A fun day around town

Today was a busy day of sight seeing in the Guangzhou.  We visited the Pearl Market, Shamian Island, and this evening went on a cruise on the Pearl River.   Best part of the cruise... Papa John's Pizza.  The little man continues to change every day.  Our quiet fellow has turned into a wild 2 year old.  He loves his new "squeeky shoes"  and is becoming harder to keep up with.  It was a bit hot today but we all had fun.

A mall dedicated to jewelry.  Amazing.

Leah posing on Shamian Island.

My three faves strolling along the Pearl River.

My Hungry Caterpillar loves sweet buns.

The view from our perch on the boat.

Ben has the absolute best giggle.  He cracks us all up.  However, Leah has mentioned several times that she is ready for him to go back to his home. 

Check out the Guangzhou Tower in the back ground.  The tallest building in all of China. 

Medical Exam Day

Today was the dreaded medical exam and the kids made it through with minor tears.  Leah and I stayed out of Cary's way, but took a few pictures to pass the time.  Poor Ben can be in a raging fit after being stabbed in the arm for a blood sample, but a simple roll lights up his mood.  Young Ben weighted in at 20.2 pounds and measured 28 inches, so we've got major eating to do when we get home.  Ben has all the signs of malnutrition bloated belly and will need a high protein diet for the next 4-6 months to reverse the symptoms he’s now showing.  Hard to understand how young babes can reverse their bloated belly with more food and middle aged guys like me can’t even starve our gut off.  Even harder to understand how these children get into this condition in the first place.

The families we’re with are very special people and fun to be around, some are adopting their second special needs child this trip and are an inspiration for us all.  We have another five days before flying home and we’re ready now, we’re trying to pace our exit with clean underwear and hope to meet Saturday’s departure fresh.  Keep us and the other families in your prayers and thoughts.

Leah entertaining the boys

Adoptive parent waiting room.

All smiles before the exam!

Dr. Leah at work.

All done!

Guangzhou City Tour

This morning we ventured out with our group to take a city tour of Guangzhou.  In this wee town of only 19 million people we visited a few of the city highlights including the oldest Buddhist temple in the south of China, a museum and a folk art store.  This afternoon it was back to work filling out paperwork and hanging out at the hotel.

The Leaning Tower of Guangzhou.

It was hot today, can you tell?

Leah's leaf collection from the Buddhist temple.

The building that housed the culture museum was as fascinating as the art.

The playground at the hotel.

Our Hungry Caterpillar is happiest at meal time.  He just cracks me up!

Does this kid have a great smile or what?!?!

Travel Day

No matter which province you meet your child all families end up at the US Consulate office in Guangzhou.  With that said today we left Zhengzhou via plane and headed to the south of China.  Luckily Leah slept through the flight and Ben did fabulous.

Our wonderful CCAI representatives.

Ben already loves the Duck Duck Moose apps on the iPad.

A few scenes from the Aquarium

Today we visited the Aquarium, napped and packed.  It's hard to believe our time in Zhengzhou is coming to an end.  It's always bitter sweet when one leg of the trip is over.  We have learned a lot about this little guy in such a short time.  He loves to be held, he loves to eat, he has a great smile, he's a great sleeper, he hates to take bath, and as much as we hate it - someday an Ashland orthodontist is going to make a fortune off of us - the kid has some crazy teeth.

This is a photo of the only penguins we saw in the exhibit.

A day in the park

While the other families traveled to their respective "hometowns" today we enjoy a day in the park. It was great to finally have day where we could hang out, eat McDonald's, and take a long afternoon nap.

 Ben watched every move we made, I'm certain it was all a first for him.  The pink shoes makes him appear to be a girl, but the ones we brought with us are way too big, so we just go with it.

 There was a nice pond in the park and Leah enjoyed the view with Cary.

 The park had several rides for Leah to ride and she had a great time.  Cary and I both took turns and enjoyed the rides too. 

A day on the road

We spent all day on the road driving from one agency to the next completing paperwork to finalize our adoption of Ben.  We started the morning with the group back at the civil affairs office where we first met Ben then moved on to the notary's office.  Like the states, each province in China operates a little different. In the Henan province each family is required to complete the passport application process in the child's hometown.  So this afternoon we made the two hour trip to Louyang.  While we were there are guide graciously arranged for us to visit Ben's "finding place" as well as the orphanage where he has lived the past two years.  Needless to say tomorrow we are looking forward to day of rest and hanging out at the hotel.

It's official!  He's ours.

Standing at the gate to the park where Ben was found when he was 2 days old.

Inside the park.

Ben's home for the last two years.  Over 700 children live here.

One of Ben's nannies.

The toddler wing.

Ben's crib room.