Day 6 - Maelee's Adoption Day

Today Maelee was officially adopted!  Please join us in welcoming Maelee Siqiao Marquette to our family!  It is so interesting how each province is slightly different with their adoption processes.  Unlike Hannah and Micah’s adoptions, we did not receive the official adoption certificate today.  We will receive that on Friday along with her birth certificate.  The process included going to the civil affairs office, signing papers, answering questions and doing those same things at the notary office.  The process was pretty simple overall.

The day did not start out as expected. When Maelee woke up, she was thirsty.  We were thankful that she wanted to drink some water finally.  She drank and drank.  We celebrated!  That is until she started vomiting repeatedly.  It was quite the mess!  She ended up falling asleep on a bed of towels for a bit until we had to leave for the civil affairs office.  We packed a whole wardrobe, towels and basins to handle any vomit on our trip.  Thankfully, there was no vomit after we left our room!  She got real mad during our appointment because she wanted a lot of water.  We were trying to pace her to avoid any more vomiting.  We were able to please her with a sucker.  That was the best!  The sucker kept her very content for over 3 hours!

After lunch, our guide took us out per our request.  We first stopped at the pharmacy.  The husband of the other family traveling with us is a physician.  He suggested that we obtain an antibiotic in case Deanna’s thumb gets infected.  This was quite the experience!  We tried to ask if seeing a doctor would be necessary to obtain an antibiotic as is the case in the States.  He assured us that was not the case in China.  When we arrived he explained the situation. They tried to sell us alcohol wipes.  No, not what we are looking for.  They said a doctor needed to give permission.  No problem!  We will just video conference with the doctor.  Hold please…then there was the doctor on a screen on the pharmacy counter.  Less than five minutes later we had amoxicillin and some sterile cleansing wipes for about $3.50!

Next, our guide took us to visit Maelee’s finding spot. We had the same opportunity with Micah and it is such a bittersweet time.  We are so thankful that Maelee was left at a hospital where she would be safe and found.  We were told that it is the best children’s hospital in west China.  The area that it is located is very well manicured.  There were many people outside of the hospital with their child in tow.  We made quite the scene and gave the crowd something to talk about.  Our kids were quite uncomfortable with all the staring and chatter.  We headed back to the hotel after a stop for new shoes and some toys.

This evening Maelee ate half of a cake roll.  Please continue to pray that she would start eating and drinking more for us.  We have offered many drink options, different bottles and cups, and a variety of food items.  She is very good at communicating what she does NOT want. She shakes her head and pushes it away.  We are celebrating the small successes along the way.  She has allowed Deanna to hold her and care for her this evening.  Praise!

The next two days we have free.  We are hopeful to do some sight seeing.  Stay tuned for our adventures around Chengdu!

Maelee giving her stamp of approval.

Woo hoo!  We officially have a new sister!

Our visit to the pharmacy with our guide.

Jinjiang River

Out with the old and in with the new.