The Provincial Paperwork!!
Today is not only our first full day together…but as of about 11:00 AM FHHT (Fuzhou Hot and Humid Time) Charlie officially became a little Schmidt…yes, that is “LITTLE SCHMIDT”…don’t read so fast next time. Oh, by the way, this is Pete (the Dad) finally blogging…I’ve stopped napping (and according to accusations in this same blog, snoring), fully recovered from jet lag…and I’ve wrested the keyboard away from Lisa…yes, its about time…Adoption Dads of the World UNITE! OK, on to the important stuff…
Charlie had a very calm evening…he slept pretty much the full night through…we got up this AM and headed down to breakfast. We were a little concerned about the eating…he didn’t seem willing to feed himself and was eating as light as a bird last night. Lisa and I had visions of us cutting up his ham sandwiches at his high school graduation and hand feeding him… “here comes a choo choo…open up…yummmmie…” Seriously…a little distraction on his part is probably understandable given the world turning day he had just had. But we sat him in a high chair and forced ourselves not to force feed him…and it worked in no time he was actually using a fork and a spoon to feed himself…hmmm, guess we’ll have to find something else to fret about…
After breakfast we were off to the Provincial Offices to get the paperwork done…we learned you can make it across Fuzhou pretty fast in a Van…just watch out for the scooters. The provincial paper work process went surprisingly smoothly (see the photos)…wow…what a snap…no really, everyone was so eager to help and get things done…we met the two provincial officials (very professional and friendly) and the orphanage team was there as well. It only took about 20 minutes to get the paperwork done and filed…and another 20 minutes of Lisa and I listening to animated conversations in Chinese…smiling when we thought it appropriate and agreeing with anything that sounded like a question…I may have joined the communist party at some point…I’m really not sure…
After we got the forms filed we hopped in our trusty van for another dash to the Notary’s office…this was also surprisingly easy…a couple of questions, some quick signatures…hand over a gift…snap a few photos and Charlie was a Schmidt…yup…I guess as far as China is concerned once the process was notarized we completed our metamorphosis from “bewildered toursists”…to “guardians”…to “parents”…we couldn’t be happier…I can only hope the US officials we are going to meet in Guangzhou next week are as professional, friendly, and quick as the Officials of Fujian Province!!!
After the Notary we were off to Wal*Mart…we needed to get some clothes for Charlie (a lot of what we brought was too small)…we really were not able to judge the best size from the photos we received…based on his age (almost 3) and the pictures, we guessed about a 2T…but our in person measurements here reveal he has a 2T waist, and 3T chest and a 5T head (which is cool, all the Schmidt’s have big noggins). Anyway, Wal*Mart was a hoot…we ended up cleaning the place out of almost all their mini-notepads and pencils (for our gifts for the kids at the orphanage on Wednesday)…I was also able to get a special little gift for my buddy Chris in Fairfax…he should enjoy this unique, dry packaged meat product upon my return.
OK…you’ve had enough from me…Charlie is napping, Lisa is organizing something…and this post is too long…most of the regular readers quit about 300 words ago…but just a few final observations on Fuzhou…
First to all of you who are wondering…there is in fact a city of over 5 million people that DOES NOT have Starbucks…I know! Its unbelievable isn’t it…
Whacky Chinese Hotel Story Number One…this actually just happened…I’m typing on the computer…the phone rings in our room, Lisa jumps on it to answer it quickly (since Charlie is sleeping)…she says: “Hello”…a voice on the other end says: “My calling you, now…” Lisa responds: “yes…OK…???”…then “click” the voice on the other end hangs up…hmmm…just gotta roll with it.
There is a bridge around the beautiful lake here…at one end the bridge crosses into open water and zig zags back and forth before making landfall on the other shore…why?…Simple…evil spirits can only travel in a straight line…the zig zag prevents them from crossing the lake…I like that…
Good Bye for now…my blogging privileges are likely to be revoked…
Today is not only our first full day together…but as of about 11:00 AM FHHT (Fuzhou Hot and Humid Time) Charlie officially became a little Schmidt…yes, that is “LITTLE SCHMIDT”…don’t read so fast next time. Oh, by the way, this is Pete (the Dad) finally blogging…I’ve stopped napping (and according to accusations in this same blog, snoring), fully recovered from jet lag…and I’ve wrested the keyboard away from Lisa…yes, its about time…Adoption Dads of the World UNITE! OK, on to the important stuff…
Charlie had a very calm evening…he slept pretty much the full night through…we got up this AM and headed down to breakfast. We were a little concerned about the eating…he didn’t seem willing to feed himself and was eating as light as a bird last night. Lisa and I had visions of us cutting up his ham sandwiches at his high school graduation and hand feeding him… “here comes a choo choo…open up…yummmmie…” Seriously…a little distraction on his part is probably understandable given the world turning day he had just had. But we sat him in a high chair and forced ourselves not to force feed him…and it worked in no time he was actually using a fork and a spoon to feed himself…hmmm, guess we’ll have to find something else to fret about…
After breakfast we were off to the Provincial Offices to get the paperwork done…we learned you can make it across Fuzhou pretty fast in a Van…just watch out for the scooters. The provincial paper work process went surprisingly smoothly (see the photos)…wow…what a snap…no really, everyone was so eager to help and get things done…we met the two provincial officials (very professional and friendly) and the orphanage team was there as well. It only took about 20 minutes to get the paperwork done and filed…and another 20 minutes of Lisa and I listening to animated conversations in Chinese…smiling when we thought it appropriate and agreeing with anything that sounded like a question…I may have joined the communist party at some point…I’m really not sure…
After we got the forms filed we hopped in our trusty van for another dash to the Notary’s office…this was also surprisingly easy…a couple of questions, some quick signatures…hand over a gift…snap a few photos and Charlie was a Schmidt…yup…I guess as far as China is concerned once the process was notarized we completed our metamorphosis from “bewildered toursists”…to “guardians”…to “parents”…we couldn’t be happier…I can only hope the US officials we are going to meet in Guangzhou next week are as professional, friendly, and quick as the Officials of Fujian Province!!!
After the Notary we were off to Wal*Mart…we needed to get some clothes for Charlie (a lot of what we brought was too small)…we really were not able to judge the best size from the photos we received…based on his age (almost 3) and the pictures, we guessed about a 2T…but our in person measurements here reveal he has a 2T waist, and 3T chest and a 5T head (which is cool, all the Schmidt’s have big noggins). Anyway, Wal*Mart was a hoot…we ended up cleaning the place out of almost all their mini-notepads and pencils (for our gifts for the kids at the orphanage on Wednesday)…I was also able to get a special little gift for my buddy Chris in Fairfax…he should enjoy this unique, dry packaged meat product upon my return.
OK…you’ve had enough from me…Charlie is napping, Lisa is organizing something…and this post is too long…most of the regular readers quit about 300 words ago…but just a few final observations on Fuzhou…
First to all of you who are wondering…there is in fact a city of over 5 million people that DOES NOT have Starbucks…I know! Its unbelievable isn’t it…
Whacky Chinese Hotel Story Number One…this actually just happened…I’m typing on the computer…the phone rings in our room, Lisa jumps on it to answer it quickly (since Charlie is sleeping)…she says: “Hello”…a voice on the other end says: “My calling you, now…” Lisa responds: “yes…OK…???”…then “click” the voice on the other end hangs up…hmmm…just gotta roll with it.
There is a bridge around the beautiful lake here…at one end the bridge crosses into open water and zig zags back and forth before making landfall on the other shore…why?…Simple…evil spirits can only travel in a straight line…the zig zag prevents them from crossing the lake…I like that…
Good Bye for now…my blogging privileges are likely to be revoked…
5 comments:
Great post! I hope you don't loose your privledges, my day has started with a smile!
Enjoy your time with Charlie, he is one adorable little guy!
Tracy
CHI mommy
Thank you for letting us join you on your journey. Even though I just joined your family on the trip through yahoo groups, I really appreciate seeing your evolving family. Your little boy Charlie is truly beautiful! He fits right in with you.
I look forward to reading all about it.
I'm particularly interested because we hope to do your exact journey - but pick up our own little 2 year old in a couple of months - or less! I'll be anxious to know if you see her at the orphanage.
Jane
It's always great to get a dads perspective on the adoption experience. Glad things are going well. Keep all the tidbits about Fuzhou coming, we'll need them soon:-)
Congratulations Schmidt family! Charlie looks so happy and content, what a handsome little man he is. It looks like you are having a great trip. Enjoy your stay in Fuzhou and your trip to Quanzhou. Please tell Katherine we said hello.
The Snyder Family
Congratulations!! Charlie is very handsome! It's nice to hear of someone else who has a big Chinese baby! Our Presley is in the 95th percentile for her height!!
I love it when dads blog! Thanks! I can't wait to see more of your journey!!
Amy in Arizona
www.chinacaboose.blogspot.com
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