June 28, 2007
Today we are heading home. We all have had a great time here and wish to come back again but we are ready to head home. We are all pretty worn out and anxious to get these babies home, sleep in our own beds and get some laundry done LOL!!! Ali is back to her normal self; giggling,smiling,squirming,exploring and very active. We will miss this place. This has truly been a life changing trip in more than one way. We have learned so much and gained a lot of perspective about the world we live in. We are so blessed at home. We'd like to say thank-you to our guide Ma Rui (Mary) for showing us such a great time and helping us get everything done we needed. We'd like to thank the Chinese people for being such gracious hosts. Thank-you China for trusting us with your most precious resource and providing us with the greatest gift of all..our Ali. We will love her forever and cherish her always and we won't forget you when were gone....thanks everyone for following along on our trip and we'll see you all soon. Can't wait to be able to read your comments when we get home. I hope to keep posting now and again as we watch Ali grow up. Bye for now.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Too much excitement!
June 27, 2007
This morning we went on a HuTong tour. HuTong is a very old and traditional area of Beijing. We travelled through by Rickshaw. Two to a cart with our drivers pulling us along by bicycle. They had great skill weaving through the streets and narrow alleys without even looking back. We were mobbed by street vendors everywhere. Being able to say "I have no money" in chinese was a big help as they left us alone quickly but some of our group didn't get off that lucky. We got to go through a school and it was their last day and the children put on some little shows for us. The school was amazing. It looked far better than any of the gradeschools we have at home. We took lots of pictures. We were then invited into the home of one of the residents. He told us about many of the ancient traditions they still follow today. How the height and direction the homes were facing and the # of rooms all meant something. He served us tea and let us take pictures of his home. He told us about a day in their lives. He even showed us his fighting grasshoppers. He was a retired steel worker and his wife was a seamstress. He was very gracious and told us to come back and vist in October and drink some beers with him as he was a very good drinker but to leave the children with a sitter. It was the best place we've been so far we thought. It taught us about the real China for a lot of people...Tonight we went for final group pictures and we went out with the entire group for the traditional Peking duck dinner celebration for the last night here at a restaurant down the street.Everything was going great until about half way through. Ali spit up a bit and started choking. A nurse from our group took over quickly and she is just fine but she put quite a scare in us for a few moments. After that we decided to just head back to the hotel. The doctor checked her over just to make sure and she was just fine and back to herself at the hotel. Pheeewwww!!!. We are exhausted and drained. Jayna helped pack everything up and we are on our way home tommorrow. No more appointments or stops. Ali is tired as she missed her nap today because the cleaning staff got here late in the afternoon. Can't wait to get her home.
This morning we went on a HuTong tour. HuTong is a very old and traditional area of Beijing. We travelled through by Rickshaw. Two to a cart with our drivers pulling us along by bicycle. They had great skill weaving through the streets and narrow alleys without even looking back. We were mobbed by street vendors everywhere. Being able to say "I have no money" in chinese was a big help as they left us alone quickly but some of our group didn't get off that lucky. We got to go through a school and it was their last day and the children put on some little shows for us. The school was amazing. It looked far better than any of the gradeschools we have at home. We took lots of pictures. We were then invited into the home of one of the residents. He told us about many of the ancient traditions they still follow today. How the height and direction the homes were facing and the # of rooms all meant something. He served us tea and let us take pictures of his home. He told us about a day in their lives. He even showed us his fighting grasshoppers. He was a retired steel worker and his wife was a seamstress. He was very gracious and told us to come back and vist in October and drink some beers with him as he was a very good drinker but to leave the children with a sitter. It was the best place we've been so far we thought. It taught us about the real China for a lot of people...Tonight we went for final group pictures and we went out with the entire group for the traditional Peking duck dinner celebration for the last night here at a restaurant down the street.Everything was going great until about half way through. Ali spit up a bit and started choking. A nurse from our group took over quickly and she is just fine but she put quite a scare in us for a few moments. After that we decided to just head back to the hotel. The doctor checked her over just to make sure and she was just fine and back to herself at the hotel. Pheeewwww!!!. We are exhausted and drained. Jayna helped pack everything up and we are on our way home tommorrow. No more appointments or stops. Ali is tired as she missed her nap today because the cleaning staff got here late in the afternoon. Can't wait to get her home.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
More sight seeing
June 26, 2007
Another busy day today. This morning we visited tianamen square and the forbidden city. Our guide taught us more about chinese history. The square is appx 77 hectares. It was a lot bigger than we thought. There were people selling stuff everywhere. Some of the dads bought chairman Mao watches. Allan Chong even tried to sell his back to a different vendor. It was fun. We then cruised across to the forbidden city. It was quite something although it was being renovated for the olympics. It was getting very hot out by this time and Jen and Jayna didn't like the heat that much so we just quickly toured through. It will be a must see when we return and have more time. We went back to the hotel for a rest and then off to the pearl market in the afternoon. We once again made many good purchases as Jen and Jayna are becoming very adept at bartering. The temperature here in Beijing is starting to really get up there. Today it hovered around 40* C. most of the day as it has been for the last few days. We have been fairly lucky most days here. It rained the 2 days on the bus rides in Chongqing and now overnight the last few days but has been pretty good otherwise.. The rain doesn't cool things off though like back home. Last night we went down to Pizza Hut for supper and it was really good. Most say better than back home as it wasn't as greasy. Right now we are busy packing up and getting organized for our trip home. We bought 1 extra big suitcase and hopefully that will be enough. There is a bit of time for shopping tomorrow though so we'll see. LOL!! Ali still has a bit of a cold but is still doing great. She looks like she is cutting a few teeth as well but it hasn't slowed her down at all. Look out grandparents; she is quite a busy little handful.... but great fun.
Another busy day today. This morning we visited tianamen square and the forbidden city. Our guide taught us more about chinese history. The square is appx 77 hectares. It was a lot bigger than we thought. There were people selling stuff everywhere. Some of the dads bought chairman Mao watches. Allan Chong even tried to sell his back to a different vendor. It was fun. We then cruised across to the forbidden city. It was quite something although it was being renovated for the olympics. It was getting very hot out by this time and Jen and Jayna didn't like the heat that much so we just quickly toured through. It will be a must see when we return and have more time. We went back to the hotel for a rest and then off to the pearl market in the afternoon. We once again made many good purchases as Jen and Jayna are becoming very adept at bartering. The temperature here in Beijing is starting to really get up there. Today it hovered around 40* C. most of the day as it has been for the last few days. We have been fairly lucky most days here. It rained the 2 days on the bus rides in Chongqing and now overnight the last few days but has been pretty good otherwise.. The rain doesn't cool things off though like back home. Last night we went down to Pizza Hut for supper and it was really good. Most say better than back home as it wasn't as greasy. Right now we are busy packing up and getting organized for our trip home. We bought 1 extra big suitcase and hopefully that will be enough. There is a bit of time for shopping tomorrow though so we'll see. LOL!! Ali still has a bit of a cold but is still doing great. She looks like she is cutting a few teeth as well but it hasn't slowed her down at all. Look out grandparents; she is quite a busy little handful.... but great fun.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
The wall, jade factory and doctor.
June 25, 2007
We have just crossed our last hurdle to bring Ali home. This morning she had a doctors appointment to get clearance for the Canadian gov't. She did just great. She is 71 cm long and weighs 8.29 kg's. She has a cold still and gets a rash on her face that comes and goes but the doctor says that it is just a symptom of the cold.She is eating good and has no trouble unloading a poop. She is the envy of many of the other babies in that department. She is very alert and happy with lots and lots of energy. She has no ear infections or other problems and is right in the norm's for development. Everything looks good and we just have to wait for the paperwork at the embassy to be processed....Yesterday we went to the Jade factory and learned a bit about it and how it's carved and of course picked up a few things. One of the dads in our group is of Chinese heritage and explained to us which items would be good family heirlooms for the babies to have. After the Jade factory we went to the Great Wall. It was quite an experience and an amazing thing to see. We learned a bit about its history and walked along it as families. We were then allowed to tackle it on our own. I (Dave) climbed a path right to the top of one of the high points. The view and feeling from the top is indescribable. There weren't many people who made it to the top so I am quite proud of myself for that as I took a little angel on my shoulder up there with me.The climb down was no picnic either but exhillerating. As I reached the bottom Jen yelled at me loudly for a while but it was all worth it. LOL!! I was the first up and down from our group and she was worried I was holding up the others on the bus who didn't make the trip but not to worry there were a couple others behind me. Ali hung out with mom and played on the grass and watched the people which she loves to do. While we were there we purchased a lock and locked it to a chain on the wall and threw away the key. This is a chinese ritual sympolizing that we are now all bound together as a family forever.We had a nice traditional chinese meal and the waitresses tried to take the babies and just loved them. They made the new moms a little jumpy. We all made out well with the chopsticks. Back to the room to fall into the bed. Glad this afternoon is an off day. Dad and Ali will hang in the room and rest while mom and auntie and some of the other ladies are heading out shopping again.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Back in Beijing
June 23,2007
We are now safely back in Beijing. Ali is doing just great. Over the last few days she has endured a 7 hour bus ride, 3 different hotel rooms in 3 different towns and a 2 1/2 hour plane ride including a few victory laps at the airport before landing with a training pilot making her first landing. All of this while breaking in a new set of fumbling parents and she still complains little and babbles alot and has many smiles and giggles for us.This morning we did the paperwork for the Canadian gov't to bring her home. She got her picture for her visa. Also this morning our guide MaRui (Mary) arranged to have the tailor come to the hotel to size the babies up to make them traditional silk outfits. We are having 2 made for her as well as a matching outfit for Jen and a tie for Dave. Some of the dads are also having custom suits made. All right here from the hotel and the should be ready in a few days. This afternoon is free time and daddy and Ali had a 2 hour nap after a long day yesterday while Mom, Aunt Jayna and some of the new friends went out hunting supplies and treasures.They came back with McDonlalds and it's just like home. We've all just been eating room service since the babies have come the last few days. Burgers and fries imported from Australia and they have been awesome and huge. One family even tried a pizza although they didn't get tuna or any strange things on it that were offered on the menu. It's been a nice relaxing day allowing us to rest up as the next couple look to be pretty busy although it is just optional stuff ; we'd like to experience it all. Ali is eating more now as we discover what she likes and can tolerate. We also think she is teething as she drools alot. She still loves to play in the tub and we've discovered how to steal giggles from her. She's ticklish on her neck and belly and laughs out loud. Mommy has also fondly nicknamed her "Nosey Parker". She does not want to miss a thing. She wants to see and touch everything wherever we go and contorts herself in some weird ways to do so although she now makes sure we are never too far away. If she hears something she has to investigate. She doesn't like to sit still. There is a 2 foot marble ledge in front of the window here at the hotel and Ali can sit there and look out for hours and watch the action below with amazement. In a lot of ways she reminds us of her sister Abby. Same chubby features,fair hair and inquisitive nature. Somewhere in heaven she is looking down on her little sister with pride and a smile.
We are now safely back in Beijing. Ali is doing just great. Over the last few days she has endured a 7 hour bus ride, 3 different hotel rooms in 3 different towns and a 2 1/2 hour plane ride including a few victory laps at the airport before landing with a training pilot making her first landing. All of this while breaking in a new set of fumbling parents and she still complains little and babbles alot and has many smiles and giggles for us.This morning we did the paperwork for the Canadian gov't to bring her home. She got her picture for her visa. Also this morning our guide MaRui (Mary) arranged to have the tailor come to the hotel to size the babies up to make them traditional silk outfits. We are having 2 made for her as well as a matching outfit for Jen and a tie for Dave. Some of the dads are also having custom suits made. All right here from the hotel and the should be ready in a few days. This afternoon is free time and daddy and Ali had a 2 hour nap after a long day yesterday while Mom, Aunt Jayna and some of the new friends went out hunting supplies and treasures.They came back with McDonlalds and it's just like home. We've all just been eating room service since the babies have come the last few days. Burgers and fries imported from Australia and they have been awesome and huge. One family even tried a pizza although they didn't get tuna or any strange things on it that were offered on the menu. It's been a nice relaxing day allowing us to rest up as the next couple look to be pretty busy although it is just optional stuff ; we'd like to experience it all. Ali is eating more now as we discover what she likes and can tolerate. We also think she is teething as she drools alot. She still loves to play in the tub and we've discovered how to steal giggles from her. She's ticklish on her neck and belly and laughs out loud. Mommy has also fondly nicknamed her "Nosey Parker". She does not want to miss a thing. She wants to see and touch everything wherever we go and contorts herself in some weird ways to do so although she now makes sure we are never too far away. If she hears something she has to investigate. She doesn't like to sit still. There is a 2 foot marble ledge in front of the window here at the hotel and Ali can sit there and look out for hours and watch the action below with amazement. In a lot of ways she reminds us of her sister Abby. Same chubby features,fair hair and inquisitive nature. Somewhere in heaven she is looking down on her little sister with pride and a smile.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
