Journey to Joy: Day #9

     We really couldn't remember exactly what we were doing today, but we met our guide and another family outside of the lobby around 9:20. We had a FaceTime session with the kids run a bit over and left a crying child on the screen. We miss our kiddos SO much. I've been really good about not crying in front of them, but today was challenging. Tomorrow is our Consulate appointment where they'll issue Aliza her visa. It takes two days to process so families plan their departure around this Consulate date. We leave GZ on Thursday morning, fly to Beijing, and then on to Detroit. So we're close! (Insert homesick sobbing)
     Our van dropped us off at the Yuntai Garden which is situated at the southern foot of the Baiyun Mountain. This was another first for us and it was beautiful!

     This garden trip, however, was not without some flashbacks of a trip we took to Tennessee with some families from our church a few years ago. Emmaline was about 4 months old and we forgot our baby carrier. So, our only option was the stroller we packed. As you can imagine, hiking mountains with a stroller is neither convenient or suggested. I'll never forget reading a sign that essentially said the trail was not suitable for strollers or small children. So, naturally, Eric decided to CARRY Emmaline up the mountain. It was one of the dumbest things we've done. If you know our sweetest Emmaline, she's never been a small girl. Ha!
     While this garden wasn't a hiking trail, it had a lot of steps. And they weren't full steps, but rather like half steps. Ok. So I'm obviously out of shape. I will be the first to admit that. But, I wasn't even huffing and puffing. It was the half steps and TONS of them that made my shins and calves feel like jelly. OH! ...and we carried Aliza, IN THE STROLLER, up and down them all. Like, who are we?! Not our smartest decision. Also, while most of the signs were in Chinese, I'm pretty sure there were ones warning us against strollers. We saw English ones that said "Rugged path" and "Mind your step." I love signs in China. Haha! Steps were minded. Mound? Just kidding.

     20 Yuan and lots of sweat later, we had two cold bottles of water and a pinwheel that made our girl's morning. We took a break and sat down for a quick leg break. Aliza was so cute as she interacted with the pinwheel. And when the wind wasn't cutting it, she moved that thing herself.

     The garden was a giant circle with several different areas built off of it. There were also lots of huge lanterns that we're told are turned on for holidays and special occasions.

     We visited the beautiful greenhouse on site. It was filled with an assortment of vegetation. Aliza liked walking this part and is getting more confident with stairs. Going down, she'd still prefer to sit and do them one by one though.

     We spent about an hour at the garden before heading back to our hotel. Aliza was exhausted. It was definitely warmer outside, but still nothing compared to our last trip to GZ. She fell asleep in the van and then transferred to the bed in our room. Wahoo! She slept for almost two hours.

     We witnessed Aliza's first meltdown at lunchtime...which was noodles in the room. Truthfully, the tantrum wasn't much. Despite the smiles I plaster here...which are 95% of her facial expressions, she does get upset. But it's rare. She even worked up some alligator tears this time. About two of them. It was actually over moving her lunch to the floor so she could eat a little better. She didn't understand that and thought we were taking it away. There can be a lot of food and trust issues with a child who has spent time in an institution. So it's an easy fix to just show her the food and help her to understand it isn't going away.

     I laid down for a bit in the afternoon while Eric and Aliza played and played and played.  She is so playful. And helpful. She  loves to get her changing mat out for diaper changes and put it away. She even folded a floor mat (her giant placemat for lunch) lengthwise by three and then again by 3. I foresee a lot more laundry helping in our future! It was crazy!

     Tonight, we were invited by another adoptive family to go out for a Western cuisine dinner. There were three families total and we're all staying at the same hotel. It's easy to be confident under the wings of your guide. But, this dinner meant getting a taxi and communicating where you wanted to go and then getting back to the hotel again. For me, this was a hard NO. Eric suggested we be social, but I really wanted to back out. I am SO glad we didn't. The food was excellent and the company was even better. All three families were completing their second China adoptions. 

     The family who invited us hailed a taxi for us! They have experience with taxis and the subway here. So much braver than me! Taxis don't often stop for foreigners...and when they do, once you tell them where you want to go...they can say NO. We experienced that a bit. This family found our taxi for us though and then waited for their own...which ended up turning off his meter and demanding double the rate AFTER they arrived. Wow!

     The food at this restaurant was delicious! And worth the trip! The owner is a New Yorker and has had this restaurant for several years. He was very accommodating and kind. I had pork nachos and Eric had a burger. Aliza had Mac and cheese...like the real kind. She was so content the entire time we were there.

     When we left the restaurant, we walked a block or so and I was able to hail a taxi who said YES! Look at me!? Haha! We had a hotel card with us that we could show the driver which made it easier. The trip back was much shorter and cheaper. Hmmmm... Taxi driver: 1 Murray Family: 0. But, we made it and that's all that matters! Good food and fellowship was worth it all! 

     Tomorrow, we leave the hotel at 7:55 a.m. for the Consulate so it is a BIT earlier than we're used to leaving. One day closer to home though. Thanks again for reading along and for all of the comments! We love reading them and they help make home seem not so far away. 

Journey to Joy: Day #8

     On Saturday morning, we overslept! Haha! Not really, but we didn't wake up until 7:30 which is about two hours later than we've been getting up here. We left with our guide and another family at 9:15 to tour the Museum of the Nanyue King. So basically...we went to a mausoleum. This was something new since our last trip and it was only 20 RMB for us to go. It kept us out of the hotel so that was nice. China has a very rich history and it was interesting to see the tombs and artifacts that were found.

     Next up, was the Toy Market! This was a six or seven story building with HUNDREDS of shops. Eric was in there for about two minutes before he said it might not work out. LOL. So.many.stores.and.people.

     It was a lot of fun to shop and look around! We could have gone nuts here, but packing is important to remember. We cleared an entire carry-on of some donations so we do have some extra room! But, we also have until Thursday before we leave so who knows what we'll find before then. We found some really neat things for our kiddos back home though. We also bought Aliza some crayons and paper because she loves to draw and a boogie board which kept her busy the entire time we browsed through the toy market!

     Before we headed back to the hotel, we grabbed our first McDonald's of the trip. Aliza is a FAN of chicken nuggets and fries. She might be a six-piece kind of girl. Ha! We got her apple slices, but the skins of the apples hurt her gums. It's likely that her teeth weren't brushed during her time in the orphanage so teeth brushing at night was really painful for her the first two nights. And flossing! The blood has definitely lessened though and she isn't scared of flossing anymore. Her little mouth is very crowded so we have to keep up with the flossing because food hangs out in many places!

      Aliza also said her first word today! MORE. We've been using some sign language with her for basic words. She can sign water pretty well. But Aliza has basically refused to sign "more" when shown. She will sometimes and won't others. Well, today, for a McDonald's french fry...she decided she'd use her words.  And she did it every time with prompting. MORE. Thankfully, she let us record it too. So PROUD OF HER! She also said Mama in the van ride from the toy market to the hotel, but doesn't use it with much consistency. Obviously, it's very early. Josiah didn't say mom until six months home. 

     Tonight, we braved one of the malls next to our hotel. I use the word "braved" because it's Saturday night in China. Holy people, Batman! We decided to venture into the Taste Market in the basement of the mall. It's essentially an upscale Walmart. I much preferred it over the Walmarts we visited on our last trip. I purchased some essentials: Cherry Coke, Doritos, and Snickers. 

      Then, we made our way up to the 4th floor for dinner. At this point, I wanted to BACK OUT and just eat Doritos for supper. Wall to wall people and no manners. It's every person for themselves. Thankfully, Aliza had fallen asleep in the stroller. We arrived at our restaurant destination (as suggested by a fellow adoptive parent). It was pretty "authentic" if you ask me. The dish I got was good, but very spicy! I couldn't eat it all. As for Aliza, there wasn't a kids menu, but the waitress suggested tofu. Honestly, I don't know much about tofu, but hoped it'd be OK for her just this once. Aliza was ALL about the tofu. She clenched her bowl the entire time and shoveled it in quickly. And in between refills, she pouted. It was so funny!

     Aliza's personality is a lot of fun. She definitely has some stubborn streaks when she doesn't get her way. Or when her bowl is taken away to refill it with food. These are typical and expected behaviors. When she is upset, she just goes limp and lays on the ground. Or in her highchair, she just turned away from us. Luckily, we get to tell her YES a lot right now. Yes, to suckers! Yes, to changing clothes (new pajamas)! Yes, to coloring! Our girl definitely makes life fun! So excited that tomorrow is Sunday! One day closer to HOME!