Now we are in the home stretch- our paperwork in China is almost done!
Oct 18 well we are in Guangzhou. Cassie woke us at 4 am this morning and thought it was play time-but in a way it was
our own fault. She fell asleep after her bath last night so we did not giver
her bedtime bottle…so she was just hungry! Sean was really great he tried
to let me sleep and tend to her but she had other ideas- she was climbing all over the bed and me. He finally got her back off to sleep, but not for long as we once again had an early day. We had to be on the bus headed for the airport by 9:30am. I
was so stressed about our luggage- every piece was packed to capacity and we still left a lot behind…. but I guess it
was ok we did not get hit with over weight charges. I know we will be buying
a SUITCASE here in Guangzhou! We did not get to sit together on the plane –
but it was ok Cassie sat with me for the first half of the flight and did pretty well.
I tried to give her a bottle to help with her ears but she wanted no part of the juice or even the pacifier. I was able to entice her with some cheerios so at least she was chewing and that helped. Sean came about mid flight to see if I needed a break and I needed a potty break big time – so he
took her. I then made her a bottle of formula which is a challenge on a PACKED
flight (thank goodness I did not have to change her diaper) The plan was for Sean to feed her and then bring her back to me
– well you know what they say about the best laid plans----the flight started to descend and he could not bring her
back. Well we landed and these people just start CLIMBING over you to get out
there is no excuse me or courtesy it is an all out mad house and every man is for himself!
Well needless to say I just let the other people in my row out and then just waited on Sean so we were the last ones
out of the plane (you may want to remember this if you are meeting us) by the time we got downstairs our bags were there. We then changed Cassie in the middle of the Guangzhou airport on the floor –
hey it was an hour bus ride to the hotel! But we considered her privacy and did
it behind a advertising sign J
We then were told our schedule
for the next few days and it is PACKED!!!! Sandy we will be glad you are coming
Sunday so we can SLEEP---- We got to the hotel and ours was the only
room not ready so we visited with Dwight Joy and Mei who are next door. Finally
our room was ready. I had another meltdown today – the room is very small,
there is no crib it is a raised wood platform – we have moved it in between our beds in hopes of keeping her in it…
plus we had to get paperwork ready really quick for her medical exam and visa photo, plus I had not eaten anything other than
a cracker at the airport because I could feel my sugar going DOWN –
Well we went and had her photo
taken and then headed over to the medical exam. Can I tell you I will understand
if she has issues going to the doctor. There were about 60 people in these very
small areas and there were 3 stations – one for a physical check of body, one for ENT and then Weight, Length and Temp. I guess she passed with flying colors – but I now know why my back is killing
me she really is 19 pounds. We then came back to the room and got ready for the
next round of paperwork at 7pm.
Cassie had a late nap so she has
been in RARE form tonight – we are so tired and she just wants to play and we just want her to sleep so we can- Sean ran to 7-11 and I tried to get her to sleep to no avail – Sean came
back and rocked her for a long time. We thought she was out and then all of a
sudden she had pulled herself up and was peeking over the bed at us just a grinning!
It was so hard not to laugh – we finally gave in and busted out at her antics and Sean was back to rocking!
Well she is finally out so I figured
now was a good time to update-
By the way tomorrow they start
the US Consulate stuff and we have opted out of the city tour – so we may have some time to play ourselves. Check back tomorrow
Hugs from Gangzhou
The Canaday’s
Oct 19 Well today our guides went to start our paperwork at the US Consulate and tomorrow is the
BIG DAY- we get to take our oath to care for Cassie forever! Since they took
our paper work we had to be in our rooms from 10-11am in case there were any problems- we took advantage of that time to plan
out our POWER shopping!!!
Oh I forgot to mention I met our Secret Pal Sasha
and her husband Jonathan and their baby Bryn at breakfast this morning. It was
so nice to finally meet them after buying little happies for so many months. It sounded like they had a rough time in their
province- Bryn was pretty sick and had to go to a Chinese hospital- but she looked really happy now.
After waiting for our 11 am deadline we all decided to go out SHOPPING!
It was funny a family from another group saw us and asked if it was a tour. I
told him no we just do everything together – he is a real BUTT- and he replied well you will have to do things on your
own once you get home- So me being the wise@#$ told him no we are all moving to a central location to live together! That shut him up J
We went to a lot of shops and then Sean took Cassie back to the room as did all the other Dad’s and Laura, Hope
and I got down to some serious shopping and I still have more to get done tomorrow and Friday.
We are getting an etching of Sean’s Dog Cujo done- the lady there Stella is SO nice- we are going back tomorrow
with a photo of Cassie to have done as well. Actually all the store owners are
very friendly and they all comment on how pretty Cassie is – guess it helps for sales…. How can you not buy anything
from them after they tell you how adorable your child is???
Then we went out for dinner with the group but wound up leaving as the only thing we thought we MIGHT be able to eat
they were out of and Cassie was pretty fussy. So we went on by ourselves and
walked a bit a long the river and watched the locals doing tai chi in the park. Then
went back to Lucy’s for dinner – since our lunch there earlier was pretty good.
After that we headed back to the hotel to call it a night. One more night
at the Victory and then we head to the White Swan for our last night here—then we head HOME!!!
Will have more for you tomorrow-
Oct 20 Well
today we met up with Joy and Dwight and hit the town! We started out by having
breakfast at the White Swan pastry shop… then it was time for SERIOUS shopping before our Consulate Appointment this
afternoon. We got lots of our gifts out of the way and had to buy a new suitcase. Then we went to have our swearing in at the Consulate…. It was pretty much a
joke considering we had to wait an extra month for this! OK I will let it go!
Then we came back and got all
the girls dressed in their matching Red dresses and had a photo on the “Brown Couch” in the lobby of the Victory. Cassie was not happy about this idea- she and Olivia cried and cried! Then we changed
the girls back into their regular clothes and went to have a final dinner with our new “family”. We went to the White Swan and had dinner- it was really bittersweet… as much as we all want to go
home I am going to miss our new friends so much!
Tomorrow we head over to the White
Swan for our last night. We are looking forward to playing in the Mattel playroom
and I hope we get our adoption Barbie
Hugs from US
Oct 21 Well today’s post will be brief as it is already after 12am and we have to get up at 4:30am….
And Cassie is not a morning person either so we are in big trouble!
Today
started out early! We were up at 6 to see the rest of our group off- there were
lots of hugs and a few tears. I know it was bittersweet for us since we miss
everyone but know they are just as anxious to get home. After they left we went
up to the room and got everyone ready and then went down for breakfast …. Jocelyn and Grace came back and told us they
would help us to get over to the White Swan and check in. Well that was a bit
of a challenge as we have SO much luggage- so Sean took a cab with one rep and I walked over with Cassie and the other rep.
The
White Swan is very nice- and I got my Barbie! We got in and settled and then
hit the streets for some more shopping, and pictures at the park etc. Then we
came back – went to play in the Swan room (play room sponsored by Mattel) and had dinner (Cassie has grown accustomed
to Crème Brule so Nana get you recipe book out!) By then it was already
9pm….we have been trying to get the luggage situated and we have just come to the conclusion we may have to pay over
weight fees.
We
are meeting another CCAI rep tomorrow morning with another family who is going out at the same time so that is good it will
be easier that way!
Well
we are so excited to be coming HOME
Will
update more about our day after we are home and settled! Hope you all enjoyed
following our journey. I know we will be seeing many of you at the airport and
have been telling Cassie about all her new friends and family!
Hugs-
The Canaday’s on their last night in CHINA