Today is supposed to be the only day the rest of the week when there are not going to be thunderstorms so our guide decided to move our Botanical Garden trip to today since the weather is uncertain tomorrow. The Botanical Gardens were gorgeous. Because it stays so warm here, the flowers look like they do in the summertime in our neck of the woods. We enjoyed seeing all the beautiful flowers and Adrian discovered bubbles (bub bub la as he says). He turns most of the English words into a Chinese sounding word.
He got mad at me because I made him quit popping a little girl's bubbles.
We had lunch at a fast food noodles restaurant at the Gardens. It was wild. Food was good but LOTS of people. Then we returned for a nap. While MaiLin and Adrian napped LiLi and I ventured out to a dept store to buy ADrian some more pants. He is much smaller than I thought and needs 24 mo-2T clothes and I only have two pants that are not winter clothes and really hot. He has worn the same jeans 4 days in a row and the other pair are filthy and had to be sent to the laundry.
After nap we went to the gardens at our hotel. They are unbelievable. We took our little bubble blowers outside and they had fun blowing bubbles in the gardens. Today was a great picture day.
Adrian still amazes us and is such a joy. He is doing so well. Of course, I hear, "Baba do it" or "jie Jie do it " (meaning MaiLin). He likes me but really doesn't want me doing too much for him. That will have to change in about a week.
The biggest issue right now is that I think we've all had a little too much togetherness :). Chris said that we all need a little space. I think he's right. However, if that is our biggest issue compared to last week, I'll not complain!!!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Pictures for April 3--Medical Appointment
Big boy--13.5 kgs. or 30 lbs.
Squeaky toy fun before medical appointment.
Big sisters content to wait.
Very brave.
Lunch at Lucy's.Medical Exam--DONE!!
Today was our medical appt on Shamian Island in Guangzhou. We left the hotel at around 9:30 and had visa pictures made for the children and went to their medical appointments. The medical is fairly routine stuff except for immunizations and a TB skin test. It is always just really crowded and hectic in the medical building but with our wonderful guide Rebecca everything moves so smoothly. She is so organized and in charge. We are so thankful for Rebecca. Adrian was very brave and did what he needed to do with no screaming or anything. Chris had Rebecca hold him while they did the TB skin test and the shots so that Chris could be the rescuer. That worked well. Thankfully he only had to get two shots. He cried but he quickly forgot about his boo boos when I pulled out the sucker and M&Ms.
After lunch at Lucy's I made a mad dash to pick up some things that I wanted to buy. Before we have always stayed on the island and I could go out anytime and shop. This time we are off the island so the only shopping that we can do is on our scheduled days. Thankfully I knew what I was going for. At 1 :30 we headed back to the hotel for naps. All three of our kiddos fell asleep --not before a few meltdowns (and I'm not talking about Adrian). During naps I went to meet with our guide to finish up paperwork. All the "hard" stuff is done. Yeah!!! The rest will be waiting on the visa and playing and shopping. On the agenda for the week is a trip to the Botanical Gardens and a trip to the zoo if the weather holds out. Rain is predicted every day this week. After naps we headed to the playroom here in the hotel with another family from Lifeline and then to Subway for supper.
We are all very tired but it is soooo good to know that most of it is done. Now we just have to get that visa so we can come HOME!!!
The Garden hotel is unbelievable. It is so nice. We are really enjoying being here.
I do have lots of pics from today but i'll have to upload later. I'm beat and I can hardly hold my eyes open . Time for bed.
After lunch at Lucy's I made a mad dash to pick up some things that I wanted to buy. Before we have always stayed on the island and I could go out anytime and shop. This time we are off the island so the only shopping that we can do is on our scheduled days. Thankfully I knew what I was going for. At 1 :30 we headed back to the hotel for naps. All three of our kiddos fell asleep --not before a few meltdowns (and I'm not talking about Adrian). During naps I went to meet with our guide to finish up paperwork. All the "hard" stuff is done. Yeah!!! The rest will be waiting on the visa and playing and shopping. On the agenda for the week is a trip to the Botanical Gardens and a trip to the zoo if the weather holds out. Rain is predicted every day this week. After naps we headed to the playroom here in the hotel with another family from Lifeline and then to Subway for supper.
We are all very tired but it is soooo good to know that most of it is done. Now we just have to get that visa so we can come HOME!!!
The Garden hotel is unbelievable. It is so nice. We are really enjoying being here.
I do have lots of pics from today but i'll have to upload later. I'm beat and I can hardly hold my eyes open . Time for bed.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Made it to Guangzhou-April 2
We made it to Guangzhou tonight around 7 p.m. We are soooooo glad to be here. This is like an adoptive family's paradise. We are in a very nice hotel (we've never stayed here before) and we have a fantastic guide. We had her briefly before and everyone LOVES here. She is detailed and gave us an itinerary for the next 5 days. Wow, what a difference. We are so grateful to know what is going to happen.
Adrian did great on the flight here. He was nervous in the van on the way to the airport and pretty much clung to Chris the entire time. We kept telling him we were going all together. Once we got to the airport he seemed secure in that. And, on the plane he was the same way. Once we got in the van on the way to the hotel he started to zone out abit again but once we arrived "all together" he was fine . We got everyone ready for bed and he went right to bed just as happy as he could be.
He is doing so awesome. He is one brave little boy.
Tomorrow we go for Adrian's medical exam. They will look him over , weigh him etc. But, the hard part is that he has to have a TB skin test. We already know that it is negative but we have to have it done again. Then he will probably have to get several shots (immunizations). This is a new part of this process that really is due to a fluke and a loop hole in the U.S. law re: immigrants and the immunizations that they must have before entering the country. There was no provision in the law for adopted children who have American parents. Please pray that he doesn't have to have many. And pray that he will not be traumatized by the whole thing.
When he needs security, Chris is the one he turns too. Although he has asked for a me a few times. Tomorrow I think Baba will be the one attending the medical appt :). AFter the medical appt----SHOPPING!!!!! I'm in desperate need of some retail therapy after this last week. And we didn't spend a lot of money in Hohhot so I need to make up for lost time :).
We are really exhausted so we are going to bed. Sorry, no pics today. Eleven pieces of luggage, three kids, security checks, carrying luggage, keeping everyone happy=no time for pics.
Adrian did great on the flight here. He was nervous in the van on the way to the airport and pretty much clung to Chris the entire time. We kept telling him we were going all together. Once we got to the airport he seemed secure in that. And, on the plane he was the same way. Once we got in the van on the way to the hotel he started to zone out abit again but once we arrived "all together" he was fine . We got everyone ready for bed and he went right to bed just as happy as he could be.
He is doing so awesome. He is one brave little boy.
Tomorrow we go for Adrian's medical exam. They will look him over , weigh him etc. But, the hard part is that he has to have a TB skin test. We already know that it is negative but we have to have it done again. Then he will probably have to get several shots (immunizations). This is a new part of this process that really is due to a fluke and a loop hole in the U.S. law re: immigrants and the immunizations that they must have before entering the country. There was no provision in the law for adopted children who have American parents. Please pray that he doesn't have to have many. And pray that he will not be traumatized by the whole thing.
When he needs security, Chris is the one he turns too. Although he has asked for a me a few times. Tomorrow I think Baba will be the one attending the medical appt :). AFter the medical appt----SHOPPING!!!!! I'm in desperate need of some retail therapy after this last week. And we didn't spend a lot of money in Hohhot so I need to make up for lost time :).
We are really exhausted so we are going to bed. Sorry, no pics today. Eleven pieces of luggage, three kids, security checks, carrying luggage, keeping everyone happy=no time for pics.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
More Pictures from April 1
Another picture of Hohhot, Inner Mongolia.
Family Picture
Traditional Mongolian dress for the wife and daughter of the leader.
These figures were so lifelike.
Our little Inner Mongolian boy. This hat was given to us by the orphanage.Pictures from April 1
We finally ventured out today and these are some pictures of Hohhot, Inner Mongolia.
We went to a museum today and these pictures are of the dinosaur fossils that were found in Inner Mongolia.
Just like Night at the Museum, I expected him to get up and start playingfetch at any moment :).
We were looking at the flying dinosaurs.
The flying dinosaures that we were looking at.Finally!!-April 1
Before I start, I have a huge pryer request. I got an email from the director at ND today saying that Adrian's foster mother started coughing up blood yesterday. She has been taken to the hospital for tests but they don't know what is going on. Please pry for her healing. They were about to place a very needy child in their home in Adrian's place since she is so good with the kids but that will have to wait.
It seems that G's timing is yet again perfect. I'm so thankful that we had that time with them. And Adrian is able to be with his forever family while she is sick. Please join us in prying for that family.
We were finally able to set foot outside the hotel today and do something different. We've now had breakfast as a family two days in a row with everyone eating something. We Praise the L for that blessing. It has been rough week. We then were taken by a guide to a museum that had a lot of Inner Mongolian history and some really cool dinosaur fossils. However, the dinosaurs were not the main attraction ---we were. People actually seemed more interested in us than some of the exhibits. We weren't in the door good and some people asked to take a picture of our family .
After that we went to a factory to buy a few things that looked Inner Mongolian. I went in and left the rest of the gang "patiently" waiting in the store. I actually did quite well making a very quick decision but Chris may not agree. He was the one in the van with the driver and 3 kids. Adrian and MaiLin actually fell asleep because they got up early. Of course this ruined Adrian's afternoon nap. Then we stopped by for Chris to run in and get Mc Donalds . ADrian cried the whole time Baba was gone. He gets really quiet and withdrawn when we leave the hotel but then when he realizes we aren't taking him anywhere he calms down. He definitely finds security in Chris. I'm not complaining. It's actually been nice at dinner and getting ready to go places to hear, "No, Baba do it". Don't get me wrong Adrian doesn't totally dislike me. He just prefers Chris when he's really sad or confused. That is really fine. He'll have plenty of time with me when we get home and Baba has to go back to work.
We were in the museum walking today and I was holding his hand and he said something that I didn't understand and the guide said, "He just said I love you to you". I questioned her again and she confirmed it. We've been telling him that back and then in Chinese he'll say , "Ming Ming loves Mama/Baba". What a G gift!!!! He's also been offering lots of kisses today.
This afternoon, Adrian was SUPPOSED to take a nap but his little cat nap in the van really messed him up . Chris left to go to the store to buy Adrian some shoes. His were coming apart. We traced his feet and cut them out so Chris could have an idea what to buy. He did good. Of course, while Chris was gone MaiLIn and I were trying to do school work, Adrian wouldnt' nap and AnnaLi had a meltdown. WElcome to life with 3 kids. Reality.
Tonight we ate again in the hotel restaurant . I'm sure they are all counting the days to we LEAVE!! During dinner some of the waitresses were coming up to Adrian and trying to talk to him. He totally ignored them and then would cut his eyes to make sure they had gone. That is really huge for attachment. Then when they left he would be himself again. You want them to not go to strangers or talk to them the same way they treat you.
After dinner it was bath and repacking the suitcases. We get Adrian's passprot tomorrow and leave for GZ--YIPPEE!!
Our flight number is CZ3198 from HOhhot to GZ. It is a direct flight which is blessing. We originally thought we had to go back to Beijing. We are so thankful for a direct flight. We arrive aroun 7 p.m. so tomorrow night should be fun :)
It seems that G's timing is yet again perfect. I'm so thankful that we had that time with them. And Adrian is able to be with his forever family while she is sick. Please join us in prying for that family.
We were finally able to set foot outside the hotel today and do something different. We've now had breakfast as a family two days in a row with everyone eating something. We Praise the L for that blessing. It has been rough week. We then were taken by a guide to a museum that had a lot of Inner Mongolian history and some really cool dinosaur fossils. However, the dinosaurs were not the main attraction ---we were. People actually seemed more interested in us than some of the exhibits. We weren't in the door good and some people asked to take a picture of our family .
After that we went to a factory to buy a few things that looked Inner Mongolian. I went in and left the rest of the gang "patiently" waiting in the store. I actually did quite well making a very quick decision but Chris may not agree. He was the one in the van with the driver and 3 kids. Adrian and MaiLin actually fell asleep because they got up early. Of course this ruined Adrian's afternoon nap. Then we stopped by for Chris to run in and get Mc Donalds . ADrian cried the whole time Baba was gone. He gets really quiet and withdrawn when we leave the hotel but then when he realizes we aren't taking him anywhere he calms down. He definitely finds security in Chris. I'm not complaining. It's actually been nice at dinner and getting ready to go places to hear, "No, Baba do it". Don't get me wrong Adrian doesn't totally dislike me. He just prefers Chris when he's really sad or confused. That is really fine. He'll have plenty of time with me when we get home and Baba has to go back to work.
We were in the museum walking today and I was holding his hand and he said something that I didn't understand and the guide said, "He just said I love you to you". I questioned her again and she confirmed it. We've been telling him that back and then in Chinese he'll say , "Ming Ming loves Mama/Baba". What a G gift!!!! He's also been offering lots of kisses today.
This afternoon, Adrian was SUPPOSED to take a nap but his little cat nap in the van really messed him up . Chris left to go to the store to buy Adrian some shoes. His were coming apart. We traced his feet and cut them out so Chris could have an idea what to buy. He did good. Of course, while Chris was gone MaiLIn and I were trying to do school work, Adrian wouldnt' nap and AnnaLi had a meltdown. WElcome to life with 3 kids. Reality.
Tonight we ate again in the hotel restaurant . I'm sure they are all counting the days to we LEAVE!! During dinner some of the waitresses were coming up to Adrian and trying to talk to him. He totally ignored them and then would cut his eyes to make sure they had gone. That is really huge for attachment. Then when they left he would be himself again. You want them to not go to strangers or talk to them the same way they treat you.
After dinner it was bath and repacking the suitcases. We get Adrian's passprot tomorrow and leave for GZ--YIPPEE!!
Our flight number is CZ3198 from HOhhot to GZ. It is a direct flight which is blessing. We originally thought we had to go back to Beijing. We are so thankful for a direct flight. We arrive aroun 7 p.m. so tomorrow night should be fun :)
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