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Saturday, June 27, 2009

Boy, I must have pissed off the Man Upstairs!

Guess who has the chicken pox now? Yep, that would be me...the girl who never had them. There are in my mouth, scalp, face, back, neck, trunk so far. I'm praying that it doesn't last very long. I think I already have more than Grace did. It sucks. I'm most concerned about Grace's appointment on Tuesday. I'm going to have to call the pedi cardiologist and ask him what they want me to do. I'm also concerned that my mom will get it. Let's say a prayer that she doesn't. I'm really trying not to cry over this, even though I really want to...so let's see...the bright side is that I can stay in my pjs for the next few days. Poor Grace though hates to be cooped up. She's an action girl. Getting her to sleep tonight was tough. She didn't take a nap (well, she took about a 45 minute one around 5ish). I didn't bathe her because I'm still trying to figure out this pox thing. She was just mad and kept trying to slap me or gouge out my eyes. She thinks pain is funny...did I mention that she was mezmorized by that show Wipeout this evening? Ate her dinner watching it.

I hope that nobody else gets the pox. It's such a vicious circle. I thought I wouldn't get it since I didn't break out earlier. It's been a while since Grace finished her pops. Oh well. C'est la vie. At least Grace will have a good story to tell her friends about her homecoming.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Fussy, Frustrated & Teething




My daughter was pretty much fussy all day today. I figured out that it was her teeth. Poor kid...she went from 6 teeth a few weeks ago to like 50...not really but she has cut at least 2 and is cutting another. We found this homeopathic remedy at HEB which seems to help but you know teething...it's just hard to be comfy. I'm seriously considering starting a novena just to pray for less sore gums for the girl.




She had a better night last night. She went to bed around 10:30ish and woke up at 5:00. I gave her some baby food and then we went downstairs for a bottle and meds. She was so fussy that I brought her back upstairs and she played and I fell asleep...well, she also fell asleep. I was tired because I woke up in the middle of the night with chills. I had them a couple of times today and my throat is sore. My mom gave me some of her herbal remedies until I can get to the doctor. I hope I don't have another episode this evening.




Grace is sleeping restlessly. She cried and cried and cried from her bath until she fell asleep and even in her early sleep she cried. She's so miserable and it's one of those things that holding her just isn't enough. I hope she sleeps through the night. Oh well. I have baby food and I need to bring the baby tylenol upstairs if she wakes up early.




Thursday, June 25, 2009

Another good night

Gracie went to bed about 10:30 and didn't wake up again until 3 or 4. She didn't cry. She just rolled around on the floor. I laid down next to her and about an hour later, girlfriend had draped herself over my body and fell asleep until 7 a.m. We're getting better. My wrists were super sore though when I woke up. I think I might be getting carpal tunnel from holding my baby!

So far we've had a great morning. We went downstairs, made a bottle, changed the diaper, cut toenails and fingernails. Changed clothes. She ate half a banana and I got to eat a bowl of cereal. I needed to take a shower so I put her in the calm vibrations chair/rocker and she fell asleep. That is why I am able to blog right now. That was a good investment. I feel better that I'm showered, started a load of laundry and I got to put on makeup today! Yippee!

I really should lay down for a bit. I think I will.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Better night and better day!

Grace only had a fit once last night for about 5 to 10 minutes. Then she calmed down and played. We are now sleeping on the floor in her room. We are trying the schedule thing. We bathed her, which she hates. Then lotioned her up which she loves and then put on her pjs. She likes to her hair to be brushed. Then we sit on the floor and play. She went to sleep at 9:30 last night and then woke up at midnight and then we played and she fell asleep between 2 and 3. She slept until 9:30, when I woke her up.

We went to Wal-Mart today and then hung out at my parents' house. It was a good, laid back day. She got a calming vibrations rocker and a walker.

Right now I am watching her play and she keeps trying to mess with my laptop. I gave her her bath a little late so I think it'll be a while before she falls asleep. She has sleepy face though. She has discovered her voice. She talked more today and just a bit ago she discovered she could shriek...LOUD and high pitched. Even when she is trying to check out the computer, it's hard to get mad at my cookie face. She has that little grin that starts in her eyes and her little devlish grin. I am so blessed and I love her so much. I hope tonight will be another good night.

Thank you so much for all of your help and prayers. We love you all.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

It nwas the best of times and the worst of times




Coming home has been VERY tough on all of us. Grace is slowly getting used to Hope. Hope is gated and crated a lot now. When Grace first met Hope she screamed bloody murder. Grace is still not sleeping through the night. She falls asleep between 2:30-4:30 in the a.m. She doesn't want to sleep and screams bloody murder. She doesn't know what she wants...she wants to be held yet she tries to fling herself out of my arms. She doesn't want me to sit down...she hates the ergo carrier. She does the stiff as a board body. She flips and flops and turns a bit blue. She is just plain ol mad! We end up on the floor in my bedroom on a sheet and she falls asleep. She's a very restless sleeper.
She loves KJ, my oldest nephew. She let him brush her hair yesterday. She thinks he's very cool.



We went to the doctor yesterday. I really like our pediatrician, Dr. Oliver. She rocks and got her into the pediatric cardiologist today. That appointment didn't go as well. She had another fit and so they couldn't get any good test results so we have to go to Santa Rosa on Tuesday where she'll be sedated so they can do an echocardiogram. The doctor didn't want to say anything until he sees the true results of the tests. Basically it's the same thing he told me when he reviewed Grace's records when I got her referral: she could be okay or not. He just couldn't say. So, let's hope that things go well. We are going to take it easy the rest of the week and try to get accustomed to things. I want to get her on a schedule to try to make things better for her.




So, how am I doing during this? Taking it day by day and trying not to be as stressed as I really am. I cried all day on Sunday because she was so freaked over Hope. I've lost some weight, like 10 lbs. That's good but not a great way of losing it. I think because I am such a control freak and I hate relying on people so much, I am having a harder time. I'm trying to let go and let things go. You know that phrase, "Let go, let God", I guess I should practice it.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Sleeping in the crib (cross fingers it'll be all night)

Grace and I were solo for most of the day until my car died at Doggy Daycare (we went to drop off her blankie so Hope could get used to her smell). It turns out my alternator is dead! Lovely huh? My parents picked us up and we dropped my car off at the mechanics. We went to Mass and she did great. She also sat in a high chair at dinner for most of the dinner. She loves sitting next to her Pa.

We had our first real bath today...not a whole lot of shrieking. I got to put her down around 10:40ish. She was tired and screaming (yes and turning blue) and somehow, I think it's my guardian angel or some heavenly body who put it in my mind that the Soothing Ocean sounds (it plays a lullaby and it bubbles and has a light show) machine might work. I put her and strapped it in the crib and it worked like a charm. I'm so thankful that I got it because it put my tired screaming, shrieking girl asleep. If she wakes up I plan on turning it on again. Pray that it works. I know I should be sleeping but I wanted to try to play a little more catch up.

I'm so glad to be home. I can't say it enough. I'm so thankful to all of my friends and family for all of their support and prayers. I hope that you will all be able to meet my little hammy girl soon.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Home!


You know that song by Motley Crue, "I'm on my way...Home Sweet Home"? I kept hearing that song each time we landed and boarded a plane the past 48 hours. Now that I am home, I'm so thankful. The flight from Guangzhou to Beijing was crazy nuts. It was an hour late and then you had to get on this bus at the gate and then climb this huge amount of stairs to the plane with a baby, a stroller, 2 backpacks and 2 other suitcases that the airline wouldn't check in. Then we had to do it again when we landed in Beijing. I broke the handle of the new suitcase we bought for Grace. Not pretty but we survived. On the flight from Beijing to Tokyo, Grace slept most of the way. She slept halfway on the flight from Tokyo to Minneapolis. She slept on top of me and I couldn't get up to pee or anything. Finally, we made it from Minneapolis to San Antonio. She was fussy at the beginning of the flight. But got better after she pooped. It was fun changing her in the airplane bathroom (and she hates being changed).


She didn't want to sleep in her crib. She slept on me last night from 3 a.m. to 6ish. I turned on HSN for the white noise. My family came over and watched her so I could sleep for a few hours. Bless them! Grace loves her cousins and her Aunt Jackie & Pa. She's sleeping now and my mom is holding her. We have a doctor's appointment (actually one for a new doctor and one for the original doctor I chose on Wednesday) on Monday at 8:00ish. My sister is concerned with the congestion.


I guess it is safe to say it now that Grace got the chicken pox (that's why she had the high fever the first night we had her). The skin thing? Yeah, it was the chicken pox. She's over it now...hasn't had a breakout and they are crusted over. We almost didn't get to leave because of it. The doctors couldn't decide what it was...so the woman doctor got overruled by the senior male doctors. I felt horrible that we exposed all the other kiddos but we didn't know what it was. I am praying nobody in our group gets it. I've never had it. I'm praying I don't get it. We stayed away from everybody else the last few days when we realized what we thought it was. (that is why we don't have a group red couch photo. As soon as I scan it, I'll post it.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Last Night in Guangzhou

So tonight is the last night in Guangzhou.  Even though this is the best hotel I've stayed in for the whole trip with a super awesome breakfast buffet...I have to say that I can't WAIT to get home.  Tomorrow we go to the consulate and do the swearing in ceremony. Then we fly out to Beijing.  We spend the night there and fly home early the next morning. 
 
We took our red couch picture today.  Grace looked super cute.  Later I'll explain why ours was only by ourselves. 
 
We also visited the Children's Hospital to see about oxygen for the plane...that in itself could be a blog...imagine Grand Central Station with parents and children and cashier/pharmacy/information booths with crazy lines that really aren't lines with little boys peeing in the courtyard and parents holding these broomstick like poles that held the IVs for their children.  One word...CHAOS...the doctor didn't give Grace a prescription for O2 but gave her sedative like meds if she freaks out.  I hope I don't have to give them to her.
 
I've started learning how to deal with my daughter's temper tantrums.  I sit next to her but I turn my back on her.  She finally stops.  She loves to throw things and slap things so we're working on those issues too.  I got her to sleep but she always has a meltdown right before. She doesn't want to go to sleep and frankly I can't blame her.  She doesn't know what she might be waking up to. 
 
This will probably be my last blog from China.  I'll be busy packing and getting ready to leave. 
 
All in all, this was a VERY interesting trip. 
 
Jamie Jennings
 
 

Monday, June 15, 2009

Good to Go

It seems that my cookie face likes to sleep on the floor.  So, guess who else is sleeping on the floor?  Not that the beds at the White Swan are much softer. 
 
Guangzhou is very hot and very humid.  You get your energy sapped pretty fast when you go outside.  All of the stores like to try to get you to buy from them when you walk by with the babies. 
 
I got my Adoption Barbie. It's pretty neat but my mom said the baby doesn't look Chinese (I  agree).  We had our medical exam today and they were concerned about oxygen and flying so we go to the children's hospital tomorrow to get oxygen.  We only have two more days here in Guangzhou.  Then we fly to Beijing and leave there Thursday morning.  While I love my daughter's homeland, I can't wait to get home.  It will be easier not having to boil everything when I'm doing simple things and I miss my bed and my family and my friends.
 
Grace is still pooping (2 x today).  She got a new tooth in our short time together.  She's a real trooper.  Her personality is slowly coming out.  I think even after the surgery we'll continue to be surprised by my favorite cookie face.
 
 
Jamie Jennings
 
 

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Guangzhou

Our first flight to Guanzhou went well.  My baby  girl did so well.  She did so well that she pooped midflight.  Mom kept waving her towlette to make it smell better.  I didn't really care. 
 
Today is a new day...I was so exhausted.  Grace is only sleeping for like 3 hours at a time and not napping.  She's fighting sleep.  We went to a family temple today.  It was beautiful and humid. Think Houston times ten.   I got Grace a christening outfit today.  It's beautiful. 

Friday, June 12, 2009

Leaving for Guangzhou in the A.M.

Tomorrow we say goodbye to Nanchang....we're off to Guangzhou to do the American side of the adoption.  I've enjoyed Nanchang for the most part.  It's really a fascinating place and I think I would enjoy it more under less stressful and tiresome circumstances. 
 
Grace woke up at 4 a.m. this morning and took maybe, maybe a 30 minute siesta. She was whiny and grumpy all day.  She went from happy to pissed in a blink of an eye.  Grammy had to watch her for about 2 hours while I did paperwork.  I hear my darling daughter was a total  handful.  We finally got her to sleep around 7:30ish this evening.  I hope she will sleep through the night.  I had to give her a little bendadryl because she's got the itchies all up and down her arms...looks like hives or bites...not sure what.  She's getting new teeth too and she was grabbing her ear so I'm thinking maybe an earache.  The flight to Guangzhou is going to be super duper fun!
 
Even though it was an early morning, we decided to make the best of it and go to the grocer store across the street.  I had her in my ergo on my hip and we were able to get te banana she loves and some water.  On the way back, several older ladies came up to us to admire Grace.  They also wanted me to cover her legs (she was wearing capris).  Every morning they practice either ballroom dancing or tai chi.  It's super cool to watch. 
 
Today in the morning we visited a village.  It made me sad because it was so poor and primitive.  There was also beauty in it though...the people, the green of the rice fields, the idea of families working as one unit. I have never seen so many little boys in split pants (if you don't know what these are picture pants with the crotch and inner leg wide open so you can pee or poop anywhere).  There was this chubby little boy there and he was so cute and so round.
 
I better go to bed.  I'm pooped and we're traveling tomorrow.  Next post from Guangzhou.  I miss you guys bunches!  Much love to all and thanks for your support and prayers.
 

Thursday, June 11, 2009

She's Finally Coming Around

Everybody has said that you start seeing your child's personality around day 3.  It's true.  My girl gave me a preview...she likes to rough house play...like kick and slap together her stacking cups.  She also does this sort of dancing thing when she stands up.  She actually laughed today when she was standing up shaking her booty (she squats and comes up shaking it...kinda hard to explain).  I started laughing and then she did.  She waves (we learned later it means no in china but we think she learned it from Grammy).  I think a big reason this all came about was that she had another poop...kind of interesting what poop can do to you.
 
She still has her fussy moments.  She's teething and she gets gas in her tummy.  She still wants to be held most of the time though she played on the floor in the room and in the 11th floor playroom for about an hour.  She only took a little nap. 
 
Grammy and I are finally getting our morning rythm together.  I was able to give her a washcloth bath and change her clothes without too much protest.  Poor thing has bad diaper rash and she's either breaking out in hives or getting bit.  We've been putting stuff on it and gave some benadryl tonight.
 
Today we went to this really pretty pavillion and then to a porcelain shop.  I got her a little tea seat.  We climbed to the top and there was a chinese classical music concert.  Of course my child started getting fussy.  I have found there are several things that help make her less fussy:  bananas (also helps her poop), banana cookies, droppers of tylenol,mylecon or water, and of course when she's hungry a bottle.  She's a big banana fan. 
 
I can't believe that tomorrow is our last full day in Nanchang.  Tomorrow we are going to the countryside (or to a village).  Nanchange is such an interesting place.  If you love people watching this is the place.  The traffic here makes Houston look very tame.  I'm still loving the Chinese food here.  It is very different from home.  I had this eggplant and beef dish and  sauted cabbage that rocked.  We ate McDonalds for lunch and it has given me the queasy weasies. 
 
Have I told you guys how much our guide and my travel group rocks too?  They are the best!
I'm attaching pictures of today.  My favorite is the one of Grace eating rice mum mums (thanks Sandra for that tip). 
 
 

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

We have Poop!

Today so far has been a good day.  Finally the suppositories and poop tea got Miss Grace going but she was having a hard time that our guide had to come in again and give her another suppository and do this whole almost birthlike thing where she held her, holding her knees over the potty and did this like grunting sound and sure enough, she was finally able to go.  She wasn't a happy camper but I bet when she wakes up from her nap, she'll feel better.  Did I mention that she is super strong?  I mean like when girlfriend is mad, she can wiggle fast and can strongly push away hands.
 
We slept through the night and didn't wake up crying.  She's so sweet.  She's been feeding  me her banana cookies and still putting them in my cleavage.  She also likes me to suck on her pacifier...don't know why.  She is doing very well, all things considered.
 
We went to a park today and a daoist temple.  It was really pretty there.  Two Chinese ladies came up to me and were asking me, I think if she was my daughter.  I showed them the card that our guide prepared.  They were commenting our her blueness and our guide told them and mom too that she was a heart baby.  After the park we ate at this great Chinese restaurant.  The sweet and sour pork was to die for and so was this chicken dish and the eggplant with green beans and the banana pancake.  YUMMY!  Mom, Grace & I enjoyed it.  Grace loved chewing on the watermelon rind.  She took it to go and was waving at all the people in the restaurant with it. 
 
Anyways, I really thank you so much for your thoughts, prayers, suggestions!  You guys truly are amazing.  I am so thankful and so blessed by you all.  We're still taking it day by take and trying not to take anything for granted. I think the poop issue might be something we might be dealing with more than once.  I hope everybody is doing well.  We miss ya'll. Oh by the way, I have NO makeup on so I look more tired than usual.  We were running late because of the poop situation.
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Update on Tuesday - Praying for Poop!

We went to the notary office and to Wal-Mart.  Boy was the Wal-Mart an experience.  It's several levels and has like 73 cashiers (which we need in San Antonio).  They put sensors on practically every item and of course I had a bunch of things.  We decided that we should get her Chinese bottles and thick blankets and outfits with long pants.  We also bought a lot of formula so we can do a gradual change.  She's eating better and peed twice (I think).  We got her a pacifier which she doesn't put in her mouth but in mine...you think she is trying to tell me something?  She likes to look at herself in the mirror and she loves rasberries on her neck.  She doesn't vocalize and her smiles are limited.  She doesn't scream bloody murder when you change her diaper anymore.  She also likes to stick her hands in my mouth and touch my teeth.  Did I mention that she decided to stick her half eaten banana cookie in my cleavage?  Yeah, it's her new storage place!  I tried reading her Goodnight Moon but she would rather watch Chinese TV.  I put her to sleep by myself  using the tricks of the baby whisper, my mom.  She has so far slept through the night.  I wish I could say the same for me but as soon as I finish this blog, I'll go lay down for about an hour and take a shower.  Grace still hasn't pooped so if you could, pray that girlfriend continues to trust us and that she poops!  We're going to the park this morning and I'm not sure what else is on the docket.   
 
 

Much better day!

Before I go to bed, I wanted to say thanks again.  We had a much better day today.  Can you say stubborn?  That is my girl and boy does she have a quick temper.  When I get up, I'll post more and attach more pics of my darling little girl. 
 

Monday, June 08, 2009

She's offiicially Mine

Again, I don't know why I am up at 3:20ish a.m.  I really should be sleeping but it has been an emotional day.  Grace did so well when we went to the CCAA office for the official adoption paperwork.  Our first family photois so horrible...i look mad and tired.  I really wasn't mad, stressed and tired though.  She really loves watching other kids.  I saw her smile and kind of laugh a few times while watching the older kids of our group play and the other babies.  She's very introverted and introspective.  We went to dinner at this great Chinese restaurant. REALLY good food...didn't get to eat much of it because Miss Grace was fussy and just didn't know what she wanted.  We found out from the orphanage directors that she doesn't like to be held (but right now that's all she wants but she's not happy about it either)...she does this weird eye thing where she'll blink hard and then roll her eyes back in her head...it's kind of scary.  She finally had a pee-pee diaper.  YEA!  Still no poop.  We're going to get poop tea from our guide later today.  We also get to go shopping at Wal-Mart today.  Did I tell you she hates the ergo carrier too?  Sometimes she'll stay in it but then she starts seriously fussing.  We had a rough night.  We gave her her first bath and she screamed like a banshee...she was soooooooooo mad.  She turned blue, which is hard for me to see my daughter look like Violet from Willie Wonka and the chocolate factory.  It took a long time to get her down for bed and then she woke again like two hours later shrieking.  I picked her up and held her close and got her to bed.  My arms and legs and back are so sore...who needs the gym...I really should have practiced lifting weights before.  One of the good things is that I have lost some weight...it's due to stress and not being able to eat much.  I pray that in the morning, we'll make some more headway...baby steps right?  Thanks for your kind words, thoughts and prayers...keep them coming...this has been a hard time for all of us.  I know my baby girl is super scared and is grieving.  I hope all is well in San Antonio.  Miss you all and hugs!
Jamie, Grace & Grammy
 
 
 

Sunday, June 07, 2009

She's napping

Thank you all for your kind words.  They made me cry...way to go!   I think part of my problem is sleep deprivation and the other thing is her heart issue.  I just don't want to make things worse for her.  She's still fussy and scared.  Did I mention my baby is also teething?  Grammy, aka the baby whisperer, put Grace down for a nap.  We have a civil affairs appointment in 2 hours so I am going to take a quick nap.  I'm adding some pictures.  Enjoy.
 
 

Early Monday Morning & Later Monday Morning

It' almost 4 a.m. and I'm wide awake.  I think it has finally hit me...the whole emotional roller coaster.  Honestly, I spent the last 15 minutes quietly crying and even as I write this, tears spring out of my eyes.  Don't get me wrong, I love my Grace Bing Qing.  I understand why she is so miserable:  losing everything she has ever known, teething, congested, having heart issues to boot...I think I feel a little scared and a little overwhelmed.  I'm not sure of everything I need to do.  I worry about her little heart.  It's just scary.
 
My computer died and I had to recharge.  It is now 9:10 a.m.  Grace is sitting in her Grammy's lap watching Chinese telenovelas and infomercials (the one for a bigger bust is great.....it takes away the fat from your gut and puts it in your cleavage...at least that's what I got...it might be for a miracle bra that smooths everything).  Grace woke up crying at about 6 a.m.  I guess I would too if I saw the haggard me peering over me.  She drank a bottle and had some congee at breakfast.  She just fell asleep on her Grammy's lap.  We had a scare because she would blink her eyes and when they would open, they would sort of roll back in her head.  She kept doing this.  It scared Grammy but I think it was her fighting sleep.  I'm not sure.  She really likes to watch people, like her mama.  She was especially interested in seeing all of the other Chinese babies in the restaurant.  We have a meeting with the director at 10 a.m.  I've got a ton of questions to ask.  Grace always wants to be held.  Sometimes she likes the ergo...sometimes not. 
 
 
 

Family Day

How do I sum up this experience? It was very surreal and I don't know if I can put it into words.  I really don't think I have processed everything yet.   I went to the second floor fifteen minutes early.  I saw Grace in her nanny's arms in the room.  She was the only one.  The others had to wait another hour because of the traffic.  We were the only family in the room.  Grace looked at me and didn't cry at first.  She started getting wiggly when Veronica was giving me information.  Then when the director and the nanny left, she let loose.  Because she was a heart baby she got blue around the lips.  She was crying on and off.  She drank some water and we had trouble with the nipples and getting too much or not enough.  Needless to say, she wasn't a happy camper and I can't blame her.  She also had a 101 fever but I gave her some tylenol and it went down.  I'm watching her closely and I also think she has a chest cold.  She wants to be held all of the time and the ergo was the smartest thing I ever bought.  She's beautiful, lovely and mine.  She's sleeping now.  And she looks so peaceful.  I pray that she feels better tomorrow and we'll make at least some tiny steps of progress.  I also want to get her home as fast as I can and to the doctors.  Her little toes, fingers and around her mouth are blue.  I love my girl. 
 
I am having issues attaching photos here in Nanchang.  I will work on this problem tomorrow because I am exhausted and am going to bed.  Hugs out there to everybody praying for us.   Keep it up...we need it.
 
 
 

Less than 1 Hour!

Holy Cow!  I'm going to be a mom in less than one hour.  I wasn't nervous at all this morning but all of a sudden I am.  I'm running around in circles trying to make sure everything is ready.  I'm sure I have forgotten something but it is what it is.  My stomach is a little tight but not to the extent where I feel that I'm going to throw up.  When I stress, I tend to become the chicken with its head cut off.
 
The flight to Nanchang was good.  It was a little bumpy.  They served us breakfast on the airplane that wasn't half bad (scrambled eggs with peas and carrots, hash brown, fruit cocktail, a hotdog, and a croissant).  Our guide took us to the grocery store across the street from our hotel and I was reminded of some of the grocery stores in Laredo.  The prices were dirt cheap.  I had to try their version of oreos and I got texas grilled bbq lays potato chips because I've been craving salt (which isn't great since my ankles really swoll up on the flight and is finally going down).  I'm still perky.  Mom's back and hip are bothering her but she keeps on trucking.  She's stubborn just like me. 
 
Nanchang itself is pretty cool city (not temperature wise).  There are so many people on bicycles and scooters and it seems that there is no rhyme or reason to the traffic flow...people just go it seems whenever they want but there are no accidents.  The people are friendly.  This girl was trying to tell me to put my basket down (I'm so used to lugging it in line that I'm used to it) because it was very heavy.  She was trying to show me to put it down but I didn't get it and I accidentally I squished her finger with the basket handles.  I felt badly.  Communication is harder here in Nanchang.  Not as many people speak English.  You have to communicate with hand gestures.  But I have to say, I already like the vibe of Nanchang.
 

 
 
 

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Rainy Beijing

Today, we did the tour of Tiamen Square, Forbidden City & The Great Wall.  It was raining the whole time.  As we got off the bus, there were several vendors selling umbrellas and ponchos.  I bought a poncho for me and mom because we didn't have our rain gear with us (my fault...told mom she didn't need her umbrella, it was just smog not rain).  The tour was long but interesting.  The Great Wall is HUGE.  We didn't make it to the top.  The stairs are super steep.  I didn't want me or mom to break anything.  We did enjoy the peace of it though.  Despite the rain, the weather was nice and cool...like fall in San Antonio.  Lunch at the friendship store was okay.  I really liked the sweet and sour fish (yes I said fish for those of you who know I'm not a big fan of fish).  Our guide is great and knows a great deal about the history of China.  Tomorrow we leave at 5:50 a.m. to go to the airport (I'm so blessed with these early flights, LOL).  The bell boy is coming at 4:30 a.m. to get our luggage.  By 3:30 tomorrow, I get my Grace.  My daughter is the only one from Fengxin.  The rest of my travel group is from Fuzhou.  Mom and I are trying to get to bed by 8.
 
 
 I'm attaching some pictures of today's events. 

Friday, June 05, 2009

I'm here!


We just got into our hotel in Beijing and it's like 12:46 a.m. I'm exhausted and have a 7 a.m. wake up call. I'll share more tomorrow but all I want to do now is sleep.




Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Yeah, I should be in bed...

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It's 11:36 on Wednesday night and I have to get up at 4 a.m. to leave at 5:00 a.m. to catch a flight that leaves at 7:30 a.m. I should be in bed. But, I had to finish up a few things that turned into a bunch of things like putting a car seat in my car and vacuuming upstairs and downstairs. I just wanted my house to be in shape when I get home in two weeks! I took Hope to the Pawderosa (sleep away camp/doggie daycare) and she looked at me like I was Judas when they were taking her to the back. Even before I took her in, she jumped back into the car, which isn't like her. I felt so bad but I know she enjoys being with the other dogs. I think she sometimes forgets she's a dog and this is a good reminder.

I also found out today that I will be getting Grace on Sunday at 3:30 p.m...the same day we get into Nanchang. Wow! I've decided I'm done with my sleeping because we leave early in the morning (and here I am blogging), we get in super late into Beijing on Friday (10:40ish). We get up early to do the Beijing tour on Saturday. We leave early Sunday morning at 7:55ish and get in 10ish. Almost 5 hours later, I officially hold my daughter and become a mom. Wow! This is probably why I'm in bed yet. I have double checked everything and I think I am now ready to go. My suitcases and backback are downstairs waiting. I've picked out my travel clothes. All that is left is to crawl into bed which I think I am now ready to do. Goodnight and the next time you'll hear from me, I'll be in China baby!

BTW Sandra, I found my passport and driver's license travel wallet in my big bag of stuff. I guess I accidentally packed it! I'm such a dork!

Monday, June 01, 2009

Holy Cow! I'm going to China

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I can't believe I'm leaving in 3 more days! I still have some things I need to get done in the next couple of days. I have my paperwork ready to go. I have the cheerios, the meds, the laptop...I just need to get the converter/adapter thing. My poor dog is looking mighty confused. She knows something is going on but is not sure what it is. She keeps smelling Grace's crib in my room and she is now sleeping in my bed again (at least in the morning). I really wanted to go to the movies before I left but it doesn't look like I'll get there.