We already had two happy, healthy kids. Although I had a health problem, I
still had the urge to have another child. I was surprised--and pleased--that
my husband also wanted another baby. A church bulletin about international
adoptions helped us resolve some of these concerns. We were finally on the
same page--we could get baby number three by adoption.
We went to an EAC seminar and did lots of research and soul searching. We went to a local restaurant to discuss our final decision; as we were seated, a family walked in with a small child and a Chinese baby. We visited with them and were amazed that the child had the same name (Megan) we had picked out for our child! There was no question now... "Let’s do it!"
After weeks of paperwork, everything was going way too smoothly. Where were the bumps in the road? So we made our own bumps--by moving out of the state. It was the right move-- bigger house and yard, better schools, closer to family--but what a lot of work to correct paperwork, home study, etc. Thanks to Chris and Karla, the bumps were worked out. Now, all we had to do was wait.
When our group was next in line, it was like being nine months pregnant. When the call finally came, we couldn’t wait for the mail man; we drove 90 miles to the EAC office to see her picture that night. She had big eyes and lots of hair. We decided to name her Megan Grace AiXin Kelley.
More work for Chris and Karla... on the move not only did we lose our copy of the dossier, but also the “Black Cloud Couple” misplaced the I-171-H, and grinches or something ate our visas. Through it all, the EAC staff handled each of my freaking-out phone calls.
»We appreciate all the help, caring, and understanding EAC gave us through the whole experience.
When we were finally en route to China, the group joked that I should call
Karla just to check one more time before we left the USA!
Finally, we were off to China. Beijing was wonderful; the Wall, the museums, the acrobats, the history... it all went so fast.
Then, off to get our wonderful babies! July 4 is no longer just Independence Day--it is "Gotcha Day." Megan cried a bit when I first got her, but she soon quieted down. She seemed a little congested, but we weren’t sure. (Remember that black cloud?)
Megan’s congestion seemed to worsen day by day. By the time we reached Guangzhou, she was one sick baby. We had brought some medicine with us, but it ran out. Other couples gave us their medicine, which was a life saver. One parent in the group was a nurse, and Zhou was very helpful. All we could do was count down the hours until we could get her home.
The flight home was 18 hours nonstop; and Megan slept the entire time, except to wake up and vomit on us twice. We missed our connecting flight to Cleveland; she wouldn’t eat or drink, and her breathing was labored. For the first time we were alone with her.
We made it to Cleveland and drove straight to the ER. Megan was admitted with pneumonia. The doctors couldn’t identify the cause, and she was life-flighted to Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital where she was put in PICU. After a couple of days of antibiotics and breathing treatments, she was much better. Soon she was home. It was amazing how soon she began to crawl on her own, babble, and pull herself up. The black cloud had lifted!
Today, Megan is a spunky, outgoing, verbal little girl who keeps her parents and siblings very busy. She definitely fits into our family, and we love her to pieces. It’s like she’s been with us forever. As the days go by, our trials and tribulations begin to fade, and we look back with fond memories. We appreciate all the help, caring, and understanding EAC gave us through the whole experience. The "black cloud" has turned into a cloud with a silver lining. We were officially dubbed "the Black Cloud Couple" by the others in our China group.
Monica and Brad
Presented by European Adoption Consultants, Inc.