Our Visit to Chenzhou

I am a little behind here as it has been hard to keep up with the pictures and the posts while getting adjusted to the time difference and a new beautiful baby girl.

The first two days were pretty difficult, as I mentioned she was really out of sorts and nothing we seemed to do would give her any comfort. She was not really eating or drinking bottles. We tried just about everything to get her to drink formula and she was just not having it.

Tuesday evening after she fell asleep, I cried as I thought about all she was going through. I knew when we woke up Wednesday morning we were going to be heading to Chenzhou City to visit her orphanage and after the day we had, I was almost afraid to take her back, but at the same time I knew I HAD TO GO.

When we first arrived Sunday night and got into the car with our guide, I had mentioned the trip to the orphanage and she shot me a very confused look. She said she knew nothing about a trip to the orphanage and she did not believe we had permission to go. I told her that my agency said they had gotten approval and she said that she would have to double check with the orphanage director and the government officials. I panicked at the thought of us being denied and expressed to her how much I needed to go and see this for my daughter. She understood and said she would do her best.

On Tuesday when we finished our paperwork at the civil affairs office, she told us that the orphanage director and the government officials granted our wish and we could go. She was going to accompany us as no one at the orphanage speaks English.

It has been 24 hours now since we have returned from Chenzhou and I have been trying to put into words and pictures what we experienced……and somehow I feel that I will never be able to show or tell you in a way that would do it justice. I truly believe our day in Chenzhou will be the highlight of this entire trip.





We traveled to Chenzhou from Changsha by highspeed bullet train. What an experience that was for both Marla and me. Neither one of us have traveled by train before and it was SO MUCH FUN! The cost for a round trip ticket was approximately $100 per person and we got a snack and beverages up both ways. It took us exactly one hour to get there. By car it would have taken a little over 4 hours.

Once we reached Chenzhou, it was apparent by the time we exited the trainstation that the locals do not get to see too many westerners. Although Chenzhou is a big city and only a little smaller than Changsha, it felt very different to me.

The ride from the trainstation to her orphanage was kind of scary. We had a wild cab driver who decided to play “chicken” with another cab driver who obviously did something to upset him. Our guide had to tell him to slow down.



We drove for about 20 minutes and then the driver was attempting to turn up this very narrow road. As we turned the corner and drove up this road that was literally 4feet wide, I saw the gates of the orphanage. Marla and I were crying before we reached the orphanage doors.





The older disabled children were outside with some of the elders that have lived there their entire lives. We could hear the crying babies through all the open windows and we both knew it was not going to be easy to enter that front door.



Once inside, we were escorted to a meeting room on the first floor. The orphanage staff literally went above and beyond. They had a big fruit tray and bottled water for us when we arrived. We met most of the office and medical staff, then we met the Orphanage Director. He told us how happy he was that we came to visit and welcomed us to tour the facility. He also told us that he was going to let me look through Reagan’s file to see if there was any other information that I did not receive with my referral. It was a very nice exchange and he was grateful for the gifts that we brought for the children of Chenzhou. He had to leave to head to a meeting and then we were escorted up to the 5th Floor to see the babies.



Before we even walked in the first room, we saw a little boy sitting just inside the doorway who looked at us and said “Hi Mama” That was all it took. We were both in tears(again)



The first room was for children who were older than 12 months. It was not Reagan’s room, but Marla and I were so touched and drawn to these little ones. A couple had very sad stories. One in particular that was going to be adopted and when the parents met the child they said that they could not go through and did not want the child. If we could have, we would have brought her home in a New York minute.



The nannies were so loving and caring and very friendly. They were eating lunch and taking care of the little ones. After a little while, we went to the next room for babies under 12 months….. Reagan’s room.



They showed me her crib that is now empty. They said that she has been in the same crib since the day she entered and as luck would have it, she was right next to a little girl who is going to be adopted next week by a family in the states. Her mom and I have been in touch ever since we got our referrals and I was so excited to learn that our girls have been crib mates for the last 10 months. I will be meeting this family on Sunday night and we hope to keep the girls connected as they grow up!

On one side of Reagan's room they had about 6 cribs that held 12 babies…..two in each. This was the most heart wrenching sight of the day. Most of them looked under 4weeks old and they seemed to be very ill. They were so very tiny……it broke our hearts.



After we left the baby room we went to the play area which was so nice and big. They told us that the babies came there every day from 9-11am and from 3-5pm to get some belly and playtime. In that room they brought me Reagan’s file. In the file they had a red envelope that had the time and date she was born. It was written by her birthmother and left with her. They also had a photo of Reagan the day she was brought to the orphanage. I asked them if I could have a copy of that picture because it meant so much to me. They said the best they could do is make a black and white zerox copy. A few minutes later they handed me the red envelope and the original photo. Our guide explained to them how important that photo was to me and begged them to let me have the original....and they agreed. That was such a gift....and I was so taken back that I could not catch my breath. We now have the outfit she was wearing the day she was found, the note left by her birth mother on the lucky red envelope, and the picture that was taken moments after she arrived at the orphanage in the outfit. These are things that I will treasure and cherish forever. I plan to get them preserved as soon as I get back home.

We all walked down the long hallway to the elevator and then went outside to take some photos with the staff.





We were approached by one of the old women who lives on the 3rd floor. They said she must have recognized Reagan and she stopped to touch her and tell us how beautiful she was. She was so very sweet and I am SO HAPPY Marla was able to capture this moment.

Slowly but surely, we made our way out of the orphanage and onto the streets of Chenzhou City. We caused quite a stir and traffic seemed to almost come to a holt as we walked down the street. The small children were so taken by us and loved to come up and say “hello” When we spoke back to them, they giggled and ran away to tell their other friends. It was so CUTE.
Some of my favorite shots were taken on this busy street.




This one is MY favorite!!! I want this one framed and hung somewhere in our home:) I can't believe that I caught this shot with Reagan strapped to me. It has been difficult to take pictures and hold a baby:)

They eventually took us to see the spot where Reagan was found. Once again the waterworks began…… it was SO EMOTIONAL for me to stand there in the very spot and to think of the day she was left there, but I am glad that I got to see it and photograph it for her lifebook.

The visit in Chenzhou City ended with a fabulous and authentic Hunan lunch. It was BY FAR, the best thing we have eaten since we arrived. We invited the staff to join us and they picked the restaurant……it was typical chinese family style with the lazy susan. I think they were impressed that Marla and I ate everything they ordered……even the spicy stuff. IT WAS SO GOOD!!



In addition, guess who decided to eat? Yes….. Reagan ate two bowls of steamed egg and LOVED it. She made her mama very happy! Unfortunately, Miss Reagan was hiding in the ergo for all of today’s photos, so I added this one from the other day!!

The trip to the orphanage did not seem to have an adverse affect on her. She did very well and I kept her next to me in the Ergo all day long. She whimpered a tiny bit when she heard her friends crying in the baby room, but other than that, she did GREAT.

I am SO GLAD that we had the opportunity to go and see where she has been living. We were very impressed with the orphanage and the staff. This morning when Marla and I woke up, we said we wished we could go back. We loved the time we spent there…… the day will be forever etched in my brain. I will never forget the faces, buildings, city streets, smells, and sounds. It was one of the best birthday’s of my life……for so many reasons.

It is time for me to go. I hope to update again soon