Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday in Guangzhou

When we went to Vietnam to adopt Emmi I said I would blog everyday and didn't even come close. I said this time I would for sure blog everyday and well, at least I am doing about every other day or so.

I forgot to mention in my last post that we got to go to church here Sunday morning. The government allows for so many churches for foreigners and this was one of them. It was really amazing to get to worship here but it was sad too because it was obvious how much goverment control was at play.

A little Emmi update. Thank you for praying for her. She is doing great. I think she just had a brief moment where she really missed us. but now she is back to having fun with her grandparents and skyping with us in the evenings.

Cori update. We have now had her 1 week and 1 day and you just would not believe how well she has adjusted and how well she is doing in general. We think she may have even gained a little weight already. She has bonded even more with me and even though she is still overly friendly to other women she is starting to realize we are mom and dad and they are not. Also, no more grieving in the morning or evening. She now knows her eyes, nose, mouth, hair and toes in English, along with a few other words.

Monday morning we walked over to the clinic and had Cori's TB test checked and thankfully it was negative. Then we and 2 other families from our agency went to the Safari Park. This was so much fun! We were amazed at just how close you can get to the Animals. It sure isn't Lowery Park Zoo, lol. We 1st did the safari on wheels (tram/train thingy) and it was hilarious because Cori was telling us what most of the animals were in Chinese. She really is talking a lot more. Though we still haven't heard anything that sounds like a sentence.

Tuesday, the rest of the families had their consulate appointments so we had a free day to sleep in and shop. And shop we did! Shopping is super fun and holy cow super cheap on Shamian Island! Got the girls matching silk dresses, got Cori a traditional Chinese Dress (one of the nice ones), tea set, jade chop sticks, squeaky shoes, a couple outfits for Cori since nothing we actually brought fits her right, Xi Yang Yang toys, Mother/Daughter pendant, and other special souvenirs. We even did a lot of our Christmas shopping, but since those people read this blog I won't be listing those items ;). We have tomorrow free too, so I will finish my shopping then. And then, I will figure out how I am going to get it all home. Cori is LOVING going shopping. The girl is a natural born shopper. We have found that her favorite color is pink and everything she wears must have some pink on it, lol. Also, super cute is watching her talk with the shopkeepers. She clearly understands them (and looks relieved to actually understand someone lol), and it is cute to hear her talk. Almost as cute as hearing her name her body parts in English but with a VERY thick Chinese accent or her Chinglish version of the word Flower "Flowe-hua." emphasis on the Hua (she sounds like she is doing kung fu). In all seriousness though, she is an AMAZING child. What a Trooper! She is so happy and handles everything so well. (except baths, still scared to death of the bath so we have a slightly dirty child because we are only making her take one when she absolutely can not wait any longer)

Tuesday night we, and 2 other families from our agency, went on a cruise on the Pearl River on a Dragon Ship. Guangzhou at night is breathtakingly beautiful. The lights on the bridges and the buildings are simply stunning. While we waited at the dock for our boat we ate Papa John's Pizza. Until then I had not missed American food. Now I can't wait to get home and have a burger. Our 1st stop when we leave the airport will be at Five Guys in Trinity! Seriously, it will.

This morning we had our Consulate Appointment. Due to last week being Dragonboat festival there were not a lot of families here (about 8 families at our consulate appointment) so it was very fast. We went through security, they swore us all in, and then we were the 1st ones called up to the window. We handed the lady our paperwork, she looked it over, gave us back our passports and a receipt and sent us on our way. As a matter of fact it was so fast that when we came out we had to wait for our guide because she had gone for a walk. She was shocked to see us standing their when she got back.

So then when we got back we continued our shopping, had lunch at the deli shop (I am trying to figure out how many of those ham and cheese buns I can stick in my carry on, lol), and then went swimming.

So, now Michael and Cori are napping and I am trying to decide where we will go for dinner tonight. If for some reason you are up and feel like making a dinner suggestion, please be my guest. Now for your Viewing pleasure not 1 but 2 sets of pictures! Click the picture to go to the album. Then click a picture to go to the slide show.

2011-06-13 Guangzhou Sunday and Monday

2011-06-15 Monday and Tuesday Guangzhou