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Saturday, February 27, 2010

Medical Exam and Adventures in Diapering!

I know you folks back in Northwest Ohio don’t want to hear this, but it is hot and incredibly humid here, like “why did I take a shower this morning?” humid. Our bodies are trying to adjust.

We’ve been in Guangzhou for about 24 hours now. We’re not sure what to make of it. What we do know is that it is NOT Kunming . (No spitting, or at least not nearly as much!) Our hotel is located on Shamian Island . Banyan trees galore…flowering trees and bushes…lush shrubs. Think San Juan meeting Savannah , Georgia perhaps? It is relaxing and beautiful.

During our evening and early morning strolls, we encounter adoptive parents and their new little ones at every turn. In fact, one adoption agency has 16 families here in a travel group. It makes us thankful for our group of two families, for certain. Dare I say this, but it feels like a puppy mill. I don’t know how else to describe it other than Larry and I are equally aware of this reality. It makes being surrounded by 50 smiling people in the Kunming park easier or at least more real?

I spent considerable time with our guide, Peter, yesterday afternoon. Larry and Ella Man Li napped together in the room (her nestled in the crook of his arm). I was instructed to have us ready to walk to the medical exam by 8:45 today. We set off and picked up two other families along the way. Peter acts as a facilitator for more than one agency. He is good, kind and all business. Twenty minutes later, after a quick stop at a hole-in-the-wall business to have Ella’s Visa photo taken, we arrived. Mosquitoes, yes mosquitoes, flying about this sterile, bright facility. Squeaky toys sounding off trying to keep little ones quiet. Doctors and nurses darting to and fro. Little ones crying. Chaos, I tell you but organized chaos. Here are a few pictures… Ella hung tough but was NOT happy. N-O-T. And you’ll see a photo of the two of us, Ella passed out in my arms from exhaustion!



















We made our way back out to the streets (with newly purchased stroller) for lunch and shopping.
Ella tested her mother’s moxie by forcing her to change two stinky diapers during lunch at a Thai restaurant.
I can handle a bad diaper but when the baby changing table is a slab of wood in an alley off the restaurant, all the while a woman is mopping the alley floor around my feet, well…I think you get the idea. Hey, Ella is much happier.
On our way back I caught a glimpse of the familiar logo. We hit pay dirt, people. Starbucks. I haven’t had a cup of coffee in nine days. (No huge complaints. Tea has been fantastic.) Here are a few shots of Ella hanging at Starbucks with her dad.























Tonight, we set sail for a riverboat cruise – dinner, light show, more bedlam. We’ll be going with other adoptive families. The cameras are charging now. Look for more later.

Miss you. H, L & E

11 comments:

  1. I want to write something profound after reading and looking at your pictures; Heather leaning against the wall with an exhausted baby; Ella's inquisitive look as her daddy holds her....I realize the a picture really is worth a thousand words....

    Enjoy Guanzhou!

    julie

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  2. Some of my favorite photos from guangzhou are at that Starbucks. It had good sandwiches too, which was a great find for us.

    I totally understand your comments on a puppy mill feeling. It is hard to explain until you've been there, but it definitely is a unique experience. Keep up the blogging and enjoy that precious little girl.

    Maggie

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  3. Hi Heather, Larry & Ella; THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR POSITNGS ON THIS BLOG; IT HAS BEEN A REAL PRIVILEGE TO SEE THE DAY TO DAY HAPPENINGS. YOU ARE A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY AND I CAN SEE THAT SHE FEELS COMFORTABLE WITH YOU, BUT MOST OF ALL VERY MUCH LOVED. TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL. LOVE, CAROL DUNNING

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  4. Hi E, H & L, Thank you also for all your postings. It's great to read your impressions of China and follow along on your journey. Don't hurry home, all we have is snow, wind and cold. After a 6 in. snowfall, I did the walks down to Betsy's. Margarita's tonite for sure. Hugs and kisses to all. Ted and Judy

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  5. Heather,
    Re the picture of you and Ella on the wall. You need to raise your leg and put your foot on the wall. Also, get a long cigarette. Another picture with leg up and cigarette might just be a classic! Love ya, Ted

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  6. Love the picture of Heather leaning on the wall with Ella. Also love the first picture of Larry & Ella at Starbucks. Both of them look very content. Hope you are continuing to enjoy your journey but sure that you are anxious to get home.

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  7. Did anyone notice the Halo above Larry's head at Starbucks???? Just a consequence Im sure. We have loved every picture and comments along the way. You have helped us all understand the reason you both are there, and thank God for you. So very proud of you all. Love Mom and Dad

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  8. Forgot to say how much we appreciated the picture of Heather against the wall with Ella a sleep.Mom & Dad

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  9. Hi Heather!

    It's Lisa Gunther.....we had spoken about your adoption a couple of years back. First of all I am so happy for you both....I know how hard it is to wait for so long and now Ella is finally yours! She is ABSOLUTELY beautiful...she reminds me of the little baby from "I Love You Like Crazy Cakes." Those cheeks are to die for! Your blog is awesome and I feel like I'm back in China myself. We too had our 15 minutes of fame....enjoy it, it may never happen again. Enjoy the rest of your amazing trip....good things do come to those who wait!

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  10. Just got around to looking at your blog since our return from our trip. Thank you for taking the time to share. Enjoyed seeing and reading everything, sometimes with some tears. Sweet Ella is beautiful. In this last blog I was reminded of my changing my granddaughter's most messy diaper on a scorching day on a stone wall outside the Roman Forum with many tourists streaming past. Oh the pleasures of traveling with babies!! Have a safe trip home. They say the weather will be better then.
    Rosemary B.

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  11. Yeah-Guangzhou! Your post brings back sweet memories. Totally remember the changing station at the Thai restaurant! Have you checked out the one at Lucy's yet? Starbucks was Dougs first trip out for the day. Your pictures are incredible with Ella-they could be in Life magazine. Your on the homestretch!
    Tracy

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