said he loved KFC), where we bought some nuggets and fries - headed back to the room to eat that.  He did like them and so did the girls.  More Nintendo, more goat cartoons....everybody asking "Dad - how do I say ___??!" and Dad wondering "Why am I the only one that learned Mandarin before today??"  :)  Nah - it's been fun, and Olivia has really picked up on some basic "this" and "that" and "good" and "no".  Robin picked up on how to use the electronic translator! :)
 
In between all the "goat cartoons", I managed to download the 200+ pictures we'd snapped.  Many of them, btw - were taken by Noah - it only took one demo to show him how to use Madison's digital camera - and he started taking pictures of everyone and everything - people, toys, etc.  I'll post some of everything.
 
Robin was heading him toward a bath when Madison and I slipped out to the hotel's executive lounge (where the internet is located).  I should post the pictures and head back to the room.  We'll try to post more tomorrow.
 
It has been a great day.  Rather exhausting, not as emtional as we were concerned it might be.  Somewhat surreal.  A little bit overwhelming - the challenge of communication.  Noah seems to have attached to all of us equally - and as I began speaking more Mandarin with him, he began talking to me more.  (And when I carried him on our walk to KFC - he laid his head down on my shoulder and hugged me.  Robin was wishing for the camera...).
 
God is so Good.  The memory of how clearly He directed us to take on this challenge is a constant reminder...especially when exhaustion set in this evening (still battling the time change).  We thank you all for your prayers, and know this is a mission God sent us on.  We look forward to bringing our active little boy home to the States so you can meet him.
 
Oh yeah - personality??  Well, the most used phrases today have been "Er zi, bu!" (Son, no!), and "Qing deng yi xia" (Please wait!)  Just wait until we get that heart pumping correctly!!! :)
 
Proud Dad to 3.....Adam


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5 Comments:

Blogger Brandi said...

Tears of Joy!!! I'm so praising God!!!
I can't wait to meet Noah!!!
Praying,
Brandi

July 19, 2010 at 4:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

WE ARE SO HAPPY FOR ALL OF YOU!!! What a wonderful day for all of you to finally unite as a family.
Adam, your postings are heartwarming and hilarious! Thank you for the blog, it has been exciting for us to follow along with your journey. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful event.
The Kuplast Family

July 19, 2010 at 4:58 PM  
Anonymous Kim said...

So I cried & got goosebumps!!!!!
We are sooo happy for all of you!! Can't wait to meet Noah!!!
God is so good!!!!!!
Love to all!
The Riner Family!!!!

July 19, 2010 at 8:48 PM  
Blogger Jennifer said...

What a wonderful day for all of you. Prayers are being answered.

God is so good!

Congratulations.

Jennifer Smith

July 20, 2010 at 7:18 PM  
Anonymous Melissa Rose said...

I've enjoyed catching up on your journey with Noah! So thrilled for ya'll! Looking forward to meeting your sweet boy! :)

August 15, 2010 at 1:32 PM  

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