On Wednesday we traveled over the mountains, into the Mongolian Grasslands. We met a local family there, who are sheepherders. They invited us in for sheep milk tea, and conversation. Steve learned a few Mongolian phrases, while I managed to explore their yurts and horses. Wang Jian loved running around and was very excited to see the men herding their horses in. Susan's mother and I got a little silly together during our exploring....just proves you don't need to speak the same language to connect!

It is fabulous to see how Wang Jian has made a fast friendship, with my friend's daughter. They sit in the back of the bus, laughing, cutting up and playing. He understands they are not a part of our family, and they live in China. However, having a Chinese speaking friend really helps his homesickness in his present state.

My friend and guide, Susan, has invited me to stay with her family in their Beijing home. She has asked me to please consider staying with her after the adoption proceedings are finished, so I can help her in a Hunan orphanage. Of course, there is no possible way to do this since we need too get home to our family. One day, after I have enough PTO saved up, we take her up on the offer.

Another update from IM

Yesterday was another smooth day.  Wang Jian plays, laughs and giggles with us.  He loves to jump on the bed and then quickly jump off the other side.  When one considers the form of his feet, his agility astounds me.  He adores Susan's daughter, yet he knows they are not our family.  When we split up for the evening, he happily says goodbye to them and heads down the hallway to our door.  The first day with him, I couldn't remember which room was mine.  He quickly realized I was confused, so he tugged my hand a bit and made the sounds; "R" "E" "E" "Leo". Thankfully, my limited Chinese language understood him perfectly, and we both made it to room number "2116" exactly like he directed.   LOL

Wang Jian is great about his self care skills including brushing his teeth and washing up before meals.  Unfortunately, he has eight large cavities in his baby teeth.  I don't believe this is due to lack of brushing, or a poor diet.  Last year, I did not see the kids drinking and eating a bunch of junk.  However, he may have been permitted to sleep with a bottle of milk. On the other hand, some kids have weak enamel and are just more prone to cavities than others.  What we do know is that he has not been to a dentist and requires immediate dental care.  My mom has set up an appointment with our dentist back home, so we will begin to address this dire need.

As a disability professional, I have seen many children with rare physical anomalies. As the mom of Bobby, I have had 26 years worth of public stares and rude comments/questions from others.  However, Wang Jian's little feet, present a whole new set of public reaction that makes this "Momma Bear" feel protective.  Two nights ago, we went to the indoor pool here at the hotel.  The man working the pool spied Wang Jian's feet and promptly went to get his fellow worker to "have a look".  It stirred up that flight or fight butterfly feeling in the pit of my stomach.  I wanted to say something like "Ni Shur Ban Dan"(you are a stupid fool).  But,I restrain due to being a guest in this country, and not wanting any trouble.

Wang Jian sleeps, as I write this, next to his new Baba.  He has kicked the covers off, exposing his little feet.  I realize he will need some surgical correction, and years orthotics and partial prosthetics.  If I allow my mind to wander, worry creeps in and occupies its ugly space, crowding my thoughts, and robing my peace.  I begin to think of painful amputation, infections from external fixation devices to pull and stretch bone into proper placement.....and then I remember to embrace the sweetness of Wang Jian and the call from above to make him our very own.  We are so  blessed with our little guy. He is the perfect son for us and together we will journey down the road of the unknown. Leaving our unique footprints and all.

Update from Inner Mongolia

We now have had Wang Jian for almost 48 hours.  Due to trouble with Internet access, I have been unable to post.  Thanks to our oldest daughter, Jessica, I can share our experiences through her.

Wang Jian came to our hotel lobby, about 3 hours after we checked in.  He got out of the car, held to the assistant directors hand, and approached me directly.  Baotou Orphanage had prepared him well, and they say he remembered me from our medical trip into his orphanage last year.  Ordinarily, I would find that difficult to believe, but they showed him my pictures frequently, throughout the waiting period.

The assistant director of the Baotou orphanage, wanted us to know how smart, sweet and caring Wang Jian is.  She said the morning of his adoption, he went all around the facility telling the kids and nannies goodbye, saying; "Goodbye, goodbye, I am going to the States now".  In the car, she says he wanted to know why the States are so far away.  He also asked her; "Since I am leaving, who will take after the kids?".  The assistant director told us Wang Jian washes the children's socks daily and hangs them on the lines.  He also helps the nannies care for the younger children.

Wang Jian has had a smooth transition with only brief periods of quiet sadness.  It is very helpful that my Chinese friend and guide is with us.  She brought her darling 6 year old along, as well as her mom.  It helps so much since Susan's daughter is fluent in mandarin and knows quiet a bit of English as well.  Susan's mother is now my "Chinese mother", since we have adopted one another!  Its so nice to be here with them, and I can easily see how Wang Jian will take to our girls back home and his new Grandparents as well.

Wang Jian gets along fine and can run & jump easily.  His right foot has what should have been his great toe, attached at the ankle.  This presents a problem for him when he is wearing shoes.  I can see red marks of irritation here, but he denies pain. I am bracing myself for the need to amputate that non functioning, appendage.  Last night, we took him to the pool, and experienced a taste of public reaction regarding his feet.  On a lighter note, Wang Jain doesn't seem to have shame regarding the looks of his feet.  When he played in bathtub, he stuck his feet up through the bubbles and laughed as if he hadn't a care in the world.  :)

Today we are headed for the grasslands.  I shall bring my camera, but am sad with the inability to get pictures out from Inner Mongolia.

Warmly,Donna

.....delayed but underway!!!!

Our flight out of Lexington was delayed a day due to "mechanical problems."  After several calls to customer service, we were able to secure first class tickets all the way to Beijing as compensation.  We flew out on Derby Day, and were able to watch the race from the air on our flight from Atlanta to Seattle.  We had our own little derby party and I even made a make-shift derby hat.  I also stood up and sang My Old Kentucky Home.  Steve's horse won!  Goodbye Bluegrass, Hello Grasslands! 

Jian's update....a night on the town with the orphange staff

Video Of Wang Jian!