Yesterday, I posted as we were leaving Changsha. Things were good.
We were ready to go.
Bags check.
Passport for Clementine check.
Tickets check.
Food/toys/bib/blanket/bottle/medicine/carrier check. 
We were prepared.
We even had time built into our schedule to stop at a local restaurant on the way to the airport, since we’d be arriving in Guangzhou too late to eat.
Our guide was not only wonderful, but wise.
We were hungry.
We got to the restaurant and the manager came in to our room (we had our own room, y’all) and sat down with us. He and our guide got to talking and it turned out that we were the first foreigners to ever eat at his restaurant.
So cool.
We talked some more and the manager was intrigued by our family. He took a fancy to Chris, especially his participation in the baby feeding/holding, and said he was a good example to Chinese men. He asked for several pictures of the two of them and then announced that the entire meal was on him. He wanted to show his appreciation to our family for adopting from China.
So sweet.
The food was delicious, rice noodles, cilantro beef, Chairman Mao’s pork, rice ball soup, mushrooms, marinated garlic, steamed egg (for Clementine, her favorite) and glutinous rice cakes.
We ate well.
As we were finishing up, I went to give Clementine one last bite and instead of opening her mouth to eat it, she vomited everywhere. As I was trying to stem the tide, she did it again. And again. In every direction it seemed.
Poor baby was covered in steamed egg.
Everyone jumped up to help and brought various rags and buckets of water to help, but this was going to take more than a few tissues.
And there was no bathroom in sight.
We hastily said our thank-yous and I’m-so-sorries and bundled our girl up in the half of her blanket that she somehow missed and got back on the road.
A little less chipper.
We arrived at the airport and dug through our luggage for fresh clothes, and a clean blanket. Then did our best to clean her up in the bathroom sink.
We hustled through security and down to our gate. But our flight was delayed. And delayed.
Two hours later we got on the flight and finally arrived at the hotel at 11 PM.
We were tired.
Clementine took a bottle and held it down (thankfully!) all night. She seemed to be feeling okay when we took her to breakfast this morning so we stuck to plain, safe baby-type foods – kept to a minimum – and she ate hungrily.
Then back up to the room for a quick skype with the kids before heading to the medical appointment. But then Clementine vomited again. And again.
Y’all. This baby needs stuff going in. Not coming out.
I cried and hugged her, and cleaned her up.
And thought how grateful I am that she has a mama now to cry over her. And hold her when she gets sick.
We went to the medical appointment and waited to be seen. She laid on me, understandably lethargic.
First stop was the ENT. She passed.
Next was the height weigh station. She is 78 cm and 8 kilos. That’s 17.6 pounds. Clementine is 19 months old.
I wanted to cry again.
Then on to the general well-check.
We were told that the doctor for the well-check was very good. And to ask her any questions we had. So we did.
She reviewed all Clementine’s medicals and paperwork and paid special attention to her heart and respiration. We told the doctor all we knew about her health history, current medications, and present condition, including a rash on her torso that showed up a few days ago.
After the physical exam, I asked about her heart, anxious to hear since we’d received no update on her heart condition since being told she was being taken to Beijing for open-heart surgery several months ago.
And the doctor told us that her heart sounded fine. Based on all she saw, she could not understand why they would have considered open heart surgery.
Once again, God went before us and in His sovereignty – even though they took her all the way to Beijing for it – she did not have the surgery.
We were told the orphanage very much wanted her to have excellent care because she is such a fragile girl. So, instead of taking her back to her hometown, she stayed in Beijing where she was placed in an excellent foster care situation.
His fingerprints are everywhere. And we are so thankful.
After the medial we came back to the hotel, for a bottle and a nap. Clementine was so excited when she saw the bottle but couldn’t get to it fast enough and, instead of trying to get to me, she just laid down and actually cried.
Oh my heart. This little one has endured so much.
I scooped her up and tucked her into my arms. She happily drank the whole bottle, and when she finished I laid her down to nap and sat on the bed next to her patting her back.
I had put her down on top of a towel and a washcloth (don’t want them to have to change our sheets again today) and when she saw the washcloth she sat up, grasping it in her hand, and acted like she was seeing a long lost friend.
Smiles, baby babble and silliness ensued.
This girl.
Of course I went with it. I mean, who can nap when you’ve got a washcloth to play with?
I grabbed my camera and smiled right along with her.
She is irresistible.
So grateful that Chris is here in China with me. I don’t even want to think about what it would have been like without him. And I’m so grateful that so many are back home praying, daily, for Clementine. Y’all are amazing.
I’m asking that you would please continue to pray on behalf of our girl.
— that she would be able to keep food down again soon and that we would be wise in what we offer her until she is well.
— that her cough and rattly chest would continue to improve and that she would get well.
— that we would determine the cause of this rash and that it would clear up in time to have her visa issued on Monday (she will have to be examined again before they will issue her visa).
— that she would continue to trust us more and more to meet her needs and find rest and safety in our arms.
— that we would make good, wise and loving decisions as her new mama and baba.
Thanks, y’all. Your support blesses us more than you could ever know.
I will continue to pray for you all. Sometimes vomiting like that could be a sign of a serious food allergy. I am sure she is being exposed to foods she has not had before. Just a thought. She is beautiful and I love reading about your days. Love,
Kim
Oh, how scary. I am so sorry that you all are having to go through all of that. I will pray that you will be able to quickly get Clementine home so that you can get her to your doctor. I know that will give your heart some peace. I know she is tiny, but when we brought Olivia home she was 22 months and only weighed 18 pounds. She was 3 before she hit 20 pounds and was considered healthy by our doctor from day one. She just may have tiny genes, so don’t fret too much about her size. Love you guys and praying for you hourly! Love the updates. I check regularly for them. 🙂
I gotta say that she is a heart-MELTER if I’ve seen one. My friend Nicole’s firstborn child, Bekah, has Down Syndrome. Bekah is a tween now, but I remember when she was Clementine’s age. I loved her then and I love her now!! Bekah’s mom feels sorry for everybody who doesn’t have a downs kid to love. I believe it!
I look forward to these updates so much. Love to y’all and your precious new bundle. 🙂
Praying for all of you as you navigate through all of the challenges! Praying Clementine’s health improves by leaps and bounds. Just a thought, if she is still on antibiotics, the rash could be a side effect…. Not sure the vomiting, but wondering if that could also be a sign her body is not tolerating that particular antibiotic well? Praying! Praying! and also Praying for your whole crew back home!
Oh, she’s so adorable. I just brought home a 6 year old that weighed 22 pounds at the medical. Clementine will thrive once you get home. All good wishes are being sent your way!
Allergic reaction to food and or milk? Can you call a Dr. At home. The Canadian medical clinic in Guangzhou has Western trained Drs for a very reasonable PEACE OF MIND or Plane ride visit. Your guide can hook you up! Prayers for all!
I’m definitely praying. Your post brought back so many memories of my years volunteering in the orphanage. Especially the projectile vomiting, as I saw that happen so much. And the washcloth! Before baths, many times the ayis would go by each bed, dropping a wash cloth in with each baby. The cloth was their only play thing! (for the short time before their baths) And like you said, just knowing that Clementine now has you to cry for her, comfort her, and genuinely care….when so many have no one…that is the miracle for this child. And for you.
I’m so grateful Chris is there with you as well!! I love how the restaurant honored and blessed your precious family. We are grateful the Almighty God has gone before you and we contend for His healing power to touch the rash, Clementine’s vomiting and keep her heart stable and strong. He who has promised is faithful! xoxo
Oh stef…so heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time. Praise God that you are able to see His hand in all of this!
Praying for you and your sweet baby girl !! What a joy she is !! Also praying that all go well to get you all home and for your family waiting for their little sister and Mom and Dad !
Praying for you guys today! Our Brynna baby was 22 mos old and juuuuuuust about 18 lbs when we got her. She had been around 18 lbs in all the previous months of updates so we knew getting there that she’d be tiny. But when they handed her coughing and rattling and itty bitty to us, I wsa broken. I remember that feeling well reading this. So glad to see all the touches of HIS HANDS all along the way. Hang in there. He’s got ya!
Praying that little Clementine’s rash and vomiting issues are minor problems that can be resolved quickly. Please update us on how precious Clementine is bonding with her beautiful sister Sophie.
You and Chris are in my prayers too.
Clementine is adorable! Reading about her with the washcloth reminded me of my oldest daughter from China. We discovered that the texture of a washcloth comforted her, and she brought one from the White Swan home with her. She carried it with her everywhere, named it, and slept with it for years. All of her baby and toddler photos prominently feature “Wokky”. The tattered remains are now packed away with her other baby memorabilia. We will continue to lift up your family in prayer.
Kim from 3 Peanuts is right. Sometimes projectile vomiting is a sign of a serious food allergy. The torso rash is another possible sign. I wish we had been more educated on that topic when we were in China, instead of making our Squirt more and more sick. I wish we had avoided major allergens until we arrive home in the states. In case you don’t know the top ten major allergens, those would be eggs, dairy, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat and soybeans. Our Squirt can’t have wheat, soybeans and peanuts. Which is basically most of Chinese cuisine. Prayers going up for all of you, especially sweet Clementine.
When I met My daughter she was 18 lbs at 16 months. Probably didn’t get enough to eat. She never had any developmental delays and steadily gained weight once we got home. She had diarrhea for 3 months but it was due to the change in diet. She was always in the 10-20 percentile but always healthy. Congratulations-your daughter is beautiful.
The vomiting could very well be from all the gunk in her chest which if it is, is good for her to expel it though I’m sure it’s traumatic for her. The rash could be a reaction to the antibiotics. There used to be a great European doctor on the island but I’m sure if you ask around you can find one if you need.
Praying. Always praying. Having followed along for many of your adventures, this one has been just as amazing. Love hearing and seeing all about it. Especially how He has had a hand in everything, of course. Hoping all will be well and she bounces back quickly. Prayers for thanks for the ease of everything else so far.
Ask your guide to buy you some plain congee (pronounced like “joke” in Guangzhou). Give her just a little at a time. It’s like the chinese equivalent of chicken soup…truly.
Hope little Clementine feels better soon….
B
Is she taking antibiotics? My son got a rash, and was allergic to most antibiotics. Blessings
Praying for all of you, especially your beautiful Clementine. Praying her rash heals, the vomiting wlii stop and she will know how she is lined. Hugs all around.
Oh, I am sad to read about all the vomiting. But so beyond happy that Miss Clementine has a mama to cry over her and tenderly care for her. Stephanie, when we had Kendal’s medical checkup in China, she was three years old and weighed 21 lbs. And now she barely breaks 30 pounds at over 5 1/2 years. I am praying for health and strength for Clementine.
With care! And big hugs!
Jane
Awwww, sweet baby doll! Vomiting and still smiling! … And the washcloth? So, so adorable.
Tiny, perfect angel…hope she’s better soon! Praying for you!
One of my daughters from China will turn 5 in February. She weighs 26 lbs today. Tiny, but healthy!
Sounds like you’ve had FAR too much action lately – but what a little dolly she is!!! She looks SO happy and will be such a good fit with her family!
The girl looks stunning to be so sick! How does she do it?? So. Gorgeous. Still praying here for all 4 of y’all, and eagerly awaiting these updates. Much love from NC!
Pure sweetness she is!!!
What a treasure. It is a gift to follow your story. Thank you for sharing.
Hope sweet Clementine is feeling better soon! Antibiotics give rashes so often…even after you stop taking them..and they can cause vomiting, too. My kids get rashes from new, unwashed shirts. And like others have said, she’s been eating a lot of new and different foods. Can you get any probiotics into her?
Your in our prayers. Clementine is such a cutie! God has placed her with you at just the right moment. So happy for you all. So nice to see how Sophie is responding to China, her birthplace. My wife and I look forward to taking our two daughters (ages 4 & 5) back to China one day as well. Stephanie and Chris, you amaze me… may God richly bless you, protect you and give you strength for each new day. When I read your blog… it constantly reminds me of one word… LOVE!
That is one PRECIOUS BABY GIRL!! Praying for increased health for Sweet Clementine..