Saturday, November 5, 2011

Switching Cities


Yesterday was a long day. We started out by doing most of our packing in preparation for our flight at 6:30. We then took a taxi to the Bazaar to do some souvenir shopping. Sitting in front of a taxi in Shanghai is like a ride at Disney World......you think your going to crash or run into a pedestrian about every three seconds only to swerve at the last moment. Very thrilling.
As soon as we got to the Bazaar we ran into a couple from Washington DC who were adopting their second daughter. We discovered they they actually know one of the couples we traveled with to adopt our daughter 3 years ago that live in the DC area. Amazingly small world sometimes.
We picked up our final paperwork and headed for the airport. Due to the timing Sprout skipped her nap. On the plane ride she was very good. Toward the end the lack of a nap kicked in and she got slap happy. Much better than the potential opposite reaction. We got a very pleasant surprise on our way to GZ. We found out our guide this week is the same one we had last year when we adopted Pudding. It is certainly nice having somebody you already know and trust during this adventure.
We also met three of the other families we'll be spending time with this week. Its always fun comparing stories and meeting the other kids.
This morning we all slept until after 8:00! Of course, it is also the morning that we have to meet our guide promptly at 9:00 so we made a mad dash through breakfast. Sprout was not too pleased that we didn't have the usual hour to make our way through the entire breakfast buffet, especially when she discovered they had shrimp dumplings.
We met up with the rest of our group and made our way to Shamian Island for the standard medical exam for the children. We stayed on the island last year so it was nice to go back for a visit. It is so relaxed and laid back (not to mention a great place to shop). When we arrived, the waiting room was empty so we were quickly escorted back to each of the areas (general checkup, ENT, cardiology). It's a good thing too because soon after we got there the waiting room filled with more thirty other families. It was a madhouse full of newly adopted children and their families. One funny tidbit: The doctor doing Sprout's checkup kept looking at her and looking at her chart. He even asked for the Chinese version of her medical files we have. He took them and made copies and studies them intently. I was beginning to worry when our translator came to the room and he quickly asked her a question. He was concerned because her lips were so blue and she doesn't have a heart condition that would do that. Ummm, guess who gave her a blue sucker right before we walked into the appointment?!?! Thank goodness he found that to be funny and we were quickly on our way.
The rest of the day was open so Stu and Sawyer went to the pool while I stayed in the room with Sprout who took a great nap! After that we went exploring in the area around our hotel and bought a new stroller. Sprout does NOT like the baby carrier I brought for her and loves, loves, loves to be in a stroller. I think she would sit in their all day if we let her. Stu is a master bargainer and was able to get a pretty good deal on a nice stroller so we have one happy little girl.
It's amazing how much Sprout is continuing to come out of her shell. We have had a few more brief spells of grief but for the most part she is a very happy little girl. She laughs constantly and finds the most random things absolutely hysterical. She is really starting to mimic words we say and is using "mama" and "papa" regularly. We've started using sign language with her and she has already picked up the signs for "more" and "all finished". I'm quite sure that "food" and "drink" aren't too far behind. We are seeing a lot of typical 2-year-old behavior and a few temper tantrums when she doesn't get her way, but this is reassuring as she feels comfortable enough with to show us her true colors.





7 comments:

April Taylor said...

So amazing!!! I love the updates and all the pictures. She has the absolute best smile, and I thought your little man from China had the best smile....hmmmmm. I'll be needing a side-by-side comparison shot when you get home. Your whole family is so gorgeous. Enjoy the rest of your stay in China and send you good thoughts and peaceful energy for the flight home:)

Shannon said...

I could stare at her all day! It seems like she is adjusting very well. Glad to hear the trip is smooth so far.

Christen L said...

I just can not get over her smile! It's beautiful!! :) The sucker story is hysterical. Imagine in Russia if that happened... Oh Lord! Nevermind, now that I think about they probably wouldn't have noticed. lol.

p.s. I love the name choice. And you know how I feel about names...

Anonymous said...

Love,love,love the updates and the wonderful pics! The littles are doing awesome! Got to play outside today! Love Puffy and Papa

Ragena said...

God is sooooo good. On this day of National Orphan Sunday I decided to check in and to my suprise the sweet heart is finally with her forever family! Tears are falling as have prayed and thought about her for a year since we were in Shanghai. She is beautiful and is right where she was meant to be. Enjoy the journey!
PS Our little Shanghai sweetie is the absolutly happiest thing have ever seen.

Sharon said...

She absolutely could not be any cuter!! :)

Mom to 2 Angels said...

Ahhhh! Love seeing her in her shirt! Thanks for keeping us all updated. I love following along!