The process we are following for Zeke’s adoption has been a little different from that experienced with Hana. Today we met at the Henan Province Office of Adoption Affairs at 9:00 am. The caretaker from the orphanage who we met Friday was present, as was a man, who we learned was the director of international adoptions from the orphanage. Today was important in that we completed the formal adoption registration. The culmination of this step in the process is a red folder with our names, Zeke’s Chinese and American names, our U.S. address, and other pertinent information. Also, the family photo taken on Friday is included as are all the official documentation stamps.
When we first arrived at the office, the women from the orphanage took Zeke from Steve’s arms and you could tell Zeke didn’t want her to take him. Then the man took Zeke from the women and Zeke started sobbing and reaching toward Steve and Heather. Steve took him back. We spent about an hour, mostly waiting, until the document was complete and the director of the office congratulated all of us and said the adoption was complete. During the hour wait, we all just sat and visited while the kids played.
We learned from the caretaker that the children from her orphanage are fed a specific amount each meal and no more, but care is taken that they are given tasty food and that they eat it. Thus, she said that her children are healthy and chubby. She pointed to our two other sons, Ed and Joe, and said her children at the orphanage are fatter than our sons. She thought that was pretty funny. She went on to explain that Zeke loves to eat and that we’ll have to be careful to limit what he eats. We had already discovered this and had decided we would, indeed, have to watch what he’s eating. Right now, though, everything is new and he’s attempting to try everything possible.
We also asked about the lump and scar on his forehead. We had received photos of Zeke from parents who had gone to the orphanage a few months ago to finish the adoption of their children and had noticed that Zeke had a pretty good size bump and bruise on his forehead. There is definitely a lump still there and a scar about an inch long and we were curious. The caretaker said that Zeke’s right arm is very weak and that he fell he couldn’t really use his arm to break his fall. Thus, he took a pretty good blow to his head. We’ll get all that checked out once we get home.
The best part, at least for us, of the whole visit with the orphanage folks came when we were finished and ready to leave. The caretaker attempted to take Zeke from Steve again and Zeke pushed her away and refused to go to either of them. He stayed with Steve and wasn’t budging. We tried not to show it, but we were thrilled that our son was comfortable enough with us that he clearly refused to go with them.
When we left the adoption affairs office we headed across the street to the police station to see if Zeke’s passport was ready. It was. This is different from the way most provinces in China work. Typically the passport isn’t ready until Friday afternoon and then, after receiving it, the families catch a flight to Guangzhou. Since Zeke’s was ready, we’ll be able to leave anytime Friday. We’d opt to leave for Guangzhou on Thursday, but the White Swan Hotel is full on Thursday night so we might as well stay put.
Following the passport pickup, we went back to the place where we got our family photo taken and dropped off the camera to be developed that we had sent in a care package for Zeke. From there we had a fun excursion. We found a barber shop and had Zeke’s hair cut. He looked great before, but is one sharp looking guy now. We wanted him to look his best when we have to go back to the orphanage on Wednesday to complete the last of the paperwork.
The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. There were naps for the little ones while big ones went swimming, wandering around town a little, and mainly taking it easy with Zeke. We had thought about going to the zoo or aquarium, but have decided that for Zeke right now he just needs to keep things low key and restful so we’re staying close to the hotel and immediate area. It’s really been kind of nice. Also, while he supposedly only weights 2 pounds more than Hana, it is difficult to carry the two of them everywhere. We’re watching for strollers, but no luck yet, and the hotel doesn’t have any. Our understanding is that we’re one of two families in the province right now adopting, and it doesn’t seem like there’s as many adoptions taking place here as in some provinces. Thus, the hotels here aren’t quite as geared for adoptive families as in some other locations. We’re doing fine, though, as we lug these little ones around.
Well, that pretty much sums up the days activities. Take care.
Adoption officials from Zeke’s orphanage.
Adoption registration certificate in red folder.
Picking up Zeke’s passport from the police station.
