Our week in Jiangxi

We're at the end of our time in Jiangxi province and will move on to Guangdong to the city of Guangzhou tomorrow.  This is where all Americans must go for the final portion of the adoption.  We will go through the medical examination, get Katie Mei's visa to go to the U.S. (she's still a Chinese citizen) and take an oath of citizenship on her behalf for her return to the U.S.

While in Jiangxi we've visited the Teng Weng pavilion, gone porcelain shopping, and visited the orphange and a people's park.  It has been nice and slow, with most afternoons back in the hotel room.  I think this visit has been easier than both our other ones.  Enjoy the photos.

Bus rides are so BORING when you're this little.

Cemeteries are packed.  Bones are buried in little boxes to save space.

Merrilee does a little Tai Chi in the People's Park.

Performance at the pavilion.  Traditional music on old, traditional instruments.

View from the pavilion.  You can see the suspension towers of the Ba Yi bridge leading in to the City of Nanchang.

So proud of herself for becoming competent with chopsticks.

 Katie Mei already knows what TV is and had no problem getting fixated with a DVD.  There was a TV in her room at the orphanage.

Sharing Our First Day Together

We met Caroline Mei yesterday, and as of this afternoon she is officially ours in the eyes of the Chinese government.  She has been very quiet and serious, but slowly has allowed us to crack the shell a bit.  She smiled just once last evening when I tickled her foot, and again today when she was trying to nap on the bus and I softly rubbed her back...she's ticklish.  She also started to babble to Jay when he held her while I was grocery shopping.  She seems to enjoy both of us equally, which is really amazing to me.  So far she is still indiscriminate and will go to anyone, but hopefully that will change in the weeks to come.

Enjoy the photos, and I'll post a few more in a couple days.

Love,

Petrie

Waiting for the big moment

Meeting Caroline Mei for the first time

Getting warmed up to us via snacks

Merrilee keeps asking us "Am I being a good big sister?"  She's doing great!

The silly hat that matches the coat and pants she wore

Jay and I have to take turns lovin' on her

She loves media.  Skyping with Daddy and watching DVDs with Merrilee are awesome!

Sharing watermelon slices

Munching on breakfast

She slept all night and we had to wake her up this morning.  She's wiped out!

Lots of appointments and bus rides today

Thanks for changing that silly hat, Mom.

Quick Hello from China

We made it safe and sound, and other than the jet lag and freezy cold temps, we're doing great.  We did lots of sight seeing yesterday and Merrilee had to wear borrowed clothes as her suitcase didn't make it out of the U.S. with ourselves.  But, fortunately, it arrived last night and we're good to go.  We visited Tiananmen square, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace yesterday and today we're going to freeze our tushies off on the Great Wall.  Although it's only in the 20s here today, I'm looking forward to going back there.  My new camera has been taking beautiful photos and I'd love to get some good ones today.

Here are a few photos thus far, and though they're out of order, you can enjoy our beautiful blue skies and sunshine.

Merrilee is doing great, by the way, and I couldn't be happier that she's here.  She's behaving amazingly well for being so tired and having to walk and walk, but she hasn't complained.  God is good!

More in a couple days.

Love,

Petrie

Over the River and Through the Woods

To grandmother's house he went.

Jacob left yesterday. It's quiet around here. And Merrilee misses him terribly. But he's in the throws of delight with his grandparents now, and is enjoying all the single life has to offer. Enjoy it Jacob! We love you! Love, Mommy

Temporary relief from The Winter Blues

What have we been doing since Christmas? Well, the weather got considerably warmer in the two days after Christmas, so we raked a few leaves and made a pile for the kids to jump in before we burned them (the leaves, not the kids). Merrilee was disappointed that this fall was so rainy and she never got to play in the leaves, so Saturday was the day. The kids had a blast, my camera got a workout, and my garden got a bit neater without all the leaves in it. Once Daddy got the fire going we grabbed a bag of Campfire marshmallows and enjoyed a few.

Sunday Jay headed back to SC, but it was warm enough for the kids and I to hit the beach for a little while. We had a picnic and hung out there and then played on the playground until the clouds started coming in. Three days of lovely fall temps were just enough to put the wind back in our sails.

Unfortunately, all of us have come down with one form or another of cold virus. The kids have been coughing for over a week, Jay and I have had stuffy heads, and I even had a stomach virus on top of that. I hope all of this is over and we're better before we head out next Wednesday. The kids seem to be doing better and didn't wake us up with coughing this morning, but we're all still a bit sniffly.

The weather is no longer autumnal. We had some snow and sleet this morning, and the driveway was slushy. But after half and hour of teasing snow, it turned to rain and was just dreary. And now the sun is out. Just weird. And cold. I hope we do get at least one good snow this winter, but hope it doesn't interfere with our travel plans or Katie Mei's medical needs.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend. Stay cozy.

Love,

Petrie

The Tree Must Go, But The Joy Stays!

We won't let Christmas go! We're holding on for another day of fun and family. Jay is with us for a few more days and the kids are still playing with the toys from yesterday. First thing this morning Jacob asked if he could ride his bike. The temperature outside was only 29 degrees, so we made him stay inside and eat some breakfast first. He'll be out there later, though. Both kids are now romping around the house in their new cowboy boots from Aunt Paige and Uncle Allan. They really are the coolest boots, and the kids have taken a liking to them like I never expected. We're going to have to find a pair for Katie Mei once she gets here.

Now, for a recap of yesterday. Merrilee and Daddy got up and made blueberry muffins for the family while we waited for Jacob to wake up. Then we moved to the living room where the past several weeks of secret keeping was unveiled. The kids opened their stockings with their annual nutcracker dolls (I collect one for each child every year), and Jacob got the first glimpse of his new bike. He's been wanting a two-wheeler since Merrilee quit using training wheels in October. He watched with amazement as she took to new heights of speed and freedom, and now he's wanting it for himself. So good-bye Big Wheel, hello bruises!

Before Christmas Merrilee was determined she wanted to get her dad a trophy for Christmas. She went to the hardware store and asked the salesman to tell her where the trophies for dad's were. The poor man had to admit that they didn't sell trophies, but he did talk her into a multi-purpose screwdriver and a key ring that said "World's Greatest Dad" on it. She made her purchases, but still came home wanting a trophy for him. So we got out the play-doh and she sculpted one herself. I hot-glued the pieces together after they dried, and she lovingly painted it gold. I'm not sure Daddy understands how much love really went into that trophy. I hope he does.

After the piles of wrapping paper were removed, the official gluttony photos were taken. I do this every year. I guess it just helps us keep track of how old their toys are, and what not to buy them again if they never play with it.

The turkey was stuffed, and the casseroles were prepared, so it was time to head out for a long walk in the much missed sunshine. We've had cold and rain here seemingly endlessly for two months, so it was pure joy to go to St. Mary's City for a family walk and bike ride for an hour or two. The kids loved it, and it was refreshing to get out of the house. I haven't been on a walk since I was in the hospital, so I revelled in the exercise and fresh air. I also got to play with my new camera and try out some of its features. It's definitely a keeper!

When we came home, Merrilee and I both were wiped out. She's had a bit of a cold for the past week, so after a dose of medicine, she was zonked. I tried to nap, but someone was upstairs stomping around in his cowboy boots and riding his hobby horse, so I had to forgo the nap. I just babysat the turkey and got stuff ready for dinner. We ate and finished the evening with two tired little kids who didn't want to go to bed.

And so here we are today, the day after Christmas. I had cold turkey and reheated broccoli casserole for breakfast, followed by a piece of pecan pie. I was thinking about that casserole all night and couldn't wait to eat it again! Wonder what I'll have for lunch. We did the unthinkable and took our Christmas tree down today. I know, how sacrelige. Well, let me tell you, that tree was awful. I couldn't keep up with its water demands, and it was a DEMANDING tree. I watered it every day, but it just got drier and drier. So Jay has been vacuuming up needles since he got home last Friday. As you recall, I skimped on decorating it this year, not knowing if we'd be leaving for China anytime soon. So it was no trouble at all to take the kids' decorations off quickly and remove the lights. Once that thing was out of my living room, my house felt so much cleaner. It took a good 45 minutes to sweep and vacuum the remaining needles, and I still have a couple throw rugs that have needles threaded through them. I think we're going to be finding pine needles until next July.

So on that note, we're off to the dump to dispose of the trash (Exactly how much packing material does one Littlest Pet Shop Clubhouse need these days??? Is seven pieces of plastic, sixteen rubber bands, a carboard box, a cardboard frame, and cellophane really necessary for a clubhouse, two tiny animals, and four tinier accessories?). We'll chow down on turkey and mayo sandwiches and cranberry jello, and then we're off to the store to buy a memory card for my camera. I'm going to need it!

Love to all,

Petrie and the gang