A Sylvie picture too!

A nice day

Saturday we took the girls out to the country house.  We went for a long walk around the farm using our new back pack (Thanks EarthWays Crew!)  The red one that Sylvie is in is from EWC.

We went down to the river, and the girls had a great time splashing in the water.  Hank was especially happy to be out as well.  After swimming we had lunch, a short cat nap, then back to the city... where Sylvie spent the evening not feeling so well.

Thankfully she is nearly back to her usual self this morning.

Breakfast...

finally home...

Finally here, and settling in.  The flight was quite possibly one of the worst days we've had, but, now jet lag is clearing... Elsie is settling in and Sylvia is an absolute angel.

Everyday we are seeing more openings into Elsie, Sylvie is being very loving to her.

Elsie is super scared of Hank (our lab), but seems to be getting better too... we are just trying to keep them seperate and give hank lots of love and bones.

We will try to get some more photos up soon, thank you all for following and for your emails and calls of support and encouragement, I think we are over the hump, and things are getting easier... as easy as can be I guess with a 15 and 18 month old!

hello from Detroit... finally almost

Jet lag...

Hi All,

Sorry we have not posted, been dragging since we got home.

Elsie is slowly easing into life here, still clinging to me; but, starting to let go to play and let Anna feed her.  I will get some photos up soon, and hope to keep the blog going for a bit as Elsie settles in here... until she can start meeting all of you.

On the way to the airport, we passed that tall building again, It is the tallest building in China at 610 meters!  Whoa that is tall.

some of our new friends...

cool bridge

looking forward to seeing everyone

blurry I know, but thought you might like the coloring of the tall building

A cruise on the Pearl river

Last evening we took a river boat cruise on the Pearl, was pretty cool cruising through the 4th largest city in China.  Got to see also one of the tallest buildings in China, it was all lit up like a rainbow.

This morning we are packing for home, trying to fit everything into our existing suitcases without buying any more.  Will be tight; but, fine... Anna is so good at packing.

This afternoon we go to pick up Elsie's visa and passport from the US consulate, then on to the train station where we take a two hour train trip into Hong Kong.  There we stay at the airport hotel, and get up and get outa here at 9am!  YEAH!  Finally!  We are so ready to be home!  Miss Sylvie so.  And looking forward to getting back into our home... thanks so much to Nate and Doris for managing the house work while we were away!

a nice shot out our window

Additional menu items?

They also offered, toads, frogs, snakes (all live) as well as the usual eels, crabs, etc.

These toads were kinda expensive, so I avoided them... they were about 7 dollars.  Must be good eh?

Budweiser beer babe

We walked down the street a ways to an outdoor restaurant for dinner last night, while there, along came the Bud Beer Babe opening beverages.  I tried best I could to tell her we are from the home of Bud... but, it just didn't work.

So, I thought I would take a photo to show you all, the china version of a beer gal.

Dinner was only OK, super spicy chicken... they leave the bones in it here, and just cleaver it into pieces... not sure why, maybe they just like spitting out bones.

Also, had one of Anna's favorites, an onion pancake, and some hot / sour tofu.

Neat restaurant though.

Elsie kisses

I just told Elsie to go give mamma a kiss, and she toddled over and kissed Anna on the cheek... made the afternoon better.

a long walk

Yesterday eve, we walked for some time up the Pearl river, stopped at an electronics market which was wild... people going everywhere dealing in cell phone parts... Need a screen for an iphone?  They got it.  It was amazing the the amount of stuff going in and out of that market.

We had an early evening following, we went back to Lucy's for a grilled cheese and some happy hour Carlsberg beers, another little taste of home.

It was nice sitting on the patio there, relaxing.

Today, we hopped in a taxi and went to the big electronics market, again, was just overwhelmed with the amount of stuff.  Just the second hand market was like the size of our west county shopping mall.  I came very close to buying a new used camera... was about 25% cheaper than US.

Following that, we went back to the jade market for some gifts and then wound our way on foot back through the city to the hotel.  Along the way, we passed many stinky markets full of crazy foods and fish.  Whole dried fish... 3' long hanging in store fronts.  I am sorry I don't have some photos for you, but between the smell, and some one I know that had an urge for the bathroom... we were in a bit of hurry through that market area :).

One really disturbing thing we saw, were two street vendors selling tiger's leg's / feet!  They had been skinned of meat; but, fur left on the paw to make it obvious where the giant claws were from... we were both totally taken back, and talked about it a number of times on the way back.

By the time we returned we were cooked, and now have been relaxing for a couple hours.  Considering what to do for dinner.... maybe the conveyor belt sushi?  That is what I am kinda thinking.

First the pool though...

More later.

Did I mention we would both get on a plane right now if we could?  Just looking forward to getting home with Elsie to see Sylvie and everyone!

a big smile

In the hotel lobby

The red couch day

Traditionally all the families get together to pile their children, in traditional dress, on to the red couches of the Swan hotel.

Here is a photo of Elsie in her dress.

another day, getting better all the time

Today is Tuesday here...

Elsie is being pretty good for Anna, she let her pick her up a couple times and skype with Ray and Doris.

Our day is free today, headed to breakfast then maybe back to the Jade market and to tour around downtown, maybe check out a temple, pass the time and look forward to coming home.

Will post some more photos soon.

so many babies in need

Just a photo of one of the sweet little ones we met at the orphanage, cleft lip / pallet on this little guy, sweet as could be.  It was just heartbreaking all the babies waiting for homes.

One little boy, had spina-biffida and was older, apparently asked the nannies when his parents would come to pick him up... we played with him alot while we were in Beijing.  He had leg braces on his lower legs and could run, though like a young forest gump.  He was one of our favorites.

Just a train photo

On our way from Beijing to Taiyuan (the armpit of China) we rode in a high speed train... about 220 kmh... this is what it looked like.

Just thought I'd add another pic or two while I finished my beer.

Ghost lady and a UFO?

Oh, sorry about leaving the previous post without an explanation.  While touring after dinner, we saw this ghost woman walking by, and I could not help but to take a photo.

kidding of course, it was just the exposure of my shot.

On a separate supernatural front, an airport here was shut down for a few hours due to a nearby UFO.  One person in our group sat on the runway in her provence while the airport tried to figure out what was going on... the newspaper dispelled it as a secret military operation... glad we weren't waiting to fly!

Night all!

Thanks again for your emails and comments, sorry we don't reply to them all, it is just late by the time we get here.  Keep m coming.

Today

Sorry it is late and my posts are a little out of order.  We got to have a nice skype visit with Ray and Doris, Mom n Alex, as well as Aunt Tammy, and now it is a bit late.

Today we slept in a bit, and then went down for the morning buffet.  After that we toured around on the island a bit, and came back for a swim.  Elsie really seems to like the water, she had great fun splashing, and warmed up to Anna some too.  I would kiss Anna and Elsie would imitate and do the same.

After pool, we met up with our tour group and took a bus to the Jade market and then the Pearl Market.  Both were OK, the jade market was way hot and Elsie strapped to my chest, slept and cooked both of us.  The pearl market was interesting, like a 5 story shopping mall with shops full of mostly the same things and everyone wanting you to buy theirs...

Interesting to see garbage bag size bags full of pearls though.  We saw a really neat stone shop with giant purple geodes that had been cut open with their edges polished.

Speaking of stone, upon return to our hotel, we walked through the lower lobby, which is lined with stone for sale, sculpted and natural.  There are giant cave formations set in beautiful carved wood bases for sale... priced at 125,000 rmb... at 6.75 rmb per dollar... that is alot of money, thankfully, hopefully it does not promote much "harvesting" of cave formations.  There are also giant polished sections of petrified wood... tree trunks 30" across by 5' tall completely polished, I can't imagine they sell much of that.  While I am on the subject though, the Chinese are really into their rock art, at the entrance to many temple and shrines there are giant imported rock formations, kept natural, for display.

After we returned from the market trip, we relaxed for a bit, and went out for Thai food.  Elsie sat on Anna's lap and ate for a while... until she barfed noodles in Anna's hands, and then promptly freaked out when I ran for tissues.  Still dinner was nice and we visited with a family on their second tour for adoption, their first girl, now five is just adorable and so well manored.  Their new one, is precious as well, with a little bity shrunken hand on her left hand, mom n dad stated, she is either an angel or a devil child.  Cute regardless!

Elsie and I took a nice bath, no tears at all, and then to bed.

Tomorrow is a free day, we may revisit some markets, and maybe hit the electronics market... yeah.

Of course another trip to the pool will be in order with our water baby.

It was great to call home tonight and are so looking forward to seeing everyone.

LOVE to all.

Korey and Anna

A new room, a growing baby...

We had been asking to move to a river view room, and today we did... I think it worth an additional 100 rmb... about 15 dollars per night.  It has been great watching the sand dredges and tour boats going up and down.

In the evening, there are tour boats completely lit up in neon, a couple with giant TV screens on the sides... like 30 feet by 50 feet BIG with ads... of course.

But across the river a bunch of buildings are lit up and off the bridge in the distance as well as the point to the left, there are giant green laser lights that move across the river and city scape... pretty cool!

The close of a great day...

Elsie and Anna are asleep as I upload the last photo for today.

I can hear a couple babies crying in adjoining rooms and floors, I hope all of those families get some peace tonight and the babies feel more comfortable in their surroundings.

This photo was at the med clinic today... Elsie is really begining to blossom and hopefully she will start going to Anna soon.  Each day is better.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

The Harts

a Chinese wedding

This must be THE place to go to have your wedding photos taken, we saw at least 6 weddings taking photos around the island today.

Thought you would enjoy this snapshot.  Nice contrast with the bronze fiddlers.

a first ice cream

at the pool

We took our time getting used to the pool.  Elsie played on the steps, at first aprehensivley then started to really get into it.  Eventually we took her out in the pool and she let go of me enough to be swished through the water on her front and then even on her back!  She had great fun, we tried our best to keep her from drinking the pool water.

When we finally got out, I chased her around the pool deck for 10 minutes or so, and then she held mine and Anna's hands as we walked back to the room...

It was just wonderful... we got many smiles and played much.

Following pool time we went to dinner with our Arkansas friends, then ice cream.  Elsie we don't think had ever had anything cold... so she initially spit it out, but quickly realized the joys of Hagen Daz as she helped mommy with her ice cream.

Finally to bed.  Anna and I stayed up and waited for photos to upload for the blog, while chatting about how our hands would be full with Elsie and Sylvie.  We did get to have a great Skype call with Sylvie and Doris as well as Jack and the boys (Anna's nephews).

a new baby

Today Elsie emerged from her shell much further... she finally let me put her down and Anna and I played on the floor with her, bouncing the ball and running about.  She even took Anna all of the toys, though still resisted being picked up by her.

We played, walked the halls a bit, then got dressed for the pool.

How is that for a photo?

She was sooo good, we walked to the elevator then all the way down through the lobby.

the medicinal market

following the clinic, we had some time prior to our paperwork appointment.  We walked off the island to the medicinal foods market place... there we saw really wild products like dried whole sea horses, birds nests (for soup), dried whole squid, dried leg bones from some small hooved animal, and dried silk worms by the bushel... also lots of the typical ginseng and flowers, mushrooms etc.

We saw some black mushrooms that were the size of a small car tire!  Just a great market.  it was hot, and the old women scoffed at me carrying Elsie in my ergo carrier.

We sat with some little women at one entrance where there was a fan, they offered me a stool, and we sat with them and cooled a while.

After that, Anna had to go fill out paper work, Elsie and I napped.

a trip to the medical clinic

The clinic was an absolute zoo... families everywhere!

We only had to visit 3 stations and Elsie was just great at all of them, the only times she got upset was when I had to sit her down to be measured, and when the Dr. wanted to measure her head.

One couple in our group, their daughter had been crying and screaming since they received her... 4 - 5 days!  We felt very sorry for them as they struggled through the stations.

All in all, the visit went fine.  Screaming kids everywhere and families standing in ques.

Elsie checked out fine, and each station complemented her.  :)

The view from home

As mentioned in the previous post, we are on Shamian Island at the White Swan hotel.  Our room is facing the city and the photo is out our window on the 11th floor... cool green roof eh?

You can see the great architecture in the neighborhood.

The streets are mostly walking, no more playing frogger like in Taiyuan.  It is quiet, I have yet to hear a horn honk!

We got up this morn and went to our included breakfast, which was pretty good... a big buffet with everything from eggs to order (yum :(  )  to steamed chinese buns with bean paste, I had a big breakfast... one highlight was proscuito ham.

Our side of the hotel faces the city, and the other side is right on the Pearl river which is bustling with barge / ship activity.  In the distance you can see the giant cranes of the port.  It is fascinating to watch all the ships and ferries go by.  So much so that I have been requesting to move to a river view room... the front desk says none are avail, and if so they are an additional 100 rmb per night... (about 15 dollars).  I am hopeful they will move us, the city view is charming; but, the river view is just cool.

Anyway, following breakfast, we met with all the other 24 families to go for visa photos and the required Dr. visit.

Families have such a range of children, ages and special needs.  One family we are friends with has an albino baby... she is just precious.  Anna gave them a sun shade blanket we brought, and they were very appreciative.  Another family has a baby with a major cleft, cute as could be... but a couple of tough surgeries in front of that little one.

It was very nice to see everyone, and here their stories.  One really friendly couple are having the same bonding trouble that we are, so it was especially nice to talk with them and confide in one another.  We went out to dinner with them this evening... their little girl is 3, beautiful, used to have a cleft and has her some of her fingers fused together on one hand.  She only comes to him, like Elsie only comes to me.  They are  a great couple, traveling with 3 biological children, and are from NW Arkansas... Neighbors!

A new day and a french fry

Today we awoke once again in Taiyuan, Elsie did not sleep great, and we looked out on to the gray industrial city feeling gloomy.

Since gotcha day; Elsie must be held by me (only me) every minute she is awake.  And typically not just held; but, tightly held chest to chest.  I cannot imagine what she is going through; but, nonetheless, it is difficult at times for us... I cannot take a shower for example without her banging on the glass crying at the top of her lungs.

So, there is the back ground for this post, an industrial city and a beautiful baby that needs lots of love.

We got checked out of our hotel early and had to run to pick up Elsie's passport, we had stopped the previous eve; but, it was not ready.

On the way, the traffic was terrible, there was an accident to wait through and then some.  Echo ran into the office and came back passport in hand, whew... relief.  Then, the driver took a "short cut" to the freeway.  His short cut went up the "wholesale" market street which is full of pedestrians and porters with hand carts and all the other various forms of Asian transport devices... a half hour later we had gone only a few blocks, and though Echo did not tell us... her tone of speech, and the driver's actions, driving for blocks into oncoming traffic, let us know we were late.

Once we got on the freeway, it was clear sailing, except it kept running through my mind "we are doing 150 + kmh in a cheapo little asian van, with no seat belts or car seat!"

Anyway, we made it to the airport and through security no problem.  Remember, Elsie only wants to be held by me currently, so that means a simple trip to the restroom is a massive deal in her world... as I try to avoid taking her in there, while in public!  The flight was fine and we got to see some smiles and giggles while en route.

Finally, we got to Guangzhou, it is much more tropical feeling here, palm trees and humidity.  The climate actually felt similar to STL.  Our hotel is the White Swan located on Shamian Island overlooking the Pearl river  www.guangzhouhotel.com/White_Swan_Hotel_Guangzhou.htm

The whole area is beautiful, was just given back to China from the British? in the 50s, the architecture is colonial.  As an alternate to our Taiyuan experience, we headed to Lucy's...an expat type place frequented by adoptive parents and proudly ordered two cheeseburgers, french fries and cold beer (milk for Elsie).  And with that, Elsie had her first french fry there was hope for the new day...

Out the door, yeah

Headed out to breakfast and to meet with Echo,

Just wanted to say thanks to all of you for leaving comments and or emailing, it makes us feel great to hear from you.

Korey and Anna

On to the next leg of our journey...

Our Elsie

Pingyao

This was a huge walled city about 100km from Taiyuan, Us, Elsie and Echo as well as our driver went.  WE walked all around the city, many great street vendors selling antiques and fake antiques.  There were  also many museums where you could tour different ancient residences or business offices.

Elsie did pretty well, she likes being out and about.  I had to hold her every waking minute though, and that definitely gets tiring.  As I type, she woke up from her sleep and is sitting on my lap.

Tomorrow we get up and out at 9, have to catch a 9:30 flight down to Guangzhou where the US consulate is, we will spend the rest of our time there.

WE are thrilled to be relocating out of Taiyuan, this place is pretty dirty / ugly, just very industrial with lots of honking horns.

Our new home is supposed to be pretty quaint, on an island with lots of shops and nice streets to tour.

Wish we were home with our Sylvie and Elsie... and Hank!

All good though, we will make it no prob.

Hope all of you are well.

strange foods

While there we saw many vendors making a strange peanut brittle type thing, they put this hot molasses type stuff with some peanuts on a wood block, then pound it flat with a giant mallet, they turn it and do it again and again until it is flat; but, weirdly fluffy.

Not too sweet, but tasty.

Another one we tried, was similar; but, made with "threads" of the molasses type stuff, then hand rolled around a small bit of peanut.

Both tasty; but, strange.

The Chow residence

dinner this eve

So we were worn out, and not into going out again.  After our long walk, we stopped at the Chinese version of 7 - 11 called a 069.

Dinner in the photo consisted of two bowls of ramen like noodles, mine with spice that kinda makes your tongue numb, then a couple cans o Tsing Tao beer, a cup o yogurt, and some wasabi crackers.  All cost us about $3 (that was with extra beers).

So tomorrow we are getting up early and headed 100km south of the city to Pingyao an old city from the Ming dynasty.  It is walled and said to have great architecture.  Will be a whole day trip which we are thrilled about as we do not love Taiyuan and are looking to pass time.  Excited about the sight seeing regardless.

Friday morning we will be heading to Guangzhou where the US consulate is.  We will be meeting up with all the families we started with and the city is supposed to be beautiful, so we are excited.

Hope you all are well, good night for now.

Nap time this afternoon

this eve

after nap time, we went for a walk along the river.  This gentleman was writing with water from the river on the sidewalk, really cool.

All families were out along the river and in the parks, it is just how the Chinese do it.  Many don't have or use their AC, so they go to the parks in the eve and let the kids run, and practice Tai Chi.

Everywhere we go, we are the spectacle, absolutely everyone looks, people walk up and pet Elsie's arm and gesture nicely.  When Echo is with us she interprets that they want to know if we adopted, and say how lucky the baby is and how beautiful she is.  It is very odd to be such the center of attention.

Check out the mountain temple in the background

a nice shot from the temple

a vendor at the park

Jinchin Park

Today we got up and went to breakfast (all the waitress are enamored with us) they are very helpful and want to play with Elsie.

Our guide Echo picked us up at nine and we went to a local park at the base of the mountains.  This place was incredible.  In the photo, you see the large fellow on the horse to the right, he was the first emperor of China and was from this provence.  This statue was bronze, impressive.

See me rocking my daddy ergo carrier?  Elsie liked it.

a nice family walk in the park

This is a park near our hotel; the tower on the right in the photo is our hotel, we are on the 24th of 37 floors.

yummy dinner post gotcha day

It is official

Sorry I did not get to posting last night, we were spent.

Here is a photo of Elsie providing her hand print, the final step after we returned to the council office, signed, signed again, fingerprinted on top of our signatures, then Elsie signed with her hand print.

Good night

Not sure yet where we will fit; but, we will make it work, we are so tired... what a day.  Good night all.