Physical exam in Guangzhou

Saturday, September 11

 

Short version: Up early to do Alexis'  required medical exam.  Back to hotel for lunch, then paperwork in afternoon at hotel in preparation for Monday U.S. consulate appointment.  Dinner with travel group at hotel restaurant.  Alexis was very fussy this evening.

 

Long version: Breakfast Saturday morning was fun because we got to see the four families that went to different provinces to pick up their children.  Everyone is doing pretty well, although there are some attachment issues and sadness for the children.  Saturday started early with a 9:00 am bus ride to a medical facility for the physical examinations of our children.  This was the usual controlled chaos, where we had to wait for some paperwork and then go to three different rooms to have Alexis weighed and measured, get an ear/nose/throat check, and get a (very) brief physical exam.  Each of these took about 2 minutes but we were at the facility for about 2 and one half hours because all the families had to go through the same process and some children needed vaccinations.  There were lots of other adopting families at the same facility going through the same process.  There's a big adoption group from Spain at our hotel.

 

After the physical examination we took the bus back to the hotel, had something to eat, and the Malcolm went to our guide's hotel room with a representative from each family to do paperwork in preparation for Monday's U.S. consulate appointments.  We filled out all the required forms for the consulate and gathered the required documentation into a packet that was left with our guides.  They will take the paperwork to the consulate Monday morning on our behalf.  During the paperwork time, Marilyn and Alexis went to the nearby 7 Eleven to get some bottled water and Coke since we won't get to the grocery store until Sunday.

 

Our travel group met at 5:30 for a group dinner at a Japanese restaurant at the hotel.  We didn't have a chance to enjoy the meal because Alexis was really worked up and required constant attention (a preview of future dining out experiences?), partly due to the one nap (instead of two) she got today due to the medical exam.  She did have a moment of cute interactions with Eliana, a 10 month old from our group.

 

Alexis seems to prefer to be out doing things rather than sitting around in the hotel room.   She had moments of joy and laughter today, and also moments of screaming and crying.  It's an emotional roller coaster.

 

We continue to be amazed at the joy that Alexis has brought to our lives.  Despite the challenges, she's lot's of fun to be with and warms our hearts with her personality and cuteness.  We can't wait to get back to the States so that everyone can meet her.