And now for the announcement (name and birthdate was changed to protect privacy) Everyone who knows us...knows our names! We are in the printing stage and then they will be in the mail!
swagbucks
9 years ago
Monday, July 28, 2008
Our Beautiful Announcement.....
I have been looking at layouts for announcements, and never really found any that were really me, or fit our family. Until I looked at one of my fellow Holt bb'ers blogspot page. She does BEAUTIFUL digiscrapping, (or scrapbooking online) I saw a layout that she created a while back, and asked her if she would be interested in making an adoption announcement for us. She agreed, and out of the kindness of her heart, made the "perfect" announcement for our family. Here is the link to her blog >>> http://mommiakai.blogspot.com/ Her work is amazing you should check it out!
And now for the announcement (name and birthdate was changed to protect privacy) Everyone who knows us...knows our names! We are in the printing stage and then they will be in the mail!
And now for the announcement (name and birthdate was changed to protect privacy) Everyone who knows us...knows our names! We are in the printing stage and then they will be in the mail!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Gains and Losses.....
As my time off is coming to an end, I wanted to make a post about the gains and losses in adoption. Noah is doing ok, we have been home two weeks yesterday, and things are going pretty well. I say pretty well because I can't imagine the thoughts that are going thru his little head. He is starting to get more attached to me. For a while he has been favoring Jamie, and didn't want to have anything to do with me as long as he was around. If he wasn't around, then Noah did fine with me. Now I am starting to get more giggles, kisses, and smiles, so it's coming, just slowly.
When someone is pregnant with a child, the child learns and hears his mother's voice. When Noah was in the womb of his birth mom, I wonder what she said to him. I can't imagine the feelings that she has went thru. I wonder if she told him how much she loved him? Obviously she did, she gave him the greatest gift she could....she gave him life, and although she wasn't able to provide for any child at the time, she must have wanted him to have a life that she couldn't give him. She carried him for 9months inside her womb, he heard her speaking and knew the sound of her voice. when he was born and those few days in the hospital, did she hold him, did he hear his birth mothers voice, or did he never hear it again? Loss number 1.
Then he went off to Eastern (the nursery/orphanage)where he was for 6 weeks. There he heard one voice after another, no one at times able to meet his needs, feed him when he was hungry, change him when he needed to be changed, or just cuddle him when he needed comforted. Don't get me wrong, those workers LOVE those babies, and do all they can for them, but when there are 60 babies and only 4 workers.....I am in childcare I know how it is.....there are times when they just have to wait. Loss number 2.
November 19, 2007, Mrs. C came to Eastern and they placed little Noah in her arms. She cared for him, like he was one of her own children. She LOVED him, she met all of his needs, and made him laugh. He was happy. He was "home". SHE was his mother, and her husband, and children were his family.
Then on June 6, 2008 his "world" was turned upside down, literally. His "home" as he knew it was no longer there, his "omma" was no longer there, all that was there were these 3 people who looked different, talked different, and smelled different, and yet we all seemed so happy, yet he was scared and didn't know what was going on in his life. Would his needs be met, I am sure he wondered in his little head. It was a huge GAIN for all of us, it just is going to take Noah a while to figure it out. To him this was his biggest LOSS of all.
People have asked, and I am sure thought we are crazy for not letting anyone hold him yet,(remember we did have to have 10 hours of training on this) but put yourself in his shoes for a minute.....He has no idea who we are, I think now he is starting to realize that we are going to meet his needs, but in his eyes, so did his "omma" but only for a while. Maybe he thinks we are going to leave him to. I understand he is just a baby, but think of any 9 month old you know, even younger, they know who there mom's are, so imagine that nine month old never seeing them again, and not understanding why?
And if Noah doesn't get held by other people for a while or he gets a little bit spoiled, I think it's ok. Besides after all he's been thru in his 9 months of life, don't you think he deserves it?
I know I tend to worry *alot* and I am sure Noah is adjusting like he should. I was just SO naive in thinking that he would love me from the moment he saw me like I did him. I have loved that child even before I ever saw his picture or even knew his name, that is what adoption is all about. "Adoption is when a child doesn't grow under your heart but IN it."
Adoption is a precious gift. It's just no one can figure out how to explain it to a baby.
I thank God everyday for Noah. He truly was meant to be mine. I am thankful to his birthmom for her ultimate sacrifice, and for his "omma" for taking such fabulous care of Noah until he was able to finally be in my arms. I can't imagine how hard these last 2 weeks have been on her and her family. It truly takes special families to foster children. I thank God for them also.
If anyone would like more information on healty attachment and bonding, here is the link. http://www.a4everfamily.org/index.php
1 Samuel 1:27
I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted what I asked of Him.
When someone is pregnant with a child, the child learns and hears his mother's voice. When Noah was in the womb of his birth mom, I wonder what she said to him. I can't imagine the feelings that she has went thru. I wonder if she told him how much she loved him? Obviously she did, she gave him the greatest gift she could....she gave him life, and although she wasn't able to provide for any child at the time, she must have wanted him to have a life that she couldn't give him. She carried him for 9months inside her womb, he heard her speaking and knew the sound of her voice. when he was born and those few days in the hospital, did she hold him, did he hear his birth mothers voice, or did he never hear it again? Loss number 1.
Then he went off to Eastern (the nursery/orphanage)where he was for 6 weeks. There he heard one voice after another, no one at times able to meet his needs, feed him when he was hungry, change him when he needed to be changed, or just cuddle him when he needed comforted. Don't get me wrong, those workers LOVE those babies, and do all they can for them, but when there are 60 babies and only 4 workers.....I am in childcare I know how it is.....there are times when they just have to wait. Loss number 2.
November 19, 2007, Mrs. C came to Eastern and they placed little Noah in her arms. She cared for him, like he was one of her own children. She LOVED him, she met all of his needs, and made him laugh. He was happy. He was "home". SHE was his mother, and her husband, and children were his family.
Then on June 6, 2008 his "world" was turned upside down, literally. His "home" as he knew it was no longer there, his "omma" was no longer there, all that was there were these 3 people who looked different, talked different, and smelled different, and yet we all seemed so happy, yet he was scared and didn't know what was going on in his life. Would his needs be met, I am sure he wondered in his little head. It was a huge GAIN for all of us, it just is going to take Noah a while to figure it out. To him this was his biggest LOSS of all.
People have asked, and I am sure thought we are crazy for not letting anyone hold him yet,(remember we did have to have 10 hours of training on this) but put yourself in his shoes for a minute.....He has no idea who we are, I think now he is starting to realize that we are going to meet his needs, but in his eyes, so did his "omma" but only for a while. Maybe he thinks we are going to leave him to. I understand he is just a baby, but think of any 9 month old you know, even younger, they know who there mom's are, so imagine that nine month old never seeing them again, and not understanding why?
And if Noah doesn't get held by other people for a while or he gets a little bit spoiled, I think it's ok. Besides after all he's been thru in his 9 months of life, don't you think he deserves it?
I know I tend to worry *alot* and I am sure Noah is adjusting like he should. I was just SO naive in thinking that he would love me from the moment he saw me like I did him. I have loved that child even before I ever saw his picture or even knew his name, that is what adoption is all about. "Adoption is when a child doesn't grow under your heart but IN it."
Adoption is a precious gift. It's just no one can figure out how to explain it to a baby.
I thank God everyday for Noah. He truly was meant to be mine. I am thankful to his birthmom for her ultimate sacrifice, and for his "omma" for taking such fabulous care of Noah until he was able to finally be in my arms. I can't imagine how hard these last 2 weeks have been on her and her family. It truly takes special families to foster children. I thank God for them also.
If anyone would like more information on healty attachment and bonding, here is the link. http://www.a4everfamily.org/index.php
1 Samuel 1:27
I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted what I asked of Him.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
We are home. ETA the real update
We received Noah Sunday July 6, 2008 at 4pm. It was very hard, seeing his foster family, we were all in tears. The blessing ceremony was hard also. Noah is doing well. He is such a good baby. His night was good. He was very sad at first, and cried off and on, and slept. He was in bed with me, and slept most of the night, just waking up for a bottle. I will update more later, because I know you are more interested in this.............FINALLY!
We have lots more, but for now that is all I have time for!
ETA:
Just a quick update on us. Seoul was awesome, we did a lot while we were there, but are glad to be home! We received Noah on Sunday night. Things went well, it was very hard and the founder of Eastern did the blessing ceremony. His whole foster family came, (except their 2nd daughter-apperantly she was really close to Noah-so I am guessing it was too hard)
He cried for a while, and then slept. I assume it was his way of shutting down a little. When he woke up we got a few smiles out of him and he seems to really like Madison and watched her every move.
He slept with me, and only woke once to eat. he fussed some in his sleep, but never woke up. The plane ride went well. He did not cry at all. In fact he slept about 9 hours total of the 12 hour flight.
Yesterday when we got home he was a little overwhelmed. I kept him up until 7:30, but let him play in his crib. he liked it. After he had his bottle he fell asleep, and I put him in his crib. The rest of us went to bed at 8;00. I slept in his room on a futon, and he woke up 2 times to eat. The first time he cried about an hour, but wasn't inconsolable. The second time he went right back to bed after his bottle. about 4:30 or so he woke up and I put him on the futon with me, and we slept until 8:00.
Today he has been all smiles, reaching for me, and following me around. he has been playing in the floor with his toys and Madison. He goes to my husband fine, but prefers me, and won't drink much of a bottle from him. he will take it fine from me. he is making good eyecontact, and I wear him whenever I feel like he is overwhelmed.
He is a doll, and love love love him. Words can't describe the feeling I have when I hold him in my arms. God has blessed us with a child perfect for our family.
Oh and he is CHUNKY!!! We had to return the size 3 diapers I bought. I weighed him this morning and he is 23 pounds!!!
We have lots more, but for now that is all I have time for!
ETA:
Just a quick update on us. Seoul was awesome, we did a lot while we were there, but are glad to be home! We received Noah on Sunday night. Things went well, it was very hard and the founder of Eastern did the blessing ceremony. His whole foster family came, (except their 2nd daughter-apperantly she was really close to Noah-so I am guessing it was too hard)
He cried for a while, and then slept. I assume it was his way of shutting down a little. When he woke up we got a few smiles out of him and he seems to really like Madison and watched her every move.
He slept with me, and only woke once to eat. he fussed some in his sleep, but never woke up. The plane ride went well. He did not cry at all. In fact he slept about 9 hours total of the 12 hour flight.
Yesterday when we got home he was a little overwhelmed. I kept him up until 7:30, but let him play in his crib. he liked it. After he had his bottle he fell asleep, and I put him in his crib. The rest of us went to bed at 8;00. I slept in his room on a futon, and he woke up 2 times to eat. The first time he cried about an hour, but wasn't inconsolable. The second time he went right back to bed after his bottle. about 4:30 or so he woke up and I put him on the futon with me, and we slept until 8:00.
Today he has been all smiles, reaching for me, and following me around. he has been playing in the floor with his toys and Madison. He goes to my husband fine, but prefers me, and won't drink much of a bottle from him. he will take it fine from me. he is making good eyecontact, and I wear him whenever I feel like he is overwhelmed.
He is a doll, and love love love him. Words can't describe the feeling I have when I hold him in my arms. God has blessed us with a child perfect for our family.
Oh and he is CHUNKY!!! We had to return the size 3 diapers I bought. I weighed him this morning and he is 23 pounds!!!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Today is the day, and yesterday's happenings!
Yesterday we went on a downtown tour, and to the palaces. We went inside one of the palaces, and it was beautiful. The architecture was AMAZING! I took lots of pictures. Then we went back to the hotel, and took a nap. Madison was tired today! I can't get over how good she is being, it is blowing me away. I mean we have been walking about 4-6 hours a day, and she hasn't complained once! She hasn't even been asked to be carried. Sometimes Jamie will just pick her up if it is busy or crowded. After we took a nap, we met the other couple and Allen back at the guesthouse and had a birthday party for Madison! We ordered a cake from the local bakery. It was definitly not one of Gina's cakes! It tasted like bread with some kind of fruit in it and chocolate syrup/icing on the top, but we told her no one she knows has ever had a Korean cake for their birthday, and we will have a Gina cake after we get home.
After the party we went back to Nandaemun market, which is near city hall, so we took the subway. We noticed there was some kind of street party, and we moved on to the market. Well, on the way back, we saw thousands and thousands of people doing a candle light vigil for something, we saw a white person with a korean girl and asked what it was.......it was the protesters about the US BEEF!!! Needless to say we didn't waste any time getting back to the subway! We took some pictures of that too.
Today which is Sunday July 6th, we are going to church with the missionaries Walt and Jackie whom we met back home last Oct. They are having a dinner on the grounds afterwards and we are going to have some fellowship time with them. They said the church has grown from 70 people when they got here in late March to 110 last Sunday!
Then we are going to Iteawon market, and possibly the War Memorial, if we have time. We have to be back at the guesthouse by 4:00pm to pick up Noah and have his blessing ceremony with Senior Dr. Kim! Then he is ours forever!! What an iteresting night it will be!
Well, I probably won't write anymore, as we will be heading home tomorrow (Monday July7) at 7:00 am. Keep us in your prayers as we journey back to the US as a family of 4!!!
After the party we went back to Nandaemun market, which is near city hall, so we took the subway. We noticed there was some kind of street party, and we moved on to the market. Well, on the way back, we saw thousands and thousands of people doing a candle light vigil for something, we saw a white person with a korean girl and asked what it was.......it was the protesters about the US BEEF!!! Needless to say we didn't waste any time getting back to the subway! We took some pictures of that too.
Today which is Sunday July 6th, we are going to church with the missionaries Walt and Jackie whom we met back home last Oct. They are having a dinner on the grounds afterwards and we are going to have some fellowship time with them. They said the church has grown from 70 people when they got here in late March to 110 last Sunday!
Then we are going to Iteawon market, and possibly the War Memorial, if we have time. We have to be back at the guesthouse by 4:00pm to pick up Noah and have his blessing ceremony with Senior Dr. Kim! Then he is ours forever!! What an iteresting night it will be!
Well, I probably won't write anymore, as we will be heading home tomorrow (Monday July7) at 7:00 am. Keep us in your prayers as we journey back to the US as a family of 4!!!
Friday, July 4, 2008
HAPPY 4TH AND MADISON'S BIRTHDAY!
Today is Saturday July 5, at 6:45 am. Yesterday was a good day. In the morning we took at taxi to the Kyobo Book Center it was amazing, too bad it was mostly Korean. I picked up a few childrens books for Noah that was in English and Korean, and a few CD's with Korean childrens music. Madison of course bought a Disney Princess coloring book that is in Korean. Then we came back to the guesthouse and got to see Noah.
It was really hard today, he was scared of Jamie, and me, then his foster mom gave us some of his snacks to feed him, He would eat them from Madison, and slowly Jamie and myself. I fed him a bottle, and he kept touching my face which his foster mom says he does when he is content, and happy. She said he is beginning to like my face.
Our social worker asked if we are picking him up Monday morning, and I asked if we could have him Sunday night, and she said yes, so we get him FOREVER Sunday at 4:00pm. Once we have him we can't leave the guesthouse until we leave for the airport, but that will be ok because we are really going to need that time, and time when we get home to get adjusted. It is going to be EXTREMELY hard on Noah. His foster mom said when he was sick, that the foster mom's can't stay with him when they are in the hospital, and he was very stressed, and since then when he gets stressed he pulls his hair. That is something we are going to have to work on when we get home, keeping him calm, and knowing that he is loved.
I started to cry after she said we could have him Sunday night, because the foster mom was very sad. We were both crying, actually all of us were. I looked at here when the social worker walked out of the room, and said Kamsahamnida (thank you) and touched Noah's hair and said I know she loved him, and she took my hand and we just cried. It was very very emotional. She asked for us to please send her pictures ,and of course we will. She is the only mother he has known for 9 months and they loved him, just like her own children. She gave us a note in Korean that we will need to have translated, hopefully we will be able to soon. She gave us a hanbok which is the traditional Korean dress, it is BEAUTIFUL. She gave us his little blankie that we gave him, and his towel from home to help with his transition. Also two packs of his snacks and his favorite toy which is a stuffed winnie the pooh. Tomorrow will be extremely hard, and the Senior Dr. Kim will pray over Noah, before he is given to us. they say it is extremely hard on the foster mom then, as well as us.
After our meeting we met Allen, and went to eat.....at the Outback....it was horrible, and now I think I am a little sick. Hopefully will be better by tomorrow, or I will start the antibiotics that the Dr sent from home. We met back here at the guesthouse and picked up the other couple Jessica and Josh, and headed towards the subway. We went to Yangsan, and it took us 3 hours to get there, but we made it, we weren't lost it was just a TON of walking. Madison has been phenomanal. She walked the whole time, never complaining, just loving it! Allen was able to get us onto the Army base there, not the one he is stationed at but another one. None of us had ever been on a military base before, so that was really neat. What was the greatest, is that while we are here in Seoul, Korea, we were able to celebrate the Independance of our Country on the Military base with our soldiers and saw a fabulous fireworks display. The only thing missing was the Hot Air Balloons! Then we had to hurry back to the guesthouse because they lock the doors at 11:00pm and we were worried since it took us 3 hrs to walk and take the subway, that we would be late. We decided to take a cab, thinking it would be about 50000 won ($50) but we would split the cost. So we got in the taxi, and was home in less than 10 MIN....we couldn't believe it. It cost less than $6 total....today we are only using a taxi!
We are going to try to do something nice for Madison's Birthday but not sure what yet, and we would like to tour the DMZ line tomorrow morning before we get Noah. I will try to update at least one more time before we come home, but if not we will be home Monday! Lisa-remind Buster to bring the carseat ! OH and Noah's FM said he loves to be in the car, BUT has never been in a carseat, so I am sure we are in for it!
Our love to everyone, and please keep us in your prayers, as we receive Noah, and travel home, also for his foster family, and him and Madison as we transition to a family of 4!
It was really hard today, he was scared of Jamie, and me, then his foster mom gave us some of his snacks to feed him, He would eat them from Madison, and slowly Jamie and myself. I fed him a bottle, and he kept touching my face which his foster mom says he does when he is content, and happy. She said he is beginning to like my face.
Our social worker asked if we are picking him up Monday morning, and I asked if we could have him Sunday night, and she said yes, so we get him FOREVER Sunday at 4:00pm. Once we have him we can't leave the guesthouse until we leave for the airport, but that will be ok because we are really going to need that time, and time when we get home to get adjusted. It is going to be EXTREMELY hard on Noah. His foster mom said when he was sick, that the foster mom's can't stay with him when they are in the hospital, and he was very stressed, and since then when he gets stressed he pulls his hair. That is something we are going to have to work on when we get home, keeping him calm, and knowing that he is loved.
I started to cry after she said we could have him Sunday night, because the foster mom was very sad. We were both crying, actually all of us were. I looked at here when the social worker walked out of the room, and said Kamsahamnida (thank you) and touched Noah's hair and said I know she loved him, and she took my hand and we just cried. It was very very emotional. She asked for us to please send her pictures ,and of course we will. She is the only mother he has known for 9 months and they loved him, just like her own children. She gave us a note in Korean that we will need to have translated, hopefully we will be able to soon. She gave us a hanbok which is the traditional Korean dress, it is BEAUTIFUL. She gave us his little blankie that we gave him, and his towel from home to help with his transition. Also two packs of his snacks and his favorite toy which is a stuffed winnie the pooh. Tomorrow will be extremely hard, and the Senior Dr. Kim will pray over Noah, before he is given to us. they say it is extremely hard on the foster mom then, as well as us.
After our meeting we met Allen, and went to eat.....at the Outback....it was horrible, and now I think I am a little sick. Hopefully will be better by tomorrow, or I will start the antibiotics that the Dr sent from home. We met back here at the guesthouse and picked up the other couple Jessica and Josh, and headed towards the subway. We went to Yangsan, and it took us 3 hours to get there, but we made it, we weren't lost it was just a TON of walking. Madison has been phenomanal. She walked the whole time, never complaining, just loving it! Allen was able to get us onto the Army base there, not the one he is stationed at but another one. None of us had ever been on a military base before, so that was really neat. What was the greatest, is that while we are here in Seoul, Korea, we were able to celebrate the Independance of our Country on the Military base with our soldiers and saw a fabulous fireworks display. The only thing missing was the Hot Air Balloons! Then we had to hurry back to the guesthouse because they lock the doors at 11:00pm and we were worried since it took us 3 hrs to walk and take the subway, that we would be late. We decided to take a cab, thinking it would be about 50000 won ($50) but we would split the cost. So we got in the taxi, and was home in less than 10 MIN....we couldn't believe it. It cost less than $6 total....today we are only using a taxi!
We are going to try to do something nice for Madison's Birthday but not sure what yet, and we would like to tour the DMZ line tomorrow morning before we get Noah. I will try to update at least one more time before we come home, but if not we will be home Monday! Lisa-remind Buster to bring the carseat ! OH and Noah's FM said he loves to be in the car, BUT has never been in a carseat, so I am sure we are in for it!
Our love to everyone, and please keep us in your prayers, as we receive Noah, and travel home, also for his foster family, and him and Madison as we transition to a family of 4!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
What an amazing day!
It's Friday July 4th here at 3:30 am. I did a little better with sleeping last night, we didn't go to sleep until 9 pm and actually stayed asleep until just now. It was an awesome day today. The weather cleared up, and we were able to venture out.
We went back up to the nursery early Thursday morning, and stayed about 1 hr and 1/2. It is still my favorite place to be, they need so much help. It's alot like being back at work, except 6 times bigger. =( Madison LOVES being up there and is such a big helper!
She has been AWESOME! Everyone (American's) comment on how well behaved she is being (she has them all fooled ), and is LOVING every second of attention she is getting from the Korean people. (who would have thought) They keep saying how pretty she is and touching her hair, and telling her how lucky she is. They want her to give them high 5, and a few young police officers were making faces at her to make her laugh!
We met the President Dr. Kim today, and she told us the history of Eastern (our agency here) and how Senior Dr. Kim had a heart for the orphans and wanted to find them find homes.
Then we had lunch here at the guesthouse with the workers and 4 other adoptive families, and 8 families who are back on a birth tour (one family we met at the airport, and their son will be 13 on July 5-he was adopted from here 13 years ago) The food was great! Kimchi, Bulgogi, some type of chicken, and everything else we just didn't ask! It was all very tasty.
After lunch we had the honor of meeting the founder Senior Dr. Kim he will be 93! He works from 9-5 and is a fabulous christian man. He spoke to us about the history of Korea, and how he started the agency, and how they have placed I believe over 45,000 babies since 1963, that year might not be right, I will need to double check. He is so thankful that Americans can love and take care of their babies and give them a chance to have a life that they wouldn't have here. It was really a touching moment. That man is truly a man of God. I am thankful that we were able to meet him.
Another couple is staying in the room beside us, they are adopting a little girl, and we all decided to venture out together after our meetings. We took the subway! It was a little confusing at first, but I think we figured it out. We went to City Hall, and to the Namdaemun market. The market was ok, I am not one to haggle with people so I just paid what they said, I think I spent about 65000 won so $65. We were laughing with the other couple, Jessica and Josh, because the lady was telling me something was 5000 won and then would tell her the same thing was 10000 won. And we think she was telling the other Koreans 3000 won. Needless to say, it was an experience.
Then we decided to find a restaurant, which was a lot of fun, especially trying to figure out what they served. The great man, who helps at our agency Mr. Shin, who has been fabulous, wrote us a note to give the restaurant that said give them good bulgogi, and gave us directions, well we walked to where he said, went in and handed the man our note, he said no bulgogi, so we left, walked back to the agency and told Mr. Shin no bulgogi, so he walked us to the right place, and it had closed down recently, so he literally walked us to every restaurant in the course of 4 blocks, he said he'd never been down that way before, and then kept asking us if we wanted pizza, we could have it in 10 min! We told him we didn't want pizza, so we thanked him and went back to the first restaurant we went to, we ordered 2 plates of stuff we think was chicken. It was actually pretty good.
Well, we see Noah again today, they changed our time to 1:00 pm, so I will update more after we see him.
We went back up to the nursery early Thursday morning, and stayed about 1 hr and 1/2. It is still my favorite place to be, they need so much help. It's alot like being back at work, except 6 times bigger. =( Madison LOVES being up there and is such a big helper!
She has been AWESOME! Everyone (American's) comment on how well behaved she is being (she has them all fooled ), and is LOVING every second of attention she is getting from the Korean people. (who would have thought) They keep saying how pretty she is and touching her hair, and telling her how lucky she is. They want her to give them high 5, and a few young police officers were making faces at her to make her laugh!
We met the President Dr. Kim today, and she told us the history of Eastern (our agency here) and how Senior Dr. Kim had a heart for the orphans and wanted to find them find homes.
Then we had lunch here at the guesthouse with the workers and 4 other adoptive families, and 8 families who are back on a birth tour (one family we met at the airport, and their son will be 13 on July 5-he was adopted from here 13 years ago) The food was great! Kimchi, Bulgogi, some type of chicken, and everything else we just didn't ask! It was all very tasty.
After lunch we had the honor of meeting the founder Senior Dr. Kim he will be 93! He works from 9-5 and is a fabulous christian man. He spoke to us about the history of Korea, and how he started the agency, and how they have placed I believe over 45,000 babies since 1963, that year might not be right, I will need to double check. He is so thankful that Americans can love and take care of their babies and give them a chance to have a life that they wouldn't have here. It was really a touching moment. That man is truly a man of God. I am thankful that we were able to meet him.
Another couple is staying in the room beside us, they are adopting a little girl, and we all decided to venture out together after our meetings. We took the subway! It was a little confusing at first, but I think we figured it out. We went to City Hall, and to the Namdaemun market. The market was ok, I am not one to haggle with people so I just paid what they said, I think I spent about 65000 won so $65. We were laughing with the other couple, Jessica and Josh, because the lady was telling me something was 5000 won and then would tell her the same thing was 10000 won. And we think she was telling the other Koreans 3000 won. Needless to say, it was an experience.
Then we decided to find a restaurant, which was a lot of fun, especially trying to figure out what they served. The great man, who helps at our agency Mr. Shin, who has been fabulous, wrote us a note to give the restaurant that said give them good bulgogi, and gave us directions, well we walked to where he said, went in and handed the man our note, he said no bulgogi, so we left, walked back to the agency and told Mr. Shin no bulgogi, so he walked us to the right place, and it had closed down recently, so he literally walked us to every restaurant in the course of 4 blocks, he said he'd never been down that way before, and then kept asking us if we wanted pizza, we could have it in 10 min! We told him we didn't want pizza, so we thanked him and went back to the first restaurant we went to, we ordered 2 plates of stuff we think was chicken. It was actually pretty good.
Well, we see Noah again today, they changed our time to 1:00 pm, so I will update more after we see him.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
We met Noah!!
Well, it's 12:30am Thursday July 3rd. I didn't use the computers because it is in the room where parents meet there children and I didn't want to intrude during those times. We met Noah yesterday, it was great. He is HUGE!!! ADORABLE, Words can't describe how it felt seeing him for the first time. He came with his Foster Mom and her 2nd daughter. She gave us 2 photo albums of pictures of him. He was shy at first, and would look at me and then back to fm. Jamie held him first I talked to the foster mom. Her daughter was sad, we both cried just a little bit. His hair is still sticking straight up he looks the same as his last picture. His nails are cut short, i knew Laura would be proud!!!! He was wearing a tshirt and jeans. Madison did fabulous, played with him and talked to him! He likes to be carried on his fm back so she seemed glad that I have one. She said he understands "obobe" which is the term for riding on his back!
His foster mom has taken really good care of him. She did have another foster son who left in March and went home to California. She made sure I knew he LOVES his bath, and make sure he gets one everyday! He sleeps on a mat in the floor by himself, and she said it is important for him to go to sleep by hisself, so he might cry a little BUT LET HIM!! she said she gives him a bottle and pulls the door closed. (we'll have to work on that)He fell asleep in my arms and it was so hot he was sweating, I was sweating and the foster mom said he doesn't like to be hot!! HE WILL FIT IN GREAT!!!! I can't fifure out a way to post pictures yet but will try later.
We haven't ventured out much today, we went for a walk and then it poured down rain the rest of the day. We bought a HUGE umbrella 5000 won ($5) We have a busy day today we are going to meet Young Dr. Kim at 11:30 have lunch with them at 12:00 Meet the old Dr. Kim at 1:30. We get to see Noah again on Friday at 2:00. I am going to ask if we can get him on Sunday because we have to leave for the airport at 7:30, but as of yesterday our social worker said Monday morning. We'll see.
We have been to the baby nursery here, it's SOOOO SAD. THAT IS WHERE I HAVE CRIED THE MOST. There is 61 babies and 4 workers. They are in 3 rooms, when we went in they put us to work, even Madison. They gave her a baby that just came in 1 hr before was born 5/15 and had heart surgery. If it rains a lot we are going to spend a lot of time there. There was a 1 year old, and the rest all under 5 months I think.
As for food, none of us are very hungry, but we went to pizza hut yesterday!! Our first meal in Korea (ha ha) It was 25000 won(about 25 dollars), but the pizza was a personal pan (that is there med) and we had a salad bar, but it wasn't lettuce it was fruits and all this different salads, like potato and some seafood I tried it was good it tasted like crab but didn't look like it and I didn't ask.
We met the other family with they 6 year old last night and they received their daughter we videod for them. They are leaving today. It was nice to meet them though, and put a face to their names.
Ok that's all I can think of right now, i will try to update more later, and figure out the pictures.
His foster mom has taken really good care of him. She did have another foster son who left in March and went home to California. She made sure I knew he LOVES his bath, and make sure he gets one everyday! He sleeps on a mat in the floor by himself, and she said it is important for him to go to sleep by hisself, so he might cry a little BUT LET HIM!! she said she gives him a bottle and pulls the door closed. (we'll have to work on that)He fell asleep in my arms and it was so hot he was sweating, I was sweating and the foster mom said he doesn't like to be hot!! HE WILL FIT IN GREAT!!!! I can't fifure out a way to post pictures yet but will try later.
We haven't ventured out much today, we went for a walk and then it poured down rain the rest of the day. We bought a HUGE umbrella 5000 won ($5) We have a busy day today we are going to meet Young Dr. Kim at 11:30 have lunch with them at 12:00 Meet the old Dr. Kim at 1:30. We get to see Noah again on Friday at 2:00. I am going to ask if we can get him on Sunday because we have to leave for the airport at 7:30, but as of yesterday our social worker said Monday morning. We'll see.
We have been to the baby nursery here, it's SOOOO SAD. THAT IS WHERE I HAVE CRIED THE MOST. There is 61 babies and 4 workers. They are in 3 rooms, when we went in they put us to work, even Madison. They gave her a baby that just came in 1 hr before was born 5/15 and had heart surgery. If it rains a lot we are going to spend a lot of time there. There was a 1 year old, and the rest all under 5 months I think.
As for food, none of us are very hungry, but we went to pizza hut yesterday!! Our first meal in Korea (ha ha) It was 25000 won(about 25 dollars), but the pizza was a personal pan (that is there med) and we had a salad bar, but it wasn't lettuce it was fruits and all this different salads, like potato and some seafood I tried it was good it tasted like crab but didn't look like it and I didn't ask.
We met the other family with they 6 year old last night and they received their daughter we videod for them. They are leaving today. It was nice to meet them though, and put a face to their names.
Ok that's all I can think of right now, i will try to update more later, and figure out the pictures.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
We made it!!
We are here, we are very very tired. Getting ready to go to sleep. Our plane ride was long but fantastic! Madison did great, and so did Jamie! Will update more later. Oh...we meet Noah at 10:00 in the morning which will be 9 pm July 1 for you! I think.
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