Going Home!

No cute pics, although I do have some I can't wait to share. Another rainy day so we just relaxed at the hotel and GASP - packed lol! We leave bright and early tomorrow for our long journey home!

Although I dread the hours on the plane and the many different planes, I am beyond excited to finally be home. To hug the kids there, for our baby to meet his siblings and vice versa. Most especially to see my husband and for him to meet his son. Such a surreal thought and I am beyond excited!

Please pray our sweet little guy does well on the flights, and isn't to scared as once again his life is turned upside down.

CA appointment and clarity

Today was the day!  I had Tao's outfit picked out for months.  One of the cutest American outfits for our sweet little boy.  Yeah, I left it home - you know with the socks for 2 out of 3 of us, part of our gifts and who knows what else LOL!

SO, the next best thing - this last minute buy from target in a 9 mos size I was sure was going to be to little BUT who can resist something so cute!

After meeting our angel I knew it was perfect for him - "Gift for all the ladies".

Anyhow, we had our consulate appointment, momma took an oath that I told the truth, handed over some paperwork and a signature and we are almost home free!

Tomorrow we get his visa and then we leave the following morning (sat) for our long ride to the best place on earth.

None to soon, the natives at home are starting to get restless.  Luckily, the Calvary arrived today and I am praying they will be good.

Since we have some time on our hands and today was clear we walked around the very.large block surrounding the Marriott.  It was quite an adventure.  We have seen many markets, but I have to say today's had the most ..um..surprising items.




After that we took the subway (I. Even did step by step which I will post later) to Beijing rd to show my son the very cool street underneath the current road.  It truly is amazing to be able to see a road that was used in 960 AD..

What I didn't expect to find in that mall was heartache.

I am used to the beggars, and the realization that these people were someone's children, our children that we have chosen to adopt.

No we aren't rescuing per say but when your child's future stares you inthe face and hands you a basket of money - isn't it really a rescue, the ability to prevent our kids from the same fate?

I don't know, all I know is I looked at a beggar today and saw my daughter.

I am used to the beggars, and the realization that these people were someone's children, our children that we have chosen to adopt.

No we aren't rescuing per say but when your child's future stares you inthe face and hands you a basket of money - isn't it really a rescue, the ability to prevent our kids from the same fate?

I don't know, all I know is I looked at a beggar (in the corner in yellow) today and saw my daughter.

Oh the strange things I've seen!

Before I begin the tale of our day I have to say the guide we have this time is worth his weight in gold.  Richard is Madison Adoption Associates main guide for Guangzhou as well as doing aloof their in country paperwork.  The man is crazy busy I am sure but you would never know it when he is with us.

He is making sure we get to see some of the sites while we are here, and his knowledge level is incredible.  When he tells us the history of China - I really wish my husband was wi me to hear it as I will never remember it all.

Although it was rainy we took our umbrella , bundled up baby (thanks again Safah for his hat), and headed out.  Our first stop was the Guangzhou temple  it was incredibly beautiful but the information on Buddhism was incredible.  He not only was able to explain the similarities and differences but why items were in the temple and what people were doing.  It really helped us understand ,many of the concepts which were never quite clear.

Afterwards he took us to the herbal market. He showed us the large building next door which is the eastern medicine hospital and that is why the herbal market sprung up.

He was able to tell us what the different items were especiallythe odd ones which made us laugh (or grossed out my embarrassed 14 year old lol).  We also went to an outdoor mall and tried a special treat which this calamari loving family actually got seconds LOL. I am sure our poor guide thinks we are freaks.

Griffen sat bundled up in his ergo and ate the different items offered to him!

from the temple - it was so beautiful and ornate

Hmmm happy Buddha reminds me of
My dimpled baby!

On to the herbal market

Anyone know what this is? A hint - it is the none dried form

Bags of dried flowers including roses which are good for skin (as in a facial) and teas

Another pic of the mystery item - hint 2 it embarrassed my poor 14 year old which made us laugh harder.

Another pic - they had them everywhere!

Ick - dried snakes!

A bunch of nice bowls my dear son was showing me until....

I look closer - ick again!

The little business owner separating the scorpions with chopsticks

Our snuggley baby!

Oh I think I could have gone my whole life without seeing this bag of dead cockroaches lol

Oh wait we crossed a threshold - these are turtles for pets - talk about being on the right side of the tracks lol

Hmmm why the funny look son?

Oh yeah contemplating the fabulousness of
Calamari on a stick sans
The breading - they tasted like they had red robin salt stuff on them LOL (his words not mine)

Someone PLEASE get me away from the freak family!

And
The mystery item - deer penis LOL

Fun, feet & food

FUN

We had another fun day with our new friends Claire and her kids.  Although it was raining we decided to go to Shamain Island and check out the stores.  It was kind of last minute so I didn't have my camera or a ton of money but we still found treasures and will go back for others in the next few days. Can you say 1 more suitcase LOL!

Griffen did great he is wild when running around but quiets to a mouse in the ergo - never seen anything like it LOL

The shops on shamain island are not doing as much business, One had everything 1/2 price.  However,  there were still many of the same items as last year.  We got fabulous jade. Ecklaces that day mother & daughter for about 88RMB.  I think they were 300 at the jade market in Beijing.

Tomorrow is a free day luckily since Griffen seems not to be feeling the best - we all need to sleep in as meeting at 8:30 or 9 is just wearing.


FEET

I don't think I mentioned it, but my right foot has been killing me - but it is so weird as it hurts at the end of the day not when walking etc.  anyhow today I thought I would try the reflexology (massage) place at the end of the shops at the Marriott.  For 330 RMB I got a 2 hr foot reflexology and massage.  Of course they guy took one look at my granny feet and highly suggested a pedicure too.

I FINALLY agreed for an additional 60 RMB (hello Christmas present lol) and the guy brought out a little black case of what reminded me of ice sculpting tools. He shaved the dead skin off my feet and the result was a pile of yucky snow flakes ugh how embarrassing LOL!

I do like deep pressure massages but this one made me almost want to cry at points.  After sitting inthecrazy Cathay pacific flights, strange beds and baby carrying has doneanumber on my neck and back.  Hopefully this help me get home without worrying a out back issues.

FOOD

I think I mentioned we had enough Marriott rewards to stay free this week YRAH! However I knew this didn't include the breakfast buffet and a small room.   When we checked in I asked about upgrading and for about 400 RMB a day we got a suite, and executive level privileges.  If I wasn't living with a 14 year old it might not have been with it, but I needed to make sure he got atleast 1 all he could eat meal a ray lol. Anyhow, we have been the hillbillies and our dinner has consisted of the hard ours that the executive level had in the evenings.  This actually has worked great and they have a ton of food including desert, salad, fruit and juice. Also they have wine, beer and mixed drinks ( just encase you know of a recipe for your favorite drink lol)   It is so nice to just go upstairs and eat without having to leave the hotel or eatin which would cost a lot.  Also we have unlimited drinks all day which is especially helpful for little guys who still take a bottle.  Now I have enough water to wash his bottle and fill it.

The larger room is a bonus especially the second bathroom with toilet since - you know is, traveling with a 14 year old boy!

So now I have a full belly, and baby soft feet and we get to sleep in, in the morning - life IS great!

And I know you come for pics not my ram ling so here is my Tao baby right before bed - fading fast LOL

Safari park - Guangzhou

A very fun day!

We went to the safari park last year, but this year we had much less stress and a guide!

If you are adopting this is the one must see as far as I am concerned. The park is incredible and well worth the trip and admission. FYI you can rent strollers for 20RMB with a 300RMB deposit. Keep the receipt!

Griffen was not really amused and screamed when we got to close, but he loved sitting back in the stroller and munching on cereal from the breakfast buffet. Note to self - I need to bring a change of clothes along with diapers and wipes LOL!

Adoption medical - china

We met up with 2 other families and headed over for our medicals today.  We luckily got their before the huge group so it wasn't to bad for a very busy place filled with people and screaming kids - 1 of which was ours LOL!

I was shocked at how many adopting parents there were!  It did a heart good to see so many loved on babies (regardless of age) - many with moderate to severe special needs.


Our little man does NOT like dr's.

Also we had a few minutes of panic when the dr looked at our screaming baby, covered him back up with his clothes a d an out of the room for the head Dr.  I remembered him from last year.  We had two issues.

1. Children with dwarfism have proportionately large heads.  For a 'normal' child this would be concerning.  For our kids it is 'normal' but man it freaks the Chinese Dr's out LOL

2. If you have been following our journey you might remember that Tao's listed SN's are extensive - and NONE say dwarfism.  Instead they are his x-ray results which I initially guessed were descriptions of dwarfism but we were never really sure.  I had forgotten how this ambiguous information might affect our adoption.

When Dr 1 looked atTao's shortened arms nd legs she ran for the head Dr.  He looked at Tao and the paperwork.  They began extensively discussing something - and I instructed to go find the guide NOW!

Finally, he assured them we knew about Tao's dwarfism, heehee if they only knew our rfamily I thought.

After writing a book Dr  1 handed us our paperwork and I almost ran out of the room with my baby LOL.