Our Journey to Madalyn

Back Home

2009-03-18T07:21:00.004-03:00

We are back home . Madalyn came through her surgery with flying colors , She went in at 8 am and back out at 11 am but was in recovery til 3:30 pm seems the little tike was catching up on her sleep that she didn`t get the night before when we were at the hotel . She had 3 beds to chose from so she had to try them all out one bounced to much the other not enough and the cot was to low ( which was a good thing because she fell out of bed at 5am ) and wasn`t any fun to climb out of. She had to wear her hat when she went to sleep it seemed to comfort her so maybe when she was in the hospital in China she wore it and it seemed familiar to her who knows but thats what she wanted. Dr Precious was pleased with her surgery and even got the little hangy thing at the back of her throat in place. She was really tired for most of the day ,slept most of the night except when they came to give her meds and in the morning we had a new girl full of life back to herself she fed herself and was drinking fine so they told us they were quite confident that we should be able to take her home. Its amazing how resilient children are I would have soaked it up for at least a week. We have to take her over again Monday for Day surgery just to remove her stitches and packing so hopefully that won`t be to tough on her . The IWK staff are so nice and even the Ronald MacDonald house gave her a bunny to make her feel better .Well that's about it for now so hopefully everyone is enjoying the good weather on their March Break.

Kent ,Deanna,Brandon and Madalyn

Off to IWK

2009-03-15T13:36:00.003-03:00

I can`t believe how long its been since we updated this blog the time seems to be flying by .Well its been a fast paced week . Last week we found out Madalyn would have surgery on May 25th Which we thought was ok but then Thursday afternoon we got a call they had a cancellation and wanted to know if we could fill it. So we had to find someone to look after Brandon and of course Nana was more than willing .We had to make a quick trip to Halifax for the doctors to make sure Madalyn was healthy enough for surgery and she was, so Monday morning she has her surgery .We are hoping all goes well and she will be able to come home Wensday or Thursday and then she will need to go back over the first of next week to get her stitchs out and hopefully that will be the end of doctors for a while as she has been poked and proded at so much lately when the doctors want to listen to her heart she lifts her shirt up before they ask her to. She is still doing great she now runs the house and lets us know what we want .She has gained a whoppping 3 pounds in the last 3 months so we are thinking our girl is going to be small .She also enjoys torchering Brandon taking his PS games when he plays them but he loves it and plays well with her. Well this is just a quick update we will try and update after her surgery.

Kent,Deanna,Brandon and Madalyn

Where have we been

2009-02-05T19:38:00.003-04:00

Well this is the second attempt at this I thought I had posted but it disappeared so here we go again.Things are still going great here Madalyn still amazes us ,She had her medical assessment last week at the IWK and it went really well ,her palate was what they expected and they are sure she will do just fine with the surgery , She will need to have tubes put in her ears as she does have some fluid in her ears causing slight hearing loss but other than that she is healthy ,happy and goes none stop . She will be in the hospital for four or five days when they do her surgery and they are going to do it ASAP so I guess that means whenever they can get her booked in for it, She will also need another surgery when she is five to repair the hard palate and gum area .

Other than that its been quiet around here she has started to go outside more and doesn`t seem to mind the snow or cold anymore . We have also recieved her citizenship papers so I guess she can say I`m Canadian Eh . well we`ll try to update with some more pics soon but just wanted you all to know how the IWK appointment went.

Kent ,Deanna ,Brandon and Madalyn

A quick update

2008-12-27T15:38:00.003-04:00

Well we haven`t updated in a while, we have all been a little sick but starting to feel better now . Madalyn is adjusting to her new surroundings very nicely she continues to amaze us more and more with how well she has adapted to everything .Since our last post we have had quite a few things go on we had a birtyday party for her on the 20th and have introduced her to most of the family but still have some friends that haven`t seen her but will get to them soon we promise.She is completly taken with her big brother as he is with her it`s nice to just sit and watch them interact with one another like the`ve been together forever.anyway here`s a few pics of the last week and half enjoy.

Grampy promised to buy a pony we said no so this is what she got instead and she loves it.

Not to sure whether or not I like this white stuff

Me and my big brother I think I`ll keep him

Madalyn`s birthday party home with family She turned 2 on the 20th.

Kent,Deanna,Brandon and Madalyn

Home Sweet Home

2008-12-14T19:07:00.002-04:00

Well we finally made it home ,after being on the phone most of the night trying to get ahold of Air Canada to try and get a different flight we just decided to go to the airport and see what we could get , we knew there was a direct flight and we just got there before everyone else and ended up we got the last 2 seats , but just to be dramatic we had to pick a flight that needed to have a tire changed and delayed that flight by a half an hour but we did arrive on PEI at 1:20 pm .We are alot tired not feeling all that well and maybe even a touch cranky but after a couple of good nights sleep I`m sure we will be back to our usual selves.
We wish we could have been there to see everyone at the airport but the weather just wouldn`t cooperate with us so we will try to get to see everyone shortly.
Kent ,Deanna,Brandon and Madalyn

We`ll try it again tomorrow

2008-12-13T00:56:00.004-04:00

Well today was fun it started off they couldn`t find Madalyn`s ticket in the system then we had an enjoyable flight to Halifax When we went to land the pilot had us in the land mode then took off again I guess the shear winds were to bad so we flew back to Montreal just to sit on the plane for a while then they decided to take us back to Toronto and we will try ir again tommorow. We leave here at 11am and when we get to Halifax we don`t have a flight yet we may end up renting a car who knows. Anyway sorry we missed you all at the airport we really did want to come home today but I guess 1 more night in a hotel won`t kill us.
Hopefully will be home tommorow
Kent,Deanna and Madalyn

2008-12-10T09:31:00.002-04:00

Well this is it our journey to bring Madalyn home is almost complete we leave tommorow for Canada , It is a little bitter sweet as we are taking adalyn from the only place she has ever known ,everything will be different for her when we get home ,the sights the sounds the smell food it will all be different but after seeing where she came from she will have a better life in P.E.I. ( Hopfully she likes snow ) It was a quiet day for us we went shopping instead of the Forbidden City and Teanaman Square Madalyn is still congested with the cold so we wanted to stay where we could be indoors as it is cold here. Tonight we all went to dinner and had Peking Duck and Yulin had a clown come in and after we all had cake and recieved some gifts from FOI whitch we can`t say enough about, there was nothing that they couldn`t look after as well as our guide Vivian. Not much in the line of new pics the last couple of days as we stayed inside much of it . We will be some happy when tommorow night is over and we touch down in Toronto after a 13 hour flight with babies as there will be other families from other agencies as well as ours. Well thats about bit next post will be from Toronto .Can`t wait to see everyone Friday Hope the weather is good Kent ,Deanna and Madalyn

The Summer Palace

2008-12-09T03:19:00.006-04:00

A Marble boat

New Buddies

Love those Cheerio`s

Taking the silk from the cocoons

Progada at the Summer Palace

Well today was a flea marketers dream ,we went to the indoor market and had to barter for everything and then plead with them to let you go if they saw you had more money , we got some good bargains but we also learned that if you go into the Barbie store and your daughter see`s something she wants and gets her little hands on it before you have time to barter you soon learn there is no bartering so you pay 100 Yuan for a 2 yuan doll. We had to buy another suitcase and that was an experience to remember two vender's selling the same product and hauling us from one to another , we went to the hand bag section and was mobbed with people screaming at us for asking how much and then not buying anything.in the end we just pushed our way through and got back to the part that wasn`t as bad.Yesterday was a peaceful day we just went to the Summer Palace and it was very peaceful in there not many vender's and everybody just walked along at their own pace .We also went to the Silk Factory and seen some beautiful silk products but it was quite pricey .Madalyn is still getting along great and has a bit of a cold but otherwise great she is still showing us her independent side as she likes to do things herself. We are all getting anxious to get home and get back to normal food and routines and to see Brandon we are missing him allot, hopefully he`s missing us too.

Kent ,Deanna and Madalyn

and more pics

2008-12-07T09:56:00.004-04:00

This lady is doing detail work on the vase there are little pieces of copper she adds one piece at a time.

I guess Madalyn is taking a likeing to Diet Coke.

Madalyn in front of the jade factory.

My first ever bath and I like it I think I will have one tommorow night

I AM CANADIAN !!!!!!!!!!!! ALMOST

The Great Wall

2008-12-07T09:21:00.004-04:00

This is so fun

The Cloisonne Shoppe

The Great Wall

The worker carving the Jade

Jade sculpture

Well today was a great day it started out with the Jade Factory we saw allot of great exhibits and the craftsmanship was absolutely amazing ,the detail they put into their work is mind boggling. After we left there it was to the great wall which is breath taking I don`t think a person can appreciate it unless they see it in person, we didn`t make it to far as Madalyn was very fussy there so we just went back down and waited for everyone to come back . After the Wall we went to the Coloisine Factory where they make beutiful copper vases and agian the detail in the art work is unbelievable. We had a nice meal there and then we went to the Olypic village but we didn`t get in to see it as there was something going on. Anyway Madalyn is still showing us her independence she is wanting to walk more and even got into the bath tub tonight for the first time ever ,She is very quick to pick up things I think she may even understand us a little to bad she can`t say the same about us as there are times we haven`t a clue what she wants so we just keep giving her things til she stops shaking her little head no . It has been great weather here and there isn`t the smell that was in Chongqing and the air is much clearer any way that was our day tommorow is the Summer Palace so that should be nice and we will update when we get back from there

Back in Beijing

2008-12-06T07:38:00.002-04:00

Well we made it through our first uneventful flight Madalyn was great til we had to take the food from her with about 15 minutes left in the flight .Its nice to be back in Beijing with the other families , we all went out for dinner tonight and it was fun. tomorrow we head to the great wall with the children it may be a long day as when Madalyn is hungry she is not a happy camper so hope it goes well. We went to the Beijing zoo today and the lions were quite impressive. So far Beijing is very impressive lots of lights and restaurants and the hotel is very nice. Madalyn continues to come out a little more each day but she wants her own way alot and doesn`t like to share I`m sure as time goes on she will realize that she doesn`t have to have every thing at once . anyway its been an uneventful day so there`s not much to add can`t wait to get home

Kent ,Deanna and Madalyn

more pics from the day

2008-12-04T03:52:00.002-04:00

Orphanage visit

2008-12-04T03:20:00.002-04:00

Well today we went for a visit to the orphanage where Madalyn has spent all her life at , It is also a childrens hospital and it is where madalyn had surgery. when we got there we didn`t know how she would react to being there but she kinda surprised us . the asst. director came out to meet us and then we went right in with the children, Madalyn went right to her special nanny and felt right at home they gave her a bottle and answered lots of questions that we had ,some we figured out for ourselves and some were a great help to us as there seems to be a lanquage barrier between us and her . She seems to have a very protective boyfriend there as well she got kisses and hugs and I think he bought her dinner because they fed her( he went all out rice with tree fungus and shredded pork ) It wasn`t hard for us to see the nannies really cared for her as they were very excited to see her they showed us where she slept and where she played and ate.It was very cold inside as they have no heat so all the children were bunddled up very warm and as you can see by the pics how many blankets the kids have. After she got her bottle from the nanny the nanny gave her back to Deanna and She seemed to be content with every thing so I guess if her nanny says were ok then we must be .We showed the nannies and Asst. Director where she would live and grow up and they wanted to come home with us and they where quite pleased that she is allready booked to see the doctors. When we went to leave she didn`t kick up a fuss she just went to Deanna and the nannies and the children said good-bye and invited us back to visit in a few years when she gets a little older and we said we would be back . We then went to Old town Chongqing an older authentic Chinese street with lots of venders trying to sell their wares but they weren`t pushy and it was nice to see. Tommorrow we get all our paperwork and head back to Beijing so we won`t be posting tommorow . Hope you enjoyed the pics.

Kent ,Deanna and Madalyn

Panda Bears and more

2008-12-03T05:49:00.003-04:00

well today started off good Madalyn again slept 12 hrs we went for breakfast and then we met our guide David and went to the Chongqing zoo to see the Panda`s. it is a very big zoo with allot of animals and it is just beautiful with allot of new additions to it and they are building new sections for better accommodations for the animals.Madalyn decided today would be the day she showed us how healthy her lungs are she cried for at least an hour .We flew halfway around the world and guess where we end up Wal-Mart to buy a stroller and some cloths for Madalyn it wasn`t much fun as she kicked and screamed the whole time so we were in there,she took a short break and then at it again when we visited the Flying Tigers art museum. Here they had all the history behind the Flying Tigers and also had beautiful painting and art works as well as embroidery, while we were there a man came out and did a painting in front of us it took him about five minutes and he was done of a beautiful painting with really nice detail .We just decided to call it a day as Madalyn wasn`t happy and she may have an emotional day tomorrow when we visit the orphanage . We finally had some supper as I ventured out on a quest to find some edible food and guess what we had pizza hut and it was good ,even Madalyn couldn't get enough of it also Starbucks coffee. anyway hope you enjoyed the pics .

Kent ,Deanna and Madalyn

Officially ours

2008-12-02T04:42:00.006-04:00

well she is officially ours in the eyes of the Chinese gov`t . She is doing a little better today but when she is not happy about something she can throw a small tantrum but we can bribe her easily with cheerio`s. When we were at the adoption office the director tried to hold her and she wanted nothing to do with her she only wanted her mama ,we are going to the orphanage on Thursday so that should be quite interesting to see her reaction. She was in a great mood this morning after a full 12 hrs of sleep,we all got lots of sleep so it was a better day for all but we are tired again so it will be an early night again to rest up for a trip to the Zoo tomorrow and some where else. We also got to go to the silk market today it was interesting to see the silk be made but the prices were high at the store so we didn`t get much there we`ll do most of our shopping when we get back to Beijing. Anyway were doing great we are ready to come home now that we got what we came for but unfortunately we have to wait it will be even nice to be back in Beijing with some other families to talk to.

Kent,Deanna and Madalyn

We have her

2008-12-01T03:13:00.003-04:00

Hi all with its been quite a day to say the least , we got Madalyn at 2:oo pm she is quite quite and shy and only wants to be with MaMa for now .We have gotten a quick smile from her but we think she is tired from the day.It was busy at the adoption office there was 7 families from Sweden there as well as some from the statesso there were lots of babies but none crying anyway I`m not going to ramble on because you want to see pics

Kent ,Deanna and Madalyn

Hey Brandon we miss ya buddy

P.S Carolyn we gave Yulin your parcel

Quick update

2008-11-29T19:54:00.002-04:00

Hi all we made it to China . It was a long trip to say the least!!!!!!! We will leave for Chongqing tommorow morning and will try to update when we get back to the hotel . Bye for now
Kent and Deanna

Itinerary for China

2008-11-18T06:12:00.000-04:00

We now have or itinerary now for our trip to china and it looks like we will stay busy while we are there with lots of places to see, We are hoping to go see the orphanage where Madalyn has been for for the last 23 months but not sure we will get there. Anyway here is our itinerary :
Nov 28: Leave Charlottetown 9:15 am
Nov 29: Arrive in Beijing 5pm
Nov 30: Free day and last day for group to arrive in Beijing
Dec 1 : Depart for Chongqing in morning Receive Madalyn in afternoon
Dec 2: Family picture( not really as Brandon won`t be there ),registration at gov`t office and notarization of documents
Dec 3: Administration duties and shopping
Dec 4: Visit Hong Ya Dong and receive Madalyn`s documents and passport
Dec 5: Depart back to Beijing
Dec 6: Children's pictures,group photo`s and collecting of docs. for Canadian Embassy and visit to Beijing Zoo
Dec 7: The great Wall
Dec8: The Summer Palace
Dec 9: Tienanmen Square and Forbidden City
Dec 10: Shopping, the silk store and the indoor market
Dec 11: Receive Canadian documents and depart for Canada( we are staying the night in Toronto)
Dec 12: Arrive at the Charlottetown airport at 7:20pm

We looked up the hotels we will be staying at and they look very nice esspecially the on in Chongqing Its called the Hony Ya Dong hotel and is overlooking the river and it looks like a beutiful view can`t wait to be there

Kent and Deanna

Counting Sleeps

2008-11-07T06:32:00.000-04:00

Well we are now down to counting sleeps til we leave , we only have 19 more before we leave and 21 before we get Madalyn. We got our Letter Seeking Confirmation last week and signed it and sent it back to China now we just have to get our Travel Authority and we are set to go. We don`t have our final itinerary for China yet but should have that tonight .So all and all things are coming together fairly well .
We are trying to get some things packed: one suitcase for Beijing , one for Chongqing,our carryons & one for Madalyn.We don't know her size so I'm just guessing her clothes size.
We have a schedule figured out for who will look after Brandon while we are gone..I think we're going to miss Brandon more than he'll miss us.After we get home,there's only one week of school then it's christmas vacation.He'll have some time to get to know his little sister.He thinks we should go back and get a brother too!!!! I'm thinking one sibling will be enough for him
We are hoping that time will keep flying by-especially the next 2 1/2 weeks.It seems like yesterday that we got our referral.No matter how time flies it never seems to go fast enough !!!!We just want to get our little girl home so we can love her more.
Looking forward to posting pics of us with our daughter soon!!!

Finally news to share

2008-10-22T20:11:00.000-03:00

Well its been quite a week ,we found out that we will be travelling with the late November group and have booked our tickets for China we leave on November 28th and return December 12th . We have applied for our Chinese Visa`s and our agency is booking our hotels in China and doing up our itinerary for the time we will be there .What we do know is that we will receive Madalyn on Dec. 1st so that's the day we are eagerly waiting for, hopefully in the next week or so we will know our full itinerary and will post it then .We now get to do all the fun stuff like packing we seen some packing lists and they look quite scary ,how does one fit all that in the suitcases and still be under the weight limits ? We should also find out who the other families are that we will travel with so that will be exciting as well.

No News

2008-09-26T19:24:00.000-03:00

Well its been 66 days since we sent in our LOI and still nothing new to report on our Letter Seeking Confirmation , We were hoping to here something this week but we didn`t so we`ll wait some more. We did finish her room up and we certianly hope it gets her approval we she finially gets here. We did get some good news that her orphanage didn`t use the tainted milk but we will still have her checked out when we get her home just to be on the safe side and her Citizenship paperwork is done .Well its off to get ready for a rainy windy weekend with hurricane Kyle heading for us

Updated pictures

2008-08-12T11:41:00.000-03:00

We received some updated photo`s of Madalyn today .They were taken on July 31,2008.She's looking pretty serious.Her Nana and Grampie bought her a bike on the weekend.It'll be a few years before she can ride it (it's for a 5-6 year old).They brought home a Little Tykes vanity table too.We just might have to build a piece on to the house!!Nana and Grampie can always find good buys at the yard sales!! Once Brandon gets back into the school routine,I'm hoping that time will fly by.Seeing the update pictures ,is starting to make it seem more real.I don't think I will believe it until I wake up with her after the first night.

About Our Journey

2008-08-03T15:00:00.000-03:00

This is a journal of our journey to our blessing from China. We started the process in August 2006. Our LID is April 2, 2007. In Feb 2008, we switched to China`s Waiting Children program and received our referrel on July 21, 2008 . Madalyn will be 2 on December 20. and is in the Chongqing province of China and we are hoping to travel in Oct. or Nov. We are now in the process of finishing off her room and now that we have a picture of her it's really starting to sink in that we will have our long awaited daughter before too long.