Day 13 Goodbye Guangzhou, hello Hong Kong (Tuesday, August 16th)

This morning I awoke to messages from Mark (grandpa Gronberg) with pictures of the kids at back to school night. I've been doing great- missing the kids, of course, but enjoying these moments in China. However, after seeing these pictures, I lost it. I'm missing their back to school time. Chase's first day of kindergarten. Riley's LAST first day of elementary school... it's all too much for me! I was in tears. Look at how they've grown! God, I miss them.

I had to give them a call after seeing these pics. For them, it was about 8pm. They were just fine without us being there (which is great, but heartbreaking all at the same time)! Tomorrow, they'll wake up and head to their first day of school (just Riley and Addison- Chase starts on Wednesday). 

We went down for our last breakfast in Guangzhou. I'm in a state of shock that this journey is over. I'm terribly sad, really. I knew it would go by fast, but man has it ever. It's been so great for Nathan and I to have this time together- it's honestly felt more like a vacation than I thought it would. Scarlett has been so easy and chill (especially for a 2 year old). I'm going to have to make meals now... that's the biggest thing. I love not having to make meals. And I'll be missing the amazing Chinese food here! I've said that a lot. The food here is just delicious. 

I am excited to introduce Scarlett to our life. To just get that whole thing started. I know the kids are dying to meet her, too. It's going to be a sweet reunion. 

After breakfast, we worked on some packing and then headed across the street to check out this park that we'd heard was pretty neat. To get across the street, you have to go underground to where the subway system is. Believe it or not, there was a 7-eleven down there! Once we got across the street we discovered a great view of our massive hotel. It's a Marriott- called The China Hotel. The park is called Yuexiu park and man am I glad we found it! It was this huge park in the middle of this big city, and it was beautiful. So many green tropical plants, and flowers. Bridges, and a lake where you could rent boats. I wish we had more time to explore this pretty place! Scarlett fell asleep on Nathan (she was in the carrier), and it was very humid of course, so we didn't make it long.  Not to mention we needed to have lunch and be checked out of our hotel room at 2pm! 

We stopped by a little sidewalk store on the way back and bought popsicles and a toy from a popular Chinese cartoon for Scarlett's birthday. We had lunch at the hotel- the lunch buffet was even better than the breakfast! So so so many amazing choices! 

Jenny, Christy, Kimberlyn and Judah met us in the lobby at 2:00 to say goodbye. I'm so thankful that we ended up with another family to be in our group. Some people experience this with many people in their group- we were alone so much of the time. There were pros to this, of course. 

The driver picked us up at 2:30 and drove us to the consulate. It took Helen a bit, but she finally met us and gave us the rest of Scarlett's paperwork including her visa. Wow! What a neat thing. We're legal to travel with her, and we'll show that to customs in the states for her to become a U.S. citizen! 

Nathan showing Scarlett her visa

Then starts our drive to Hong Kong. We did it- we kept Scarlett awake, so she slept most of the way to HK. It was exactly a 3 hour drive. We were in a very nice, comfortable van. Helen was not with us- just a driver that doesn't speak English. It's pretty crazy! We went through the Hong Kong customs without having to get out of the car, which was weird. We'd heard that you had to get all of your stuff and meet the driver on the other side of customs. Somehow, our driver kept us with him and just showed our passports as we went through customs. Um, okay, we'll take it! 

I wish it was a nicer day, but it was pretty much raining during this entire drive. Hong Kong looks like an amazing place, but we couldn't see much due to the rain. We got a few good views of the city as we headed towards the airport and our hotel. Scarlett woke up as we were going through customs, and was just content to sit on my lap and look out the window the rest of the way. 

We got to the hotel at 7pm and got checked in. We headed down to a Chinese restaurant for a late dinner. We explored the hotel for a few minutes then headed to bed. There was no baby bed delivered to our room, and we were too tired to ask again, so she slept in bed with Nathan. Tomorrow, we get on an airplane and fly HOME. We'll have a special someone with us. Something we've been waiting for for quite awhile. It's surreal that it's actually happening. I can't wait for all of the firsts that we'll get to experience. 

Day 12 (Monday, August 15th) Last day in Guangzhou- could it really be?!

Well, we're home now... I just could not keep up with this blog AND the journal I was writing in. The last day and the travel home was a whirlwind, and with packing and getting ready to end the trip, I just could not keep up!
It's fun, though, to think back (I'm referring to my journal, actually) on this last day. I have to say, I was a bit depressed on this day. We didn't get the best nights sleep (again). I think that Scarlett is uncomfortable in the pack-n-play. It's pretty old and worn from years and years of adoptive families putting their babies in it. Nathan still wasn't feeling good, so he had a hard time sleeping, too.

We had to be up early to meet Helen in the lobby at 7:30 to head to our consulate appointment. This is a big day. The last step for Scarlett to become a U.S. citizen (besides landing in Dallas). Helen is awesome, and she got us to be first in line. We had to wait outside for security to open. It was super humid where we were standing. We were all sweating and it was super uncomfortable. There's noting worse than not feeling well and being that hot and sweaty. In line behind us was many other American families who had also adopted. It was neat to be together in this shared experience.

We finally got through security and up to the 2nd floor, window 8 where we were given the #1 card. Yay! There were 7 other adoptive families there- we were all given information at the same time and then took an oath together. We were called up to the window, and out of there pretty quick. The experience was a good one, I would say. Tomorrow afternoon, Helen will come back to the consulate to pick up Scarlett's visa and off we go!

After the consulate appointment, we went to get breakfast. Jenny, Christy, Kimberlyn, and Judah were there too. We enjoyed breakfast with them. One of my favorite things has been to eat our meals in that room and look around at all of the other families with their sweet Chinese children, on the same journey as us.

We headed to our room to get in an an early nap time. This afternoon we're going to Shamian island as a group for some sight seeing. Nathan and Scarlett had a nice long nap. I could tell that Nathan wasn't feeling good when he woke up, and offered to go to the sight seeing alone, but he wanted to come. First, we stopped at the wholesale market where there are many many many vendors who sell the jewelry they specialize in. I got a jade necklace, which I'd been wanting, so I was happy! Next we went to Shamian island. Shamian island is where the consulate used to be- the adopting families would stay in this old hotel and it was such a neat, quaint little island. It's too bad the consulate moved. We enjoyed walking around- taking pics of the statues that are all over the island. We went to a shop and got some great souvenirs. I got a tea set so we can have tea as a family. It was super humid there, so we stopped at the 7-eleven (they are everywhere here) and got some snacks and ice creams. We walked around just a bit more- there was a little park for Scarlett and Judah to play on- there were some rambunctious kids there, so they weren't really interested. We saw a few bridal parties doing their pictures on the island.

After hanging out on the island for a few hours, we headed to a last dinner together. Helen took us to a Cantonese place that she likes and she helped us order. The food was so good, as usual. I'm so going to miss the food here!!

We went back to the room and played for a bit before going to bed. Scarlett had a tough time sleeping- again, I think the crib is uncomfortable. There was also construction (yes, construction at 11:30pm) outside of our window and it was loud. I was getting super annoyed. Eventually, Nathan pulled her into bed with him and she slept good.
We start our travel back to the states tomorrow. We've got to get some rest!

Day 11 2nd full day in Guangzhou, Sunday, August 14th

Scarlett had another great night of sleep. I’m really hoping this carries over when we get home (after dealing with our clocks being flipped upside down, that is). By now we’ve figured out her sleep habits, so I’m hopeful.

Nathan turned off my alarm clock and went to get us Starbucks while us ladies got our beauty rest. He woke me up at 7:45 and said, “there’s your Starbucks.” See? Why on earth would I want to go back home after that?! I’m getting pampered over here. I don’t have to lift a finger! Ha!

We called to say hi to the kids quickly before heading down for breakfast. They were on the other side of the world getting ready to watch a movie and go to bed. The kids weren’t too interested in talking to mom and dad- they wanted Scarlett. I love how she looks at them and interacts over video chat. She sticks her tongue out or makes other faces to see if they’ll mimic her. She’s such a hoot!

We had a delicious breakfast of noodles, veggies, and fruit (Nathan got an omelet, too). Oh I also had bacon because well, when there’s bacon to eat, you eat it. Man, I love the breakfasts here. I’ve said that so many times, I know!

We met Helen and the rest of the group at 9:30 for sightseeing. We went to the Folk Arts Museum and the Chen Chen Ancestral hall/academy. It’s all the same place. The architecture and art pieces were amazing to see- ivory carvings, wood carvings, ceramics, porcelain, and embroidery. Just things that you look at and think, “how?” Helen introduced us to an artist that specializes in calligraphy and carving stamps (many Chinese people have stamps with their name carved- they collect different ones because different carvers have different styles). We got Scarlett’s Chinese name done along with her birthday, and when/where we got her. It’s really a special thing that she can have forever. We also got her the stamp that we can give her for a birthday. These are the kinds of things that we need to get while we have the chance! The Chen Chen hall was beautiful- there were a lot of courtyards, pavilions, and long corridors. The bonsai plants were pretty, too. The carvings and paintings on the building were also something to see!

After the museum, we headed to a store where we got matching dresses for Addison and Scarlett and t-shirts for the boys that say big brother in Chinese. We also got Scarlett a plush doll- that can be a 2^nd birthday gift. I wanted a dress for myself, but they were super expensive.

This store also sells tea and tea sets. Tea is huge in China. They drink hot tea many times a day for health and healing. We had the opportunity to sit down and enjoy a traditional tea demonstration, and it was the perfect thing after our hot morning at the museum. Nathan was starting to feel nauseous from some heat exhaustion and dehydration. The tea definitely healed him. I sat Scarlett on the bench and she was captivated by the lady preparing the tea. When she started pouring it, she clapped her hands and said, “yay!” You could tell she is used to drinking hot tea. She blew on it, dipped her finger in it and sipped it ever so elegantly. I loved watching this so much. There’s so much to learn about our daughter. I’m amazed every day at the new things she shows us. It’s pretty neat to see how comfortable she is with us. If a stranger comes to say hi, she fusses and comes to find mom or dad. This is great, and means that she knows who mom and dad are. A big attachment and bonding step. When she wakes up in the morning, she doesn’t look at us with a confused or concerned expression like she did for those first few days. Now, she smiles and talks to us. Goes in for a kiss and gives us hugs. I can’t wait to see those first kisses for her siblings!

We sat and enjoyed 3 different kinds of tea. It took about 30 minutes or so. We then purchased a few bags of tea to bring home with us. Helen had ordered us food at a place close to the store and we took it in the van back to the hotel where we ate on the floor of our hotel room. It was a nice little family moment- eating out of to-go containers on the floor. Scarlett did great with this. She’s just an amazing eater!

We laid her down for a nap after lunch and I worked on my blog. The blog and journal are proving to take most of my free time when we’re not out and about. I’m also reading a book. I wish we hadn’t packed the big DVD player. We’d have more space to bring home souvenirs. We’re pretty packed full as it is!

Naptime went well and then we ordered some Papa John’s for a quick dinner in our hotel before meeting the group again at 5:45 to head to our night cruise. I was so excited about this because I’ve seen pics of other adoptive families doing it and it just looks amazing. It’s been a rainy evening, and the rain came and went during the cruise, but it was still a beautiful sight. All of the buildings and bridges lit up as we cruised down the river. Helen had gone home this afternoon to make us noodles and dumplings to snack on. She’s such a sweet lady. And her noodles were amazing. I’ll need to get some recipes for the family to eat together when we get back! We can practice using our chopsticks and we can drink our hot tea! I can’t wait for that! We loved this activity! As we got off the boat, it was pouring and we all got soaked! It was a pretty funny sight- all of us running and jumping in the van, with water dripping down our faces and our clothes pretty wet! 

 Tomorrow morning, we have our consulate appointment. We have to meet Helen at 7:30 (this will be our earliest morning since being in China). This is the final major paperwork thing we have to do before bringing Scarlett home. It’s a big deal! Tomorrow she gets the seal of approval to become a US citizen as soon as we land in Dallas on Wednesday!

Today I realized that we only have a few more nights in Guangzhou. This is an amazing city. I like it better than Guiyang. It’s much bigger (18 million, Guiyang was 4 million), but it’s more spread out and developed, so traffic isn’t as crazy and there aren’t scooter/bikes everywhere. The sidewalks aren’t packed, so we can actually walk side by side. The Chinese people here are more used to seeing Americans, so there isn’t nearly as much blatant staring. I wish we had more time in this city to explore. Maybe someday we can come back. I’d like to go to the top of the TV tower- that would be amazing. After our last full day here tomorrow, we take a 3-hour van ride to Hong Kong where we’ll stay for 1 night and fly out the next day at 2:30. 3 more nights of our journey. That’s it. And a 15-hour flight… But, we’re not talking about that right now!