New blog and updates

I started a new blog since this one was dedicated to the adoption process and our time in China.  See my new blog for posts about our life at home as a family: http://alexisqi.blogspot.com

Thursday- American Consulate Appointment

We had our appointment at 8:30. We were only there for one hour. Everyone took an oath that our paperwork and oral interviews were true and accurate to the best of our knowledge. We waited for our names for be called and went up to the window. It seemed so quick and effortless.

We headed to a large bookstore afterwards and purchased some Chinese music, cartoons, and books for the kids. The bookstore had at least 6 floors!

Alexis Qi had a meltdown after mama told her no. She cried for a few minutes and then was back to her happy, energetic self.

We are heading to Hong Kong by van and staying overnight at the Skycity Marriott after our guide picks up our visa at 4:30. We are very ready to leave Guangzhou. We are tired of this hotel room and eating at the same places over and over. Our flight leave Hong Kong for JFK at 9:30am on Saturday.

We hoping that the long flight goes well and she is not restless for 15 hours.

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday

Here are some pictures from the last few days. We went to the Safari park on Tuesday. It was very hot! The park was great. We loved the pandas and the safari train ride. I would recommend this to everyone. Alexis Qi loved it.

We visited the Canton Tower. We only looked at it. We also visited the Asian Games park and the Nanyue King Museum. Alexis had no interested in any of these attractions, but our guides insisted that we see these things for exposure to her culture. She could care less.

Shamain Park has a great playground. We have visited it several times. She really enjoys it. We have made use of the playrooms at the Victory Hotel.

She is doing great. She has been testing me though, and she has received some time outs and time ins. She is very loving and we have bonded well.

We are heading to the American Consulate today. Our appointment is at 8:30.

Sunday-Mother's Day!

We spent Mother's Day sightseeing. Alexis Qi gave me a flower! When we visited the Bao'an SWI, her teacher gave it to her and told her to give it to me on Mother's Day. She remembered!

We went to the Pearl Market. I bought a jade bracelet and pearl earrings to save for Alexis Qi. We also visited the Chen home/museum.

We went to the play room at the Victory to burn off her extra energy. She has lots of it! My girl is in the stage where she is testing me. She is happy, but very spirited! She gets restless when we go sightseeing.

Overall, we had a good day. We ate at the local Cantonese place for lunch. One of the dishes came out with shrimp heads. I am sticking to noodles, rice, and vegetables. We went back to the Italian place for dinner.

Today, we head back to the medical place to get her TB test read. We are also going to have her ear checked since she has an ear ache.

Saturday- Medical exam

Alexis Qi had her medical exam on Saturday. She may need glasses. She had some trouble seeing far. Everything else is good.

She had her first Italian meal, pizza and spaghetti. She loved it! She had sauce all over her face. She will fit in fine with our big Italian family. The waiter was in love with her. She is 5 years old, but all of the Chinese people keep calling her 'the baby.' She does look like a toddler to me since she is about 37 inches tall.

We did some shopping and visited the local park. It is so hot and humid. The heat made her very tired. This is a good this since she has so much energy! I bought her some squeeker shoes. She loves wearing them, everyone knows when she is around. The park was very busy. We keep seeing lots of brides and models getting there pictures taken. There was some type of event today with Chinese women wearing period clothing from the 14th century (?).

We will do more sightseeing and visit the Pearl Market on Sunday, my first Mother's Day.

Sightseeing around Guangzhou

Yesterday, we went sightseeing. We visited a temple, walked through Chinese neighborhoods, visited a Chinese pharmacy, the herbal market, a food market. The markets were interesting. We wouldn't see snakes, scorpions, centipedes, turtles, eels, etc for sale at home. I witnessed a snake beginning gutted. Yuck! The temple was very interesting. You have to watch out for the fake monks begging in front; monks with cars and cell phones. :)

It is very humid here so we were wiped out. We headed to the hotel play room for the kids to burn off their excess energy.

We ate at a traditional Cantonese restaurant for dinner. The menu showed many of the creatures that we saw in the market so we went with vegetables rice noodles and pork fried rice!

We are heading for the medical exam today.

Visit to Bao'an and Longgang SWI's!

We visited the Bao'an and Longgang SWI's. Alexis Qi did very well. She was happy to see her friends, teachers, and the staff. She was very loved at Bao'an. She wanted to show me her bed and closet. She was happy to leave with me!

The other family traveling with us toured her SWI with us and we toured Longgang with them. We also visited the finding spots of both kids. They were found inside the emergency room of hospitals. Alexis was found on a bench with some clothes, a bottle, and formula. The SWI didn't keep the items. :(

I was allowed to take pictures of other kids for those waiting.

Mia, "Ian" was too cute! He sat right down on my lap so I was able to give him that hug from you. I am sure that he will do very well in your family.

All of the kids in the class seem very lovable! They pulled their little chairs into the hall to watch us after we left their classroom.

Susan, Our guide told "Harley" that his mama and baba wanted pictures of him so he posed for us.

We are going sightseeing tomorrow.