some pictures to share

Relaxing at Lagoon Airlie Beach Easter Saturday 2008
I love this swing mum.. Conway park
My birthday cake

My first swim n i LOVED it. Was very cold
The Poulsen 5 at Conway park
Love this pic. Will print in black n white.Title "Just me n my DAD"

Refund pls::::She is WWE wrestling with her brothers figurines
Zian dressed in her traditional outfit to meet n greet Jakes school teacher and class mates

Family outing to Jakes football game
Look at me i can run after stealing Tayn's tennis ball

Jake's under 10 football team

Zians first sporting event

Zian has adapted to her Australian Life

I write this post with bleary eyes, but want to keep you all uptodate on our journey.
Zian arrived in Townsville on Friday March 14th 2008. We went into lock down as a family to allow Zian, Jake, Tayn and our selves time to discover the new dynamics of our family life.
We had so many fears and concerns of the impact this new life would have on her and the boys. We had read so many books on prior experiences and the outcomes of settling.
I so wish i had the time to write of our Experience with our journey to China, our FOREVER day and settling in.
I feel it would be so uplifting to future traveling families to read of a journey, that was so full of LOVE and instant warming to our heart, instant bonding and the settling phase that simply enriched all our lives. I cannot say we have encounted any concerns or any situations that we have read about previously.
This little girl has some SPUNK!!!!!!!!
Her brothers simply adore her and as older sibling, they have grown from welcoming Zian into their lives. It has brought a softness to both of our Wild boys. For us or me a mummy, it has shown me within my heart that LOVE truly can grow within you for a child,even though i did not grow this child. The instant love i had for her on touching her came from the love that has grown over the time since i first saw her photos on New Years eve 2007. There is no separation to the emotion of a child grown within to a child that finds her/his way into our family.
We feel as if we have never not had her. She blends into our family. She is one of us.
She took immediately to Jake, our 9yr old. She allowed him to pick her up and to have kisses. She bathed with him on her first night and of course Tayn had to have his share of bath time with her.
Day2.

I needed some mummy time, yes a pedicure was in need and some retail therapy. So the boys had girl time with Zian. All went well.
Day 3.
Jake had a game of football so we as a family went to watch him and Zian had no issues with being in a public busy place. We then went to Bunnings and other shops and again we had no issues.
On the Thursday we meet 3 other families for our 3 hour drive to Arlie Beach for our annual camping trip to Conway Beach.
It was here Zian had her first swim,learnt to walk on grass,play with a group of children of all ages and allowed herself to have distant between herself and us. She herself warmed to the other adults in the group and put her hands up to them for Pls pick me up. She meet some Australian wildlife in mozzie, midge's, ants and flys. We had no reaction to any insect that decided she was yummy to nibble on.(unlike her brother Tayn who looks like he has been in an explosion)
She adapted well to bathing in a camping shower and sleeping in a tent. She maintained her sleep pattern of 10-12 hours. She had sleep time either in porta-cot or stroller.
She loved the park and had swing time and hoped on the see saw with her besttie Mia.
I will say she did not like having to wear a hat all the time,but our policy of no hat no play, will rub into her over the next weeks.
Unfortunately Dave got very unwell and was taken to Proserpine hospital and the next day transferred to Townville(home) where he is still tonight. Day 4 and still no diagnosis after seeing 5 doctors and I'm sure hes radioactive with the amount of scans xrays and any other instrument they use to diagnosis a patients illness.
We hope all is well and that tomorrow he can join us again.
A BIG BIG thank you to John and Nathon for packing all of our gear and loading up our trailer and for driving in Convoy with me to get me home safely. To Sue and Kel for just being there to help if and when i need it with the kids. To Mr Pokey and Tracey, thanks for getting Dave to Townsville for us with little incident.
Tonight i took Kids to see Dave and just in 4 days Zian was like this is my dad, Gave him huge smile but really was like I'm not to sure about this and wanted back to mummy with grab to get away from him. I'm sure it was the whole drip in arm and new environment thing. I hope Dave is too upset by this. She then displayed her wild loud side in the hospital,which none of us has seen before. Jumping and squealing on bed and running as far away as she could. SO funny to watch her.
So i sit here and feel so warm reflecting on our first month with her in our lives,and cant wait for every month to sit down and reflect on that month. Every moment is cherished and i thank whoever it is that has chosen Hai Xiao Ji to be my daughter. She completes a part of my heart that so wanted to parent a daughter.
I'm pleased to announce to all that Nat had her baby today around lunch, naturally,only gas.She had a girl and Robbie and her named her Emerson Rose Flecker. That's so Nat and Emerson is born on Nat's mum Lyn birthday..
Jay and Peg had there 20 week scan today and all looks amazing.
Zian gave nanny kisses today for the first time after we bathed her and Tayn at Nanny's house.
Mums out scooting around in her car and loving the freedom it has brought back into her life,after 1 year of not driving due to surgery.Go Mum!!!!!!
Nanny and Poppy only 2weeks to go until you come down to visit us all. We are excited.
Dennis Ramsay is making progress every day and our prayes stay with Karen,kids and their families. He really is a trooper.

Take care

some pictures to share

Zian playing prior to flight from Hong kong to Melbourne
She made a chinese friend.So cute
Daddy, Tayn and Zian catching up on some sleep in Melbourne

Im not so happy here as i looked at pretty flowers to discover it was full of BEES
walking out of Bund Hotel enroute to Shanghai international airport

Walking through the Old China Town, Shanghai

Daddy and hisgirl at entrance to Old China Town

Today Is day 20 and we are HOME!!!!!!!!

Dave is so happy and relaxed and i lovin it
Expo 2010,is what Shanghai is all about
This is for my Auntie Vicki, who was a Coke memrobilla queen.

So our trip from Shanghai to hong Kong uneventful, Zian is a travelling pleasure. We got to Hong Kong with a 30 min transit to be told we had lost our seat with crib in front of us due to a younger child needing it. This was with Cathay Pacific. So i get hot n bothered and request the manager(very hard when language barrier), to be told seats are allocated and sorry. So this had me upset after booking early and paying fee for Zian to travel.

I walked around the boarding lounge to see how many children were travelling and settled myself when i saw quite a few children. Dave not to fazed and Zian well she was just playing.They have a little play area in boarding area.

So we board the flight that was fully booked due to a cancelled Qantas flight to Sydney.

SO we had two seats side by side in cattle class(lol).

I go for walk when allowed to find 4 seats with cribs taken by one couple who had the luxury of using pull down bench for crib as a laptop table and other couple in 40's NO CHILDREN TRAVELLING WITH THEM I DO ADD. So i was cranky.

Nothing could be done so i just went with the flow.

Dave and myself could not sleep one minute and guess who else couldn't sleep. MS ZIAN.

She sleeps 12+ hours every night but not this night.

She was so tired but couldn't get comfortable.

We thought this was stressful until we received email from friends Chuck and Dawn with 3 year old Grace,(that's another story).

We arrive in Melbourne tired and cranky, Pick up luggage, I have a run in with Customs officer, and have a laugh as they are filming Australian T.V show 'Border Security', The kids and i love watching.

Buy our must have purchase at Duty Free and head at to pick up Hire car and GPS.

We are on our way to see our boys!!!!!!

What a wonderful surprise when we arrived my brother Jason had come home from work to welcome us.Thanks Jay that was special for us.

Auntie Peggy, Curtis and Jnr McCallum/Stewart were there with Nanny and of course Jake and tayn.

Tears flowed and Zian Screamed. She was tired and all new to her again.She didn't settle well that day, however next day a new girl.Lots of fun with Curtis and boys,

Jay took the next day off which was so nice again and we went to Melbourne Zoo. Was very hot day topping 38c and dry. We all felt the heat.

Zian bonding with the boys really well and allowing them into her space.This is incredible as it like she knows that they are loving her and will protect her and keep her safe.

She just loved playing with cousin Curtis and all his toys.

They had great bath times together.

Jay and Peggy thanks for the lovely bed.We sleep on heaven those nights. China bedding has the feel of wood and pillows made from what i think is stone. If ever travelling again i would take a blow up mattress for comfort.

Zian is eating well and drinking water, juice and thanks to Kelly for the tip,milk with choc quick.

We left Melbourne happy to head home to our Home!!!!!!!!

The start of family life as normal as it will be for the Poulsen 5.

some pictures to share

this is china's focus

Daddy introduced Mcdonalds ice cream to the Zians diet tonight.Its a WINNER!!!

Who's not a morning girl. Just like my mummy.

Tis freezing all rugged up to head out for dinner sunday night.

Poulsens laundry, shanghai style

Visiting Forbidden City,Beijing

Those who climb the great wall of china are heroes!!!!!So nwe are HEROES

Daddy playing with Zian

Zians friends Olivia and Grace came to visit.

Zian had blood tests for medical

Shanghai to home

Zian has settled into the change of a new environment. It did take her one day of being snuggly and little upset. We just comforted her and stayed in hotel and had play time. Our experience here is not as nice as Shamian Island Guangzhou. Hotel very sub standard to what we had there, The White Swan Hotel is geared for adopting families(58 while we were there) and business's on island as well. They spoke good English were child friendly, staff were exceptional and facilities to families amazing,ex, hotel had a kids playroom in hotel, laundry on street 1min walk, 2min walk 7 to 11, play park, 3 min walk diner.
Here we have found it hard to be understood, little English, hotel not clean,service not prompt, no laundry, no park close to hotel and streets not stroller friendly.
We are here in Shanghai to have Zian's medical done and her Australian visa.
We have both done and are leaving tomorrow afternoon.
We leave hotel at 11.30am to transit to airport. We fly to Hong Kong at 3pm and connect to a flight at 7pm to arrive in Melb on Wed morning at 7.30am. So 18hours of travel. Will be a big day for Zian and myself as i still cant walk, sit or move well from The stair climb.
The last week has been a drag due to missing the boys so much for both of us. We just want to start our living as a family with boys.
The boys have left to fly to Melbourne with nanny to visit Uncle Jay, Auntie Peggy and cousin Curtis and of course jnr McCallum/Stewart. I am hoping they aren't to tired from their busy weekend schedule they had.
They had Nath pick them up on Friday arvo to go to Footy training for Jake and Jordy,Tayn takes along.They slept over at magners. Sat am boys played first footy game 56-0,ouch!!!!!!. Sleep over again at Magners. Phamplet delivery run with Jordy and Paige Sun morning,then to be picked up by Jacobson's to go and watch Girls play soccer games than swimming than home to nanny again. I'm tired just thinking about how busy they have been.
Thanks all who have helped out with boys while we have been away.....

This will be my last post until settled in Melbourne or home i guess, Boys will want our attention and Zian will need to settle in again.
Thanks for following our journey to Zian.
Be sure this journey has only begun.Please keep checking blog..
All my love Jo

Not sure why last 2 posts are not here

TO ELI REID:

Auntie Jo climbed the great wall of China for you on Saturday.Only to point tower 1.This is to the top after first steep staircase you see. Dave and Zian went to tower 5. Me to chicken!!!!! Let me tell you matey, it was the scariest thing I've ever done when coming down. It is so steep at 45 degree angle. That's why i text your mum to organise a medi-vac team for me. Today is Monday and i haven't been able to walk properly since. My legs have seized up and am very very sore.

We are now heroes as only heroes climb the great wall,we were told.

Enjoy the pictures i took for you.

Love Auntie Jo

P.s Sue check pic i took for you in Beijing of Tupperware shop(couldn't believe it)

Flying to Shanghai

Finally we head to phase 2 on this journey.

We fly to Shanghai where we apply for Zians visa and have her medical check done. If all goes smoothly Australia here we come in 7 days.

Today we received her Chinese passport. So at least we can now travel.

I haven't done much shopping but the little i have done to help create memories for Zian of her place of birth and traditional outfits for the years to come and some odds and ends has made us buy another suitcase all of $12au. Which i thought was cheap and unfotunately has added 18-20kg. It all adds up..(I'm sure you can all hear what Dave has had to say about it back home).Not a happy camper.

Zian is doing well, she still wont have a bar of her formula bottle. I'm thinking may have to try milk with flavouring just to get her take it. She does not like Yogurt either.Need to keep the diary up.

Jake i hear you get your first game of footy on Saturday.Good Luck Mate wish we could be there. I also heard Andrew is your coach. That sounds great. Enjoy the experience stay safe and play to make yourself proud!!!!!!

Tayn, sissy cant wait to play with you.You will have to practice being quiet as loud noises startle her..She walks everywhere now and loves having a big bath and playing with her bath toys. I'm sure she will share them with you when we are home.

Mummy and daddy love you both and are counting down the nights until we can kiss and cuddle you in Melbourne.

We went to Starbucks for coffee and hot chocolate with our friends Chuck and Dawn with 3yrs old Gracie tonight to say goodbye. We will keep in contact with them. Didn't get to catch up with Connie,Clayton,Kamry and Kaleleb today as they had paperwork today. Hope to see them in morning before we fly out.

Sorry haven't been on Skype lately just haven't been in room as weather has been beautiful.

Added some pics from today love jo

We want to go home!!!!!!

!
I'm playing in the park with a boy who thinks im pretty cool!!!

Check out the bling on vest i bought her.Adorable!!!!

Picture of Nikki our guide.She is 25 speaks 3 lanuages and is so much fun.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AUNTIE KIM FOR THE 29TH FEB. HIP HIP .

(Check out the new boots girls.How cool to buy girl things)

HOORAY!!!!!!!40 is getting closer and your going to get there faster than me to,lol.

We have had the weekend to ourselves with Zian, no Nikki. Just having play time and lots of bonding.

The people of guanzghou live in high rise buildings and often travel over 1 hour on a bus costing 2 yuan (30au cents) each way to work. Our generation both work long hours and travel time is long. The grandparents care for their baby. So on weekend the mums and dads spend time with their child outside and in park lands. So we did this and Zian was able to play with lots of babies and children. The older people come to parks to enjoy the younger people and to dance, exercise and sing or watch singers. It is really so lovely to see. They are all happy and smiling and laughing. Family is everything to these people and it shows. They have so little however are so rich to have the love of one another..

We went to restaurant with friends from America Chuck an Dawn, last night and both Children Zian and Grace (3yrs)were perfect. Asleep within 30 mins. Unplanned by us parents but perfect to allow us all to eat our meals. We ended a lovely meal with a Starbucks hot chocolate for me. On our walk back to hotel at 9pm there were children still playing in playground areas with their family, they were doing tai kwon do training,playing on swings,playing badminton and rollerblading. At home we would all be in our homes and telling kids to be quiet due to time. We have it wrong and the people of Guangzhou have it RIGHT..

Today because I'm bored i spent money, yep just ask Dave. I want to follow Zian in the years to come with Chinese clothing on traditional dates so had to buy 1 outfit per dress size and of course than traditional shoes to match in every size.

So all of you who know Dave can only imagine the scene being played out here. Its amazing what a daughter can do for calming Daddy...Hehe Ive got him wrapped!!!!!! around her of course.

Due to our bed being like a rock we arent not sleeping well and wake up every morning sore we decide to find the famous FOOT N BACK MASSAGE FOR $ 7 shop today. We did find it and together we spent 70 mins being pampered and cracked while of course Zian sleep.Yep she did.

Tomorrow it is Connie and Clayton's Gotcha Day and we hope to meet up before or after they have kaeleb in their arms.(boy in red jumper we meet at swi).

Congrats to you both and your family. Cant wait to begin this journey with your family from having our children share their first year of their precious lives together. The distance in our homes is only that, distance by travel. The kids have formed their bond and we will continue to allow that to grow over the years and hopefully in future they can meet again.

So as i finish writing this tonight we are so home sick for our boys and family.It is amazing how strong this emotion is..We are on countdown for here.

We are on a tour tomorrow than Tuesday is passport day and Wednesday we head for Shanghai.