Sunday we started off with a trip to eat breakfast - seeing a routine in our mornings???
First day for a bow! Girlfriend can rock a bow headband!
Something new at breakfast and it's called a highchair. Not a happy camper.
Such a sad face
Realizing that her Daddy would feed her while sitting in that contraption changed her outlook.
Lily is big on wiping her mouth and hands
After breakfast we headed over to Shamian Island here in Guangzhou. Shamian Island is a sandbank island in Guangzhou. The name literally means "sandy surface" in Chinese. Originally it was an important port for Guangzhou's foreign trade from Song to the Qing Dynasty in the 18th century. The historical area is a reminder of the colonial European period with tree lined streets filled with shops, restaurants, parks and statues.
Several years ago, it is where adoptive families all stayed and had their medical appointments as well as their consulate appointments. The US consulate and the medical facility moved to a newer buildings off of Shamian Island so now families stay at various hotels.
It was a rainy day but we still enjoyed walking around and seeing everything.
Almost felt like we were back home in America. Almost.
I've seen this statue on so many blogs I've read this past year. It was surreal to actually be there myself.
Daddy rocking the pink and black backpack
At one point it started to rain a little heavier and we were without an umbrella. The shop owner whom we had bought things from earlier graciously invited us in to sit out the rain. She began speaking to Lily (in Chinese of course) and asked her how old she was. Lily replied she was 4!
Are you coming Daddy?
An afternoon caffeine stop
Stopping to get an umbrella for the rest of the day at 7-Eleven. Full Daddy mode right there! Who would've thought??
The restaurant we stopped at had a little bit of everything and we were both wanting something other than Chinese food. I opted for a quesadilla. In China. What was I thinking? This is the longest I've gone without Mexican food so I was desperate. It actually wasn't horrible but just bland. Lily really liked it though. I hope she isn't scarred into thinking that's how they always taste. This little girl will be ready for some real Mexican food when we get home!
Love my lunch date!
Each day the three of us spend together, Lily's personality is coming out more and more. She was great the entire time we were out today and took a good little nap when we got back to the hotel. The evening was her best: playing, walking around, laughing, interacting with both of us, just happy and content! Lily was just like a two year old tonight. It warmed our hearts so much to see a peek into our future with our daughter.
Thoughts about Lily:
She is perfect for us.
She has a huge smile and we think maybe dimples.
She still doesn't like baths so we are sticking with sponge baths.
She waves like a princess to people.
She likes french toast, yogurt, orange juice, peanuts, cantaloupe, and water.
She likes to ride in her stroller and go for walks.
She doesn't like her headphones yet.
She likes to get up on the couch in our room and play.
She likes playdough.
She likes to look at books.
She naps for about 1-2 hours each afternoon.
She takes a while to wake up and warm up to you in the mornings.
She likes going out to see and do things.
When she says "Lily", it sounds like "Lolo".
We have now been a family of three for one week. In one week we have all felt the gamut of emotions. Our lives are forever changed and we are forever grateful for that!
Something new at breakfast and it's called a highchair. Not a happy camper.
Realizing that her Daddy would feed her while sitting in that contraption changed her outlook.
After breakfast we headed over to Shamian Island here in Guangzhou. Shamian Island is a sandbank island in Guangzhou. The name literally means "sandy surface" in Chinese. Originally it was an important port for Guangzhou's foreign trade from Song to the Qing Dynasty in the 18th century. The historical area is a reminder of the colonial European period with tree lined streets filled with shops, restaurants, parks and statues.
Several years ago, it is where adoptive families all stayed and had their medical appointments as well as their consulate appointments. The US consulate and the medical facility moved to a newer buildings off of Shamian Island so now families stay at various hotels.
It was a rainy day but we still enjoyed walking around and seeing everything.
At one point it started to rain a little heavier and we were without an umbrella. The shop owner whom we had bought things from earlier graciously invited us in to sit out the rain. She began speaking to Lily (in Chinese of course) and asked her how old she was. Lily replied she was 4!
What's in that store?
Statue of an adoptive family
Coke Zero! After only having some Pepsi lately, this was a welcome sight at lunch!
The restaurant we stopped at had a little bit of everything and we were both wanting something other than Chinese food. I opted for a quesadilla. In China. What was I thinking? This is the longest I've gone without Mexican food so I was desperate. It actually wasn't horrible but just bland. Lily really liked it though. I hope she isn't scarred into thinking that's how they always taste. This little girl will be ready for some real Mexican food when we get home!
Each day the three of us spend together, Lily's personality is coming out more and more. She was great the entire time we were out today and took a good little nap when we got back to the hotel. The evening was her best: playing, walking around, laughing, interacting with both of us, just happy and content! Lily was just like a two year old tonight. It warmed our hearts so much to see a peek into our future with our daughter.
Thoughts about Lily:
She is perfect for us.
She has a huge smile and we think maybe dimples.
She still doesn't like baths so we are sticking with sponge baths.
She waves like a princess to people.
She likes french toast, yogurt, orange juice, peanuts, cantaloupe, and water.
She likes to ride in her stroller and go for walks.
She doesn't like her headphones yet.
She likes to get up on the couch in our room and play.
She likes playdough.
She likes to look at books.
She naps for about 1-2 hours each afternoon.
She takes a while to wake up and warm up to you in the mornings.
She likes going out to see and do things.
When she says "Lily", it sounds like "Lolo".
We have now been a family of three for one week. In one week we have all felt the gamut of emotions. Our lives are forever changed and we are forever grateful for that!
