Ok, well I think I am getting behind in the posting. Time seems to slip by so quickly here. Not only are we 14 hours ahead, I just don't know where the time is going! Good news is that means we are on the countdown with more days behind us and fewer days until we get home. Not that I don't love China, but hotel rooms are just way overrated and I'm pretty much ready for some American sights and sounds especially those that involove my dear husband and kids at home!
Chuan slept well his first night. Liam woke up at 5:30. We were all off and ready for breakfast. First stop was the office of marriage and adoptions. Again, all 9 families were there with us and all our kids and families. There were some couples getting married apparently as well. Bad day for marraige with all the adoption business going on! First we had to take a picture which, by the way is the first time Chuan sat in front of a camera with me in our short 24 hour relationship. :). Then we had to sign a few papers. Chuan did not have to sign or consent but he did put his thumbprint on the paperwork. Next we went into a more formal room where we were "presented" with the adoption finalization paperwork in front of a podium and some flowers which apparently do double duty for adoption/marraige. Then we waited for all other 9 families to do the same.
After this little excusion we headed to the notary office where we all raised our right hands and swore to take care of the children and not abandon or harm them and treat them as any other biological child and then paid money and it was over. We went back to the hotel and had a nice lunch afterward. Apparently "chicken" on a sandwhich often means fried egg in China. Our hotel has some noodles and fried rice and some "americanized" dishes as well. I ate a hamburger which was said to be "australian" beef, but was not sure about the texture, maybe it was veal? Not really sure. The boys enjoyed a Japanese noodle bowl, which I think I'll call Japanese gumbo! Spaghetti-like Noodles, boilded eggs, some pork and leek-like vegetables with broth and some carrotts I think. Was very tasty. Will have to use this recipee at home. MMMmmmm good!
We went out walking on the street to get out of the room around 4 pm and went to the 7-11 like store and found some big nodle bowls which Chuan enjoyed. Think Ramen noodles plus. It was a large bowl for steaming and there was a flavor packet like Ramen, but also some vegetables like onion and leek in a little packet. It was very tasty and smelled good too. Not bad for 75cent meal. There was also a weenie-like insert in the ramen. Apparently these little sausages go in Ramen noodles. Chuan knew exactly what to do to open the weenie, he twisted it in the middle until the package popped and both sides of the weenie were placed in the noodle bowl to simmer with hot water.
He is doing better overall. His skin is really bad and although he says it does not hurt, I don't know how it can't. They gave us antibiotics from the orphanage to put on the skin as a topical and we've done that. This morning he took a bad fall off the stairs from the hotel. He runs way too fast and is always moving and he slipped and hit his forehead and of course has a blister there on his forehead.
Late we got to Skype with dad and talk to Maia on the phone. Her foot is feeling better and she got a cast put on it today or yesterday or whatever day it is now. Liam likes to talk on Skype and point at Dad's nose and ears and mouth, he is trying to say the words and will point when you say them and laugh. Chuan is not one to sit still and talk on the phone or computer or anything. He is playing lots of video games with his friend Gang Fu who is deaf. Gang Fu is also all boy and has gotten in trouble for being in our room when his deaf parents are looking for him all over the place! Now we have to let them know when he comes over so they don't get freaked out.
Oh, yes and we got fussed at by the hotel staff yesterday afternoon because Chuan and Guang Fu were playing with remote control car in the landing area outside our room on our floor. I don't think it was them as so much Liam was laughing and cooing when he saw them playing. Two men from downstairs came up and fussed us so we were back inside after that. Liam is now afraid of the remote control car because it ran over his foot and scared him.
Liam continues to get into Chuan's things and he is a typical big brother. He gets a little irritated with him, but is mostly kind and gentle with him.
We got to go to all the Shanghai Journey of Hope family blogs last night and CHuan could see some of his friends who are now in America. We also went to the www.johshanghai.blogspot.com and he seems to know those kids who are still waiting on families as well.
Well, we had a busy day and Liam will be up at the crack of dawn or well before it so, that's another day in Shanghai. Tomorrow we are off for some sighseeing in Old Shanghai and to the river to see the remarkable architecture here in Shanghai.
Can't wait to be home!
Amanda, Paula, Chuan and Liam in Shanghai.
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