Days 8 and 9

Alright...I know we missed a day, but thankfully yesterday (Friday) was a fairly uneventful day. Considering the fact that Sophie had her first airplane ride, it is kind of nice to say that it was uneventful! We had a "leisurely" morning where we got to Skype with Grampas and Grandmas and a few aunts and uncles. There was even an almost auntie in there! After lunch we were off to the airport to leave for Guangdong province.

The flight was not too bad. We had some snacks for Sohpie to eat whlie we were taking off so her ears would pop and she didn't fuss at all. She was very entertained with the shopping magazine in the seat back in front of her (I am so toast...a wife AND a daughter that like to shop...I need to get another job). We also had a very nice Chinese national that sat next to April and Sophie who kept her entertained and told us a lot about Chinese culture. She is 20 and about to graduate from college...she was on her way to Guangzhou for a job interview. According to her there are over 250 applicants for each job in China...how do you like those odds?

Once we landed in Guangzhou, our new guide, Amy, took us to the hotel and let me tell you, we are paying for a nice one this time! 5 stars doesn't begin to describe it. Everything is fancy and new, the people are nice, and the (ugh) shops all carry very nice things (at least that is what April pointed out...did I mention I might need to get another job?)

On Saturday, we woke up early to go to the Doctor's office. Lets just call it an American Medicine appreciation tour. Our guides had us there early because apparently Saturday is a popular day at the Immigration medical branch thingy. When we got there we were the first families (10 of us)...within minutes there were probably 30 families waiting in line, trying to control, screaming kids, while trying to understand Chinese doctors...what a great experience! Pure chaos! Each of the kiddos had to be checked out to make sure they were healthy enough to immigrate to the US. The "check up" consisted of a measurement (27 inches) a weight (15.5 lbs) and a temperature (normal...whatever that means). We then had a "physical" where the doctor looked at her limbs and listened to her heart...apparently that is good too. Finally we had an ear, nose, and throat check up which went well I guess because they ushered us out.

After the doctors appointments we had another Chinese supermarket experience. The highlight of the trip was probably the snack aisle. Who doesn't want dried squid or shrimp to snack on. We managed to escape with some pistachios, oreos, and some noodle bowls. But let me tell you, it was hard passing on the seaweed flavored Pringles!!!

After the shopping trip we headed back to the hotel for naps and free time. Tomorrow is another low key day before the paperwork shuffle begins at the US consulate on Monday. Keep your prayers coming for smooth transitions as we work on the US side of the process and start to prepare for the 14 hour flight home with an infant...can you say fun?!?!?!

BJ and April

PS April found her happy place. She actually survived a week without Starbucks...now all is right in her world. That little girl had better get used to the insides of coffee shops. I imagine she will be a pro before we all know it!