Gotcha Owen!

Monday was a big day! We finally got to meet Owen! After a big breakfast at the hotel, we chilled out in the hotel room for a little bit, then met Helen downstairs to head to the orphanage. When we got there, we got to meet Robert, the American that volunteers at the orphanage who has been communicating with Deanna about Owen. Within just a few minutes, we got to meet Owen. Here are some pictures...





Looking at familiar pictures with mommy & Cackie.



Proud Aunt caught it all on videotape.



Proud mommy!



With daddy & big sister, Cackie.

Although he cried a little bit when we first met him, he seemed to adjust pretty quickly. He was actually surprisingly calm. When we left the orphanage, we went for some lunch. Owen ate so much! The clothes that Deanna had sent him in care packages and those that she brought for him with us are all too big for him. He is skinnier than we anticipated. But, if he keeps eating as well as he has been, he'll fill those pants out in no time! He pretty much loved everything, except for soup. Helen has offered soup to him several times, and he doesn't want it. It's kind of funny how adament he gets when she simply tries to bring the bowl near him.



He loves corn! (By looking at this picture, we thought he might be left-handed and Lao Ye - my dad - would be so proud! However, he has been using his right hand too, so we're not sure yet!)


Helen told us that he is used to having that much food, but we are getting the feeling that he really has not been fed well. This is very possible in these orphanages. He also keeps a very tight grasp on toys that are given to him, which makes us think that he may have had things given to him, then taken away. Hopefully he will soon learn that this will not be the case anymore. It just breaks my heart that there are so many children out there that don't receive the love and what they need regularly.


After lunch, we headed back to the hotel so that Owen & Cackie could lay down for their nap. Because of all of the changes and excitement, it was hard to get them settled. They finally fell asleep, but only got about an hour nap.




I love this picture!



When they got up from nap, they played a little bit in the room and we met Helen downstairs. Off we were to McDonald's, so they could play on the jungle-gym there. Of course, Cackie jumped right in...she has no fear! Owen was a little more timid, taking baby steps. We had to encourage him to go thru the tunnel and down the slide. He was doing it on his own in no time. We've been encouraging him by giving "High 5"! That is something that he's gotten the knack of and loves to do. Of course, there is still a significant language barrier, but I am confident that the more he tries to communicate with us and listens to what we say, he will pick up the English. 3-year-olds are like sponges! It is good to have Helen with us right now to help translate. Here are some good pictures from our play at McDonald's....






So serious...






See, he does smile!




Weeeeeeee!



I even decided to join in the fun!


At one point, we took a break from play, as Helen brought everyone hot fudge sundaes and french fries. Owen loves ice cream! But then again, what kid doesn't?!





I also showed Helen one of my favorite treats is to dip french fries in the ice cream. Of course, she looked at me like I was crazy, but so do some of my friends back at home!


We played some more and finished the night off with some juice and a walk back to the hotel. Deanna & Michael tried to show Owen how to take a bath, but it made him quite upset. So, we tried to encourage him that it was okay when we showed him me giving Cackie a bath. He laughed and pointed at the toys in the water. Hopefully the next try won't be so hard since he saw Cackie doing it. We decided that from now on, we will try to introduce new things by showing Cackie do it first. She is going to be a great teaching tool! Unfortunately, she's also already teaching him bad habits too!


It took a while for them to get settled down and to sleep. Deanna, Michael and I ordered room service and had a little pow-wow in the hallway with the door propped open, so they would settle down. Cackie ended up falling asleep, but he was still wide awake. He seemed to finally settle down when Deanna & Michael laid down with him.

We got up this morning and went downstairs to eat breakfast. Cackie is starting to show some major signs of jealousy, which is typical when a young child has to adapt to another child joining the family and getting attention from mommy & daddy. She has been acting out just like a preschooler would with a newborn baby in the family. When we went to take care of some paperwork today, I had to spend a lot of time keeping her active and occupied. Good thing I'm here, huh?

After 2 stops and paperwork to sign, we headed to the Wal-mart here in Tianjin to get some shorts for Owen that fit. It was in a big city building, in which we had to take 2 flights of escalators to get there! Nothing like at home! I took some pictures, just for Erica, my Wal-mart shopping buddy! (I also got some video for you, E.)











Owen's officially a Wal-mart shopper! His first buggy ride & trip to Wal-mart. Don't worry kid...there will be PLENTY more!




Of course, Cackie had to cheese for the camera too!

After the Wal-mart trip, we were all hungry and went to eat lunch (seems like we're eating a lot, aren't we?) This is when the tiredness set in. So, it was back to the hotel again and time for nap. Unfortunately, after Owen fell asleep, Deanna got a call from Helen that they needed to go to the police station to get his passport and other paperwork today, or they wouldn't have it in time for us to leave for Guangzhou Saturday. So, they left with him and since Cackie was still sleeping, I am in the room with her now.


I'm sure there will be more playing this afternoon. Until next time....