Home Sweet Home

We have been home a few days and are finally getting back on US time schedule

 

Cole did great on the plane ride home

 

 

 

 

 

 

He loved the personal movie screen, ate the food, and only slept the last 2 hours

 

 

 

 

We were exhausted when we arrived in Newark, NJ as it was 2am for us.  Cole became a US citizen as we went through immigration

 

 

 

 

and he celebrated by eating - NOODLES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a 5 hour wait in NJ then a quick plane ride to Virginia, where we were welcomed home by some amazing friends - what a great surprise

 

 

 

 

Then it was home to bed - our precious son, in his bed, in his home - no words!!

 

 

 

 

The boys and Lily, and our extended family were still away on vacation.  Cole got to meet them the next day. He was shy at first, but it didn't take long for him to be attached to his big brothers. 

 

 

 

 

He had some fun getting to know his Papa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing to finally be all together as a family

 

 

 

 

We are treasuring these days together, but are also very busy getting ready to leave next week for Lily's surgery.  Cole is taking it all amazingly well.  He has been school supply shopping, visits to the park, eaten Italian, Mexican and pizza (we have been very spoilt, by our church family that have provided meals all week). He cries at night when it is time for bed, and sometimes in the morning if he doesn't see us. It doesn't last long, and this seems to be his hardest time. At night, I think he just doesn't want to go to bed, in the morning I think he is scared we are not there.  It is hard to know exactly as we can't ask him. We are so proud of him - he has had his whole world turned upside down, and we are so blessed by how loving and accepting he is of us.  He is calling us by name, and learning his brothers, and sisters name.  He is already repeating English words.

 

We feel so blessed and honored to be his parents, and to be his family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





China Trip to Cole (5)

Today we had our appointment at the US consulate to file all Cole's paper work so that he can become a US citizen. We weren't able to take our camera's or phones in, for security, so no pictures, but Cole was so excited to wear his buttoned shirt - this kid loves clothes :)

 

 

We spent the rest of the day, exploring the neighborhood behind our hotel, eating at our favorite noodle shop for lunch, swimming, and eating at our favorite western restaurant for dinner.

 

 

Tomorrow we pack up and leave  Cole's province, Guangdong, and drive to Hong Kong.  Our flight home is 10am Friday. 

 

 

 

Our time here has been very special, it has been a priceless to have this time to bond with Cole

 

 

 

 

We are ready to get home, hug our other children, and be together as a family.  We can not wait for them to meet their brother.

 

Thank you all for prayers, love, comments, and support, you are all apart of Coles story

 

 

 

 

China Trip to Cole (4)

One of the main reasons we decided at the last minute to bring Mia to China with us is this

 

 

 

 

 

and this

 

 

 

and this

 

 

 

and this

 

 

 

even though it was a stretch financially, we felt it was important for Cole's transition

 

 

 

we prayed that they would bond

 

 

 

our prayers were answered

 

 

 

even though it is not always this sweet, they have their moments, he has already formed an attachment to his sister

 

 

 

we are praying this will help him, when we have to leave for Lily's surgery

 

Just like that, they are brother and sister, gotta love adoption!!

 

 Can't wait for him to meet Lily and his big brothers - he is going to LOVE them!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



China Trip to Cole (3)

Today was the medical exam!!

 

 

Cole had a rough time with this.  Because he is naturally very shy around new people, he had a hard time with each part of the exam.

 

He refused to stand up tall for his height, and refused to look and name the pictures for his vision test.

 

Oh well, he passed anyway.

 

They did draw blood for a TB test, we will get the results next week.  They don't let you go in the room, so we could just hear him crying - not fun.

 

 

Once again bubbles came to the rescue

 

 

 

The afternoon was spent with some pool time for the kids, while I went to the "paperwork party" with the other families.  This is where we complete all the paper work for our US consulate appointment next Wednesday.  This is the last official thing we do, before leaving Thursday for Hong Kong, and Friday for HOME!!

 

This paper work insures Cole becomes a US citizen when he goes through immigration in New Jersey.

 

 

I think the stress of the morning, wore him out, this is the first time he has fallen asleep before bed time.

 



China Trip to Cole (2)

Sorry for the lack of blog posts, but we continue to have on and off issues with internet access.

 

Since Cole has been with us we have spent most days going to some sort of official appointment, exploring the parks and area around our hotel and trying the local food,

 

 

(boat ride on the lake in the park)

 

 

 

 

 

but most of all we have been getting to know the newest member of our family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The more relaxed he is getting with us the more his personality is coming out. 

 

What we know so far - he is very ticklish and has a great laugh and smile.

 

 

 

 

 

We have found that he is very considerate and helpful - wants to open doors, do things for himself, and share an umbrella with his sister.

 

 

 

 

This actually was a big step.  The day before we had been caught out at the park in the rain, we had finally purchased an umbrella the day before after getting rained on several times!!  When we got the umbrella out Cole wanted to hold it and refused to let Mia stand under it.  When we went to the bus and had to put the umbrella down, we had to pry it out of his hands.  He was upset with us, and refused to look at us. This lasted for some time, even once we were back in the hotel.  After a while he was distracted with other things and his happy personality was back.  Today we bought him his own umbrella, and as soon as it started raining he opened it up and immediately went over to Mia and put it over her head :)!! 

 

 

 

 

We can tell he is testing us, and pushing boundaries.  It is hard at times, to know when to just let him have his way and when to stand our ground.  It is especially hard when you can't explain things.  He knows what no is and doesn't like to hear it, but what 5 years old does.  He wants everything Mia has so we are having to balance that too, Mia is doing great at sharing and trying to show him how to do things.  Everything is SO new for him, his world has been turned upside down.  We know he probably thinks all the time that this is all going to end, he does not have any way to know that we are here forever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

He has been wearing Mia's purple sunglasses because we couldn't find any for him, until yesterday.  He was so proud to have his own glasses, anything he gets he holds on to.  I know this comes from being in an orphanage where everything you own you share with everyone else, including your clothes.  Oh that reminds me, something else we know, is he loves his clothes, he picks them out every morning.

 

 

 

 

 

He has a great appetite and will try almost anything.  The first day he wanted nothing to do with the bath and was scared of the pool.  Well 3 days later he is loving the bath and can't get enough of the pool.  We no longer have to hold him in the pool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He also has attempted several rides at the park, even though he was scared at first, he insisted on going on

 

 

 

 

what we know is he is BRAVE.  Brave because he will do things even though he is scared. 

 

 

 

 

Brave because he is willing to allow us to show him love, and to start to trust us.

 

 

 

 

There are 2 amazing parks near our hotel, with lakes, boats, fish, rides, music, people dancing, statues, exercise equipment, table tennis, and much more.  They are a great place to spend time and get to know a very busy and active five year old boy.

 

 

(someone else who is brave)

 

 

(exercise equipment)

 

 

Although there is a part of us that is very ready to go home.  We have Cole, and we miss Benjamin, Ethan, and Lily like crazy.  We want to be together as a family, but we know this time is precious bonding time with Cole.  If we were home, we would be busy with life.  So we are focusing on him and enjoying every moment.

 

We appreciate all your comments, it makes us feel close to you all.  We also appreciate your continued prayers for Coles adjustment.  We know as we travel home, he will have to face a lot more changes, especially with Lily's up coming surgery.

 

Tomorrow we have Coles medical exam.  We will also be joined by 4 other families with our adoption agency that have adopted from other provinces.

 

 

Ok so right now Cole is trying to play on the iPad, but can't work it out, but refuses help - he is STUBBORN :)!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cole is a Yeatts

We finally have our internet issues resolved and are able to access our blog and post pictures.  There is a lot to catch up on, but this post is dedicated to

 

Our Son Cole



(first glimpse)


Just typing that makes me so happy.

Cole is shy by nature, so when he first came out, he clung to his nanny, and wouldn't look at us. We gave him the car we had bought that made sounds - big hit #1





After a few minutes of playing on the floor, he let me sit him on my lap





and gradually he started to feel more comfortable





Mia was a great distraction, she was right in there playing with him, and interacting with him, it REALLY helped him relax.





Next it was daddy's turn





Cole's Nanny said that he had been showing his friends the photo album we had sent him, and was telling them we were his mama and papa.  She said that he recognized us right away from the pictures!





Starting to see that adorable smile

 

 

Hit #2 - bubbles

 



There it is

 

 

Official picture with the Social Welfare Institute (orphanage) representative

 

 

 

and if all else fails there is always the iPhone :)!!!

 

Leaving - he grabbed Mia's hand (oh my heart)

 

 

and then he turned around and grabbed Chris's (tears)

 

 

 

Next we went shopping, he needed sandals as the ones he was wearing were about 2 sizes too big.  He thought the grocery store was fantastic, but he had obviously never been on an escalator before, although he insisted on doing it himself.  We are finding that he is quite independent.

 

It was then back to the hotel.  He played with Mia, jumping on the beds, laughing and smiling, although every time I walked in the room, he would stop and look sad.  I think it may be because I am female and his caregivers were too. They would have not allowed bed jumping, and he probably though I was going to tell him off.  So I got on the bed and jumped with him - problem solved :)!!

He slept great. He was exhausted as he had driven 6 hours in the car that day.

Breakfast the next morning and guess what they are both eating - noodles!!

 

Today,  Tuesday July 30th, we went back to the civil affairs office to sign the adoption papers, have an interview and finalize the adoption.  We were asked if we still wanted to adopt Cole?  Our answer a very loud

YES

He was nervous as soon as we arrived there and clung to us.  I think he was afraid we were going to leave him there, it was at that moment that I fell completely in love with him.  Everything in me wanted to run out of the building with him, I also wanted to be able to tell him that he was ours FOREVER, but instead we just hugged him tightly.

 

 

With an official hand print

 

 

 

and a few statements of declaration

 

 

 

Cole officially became our son

 

 

He LOVES his papa (couldn't resist)

 

 

 

Now for some traditional Chinese food for lunch to celebrate (oh and soda)

 

 

 

He knows how to work a bowl of noodles

 

 

 

and so does someone else

 

 

 

Back to the hotel for some pool fun.  We don't know if he has ever been in a pool before, but by his initial apprehension, I doubt it

 


but once again it didn't take long for him to adjust

 

 

 We are finding it surprisingly easy to understand Cole's needs and communicate with out using words.  Although some instructions I give him in English, he understands??
He apparently understands Mandarin, but only speaks another dialect, that our guide doesn't even understand. 

He has the sweetest personality, and is very considerate of others.  He is also funny, and I think may be a little mischievous.  We are enjoying watching his personality come out, as he feels more and more comfortable with us.

It is amazing how he already seems so bonded to us, it feels like we have known each other much longer.  He and Mia are inseparable, and we can't wait for him to meet the boys and Lily.  I think Cole and Ethan, may get into some trouble :)!!

Thank you for all your comments, prayers, love and support, it means so much to both of us.