China: Day 15 Last Day In China!

This morning Ryan and the girls went to the Zoo with the rest of our travel group.  The weather looked like it might be dicy, so I stayed back with Jordan, intending to start packing for our trip home tomorrow.

The zoo got good ratings from Ryan and the girls.  They said it was large and beautiful and had a lot of fun animals.

After everyone else left for the zoo, while I was blow drying my hair, the power to our room went out.  Just then, housekeeping came by so I told them about the power and decided to take Jordan to breakfast while they cleaned and figured out the power situation.  When we got back from breakfast, the power was back on and Jordan and I played together for a while before I decided to try to finish blow drying my hair.  I don't know why I even try to dry my hair... in this humidity it goes frizzy in within minutes of walking outside and then I end up pulling it up into a ponytail anyway... I guess I just want to start every morning looking like I at least attempted to get ready for the day.  Once again the blow drier worked for a minute and then the power went out.  I called the hotel desk and they sent someone to check it out.  This time they sent a man up a ladder, into the ceiling, where they stayed until after Ryan and the girls got back from the zoo.  Apparently they needed a part that they didn't have and had to send someone out to buy, but the man with his legs hanging out of the ceiling stayed there until they came back with the part.  In the end, I didn't get much packing done.  The picture above is of Ryan, Jordan, and the legs of the man "fixing" our power.

Ryan thought it was silly, but I got a waving cat to take home.   Bargaining for it was half the fun.  The cute sales girl told me it cost more than the other cats in her shop because of the "bling".  I laughed and mimed to her that the "bling" aka "glued on glitter" wasn't worth much because you could just blow it off.  She thought that was hilarious.  Maybe because I still wanted the cat even though I knew it was cheaply made?  Or that I was calling her bluff?  I don't know but we both had a good laugh and I did NOT pay more for the cat with the bling.  The next day, when we were walking past her shop, she saw me and shouted out "BLING!" and we both laughed again...  it was our little inside joke :)

Getting our adoption certificate and Jordan's Visa from our fantastic Rep, Jason.  Thank you again for all of the prayers.  We are so thankful that we got the visa without a delay!! 

We said goodbye to those in our group that were leaving for Hong Kong today, then went out to eat with the remaining family that will be leaving with us in the morning.  We ended up eating at an Egyptian restaurant.  It was actually quite good and and fun experience.  

Maddie was feeling brave and ordered pigeon.  She said it was delicious.

Kaitlyn had a yummy shrimp pasta dish. 

 It was nice to have a break from both Chinese food and McDondalds, both of which we have had more than our fill of.  

On a side note, I have to say that I have been so very glad we were able to bring Maddie and Kaitlyn on this trip.  Overall they have been a huge help with Jordan, very patient while waiting around for us to do paperwork, or while Jordan is napping, and a lot of fun to be have along.  It makes me happy to know what amazing memories they'll have of our trip to China.

A picture of our current hotel... for one more night.  Not looking forward to being jet lagged all over again, but so excited to get home!!  That is if we survive our 28 hour journey home.  More prayers are welcome!

China: Day 14 Consulate Appointment

We had a very early morning in order to get out the door in time for our Consulate Appointment this morning.  Jordan did really well.  I feel like every day we are together, he relaxes just a bit more.   Even though we felt ready to go home as soon as we got Jordan, I'm now grateful that he's better adjusted before our long flight home.  The consulate appointment itself was anticlimactic.  We took an oath as a group with several other adoptive families.  We were supposed to repeat after a man speaking through a speaker with worse sound quality than a drive through window.  So we all kind of mumbled though the parts we couldn't quite make out.  Then we got some of our paperwork back and Ryan was fingerprinted and we were done.  We should receive Jordan's visa tomorrow afternoon.

We weren't allowed to take our camera to the consulate, so no pictures from there, but here is a picture of the boys taking a quick nap afterwards.

 We had to wake Jordan up to go down to the lobby for group pictures. 

 One of the families in our group is missing because they are adopting two kids and had to be at a medical appointment for their second (amazingly beautiful) child.  I've been touched by the goodness of all of the families in our group.  They are all really amazing people.  

We attempted a baby only picture... 

Jordan may or may not have mauled sweet Mae next to him. 

 ...it didn't go so well.

We tried another... and again... unsuccessful.   

Later, Jordan let me feed him some noodles.  Mostly because Ryan wasn't in the room.  He won't let me give him his bottle anymore.  It has to be Ryan.  He also pulls away sometimes when I rub his little hand or try to hug him.  I know he likes me, he has fun with me, but seems to want me to understand that Ryan is his chosen comforter.  I had prepared myself for him to reject us for days or possibly weeks, but the fact that he did let me do those things and now won't makes my mama heart ache just a bit.  I have no doubt that in time he will understand that I'm his mama, not just another person taking care of him for the time being and that we will build a relationship.  In the meantime, I am grateful that he still lets me hold him and play with him.  We have had lots of great moments together.  

Oh, and this kids laugh needs to be bottled up.  I don't know how to describe it, it needs to be heard to understand how fantastic it is.  

Kaitlyn and Maddie's pen pal has already written them.  They've had fun writing short emails back and forth. 

Ryan and I keep talking about how ready we are to be home.  I've heard other adoptive families say to enjoy the trip while you can because it just gets harder when you're home.   I've been told how overwhelming the adjustment can be when you're still working on bonding with a new child but now have have to cook, clean, run errands and try to get back into a routine.  I keep trying to remind myself of that, and have really enjoyed our time here, but I'm ready to be home all the same.

China: Day 13 First Time Swimming

Today we went to Shamian Island, a small island surrounded by the Pearl River.  We did a little bit of souvenir shopping but mostly just enjoyed the beautiful atmosphere.  

 The man to the left of us in this picture was playing some great harmonica music over a loud speaker that helped add to the experience.

The trees and landscaping are beautiful here. 

The classic adoption trip photo. 

The island is a popular place for brides to be photographed before their wedding.  We saw several. 

On the hotel elevator, on our way down to the pool for Jordan's first swim.

Checking out the pool. 

I want to go to there. 

Getting ready to get in. 

And he likes swimming! 

Hey, I splashed myself.

This kid adores his baba. 

Jordan cracks me up... he crosses his fingers when he is excited about something.  He was excited about swimming.

Some things about Jordan:   He is tiny, but has good muscle tone.  I think people are surprised to see how well this little guy gets around.  As far as we can tell, he doesn't seem to have the same GI issues Mason dealt with at this age, but his asymmetry is much more severe than Mason's.  It's easy to see how uneven his legs are when he walks... we'll have to get him some special shoes to help with that.  Jordan is very particular.  He knows what he does and does not like.  Or at least what he thinks he will or will not like.  If he doesn't want it, good luck trying to give it to him.  Even things he liked yesterday.... like say, applesauce or mama, if he doesn't want it at the moment, forget about it.  The kid has an iron will.  He is getting pickier and picker about food, but that's probably because he knows we'll give him anything he wants right now.  We'll have to work on a more balanced diet when we get home.  Jordan is a quick learner.  He is starting to understand some English...like if I ask for a kiss, he'll give me one without any cues.  Oh, and Jordan's smile... is fantastic.

 Maddie and Kaitlyn made friends with this darling local Chinese girl who happens to speak English and comes to swim at the hotel pool with her grandparents.  She got our address and my email address so the girls may have scored their first pen-pal.

This is the view from our hotel room.  I'm a bit of a creeper and love to watch out the window to see people going about their business.  Sometimes people play soccer in the basketball court which is actually the roof of a shorter building.
Today I also spent a lot of time looking at pictures from our family blog.  I'm really missing Enoch and Mason... Only three more sleeps before we see them again!!

I'm trying to use M&Ms to gain a few brownie points with Jordan... 

I think he might like M&Ms as much as Mason, which is A LOT. 

Signing "more".  I may have created an M&M monster!