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Trip to China
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Sunday, June 24, 2007

Today we started the day with an early breakfast and a trip to the Guangzhou botanical gardens. The idea was to get there early, before it got hot. Didn't really work out that way. I am from the South, born and raised. We're used to 100+ degree weather, I thought I'd be prepared for this kind of hot. No way, no how. I was D Y I N G. I now know it is possible for makeup to melt off. I truly thought someone from our group was going to have heatstroke, with a strong possibility that the someone was going to be me. The gardens were absolutely stunning, immaculately kept, but it was just hard to get beyond all the sweating I was doing. Jude gets overheated very easily, and holding onto him was like trying to hold onto a greased pig, he was so covered in sweat. We managed to find our way to some shade and cool off long enough to get going again. Our guide had given me a heads up to borrow an umbrella and I am so glad I did, it helped Jude and I immensely, even if just to use to disguise how badly we were both perspiring.

After the botanical gardens we made the obligatory stop at the "Jade Outlet". Sort of a scam if you ask me. If I'm going to spend that kind of money on something, I need to be sure I am getting a fair deal. We sat through the jade tutorial and Tori and I were followed around by a very nice sales lady until I finally sat down to wait for the rest of the group. Jude was starting to get tired and hungry and thankfully a fellow mom had brought along some Cheerios. Just as I was beginning to tell her that Jude didn't like them and therefore I had left ours in Fuzhou, Jude starts gobbling them up. In just the past 6 days he has become so much more proficient at eating solid food. He still prefers soft things to hard (noodles, eggs, yogurt) but he is beginning to use his teeth to eat, and learn how to move food around his mouth before swallowing.

Another big leap he has made is figuring out how to get off the bed without almost face planting onto the carpet. I showed him several times for a few days, and now he knows to lay down on his tummy and let himself down onto the floor. He is also learning to cruise well, all around the furniture. Today he went around almost the entire bed, just to get a toy. Before he would have sat down to crawl. Sadly, right after his big accomplishment, he fell as he was trying to get something off the desk and got his first boo boo since he's been with us. Right in the middle of the forehead. Of course, tomorrow is his visa picture ;) But boys are supposed to have boo boos, right? He was so upset, he cried and cried and I walked him around the room and we ended up at the mirror, since he loves to look at himself. Soon he was smiling and laughing at our reflections, boo boo forgotten. Such a sweetheart.

After naptime we ventured out again, for some dinner at Lucy's, some light shopping and a visit to the grocery store. We needed to stock up on drinks again, seems that everyone around here is really thirsty ;) Jude was a bit wild at dinner, he's beginning to feel comfortable enough to let his true, slightly wild, self out. He's still sweet as the day is long, but isn't crazy about sitting still. He LOVES to throw things on the ground, even things he really wants. Which means I either listen to him fuss for the thing he threw, or I get to continuously pick up the same thing off the dirty floor. He has been a bit weary of the Chinese shopkeepers who come up to us regularly, he really doesn't want to interact with anyone he is not familiar with. He and Tori have the beginnings of a wonderful relationship, she can get a smile out of him in no time flat. Must be all the big sister training she has had to endure over the last 12 years.

Tomorrow we'll make a trip to the Guangzhou mall in the morning and then Jude will have his medical exam in the afternoon. Praying that tomorrow's weather it isn't quite as painful!

CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO CLIP OF JUDE AND TORI PLAYING

Even bananas taste sweeter at the White Swan


At the Botanical Gardens


Two hothouse flowers


Starting to melt at the gardens


Shopping is so much FUN!


Pre bathtime play


Super crawler


He sleeps :)


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