Day 12

Today we went to the folk art museum that we were supposed to go to on Sunday. Apparently it really does exist, however, there is shopping there too, so there is no winning for the guys on this trip...

After herding cats this morning in the lobby of the hotel to try and get some group photos taken, we headed out to the museum. With 13 families, ranging from two parents and a baby to two parents, a baby, three siblings and a cousin, there was quite a crowd trying to get organized for a photo shoot. Let's just say...we are lucky everyone was sitting on the same staircase, much less looking at the camera! I am sure between the 20 cameras that our guides were taking pictures with, we should be able to come up with a photo where everyone is looking in the right direction (yeah right...maybe with a little photo shop magic...).

Once the photo was taken, we piled into a bus and went to the museum. The building the museum is in is over 120 years old...young compared to many of the places in China, but still old enough that the building itself is impressive, much less the art inside of it. On the oustide are carvings, both within the brick walls as well as in sandstone and clay on the rooflines. The carvings on the wood within the building were quite impressive as well. We have plenty of pictures to show everyone when we get back. I had Sophie in the Baby Bjorn today and she was quite a hit. Several times she and I were cornered by upwards of 20 locals who were all giving us thumbs up and asking questions in Chinese. Many of the grandmas in the crowd touched her cheeks and gave us a thumbs up. Afterwards, our guides told us that fair skinned babies are treasured in China and are considered very beautiful, so it appears we have quite the hit on our hands. I am sure that will not go to anyone's head when she is a little older...bad enough she is going to be spoiled, but apparently an entire country thinks she is beautiful...

Anyways, some of the artwork within the museum was more than impressive. There were ivory carvings that were so intricate I cannot describe it. Picture the most detailed and intricate model of a boat that you have ever seen, now picture it more detailed and intricate. And these were carved from a single piece of ivory. There were actually some pieces that had 14 different layers of depth to them...and the details on the innermost layer were as precise as the outermost layer. April particularly liked the embroidery section. There were pieces of art that were so meticulously embroidered that they looked like they were painted with a brush, not stiched with thread. In all, it was a very cool experience...and April managed to get some more shopping in as well. This time we walked away with three handpainted pieces of art. And my handpainted, I mean the artist used his hands, not brushes...but you would never know it. Wait till you guys see it...very impressive.

After time at the museum we crashed for our afternoon naps and then went out to do some more...you guessed it...shopping. We also went to the White Swan hotel, which is famous in Chinese adoption lore as the place were all Americans used to stay while waiting their appointments at the consulate, which used to be right across the street. At the White Swan they have a red couch on which most, if not all, babies have their picture taken. Typically all the babies in a travel group are dressed in traditional Chinese clothes and then plopped onto the couch as parents frantically take photos. Unfortunately, our little princess was not interested in taking part in the tradition...she is so progressive. She started getting attitude when we put her in the traditional outfit and went downhill from there when we put her on the couch with the other kiddos. We aren't exactly sure what she got so worked up about...maybe she flashed back to the last time that she was sitting on a couch with all these kids, which was gotcha day when we were two hours late and all the babies were hungry and needed their diapers changed. No matter why, she was not very happy as you can see by the photos. It actually took us about an hour to get her calmed down enough to eat dinner and fall asleep!

Tomorrow is a free day with nothing planned. Several of the families are headed to Hong Kong tomorrow night because their flights leave early in the morning on Thursday. We leave "late enough" that we don't need to spend the night in Hong Kong tomorrow night. Instead we get to get up at the butt crack of dawn on Thursday and drive to Hong Kong for an 1130 flight. Oh well...at least we will be headed home. We have had fun in China for the last two weeks, but we are ready to get home and into a routine that doesn't include hotel rooms and room service...well the room service has been nice, but you guys know what I mean.

See everyone soon!

BJ

Day 11

Well...we didn't do any official shopping today...although we did manage to stop at a market to buy a certain little girl some rice crispies. She REALLY likes them. Whodathunkit, a Chinese kid that likes rice krispies...

Anyways...we did take the final step to making Sophie a full up US citizen. We took the oath today that stated that everything on her paperwork was true. With that complete we will get her Visa (the official document...not the credit card...that comes MUCH later) on Wednesday and once she sets foot in the US, she is a citizen of the best country in the world. Of course with multiple shopping trips and stops at Starbucks, she already acts like one...

We also hung out at a park this morning for an hour or two and wandered around a lake. Once again, many local citizens stopped to make baby noises at Sophie and to check and make sure she was dressed warm enough. It's like the whole country is cold all the time so they figure their little girls should always be bundled up. You should see the looks that I get as I wander around in shorts and a t-shirt!

After the oath ceremony we went to the new area of Guangzhou where they recently spent approximately 200 Billion Yuan (yes...that is billion with a b) on making the area look really fancy for the Asia Games which just ended Saturday. There were some pretty cool looking buildings in the downtown area and they have a tower that they call the twin towers. But there is only one tower...I am not sure where they got the twin part...but who is counting? We also saw the fancy new stadium that they built for the games...from what we saw it is a pretty impressive building in itself. Of course all of this was happening during the afternoon nap time...so we are currently battling with a stubborn little girl to get her to fall asleep. Apparently missing nap time makes someone a little cranky when it comes to bed time...and I do mean April...

Day 10

Today was a setup! The men are pretty sure that our wives are in cahoots with the guides. We were told that we were going to visit a folk art museum here in Guangzhou. Instead, it turns out that we went to a large shopping area instead. Seems a little strange to me. Not that the guys were exactly chomping at the bit to go to a museum, but hey...it would have been better than shopping!!! I might have to have a word with Lineker and Amy (our guides) about this...

ANYWAYS...we went shopping today and then had a nice relaxing afternoon and evening hanging out in the room and in the areas around the hotel. Guess what...there is shopping in the areas around the hotel...and yes, we did more shopping because apparently three hours of shopping around lunch wasn't quite enough! This time, though we did manage to find a book store and I found a Chinese encyclopedia of aircraft...very cool.

We also hung out at a park for a little while after shopping. Everywhere we turned there was a game of badminton or hackey sack going on. People of all ages were playing, from golden oldies to kids that were barely old enough to walk, much less swing a racket at a birdie. Apparently they love the sport over here!

Other than that, not a whole lot to talk about today. Tomorrow is the big day. Our guides are taking our paperwork to the US Consulate in the morning to make sure everything is in order. Then, we go back in the afternoon with Sophie and take the oath. For all intents and purposes she is a US citizen after that. The final step is for her to set foot in the US. Once that happens, it is official. There is a light at the end of this tunnel and as of right now, it isn't a train! Keep those prayers coming (if only for my bank accounts...because apparently there is more shopping on the horizon...). Only a couple more days until we head to Hong Kong to get on the airplane to come home.

Talk to everyone soon!!!

BJ

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!

Day 7

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

So, tonight ended with a Thanksgiving Dinner that our guide organized for us at the hotel's restaurant. We all expected the standard "Western" meal, which in China translates to pizza, steak, spaghetti, and other various things that are associated with American cuisine, but we were pleasantly suprised with TURKEY! One of the hotel hostesses is American and somehow she arranged for a turkey to be cooked for us. According to our Chinese guide, Lineker, there are no turkeys in China, and he has no idea how she found one or found someone who knew how to cook it. He had never had turkey before and we had to tell him how it would normally be served and what would be served with it. It was very cool and a great way for all of us to celebrate together. We aren't with our families, but our travel group has quickly become a family and we were all able to bond together and enjoy a fun evening with our new babies. It was a great way to end an excellent day. It seems that all the first time parents are getting the hang of things and all the families are definitely starting to fall into patterns with their new girls, it is very cool to see and experience.

This morning started with a trip to a porcelain dealer...which meant more spending for the boys and more shopping for the girls. I almost had to physically restrain April today...once she found a pattern that she liked, she wanted one of everything in that pattern. I managed to get out of there with only a little dent in our remaining spending money and a set of rice bowls that I get to somehow bring back to the states without breaking them...no pressure there.

After the shopping trip we drove to a village just outside of the city we are staying in (Nanchang). Our guide wanted us to experience a little bit of what life is really like in China. The hotels we stay in are five star hotels and he didn't want us to think that this is the way all of China lives. There are over a billion people in this country that live at or below the povery line and we got to see this first hand. Many of the houses in the village are nice, but they have no heat and no running water. The entire village works together to ensure that everyone has what they need and that they get all the work done that needs to be done. The village we saw is close to a city so they have some of the benefits that come from city life but it is still a very poor village. I can't imagine what some of the truly rural villages are like.

We then spent a little bit of the afternoon walking around the city. Ok, what we were really doing was walking to the closest McDonalds, but we saw some very interesting shops on the way. One whole block of shops appeared to be a Home Depot, just small shop style. Each storefront had a different aspect of home goods. One had plywood, another sold, hardwood floors, next to that was bathroom fixtures. It was like seeing the Twilight Zone version of Lowes. In front of the McDonalds was a large scooter parking area. While I was in ordering us some cheeseburgers, April saw someone knock over one scooter, which started a game of dominos as a bunch of them starting toppling into one another. What killed me is that some of them had car alarms on them. You know...the annoying car alarms that always seem to go off at 4 AM...well over here they put them on their mopeds! Very interesting.

As for the food at McDonalds...it is the same as what we get back in the states, they just have some added selections to their everyday value menu that you wouldn't see back in Wisconsin. I am not exactly sure what they were...but the pictures didn't look appetizing. I am finally over the rice and Coke diet so I wasn't feeling very adventuresome. I will leave that to the Food network stars...

Happy Turkey Day everyone! Find something to be thankful for today and enjoy your time with family and/or friends! We miss all of you and will see you soon.

BJ, April, and Sophie (Hey...that has a ring to it...I think I like it!)

Day 6

Not much to talk about today. We had no scheduled meetings. Everyone got to try to sleep in a little bit and we went to a palace for some sightseeing.

Apparently our little girl is a cute little girl. We are constantly stopped by locals who talk to us in Mandarin as though we can understand them and then they try to make Sophie smile. According to our guides, the people of China appreciate that we have come to adopt their little girls because they believe that we will give them great lives and treat them like princesses. For that they are thankful and they are very friendly to everyone.

The temple we visited is over 1300 years old...although it has been rebuilt a couple of times because it keeps getting destroyed in war. On the top floor we saw a quick 15 minute stage show of some local dancing and singing. April video taped some of the show so we can show everyone when we get back. There were also lots of old artifacts from the history of the region within the palace which was cool to see.

I know most of you aren't really reading this...you are just scanning it trying to get to the pictures so I will keep this one short. On to the photos!

Day 5

Sorry for the delay everyone...we are trying to figure out how to be parents while in a foreign country...no pressure there.

So here is Day Five...

Today was a pretty relaxed day. We went to the notary office which is like a municipal judge in the states. We had a quick interview which started with the question, "do you like your baby?" and ended with "Do you promise not to abuse or abandon her?" Really? Like we are going to go through all of this and then change our minds?!?!?!?!? So...we answered yes to both questions...duh...and then we were on our way to the Chinese Walmart Supercenter. Just like home...screaming kids, annoying people that don't know how to drive carts, people yelling...although the dead ducks hanging in the meat section were new to us...

After that we just worked on being a family. And I think we are doing a decent job of it thus far.

Stand by for heart breaking time...

We have a little girl here that doesn't want to fall asleep because she is afraid we will not be here when she wakes up. She battles to keep her eyes open and is constantly looking from one of us to the other to make sure we are still there. Several times in the night last night she woke up, whimpered, saw me, looked at April and then fell back asleep. She really does not like to be put down once she falls asleep. I think she has some sort of balance switch in her that once her body goes horizontal it zaps her and wakes her up. In all seriousness...for the past ten months, every time her body goes horizontal she loses contact with humans until it is time for the next bottle or diaper change. I know the orphanage workers do their best, but there is no way these little girls get the attention they need. They get the basics, food, diaper, maybe a cold bath. It is sad to see Sophie constantly checking to make sure we are still here...how do you convince a 10 month old baby that doesn't speak your language that it is okay to sleep...we will be here when she wakes up.

On a much more positive note, she has definitely relaxed and is a playful giggly baby...just like she should be. I will find the best pictures we have of her giggling and post them. And I might try to include a video if it isn't too large of a file to get out of the country!

BJ