Day 15 - Our Last Day. "Shamian Island Shopping, Pt. II"

We headed back to Shamian Island for our final day of shopping today.  Due to the rain yesterday we couldn't get out to shop by the first half of the day was a perfect opportunity for us to return.  Boy did we shop hard - shop'till you drop.  We have plenty of extra space in our luggage since we unloaded about 5 bags full of orphanage donations, all the gifts we brought for our guides, drivers, and orphanage workers, and the 18 days worth of food we had packed for Reed.  It was amazing how much stuff we could by as momentos and gifts of our 2012 vacation in China.  We got back to the hotel for 4:00 and our guide Connie came back from the US Consulate with Esme's Visa.  She now has her Chinese passport and US travel Visa just in time for our return flights to the US tomorrow.  We headed to the Italian restaurant for our farewell dinner as a family of 6 in China.  Poor Esme was so tired she fell asleep in her baby chair at the table.  We will be up at 5:30 to finish packing and get everyone ready for our 7:00 hotel departure.  We will miss this amazing counrty but are anxious to share our new family with all our family and friends.  Next blog will be back in the USA:-)

Day 14 - Pearl River Cruise

We started out the day today with our appointment at the US Consulate in Guangzhou.  This is the appointment that was made weeks ago to apply for Esme's Visa to travel to the United States.  Only 24 families a day are able to apply.  After returning to the hotel we grabbed lunch an headed to the hotel playground.  After about 20 min of running around the kids were so hot and sweaty they asked to go back to the room.  Not long after we returned to the room it started to pour rain with lots of thunder and lightening - really our first rain storm while in china except for a brief shower on our first day in Beijing.  In the early evening we took a cab back to Shamian Island where we took a boat down the Pearl River - in the thunder and lightening.  We had a wonderful dinner and entertainment despite the "colorful" weather.  We had taken the dinner cruise boat 8 years ago and really wanted to do it again while in Guangzhou.  The rain slowed enough to allow us to venture out onto the deck of the boat to take some photos and video and to see the beautiful city line and lights from the river.  The kids enjoyed themselves and Esme like her first taste of strawberry ice cream!

Day 13 - White Cloud Mountain

Today we visited White Cloud Mountain here in Guanzhou.  First we toured the beautiful gardens at the base of the mountain.  The gardens were gorgeous and the Autumn Moon decorations added to the beauty.  After touring the gardens we took a cable car up to the top of the mountain where we could see out over the city of Guanzhou and even managed to find our hotel through the haze.  The weather was so humid today that you just started to sweat by simply standing outside never mind walking up and down dozens of steps while carrying a baby.  We were all pretty gross by the time we got back down the mountain and headed out to eat for Dim Sum.  The Dim Sum restaurant was yummy and the kids enjoyed themselves.  Reed made friends with a few other children at a nearby table and they played with each others toys while the adults ate.  Back at the hotel we took naps and showers- boy did the shower feel extra good after being so hot and sweaty.  We are enjoying our last few days in China.  Before we know we'll be on the airplane headed back to the States.  Esme will be excited to meet her extended family!

Day - 12 Shamian Island

Today was a relaxing day.  After filling out some paperwork in the morning in preparation for our consulate appointment on Monday, we headed to the pearl market for some more shopping.  The pearl market is like a 5 story mall with store after store of jewelry, mostly pearls but also jade, crystal and other beautiful things.  We did our best to support the Chinese economy:-)
After the pearl market we headed over to Shamian Island.  Shamian Island is a beautiful part of Guangzhou and is where the US consulate used to be located.  When we adopted Kaia we stayed here in the White Swan hotel.  The hotel has been closed for two years for renovations and is scheduled to be closed for another year at least.  We ate lunch at Lucy's restaurant and it brought back good memories of 2004!  After lunch we shopped for about an hour hitting a few of the street shops and buying some local trinkets.  Since the consulate moved this area has had far less business than when thousands of adoptive families came through here each month.  Then the hotel closed and the tourists disappeared too.  The shop owners are eager for business so we were able to bargain some good deals.  Bargaining is standard when shopping in China, an important skill for every traveller.

Back at The Garden Hotel after dinner we enjoyed a nice walk through the beautiful garden grounds lit up at night.  China is getting ready for the Harvest Moon Festival on Sept 30 and their National Holiday on Oct 1 so the decorations and lanterns are going up everywhere.  They are very pretty to see.  The country will be closed down for 8 days due to the back to back holidays.  This was one of the reasons we had to get here when we did or we wouldn't be able to get a consulate appointment.  We'd like to be here to experience the festivities but will also enjoy being at home sleeping in our own beds.  The beds here are small, like twin size and hard as boards.  Try sleeping in one with a child who is kicking or hogging space.......  We will miss being in China but will truly enjoy a comfy and cozy night sleep in our big king sized bed!

Day 11 - Safari Park

Today we had an opportunity to visit the Guangzhou Safari Park.  We went on a fabulous Safari tour where we saw animals of so many species they are too numerous to list.  It was really fantastic and the kids enjoyed it very much.  After the Safari ride we were able to see the white tiger show, feed the giraffes, visit the 12 pandas, and see exhibits of chimps, koalas, meerkats, lemurs, owls, parrots, hippos, and many more.  It would have taken the entire day to see all the exhibits but we only had a half day to spend at the park.After Esme's afternoon nap we went for another swim in the pool, this time Esme sat and played on the first step of the pool unafraid of the water.  Mel is happy to think Esme will enjoy her swim lessons when we return home.  Our little girl continues to adapt to her new family.  The kids were singing songs to her today in the car and she was very happy to "sing" along.  It was very adorable.  She likes to babble, especially when it comes to food she sees and wants to eat.  She loves to venture out and is the first at the door when we are ready to leave.  She has a cute little smile with a sweet freckle in the corner of her mouth.  Her head bobs and nods communicate much of what she is thinking and wants.  Although we don't speak the same language using words we understand each other very well.

Day 10 - Dong Guan City

Today we had the wonderful opportunity to visit Esme's orphanage in Dong Guan City - about 90 minutes from our hotel.  The orphanage is very large and in excellent condition.  There are about 900 children at the orphanage most of which are special needs.  About 200 of the 900 children are in foster care.  We saw the school building where the older children go to school and their rest rooms where they nap everyday.  Chinese children go to school until about 5:00 pm but are given a 2 hour afternoon break for lunch and a nap.  We were also shown one of the several houses on property that are simulative homes for some of the children.  The children in the home we visited ranged in age from babies to about 2 years old.  Several of the older kids had club feet.  They were such happy kids and couldn't get enough of us picking them and "tossing" them in the air- their laughs were infectious.  We also got to visit the playground and our three kiddos had a blast burning off some energy playing, climbing, and running.  It was an awesome visit.

In the late afternoon we ventured out to the surrounding streets for some shopping.  We found some cute pants and a dress for Esme and some little toys too.  The streets in China are crazy because the pedestrians do not have the right of way.  The cars honestly won't stop for you so it gets dangerous.  Also the cars bounce from lane to lane constantly and lane lines mean nothing.  Not a place a foreigner would ever attempt to drive!  After shopping we headed to Pizza Hut for a nice sit down meal- yes Pizza Hut in China is much more elegant than at home.  Everyone enjoyed some familiar tastes and Kaia loved her waffle fries.  Another great day in China seeing the culture of our girls' birth!

Day 9 - Medical Exam

Today we went to the International Travel Clinic after breakfast for Esme's physical exam.  She didn't enjoy being examined and measured so we had a few tears.  It went rather quickly so at least she wasn't upset for long.  We stopped into a baby shop for a stroller and a few toys before going back to the hotel for lunch and a nap.  At 3:00 we were off again, this time to the police station to apply for her Chinese passport.  The big kids stayed back at the hotel with Dziadziu and watched a movie on Starz - actual English speaking television for the kids.  We weren't gone for long and when we returned the kids went back to the playroom with daddy while mommy wrote the daily blog.  We went out to eat with the other mom here from CAWLI and her baby, also from Guangdong province but a different orphanage.  We went back to the Italian restaurant for another delicious meal.  Both babies are good eaters!  After dinner the three kiddos piled into the tub and Esme got her first bath.  She enjoyed the water as we guessed she would after the fun she had at the pool the previous day.  After a long tubby, the kids found Wipe Out Canada on the TV and all three enjoyed watching this silly show- humans making fools of themselves is universal humor:-)  It was another good day and Esme. Is really adapting to her routine and new family.

Day 8 - It's Official!

Today was Esme's Official Adoption Day!  We woke and headed to breakfast where Esme was a little sad.  I think everything was catching up with her and it was a bit overwhelming.   After breakfast we were off again, back to the Civil Affairs office for the adoption interviews where we promise to never abuse or abandon our new daughter.  We then met with the notary where we were asked more questions and signed more papers - she was then legally our baby.  After returning to the hotel and taking a nice nap we headed to the pool where Esme was happy to sit by the pool and splash  herself with water and laugh.  The kids had so much fun playing together.  We decided to stay in for dinner as the hotel was again surrounded by protestors and thousands of police and military.  It was the 60th anniversary of a Japanese invasion on China so there were marches and flag burnings right outside the hotel as the Japanese Consulate is in the second tower adjacent to our building.  We visited the children's playroom, ordered in room service and "chilled out".  Although she started out sad she had a really good afternoon and seems to be settling in fine.  Esme is a quiet girl who seems easygoing with a good appetite and the ability to sleep through the night.  She is petite, weighing about 21 lbs and wearing 12 mo clothing.  She is very lovable and so warm and soft to hold.  She willingly comes to all of us and has even taken a liking to Dziadziu who has a beard we figure she has never seen before.  What a brave baby girl.

Day 7 - Gotcha Day, Esme Rose!!!

Today was an amazing day - Esme's Gotcha Day!
We started the day with errands to prepare for Gotcha Day.  Around 2:00 we headed to the Civil Affairs Office.  We did a little bit of paperwork and then our guide brought Esme to us.  She was dressed in an adorable dress with cute pink sandals.  Kaia and Reed were so amazed to have her that they couldn't keep their hands off of her.  She was timid but didn't cry.  We met her nanny who has been with her since she was a baby.  She was a pseudo foster mother too, taking Esme home with her at night and back again each morning.  You could tell she loves Esme and will miss her but is happy she has a forever home.  We returned to the hotel and had time to play.  Esme loves Kaia - perhaps because she has a familiar looking face but also because she is fawning all over her!  Kaia even got her to dance by playing her iPod.  All my kiddos love music!  We ventured out to an Italian restaurant for dinner and Esme ate well.  We got home and settled down for bed and Esme became a little fussy but eventually fell asleep aroound 10:00 which they said is her usual bed time.  What a busy day for such a little girl.  We hope she adapts to her new family quickly, and we seem to be off on a good note.

Day 6 - Guangzhou or Bust

Today we travelled by plane from Lanzhou to Guangzhou- the city where Esme is from.  We are all getting very excited to meet our newest family member- we just can't believe it!  When we landed in Guangzhou we were greeted by our guide Connie.  Connie had been our guide in Guangzhou when we had come here to the US consulate 8 years ago with Kaia - it was nice to see her again and to introduce her to our growing family.  We ran into some trouble getting to the hotel due to protests today by the Chinese against the Japanese - they are arguing about some islands located between the two nations.  The Japanese consulate is adjacent to our hotel so the roads were all blocked and there were thousands of police men everywhere.  We had to walk several blocks with our luggage to the hotel where we were ushered inside and encouraged not to go out until tomorrow when the rioters return back to work.  Bob and his dad went across the street to pick up Pizza Hut and McDonald's but we didn't venture any further.  It was good to have some comfort food after the past few days of Chinese eating.  The Garden Hotel is as beautiful as the White Swan was when we were here 8 years ago.  The consulate was moved so now adoption families stay here.  We have a beautiful multi-room room with lots of space.  Melanie was happy to unpack our luggage and settle in for the next 10 days.  We have a beautiful view of the pool and waterfall from our room on the 15th floor.  Tomorrow we get Esme in the afternoon and will celebrate Kaia's 9th birthday!  What a day it will be......

Day 5 - Origins

Today was another day of travel.  Another 7 hour van ride, with a stop for lunch in a very small town, back to Lanzhou.  Lanzhou is where our family originated 8 years ago.  We are staying in the very same hotel where we got Kaia and became a family.  Memories!  We stopped to see the Yellow River and the Mother and Child statue on our way to the hotel.  Melanie and Kaia took photos in front of the statue reminiscent of 8 years ago.  

We checked into the Sunshine Hotel and after dinner we had arranged for a visit with the guide who had been with us when we got Kaia.  Ray was as happy to see us as we were to see him.  We met Ray's wife Jessica too and got to see some photos of their 2 month old son.  It was so nice to see Ray who had been such a big part of our Journey to Kaia - old friends!

Day 4 - Roots

Words cannot describe the day we all enjoyed today.  We spent the day with our Zhangye Family - the loving, welcoming, warm people of the Zhangye Social Welfare Institute who loved and cared for Kaia before she came home to us.  They are truly very dedicated and kind people.  We met one of the orphanage directors shortly after 9 am and headed to the electronics store to purchase a gift of a printer/copier for the orphanage.  She doted after Kaia and received her with the emotion of family she hadn't seen in a long time.  She hugged her, held her hand, touched her hair and couldn't get enough of being together.  We drove to the orphanage where we were greated by all the staff with open arms and appreciation.  We were brought to a large conference room laid out for our arrival with platters of dates, bananas, pears, and small tomatos.  We were given tea and encouraged to eat and drink.  We were welcomed by everyone and introduced to all the directors, nannies, doctor, and other staff.  After talking and telling them about our wonderful daughter, we were taken on a tour where we were able to visit with a dozen children from baby to young child, many with special needs and all so lovable.  We were shown the room where Kaia slept and the location of her crib.  They insisted she climb in for old times sake - and she was happy to comply.  After our tour and group photos we went out to lunch with many of the directors.  It was a wonderful exchange of company and thanks.  We agreed to meet for dinner!

That left us with a few hours to shop, return to the hotel to freshen, and head out with our guide to see the sights of Zhangye and be part of the culture.  We visited the giant sleeping budah, several beautiful parks, the old wooden tower which we climbed for an amazing view of the city, the playground, and an ice cream shop.  It was nice to see these beautiful local sights and the kids enjoyed time burning energy on the playground.

After our sightseeing, we met up again with the orphanage staff for a customary Chinese dinner with lots of food and STRONG white wine.  The kids both fell asleep as we ate, talked, and played drinking games - or in our case eating games.  Since we don't really drink and the wine was "tear to you eyes" strong, we had to eat more food if we lost.  It was a fun evening filled with laughter and words of thanks and praise.  Truly a day we will never forget.  Kaia was given two beautiful silver beaded bracelets and our family was given a set of local green glass cups as reminders of this day and our Zhangye family.  We were invited back more times then we can count - and we will return to this wonderful, welcoming place again someday!

Day 3 - Return to Zhangye

Today was a day of travel.  We left Beijing on a 7:25 flight to Lanzhou.  The flight was less than 2 hours heading west.  Once in Lanzhou we found our guide and boarded our van for the 6 hour drive to Zhangye - the city of Kaia's birth.  The scenery is like that of northern Arizona with mountainside farms tilled by mule and occupied by herds of sheep.  The mountains in the distance are snow capped and gorgeous.  The kids watched videos and glanced up from time to time - if only they realized the adventure right out the window.  We stopped for lunch in a Tibetian Chinese town where we were served a chicken dish with all the chicken parts, including the head.  Kaia wasn't impressed but Reed kept talking about it just to "gross her out".  We arrived in Zhangye by dinner time but the kids were exhausted so the guys went out to find food while the kids fell asleep.  It feels amazing to be in the city - so far from home half way around the world - where our daughter was born.  The red thread that connects us, a belief of the Chinese, showed itself to us today as it seems like such a miracle that a baby from here could have made it to us in Massachusetts without divine intervention.  Our room number here in the hotel is 917 - Kaia's birthday..........

Day 2 - The Great Wall

Wow what a busy day!  We started out at 8:00 am for the Great Wall and stopped at the Cloisonne Factory along the way.  This form of art is so tedious to make - a dying art and so beautiful.  After shopping we made it to the Great Wall.  This was the highlight Reed has been waiting for and did he ever embrace it.  Those little legs were a climbing machine - he didn't want to stop.  This spot of the Wall is so steep and narrow but he just kept on going.  Many people wanted to touch him, rub his hair or even take photos with him - too bad he isn't a ham.  After finishing up at the Wall with some souveniors, we went to lunch at the jade factory - this was one stop I had been waiting for.  After another yummy Chinese lunch we hit the jade store hard - boy did we.  I got my new jade bracelet to replace my broken one and it is gorgeous.  Everyone ended up with some jade momentos.  We headed to Old Beijing to see the hutongs but stopped for some photos of The Bird's Nest and Water Cube along the way.  Once at the hutongs we visited a hutong family who has lived in this house over 4 generations.  You cannot imagine the current day existance of this historic way of living.  We enjoyed asking questions about daily life in the hutongs and they enjoyed askingx us about life in the USA.  After our family visit we visited the dru'm tower in Old Beijing and saw the drum ceremony - it was a wonderful show even though we  had to climb more stairs to get to the top of the drum tower to see it.  From here we took a rickshaw ride through Old Beijing and took it the lifestyle and history of this community, just fascinating.  At last we went to the Bell Tower for a traditional tea ceremony in the Bell Tower tea room.  It was an enjoyable and yummy experience for us tea drinkers.  We ended up back at the hotel right before 7:00 pm tired from our busy, busy day - but certainly a memorable one!

Day 1 - Beijing Forbidden City

We awoke early, especially the kids.  Enjoyed a walk around the hotel before breakfast and then we were off for the day.  We went to Tianammen Square and the Forbidden City first in the misty rain.  Reed was tired and wanted to be carried often.  It didn't help that he drew some attention being a pale, blonde, boy - one father rubbed his little girls hand on Reed and giggled with glee - needless to say Reed (my timid child) was not thrilled to be touched by strangers.  We ran into another US couple with 4 children who are living in China due to the husbands job and we drew quite a crowd with all 11 of us foreigners standing there speaking English.  English speaking people are an intriguing site to the Chinese and they stare out of amazement - and the few who speak English love to demonstrate their skill by speaking to you.  Dad Dz said he couldn't believe how big the Forbidden City actually is - my favorite part are the Imperial Gardens with the trees over 300 years old - so beautiful.  After sightseeing we went to lunch at a very good Chinese restaurant - Kaia said it was "awesome".  Reed fell asleep on our way there so they made him a bed with chairs and he slept through lunch - and for 5 hours after!  After lunch we stopped at a high quality silk market and purchased a few things - Kaia got a pretty new Chinese dress and Mel a beautiful blouse.  We then drove to Confucious Temple and saw the quaint (compared to Forbidden City) grounds where the students of Confuciou studied beginning in 1306 - several thousand years after hid death around 479 BC - blows your mind the history here!  Back at the hotel we all took a nap and then Mel took the kids to the pool while the guys went to find some McD's for dinner.  Kaia said the nuggets tasted funny - so we'll stick to the "awesome Chinese food" for her!  Another busy day tomorrow - stay posted.......

We Made It!

Wow - we are here in Beijing!  The flights were fine and the kiddos were awesome.  The reward of all the years of church, going to restaurants, and previous vacations has taught them airplane etiquette.  Reed slept for a few hours and Kaia for a couple.  We landed about 2 a.m. our time and the kids woke up and were troopers.  After clearing immigration and getting our luggage we found our guide, Catherine, and our driver, Mr. Wu and we were off to downtown Beijing to our hotel.  The kids and Dziadziu enjoyed the scenery on the 45 min ride.  Once we checked in and settled into the rooms the kids started to show the wear and tear so we ordered up some grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and fries and got them fed and settled in for an early bed time.  Kaia was too tired to even put on PJ's so is sleeping in her clothes.

Tomorrow at 9 we start sightseeing after breakfast so hopefully everyone sleeps well.  We'll post pictures!

Packed and Ready to Go

The car was filled with suitcases - loaded with orphanage donations and food for Reed!  We had a chance to see all the grandparents before we left and Grampy Blain drove us to the airport hotel.  The kids have already gone swimming.  Off to bed early for our morning flight.  Kaia wants to share a message........
Kaia - I'm so excited to get my new baby sister, Esme.

Next time you hear from us we'll be in Beijing - following our 20 hours of travel.  Keep us in your thoughts.

One Week and Counting

One week to go!  We continue to make progress every day - the shopping is getting done, the suitcases partially packed, the paperwork is being organized, the kids are getting excited, the parents are getting anxious, the grandparents are getting nervous.  We are happy for the long Labor Day weekend - giving us some extra free time to put everything in order.  Life is busy - Bob just got home from Japan and has to do the long trip all to Asia over again in a week, Kaia started 3rd grade this week and Reed starts Kindergarten on Tuesday.  Also, Bob and I celebrate our 14th Wedding Anniversary on the 6th!  Each and every day is filled with activity.  The upcoming week is going to go quickly.  We can't wait to share our journey with all of you.