Finishing up in Guangzhou

Today's our last day in Guangzhou. It's the day the baby pictures are taken on the red couch and we go to the U.S. Consulate for Talia's swearing in as a U.S. citizen. We shopped yesterday and saw the Chen family museum and the Folk Art Center. We had chops made for each of our girls, rubber stamps with their Chinese names. We also bought art for at home. Lydia got some much needed playground time again. Talia played in the baby room at the hotel and had her first bath without tears, thanks to the stacking cups and the fact that only her toes were actally in the water, as she was on mama's lap. We ate at a Thai restaurant last night, and Lydia wanted to show the orchids we put in her hair, and the fancy mango and banana drinks we ordered. There are also pictures of Lydia kneeling at a Buddhist Temple and throwing a coin in a Buddhist wishing well. The whole family kneeled together at the temple and were blessed by a Buddhist monk as well--we can use all the blessing we can get! (Art probably wished for Villanova to beat UNC-CH).

Guangzhou and Baby Kisses

Finally, we're on the 'net again. We didn't get into Guangzhou until late on Friday, and our girls didn't get to bed until almost 11 pm. Then--9am in the lobby to get Talia's Visa picture taken and head to the medical appointment. Talia's Visa picture is of her crying lustily--she did not like being away from mama! The medical appointment did not go much better. She cried at every stop. She weighs a bit over 17 pounds, but is probably putting on weight as she loves to eat--this morning was banana, brown rice cereal (from home), a bit of muffin, some yogurt and hey--how about some of mama's omelet? Breakfast is her biggest meal, as there are so many baby-friendly choices. Lydia needed some playground and running around time yesterday, so found a great playground and got lots of exercise. While going through the protocol of having our computer connection reviewed by a 1/2 dozen people, concluding with "the engineer," we all got some play time with Talia on the bed. Suddenly, she leaned over mama, and planted a big droolie kiss right on mama's mouth! Then laughed and laughed! She has given everyone kisses now, and thinks it's the funniest thing. I wish bath was as happy, alas, it is not to be. While mama gave Talia her bath last night, Lydia got to go out with Baba for a banana split to Lucy's. Talia was asleep by 7 pm, and slept until 6 am, with just a couple of brief wake ups--new hotel and crib, probably. There was a tremendous storm here yesterday afternoon, with thunder, lightening and palm trees swaying wildly. Even some hail in the night. Today looks much clearer, and there is a shopping expedition planned with our group this morning. Hopefully we'll be able to post again later, we're having to use the Business Center computer. Just wanted everyone to know things are going well in warm and balmy Guangzhou. Kisses from Talia!

A New Day and a Visit to Old City

It's Thursday morning, around 6:30 am March 26th. It's the best time to post, the two girls are sleeping peacefully. Lydia had a big day of walking yesterday, and fell sound asleep in Baba's arms at dinner. She was too tired for her usual bath, but then had a hard time falling asleep last night. Lydia woke up in the early morning hours crying--probably a bad dream, climbed in to bed with us and fell fast asleep. Talia was awake around 5:20, played with us a little, had a bottle and is now also sleeping in our bed next to Lydia. Mama and Baba have pretty much been up since around 4:20 am. Today we're supposed to go to the Old City for a tour, and a chance to buy a traditional outfit of clothing for Talia. We were so lucky that Director Wang presented Lydia with a traditional outfit when we visited her orphanage. Both girls have been very easy, Lydia is adjusting to life with a new sister and needing a little more love and attention, but is overall doing great. Talia is like a dream baby--eats, sleeps, laughs and plays, loves to go places and see new things, but can also sit on the bed and play by herself without fussing. She and Lydia both play together and can play side by side doing their own thing. Lydia enjoys helping with Talia's bottle, and feeding her bites at meals. Pictures from the day probably during Talia's nap or this evening. Tomorrow we leave Chongqing for a two-hour flight to Guangzhou, the last stop as we get Talia's paperwork finished up--her visa and her U.S. Citizenship, her passport arrives tomorrow before we leave.

This morning's adventure was to the Old City of Chongqing. We saw bunkers in the mountain side along the highway, where the citizens of Chongqing hid from the Japanese invasion. We arrived at the Old City neighborhood and saw many shops and items for sale, some traditional, like Chinese clothing and foods, some new, like hacky sacks and doggie fashions! We tried many traditional Chinese candies and sweets--Lydia really loved a rice paste with walnut candy, pressed thin, like a stick of chewing gum. There is also a picture of her holding a phoenix on a stick--we watched the man drizzle caramelized sugar on a marble slab and attach her candy to the stick, which he then presented to her. Then, there was the rice with brown sugar wrapped in bamboo leaves and steamed in a little package--really wonderful, even Talia wanted more, more and more. She's developed quite the sweet tooth, and loved the grilled bananas drizzled with honey for "lunch dessert." Art took photos of the river, a beach that is viewable only in the spring until the water rises and covers it, and a Buddhist Monastery. The above pictures include glazed sweets for sale, men pounding a tub making sesame paste for candy, and our family with hands rubbing on a ball against a wall, "for good luck." The locals love to ask us questions, and I now answer "hao le" (it's fine!) when the older women worry about the Ergo carrier. Babies are traditionally just carried by hand in China, or papoose style in a bamboo basket on the back, not these new-fangled carrier things. Anita, our guide, has been so wonderful and generous to us. She bought Lydia and Talia each a memento of Chongqing, their names and a special message from Chongqing in a framed certificate. We bought hand painted banyan tree leaves to frame at home, a specialty of Chongqing artists. Both girls got traditional outfits and Anita bought us another cake, since the first one was such a hit! We will be sad to leave Talia's provincial capital, and the wonderful, warm and sweet Anita. But tomorrow is one more tour in the morning before Anita brings us to the airport, and one step closer to home with our new daughter. Probably won't post again or just a small note as we'll be packing, flying out, and getting into Guangzhou late, probably not to the hotel until 8:30 pm or so, assuming the flight is on time.

More About Talia

I know, what's left to tell, with all the updates? Well, some "fun facts" about Talia:

Favorite Food? Hard to tell, eats like there's no tomorrow. Four meat dumplings and about 1/2 cup of broth for dinner again tonight. Loves her steamed egg, too (We're bringing home a recipe). Maybe a new Olympic event--lunge for the spoon!
Favorite Activity? Those colorful stacking cups--they're great! Brief crisis this morning when they couldn't be found, luckily they were somewhere where no one put them!
Size? Best fit so far, 6-9 month outfit of Lydia's that Lydia didn't really get to wear.
Motor Development: Not yet walking, but can stand briefly if held, not yet crawling, can sit with pillow propped behind her, but not independently for long.
Language: Great at babbling! Mamamamama, bababababa, lalalalala--of course we know she means mama, baba and Lydia!
How to make her laugh? Gentle blowing on her face--cracks her up every time.
Preferred conveyance: Really lovin' that Ergo carrier, but likes to GO once we're in there. If we're going to sit, unbuckle me please. Not too crazy about the stroller we bought yet.
Favorite Beverage? Half apple juice, half water in the Pigeon bottle (special bottle for babies with cleft palate), though will take a Playtex bottle with the fast flow nipple. Haven't tried formula, as the orphanage said she drank milk. Doesn't seem too crazy about milk, but she may not want it because she's teething and congested.
Least Favorite Activity? Anything to do with bathing. Haven't found what she'll tolerate without crying yet. Tonight I tried standing in the shower stall with her held close to give her steam for her congestion--cried and cried pathetically. Wasn't happy until we were out of there and bundled into a towel.
Sleep: Great sleeper. A little quiet, a little dark, that apple juice/water combo, a few Chinese children's songs and she sleeps through the night. Wakes up happy and ready to go.
Problem Solving: Cup in one hand, cup in another and someone is trying to hand you another? Hmmm, put one down and grab the new one!
Number of teeth? 2 on top, 4 on the bottom, and it looks like she's working on a couple of molars in the back.
Question we're asked most often? Mei Mei or Didi (boy or girl)? I know her hair is short, it'll grow!
Overall? She's funny, charming, sweet and adaptable. We just love her :)

At the Zoo and Baba's turn with naptime

Anita and Mr. Lee took us to the Chongqing Zoo this morning, which started out a little cool and foggy, ending up partly sunny and warm by lunchtime. Through the long entrance at the zoo, lined with life-sized statues of animals, Pei Pei was questioning whether we were going to see any real animals. The first animals we saw were the lesser pandas (resembling a cross between a raccoon and a small panda, which were reddish-brown and black in color. Next, we saw the seven giant pandas (considered national treasures) eating their bamboo brunch. We also saw some folks, in colorful outfits, performing tai chi with swords. The woman in red is the laoshi (teacher).

Wen Pei asked baba to carry her, as she has done numerous times during this trip; but we challenged her to walk, after which we would buy her a treat/souvenir. She rose to the occasion, so at the end of our zoo trip, we bought some panda-themed tee shirts, toy, and pocketbook.

At one point at the zoo, Lydia Grace said that when we get back home to NC, she would like a play date with Charlotte without the mei meis. I told her that Charlotte might like that too, and that we could probably arrange the play date.

After getting back to the district, one of seven in Chongqing, (population approx. 30 million!), we had a repeat lunch at the Teppenyaki Japanese restaurant, where the food is grilled at the tables. Very yummy (hao chi): honey glazed chicken with pineapple; local green sauteed vegetables; garlic fried rice; local beer (pi jiu) and watermelon juice. Mama cut up little pieces of the greens and chicken, and Baba fed them to Talia An on his lap, which is about where the food ended up after mei mei decided to return the offering...if you know what I mean. Luckily this restaurant, like some of the others that we've gone to, provide hot, damp wash cloths at the beginning of the meals. So, we quickly utilized them. Mei wen xi (no problem).

After lunch, Mama and jie jie had a special Mama and jie jie journey to get ice cream and do some shopping. I took mei mei back to the hotel, fed her some yogurt, and diluted apple juice; and put her to bed without any problems.....well, not really. I left her naked on the bed while searching for some baby powder, only to hear her starting to fuss. When I got back to her, I discovered that she was peeing right there on the changing pad on top of the bed. I guess she gave me a warning by her fussing, but I didn't catch on quickly enough. Other than that she went to sleep in my arms as I sang a couple of Chinese songs, which we learned in Penny's Chinese class.

Lydia and Mama came back to the room (probably to check on Baba!), after paying way too much for Haagen-Daz ice cream and buying a pair of "jelly" sandals and hair bows for Lydia, and then went out again to the underground ("sleepless city") --- more shopping, I'm sure.
Our afternoon is unscheduled. Tomorrow morning, we head off to the "old town" of Chongqing, which is another souvenir-buying opportunity.

A Trip to the Zoo

Our guide, Anita, surprised us with a cake and a special Chinese birthday candle at dinner last night. You light the candle, it opens like a flower and plays Happy Birthday. She said the celebration was of the birth of our family of four! Both girls loved the candle and the cake. Talia has been a trouper. She's teething, 6 teeth in and more are coming, and seems to have a little cold. She likes the infant's Tylenol that "Aunt Jacquie" gave her, and she's just not fussy at all, unless it's bath time. Apparently bath time was not so much fun at the orphanage. We've tried the baby bathtub :( and 3 girls in the big tub :( So far, not so good. We'll persevere--luckily she smells good! Today we're going to the Chongqing Zoo. This region is famous for its Panda Bears, and we'll see Giant Pandas too. Lydia and Talia are having their "sister time" on the big bed. Lydia has Talia in her sun hat that we bought for our outing, and and the girls are playing with stuffed animals and a music toy that's been a big hit. So have the stacking cups, but at the moment we're having a hard time finding them! Zoo pics to come . . . Pics are up. We loved the giraffe close up and Lydia took the two scenery pictures at a pretty pond--one looking down at goldfish, the other at the winding creek, look out Aunt Eileen, another photographer in the family!

She's Really and Truly Ours

What another exciting day! We have just come back from the Registration Office and made the promises to care for and educate Talia, and to never abandon her and she has been officially approved as our daughter, and we as her mama and baba and jie jie. Last night, Lydia summed it up--"I love mei mei, thank you for getting her for me." :)

We are all so happy and content. She is a very happy, sweet and easy baby. She eats everything! As soon as she woke up this morning she had a container of yogurt, at breakfast she ate a big bowl of steamed egg custard and little tastes of what we were eating, at lunch noodles, bits of chicken, greens sauteed with garlic, and she's taken all day, but finished a bottle of 1/3 apple juice and 2/3 water. No formula for this girl, said her orphanage staff.

She missed her afternoon nap because of the adoption finalization, but had a brief nap in the carrier in the park with mama and Lydia this morning while baba went to the bank and wire transferred the orphanage "donation." (As if this wasn't required!)

Mama and the girls created quite the scene in the park this morning by themselves. We were literally mobbed several times by dozens of people swarming us. I can now understand and answer simple questions--the 2 girls are both my daughters, Lydia is four years old and Talia is one. No, baba is not Chinese, they are adopted. People are very curious, but very friendly and approving. I did get "fussed at" this morning because Talia's pant legs pulled up in the carrier and exposed bare skin--and it was only 71 degrees. I promptly came back to the hotel room and put tights on under her pants like a good Chinese mama would. Tonight we'll get her a little cotton cap to wear on her head--I really wish they would quit asking if she's a didi (little boy) or mei mei (little girl)! I understand and can answer those questions, too, and pink doesn't seem to tip them off. Today we put her in one of Lydia's dresses, 12 months, from Children's Place. I had to roll up the long sleeves two times, the dress was well below her knees, and the little diaper cover pants would barely stay up--she's a little peanut.

Lydia and baba went off to have ice cream and playground time while Talia had a late nap this afternoon before the celebration dinner with our guide, Anita. I think tonight it's hotpot--cook your meat and vegetables at the table, like fondue. We've eaten so well, and all in all, Talia has made a seamless transition to the family.

Five minutes of bottle and some Chinese songs (thank you Penny!) and she's out like a light. Today we saw happy, laugh-out-loud Talia. Her nanny said she is always happy and laughing, what a wonderful thing for the new mama and baba to hear. Jie jie and mei mei have had bonding play time with the colorful cups.

It's hard to believe that we left for China 10 days ago, and that we still get to be here another week. As much as I love China and all that we are experiencing, we will be happy to be home, too, and back in our routine. On the house front, our realtor says our house has been shown twice now, and one man is interested and needs to bring his wife this week to see the house as well--I'm not sure if I'm sad, excited, or what--we'll wait and see what happens. For now, we're enjoying this time with Lydia Grace and our new daughter, Talia An.

A Family of Four

Well, just after the post last night, Lydia announced, "The baby is awake!" around 7:30 or so. And sure enough, she was sitting up in her crib, not making a peep. So we got her up and gave her a bottle, and she was just content to be held and given her bottle. Lydia shared that she was "jealous of that baby" because no one was holding her or giving her a bottle! Lydia was so tired from her big day and needed lots of extra love and attention. Talia is so serious and observant. When we were ready for bed, I put her down in her crib, and she just played with her little fingers. At one point she made a mewing sound, and I picked her up and brought her into bed with us and she fell promptly asleep in mama's arms. Much, much later I put her back to bed and she has slept all night, what a big and tiring day for her as well. Mama and baba are up early again today, hard to sleep much past 5am, as that's when we usually get up. We're posting now before "the girls--plural!" get up, and hope to have more pictures later.

She's Here and Fabulous!

Well, we had to find things to amuse ourselves until 3:30, and by 3:00 pm, we couldn't wait any more. We left our room and our guide was waiting for us. The building where we were to receive Talia was just next door. It was so exciting packing up the baby bag, walking over, seeing other non-asian families arriving too, most with a jie jie (big sister) like Lydia Grace in tow. One family was speaking French. Maybe 6 other families were there, and a room full of ayi's (nannies) with babies, but not our baby; word was they were still on the way, as it was a 6 hour drive. We got to watch other families meet their babies for the first time, some babies were happy and smiling, some serious and somber appearing and others crying. It was interesting to just be just an observer at that point. Then the ding of the elevator and our guide went around the corner . . . "your baby has arrived." She was so much smaller than I expected--smaller than 9 month old Tulia at HRC! My mama estimate is 15 to 17 pounds at almost 14 months old. She had very pink cheeks, thick hair and was wearing a 2-piece denim outfit that was much too big with new shoes and no socks. She just looked at us and we at her as she was held by her nanny and accompanied by the orphanage director. Mama got to hold her first and she cried and cried. Our guide had coached us what to say--Wo ai ni Tao Tao, Bu ya ku, Tao Tao, Hao le (I love you, don't cry, it's okay. Tao Tao is her nickname in the orphanage. She did stop crying and stared with interest at us. She wasn't interested in the water bottle we brought, but the Director said that the Pigeon bottle (a special bottle for babies with cleft palate that we brought was the one she was most familiar with. We decided to try a snack, and jie jie Lydia Grace was the first to finger feed her some Gerber snacks that melt in the mouth. Wow, was that baby hungry. Fu Tao er le (hungry)! She got quite happy and we saw 4 bottom teeth and 2 top teeth! She was content on the walk back, with a couple more smiles during an impromptu game of Peek-a-boo. Our guide went to get food for the baby and came back with what looked like won ton soup with greens--who knew? Talia ate and ate--4 dumplings cut up in small pieces, greens and broth. She then drank quite a bit of water from the bottle that baba was feeding her. She has a congested sounding chest, so the guide suggested a warm bath to loosen her chest. Talia did not like getting undressed and really didn't like the first bath. But then we lotioned and diapered her (bit of diaper rash) and put her in soft new pajamas. Mama gave her more bottle and she fell asleep in my arms about 6:15, so sweet softly snoring away. Dad and Lydia Grace went out for take out dinner while I got Talia settled in her crib. We ate a delicious dinner of rice and chicken and beef and noodles with cantaloupe juice to drink and local beer for mom and dad to celebrate the newest member of the family. By 7:15 Lydia Grace had announced that she was full, tired and ready to go to bed, so she did. We are making this post about 7:45 pm and are all tired from our big day. Tomorrow we will continue to get to know one another, and continue our journey as a family of four. For tonight, wan an (evening peace) and may it be a peaceful evening for all.

Side Track

With apologies to our Talia An, I offer the following diversion from this wonderful experience.

Art says: GO 'NOVA - GO 'NOVA - GO 'NOVA

I had a dream last night about advising the V.U. basketball team about how to handle the Duke team during a practice preparation. "Mei guan xi" (no problem). Play good physical defense in the paint. Let Henderson get his points. Focus on the other, less talented, slower players. Tire them out - they'll turn it over. On offense, take it to the basket relentlessly, which will open up the 3-point shots.

For Duke fans unaccustomed to superior basketball play, they may be surprised. Watch out for the Blue and the White.

V for Villanova, V for Victory. B for blue, W for white. For the Blue and the White, we will fight, fight, fight!

The Big Day!

We all woke early, with Lydia announcing that it's "ling" (zero in Chinese) day on the countdown to Talia. She also shared that she has 3 big feelings today--happy, excited and a little bit nervous. Nervous that "I'll have to share my mommy/daddy." We posted a picture of Talia on yesterday's post that we hadn't seen before. It was in the adoption paperwork that we completed yesterday afternoon. As promised, Lydia then got to go to the indoor playground and Starbucks, where she had hot cocoa. It started to cool off last night, with rain today and a high of only 61 F. Luckily we've brought clothing for all weather possibilities, and only the cooler weather clothing is still clean. We sent out all of our laundry yesterday, and it's due back today. What's not to love about China? You eat out for every meal trying delicious new things, send the laundry out to be washed, daily maid service to make up beds and clean the room . . . it's great! We (and our guide) noted that our air conditioning wasn't working very well on arrival. Yesterday, we had management here, housekeeping and maintenance all at once. They have provided us with a floor model air conditioner that they fill with ice, which is cooling the room nicely. Then a huge fruit basket arrived "for our inconvenience!" The fruit is gorgeous--apple, orange, 2 mangoes, kiwi, 2 bananas and 2 pieces of fruit I can't identify; one looks like a kiwi but has a smooth green skin like an apple and the other is vaguely pineapple-like, but pink with smooth green tentacles that look like aloe. We should try to get a picture and will have to ask Anita what it is and how to eat it.

Last night, we ventured once again to the underground world, which our hotel and the adjourning park sit atop. The underground seems to be designed in a hub and spokes layout, with massive round columns in the centers, many restaurant, shops, amusements, and even a massage parlor that Donna is planning to visit. We ate dinner at a restaurant and bumbled through ordering a couple of entrees. We successfully order a chicken dish, which we wanted hot but not spicy - that was a challenge but our waitperson spoke enough English to eventually understand what we were saying. We also ordered "mien" (noodles), but got a sizzling beef and green/red pepper dish instead... regardless, it was quite good. The chicken dish came in a large bowl with tree ear mushrooms, chicken, and crispy rice crackers in a thick, soupy gravy. Hao chi! (delicious).

We've been amazed by how warm it has been, upper 70's to probably low 80's here in Chongqing, the warmest city we've visited so far, called one of the 3 "furnace cities" in China, because it's unbearably hot in the summer. Happily we're here in March! Our day is free until we go to get Talia. We've been told all the things to bring--gifts for the Orphanage Director and 2 nannies, a bottle of water and snacks for Talia, blankets and toys to distract and amuse her. Lydia is "breaking in" all of Talia's things, and we posted a picture of her trying out the crib, of which she approves. She's been playing with all the baby things just since we've arrived in Chongqing, we think to ready herself for a new baby in our life. She carries around a blanket, which she calls "pretty colors" and is pretending that it is her baby. She gives it a bottle, puts it in the crib and yesterday made it an appointment! We're all preparing in our own way. We'll probably hang out in the underground today, lots of shops and restaurants, but oddly very dimly lit and very smoky. Between the poor outdoor air quality and the indoor cigarette smoking, the air is bad here, and I'm glad for my inhaler and antihistamines. The big post with baby pictures will hopefully happen this evening . . . stay tuned! [We've added a few more pictures in our Changning City post below. You can click on the photos to enlarge them.]

Chongqing, First Day

We've now gotten acclimated to our new city after a walking tour with our guide, Anita. This amazing 33-story hotel has an "underground" with many shops, restaurants, a large indoor playground, an Olympic-sized pool and a 2-story grocery store. We've been grocery shopping for essentials for our 6 days here; bottled water is a necessity, as no one drinks the tap water. Plus juice for Lydia Grace, batteries for the electronic stuff, etc. It's fun to recognize brands, such as Colgate toothpaste, but everything else on the box is in Chinese. We've promised Lydia playground time after the paperwork this afternoon. Just outside the hotel is a large park where there are many vendors, people doing tai chi, ice cream, etc. Our guide has given us two discount cards to use at two local department stores that we can also walk to, as well as KFC, McD's, Starbucks and all the amenities of home. We've learned that we go to the Registration Office for Talia tomorrow, Monday, at 3:30 pm. We can walk there, it looks like a block or two from the hotel. Our guide has purchased a stroller for us, we're not sure yet if it's for Talia or Lydia, who wants to be carried everywhere. We've been accommodating her if she asks us in Chinese--qing bao wo "uppie please." Pictures to come later this afternoon :)