FINALLY

I'm not even going to try to make excuses for the delays in getting to the blog. So many of you lead EXTREMELY busy lives so you understand how crazy life can be with an extra little one running around & a move into a new house!!!

Life continues to be exciting in the Nixon household. Madison has been to several doctors appointments, all with positive findings. Dr Gocco (ENT) reported that when he checked her ears, her left ear was completely clear & passed the hearing screening. The right ear had a small amount of fluid & just barely failed the hearing screening (she may pass with both ears once the fluid clears). Let me pause here a moment to THANK YOU all for the many prayers that we know were sent for Madison. As we have said many times, we will accept any challenge God gives us but we are so grateful that God has blessed Madison with the ability to hear with no interventions.

It still amazes me that Madison has only been in our household a little over a month. It truely feels like she has been with us all along. The boys continue to spoil her rotten - they love her so much. We also love to see her experience many first. Even little things like new foods are so much fun. She is adapting to American food very well (thus the 3 lb. weight gain). She also is becoming quite the "outdoor girl" which is great since our family loves to do outdoor activiites.

During fall break we stayed home and continued to work on the new house. We did manage a few local outings -Siegel park, Centennial Park/ Parthenon, playdates with friends, etc. The kids also got to have a fun day at the zoo with Nana & G-da (my mom & dad) while I went to work.

Another exciting event has been our big move to Milton. We officially live in the country - especially since there is a "Coon Hunters Association" just dow the road from our house. Although I am not a fan of moving, it is definately worth it. The boys spend hours outside looking for frogs, lizards, etc. We see deer on a daily basis & even saw a fox in our yard the other night as we were returning home. It adds a little to our drive time (only about 10 minutes) but the entire family LOVES being here.

Hopefully we will start to feel like we can get back into a "regular" routine soon (if there is such a thing). We appreciate all the comments, e-mails, calls, cards, etc from everyone. Thank you so much for your interest in our family & Madison's journey. We hope you continue to follow us & keep in touch

Trying to catch up

I'm discovering that having 3 children's schedules to keep up with is rather tiring so getting the blog updated has taken a back burner. Here's what we've been up to over the past few days:

Phil & I decided that since everyone was doing so well, we would have a quick family get away. We headed to Chattanooga on Monday afternoon, spent the night, then went to the aquarium on Tuesday. It was SO nice to spend time with the boys & Madison together. The boys are still learning about Madison's personality but they already love her so much. I'm so impressed with how they are each handling this huge change to our family.

Madison had her first pediatrician's appointment on Wednesday. Everything went well. Dr. Rosser said that she doesn't even show up on the growth chart (she's just SO tiny). However, she had already gained 5 oz since she was weighed in China. I guess that's what happens when your brothers are constantly feeding you. She is behind developmentally, as we expected she would be but we are already seeing her make progress & we will continue to be patient & watch as she flourishes.

Today Madison went to Patti Thigpen, audiologist. Dr. Thigpen ran numerous test & determined that she does have fluid on her ears. She also determined that Madison has a mild hearing loss that is probably not linked to the fluid on her ears. We will go to an ENT to determine the next course of action. We are so grateful for the news of a mild hearing loss. I know this sounds strange but we were initially told she had a moderate to severe hearing loss. Therefore, a mild hearing loss is a blessing compared to the alternatives. Some other good news - Dr. Thigpen said that this loss will probably not effect her speech & language development & will just require minor modifications (e.g. she will have more difficulty in crowded areas with conversational speech, etc).

We also would like to say thank you once again for all the well wishes, cards, calls, visits, etc. We feel so blessed to have so many people wanting to hear Madison's story. Our hope is that this blog will continue to raise awareness about adoption & the joys that it can bring to families. If you ever have questions about the process please contact us. God has given us this gift - we would love to share more of the story with you.

Jet lag Stinks!

Hanging out with boys

At Chicago airport - outfit made by

her grandmother, Linda Nixon

Sorry Madison, your brothers

thought this was funny

Wow- what a whirlwind. Today is the fist day I have even been able to look at our blog. Our friend Steve, who did the updates for us, did a wonderful job. We are so thankful to him for doing this since we could not do blog updates from China.

Now a little about our trip home. We left Guangzhou on Wed evening flew into Hong Kong. Had a quick nights rest then headed to the airport for our 14 1/2 hour flight to Chicago. Let me have a proud momma moment & say that Madison did AMAZINGLY well. I think she cried for about 30 seconds 1 time when she was trying to fall asleep. The people around us were so impressed. Once we landed in Chicago, we had to go through customs, immigration, etc. This is where Madison became an official US citizen. Our flight was delayed to Nashville but we finally made it home around 8:30 on Thursday evening. We had numerous family members & friends greet us. Let me apologize for those of you who thought we were arriving on Friday & had arranged to go to the airport to meet us. So sorry for the confusion.

Seeing the boys brought me to tears. We missed them SO much. They were more worried about seeing Madison than us, but that's understandable. Madison was a little unsure about all the chaos around her but she managed a few smiles. My sweet cousin, Ronnie came & took pictures for us but I don't have them yet. As soon as I get them from him, I will post pictures from the airport. After the airport, we went to our house with family. The house was decorated for her return home, dinner was waiting for us & she had a welcome home cake. We are so appreciative of all that family & friends did for us while we were gone. We are so blessed.

Jet lag has been hard on us (more Phil & I than Madison). Last night I gave in and took Melatonin. That is a wonder drug!!! I feel so much better today. I always thought jet lag was just feeling tired but it was so much more (light headed, stomach problems, etc). Madison was been staying in her routine as best we can but she has gotten up each night around 2-3 & been up for approximately 2 hours, then goes back to sleep until around 8. However, she doesn't seem affected during the day, She's her usual cheerful self.

Madison & the boys are quickly bonding. Sometimes it's difficult for them to understand when she doesn't want them to pick her up. They think she doesn't like them. They are learning that she needs her space sometimes & they are beginning to read her moods & personality. I'm so proud of how well they are handling this huge change in our family. They're great kids!

Wordless Wednesday

Final Appointment - consolate!

A

Our all-American girl will be a U.S.

citizen as soon as we land in America.

Aug. 31, 2010


Today we started out by going to the zoo in Guangzhou. It was an interesting zoo (lots of animals), but the conditions were rather depressing. The animals were in very small enclosures and had very little room to move around. Also, many animals seemed very thin. I guess the upside was watching Madison -- she loved seeing all of animals. I now know what everyone was telling me about the HEAT! This was really the first day we have experienced extreme heat. We have discovered that Madison is very hot natured (like her daddy and brother, Taylor).  

This afternoon we went to the U.S. Consulate. We completed our paperwork and did the swearing in ceremony. While she is still a Chinese citizen, as soon as she lands on U.S. soil, she will be a U.S. citizen. The lady that runs the adoption program for the consulate came out to speak to us about the importance of adoption and the changes she has seen over the last few years. Approximately three years ago, only 7 percent of the adoptees were boys.  Now, the number has dramatically increased.  The reason for the increase is the dramatic rise in special needs adoptions.

Ready for the zoo.

The majority of adoptions going through now are special needs. Of the 10 families we were with today at the swearing in ceremony, I believe all but 1 was special needs. The children's special needs can range from premature/low birth weight, cleft lip and/or palate, heart issues, etc. While many have issues that will have to be dealt with when they return home, many others have already had surgery or will just need to be monitored. Then there are cases like Madison's where we thought we were adopting a child with a moderate to severe hearing loss. As far as we can tell, her hearing seems fine. Of course, we will let the audiologist make the final call on this, but even if she has a minor hearing loss - we will adjust and deal with it and make sure she gets whatever she needs to help her. 

This may be my last post from China. Tomorrow night we leave our hotel to catch our flight to Hong Kong. Our flight does not leave until 10:40 p.m., so we will arrive at our hotel in Hong Kong after midnight. Then our flight for the U.S. leaves the next day around noon. We are all so ready to be home. This experience has certainly been like no other, and we will miss certain aspects of China. However, we want to be with our ENTIRE family and in our home, with our normal routine (well, at least normal for us). If I don't get to blog before then, watch for coming home pics.

Checking out the alligator.

Visit to Pearl Market

Aug. 30, 2010

Madison checks out pearls at the market.

Madison felt much better today; she was back to her cheerful self. Some of our group made a trip to the Pearl Market this morning. I've heard a lot about this place, so I was excited to finally get to go there. It was like going into a mall specifically for jewelry, several stories high, with many shops - all with various types of jewelry. Our guide took us to a shop owner who was a reputable pearl dealer.  We got Madison a small pink pearl necklace and bracelet for now, and we got her a double-strand bracelet for her wedding day. I must say, I was quite proud of my girl. She loves jewelry. When the sales girl was trying to figure out the size for her bracelet, she put out her little arm and watched patiently as she fit it to her arm. 

We were also able to go to some of the local shops and get some souvenir items (and Christmas presents). Phil is not a shopper, but he was patient with me as I went to various shops, comparing prices, etc. 

Fun with "Baba" (Daddy).

While walking around, we found a small Christian Church near our hotel.  Our guide told us that there are three primary religions in China - Muslum, Buddist and Christian. However, she said that most people in China follow no religion. We know that God led us here to get Madison, ultimately so we can lead her Him. 

The local Christian church.

Thanks for everyone's interest in our blog about our journey to Madison.  Even though we can't view it ourselves (due to blogging sites being blocked by the governement here), I've received e-mails from several people telling me that Madison has quite a following!

Another day in Guangzhou

Aug. 29, 2010

Madison enjoys playing with Daddy.

Last night was not a lot of fun. Madison woke up with a fever due to the shots.  However, after Tylenol the fever went away and did not return! She was definitely not herself today -- a lot less active, very quiet and a little more fussy. Several children had a much more difficult time so, again, we are thankful she just had a mild reaction to the shots.  

Today we went to a Buddist temple that was built more than 1,000 years ago. Some families did the traditional baby blessing by the monks, but we opted out of that. After Madison's afternoon nap, we went to the hotel playroom. Mattel/Fisher Price has set up a playroom in the hotel for the families adopting. There were probably about 10 families in there, which made Madison a little nervous. She stayed right with Phil or I (never leaving our side), but she still played. Phil would want me to add the part about Madison getting jealous. A little boy we know came up and was playing with Phil. Madison went up and pushed him away from Phil - this made Phil's day! This evening was spent out to dinner with some friends we have met here. While at dinner, we met another couple and began talking.  I'll make the story short - he used to work with my college roommate at Georgia Pacific in Atlanta.  Can you imagine running into someone in China who knows your college roommate?

Madison plays in the hotel playroom.

More about Madison: She continues to amaze us with her glowing personality. She is such a ham - already understanding when we are taking her picture. She is also very dainty.  Each time when she finishes eating, she wipes off her mouth, hands and eating area with her napkin. 

Please continue prayers for the children here and their families. We continue to see children struggling to bond with parents. Also - the parents of the older children are seeing frustration with communication issues (which is very understandable). 

The guys hanging out.

We are counting down the days until we come home to the boys. We miss them terribly but Skype has been a big help to all of us. We have talked at least once each day. Love to all from across the ocean.

Medical appointment and a day at the pool

Aug. 28, 2010

Madison absolutely hated getting her
shots and medical examination.

I have been dreading today because we had been warned that the children get up to seven shots at the required medical appointment. Madison did not like the place where the medical exam occurred to start with. There were families EVERYWHERE, and I guess there was a method to the madness, but I never figured it out.

Madison was weighed (18.9 lbs) and briefly examined. I found it comical how the staff chose to check her hearing. The ENT nurse stood behind her with a squeaky toy, squeaked it behind each ear, and Madison looked both ways. The nurse shrugged her shoulders and said to me, "Seems OK." So Madison has passed her Chinese hearing screening. She received five shots, she screamed and screamed, but we survived.

This afternoon was spent napping, then to the pool. I must admit, the hotel we are at is beautiful. The rooms are OK, but the lobby areas and surrounding grounds are really nice.  We had dinner with our Chinese Children Adoption International group (six families) at a Thai restaurant called "Cow and Bridge" - I have no idea what that's supposed to mean.  

Madison tries to text her friends.

Quick note to my Bedford County friends: I have met a special ed teacher from New York. She has Lisa Fry's personality with a New York accent! If you see the pictures from yesterday, she is the lady in the pictures with her son in the stroller.

The Barbie doll Mattel gives all of the
families adopting a child. Sorry Seth and
Taylor, but this is what you get.

We have arrived in Guangzhou

Aug. 27, 2010.

Our travel companions on our adoption odyssey.

Madison's first ride on a carousel.

Today began with another trip to the beautiful park near our hotel in Zhengzhou (by the way - this is pronounced jungjou). After that, we headed back to the hotel to pack and prepare for the flight to Guangzhou. We left our hotel in Zhengzhou at 3 p.m. and arrived at the hotel in Guangzhou at 10:30 p.m., which made for a long day. Madison did amazingly well on the two-hour plane ride. Hopefully this is a sign of how she will do on the 14+ hour plane ride home.

Since today was a fairly uneventful day, I'd like to take a moment to tell about an article that I read in a local Chinese newspaper (no, I haven't learned Chinese, it was in English). We were given a newspaper from the date of Madison's "Gotcha Day." I had not had an opportunity to read it until last night. An article quickly caught my attention entitled "Bride and Prejudice in China." The article led with "China's widening gender gap threatens to cause irreversible damage to the traditional family unit and could lead to more women being abducted, trafficked or sold into marriage, experts have warned."  The article goes on to say the disparity in some provinces is 100 females to 130 males.  There was already an investigation of 200,000 marriages in which 36,000 women where found to have been kidnapped from underdeveloped provinces and forced into marriage.

Madison loves her time in the park.

China still continues to place more value on the sons, so male babies are preferred. Due to this increasing problem, the government has now banned the doctors from revealing the sex of the baby when an ultrasound is performed (to avoid parents aborting female babies). This article helped me realize even more reasons we are so grateful to be bringing Madison home to a safe and secure environment where she will be honored and respected as a female. Please keep this country in your prayers, as I fear that they are just beginning to see the effects of their one child policy as well as families' preferences for male babies.

One other prayer request. One of the moms who is here with her 16-year -old son (dad stayed home with other kids) has adopted a precious 4 year old who has thalacemia (a blood disorder). He was in a foster home for three years and is having a very difficult time adjusting to his new family. We all know that the bond will occur, but Debbie (mom) is having a hard time - as any mom would. Timmy (the son she has come to bring home) is a precious boy who needs your prayers to comfort his heart while he mourns the loss of his foster family and makes room for his forever family.

A day at the park

Aug. 26, 2010

Madison is quickly becoming a mommy's girl.

Madison's fan club at the park.

My two monkeys (minus the two at
home.

The weather finally cleared enough for us to go to the nearby park with another family. It is a large, beautiful park. Probably the most entertaining thing was the reaction we received walking through the park. Even though this is a very large town, it is not a typical tourist destination, so they are not accustomed to Caucasian people.  Often we would draw a small crowd when we stopped in an area - mostly curious children.

Our afternoon was pretty laid back -- resting, eating and going to the swimming pool.

More on Madison: Her favorite thing to do today was to take off Phil's necklace and put it on herself.  We soon realized the significance of this. Phil's necklace is of a cross and a medallion that has "dad" in the center with all four of our children's names on it. It is just another reminder of how God's hand has been in on this all along. We are slowly changing over what we are calling her. Her foster family called her "ShaSha," which we have been using up until this point. We started using Madison today, and she already has been responding (she's so smart).

Madison wearing her daddy's necklace.

Madison and her friend Chandler play "ping pong" at the pool.

Another photo album of Madison

One thing about Madison: This girl can eat!

Madison and Phil check out a turtle at the aquarium.

Madison and Karen take a nap after a long day.

More about Madison

Aug. 25, 2010

What a cutie!

Now that we've had Madison several days, we are beginning to see and understand her personality traits. I really think she is going to be a girly girl (sorry Seth and Taylor - I predict lots of pink and dolls). She is so dainty and petite; even her laugh and cry are dainty. She does not like for her hands to be dirty, so she will put her hands out for us to wipe off when they are dirty. She is somewhat shy and still hesitant around others. However, she will smile and wave to others around her. Madison has the SWEETEST laugh. She also loves to try to make others laugh.  She loves toys that require putting things in and then taking things out (she has a car that you put the blocks in, then take out - she loves it).

Madison loves the bright fish in the aquarium.

Physically, as I said, she's very petite. Her 12 month clothes I brought her fit, but she probably could wear 9 month clothes. As you've already seen, she's absolutely beautiful. She is walking, but she is unsteady (more like a 12 month old).  She is wearing her size 3 shoes, and they seem to be just right. Her fine motor skills seem to be on track. She has Mongolian spots on her lower back. I'm so glad several people told me about this or I would have thought she had been abused. For those of you who do not know, Mongolian spots are fairly common in Asian children. They are typically on their back. At birth they are darker, then they fade as the child gets older. Madison's spots look like an old bruise. She already seems to be understanding some things we are telling her (such as "no" and "wave bye-bye", etc). As far as her hearing, we still cannot tell that there is an impairment.   

Madison and her friend Chandler

As for today, we went to the aquarium this morning.  It was a pretty nice aquarium, and the kids really enjoyed it. Seth and Taylor, you need to get her fish tank ready - she really likes bright, colorful fish! After her nap, we went to the playroom in the hotel and let the children play. We are having to find indoor activities since the weather continues to be gloomy and rainy. Tomorrow will be another day in Zhengzhou, then we will head to Guangzhou on Friday. We are ready to move on to another city but are making the most of our time in Zhengzhou. We are thoroughly enjoying reading your comments (they are sent to us through e-mail). We can feel the prayers all they way across the ocean!

Registration and notary day

Aug. 24, 2010

Madison's footprint is placed on the adoption certificate!

Madison's adoption is now official! She is legally our
daughter!

Madison experiences one of those sad, uncertain moments with
her new parents.

Madison enjoys her time at the kiddie
pool.

Today we went back to the registration office to receive Madison's completed adoption certificate.  Once that was completed we went to the notary and finalized her paperwork.  Madison is OFFICIALLY adopted!

Our prayers have been answered about her bonding with us. She still has a few moments of sadness, but I believe she already realizes that we are her "mama" and "baba." We realize we still have obstacles ahead with bonding, but so far, we have been very blessed.

This afternoon was pretty laid back. After Madison's nap we had a play date in the playroom of our hotel. Madison still stays close to Phil or I, but she's beginning to venture out to play with other children. After that, off to the swimming pool. Initially she liked it, but because she was tired, we didn't stay long. Her first "official" bath was a hit. She enjoys the water and splashing herself. As you will see in the pictures, she's already becoming quite the ham. She is now sleeping peacefully.

Phil and I are now both experiencing what many don't talk about during the adoption process. While we are LOVING our time with Madison, we are ready to be home. Seth and Taylor are on our hearts constantly. We miss them and want to hurry and bring their sister home. Unfortunately, the way the process works, we have no control over the time factor (we have to be here two weeks). Please pray that Madison continues to bond and that Phil and I aren't quite so homesick.

Madison thoroughly enjoys her "first" bath with us. She loves
splashing in the water.

Gotcha Day! Photo Album

Aug. 23, 2010

Madison is still unsure about her new parents.

Madison's foster mother and Karen share a few tears together.

Madison slowly starts to warm up to Phil and Karen.

Madison is quickly becoming a daddy's girl.

Madison up close.

Karen and Madison spend some quality time together.