Taking Baby Steps, Langzhou continued

By the third day, Shelby was smiling, playing with Kira and in Mandarin, asking to be picked up by me!  Oh how good that felt.  Most importantly she seemed happy, started to cackle at our antics to make her laugh, and then it just clicked for all of us!  She played peek a boo, would imitate Kira's every move (which I think started to annoy little Kira) and started talking (again in Mandarin) very consistently and appropriately, according to Kaige.  We were told that she speaks excellent Mandarin and can say, pick me up, down, hungry, thirsty, no, yes.  We also found out that she is a big flirt and winks at adults (both men and female).  Where ever we went with both girls, especially to restaurants, we were surrounded by waitresses wanting to engage both girls in play or conversation.  It was so enjoyable to watch, but I must admit it got tiring when all we wanted to do was have a decent meal at the end of a busy day!

The time we spent in Langzhou was very busy, with Kaige doing the best she could trying to get the baby's passport ready in time for our trip to the US Consulate in Guangzhou.  One day we spent shopping to gather some necessities we didn't bring with us.  We were concerned about Shelby's low weight so since we were told she is still on formula, well, we bought formula, bottles and even more pacifiers.  What we were surprised to find is that this child drinks straight out of a water bottle, totally dislikes formula and will only eat normal food!  Yay for that.  Instead, baby bottles were used to irrigate her bladder and cups for bathing.  We donated the formula to the orphanage, along with any other supplies we didn't need.

There's about 3 eggs, pancakes and waffles on her plate and she two fisted it all in:))

 That day we headed out with Kaige to another part of the Lanzhou.  I found the architecture so beautiful and in stark contrast to the old buildings that seem to dwarf these modern high rises. 

 

Oh how I loved all the bronze sculptures in this garden!

Pretty Shelby, still a bit hesitant about what was happening and missing her foster family.

That night for the first time in three days, she sobbed herself quietly to sleep.  I would try to stroke her face or rub her back and she would push me away and turn her head away.  It was so awful to see this child of ours grieving so for the only family she knew.  We were confident with some time, she would come around and there would be more smiles on that pretty face!

Kaige was a huge help with Kira.  She often would just take her hand and make her feel comfortable when it seemed all attention was on Shelby.  Oh and Ariel had a big part too:))

Destination Bejing

I had full intentions of blogging from China only to find out I had no access to google blogger.  It was some what of a blessing in a way to not be on the computer as this journey was mentally and physically exhausting for us all.  Since I decided to carry my camera, I thought I would let the photographs speak for themselves.

After a 13 hour flight from JFK and 6380 miles away from NJ, we arrived safely in Bejing.  It was so exciting to be back there and I felt the anticipation starting to gain momentum.  Although exhausted, we all couldn't really sleep and just took a quick nap and then went down to the breakfast buffet (the best meal of the day).  Our Hotel was downtown this time so you could feel the hustle and bustle of this huge city.  The only thing that really annoyed me was the constant beeping of car horns and for those of you who have been to any big city in China, you know what I mean.  I find it funny in some ways that that sound was also once a way of how Americans drove here in the states, especially on the highways and byways along the east coast.  I also found it somewhat interesting that when you were in a car, taxi or bus going anywhere in Bejing, if you opened the window, you could literally touch the vehicle next to you.  As Dani kept saying "these drivers go from 8 lanes to 2 and don't even seem to look".  That's probably why we stayed close to the sidewalks and avoided crossing the streets!

First object of the day, food!

We were elated to go back to China, especially since we found out we would be traveling with a family whom we met nearly four years ago when we adopted Kira.  I thought this would be a great time to share some of Kira's heritage with her as well as introduce her to other adopted children from her birth country.   I am not sure how much she will remember of this trip, but I am sure that bringing her along played a huge role in the bonding process between Shelby and her new family.

Bejing Day 1


The big climb up the Great Wall of China!  I was so excited to go on this trek, only thing, no one mentioned "don't wear clogs".  Who knew it wasn't the steep climb up but the hike down that would have me sliding forward in my shoes and hanging on to the railing (if I could get to one) for dear life.  I had to laugh at myself because I sat down and watched hundreds of people climbing, even running up and down the steep grade.  It was exhilarating to be at one of the Wonders of the World.  Our guide was a hoot and gave us a brief history lesson and then we were on our own.  We toured with another family, whom we came to adore and Kira just wouldn't leave them alone.  She was so happy to play with other children and I was so relieved to see her in her element of play.

There were thousands of people climbing the wall, including many locals and school children.

Kira and her new family of friends talking to some Military Students.  The students all wanted photos taken with this blonde haired family!  They were very friendly and seemed to enjoy engaging in  easy conversation.

Our Fabulous Tour Guide Arthur

Kira's new pal.  The real way to climb the Great Wall.

We were all hanging on here on this incline up the other side of the wall.

This sweet lady kept me company while I proceeded to sit down for an hour's break.  Then I thought wow, she has walked at least 2 miles straight up this wall and probably does it as a daily routine.  She didn't speak any english, nor did I speak any Chinese dialect, but we managed to share some laughs and a lot of head nodding!

After a very long hike and meeting some amazing people, our fine Chariot awaited to take us back to our hotel.  What fun this day had been.

Pre-School to Princeton

SHE MELTS MY HEART!

RECENTLY, BOTH KIRA AND I SEEM TO ENJOY EXPLORING NEW PLACES (or perhaps she just gets a kick out of the fact that I get lost with my GPS). LAST WEEK WE VISITED A NEW PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM AND IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT THE FOLLOWING DAY WE TOOK AN EXCURSION TO PRINCETON UNIVERSITY. I'VE NEVER BEEN THERE BUT AS SOON AS I GAZED AT THE OLD HOMES ALONG THE ROAD LEADING TO THE UNIVERSITY I FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS TOWN. QUAINTLY HISTORIC, I WONDERED HOW MANY GENIUSES WALKED THE EXACT SAME PATHS WE WERE STROLLING ALONG. I LOOKED AROUND AT ALL THE POTENTIAL STUDENTS TAKING SUMMER TOURS AND YIKES THEY ALL LOOKED SO YOUNG! IT MADE ME WANT TO GO BACK TO COLLEGE; THE YEARS OF WONDERMENT, ADVENTURE AND, YES THE ACQUISITION OF KNOWLEDGE (IF YOU COULD STAY AWAKE DURING CLASS)!

A GOOD SUGAR FIX WILL HELP DURING LONG CLASSES!

I LOOKED DOWN AT KIRA AND REALIZED SHE TOO IS STARING SOMEWHAT INQUISITIVELY TOWARDS THE BEAUTIFUL STONE AND GRANITE BUILDINGS. EXCITINGLY SHE YELLS OUT, "MOMMA LOOK AT ALL THE PRINCESS CASTLES!"

SOME OF THESE ARE ACTUALLY DORMS.

SURE ENOUGH THESE MAGNIFICENT STONE STRUCTURES DID RESEMBLE CASTLES. IN FACT, PRINCETON IS THE FOURTH OLDEST COLLEGE AND ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL UNIVERSITIES IN THE UNITED STATES. THE GOTHIC VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURE TAKES YOU BACK IN TIME, WAY BACK TO THE 12TH CENTURY, WITH SPIRES REACHING SKYWARD AND BEAUTIFULLY DETAILED ARCHES THAT BECKON YOU THROUGH PASSAGES LEADING TO EVEN MORE SPECTACULAR ARCHITECTURE.

NASSAU HALL (1756)

ONE OF MY FAVORITE MOVIES "A BEAUTIFUL MIND" WAS FILMED HERE, STARRING RUSSELL CROWE. IN FACT THE PROFESSOR HE PORTRAYED, JOHN NASH IS STILL ON FACULTY HERE.

I CAN ONLY SAY THAT I FELT SO INSPIRED AS I WALKED BY THE HUNDREDS OF CLASSROOMS. WHILE THERE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN "PRINCESSES" HOUSED IN THE CASTLE LIKE BUILDINGS, THE FUTURE OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY, SCIENCE, GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS WILL LIKELY TAKE PLACE BY ALL THE BEAUTIFUL MINDS THAT ATTEND STUDYING TO MAKE THEIR MARK IN THIS WORLD!

Toddler Logic

A FEW WEEKS AGO, I PACKED THE CAR AND HEADED OFF TO THE GARDENS. OH YES, 5 CUTE OUTFITS A FEW BALLOONS, LOT'S OF BOWS AND RIBBONS AND CANDY FOR BRIBE TACTICS. THAT'S JUST A BIT OF WHAT I HAVE TO DO TO GET SOME FUN PHOTOS OF HER. I FIGURED BY NOT TAKING PHOTOS OF HER EVERY DAY SHE WILL EVENTUALLY LET ME TAKE JUST A FEW. WHAT WAS I THINKING?

WE CHASED SOME BUTTERFLIES AND I WATCHED KIRA PLAY, ROMPING AS USUAL AND EVEN STOPPING TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH ANOTHER LITTLE GIRL. NOW I MANAGED TO GET JUST A FEW PHOTOS BEFORE WE HEADED BACK HOME.

NOW THESE ROCKS LOOK FUN TO WALK ON!

MAKING SURE MOMMA IS NOT FAR BEHIND.

THERE WERE SO MANY PRETTY FLOWERS AND AWESOME INTERESTING PROPS FOR ME TO USE, SUCH AS THIS BEAUTIFUL BRIDGE.

I FIGURE THAT I'LL GET THE TOT ON THE BRIDGE, RUN AHEAD AND SNAP THE PIC.

ONLY I FORGET HOW FAST THIS CHILD RUNS AND RUNS AND RUNS!

WHAT I DIDN'T REALIZE WAS JUST AS I RAN AHEAD OF HER TO COMPOSE THIS PHOTO, SHE TOOK HER SKIRT OFF AND THREW IT, PRACTICALLY OVER THE BRIDGE...AND AS I TRIED TO STEADY THE CAMERA WHILE I WAS LAUGHING, I HEARD HER SAY "NO MORE PICTURES MOMMY"!

INDEED SHE WAS DETERMINED TO NOT HAVE HER PICTURE TAKEN AND FIGURED IF SHE LOOSES THE SKIRT, THE CAMERA WILL ALSO GET LOST! HOW I LOVE TODDLER LOGIC. SO WE BOTH GOT WHAT WE WANTED AND I'M GOING TO SAVE THIS PHOTO TO SHOW HER WHEN SHE'S UH HMMM, 20 SOMETHING!

Summer is Here!

YES, summer has arrived and so have the heat waves! The 90 degree humid weather is certainly a challenge when my little tot wants to run outdoors and prefers to water the plants rather than play in her pool. However, we manage to find weeds to pick, butterflies to chase and a few cloudy days where we take advantage of some cute photos in the woods.

Yes I know you love to get your Mommy soaked! Actually this is Kira's way of getting the camera out of her face!

Recently I found a really fun place to chase bunnies and take some photos. I grab the camera and try to get Kira to "work it" for me as I bribe her with a lollipop or cookie. She's so funny after a bit of suger and will put her hands on her hip and say "work it, work it" as I snap away. Here's some of the cutest photos I've seen:))

HOW I LOVE THIS FACE AND THOSE DIMPLES!

I sort of wonder how a child instinctively knows that a rain puddle was made so that he/she can jump in it. I still can't figure this out because I haven't seen it on Dora or Kai Lan, but then again I did the same thing and there were no TV shows to mimic, well a few perhaps. So what does a Momma do when her tot comes upon a puddle of water? I SAY JUMP AND HAVE SOME FUN!!! The smallest puddle allows for some great big smiles and adventures.

Before puddle
jumping

AND after, ah how good this feels!

Yes this does bring back some fond memories as I will admit I did this too! The cool puddles felt so good on my feet as I would splash and entertain myself so effortlessly. So watching this child of mine have so much fun this day made me glad I brought my camera to capture her childish enthusiasm for simple and real fun.

A Trip to Longwood Gardens

OH HOW I LOVE THIS CHILD!

SUCH A BEAUTY!

AND PRETTY SMART TOO, SHE KNOWS WHERE THE MONEY IS HIDING!

ALWAYS CURIOUS AND SMILING!

AWH, THAT FAMOUS LOOK OF KIRA'S.

THE GORGEOUS ORCHIDS OF LONGWOOD GARDENS

PREPARING TO GET A LITTLE WET HERE.

ABOUT 2WKS AFTER THE BIG BLIZZARD AND THEY STILL HAD ALMOST 3FT OF SNOW ON THE GROUND OUTSIDE.

INSIDE WHERE THE AROMATHERAPY WAS OH SO DELIGHTFUL TO THE SENSES.

MAKING FUNNY FACES.

WE SURE TRY TO MAKE SEVERAL TRIP TO LONGWOOD GARDENS A YEAR AND THE ORCHID EXTRAVAGANZA IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES. IT'S LIKE STEPPING INTO A SPA WITH THE MOST DELIGHTFUL AROMAS OF SPRING FLOWERS AND MUCH NEEDED WARM HUMIDIFIED AIR AFTER A VERY COLD FEW WEEKS OF WINTER. WE HAD SO MUCH FUN WATCHING KIRA RUN AROUND AND ENJOY MOSTLY THE WATER FOUNTAINS. THE LIGHTING WAS BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND I COULD CAPTURE HER BIG BRIGHT EYES AT ANY TIME.

WHAT A GREAT DAY FOR AN OUTING AND CAPTURING SOME AMAZING PHOTOS OF MY AMAZING CHILD.

OH HOW I LOVE YOU SWEET KIRA!