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June 28, 2008
GUANGZHOU ... A TINY BIT OF AMERICA IN CHINA
We arrived in Guangzhou much later than
expected...but it took like seconds to know
that a little bit of "home" was right here in
Guangzhou. The air conditioning ACTUALLY
works here. I will expand on yesterday
later...but right now a few highlights.
YES...the breakfast buffet at the White Swan
is FABULOUS!
YES...the rooms are a bit small, but nice and
updated!
YES...the air conditioning feels like
home...WE ARE STILL SWEATING LIKE HOGS, but at
least we don't stink now.
YES...Ellie Lu slept like a champ last night!
PRAISE THE LORD we all did.
YES...PEOPLE here actually speak and
understand English and converse with you and
are so very very nice.
YES...our girl was an amazing TROOPER
during the medical exam...AND SHE IS A
CHUNK...8.7 kg which on June 17 she was 7.5 kg
so either we are feeding her well or
something, she is now 19.1 pounds and 28
inches our little CORN FED CHICK!
Yesterday had to be the biggest test of
parenting we have faced so far...will expand
later. Let's just say a 3 hour trip to
Guangzhou turned into like an 8+ hour
ordeal...so you can just imagine with a little
one. I have to say she did amazing...I wanted
to zap a few adults along the way...otherwise
it was all worth it...this is like OZ...we
have arrived. We are off in a bit for the
INFAMOUS red couch photo and group photo and
then an early dinner at Lucy’s and then one of
us will get our little one down and the other
one will shop til we drop. Much more
later...it has almost been a week and it seems
like FOREVER. |
Group Picture
Red couch photo
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Backtracking a bit…we all had a good nights
sleep and feel oh so much better than we did
last night when we arrived, yesterday was such
a LONG day. We prepared an early morning
bottle and then Ellie Lu played on Daddy’s bed
until time for breakfast around 7:30 am. We
all went down together and witnessed the glory
of the White Swan breakfast buffet. It had
both western and Asian dishes and so much to
choose from. My favorites the breads and
cheeses and the Asian dumplings, oh and the
orange juice is so good here. I haven’t found
any milk so far. I fed Ellie Lu her breakfast
bottle while Mel ate and then he fed her
congee while I ate…tag team parenting once
again. You can’t imagine the families that are
at breakfast with their new addition…there
were at least 50 and maybe more.
After breakfast we checked out the hotel and
window shopped, took a few pictures by the
water fountain and then got ready for the VISA
pictures. This is where the confusion started
and my patience for it was not good. Our
information said nothing of having to walk to
get the picture taken…now mind you there was a
monsoon brewing outside thunder, lightening
and all and they wanted us to walk in this to
get a photo taken. I am thinking it would have
made more sense to have the photo guy come to
us, but what do I know. My Mommy instincts
kicked in and I booked it to the photo shop
and got their first, Ellie Lu was asleep so
literally they were waking her up to take her
photo. VISA photo taken…check. Then I dropped
Mel and Ellie Lu off at the room and I went to
the paperwork appointment…total chaos. I
needed a stiff drink for this one. Another
family member put it very well, “now we know
who was who on the conference call”. In a
situation like this at some point you are
bound to get frustrated and intolerant and
that is what happened to me…I just felt we
could have been given more information so that
it all went more smoothly…oh well. The meeting
ran long so then we got a late start leaving
for the medical exams.
Again my Mommy instincts kicked in and I was
walking with a purpose. We arrived at the
medical place and it was so crowded. We were
informed there were 18 families plus 4 other
families ahead of us. It was also time for a
bottle. I again fed a bottle on the run, then
in say like 20 minutes it was our turn to we
measured and weighed. Then she had her turn
checking ENT. Then we stood in another line to
do an overall check. Keep in mind this place
was so loud…even though there where “keep
quiet” signs everywhere. Ellie Lu was a total
trooper and barely cried during the last
portion; otherwise she just cooed and laughed.
We had a nice walk back to the hotel and we
met Jordan who has a nice shop on the island.
He invited us to come by later. He will do
Ellie Lu’s name in calligraphy for free. We
stopped at the 7 Eleven for snacks and drinks
and then went back to the room for yet another
nap. While Mel and Ellie Lu where playing I
worked on the computer.
At 3 pm we had the Red Couch photos
THE RED COUCH ...
The Red Couch photo is one many adoptive
families anticipate while waiting to travel to
China. Most of the children will wear a
special outfit or traditional Chinese dress. I
chose a white line "Asian pajama" style outfit
that had sweet pink embroidery on it. Once we
are home I will also have a professional photo
taken of her in it. Ellie Lu had missed her
nap, but once again her bubbly personality
came out and she was ALL about having her
picture made.
I know I am biased but each and every hour she
continues to bloom into this sweet, spunky,
"spicy" baby that is just a complete BUNDLE OF
JOY to us both.
Then at 3:30 pm Mel attended High Tea while I
took Ellie Lu back to the room for yet another
nap. When Mel came back from tea he was sick.
I later went to Lucy’s and brought take out
back for all of us. Afterwards I went out
shopping and found some matching Chinese New
Year dresses for Ellie Lu and Lily…I can’t
wait for Lily to see them.
When I returned from shopping Mel had Ellie Lu
in bed with him and her little belly was
showing. Apparently she had an accident and
her clothes had bit the dust. Another day
closer to home…tomorrow is an easy day…church
and a trip to the pearl and jade factory. I
hope Mel gets to feeling better and I really
hope that me and Ellie Lu don’t get what he
has.
Firsts:
First time in a high chair…Em and Mel
breakfast at White Swan.
First time with sippy cup…Em drinking water,
likes the water bottle better so far.
Only a few more days in this land afar….I
haven’t missed home, but a good glass of
anything with ice will make my day. A “real”
club sandwich sans egg or cucumber would be
good or a salad….otherwise we are happy as
clams.
Love,
Em, Mel and Ellie Lu |
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Breakfast River View
Loving the Red Couch
Medical Exam
Our family at the Swan
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