Last Post from China

This is my last post from China. Today we visited a local market where they sell a lot of traditional Chinese medicine. They had things from dried seahorses, dried snakes, flies to you name it. If it was a dead dried bug, sea creature or root, they had it! We also visited the pet shop area. Very cute puppies and kittens for sale. These were for sale as PETS. Today at 4 o'clock we have our oath ceremony at the US consulate. Dave and I just packed some stuff up while Daniel took an afternoon nap. Tonite is our last night in China. Although we cannot wait to get home to see Leah and everyone else, it is sort of bittersweet. we have enjoyed our time here. Living in a hotel with a 2 year old is not ideal but we did see a lot of neat stuff and it is a trip we will remember forever. Daniel has done so well with us from day one. he is such a strong little guy. He has been through so much in his short little life and yet he seems to take everything in stride. Tomorrow he leaves his birth country to start a new life as an American citizen. There are many things I will no longer take for granted living in the US. I will appreciate clean air. It is almost always hazy and smoggy here. Guangzhou is not too bad, but the other provinces were not the best. I will appreciate my home. Most people in China live in small apartments (if they're lucky). Most do not own a car. In Guangzhou the population is higher class and our guide Alvin told us only 1 in 12 families owns a car. He was pretty surprised to find out most families in America own more than 1 car. There is much more that i can write, however, we have to get ready to go soon. It is safe to say that tomorrow will most likely be the longest day that Dave and i will ever have. We start off at 5:30 AM to the airport. Our flight to Hong Kong is about an hour. We then have a 2 hour layover. Next flight to Newark will be 15 and a half hours. If you believe in the power of prayer, PLEASE pray for us :) We need all the help we can get. We have 2 seats together and one seat separate. We're betting that the person who will be sitting next to Daniel will gladly switch seats with us :) No photos today as everything is already packed. Thanks for following along on our journey to Daniel. We will continue to update the blog once we recover from jet lag so please check back! Next post from the good old US of A! Zai jian (good bye) from China!

Red Couch Photo

Today we took Daniel's photo on the Red Couch at The White Swan hotel. He looked adorable in his traditional Chinese outfit. We walked around the island some more today. Very relaxing. we also played for awhile in the playroom. Daniel is meeting all the little girls. We're thinking he likes this situation already! Him and all the girls :) Tonite we went on the Pearl River Dinner cruise. It was really nice. The city looks beautiful at night all lit up. We had a good time with our guide Alvin. he's a really nice guy and he gets all our stupid jokes! All of the guides we have had have been wonderful. They have made everything so easy. One more day in China and then we are on our way home! We have our Oath Ceremony at the US Consulate tomorrow. everything went well with our paperwork today.

Lucy's Restaurant - where everyone eats - We Love Lucy's!

Soldiers

Catholic Church

Photo Link

If you got some time to kill, here's a link of almost all the photos we've taken so far:
http://www.dotphoto.com/Go.asp?l=nickyb11&P=&AID=4965707&T=1

Video - Muscles!

Monday in Guangzhou

Today we had a quiet day. This moring we took awalk to the waterfront to watch all the elders do their TaiChi. We then walked to the little park where Daniel refused to get off of the see saw. This afternoon we had to do some paperwork, take Daniel for his passport photo and then for his physical. it went pretty well. He weighs in at a whopping 20 lbs. he's so little. He's wearing 18 month clothes. The 24 month is falling off him. Not to worry, with the way he is eating he will be in the correct sizes soon. dave is going to have to get a second job to cover our grocery bill. This boy can eat! Here are some photos of tonite's display at dinner. We also received our "Going home" Barbie. This is a one of a kind Barbie that Mattel makes for the adoptive parents that stay at the white swan hotel. It's a Barbie holding an Asian baby. We hear it's going for about $300-$400 on Ebay! We won't sell it though (as much as dave may want to!) Tomorrow we have another quiet day. Our guide alvin will take our paperwork to the US consulate. Then we have the Pearl River dinner cruise. Will post more tomorrow! 2 days to go :)

Some Videos from the day

Here's a video of Daniel's blessing ceremony:

And a video of Dave playing hackeysack:

Temple of the Six Banyan Trees

Today we went to the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. This is another buddhist temple. Unlike Shaolin, many people come here to actually pray. There were many people lighting their incense sticks and praying. There was a large service at the temple today. We were unable to get the regular blessing that the monks give the adopted children, however, our guide Alvin managed to have a semi-private ceremony where the monk chanted a prayer for us. There was a lady there with us and we found out she was praying for a baby. It was very interesing.We lit incense as well and made a wish for Daniel's future. Many of the statues of the buddahs had soda cans in front of them. I'm not sure why people leave soda as an offering. I'll have to look that one up! After the temple we visited 5 goats park. there is an old legend that long ago in Guangzhou there was a drought which brough famine. The legend tells of 5 immortals who road into the town on the backs of 5 goats. these immortals tought the people how to grow food. Hence the tribute to the gots. Seems a little odd to me! oh well! Dave also played hackeysack in the park with the locals. He did very well! Alvin said he did the best of all the families who have tried. We bought a hackeysack so Dave can show everyone his new skills. I have some video I'll try and post.We walked around town again today and we the talk of the waterfront. We sat on the waterfront of the Pearl River and fed Daniel his lunch. These elder women just stood there forever and watched us. They kept trying to talk to us but we had no clue what they were saying. They were very curious on why we had a boy. We feel like Brad and Angelina! It's getting a little old though. Getting tired of getting stared and pointed at. I know they all mean well. Ah well, guess we better get used to it. We also purchased Daniel his little traditional Chinese outfit for his red couch photo (The hotel we are in - The white Swan - has these red sofa that all adoptive parents take their children's photo on. Kind pof a tradition.) We also bought Leah a matching dress. Very cute! Tomorrow is Daniel's physical. that should go well. (major sarcasm).

Guangzhou - A sight for Sore Eyes

Reading on the plane

Playing in the Swan Room

Have to be IN the table - ALL BOY!

Dave is elated with his coffee and Daniel with his lollipop

We made it to Guangzhou, the final leg of our whirlwind tour of China. We complete the US portion of the adoption here. Daniel did very good on the plane. He had a tantrum when we put the seatbelt on him. he's not a big fan of restraint :) The 15 hour flight is going to be great! I ended on sitting him on my lap with the belt over both of us. He slept most of the 2 hour flight and we fed him the rest. he's very happy when he's being fed. he's going to gain 5 lbs on our flight back home. we had a very nice time in Henan, however, I have to say I LOVE Guangzhou! It's SO nice to see other adoptive families. We arrived about 2 o'clock and we've been walking around the town all day. Dave and i had Starbucks (best coffee we had all week!) and we just had dinner at Lucy's. lucy's is a famous place on Shaimen Island (where we are staying). The White Swan hotel caters to adoptive familes. there is a play room in the lobby that Mattel supplies all the toys for. Dave has Daniel down there now (hence the ability for me to write more than 2 sentences and maybe somewhat coherent). I've been having a hard time posting since he is always at my side grabbing at me. The weather is beautiful. it was about 80 degrees here today. Very pleasant to walk around and browse in the shops. The boys are waiting for me in the playroom so I gotta run. 5 more days until we come home! We miss everyone!

Shaolin Temple

Martial Arts performace

This sweet lady worked as a restroom assistant. When i took Daniel in to change his diaper she held out her arms. He went right to her. He has been afriad to go to anyone but Dave and I. It was amazing how he took to her.

In front of the pagoda forrest. The ashes of the monks are buried under each pagoda. there are over 200 pagodas here.

Daniel by the entrance

Today is our last day in Zhengzhou. Tomorrow we fly to Guangzhou for the last leg of our trip. The flight should be interesting. Today we went to Shaolin Temple. This is the location of the beginning of Zen Buddhism. Today it is more of a tourist attraction as well as a top martial arts school. Many parents send their children here so they can become experts in martial arts and have a career in security. The monks there are martial art experts. It was beatiful. The temple's location is among the Song Mountain. Here is a link that explains it all better than I can:


http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/henan/luoyang/songshan_shaolin.htm





No time to write. Have to get this little man to sleep!

More Videos from Xinyang Visit

Daniel The Host

Here's a video of daniel giving out the candy we brought for the children. He was so funny. he was like a little host. Very generous and sharing

Happy Thanksgiving!

The closest we got to Turkey this Thanksgiving was feeding one!

Dave, Daniel, lee (ou guide in the back) and Jin (our van driver) on the boat

Oh how we wish we were home for Thanksgiving! We're having a good time, however, we can't wait to get home. Yesterday (Thursday) we went to Nanwan Lake - Bird Island and Monkey Island. It was very pretty. When we were waiting for our boat a group of "soldiers" were near us. We could hear them speaking to each other and saying "Hello". They were practicing their English as one of them came running over and very slowly said "Hello, How are you?" It was really cute. They wanted to take their photo with us. Lee told us they were the equivaent of our army national guard. Next we were off on the boat to Bird island. Their are usually over 100,000 egrets on the island. however, they all flew soth already so it was pretty quiet. It was beutiful. We watched a parrot show that was all in mandarin. Didn't have a clue what she was saying but the birds tricks were cute! Then off to monkey island. You get to feed the monkeys while they sit at your feet. It was a neat experience. Well, don't have much time. Have to get ready for breakfast and we are off to the Shaolin Temple today. This is a very popular martial arts facility. More tonite!

More photos

Fu Jiang

Fu Wang

Visit to Xinyang

This is going to be really short. I just wrote and entire post and Daniel hit a button and erased the entire thing. It's 7:10 PM, we've been up since 5 AM and in the van for the past 5 hours. I've had it! We visted the orphanage yesterday. It was a wonderful experience. The children there are very loved and well cared for. They all appear so happy. When we went into the room where the children play it was empty. As soon as we entered all of the Ayis (nannys) came running in with all the other children. The Ayis were all calling "Fu Jie!". Daniel was very confused. He was concerned we were leaving him i think. He has become very attached to us the past few days. When any of the Ayis tried to take him from us he would start to cry and slap away their hands. It's very good he is attaching so quickly. We got to meet Fu Wang and Fu Jiang. their families will be coming to China in a few months to bring them home. They are all so cute! We saw the Pre-school area as well as Daniel's room. Xinyang Children's Welfare Home is a wonderful place. You can tell the children are loved. It made us happy to see that Daniel had a good life before we came.

Gotcha Video

Going to try to post another video. I am unable to view it here but I heard that it was viewable. Sorry if it doesn't work. This was the video of when we met Daniel.

Quiet Day in Zhengzhou

Not much happened today. We went to the notary to pick up the final documents. We do not have any more paperwork in Henan. We have to wait until Friday to pick up Daniel's Chinese Visa. Le (our guide - who is the Chinese version of Regis Philbin - just reminds me of him) took us to a shopping mall today. These malls are amazing. This one was 5 floors. Every possible designer clothing you would need or want is in this mall. Every section of the mall has at least two workers. when you pass each section they say hello and tell you about their specials. You can't just browse without them on top of you. It's a little strange, however, it's nice not to have to hunt someone down if you need help. I've noticed that everywhere you go in China the service is impeccable. Our hotel (Hotel Sofitel) is amazing. it's 5 star. Everywhere you go there is someone to assist you. I'm surprised at the amount of people who speak English to some extent. Henan is not a very touristy area so you can imagine the stares we are getting. Two Caucasions walking around with an aisian baby - and a boy for that matter. I'm starting to feel a little homesick today. Leah we miss you very much and can't wait to bring your little brother home! I think it's because of the down time we've had. Tomorrow we are going to Daniel's city (Xinyang) to visit the orphanage. We will spend one night there. I'm not sure if we'll have internet access while we're there so we may miss a post tomorrow night. We just went swimming in the hotel pool. Daniel did great! He is an amazing little boy. went right in and splashed away. Leah, you'll have to tell him "no splashing" since we know you don't like that! Well, that's about it for now. Sorry for the rambling. We haven't been getting great sleep and I'm hoping tonight is better. Daniel is sitting on my lap singing away! He's a trip. We can't wait to come home so everyone can meet him.

Videos

Adoption Day

Chillin' at the Adoption office

The Links and Daniel's caregivers

Emperor Daniel napping

Today was a day filled with paperwork and going to many different offices. As far as China is concerned Daniel is our son. We were back and forth between the Henan Center for Adoption Affairs, then notary and other places. We're so confused about where we're going next. Thankfully our guide Lee has everything under control! We had time to talk to the ladies who brought Daniel to us last night. One was his teacher. She is a very sweet girl and speaks English well. I had the chance to ask her many qustions about his life. We will be going to visit Xinyang on Wednesday and will see everyone again. We were a little worried that Daniel would want to be with his Ayis (aunties/caregivers) when he saw them today but he really stuck close to Dave and I. It was good to see. We feel that he will be fine when we visit the orphanage on Wednesday. Daniel (we're calling him Fu Jie for now) is doing GREAT! Things could not be better. He is bonding well to both Dave and I equally. He is happy with both of us. He is such a good boy. Happy all of the time. He has only cried briefly two times. He slept through the night last night without any problems. This morning he had his first bath. He did well. He was afraid to sit down but had a blast walking around catching water from the faucet. Tomorrow we have one stop for some paperwork, then we go shopping. We went to the supermarket today. It was really interesting to see. Here are some pics from the day. I'll try and post some video. i tried earlier but had no luck