Medical exams... yuck!

Hi all,

Yesterday (Saturday) was Olivia’s medical examination day. The U.S. requires a brief medical exam before allowing adopted children to be imported. It was quite the scene. All 12 children in our adoption group were examined, and there were other groups there, as well, making it quite the madhouse. Lots of crying babies! As you can see from the first picture, the halls were lined with families and their children.

Olivia did quite well, with only a few little bouts of crying during the yuckiest parts. There were 3 stations: 1) measurements, 2) ENT (ear, nose, throat) and 3) physical exam.

1) At the measurement station they took Olivia’s temperature, weighed her, and measured her length. She did great during the 1st 2 checks but did not like being forced to lay down in a vice grip that measured her length. Ok, it wasn’t really a vice grip, but it did have a bar at the top, and a moving bar at the bottom.

2) ENT: Olivia did more crying at this station. Sticking something in her ear was not her idea of a fun game… so that set her off. Then the doctor tried to stick a tongue depressor in her mouth, and that wasn’t so fun either. But it was over very quickly and she calmed down in mommy’s arms right away.

3) The last station was where she was checked from head to toe for… well, I’m not sure what the doc was looking for. He examined her arms, legs, stomach and back, and since they are all pretty cute I’m sure there was nothing to report.. other than cute.

The medical report was sealed and sent directly to the American Consulate, so we didn’t actually get to see what it says. I’m sure she got a good bill of health!

On Saturday afternoon Karis filled out Olivia’s US Visa application, the last step before we can bring her home! We’re almost there!

Health report for the rest of us: Karis never did develop this cold I have. Thanks to all who prayed. As for me, my cold is progressing. Thankfully I’m past the fever and sneezy stage… but now I’m in the coughing stage. Your continued prayers are appreciated. Christine is healthy as a horse. I’m sure she appreciates being compared to a horse (sorry Christine).

On that note I’ll close for now. We’re running a little behind on blogging, so hopefully we’ll be able to get caught up tomorrow (Monday)! We have to hang out at the hotel in the morning to be available in case the US consulate has any questions regarding the Visa application. Then Monday afternoon we have a shopping trip planned. I’m trapped in China with 3 women (2 adults and 1 2-year old) who like to shop. They keep me busy carrying the stroller and the camera equipment, though, so that’s enough to keep me entertained… :-)

Signing off for now,

John