America World Travel Group 09-28-2010

It has been a wondrous time in China. Friendships formed around a common cause, great food, amazing accommodations, and world class facilitators.
Today we went to the US consulate and took an oath that all this paperwork we've been filling out for the past nine months is true. Tomorrow we pick up our little Meili's Chinese passport and US imigration paperwork and get on a bus to Hong Kong.

We leave from Hong Kong on Thursday morning, our plane stops in Tokyo and then continues on to Salt Lake City. We will be on this plane for over 17.5 hours! I don't think I'll get a blog post in before Meili is a US citizen but this picture of Meili sleeping on dad will be pretty typical.
Thank you all for following our travels. I expect the next post to be the whole family at the Portland airport.

For the love of God and our neighbors,

Scott


PS. I wish I could post video because it is 9:15 PM and Meili is in her bed just hamming it up - making it very clear that she has no intention to go to sleep!

Cantonese Dinner 09-27-2010

When you are traveling picture menus are great. But we have found something even better! It is Cantonese style. You just point to what you want and they bag it and cook it up! Here are a few choices. (btw, the Cantonese are known to eat, well everything)

duck

really big shrimp

turtle

eel

frog

sand worms

tell him what you want

bag it

yum.

Shamian Island 09-26-2010

Models and brides-to-be are a common sight here on Shamian Island. The surroundings are beautiful and seem to attract a lot of photo shoots.

Honestly. Scott and I were really just trying to find a little toy for Meili to chew on. When we went to dinner with our friends, we noticed that she had put it on her handless hand. It wasn't meant to be a prosthesis.

Personality Emerging 09-25-2010

Leanne took some great picture today. We can really see more of Meili's personality coming out.

Chen Family Folk Art Museum 09-24-2010

This man is writing Meili's name in Cantonese.

Courtyard in the Folk Art Museum

A man selling a coconut drink

Fresh produce

Meili has been giving us many smiles the last couple of days. When she laughs her whole, little face laughs. Tonight she had some cheesecake for dessert. We're going to do a high fat diet for her!

Yuntai Gardens 09-23-2010

The Yuntai Gardens are decorated for the Mid Autumn Festival

Nathaniel was adopted two years ago, his parents returned to adopt Jessie

Many couples have pictures taken here

Our travel group with kids

Cow and Bridge 09-22-2010

After a casual morning and filling out visa paperwork this afternoon we made our way through a little more of Guangzhou and returned to the Cow and Bridge Thai restaurant. If you are ever there I recommend the Ostrich. Here's a picture of Meili making eyes at Matthew. She was quite the flirt.

Shangjiu Lu 9-21-2010

A side street off the main road

Shangjiu Lu Pedestrian Shopping Street

The Girls

Leanne on a rickshaw

49 Yen, or $7, for a pair of shoes. I'll take 4! I am loving China!

Each day we see a little bit more of Meili’s personality. It’s almost as if she ages a month or two each day that she’s with us. She now sits up without support, gives us some big smiles and is starting to make sounds. She also likes to copy what she sees us doing. The girls were shrugging their shoulders, sticking their tongue out and blinking, and Meili was having fun doing the same thing. It’s pretty amazing to watch a little girl blossom and come alive in front of your eyes.

We are getting very spoiled here at our hotel. It’s called The China Hotel, but it’s a Marriott. Many adoptive families stay here, and they are very accommodating to all of us. Our breakfast is included, and is one of the highlights of my day. It’s a buffet that contains about everything from bacon, eggs and a pastry bar to dragon fruit and shark dumplings. Scott fills his first plate with Chinese breakfast food, and when that’s finished he does a second plate with American/European breakfast fare. I stick to the American items. The other things look good but not for breakfast. Scott tries just about everything and usually likes it all. They also serve us wonderful, dark, strong coffee with cream. I usually drink about 3 cups because it’s “free” and Starbuck’s is a little bit expensive here. We had a good laugh at breakfast this morning. Leanne dropped her knife and just as she was reaching down to pick it up, a waiter appeared with a clean one. A few minutes later, she stood up to get more food and left her cloth napkin on her chair. Within a minute or two someone came right over to refold the napkin. So, we’re really enjoying being treated like royalty and know that it will all come to an end in a week or so. I always thought I’d enjoy being a princess. If you happen to have us over in the next few months, please understand that our expectations may still be a bit high.

A day at the Guongzhou zoo 9/20/2010

Once again, the girls in our group are asked to pose for a picture.

The typhoon off the coast of Japan brought heavy, refreshing rains.

So cute, the baby too.

A day to bond and play 9-18-2010

Today was a day without an agenda except to spend quality time together. It was also a day that Meili began to come out of her shell. I've had several moms who have adopted infants or toddlers tell me that it is very common for the girls to be very listless the first few days. It's as though they are in shock. Up until this evening, Meili has been more like a baby. She wasn't sitting on her own or standing, and I don't think she had ever had solid food. At breakfast, we tried feeding her yogurt again, and she loved that as well as the mashed banana. I think she's beginning to discover what she's missed out on. Scott was also able to get her to actually stand on her legs. The orphanage worker said she began walking at 14 months, and she gave us a picture of Meili standing and smiling. So, we know it's in there waiting to come out. I'm sure tomorrow will bring more surprises.

Can't say I hate the attention...

Leanne, JingJing, Meredith, & Danni on the bumper cars. JingJing was adopted by a family six years ago. They are back for a 12 year old girl.

Laura and JingJing

View from inside the park

Meili stands up for the first time (for us)

Getting ready for bed

Adoption Final 9-17-2010

the drive to Guangdong Civil Affairs

Guangdong Civil Affairs, Guangzhou

City View from Civil Affairs

This is where Lian Xin Qun became Meili Lian Frazier

After finalizing the adoption we were off to the doctors. Everything was fine, but she did have to get four shots. She cried ... about a minute. Then she snuggled with Dad. It was a big day for everyone. Dad got the first smile at breakfast and the first laugh this evening before she fell asleep in mom's arms. Meili Lian Frazier is now making happy sleeping noises in her bed.