Red Couch Photo

Tuesday Notes

Today we went to the Pearl Market.  Which is really an indoor jewelry mall type of place.  Alot of wholesale pearls.  I got Emily a pearl necklace and bracelet for when she is older.  I also got myself a pearl necklace, bracelet and earrings.  When Ricky gets older maybe he can give this set to his bride.   They were freshwater pearls.  They strung them right in front of you.

 

We have bought tons of stuff - we had to get an extra suitcase!

 

Ricky is doing great.  He has a great laugh (not sure if I said that already).  It is hard to believe we have had him for 8 days.  I think he has adjusted quite well.  He does have a favorite person though.  Most kids bond to one parent over the other.  Who do you think he turns to when he cries? or wants something?  Daddy!   I'm the bottle [person and spin me around person.  Ricky is not afraid of anything and is quite the dare devil.

 

  This afternoon is the Red Couch photo at the White Swan.  This is a traditional photo taken on the red couch.  Each child is typically dressed in traditional chinese clothes.

 

Our paperwork has been processes by the consulate.  We should get it tomorrow. 

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Just pictures

Pictures are difficult to post but I have people asking....

so here are some...'

Buddist Temple and Shopping

Yesterday we went to the Buddist Temple.  To me (besides of course the baby), this was one of the highlights of the trip.  We had Ricky blessed by a monk.  The temple was built over 1000 years ago.  The Chinese government paints the temple every year so it looks brand new except for the tower that is leaning towards the left. 

 

We then went to the Chen House for a tour.  The Chen house has porcelein statues on its roof that has survived over a thousand year.

 

Finally, we went shopping.  I got some special items to bring home.

 

We are staying at the White Swan Hotel.  It is a beautiful hotel but the beds are very very very very hard.  I cannot describe it but the floor is actually softer.  Tonight I asked for a soft pad for the bed, let's see what they think soft is.  Bill and my back are about to die between carrying the little man and the bad bed.  Emily is sleeping on the floor of a down duvet cover.  We made a sleeping bag for her.    The breakfast buffet here is very good.  Tonight we are going for Thai food.  If anyone knows Bill - this should be interesting as he is a McDonalds type of guy.  He has never had Thai before.  We shall see if he tries this.

 

I  know I have been bad about pictures.  I will try to post some later.  They are bit difficult to post.
 

Ricky is now sleeping through the night.  Yeah!  He is very active still - cannot sit still.  The plane trip should be interesting.  We plan on loading him up on snacks as food seems to keep him happy.  He should fit into the Zanieski clan.    Ricky has a great laugh.  He is a little dare devil and it not afraid of alot except stuffed animals.  He doesn't like them at all and starts to cry.  He is babbling alot.  He also likes to run around naked.  He also loves the bath.

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Guangzhou

  We are in Guangzhou our second stop on the way home.  We have to pass through here to get Ricky's Visa to enter the states.  I will try to post more later today.  We are going to a Buddist temple today to get the babies blessed.

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Eating in China etc...

Well it has been the lack of eating.  We can stand to loose pounds anyways.  We eat breakfast buffet which is somewhat western (eggs, bacon etc).  Lunch is a crapshoot.  We have to eat to get Ricky something otherwise we probably wouldn't eat.  We have ordered room service.  Ricky loves wonton noodle soup (a bit different from home) - it is good.  We tried a hamburger from room service - it was yucky. 

 

Last night we ventured to Pizza Hut with the High Family.  It actually was pretty good.  It was like heaven to eat some real food at dinner. 

 

Today we went to a shopping village.  We bought each of the kids two traditional chinese outfits and other items.  While Chongqing is a big place to adopt from, you still feel like you are on display.  Everyone stares at you.  They talk to their friend, point, and then talk some more.  We have had our pictures taken, a camcorder movie done.  We are such a sight!  That's okay, I just smile at everyone. 

 

 

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more pictures

More pictures

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Its official

We officially became Ricky's parents today. We had sort of rough night. Ricky went to bed at 9 pm and woke up at 2:00 am. Didn't go back to bed till 4:30. Got up at 7:30 am. What is amazing is that we are tired but not overly tired yet. We also haven't eaten alot - so this is great for our diets. We are just not very hungry.

Ricky BinBin is very very very very very very active. So much so that we are getting comments from the other parents. We asked his nanny and they said he is very active - zoom. He likes cars! He is into everything.

More Pictures

Loading up pictures is quite difficult - it takes a very long time.

Here are some more pictures.

 

We have video of the orphanage but we think it will take too much time to upload.
 

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pictures of Ricky

Here are some pictures of Ricky.

 

He had his first McDonalds french fry tonight.  Needless to say he loved them.

 

I will post more tomorrow - I have funny story we had a crowd looking at us in an underground mall that is attached to the hotel.

 

 

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Leaving for Fuling!

We will leaving for Fuling in 30 minutes!

 

We saw a new picture of the little man.  He is so cute.  I will try to post pictures as soon as we can. 

 

Love you all

 

Jen, Bill and Emily

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Photo's on Emily's Blog

Please check out the photo's on Emily's blog:

http://brotherchina.blogspot.com

We woke up at 3:30 am this morning after a good sleep. We finally ate some food other than airport or airplane food. Either the food was good or we were very hungry.

We don't leave until 2:30 pm so we are meeting up with some our group members and going to try to locate the largest mall in Hong Kong.

42 hours later we are here

Yes we made it! I will try to upload a picture or two later.

Over 42 hours of travel we got to Hong Kong -- all because we missed our Hong Kong flight by 30 minutes. One word of advice -- don't fly regional domestic carrier. We were flying Delta by Comair. Well because the plane was technically Comair (who is owned by Delta), they don't have mechanics in ATL. So they have to fax an order to Chicago then get it approved then send it back to ATL and then borrow a mechanic. So a tiny mechanical problem (a miscommunicating valve) caused our delay.

The Hong Kong airport is huge and so clean.

Not sure when we will meet up with the group - maybe not till tomorrow.

Be sure to check out Emily's posts at http://brotherchina.blogspot.com

Update you later...

Jen

Our Amazing Race...

Well here we are not in Hong Kong but in NY.Our Atlanta flight was a complete disaster starting with a weather delay till 9:00 am. Followed by a 3 hour mechanical problem with the flight.We missed our flight to Hong Kong by 30 minutes. So....Here ia our amazing race details.JFK to Vancouver - leaving tonight at 9:45 pm.Vancouver to Hong Kong leaving tomorrow morning at 2:00 am.We arrive in Hong Kong at 7:30 am on Saturday.We will miss our Hong Kong tour but will be able to leave for Ricky on time. God help us.Cathay didn't charge us for the ticket change thank god. JC Travel really rules. They were very helpful.

We are Packed....Tomorrow is the Day

Here we go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Think good weather thoughts. Atlanta is under a winter weather watch.

Our Travel Plans

We will get Ricky on 1/21. It is looking like we will pick him up at the orphanage. So we will get to tour where has been most of his life.

Here are our details. Remember that China is 13 hours ahead of us.

1/17 - ATL to JFK (NY) via Delta, JFK to HONG KONG via Cathay Pacific (1:55 pm flight).
1/18 - Arrive in Hong Kong 7:05 pm at night.
1/19 - Tour Hong Kong
1/20 - Leave Hong Kong for Chongqing - Staying at Golden Resources Hotel
1/21 - Family Day in the am. Also we register the adoption at 4 pm with Province.
1/21 to 1/24 Touring Chongqing, Shopping, Resting, Getting to Know Ricky time.
1/25 - Receive Ricky's passport and paperwork.
1/26 - Fly to Guangzhou - Staying at White Swan Hotel
1/27 - Free Time
1/28 - Ricky's physical and paperwork for consulate appointment.
1/29 - Consulate Appointment
1/30 - Consulate Oath - get Ricky's Visa to Enter USA.
1/31 - Leave Guangzhou for Hong Kong - Staying at the Regal Airport Hotel
2/1 - Fly Home via Cathay Pacific. Arrive in NY around 12 noon - Ricky becomes a US Citizen as soon as we touch ground. Catch 4:30 flight to ATL via Delta. Arrive at airport around 7:30 pm

2/2 - sleep.