2 Months

I can't believe that Parker is 2 months old!! When we left the hospital they said "no returns, refunds or exchanges" :) ... BUT thankfully the thought has never crossed our minds... we are smitten with him.

Sleep!
Well... coming to China certainly put a kink in our sleep schedule. For about a week, Parker couldn't figure out night from day... so he was up every 3 hours all the time :) It took us a long time to get over jet lag but we did it. He is sleeping about 6 hours during the night then waking up ready to eat. I am hoping we will progress from 6 to 8 :) Mommy would LOVE to get some more sleep. BUT as my dad said the night we went to the hospital-- enjoy one last night... you will not get another "good" nights rest for 18 years (or maybe he said longer) Right now, I believe it :)

Eating

He is still a good eater. Consistent on every 3 hours during the day. He started spitting up a LOT!! I tend to keep a bib on him and a burp cloth on me :) I think yesterday he spit up or peed on 4 of mommy's outfits. Needless to say- I washed my clothes last night so I would have something to wear today.

Playing

He is LOVING his activity gym. I would say this is the BEST baby purchase to date. He loves the lights and hanging toys. He always lets me know when the music stops with a "Aaahht" :)

He hasn't taken to a lovey yet. He loves holding onto my hair and burp cloths... hum... I hope the burp cloth isn't going to be his lovey :)

Loving

Parker loves to be held. I love to snuggle with him and read him a book. Since he doesn't care about pictures yet... I simply read out loud to him whatever book I am reading. Currently a Lynn Austin book on 2 Chronicles. He loves it :)

Some Pics

Bath Time with my Rubber Ducky (thanks Aunt Ashley)

Learning how to Pray-hands folded and eyes closed

Hanging out with Mommy in the Beijing Airport

Love my puppy dog!! (we bought him this puppy from Ikea the weekend we found it he was a boy... it is super soft and Parker LOVES to rub it and occasionally eat it)

New Team

Team Hengyang has seen a dramatic change from last year. All of our teammates from last year went onto other things except Caroline (our team leader) The Father has again blessed us with an amazing group. I love the unity and friendship we are developing with each other. I am sure you will see many pictures to come with these folks.

Back row- Cathy and Quang, Chris and Allie, Caroline, Sarah

Front row- Ani, the Three Thomas' (Parker wasn't too thrilled about the timed photo ... but he will learn to put on his happy face and smile soon:)

CEO Parker

Before we left America, Parker had a 5 minute fame of being a CEO. Cute pictures... had to share...

Seriously...

Could he be any cuter??

Made it

I told you I had just a few pics from our journey... here they are--
Parker chilling in his own seat :) Loved having a place to put him down for a bit. Flight from Atlanta to Seattle.

Smiling in the arms of his favorite crew member. Funny, I went to the back of the plane looking for an empty set of arms that could hold Parker while I went to the bathroom. I found two ladies (\that had a very sour puss look on their faces and James. James said with a smile- "Is there anything we can get for you?" I start to put Parker in his arms and ask him to hold the baby so I could go to the bathroom. I come out to this--


The rest of the story--

We made it to Hengyang! Hooray.
I left off the previous post with landing in Beijing and our bags missing in action. Well-- great news-- our bags were found! PTL.
Other adventurous (deciding not to use the word dramatic) events that occurred-- my China cell phone (that is really cute pink with flowers) is gone. I know where it is, however, the taxi driver refuses to surrender it :( When I got in the private taxi to go to my room for the night in Beijing I tried to call Wes... my phone that hadn't been used in several months said that payment was required... so I set it down. Being 12:00 am, I didn't remember to pick it back up and it is forever gone.
We didn't explore much in Beijing. Simply exchanged money, got diapers and went to try and get noodles at my favorite Beef Noodle shop which I found was out of business.
We got up the next morning early to get our newly found bags and catch a flight to Changsha. The flight was good and 2.5 hours later we landed in Changsha. I was greeted by Wes, my Chinese boss (Wei Fei Fei) and Cathy (a teammate)
Fei Fei got me these beautiful flowers. They are water lilies... she told me the Chinese meaning of this flower is "the family will be harmonious" Love it.

We got in the car and drove 2.5 hours south to Hengyang. It is a scary drive... many times I had to remind myself that Parker is in the hands of the Father as we bobbed and weaved through big trucks with Parker sitting on my lap.
I came home to a refrigerate full of home cooked meals by the girls on our team :) Thank you so much ladies. And a rock hard bed which I didn't miss a bit but was so thankful to be in.

Today, we have been fighting jet lag... rather I say-- I have been fighting jet lag. Parker is sleeping so hard and when I wake him up to feed him- it is like he is drugged. I know the feeling because my eyes are currently rolling to the back of my head... fighting to stay awake.

Travel Updates... Woah

Well... the good news is -- we are in China... the bad news is-- we are not home in Hengyang. Parker and I set out on our adventure of flying home Wednesday, October 12.

We boarded a plane for Atlanta Georgia. Our tickets the entire way to China were on stand-by... but all flights looked good. We made the Atlanta flight and my little angel didn't even make a peep. We were very fortunate to have two seats. The plane was on a three seat set up... so it was me, Parker and military man. Yes... we got the dreaded look "oh great, she's sitting next to me" but after the flight and many people trying to engage this armed force worker... I think he is just an extreme introvert. Many people on the plane comment to me how good Parker was.

Our next flight left just 1 hour and 30 minutes later to Tokyo, Japan... and the flight left without Parker and I. We were at the gate... waiting... praying... hoping and tearful to get on the plane-- but weight restrictions prevented us from departure. So slightly (or a little more than slightly) discouraged- we headed to a hotel to spend the night.
The staff booked us (stand-by) for a flight to Seattle the next morning... then Seattle to Tokyo (Tokyo to Hong Kong)

So we spent the night... woke early the next morning and boarded a plane for Seattle. We got on the flight and once again the counter staff showed us favor... we got 2 Business Economy seats (slightly larger seats)... it was perfect for a 5 and half hour flight.

Once again- Parker did great. We made it to Seattle and with the time change had a breather before waiting to get cleared for our next flight. So we walked around and explored the airport. We saw it all in about an hour... enjoyed a bagel and ice water at Starbucks and headed towards the gate. I thought it was looking good when they checked our documents (passport and visas) but about 10 minutes before the flight was suppose to take off... we were still number 15 on stand-by list and I hear the words- weight restrictions. OH NO!! Was my first thought... I have to get on this plane... but they said no can do.

I looked at the counter supervisor with desperation in my eyes... and said-- "can you please help me. I am traveling alone with my infant son"... etc... I told him we were trying to get to China--he told me a flight to Beijing was leaving at 7:30 pm from Seattle. Please put me on it. So he processed our information and put us on the stand-by list. I got in touch with my parents and Wes and gave them the latest... and we wait and pray.

By this point, due to the way I packed all of Parker's things in the carry-ons... I have not changed my clothes (or underwear) in over 24 hours... and I'm getting pretty ripe and somehow Parker spit up all over the leg on my blue jeans.. I look for underwear and a change of clothes in the airport stores. I had some success... getting a Life is Good t-shirt- with a picture of a steamy bath tube :) contact case and deodorant... but no underwear or pants. I get slightly freshened and we head to our gate.

HOORAY-- we got cleared. We board the plane and were in the bulk head area with 2 seats. The lady that was in our row (seats section of 3) offered to move so we could have the whole row. (maybe because she actually wanted to sleep on the flight and didn't know how good Parker was... but regardless... we had 3 seats)

The flight takes off and lands... Parker is a champ!! He slept great... I even got some sleep (although every time I would wake up in a panic- my thoughts being- "where's the baby"... he was peacefully right in my arms every time)

PTL we made it to China. We head through Customs and down to baggage claim where we encounter our next snag. Our bags aren't there :( sadly our bags were still in Sleepless Seattle (meaning my hope for clean undies... is diminished) I am suppose to call today to get the latest on the luggage.

Tomorrow (Sunday in China) we catch a plane for Changsha. When we arrive in Changsha, Wes should be waiting with a driver from our school.

Even though you would think I had plenty of time to snap photos... I didn't. My hands were full between a baby, book bag, diaper bag and Parker's pea pod tent. I did get him smiling in the arms of a great flight attendant and my Life is Good shirt... just because it is funny. I will post them later. For now... you have the story of our travels to China. To be continued - in a less eventful fashion (I hope) on our completed travel to Hengyang.

Thank you all who were praying. I can't imagine our journey without prayers-- it could have been a complete disaster. I know the Father is faithful to hear those who call out to Him... even though most of the time... it doesn't look like we imagine.

What's the hold-up?

Many of you know that Wes has been in China for 2 weeks ... while Parker and I are still in America. Of course we are loving still being in the good ole US of A and in the country out in Henderson BUT we are ready to be our little family of 3 again!! So what's the hold up??

Authenticated Birth Certificate (authenticated by NC Department of State and US Department of State)
The Process of paperwork began the day after we had him. We applied for his birth certificate. Once this came-- the true process began. We went to Durham to have the birth certificate authenticated by NC.

Once we received it back we prepared to send it off to Washington D.C. We were disheartened to find out that Washington is holding all mail for 7 weeks to test for radiation before even opening the package. BUT Uncle Coerte came to the rescue. He expedited the paper work by walking into the government building and having it done same day.

Passport for Parker
The photo was fun... since they require infants to have their eyes open for pictures. I simply prayed all the way to the post office and He was faithful. We got the photo on the first try. Even though it is a terrible mug shot... it works for the cause.

Then we had to send off for the passport book.

Visa for Parker

Once his passport came... we could send off for his visa. We worked with Vanessa at ELIC (who was an amazing HELP.) We got all of our paperwork sent in and then find out the Consulate would be closed for the Chinese National Holiday (a 7 day holiday.) So we waited. Vanessa pulled her persuasive skills and got the package expedited the day they opened back up and then over-night for Saturday delivery.

Immunizations
Then the final step... immunizations and clean bill of health from Pediatrician, Dr. Cathcart. And with no surprise... he took it like a champ. He is such a TOUGH baby.

Now our list has been checked off :) We are clear for take off. We should board the plane on Wednesday. Interestingly ... we are going to fly through Tokyo to get to China. Before Parker is 2 months old, he will have 3 stamps in his passport book-- Tokyo, Hong Kong and People's Republic of China.

A Picture a day for Daddy

Wes made it safely to our home in China and is getting everything set up for Parker and my arrival. We are still waiting on his Visa to arrive. We hope to fly out the week of October 10.
While Wes has been gone- I have been sending him a picture a day of Parker... here are a few his has gotten in his in-box.
Giving Kisses to his monkey

Goofy Giant (Parker is getting HUGE)

Football Sunday- Laying on the couch cheering on Panthers and Steelers