We had a good day today. Liam woke up at 4:30 am but was in a good mood. He layed in bed with me for a while then was really up by 5. He was in a happy mood and pleasant today. We ventured out to buy a stroller then headed over to a park here in Taiyuan. Well, it was way more than a park. THis park has amusement rides like roller coasters, a huge lake with paddle boats, lots of sculptures, trees, people dancing and excercising, singing groups practicing, musicians practicing and performing, hacky sack playing with a badmitton net on teams, and some interesting top like toy being balanced on a string. we walked for about an hour and a half to get around the whole park. I imagine it is really busy on weekends and more beautiful during springtime.
We talked with Helen, our guide and she brought along a young man who is trying to learn more English and hoping to attend college in the US in either Boston or Deleware to learn economics. I told him America is not the best place to study economics.
we enjoyed the park and Liam slept throught the whole thing in his new stroller. I was hoping to let him walk and play. When she said "park" I was thinking slides and swings. I have not been to central park, but I imagine this park to be more along those lines. So there were no slides or swings for him anyway and it was a good opportunity for us to stretch our legs and get out of the room.
we also ventured to another market. It is about 2 "blocks" from our hotel. It was the same place we bought the stroller, but I never would have found it if Helen hadn't brought us there first. There is no front door and just green tarps over the doors. Outside there were street vendors with baked sweet potatoes that smelled awesome. Inside were 100s of little stores or more like cubby holes with each a selection of associated items, some with shoes, luggage, lotions, scarves, each one had a specialty. In the back there was more grocery items with open spices and teas and various unrecognizable items to me. Liam did well in his stroller except when Paula took him strolling while I was buying some paper cuttings. These are traditional cuttings done by hand on this extremely thin paper. Ive posted some pictures of them. Some are red and some are colorful. THey are a traditional art form here in Shanxi.
Then we were back to the hotel and more noodles for my boy!
He does not like to bathe at all, but we did get him to at least sit in the tub tonight after the 3rd time bathing. He must have bathed but i doubt it was in a big tub. He squats in the water and rubs his feet and his tummy, laughing the whole time. He played with some Thomas toys in the tub and seemed to be more at ease. He fell asleep early and had a little more disturbing night. He had some night terrors and crying but i was able to soothe him back to sleep. It's now Thursday morning at 5 am and he is still asleep from 7 pm last night. This boy is 100% either tottally going or totally sleeping. His personality is so much a joy. i remember people commenting on Tanner having the personality of 10 adults when he was 3 and I'm beginning to think this boy has him beat even at the young age of 23 months!
God has truly blessed us with Liam.
Have a great day and more from our adventures in Shanxi tommorrow!
Amanda, Paula and Liam in Shanxi
ps, pics are of the amusement park and of course, Liam!
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