Better day today....

More lights in GZ

Little blue boat....he cleans the river EVERYDAY. He does a good job

Our group (partial) at dinner

Kevin watching Little Einstein video....LOVED IT

Looking at the beloved photo book we sent months ago.

Kevin's bed in the White Swan

Showing off his unders

Kevin wearing a towel like daddy after a bath.

Today I have begun to recover from my horrid day yesterday. We passed with flying colors at the consulate today. Tomorrow we will take the oath and receive Kevin's visa. I truly can't wait to get home so that we can have a backyard to play in and room to roam. I may never stay in another hotel. We have a suite, but still the walls begin to close in after awhile.

We went to dinner tonight with more of our travel group....it is also nice to hear they are ready to go too. I don't want to appear ungrateful, but 2 1/2 weeks is a long time to be away from home. We have our precious boy, let me on a plane. Enjoy the pics

SIck day

I love his lips too.

All boy....wanting to stand up in the chairs

Likes to sit on the couch and ride it like a horsey. What a Texas boy.

Today I was so sick I couldn't get out of bed. I managed to get out of bed to ward off the man with the black cape and sikel.....I don't know what happened...maybe something I ate...maybe this was the last day my body could go on...dont' know, just glad that I can be vertical once again.

The dinner cruise last night was wonderful. We took the video camera so no new pics for today. Kevin did really wonderful. There is so much neon around the island that he was fascinated by all the lights. We have had our boy for one week. Sometimes it seems much longer and yet we are still discovering things about each other every day. He is learning new concepts...sharing, going to bed in another strange place, and trying new foods. He is also learning what it is like to have a mama and daddy. He will now let us kiss a boo boo and give us hugs readily. I can't wait until he truly discovers what parents are. When he learns to accept security and safety from us. When he openly disobeys and knows that he will still be loved.

How we love this island

Boys being silly

Beautiful pagoda in the lobby

He loves to stick his tongue out.

Army??

I love his wrinkled nose

Bride getting pics done at the playground

Sculptures around the island

More

We will be taking a boat ride this evening. We didn't do this last time, so we thought we would try it this time. The weather here is really wonderful, we aren't used to the humidity, but we are glad to not have any rain.

Enjoy more pictures of the island

Walking around GZ.

Mark always keeps us in stitches Kevin running to baba

Kevin playing with the other kids in our group

For Andrea

Who doesn't love naked baby pictures

Our gift from Wuxi orphanage

Today was a free day so we took in some sights and boosted the economy. We love the bargaining here....."more you spend more you save" is the motto for most of the stores. I don't have any problem with that. Daddy gave Kevin a bath last night that lasted 45 min. He is so content to transfer water from one cup to the next. He seems to tolerate more things when Baba does them. He still opens up more to me everyday. He wants to sleep in our bed for naptime but readily goes to his crib when it is dark outside. He loved the resturant last night. He had lots of duck and french fries. He continues to parrott anything we say....

Tomorrow we go for his medical exam. I hope we get out of there with some dignity. Last adoption there was almost an international incident....an AMERICAN man tried to really pick a fight with me and several in our travel group had to intervene.

We can't wait to get home.....only 6 more days!!!!! We got lots of shopping done, so I am sure the girls will be glad to see us as well.

Reminder to non bloggers

You can click on any picture and enlarge for a better view.

Paperwork and Thai food

Kevin and daddy having a snack

Always ready to go with his stroller

Sweet Elaine, another veteran adopter. Her kids are precious

Paperwork posse

Outside our window in GZ

Julie and Diane, we went to Cow and Bridge today. How in the world did we not make it there last adoption????? Really good food. I was not as adventurous as Duane but still stepped a bit out of my comfort zone. Duane didn't see the 2 chili peppers by his order.....suffered somewhat but did make it through the meal

We did the infamous paperwork session today for our visas. Took picutres....no surprise Kevin didn't smile. He gives the best cheesy grins after the flash has gone off. He is opening up to me more everyday. He is very curious when I am not in sight but when I ask to hold him I get a big NO. We have learned that if Duane kisses and hugs me, Kevin doesn't like the competition and runs to me with his sweet lips out for a kiss and hug. We will get there I know.

We will begin our shopping tomorrow. It is everything I remember. Our guide here is really wonderful...how appropriate that her name is Grace. I was needing some of that right about now. I am still battleing bad congestion and some coughing. I have started antibiotics to keep my chest clear, please continue to lift us up in prayer.

I love watching families meld together. To see parents learn what their child needs and to see children letting their parents fill their needs. We still have problems with control issues, but we all understand it is ALL they have now.

Pictures

Lovin' those cheeks

He don't need no stinkin' booster seat

Our group dinner in Nanjing

Anna, our guide, (in polka dot sweater) singing Happy Birthday in Chinese

Yummy, cake for wonderful Mark.

More group dinner

Really enjoyed his first flight....what part he was awake for.

Flying day

Today we left Nanjing for Guangzhou. It was bittersweet to leave Kevin's homeland and everything he has known. He continues to open up more everyday. He is beginning to let me do more as well. He is by far the best kid in our group.....he is always so calm and they often comment on how he never gets upset. I guess he just saves that for us in the room. He is truly a smart boy....sometimes too smart for his own good. He wants to imitate EVERYTHING Duane does....useing a knife, toothpick, trying to stand to use the bathroom. Since he has been taken out of his comfort zone it is vital to him that he controls most situations. We have chosen some battles to fight and others we will fight later. I can't believe how lucky we are to have been chosen for his parents. He is such a wonderful child. He awakens in such a good mood...he eats most things we put in front of him and he goes to sleep most nights without a problem.

He went on his first flight today...I promise pictures tomorrow.....I am really beat tonight. He slept the entire flight, everyone was jealous, but we will pay for it I am sure.......

Thanks again for all the wonderful wishes and prayers that I know are coming our way.

Brocade factory and Nanjing Wall

Sorry, can't turn the pic. Sleeping at Burger King.

Beautiful pond at outdoor market

Mommy and Kevin at wall...sorry not able to turn

Nanjing Wall

Loom at brocade factory

I got in trouble for this one. 4500 yrs old.

More loomers

Row of loomers

Today we visited the Nanjing wall and brocade factory. I will post pictures of the brocade factory, but it is really like Las Vegas....pictures don't do it justice. It was truly fascinating to watch the teams of loom workers. They have to work together to make the beautiful things they make. They are able to make 2 inches a day. I don't think I would ever sell anything. It was truly amazing. No pictures were allowed in the museum part....I did break the rules once....see below picture.

We then went to the Nanjing wall. This is the first Great Wall. It surrounded the city of Nanjing, which used to be the capital of China. It was windy but still beautiful.

Our boy still tolerates me and will smile big cheesy smiles if sitting on Daddy's lap. We have had some sage advice from another family experiencing the same situation. Duane will now start kissing and hugging me....we will see if Kevin likes me any better if Daddy show more affection to me. Oh the sacrifices we make for our children...tee hee. He is such a good traveler, I hope this carries onto the plane rides home. We have some little ones that don't like all the time we spend on the buses and it is heartbreaking to hear them cry. Our boy likes to keep moving, so we have been really lucky.

Tomorrow we leave for GZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't tell you how glad we will be to get there. It also brings us closer to getting home to our girls. I can't believe how badly my heart aches for them. It is great to see them on SKYPE, but I feel like they have grown since we have been gone. A huge shout out to my mother who has taken such great care of them. Hannah says Claire doesn't even really ask about us....that was really shocking. She is such a homebody, I thought mom would have more trouble. I feel a sickness coming on, please pray for continued health for us all. I believe mine is all the smoking that goes on here. My sinuses are haveing a meltdown.

Enjoy the pictures.

Visit to Wuxi SWI

Kevin's finding spot. Outside the hospital

Hospital corner

Kevin loved to walk along the curbs

Nanny palooza

Kevin and Mommy

Entrance to orphanage

Sleeping boy on a bus ride

Sweet Kevin after a bath

His first picture with us

Kevin sportin' shades

Today we visited Kevin's orphanage. It was a long drive, but well worth letting everyone say goodbye one last time. Kevin was hesitant to let the nannies hold him and kiss him, he always had to have Dad in sight. He began to cry when we toured, we had our guide explain to him that we were only visiting and he would go home with Baba and Mama. It seemed to help a little bit and he was then friendlier to the nannies and teachers. I must bold and capitalize this next statement......EVERYONE CAME TO SEE OUR BOY......EVEN THE COOKS IN THE KITCHEN. When I asked our guide what was up....she explained that Kevin was a true celebrity in the orphanage and they were very sad to see him go. His primary teacher and caregiver actually asked our guide if SHE thought we were good people to adopt Kevin. It hit Duane and I differently.....I was so touched that our boy was so loved the first 2 yrs of his life. Duane no so touched. It was really an amazing sight.....teachers and nannies running from all directions when our bus pulled up.

The orphanage was great. We received a gift from them and lunch was typical WONDERFUL Chinese food. We were all quite impressed with the place. It was very new and clean looking. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside and all the children were napping. They showed us where each child lived and their classroom. They gave us Kevin's papers that he has done over the year. It was very touching.

Hannah and Claire......only 11 more days and we will be home with your baby brother. We miss you so much it really hurts my heart to be away from you both for so long.