Saturday, July 24, 2010

Ni Hao from Guangzhou!!

We are here!!

Actually we have been here for a little while. Arrived Saturday morning at about 9:15AM. Our flight from Changsha, was at 8:00AM and it was about 55 minutes long. We had to wake up at 4:00 AM to get ready, that gave me time to get ready before Avery had to wake up. We left the hotel by 6:00AM to get to the airport. We had no problem getting through security. I opted not to put Avery in the carrier because it wasn't necessary from the amount of walking we were going to do, and we could handle the carry ons with me holding her no problem. The Changsha airport was stifling though, I mean extremely hot, sweat was pouring off everyone. I decided that I would put a light long sleeve shirt on Avery while traveling today because we would be the only Westerners around the airport etc. Glad I did!!

Everything was fine at the airport except there was one gentleman that kept following us, and where we sat. He directly and distinctly was staring at us and Avery, and kept moving/sitting closer to us-made us extremely uncomfortable. After moving 2 times, we moved over to the other side of the waiting area near the gate doors, and he didn't follow this time. It was really disconcerting, but we made it through.

We got on our flight. Avery had been happy go lucky girl all morning! She had to be woken up but she dealt with that fine. She was making all her noises, and cooing, and babbling, and laughing, we were walking around, it was great! As soon as we got on the plane though she started crying and fussing a little bit. She was scared of the small confined space. When she gets scared she likes me to stand with her on my shoulder and rock her-can't do that on a plane. So we got her strapped in lightly on my lap facing my shoulder, and I just talked to her softly. Rubbing her head and back, and she calmed right down after a few minutes, and went to sleep. She slept the whole plane ride, and the whole van ride to the hotel. I think it's her defense mechanism. When she scared and doesn't know what to do, she shuts down a little bit-sleeps. When she woke though back to happy go lucky baby with that "Hunan" hungry girl temper-cute!!

When we arrived in Guangzhou, our guide was supposed to meet us, but instead our liaison through the adoption, Frank, met us. Now this is a huge deal, not everyone gets to meet Frank...hardly anyone meets Frank...ever. We are pretty sure that due to all the mix ups we've had, and especially the big one, that's why he's here. He is actually going to be our guide while we are here, along with our other guide, Selina. We are getting red carpet treatment!!-unbelieveable!!, and about time!!

Our hotel is swanky!! It's a huge suite. We have a seperate livingroom, and a separate bedroom, the bathroom is pretty cool also, huge walk in shower, and huge tub. We'll post pics later. Really neat view out the window. We are on the 14th floor.

We met up with Jan, and Sage and Jodi yesterday. It was so nice to see them again, and Sage is adorable! She has been such a happy baby. We all get along really good, and it's comforting to see familiar faces again. We will go to all of our appointments together, and sight see together, and eat lunch/dinners together.

It was a huge day for us today, and it went by so fast, it was overwhelming. Our first plane ride, our first medical exam, a new hotel, new friends, new guides, and...yes...out first steps today!!! Avery walked 3 steps on her own today in the hotel room!!-we were so excited!! She can walk up to 3-4 steps between Mommy & Daddy-so proud!! Avery will walk up to Gary now, and he can pick up her to blow on her belly, not all the time but more than yesterday...slowly but surely!! :)

OH and Avery is a 3 day pooper!! Another bm today!! Another 3!!-lol ;)

Okay, well I'm going to go back to bed, I just got Avery back down from her middle of the night wake up. I have a lot to say about the medical exam, and everything else. But I'm going to go get a few more hours sleep. We are sightseeing again today. Going to an old Buddhist temple, where they will do a blessing for our children-so excited!! Plus, we are going to do some shopping-finally!!

I will write more tomorrow, actually today...later.

Love ya all!! Loving hearing from everyone!!

We are doing great!! :) LOVING PARENTHOOD!! :) NO BETTER FEELING!! :)

~Allison, Gary & Avery

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

So glad to hear that Avery's system is getting back to normal, and that she warming up to Daddy. It won't be long before they will be plotting Daddy and Avery time. Jenna and Chris often do, he will pick her up from school on his day off, go to get a snack or shopping. Her school day ends at 2:20 and mine doesn't end until 3:35, 45 minutes away so normally she goes to Daycare.
Kelly

Anonymous said...

I loved the fact that you signed it Alli, Gary, & Avery-another 3. Glad everything is going well, and she seems to be adjusting. Just love the pics. Love, Heather & Don

Christa Bertram said...

I knew you would LOVE being parents!!! Your life will never be the same and it's wonderful. No one could have ever told you before this what it's like, words just can't do it justice. Congratulations. Thanks so much for the great updates. I wait around everyday for your posts and love every one of them.
Sweet Blessings on your new family!!
:)