First monthsarry of "Gotcha Day"

Cannot believe Maelyne has been with us for a month. Seems like only yesterday when we first held her in our arms. Time really flies. To celebrate, we brought her at Seaworld for the first time, tickets compliment of my dear nephew Sherwin Paul (thank you so much!). We saw the Dolphin Show at 11:00 am and she seemed to have enjoyed watching the dolphins. It was still early for the first Shamu Show at 12:30 pm so we stopped at Mama Stella's to have lunch. Maelyne liked the pasta marinara and some oranges we brought for her. It was time for the Shamu Show so we sitted ourselves towards the upper middle of the stadium. Did not dare sit in the soak zone because we did not want to get wet. I think Maelyne was more interested though with the background music than the whales. I'm sure when she's bigger and understands what's going on, she will enjoy the show more.
She was tired so she napped for an hour before we went to the Sesame Street Bay of Play. We did not do the rides because she is still too small for them so, we just hung out there. She picked a puppet dolphin from the gift shop and then we took off. Our tickets are good for another day so we will go back in the summertime.
We stopped by the El Camino Memorial Park to visit her grandpa (my dad) for the first time. Although she did not have the opportunity to meet him in person, we told Maelyne her grandpa is a good man and he is now resting peacefully in heaven and he loves her.
We had dinner at Auntie Fely's house. She grilled fish and veggies, baked chicken and made pansit malabon. Maelyne enjoyed the noodles, and the "maja blanca" we brought. All the food prepared were delicious! We had some take home, too. Maelyne had a fun time with Jasmine and Auntie Fely and we can see she is now well adjusted with them.
Thank you for all the blessings we received the past few days and especially today.

Home Sweet Home!!!

Hello again everyone! This is our first post since we came home on 4/3/09. We survived the almost 13 hours flight from Guangzhou, China and the 2 hour ride from LAX to home. Yes, it's been two weeks today and you can probably guess why it took us too long to update our blog. As you all know we brought home a now 14 month old baby girl from China we named Maelyne and she has been the main reason our life has changed completely. Not to mention some "jet lag" and nursing a cold and cough (both mom and Maelyne). She keeps us busy everyday attending to her needs and making sure she is safe and learning different things and at the same time having fun and enjoying her. We have seen a lot of progress the last two weeks she had come home with us. She seems to be adjusting well to her new home and everything around her. She is also bonding well with us and also family members especially her younger cousins. She plays with them with a lot of smiles and laughs. She has met most of her aunts/uncles and cousins and even nephews and nieces, (funny, she is an instant aunt) from my side and a few from Henry's side, which she will meet the rest in early May.
She is very curious about everything and she's learning quicker than we expected. She seems to love electronic things and not much on dolls and stuff animals. Although she cannot say real words yet, she likes to talk. The second day we had her in China, she was copying us say mamamama and babababa... (mama is mom in Chinese and baba is dad in Chinese). Now she says dadadada... She likes to sing and dance, too. Hummm...Wonder what she's going to become when she grows up? Next time you see her, just say "Give me five and high five" or "Flying Kiss", or say "bye" and she'll respond to you. Her smile is contagious, she also laughs loud and she cracks us up a lot. She's adorable and loveable. Maelyne is such a blessing from above and we are very thankful that she came to our life! She is our little princess!!!
Just to summarize briefly what had happened the last two weeks:
Fri, 4/3/09 around 10:00 pm - Home Sweet Home!
Thank you Uncle Carding and Auntie Vangie for picking us up in LAX. Also thank you to Uncle Danny, Auntie Mercy, Christopher and Jon for greeting us at the airport. At home, we were happy to see Grace, Janice, Jasmine, Elizabeth and Darren waiting for us and then Alexa and Auntie Elsa who came a little later. Alexa since then spent the week with us since she is on spring break which was nice because I needed her assistance.
Sat, 4/4/09 2:00 pm - welcome party for Maelyne at Uncle Henry and Auntie Florence's residence, attended by family and friends. (we did not arrive at the party until around 4:30 pm, sorry!). It was very kind of you all to throw us a nice party to welcome us. The food was delicious! There was so much love around us. Thank you very much for the warm welcome!
Sun, 4/5/09 - We brought Maelyne to St. Mark's Church for the first time. It was Palm Sunday so the church was packed. We were in the kids section of the church and being a little late, we were sitted in the very last pew except for Henry who stood up through the mass. It worked out just fine because Maelyne did not really want to sit down anyway. I think she did pretty good on her first visit to church.
Matt, Gina, Lily and Karlyn came to visit us in the afternoon. After they left, Rey, Kaye and the children came to join us for dinner.
Mon, 4/6/09 - 11:45 am - her first Doctor's appointment with her pediatrician, Dr. Ou at Sharp's Rees Stealy in Rancho Bernardo. At this time, Maelyne and I are already starting with a cold and cough so I thought it was good timing to see the doctor so she can prescribe her something for cold but due to her age, it is not recommended to prescribe her any medication. So, we'll have to rely on home remedies like humidifier, rubbing her chest with infant's vicks vaporub and tender loving care. During this visit, she was given 4 immunizations (MMR and chicken pox) plus a TB skin test. Holy molly, my poor baby, she screamed at the top of her lungs for the injections and I could not help but cry for her. Uhg... enough already! At night she had a slight fever but we were told it is expected so we monitored her fever but the highest reading we observed was only 100.8 F. We gave her a drop of infant's tylenol as needed and she seemed to have responded well to the medicine. This was a sleepless night. Whew!
After the visit to the doctor, we went to Uncle Carte and Auntie Irene and Grandma's house for the first time. Some cousins like Danise, Danielle, Eliza and Alexa, and Uncle Dario were there, too. It was also Maelyne's first visit at Auntie Vangie and Uncle Carding's house where we had dinner that night. They ordered some Chinese food. Maelyne also got to play with Grace and their dogs Miki and Daisy. Our last stop was at Alexa's house to pick up some clean clothes. We did not stay long as it was already getting late.
Tue, 4/7/09 - we stayed home to nurse our cold and rest.
Wed, 4/8/09 - we had to go back to SRS in RB to have Maelyne's TB skin test read and it was negative. She also needed some blood test which will require some blood drawing. Unfortunately, the phelobotomist could not find her vein in both arms so she has to call the doctor to have the drawing done at a different place. Until further instructions, the blood drawing is on hold. Since it was still early to meet Auntie Fely at her house, we went to the North County Fair Mall for lunch and Alexa wants to go to Forever 21 clothing store. This is Maelyne's first trip to the mall. As always, she enjoyed her stroller ride and curious looking at many things. We left the mall and drove to Auntie Fely and Jasmine's house in Mira Mesa. She had seen them a few days before but she thinks they were strangers. They were able to hold and play with her after a while. We all enjoyed the food Auntie Fely prepared for dinner.
Thu, 4/9/09 - we went to Costco in the afternoon to stock up some groceries since we are expecting guests from Vallejo on Friday the 10th. It was Maelyne's first trip to Costco. She sat with both hands holding on to the cart and seemed to have enjoyed the ride. She also tasted some of the food samples.
Fri, 4/10/09 - it's been a week since we were home. It's rainy and cold this day. It was Maelyne's 14 monthsarry. I bought a mango cake and ube cake and we sang her happy birthday. Elsa came in the afternoon and brought a musical toy for Maelyne. She loves the toy and until now she still plays with it. Maelyne met Grandpa Teo (Henry's dad) and Uncle Tino, Auntie Ruth and TJ. They arrived from Vallejo around 6:30 pm. They are here for the weekend to visit. At first, she did not like them but she was smiling at them after a while.
Sat, 4/11/09 - Maelyne had her first Easter Egg Hunting here at the community's playground. I signed her up before we left for China. Matt, Gina and Lily who had attended before forwarded us the invite. Gina was very nice to provide Maelyne 12 easter eggs (required per child). Thank you! Uncle Danny, Auntie Mercy, Christopher and Jon arrived from LA. I bought 12 easter eggs so Jon can also participate in the egg hunting. Just when the egg hunting began, it started drizzling. Henry was carrying Maelyne and the basket, Alexa was holding the umbrella, and I was taking pictures. As soon as she picked 12 eggs, we went back under the tent. We had some breakfast and we took off. I did not want my cold and Maelyne's cold to get worst. Danny and his family except Christopher left after lunch.
For dinner, we decided we went to Chuck E. Cheese. It was Maelyne's first time there. She enjoyed the kiddos rides.
Sun, 4/12/09 - our guests left including Alexa who was picked up by her mom the day before. This is the first time we are by ourselves. It is Easter Sunday so the 3 of us went to church. We were able to sit down this time. Maelyne fell asleep just before the mass ended but woke up as we were about to leave church.
We headed to Mira Mesa in the afternoon to visit Grandma again and then to Auntie Vangie's house. We stayed at her house for a while and then went to Allan's house for dinner. Auntie Mely and Uncle Art and some of Maelyne's cousins, nephews and nieces were there. We were surprised Maelyne liked everyone there especially the kids. She was playing, and smiling and laughing with them like she's known them for a long time. She loved them and she had a great time that night.
Mon, 4/13/09 - Dr. Ou called to go and see Gloria at the SRS in Genesse for Maelyne's blood draw and so I called Gloria and we told her we were going to see her on Tuesday.
We had dinner again at Auntie Fely's house. This time Maelyne was more comfortable with Auntie Fely and Jasmine and with Rachel. She was also playing with Alexa and Auntie Elsa who dropped by the house in the evening.
Tue, 4/14/09 - we went to SRS in Genesee to meet with Gloria. Henry waited outside the laboratory and I went in with Maelyne. She could sense that it is not going to be fun as soon as we were called in. She cried the moment the nurse took her arms to check on her veins. Thank God Gloria was an expert, she said she could not see but could feel the vein so she did her best. My poor baby she had to cry out loud but I was relieved and I'm sure Maelyne was, too. Gloria only did one shot and was able to get what was required (6 or 7 tubes, i think). The three of us went out to lunch at Yoshinoya, her first time to eat there. She loved the chicken and veggies soup with rice. She also had custard for dessert.
We stopped by the bank in Scripps Poway after lunch and then we met my hairdresser Kim. She was excited to see her (I have told her about my adoption before). Someday, she will cut and style Maelyne's hair.
We then went to pick up Grandma to spend the night at our house.
Wed, 4/15/09 - we hung out with Grandma at our house then we dropped her home in the afternoon after we had dinner at the Pho Hoa Cali Restaurant. We picked up Alexa to join us. It was Maelyne's first time to eat there and also the first time she had ever held a balloon, which she was excited about.
Thu, 4/16/09 - we had dinner at Auntie Florence's house. Roanne and her family came later in the evening. Uncle Henry came home around 8:30 pm and there was an instant connection with him. Maelyne was smiling and became comfortable with everyone especially with Auntie Florence and Uncle Henry. She really had a good time.
Fri, 4/17/09 - today marks our 2 weeks since we arrived from China. Maelyne had her ears pierced. Another poking she survived on! She looks more beautiful and girlie with those earrings. Cannot wait for her hair to grow longer so I can put a ribbon or clip on her hair.
We went to Grandmas house to meet Manong Sherwin Paul there. Maelyne has not met him in person before. She did not want to go with him this time but I am sure she will when she is used to seeing him. Her girl cousins came, too who were picked up by Uncle Carte from school, so they all hung out and played together.
Time to go and do some shopping at Costco. We decided to have dinner at the Panera Bread in Carmel Mountain right after.
Maelyne has been really good to us. We have not seen her with really bad tantrum (knock on wood) and we hope she continues to stay this way.

Some pictures to share...

At the check-in counter at the Guangzhou airport with Elsie, our guide, 4/3/09.

Just before we boarded China Southern.

On the plane while Maelyne is listening to music.

At LAX airport greeted by family. Maelyne is now a U.S. citizen, 4/3/09.

In Maelyne's room with cousins who patiently waited at home.

Welcome Home party at the Diaz's, 4/4/09.

Maelyne's first visit at St. Mark's Catholic Church on Palm Sunday, 4/5/09.

Maelyne's first doctor's appointment, 4/6/09.

Showing her TB Skin Test.

First visit at Grandma's, 4/6/09.

First visit at Uncle Carding and Auntie Vangie's, 4/6/09.

First visit at Alexa's, 4/6/09.

Maelyne's first time at the NCF mall, 4/8/09. (She was born to shop!)

First visit at Auntie Fely's, 4/8/09.

First trip to Costo, 4/9/09.

Maelyne is 14 months old today, 4/10/09.First Easter Egg hunting, Belleza playground, 4/11/09.

First visit at Chuck E. Cheese, 4/11/09.

With cousin Christopher from L. A.

With cousin TJ from Vallejo.

With Uncle Tino and Auntie Ruth from Vallejo.

With Grandpa Teo visiting from Vallejo, 4/12/09. (Easter Sunday)

04.03.09 Bon Voyage... Hello San Marcos!

Okay, I said last night it is our last post but I have time before we check out at 3:00 pm (we requested for a late checkout since our flight is not until 9:00 pm tonight). So here's a little note of what happened today...

Today is actually our last day here in Guangzhou. We had a late breakfast (around 9:00 am) at the buffet and it is our last one at the hotel. It was a pretty quiet morning since most adoptive families have returned to their homes already. Maelyne is still wondering where they are. She had a lot of attention though from the servers and even the customers eating at the restaurant. We went to the playroom for the last time. She played until she was tired then we went back to the room for her nap. She is now actually awake and playing with her dad. At this time, all our bags are packed and ready to go. We will have late lunch at Lucy's again like I said in the last post. The bellboy will pick up the luggages at 2:30 pm and keep them until we leave the hotel at 5:00 pm. Elsie, our CHI coordinator will come and pick us up to bring us to the Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou. Our flight is scheduled to depart at 9:00 pm. This is a much longer flight than Maelyne's first airplaine ride so we cross our fingers she'll do great on this flight. We are flying China Southern FL CZ0327 and this time we have premium seats so there's more room for us and will be more comfortable. We should arrive in LAX at 6:50 pm on the same day. Carding and Vangie will be waiting for us at the terminal and we also expect Henry's brother Danny and his family to come see us since they live in LA. We will also have some family members waiting for us at home in San Marcos. Thank you all again for the love and support you've all been giving us.
See you all soon..... :)

04.02.09 Last night in Guangzhou

Today is our free day since we have completed the adoption process yesterday. We are the only family among the nine families in our group that is left here. We will miss the wonderful people we met in our trip and hopefully we will get in touch with each other once we all got home and well adjusted.
Maelyne woke up around 4:00 am with a smile and started talking to us. We wanted her to go back to sleep (it was still early in the morning) and glad she did. She then got up around 8:00 am and we headed for breakfast. It was a little sad because all the families who were on the same trip were nowhere in sight. We were used to seeing them every morning in the breakfast buffet. We think Maelyne knew because she kept turning her head around like she was looking for the other babies. I gave her a bath this morning and I am so glad that she finally let me bathe her with no fight. I did not have any problem at all. She was actually playing with the rubber duckie in the water. That is an improvement!

We took a taxi to the Liwan Plaza (Jade and Pearl Market) for more shopping. This time we bought her more shoes. They are just too cute and affordable and i cannot pass on the good deal.

We did not get her any clothes since she already has a closetfull of them. At the plaza though, they don't give discounts so I was not able to bargain. Darn it! For the first time we've been in China, we had lunch at McDonald's. The taste seem to be like the one we have at home so we loved it. We walked around the plaza and there was this like fastfood place where they sell all kinds of exotic food. Anyone care for scorpions or beetles? Uhmm...

There's so many things to buy here, but right now we are broke :) so we just window shopped. When we were tired walking around, we took another taxi and went back to the hotel. Maelyne took a nap as soon as we got back to the room. When she woke up, we strolled down the park of the Shamian Island and had our dinner at where? Of course at Lucy's. We are also going to have our last lunch in Guangzhou tomorrow at the same place. Funny, the waitresses know us already.

It is time to go back to our hotel room. While Henry was trying to put Maelyne to sleep, I started packing our suitcases. We came to China with only 2 luggages, now we are returning home with 3 luggages to check in. I think because of all the shoes we bought for Maelyne he, he.

As tonight is our last night in China, the feeling is bittersweet. Our precious little girl is leaving her homeland behind. Maelyne might not remember anything with her young mind, and we don't know when she'll see her birth country again. There is a bit of sadness, although Henry and I are both anxious to get home and start our real family life together. We had such an incredible life changing experience and we will always remember and cherish everything that had happened in China during the last 16 days. China will always have a special place in our hearts for a lot of reasons. For Maelyne's birthparents, we thank them for their courageous decision to give their little one another chance of life and hope that wherever they may be living, they have some sort of intuition that their baby has now a forever family that will raise and love her always.

This will be our last post from China as we are returning home tomorrow. We will continue to update our blog after we come home and get a little settled. Our dear family and friends, thank you very much for following us on our journey, we were glad you could be part of this and we've enjoyed reading all your comments.

What an amazing journey it has been!!!

Some last photos...

At the front of the American Consulate bldg. after the oath taking (n0 cameras allowed inside)...

Maelyne's first taxi ride...

At the Liwan Plaza...

Anyone hungry?

At the Shamian Park...

Always enjoys her stroller ride...

Final count - 18 pairs of shoes!

4.01.09 Sworn In and Maelyne gets her US Visa

We had our breakfast around 9:00 this morning. I have an upset stomach so I only had a little bit of food. Since it was still early for our appointment at the ACS, we had time to go to the playroom. We let Maelyne play with the toys and we just hung out there for a while. It was time for her nap so we went back up to our room. I dropped off the laundry at the "Home of Love" place, just around the corner. We have been using this place to do our laundry since it is cheaper to have it done outside than in the hotel. We had lunch around 1:30 just when Maelyne woke up. Guess where we went for lunch?... Lucy's again of course. We order different dishes everytime though except for Maelyne, it is either the chicken congee or the mashed potatoe or both depending on her appetite or sometimes she shares with our food.
At 2:45 pm, we boarded the bus to go to the American Consulate for our oath taking and to get Maelyne's visa. It was a half hour drive from the hotel. We got to the building, went up to the 5th floor through the escalators, had our passports checked, and went through security. Unfortunately, cameras are not permitted in the room, so we checked in our cameras/videos in the security area.
As soon as we got to the waiting room, our local guide and CHI coordinator checked-in in one of the windows and handed us copy of Maelyne's passport to verify if all information is correct.
Each family then just kind of walked by the window so the officer can verify if we are indeed the same person as in the passport copies. There were 39 adoptive families from different agencies, some of them adopting the second time or the third time, and the rest first timers like us. When all the families were checked-in, one of the officers congratulated all of us with special mention of the families adopting again, and the babies who are going to have their birthdays soon.
The adoptive parents were asked to stand up and raise our right hand for the swearing in that everything we said in the papers was true. We received Maelyne's US Visa right after. Yes....
The bus took us back to the hotel, one family is returning to the US tonight and most families leave tomorrow morning. We are the last family to fly back home (on Friday afternoon) so, we'll have free day tomorrow. We are planning to take a taxi to go to the Liwan Plaza (Pearl Market) to window shop. Both Maelyne and daddy are now sleeping so I am now signing off and go join them. Good night!