February 20, 2008
Guangzhou, Day 1: Medical exam
The medical exam is scheduled for our first full day in Guangzhou. We go at 10 and get right in and out. Mao-Mao's hearing test is a little wonky but of course he passes and he should—thankfully he is a very healthy boy.
[He weighs 22 pounds fully clothed. We had been told he was 24 pounds before we left the US and I brought 18-24 months clothing. He swims in all of it. Should have brought the 12-18 stuff that I bought.]
Afterwards we spend as much time outside as possible in the glorious Guangdong weather. We let the kids run around at the playground, do the paperwork sitting by the Pearl River, visit the beautiful botanical gardens, and walk down the pedestrian shopping street. E. is practicing to be the next Andrew Zimmern, eating fishballs, a tiny 3-inch baby bird, and a seahorse. I try to keep up with him but he is leaving me in the dust. It's sappy, I know, but I love the White Swan, Shamian Island, and Guangzhou. After the dry cold brownness of Inner Mongolia Guangzhou seems like an oasis of warmth. It's so green! There are palm trees! And flowers! I want to stay forever.
[As some of you have suggested, Z. has been a tad competitive with Mao-Mao and since M-M loves to eat, Z. has been an eating machine. For Z. Which means she has willing put more food in her mouth in the past 5 days than the rest of the past 2 years. She willingly ate noodles at dinner. All by herself. Sometimes competition is a good thing.]
He did very well...
...and then he didn't.
3 in the stroller
The best family shot we have (which isn't saying much)
Baby birds on a stick
Mao-Mao eats a fish ball (followed shortly thereafter by some dried cuttlefish)
(This is my first time on the computer in 4 days. I am not checking email. I am tired and overwhelmed and busy and happy and traveling and packing and unpacking and eating and walking. I am not on the computer, though. K. and I don't share well when it comes to having one computer.)
Posted by grrlTravels at February 20, 2008 9:23 PM | TrackBackAll the best wishes for your family!
Posted by: Johnny at February 20, 2008 11:09 PMThe photos just keep getting better and better. Family shot is wonderful and 3 in a stroller is brilliant. Z is looking so grown up, when the heck did that happen? Double brilliant that she is having a bash at the competitive eating!
Thanks so much for these great posts, what a treat!
Great updates and lovely photos. Wonderful news about Z and food. I hope the rest of your trip gets better and better.
Posted by: Jo at February 21, 2008 4:52 AMFab photos and wonderful news about all of you -esp Z eating. Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Posted by: 3cmum at February 21, 2008 6:54 AMWhat a beautiful family you have! Thanks for sharing photos with us. You all look terrific! Baby birds on a stick and fish balls though? Not so terrific. Ack! ; )
Posted by: Tracie at February 21, 2008 7:25 AMthat family shot, you look so HAPPY! I haven't seen you so glowing in a picture in a long time. yeah! and Z competitive-eating.... who would have thunk it! That can only mean good things all around. Noodles all by herself... that is a milestone!
Posted by: mortimer's mom at February 21, 2008 8:05 AMSo glad that you are all safe and happy. Love the picture of the 3 kids in the stroller with Mao-Mao sleeping. I didn't know that you could eat seahorses. Did E like it?
Posted by: dana at February 21, 2008 8:09 AMYes, you all glow! What a happy family ... and now ALL such good eaters.
Posted by: mama d at February 21, 2008 8:30 AMI love the family photo! And Z.? Ate noodles? By herself? YAY!! You're almost home, Amy.
Posted by: betsy at February 21, 2008 8:30 AMLOVE the family pic. You look so happy! And I'm loving that Miss Z is doing her best to compete with her little brother on the eating front. Go, Z!
Posted by: Shelba at February 21, 2008 8:43 AMWow, it's all moving so fast! GREAT photos, by the way. I hope there are many more noodles in Z.'s immediate future. Here's hoping the rest of your trip just gets better - enjoy!
Posted by: atomic mama at February 21, 2008 8:58 AMWow, it does seem to be going fast! The photos are lovely, and I hear you about Guangzhou. This is when we were on the Island last year, and I would trade it over today's below zero wind chills back here in a heartbeat!
And I think the family photo looks great -- heck, when do you ever get everyone smiling in a photo anyway?!
Posted by: Lee at February 21, 2008 11:26 AMNO!!! i don't want it to be over - this is entirely too much fun. and you are doing such a great job at recapping the days...
Posted by: Kara at February 21, 2008 12:07 PMNO!!! i don't want it to be over - this is entirely too much fun. and you are doing such a great job at recapping the days...
Posted by: Kara at February 21, 2008 12:07 PMNO!!! i don't want it to be over - this is entirely too much fun. and you are doing such a great job at recapping the days...
Posted by: Kara at February 21, 2008 12:07 PMthe news about z eating is so fantastic and made me smile. i really hope that competition continues. :)
thank you for the updates!
Posted by: kjames at February 21, 2008 12:17 PMYour family photo is terrific!! And SUCH good news about Z being a competetive eater!!!
Posted by: Judy at February 21, 2008 1:31 PMYour kids are all adorable. Seriously, your daughter is a beauty. The last time I saw her photo she was so little but she's so grown up now.
congrats.
Posted by: chris at February 21, 2008 9:28 PMSeriously, E. ate all that stuff? What a guy. And Z. engaging in competitive eating -- I didn't see that one coming. Congratulations all around.
Posted by: Sister Carrie at February 21, 2008 11:02 PMloved the pictures! the one of the five of you was great! the story of meeting with the foster parents really did make me cry. i'm anxious to hear it all when you get back!
Posted by: heather at February 21, 2008 11:59 PMWe're so excited to hear all of your great news. What great pics! Z does look so much older all of the sudden. Enjoy.
Posted by: Karen at February 23, 2008 8:13 AMGlad you checked in for more MaoMao cuteness. That shot of your whole family is amazing. I am SO happy for you all!
Posted by: Amyesq at February 24, 2008 10:12 PM