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 |
