Thursday,
August 9, 2012
One week
until we head home to Adam…though I am a little nervous he
will not want to come home to boring Mom & Dad when Camp
Aunt Jill and Uncle Mike with Beans is so fun!
We started the day off a little earlier today. EmmeClaire
decided to wake up at 7 AM. We did bath #2 in the sink
again and she still looks at us like we are a little odd
but the excessive amount of soap I put in to make LOTS of
bubbles helped. We headed down to our usual table. There
is one waitress in particular that loves to practice her
English on us. The two dads are convinced she is their fan
club….no comment. Today as she walked by the table I was
saying to EmmeClaire, “You are messy!” She stopped and
said, “Her name is Messy?” Oops!
It was fairly laid back until close to 2 when we were to
meet Cindy to go to the “museum”. Of course I could not
find EmmeClaire’s hat (we were told to make her shoulders,
toes, and head of baby are covered at all times in
public). Then we had to figure out her food since on
Monday when we went to Sanmenxia we were not prepared at
all – we managed but it could have gotten ugly. Jim
seriously looked like he was ready for battle. He had a
backpack, the sling bag, and a plastic shopping bag….oh
and the iPad. We were prepared…..looked ridiculous but
prepared. Turns out – all we needed was the half of bag of
Cheerios and she was quite happy.
The museum was the Henan Province Museum. It was filled
with many interesting exhibits….including 4 adults from
the USA and 2 kiddos. Jim seriously will need to be taken
down a few notches once we get home after all the photo
requests he has had here. I was told to prepare to be
asked seeing as how my hair is “blonde” (fake or
otherwise) but he is like a rock star. It was an
interesting place and both kids were really good.
After the museum the driver took us to pick up Pizza Hut
that Cindy had called ahead to order for us. Lost in
translation…..we asked for cheese pizza….forgot to mention
sauce would be an added touch. It was fine and EmmeClaire
had a little of her first pizza as well (AJ – you would be
proud – she liked it...smart girl)!!!
Next it was back to the notary to pick up more papers that
we are to take with us to Guangzhou. Cindy also had for us
EmmeClaire’s finding ad. This is another valuable piece to
EmmeClaire’s history. Finding ads have been required in
China since 1999. They include a picture, usually the
earliest available, as well as information known about the
child, age, where they were found, when they were found,
etc. These ads are placed in the provincial newspapers.
Our guide translated the ad for us so we know exactly what
it says. It filled in a few more pieces of information
that we did not know about her past – still lots of
questions – which we will never know the answers to – but
each little bit helps.
After we got back to the hotel we enjoyed our Pizza Hut
and took the kids downstairs to get something from the
menu. Both enjoyed noodles though most of EmmeClaire’s got
tossed. The other Dad said tonight he thinks she is
already starting to beef up a little. Unfortunately still
not enough to keep up her 12 month britches but bustin’ a
sag is in so she is already becoming more American! Ugh.
Tomorrow we are here until 2:55 PM when we check out. We
may walk to MacDonald’s to get some food….geez, never
thought I would walk more than a few feet to do that! It
has been so HOT (and I know we are headed to our hottest
city tomorrow evening) that I have been quite happy inside
our cool hotel room. I hope they do not charge us more for
using so much AC this week….I am willing to bet our two
rooms have the coolest temperatures in the whole hotel. In
route to the airport we need to stop to get the kid’s
passports. Oh that is the other GREAT news of the day.
Their passports have been processed and are ready for pick
up! Yeehaw. I feel like we are playing a board game….”Do
not proceed until you have done this, this and this.” If
the passports had not been done by tomorrow
afternoon…well, I am guessing we would be here another
day. We are all anxious to move on to the next hotel
breakfast bar….I mean the next city in our Tour de China.
I can’t wait to see the other families again and meet the
kiddos. I think the kids will enjoy being around each
other too.
So tomorrow will be a big day for EmmeClaire though she
will not know it. She will be leaving her province. And
she will be taking her first airplane ride! (Nana, that is
what we forgot – Baby’s First Plane Ride bib! Do you
charge extra for a rush order?) PLEASE send any and all
positive vibes our way for a smooth trip for her. The
flight is only an hour-ish but will be a small indicator
of what we have in store next Wednesday (as well as what
the rest of the plane has in store for them next Wed. of
course by the time the others on the plane find out….it
will be too late…us we can spend the time in GZ looking
for ear plugs if needed).
Trying to get everything repacked and keep the smelly
stuff away from our clean stuff while maintaining our
under 44 pound luggage requirement. We are starting to
dump things already….a couple of Jim’s tshirts were
pitched earlier today – hmmm maybe I should have told him
I did that….KIDDING. He did it – not me!
Next stop…. Guangzhou!
Adam: One more week! We can’t wait to come home! We
miss you an awful lot! Tomorrow we will be flying to our
next city before we come home. We will try to connect with
you tomorrow – our tomorrow that is. Be good! XOXO – Mom
|
Sleeping beauty
Henan Province Museum
Porcelain Pillow = Sleepless nights
Robe
(Not available for sale in gift shop)
Taking it all in - doesn't she look thrilled?
Look...in the distance!! |
