Today we woke up all a little better rested. Liam woke me up around 4 am to go potty. I thought he wanted to get up so I put his favorite movie Cars on with headphones. Within a few minutes he layed his head down. When I asked if he wanted to go back to bed he quickly and groggily replied yes. We both got a few more hours of sleep to start our day closer to 7:00.
After enjoying another morning of the breakfast buffet, I opted to run across the street for a cup of coffee. I call what the hotel serves a little more like mudd. I realized on my way over that I had no i.d. on me making me wonder if something happened how would Steve ever find me?! Starbucks is just across the street; only 4 lanes. We time our crossings to be with a group figuring when in China, do as the Chinese do. Has worked so far. Going over I had no problem. However, coming back we got half way and then I got caught as a van turned right in the middle of our group. The first half veered around another car and made it across. That left me in the middle of the road with traffic going both ways around me. Thankful to say that I made it.
Shortly thereafter, we met our guide and toured the Chen Ancestral Hall. The kids were as good as could be expected. Notice the picture where they look really happy...playing with the Pez dispensers their Jie Jie had packed !! It was a perfect amount of Chinese history without pushing our luck with two little ones in tow.
Some funny and sweet things about Kinley.
1) She appears to be as sharp as a tack. When touring today she pointed out the embroidery of a peacock. I don't know many 3 year olds that could name a peacock!
2) When she eats, the food has to be even. As her little mouth bites away at something, she won't turn the food to eat off a corner but instead makes her mouth open wider so the food goes in evenly. Pretty funny.
3) She is a girly girl. She loves her new shoes and points out how pretty they are to everyone. She loved getting her toe nails painted and loves her hair bows and head bands. When the flower kept getting in her eye today, I took it off much to her dismay.
4) She has a squeaky and raspy little voice but can turn the volume up when wanted. I can't remember who was who in the movie 'Lilo and Stitch' but I told Steve she reminds me of the little one who repeats everything. It is pretty hilarious to hear her going (and going) in Mandarin but then to rattle off an English word she just heard one of us say.
Liam appears to LOVE being a big brother. Each morning he loves to give Kinley a kiss. He makes sure she has what she needs and they both are sharing nicely with each other. He has been such a great traveler being so easy going and flexible. He has really enjoyed the food which is making us all think we need to eat healthier. The two are sharing mom and dad's attention pretty nicely as well.
Enjoy the pictures. A few are from the Chen tour today. The couple of funny pictures are of what they used to use for pillows (porcelain boxes to store their valuables while they slept) and also the pots they used to use for potties. We think the pots would be better than the squatty potties they use today !! Kinley got her first taste of McDonald's and french fries today. We have been slow to intro foods other than what she is used to because she does have allergies. Nothing like throwing her into carbohydrate overload! The last picture is her showing even her ketchup was good to the last drop!
Sounds like things are going great, Paige! Yay! :)
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog and looking at your pictures over a cup of coffee before I start work everyday! Thank you for being the person you are and sharing this experience with us!! We all are very excited to meet Kinley!! She is so adorable and is sooooooooooooooooo lucky to have found her forever family. Safe travels my friends! Vicky
ReplyDeleteWe are so happy for you guys, and thrilled the trip seems to be going well. Be careful over there Paige, Heidi almost got ran over, too. Funny reading all of your posts. The smell there is something. I have never eaten Asian food and don't even like the smell, and told Heidi it seemed like the whole country smelled like one of their restaurants. :). I adjusted to it thankfully and am so thrilled with the whole experience. Thanks again for sharing and tell everyone hello from us. - Greg B.
ReplyDeletePaige, these pictures are such fun to see and your descriptions of the days' activities really let us in on your experience. The smells, the funny situations, the cultural nuances. It IS so much to take in, isn't it? That struck me each time we traveled to China...how similar and how different we are. It's such an incredible, life-changing experience and it's awesome that Jenna and Liam are along with you for all of it. Sweet Jenna looks like an old pro after having read so many traveling family blogs and immersing herself in the "In China" experience through other's eyes...what a blessing for her to get to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime for herself! I love the pictures of Liam and Kinley. Oh man, Liam is such a big boy and seems to be thoroughly enjoying his new role! Your two littles are so precious together! And Kinley appears to be taking the transition in stride! Nothing like her very own Mommy and Daddy and Jie Jie and Ge Ge loving and doting on her to make a precious girl feel "at home."
ReplyDeleteChen Family Temple, the distinctive smells, scenes from the hotel lobby, taking your lives in hand every time you cross the street...I miss it! :) Have you guys tried the Irish Pub around the corner yet? It's called The Paddy Field. The best part about it is that the drinks really are cold. :) And tho we really loved soaking up the local flavor, the atmosphere inside is very expat familiar...a welcome change of pace, particularly late in the trip when you're feeling especially homesick.
Aw, Paige, it's so great to see you and Steve, Jenna and Liam together at last with Kinley and that all is going so well. I can't wait to see the photo at home that includes Lauren and Ryan...your beautiful family of SEVEN together forever!
Thank you for sharing this journey with us. Our family is so thrilled for yours. It's difficult to put into words, the feelings.
WIth Love and Prayers and (((HUGS))),
Amy