| Day 8 - 2/11/2012 |
As Bill put it - We've become one of "those" families that
business travelers dread. Seriously, it wasn't that bad. The only
real problem we had getting through the Nanjing airport was that
Vivian was understandably unsure of the whole thing. She also
did not want to be held by Bill at all and anytime we put her down
she would wander off in the exact opposite direction we needed
her to go. She didn't like going through security with Bill and then
got upset as we were trying to walk to the gate. It didn't help that
it was right about dinner time and we weren't allowed to bring
any liquids through security. So she was starving and thirsty.
After about a dozen crackers she was a little better, but I
essentially held her during the entire wait. Have I mentioned that
she's not exactly light? Then once we got on the plane she cried
for a little bit, but I pulled out the in-flight magazine and she
generally entertained herself the entire 2 hour flight with it. We
were a little disappointed with our seating arrangements as
Tyler and Bill had to sit in front of Vivian and I, but it worked out
OK. It was really adorable as the entire flight Tyler kept turning
around to see how Vivian was doing and offer her some words
of encouragement even though she seemed to be doing fine.
Thankfully they served snacks and drinks on the flight so I was
able to get her some water. She gladly gulped it down. After that
she was much better. When we finally landed in Guangzhou I
see this little thumbs up come around the side of the seat in
front of us and hear Tyler say, "Good job Niu Niu, you were really
brave." I love this boy.
Our Guangzhou guide, Kelly, met us outside of baggage claim
along with another family from our agency who also had
adopted a little girl from another province. The trip to the hotel
was a little over a half an hour and Vivian pretty much chattered
away the entire time. She was apparently very happy to be off of
the plane and back in a van. The minute we walked into the
China Hotel Marriott we knew this was really a 5-star hotel. What
we also knew was that a lot of other adoptive families were
arriving at the same time. The whole lobby area was FULL of
adoptive families waiting to check in. There were also a few
other families who had adopted before like us. There was even
a family with a girl the same age as Tyler. After getting checked
business travelers dread. Seriously, it wasn't that bad. The only
real problem we had getting through the Nanjing airport was that
Vivian was understandably unsure of the whole thing. She also
did not want to be held by Bill at all and anytime we put her down
she would wander off in the exact opposite direction we needed
her to go. She didn't like going through security with Bill and then
got upset as we were trying to walk to the gate. It didn't help that
it was right about dinner time and we weren't allowed to bring
any liquids through security. So she was starving and thirsty.
After about a dozen crackers she was a little better, but I
essentially held her during the entire wait. Have I mentioned that
she's not exactly light? Then once we got on the plane she cried
for a little bit, but I pulled out the in-flight magazine and she
generally entertained herself the entire 2 hour flight with it. We
were a little disappointed with our seating arrangements as
Tyler and Bill had to sit in front of Vivian and I, but it worked out
OK. It was really adorable as the entire flight Tyler kept turning
around to see how Vivian was doing and offer her some words
of encouragement even though she seemed to be doing fine.
Thankfully they served snacks and drinks on the flight so I was
able to get her some water. She gladly gulped it down. After that
she was much better. When we finally landed in Guangzhou I
see this little thumbs up come around the side of the seat in
front of us and hear Tyler say, "Good job Niu Niu, you were really
brave." I love this boy.
Our Guangzhou guide, Kelly, met us outside of baggage claim
along with another family from our agency who also had
adopted a little girl from another province. The trip to the hotel
was a little over a half an hour and Vivian pretty much chattered
away the entire time. She was apparently very happy to be off of
the plane and back in a van. The minute we walked into the
China Hotel Marriott we knew this was really a 5-star hotel. What
we also knew was that a lot of other adoptive families were
arriving at the same time. The whole lobby area was FULL of
adoptive families waiting to check in. There were also a few
other families who had adopted before like us. There was even
a family with a girl the same age as Tyler. After getting checked
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in we were eager to get up to our rooms and get settled in. We walked into the room and again
were in awe of how much nicer and newer this hotel is. The room is not as big as the one we had
in Nanjing, but the amenities and everything else are much nicer. The bathroom alone had Tyler all
excited. There is basically a window separating the bathroom from the rest of the room and a
motorized shower curtain for privacy. To get to the nice deep tub you have to walk through the
shower. Anyway, it was right about 11 pm by the time we got up to our room and once we got
somewhat settled Bill ran out to the 24 hour McDonalds next door to the hotel since we were all
starving. Boy, Vivian loves her french fries. She gobbled those things up so fast! Once we all had
full bellies we were feeling somewhat normal again. The kids tucked in and were asleep within 1
minute, right around midnight.
10:30 in order to get over to the medical clinic for the childrens' exams for their U.S. visa
applications. Our original itineraries said 9:30 so we were glad to hear we had an extra hour since
we were all up so late. Vivian didn't wake up until around 9:30 and then we rushed out the door in
order to get some breakfast in at the buffet downstairs. We didn't have much time to eat so I didn't
even get to see the whole buffet, but I guess we'll be here all week, huh?
At 10:30 we piled into a van with the family we met last night and headed over to Shamian Island
where the medical clinic is. We were stoked that we were going to that clinic as that was the same
clinic that we took Tyler back when we went through his adoption. As we wound our way through
Guangzhou to the island I started to see some familiar sights and began to feel a little sentimental.
There was the store where we bought Tyler's first squeaky shoes, there was thoroughfare we used
to walk through to get to the grocery store. Then when we got out and walked to the clinic it really all
started coming back to us. There's the White Swan Hotel! There's where we used to take our
laundry! (Which sadly was closed down.) There's the noodle house we used to go to! There the
restaurant with all of the bugs and snakes in tanks! There's the 7-Eleven! Our guide even took us to
the same store where we got Tyler's visa picture done to get Vivian's visa picture taken.
When we got to the clinic it was complete chaos, but not as much as when we were back here in
2005. The family we were with were a little overwhelmed, but we were like old pros. The only
difference this time around was that now they have to go through a TB test. So we will have to go
back on Monday to check the results. There was a little concern about Vivian's walking. I don't think
I mentioned it before, but she walks a little unsteadily. The orphanage was unsure if there was
something physically wrong or if she was just imitating one of the other children at the orphanage.
They were going to get her checked out, but didn't before we adopted her. It is something we're
going to have to get checked out when we get home, but they have to note it on her physical exam
paperwork. She was really good during the entire visit, only crying once when they pricked her for
the TB test. After we were done we spent about 45 minutes shopping on the island. While I bought
Vivian's first pair of squeaky shoes Bill took off for Starbucks. Yeah, Starbucks has even invaded
little Shamian Island. It wasn't here in 2005. We didn't spend too much time on the island as we
are going to be going on a bigger shopping trip tomorrow and we will be going back to the island
on Monday. Then we'll really be able to reminisce.
Once we got back to the hotel there was a little paperwork to fill out for the U.S. Consulate, but after
that we were free to do whatever we wanted. It was well past Vivian's nap time so we went back up
the room in order to let her nap, but apparently she didn't think she needed to. She laid in her crib
for a good 20 minutes talking and singing to herself. Then we discovered another one of her
talents. She can make herself throw up. Yeah, she's a sneaky little one. I'm laying on the bed next
to her trying to show her that it's time to sleep when I hear her gagging. I sit up and look at her in
the near dark and she looks up and calls me. I lay back down and since that didn't get the reaction
she wanted (I didn't pick her up) she shoved her finger down her throat and threw up. Awesome. So
after a quick clean up Bill took over and sat in the chair holding her (which she did not like one bit).
Then she tried to do it again while Bill was holding her! He grabbed her finger out of her mouth and
told her no which pissed her off even more, but eventually she fell asleep. It's going to be
interesting trying to break her of that habit. I'm betting she pulled that stunt at the orphanage a few
times and managed to get her way because of it. Diva/Princess in the making! Bill was thinking
more along the lines of what convicts do in movies in order to get the guards attention before they
attack. Hahahaha! Poor Vivian.
By the way, have I mentioned that our internal clocks are now just about completely on China time?
After about a week and we're finally getting through the day without napping. Less than a week and
we're going to have to switch back to U.S. time. Perfect.
were in awe of how much nicer and newer this hotel is. The room is not as big as the one we had
in Nanjing, but the amenities and everything else are much nicer. The bathroom alone had Tyler all
excited. There is basically a window separating the bathroom from the rest of the room and a
motorized shower curtain for privacy. To get to the nice deep tub you have to walk through the
shower. Anyway, it was right about 11 pm by the time we got up to our room and once we got
somewhat settled Bill ran out to the 24 hour McDonalds next door to the hotel since we were all
starving. Boy, Vivian loves her french fries. She gobbled those things up so fast! Once we all had
full bellies we were feeling somewhat normal again. The kids tucked in and were asleep within 1
minute, right around midnight.
10:30 in order to get over to the medical clinic for the childrens' exams for their U.S. visa
applications. Our original itineraries said 9:30 so we were glad to hear we had an extra hour since
we were all up so late. Vivian didn't wake up until around 9:30 and then we rushed out the door in
order to get some breakfast in at the buffet downstairs. We didn't have much time to eat so I didn't
even get to see the whole buffet, but I guess we'll be here all week, huh?
At 10:30 we piled into a van with the family we met last night and headed over to Shamian Island
where the medical clinic is. We were stoked that we were going to that clinic as that was the same
clinic that we took Tyler back when we went through his adoption. As we wound our way through
Guangzhou to the island I started to see some familiar sights and began to feel a little sentimental.
There was the store where we bought Tyler's first squeaky shoes, there was thoroughfare we used
to walk through to get to the grocery store. Then when we got out and walked to the clinic it really all
started coming back to us. There's the White Swan Hotel! There's where we used to take our
laundry! (Which sadly was closed down.) There's the noodle house we used to go to! There the
restaurant with all of the bugs and snakes in tanks! There's the 7-Eleven! Our guide even took us to
the same store where we got Tyler's visa picture done to get Vivian's visa picture taken.
When we got to the clinic it was complete chaos, but not as much as when we were back here in
2005. The family we were with were a little overwhelmed, but we were like old pros. The only
difference this time around was that now they have to go through a TB test. So we will have to go
back on Monday to check the results. There was a little concern about Vivian's walking. I don't think
I mentioned it before, but she walks a little unsteadily. The orphanage was unsure if there was
something physically wrong or if she was just imitating one of the other children at the orphanage.
They were going to get her checked out, but didn't before we adopted her. It is something we're
going to have to get checked out when we get home, but they have to note it on her physical exam
paperwork. She was really good during the entire visit, only crying once when they pricked her for
the TB test. After we were done we spent about 45 minutes shopping on the island. While I bought
Vivian's first pair of squeaky shoes Bill took off for Starbucks. Yeah, Starbucks has even invaded
little Shamian Island. It wasn't here in 2005. We didn't spend too much time on the island as we
are going to be going on a bigger shopping trip tomorrow and we will be going back to the island
on Monday. Then we'll really be able to reminisce.
Once we got back to the hotel there was a little paperwork to fill out for the U.S. Consulate, but after
that we were free to do whatever we wanted. It was well past Vivian's nap time so we went back up
the room in order to let her nap, but apparently she didn't think she needed to. She laid in her crib
for a good 20 minutes talking and singing to herself. Then we discovered another one of her
talents. She can make herself throw up. Yeah, she's a sneaky little one. I'm laying on the bed next
to her trying to show her that it's time to sleep when I hear her gagging. I sit up and look at her in
the near dark and she looks up and calls me. I lay back down and since that didn't get the reaction
she wanted (I didn't pick her up) she shoved her finger down her throat and threw up. Awesome. So
after a quick clean up Bill took over and sat in the chair holding her (which she did not like one bit).
Then she tried to do it again while Bill was holding her! He grabbed her finger out of her mouth and
told her no which pissed her off even more, but eventually she fell asleep. It's going to be
interesting trying to break her of that habit. I'm betting she pulled that stunt at the orphanage a few
times and managed to get her way because of it. Diva/Princess in the making! Bill was thinking
more along the lines of what convicts do in movies in order to get the guards attention before they
attack. Hahahaha! Poor Vivian.
By the way, have I mentioned that our internal clocks are now just about completely on China time?
After about a week and we're finally getting through the day without napping. Less than a week and
we're going to have to switch back to U.S. time. Perfect.