Courtney's Blog

A short post today.....we had another nice rest day....it's so lovely not to have anything going on!! It's continued to drizzle and be nice and cool. We are really enjoying it. We took a long walk the other day and took Isaac to play in a park near our hotel. We walked up to the Pearl River and took lots of photos and videos. On our way back to our hotel, there were a whole bunch of soldiers in military dress uniforms parading up and down the streets. Then they started yelling this really weird war chant.....it was very strange. That's one thing you don't see in American - soldiers marching and yelling in the streets! Fortunately we caught it on video. We were just taping them marching around and all the sudden they started yelling! It really took us by surprise.

Isaac got the rest of his vaccines yesterday.....he seems to be doing well. We had a really good day yesterday as far as behavior. He was very obedient and happy! He has started to play this game with us where he makes funny faces at us. It is hilarious! I've attached a photo of one of his clown faces....it is so funny! He just thinks it's hysterical and laughs and laughs at himself!

Enjoy these photos!

Yesterday it rained almost constantly, which was extremely enjoyable for us! We went for a lovely walk in the rain and got thoroughly wet! We explored all over Shamian Island had visited a whole bunch of shops. We ate at Lucy's for dinner, which was a huge treat. American food never tasted so good!!! We've met so many nice people here and have had a great time connecting with other families!!

We bought Isaac his traditional Chinese outfit for the red coach photo yesterday. I've attached a photo of him in it.....really cute! We also bought the famous squeaky shoes....he absolutely adores these! He runs around and makes them squeak as loud as he can and giggles nonstop!

We also went to the playroom at the White Swan. Isaac has so much fun there. I've attached a few pictures of us there, as well. He is such an easily entertained little boy! His giggle and smile are so cute.

Today is another free day.....except we do go back this afternoon for the remainder of Isaac's shots and to have the TB test read. Tomorrow is also free, as far as I know. Wednesday is the consulate appointment, Thursday the oath, Friday we get the visa, and Saturday we're out of here!!!! I am really looking forward to coming home, although it will be a long flight. It will be a total of 25 hours from our hotel in Guangzhou to our front door at home. That is going to be hard with a two year old. Oh well....we'll survive!!!! It's been a really fun trip, especially Guangzhou. But I do miss home! I'm looking forward to seeing all our friends, as well.

We arrived safely in Guangzhou last night after an uneventful flight.....it is so nice to be on Shamian Island! It is teeming with adoptive families, and it's so nice to see familiar faces and speak to fellow Americans! We are having a lovely time. Isaac is now comfortable enough with us to misbehave, and he is showing his spoiled side! He has huge tantrums if he doesn't get his way......we have lots of work to do on his behavior! But he is very attached to us and loves to be held. He just sings away all day, and laughs and giggles with us. He has been kissing Rachel today and is just so sweet!!!

Today was the medical exam....it was very traumatic for poor Isaac. He did not know what was going on and it was very confusing for him. The vaccines were the worst part....he had to have seven, which we were really disappointed about. The US government requires that all kids have shots before they are allowed to come into the country. All other immigrants to USA are allowed to take an exemption if they like and state that they will do the shots at home under the guidance of their doctor. But orphans are not allowed this exemption. So adoptive kids coming to America are stuck with 5-8 shots and the parents do not have any say in the matter. We are trying to change the laws, but it didn't happen in time for us.

Please pray that Isaac will not have a reaction to the vaccines. We decided to split them up into two days so it woudn't be so hard on his body. We had 4 today and will have the rest Monday morning. He screamed and cried during that, but then perked right up and has been all happy the rest of the day.

Tonight we go to a group dinner with the families from our agency....it's going to be really fun! Guangzhou is much more American friendly, and we are already enjoying ourselves more here. It's very humid, but it is so pretty! It almost looks like a tropical area!

That's it for now - we have to meet our guide in half an hour to do the visa paperwork. Enjoy these photos!

We did not have anything on our schedule yesterday....it was nice to just stick around the hotel and rest! We took a nice walk in the afternoon and snapped some interesting photos, some of which I have posted here. The tomato pringles and chicken flavored potato chips were particularly interesting!

Today we are visiting the Terracotta Warriors and a jade factory. We leave for that in just a few hours. That should be quite fun!!!!

This is a short post today since I'm on the run........tomorrow we fly to Guangzhou. We're looking forward to it!