June 11, 2007

It is funny to look back at my journal now. My notes are more and more brief as we got to the end of this trip. I must have been getting busier or something. I can't imagine why. ;)

On this day we celebrated the one week mark with our daughter. We could never have dreamed of a little girl so perfect. We are blessed. Hope is beautiful and sweet and each day we were introduced to more of her personality. It was incredible to watch her learn to trust us as her parents. She is still learning about us. The difference is that now she's testing us with the strength of a 2 year old rather than the simultaneous fear and courage of a confused baby. What a brave girl. All of these children are! They were placed in the arms of strangers and whisked away from all they've ever known and yet they've shown amazing resiliency through it all.

On the agenda for today was the exit medical exam for the girls, visa photos, and a walk off Shamian Island to the free market in "Old Guangzhou."

We met at 9:00 after breakfast for our walk to the photographer. We were the first people there that morning so we didn't have to wait at all. It was wonderful.
Hope & Tayah are ready to go.

Scenery on the Way - Notice the "peace" signs?


Bamboo Scaffold - YIKES!


Thai Chi in the Park

These bronze statues are all over the island.

Beautiful banyan trees are everywhere.


Favorite Series of Shots from the Morning



Then we walked a bit further for the medical exams. This was completely traumatic for Hope. She screamed through the entire exam. It was pretty minor. We went to three stations. They checked her height and weight, shook something to see if she localized sound, asked me to take her diaper off so they could take a peak, and that was about it. OH BOY, it was rough.


Here we go...














When all the girls were done, Tu led our group for about a half hour through some of the city to the market. We saw and smelled some pretty funky things. I never thought I'd be strolling down an alley where I look left and buy fresh(?) meat, straight ahead for scorpions and snakes/snake skins, and right for the hardware store.





























It was a pretty strange feeling, and also humbling as I realized the lifestyle differences and the true luxury (by these standards) we were headed home to in a couple of days. It was also very weird to eventually cross the street out of this poor area and onto a street lined with department stores. After a quick stop for a few more diapers, a pair of pajamas for Hope, and a badminton set for Ron (the local people seem to be playing this in every park) we eventually made it over to the jade area where we were able to pick up some cool gifts for all of us. The last photo is our world record speed diaper change in the middle of the street. Hope was soaked and there was nowhere to hide. :)

Just a few more days 'til we're home!
White Swan Hotel

June 10, 2007

We had a busy day on June 10, 2007. Our breakfast was a bit rushed. Hope was starting to be a bit more playful which was fun for us as new parents but there was also a lesson to be learned there. So, when we need to be on a schedule we need to start learning to plan ahead a bit more. I have to admit a year later that this remains a challenge for us.

Almost ready, but Mom wants just a couple more pictures. (Grandma and Grandpa, recognize this dress?)


Here was our schedule---

9:30 Tour:
Six Banyan Tree Temple
Folk Art Museum
Porcelain Factory
Cow & Bridge (Thai food lunch)
Back to WS for nap
4:00 Paperwork/Final Signatures
Dinner (Lucy's again) & Shopping
Ron - 90 min. foot massage with other Dads (68 yuan/<10 USD)

At the Temple - We didn't climb to the top, though some in our group did. From what I remember, though it looks like there are only 7 stories from the outside, there are really 13. Also, we were told that this temple is over 1400 years old. How amazing to be imersed in a culture so ancient.






















































This is Claire, local guide for the end of our trip.

At the Museum - The construction detail is incredible!




























































This is Ron tasting a local fruit called Drurin (spelling?). Tu thought it was hilarious to watch us all try it. Aparently there are people who like it, but none of them were part of our group. It was terrible! Somewhere I'm sure there is video of me spitting mine out.


Cow and Bridge - In the Highchair!!!

Back at the WS Playing Before Nap - A card and butt paste...what more could a kid want?

Some of you know that Ron has chiropractic issues so when he woke up on this day with a sore neck I wasn't surprised. I was just so thankful he made it through the day without getting sick. Usually a good night sleep is the key to feeling better. I think the relaxing foot massage helped too. We were fortunate that he really did well for most of the trip. Thank goodness for that sleep machine. :)

Here is what I wrote at the end of the day:

Hope loves riding the stroller now and her squeaky shoes. Her laugh is incredible and we are more and more in love with her everyday. She seems to be doing very well health-wise however she's having some extra messy diapers so we'll have to keep an eye on that. She came to us with a pretty bad heat rash which seems to have cleared up a bit, but we're watching for some possible food allergies (eggs, fish, and strawberries as noted by her foster mother in our paperwork). Also, I'm feeling better since arriving here. YEA!

Only a few more days and we'll be home. I can't believe it.

Lucy's and Out for an Evening Stroll - We thought we might try some baby food since some of the other girls were eating it. NO GO for this little Hoot. The picture shows the food going in, but not the aftermath.





Mom's Favorite Photo That Evening

June 9, 2007

Last year:

I said an emotional goodbye to Nanning today. I'm not really sure that I can explain how I was feeling, but I couldn't hold back tears. We were leaving Hope's home and I guess I felt some kind of obligation to feel sad on her behalf. I know it is odd. Our little girl has been so sad and scared, maybe some of it transferred to her Mom. I remember Betsy trying to comfort me as we got on the bus to head to the airport. Thanks for nurturing this new Mom and helping me to know that it was OK to feel excited about getting closer one step closer to home. And, for helping me remember that we can convey to Hope the beauty of this place and the people here. She will know China.
Bye Hannah

Hope and Anna Waiting for Our Flight

We've made it to Guangzhou. We all survivied our first airplane adventure together. Thank God it was only an hour. I don't know how we're going to make it home. Take-off and landing were no big deal. Keeping Hope entertained while confined is another story.
Hope was so happy to be put down when we got there!



We arrived at the White Swan at about 3:30 this afternoon. This is when Hope really opened up and played with Ron. Her laugh is amazing!
Here is the view from our room.



We went to dinner at Lucy's and had American food that was delicious. I never thought I'd be so happy to see a grilled cheese sandwich on the menu. Maybe I'll overcome this Cipro weight loss program I've been on.

After dinner we strolled a bit and shopped (FINALLY). :) Hope now has two pair of squeaky shoes, and we picked up some paintings for our house. We'll be very comfortable here this week.
Here is Hope sporting her new shoes and bag of chips the shop owner gave her (I don't think we ever opened them).


It is bedtime now, but I need to write the most important news...TODAY Hope got to know her Daddy! Over the past couple of days we've been blessed to see Hope's emerging personality. Each day brings amazing strides for our little girl.

2 days ago - high chair
yesterday - stroller
today - DADDY!!!

Here is proud Daddy with his little girl.
Ready to go to Lucy's - "Not sure if I should scream or...

...just give in."

WS Lobby

This is the group whose babies had a preference for their other parent. On the way to Lucy's all of them were holding their daughters! Couldn't pass up this opportunity for a photo!
Betsy & Anna - Ron & Hope - Debbie & Tayah