Yesterday (Sunday in Guangzhou) we went to the Guangzhou Safari and spent most of the day there. Everyone had fun, especially Didi (the name she seems to like the most right now), who talked and pointed non-stop at all of the different animals we saw. Sebbie really liked the Australian animals, telling us all he learned in Ms. B's and Maestra Aida's classrooms about kangaroos, Wallabees and Koala's.
Hola Maestra Aida and Ms. B!
Feeding the Giraffe!
More Giraffe Feeding
By the end of the Safari, everyone was really tired, and a bit cranky. Little Maggie fell asleep in the backpack carrier, and Sebbie was ready for a break too. Dinner that night was Sebbie's choice and we ate at a really nice Italian restaurant, about a 15 minute walk from the White Swan Hotel. The food was really tasty and the chef even came out to help me order gluten free. Sebbie really enjoyed is authentic Italian pizza. Of course, Maggie loved all of the food, especially the different shaped bread sticks and the tomato and basil pesto dips.
Medical Exam. Hearing is good!
It was scary and she needed some hugs!
Winding down with Ge Ge after the medical exam!
Monday (today in Guangzhou) was the medical exam for Maggie. It was about a 20 minute walk. Should be a 10 minute walk, except, since she is 2, she insisted on walking there by herself! She didn't need help with the steps or the curbs and especially didn't want to be carried. The exam was fairly short, about 20 minutes and the clinic was full of Western families and all different ages of adopted girls and one 9 year old boy. The staff was friendly, but poor little Didi looked scared and very apprehensive. She doesn't like a Chinese person to reach for her or touch her (she is warming up to our guide, Lee) and we think she thinks they are taking her back. She passed the exams consisting of hearing, weight/height, lungs and heart. On the written questionnaire, they were concerned about her cough and wanted to prescribe antibiotics and cough medicine, but we were not as concerned and opted for the Chinese herbal cough syrup.
We ended the day with a really fun evening cruise on the Pearl River. We boarded the ship a couple of miles from the hotel and spent an hour and a half on the boat. It was fun to see all of the modern high rise apartments, the bright, neon lights, and some of the huge (I mean tremendously HUGE) digital displays/high definition television quality screens are incredible. Some are on the sides of skyscraper buildings and some of the cruise ships have them covering the entire sides of the boat. The bridges are all lit up with flashing neon, the river banks are all lit up. Amazing! Of course, I am easily amazed here in the BIG city, coming from Eastern Oregon. Not near as much neon out there!
Another successful day of bonding and getting to know each other better. Maggie prefers to feed herself now, dumping off anything we put on her spoon and then scooping back up the same bit of food. She communicates very nicely when she needs to sit on her little potty, especially when it is #2 and she is always quite proud when the deed is accomplished. She loves to help Ge Ge by bringing him his shoes and his socks in the locker room after he goes for a swim. We are still getting hugs and kisses, even after a being told NO (and having our first time-outs) when she does things like throw her blocks at Ge Ge. We believe the bonding is getting even deeper because she is not afraid to show anger at us or to lay down on the floor in the middle of the lobby and have a good old temper tantrum!
We are all very happy!
.jpg)
1 comment:
I LOVE reading your updates...brings back so many memories. We took a Pearl River boat ride too, and it truly is an amazing sight, isn't it. You might want to visit the Guangzhou zoo, too. Very beautiful and peaceful. And I trust you've made it over to Lucy's restaurant a few times? Sounds like Maggie is really progressing well and that you're all falling in love with each other. My oh my. Such a big fat exciting deal for everybody.
Post a Comment