Trip to China
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Wednesday, September 5, 2007 Aleina didn’t wake up until almost 10:00 today! She was one tired cookie. When she did wake up, we got in the shower- Brace yourself….. She didn’t cry until I started washing her hair. I asked our guide about it and he said that in orphanages and in foster care, the children get their hair washed with regular adult shampoo and it burns their eyes. He told me that once she begins to realize that the tear free shampoo I am using doesn’t burn her eyes, she will begin to relax a bit. Today was proof of that. I’m not saying she was wonderful but it was definitely better. The other thing is that her crying didn’t last more than a few minutes as opposed to an hour. I was very happy for that. Today after breakfast, our guide Frank, informed us that today would be our swearing in ceremony at the Consulate. In all actuality, we could come home today if we could get a flight. Robin and I actually considered it but let the issue go. We only have a few more days in our child’s country and we plan to try to enjoy it for their benefit. For the other families, when their children enter the US, they will automatically become US citizens. Aleina however, will have to wait until we re-adopt her because Shawn did not come here with us. It’s not that big of deal but it is going to require more paperwork and of course, more money. Before the Consulate appointment, Frank took us to get the 2008 Olympic dolls. I got Kyle and Adam some really nice t-shirts and I got Caden some 2008 Olympic charms. I also got the Olympic bears (they look more like bears but they are called dolls) to use next year in my classroom. We went to a beautiful place today called the Guangzhou Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s Memorial Hall. This place was absolutely gorgeous. Dr. Sun Yat-sen was a famous forerunner for the Chinese Revolution and a democratic leader who created democracy in China. Our guide also told us that he was responsible for helping in the women’s movement in China. Have you heard of “foot-binding” in China? This gentlemen led a movement to officially end the foot-binding practice in the Chinese cultural. Foot-binding still continued until the 1950’s but only in the rural areas of China. Dr. SunYat-Sen’s wife was also the sister-in-law of Chiang Keishek, the ruler of China prior to the Communist Revolution. The memorial was surrounded by beautiful flowers and shrubbery. It was absolutely breathtaking. After the Memorial Hall, we went for our swearing in ceremony. There were so many families there. Some of the babies were so stinking cute! The entire ceremony of the swearing in, literally took 10 seconds. This is what we have been waiting almost 2 years for. We had to raise our right hands and swear to love and take care of our child forever. That won’t be a problem!!! After the swearing in ceremony, we came back to the hotel and played a bit. Did I mention the smell next to the hotel? There is this stench that is absolutely disgusting! I asked Frank what the smell was and he said that it was a mixture that they use for the beef in a small shop next to the hotel. They actually make this stuff and sell it on the street next door. It is the nastiest smell I have ever encountered. Our entire group holds their shirts over their noses when exiting the bus in front of the hotel. Tonight, when we were on the roof of the hotel at the pool, the smell actually made it 14 floors up. It is extremely nauseating. Tomorrow, we are going to Shamian Island to do souvenir shopping and hopefully the famous “red couch” photo. The “red couch” is an actual red couch at the White Swan hotel that has been made famous by adoptive parents. They take their children there all dressed in their Chinese outfits to have there pictures taken with their travel groups. I bought a beautiful outfit for Aleina and hope to be able to do that too as it is part of the whole adoption experience. I guess we will see.

Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Memorial Hall Happy group! Like my new outfit? City of Guangzhou at night Did someone say it’s raining out?

Robin and John are doing well with little Ty. He is so stinking cute! Ty is not shy at all and will go to just about anyone. He definitely has an affection for his mama though. If she leaves him and he is aware that she is gone, he gets very fussy. He is also up and running now. When they first got them, he was barely able to stand. Now, he is ready to run. Ty also loves to play with any kind of ball. We had two beach balls, and he was palming them and walking around holding them. He is just too cute! Eric and Alan are going to have so much fun with him. I hope they are ready to play! Well, tomorrow will be my last post as we have to be up and out on Friday fairly early. We leave Guangzhou and fly to Hong Kong. From there, we take a flight to Chicago and then it is home to Syracuse. I can’t wait to come home. I miss everyone so much. This trip has been one of the most amazing adventures of my life, but I am ready to sleep in my own bed and hug my boys! Kyle, Adam, and Caden, how was your first day back to school? I hope all went well. Caden, did you get your locker open? Adam, did you make it to all of your classes on time? Kyle, how was Ag class? I will see you all soon. Love you lots!

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