Jack's Little Mei Mei

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Red Couch Photo

All the babies in our group. 6 are from Nanfeng SWI. Lily is in the middle crying.
Our group.

Lily and her friend Lucia who will live in New Jersey. We hope to keep in touch with this family.
Lily getting ready for the big photo shoot.
Jack and Lily in front of the "Year of the Pig" decoration- White Swan Hotel

Lily's squeaky shoes. These should cover her for a year or 2- size wise.
Having Lunch at the Thai Restaurant. Dad, you would love this place!
Our wonderful guide Cindy and us in front of the Chen Family Temple. She is the best guide in the world and doesn't miss a beat!
Inside the Chen Family Temple. We loved this place!
A cool sculpture in the Chen Family Temple Gardens.
Ornate doors- bad photo of Lisa!
Ornate roof top.
Jack with Mr. Chen the poet. Banyon Tree behind him.
Yogurt face!
Yesterday's blog was written by Tim. I was too tired from taking care of a sick little girl to blog so Tim stepped in for me. I know it wasn't the same quality, but at least you got something. Also, sorry I missed wishing Benjamin a Happy Birthday a few days ago! We did get you and Nicholas a cool present from China. We love you guys! Happy Birthday Mom!

The blessing at the Six Banyon Temple was very cool. This monk chanted a prayer for the babies and their health and then he dipped a leaf into a bowl of blessed water and sprinkled it on us. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the temple. I am not buddist, but will take as many blessings as I can get. Buddism is a really cool religion and I learned a lot about it from Cindy. They believe in reincarnation and that you must live a good life now so your next life will be good too and you won't come back as a pig or rat. It seems like a very peaceful religion. Tim and Jack climbed the big tower which was over 1000 years old (see yesterday's photos) while Lily and I walked around and lit some incense.

We then went to the Chen Family Temple. I must say this was the most beautiful place we have seen so far in terms of architecture. This place is not a temple of a religious place to worship god, but rather a place for the Chen Family to worship their ancestors. One area was destroyed during the cultural revolution. Cindy doesn't like to talk about the Cultural Revolution much. She was just a little girl when it happened, but says it was just a terrible time for China and set them back 30 years.

Last night was horrible. Lily was up almost every hour crying from her cough and stuffy nose. It was a cry of being in pain. I also think at night is when the trama of what she has been through comes out. A lot of the babies in our group are having trouble sleeping. I can't wait to get her home and into a routine and into her own crib.

She is napping now so I hope it will be a long restful one.

This morning we had our "Red Couch" photo in the lobby of the White Swan Hotel. This is a Chinese adoption tradition to line up all the babies in silk outfits on the red couch and take their photos. It was really cute for the parents, but not for the babies. As you can see from the pictures, they are not too happy. Lily is in the middle crying in her blue and red outfit.

The hotel is getting ready for Chinese New Year on Feb. 18th. They have some beautiful decorations out. In fact, most of the stores are selling Chinese New Year things.

We did some more damage yesterday in terms of shopping. We are trying to buy Lily one little gift for each of her birthdays until she is 16. I am also looking for a Jade necklace or bracelet to give her for her college graduation or a special occasion. We were suppose to go to the Jade factory yesterday, but we opted out with Lily's cold. Jack is pretty tired of the hotel life and all the appointments. I am so glad we brought him even though a few times he was a bit of a little ......(you can fill in your own word here.) Those times were only about 5% of the time. That is pretty good for a 5 year old.

Tomorrow we go to the US consulate to swear in the babies. No photos are allowed there. We leave China early on the 31st. Our flight goes through Beijing and then straight to SFO. 12 hours of fun!

7 Comments:

  • I don't see the red couch photo...maybe it will be in tomorrow's update. So sorry Lily is sick; wouldn't ya know! Hope she's lots better for the flight.
    You will ALL be glad to be home and in your own beds!
    If you don't find some jade over there, you can always purchase something here. The jade factory is nice and interesting, but they really put the pressure on to buy, and it is expensive!!!
    If you buy jade over there, know what you're doing because many will sell you fake stuff. Jade should feel cold to the touch and it is strong enough to scratch glass! Also, it may have some imperfections in it. Sometimes if it looks too perfect (like in a solid bracelet), it's not jade.
    Well, it's 10:30 p.m. here on Sun. night and around 4:30 p.m. on Mon. for you. That means you have about a day and a half before you head for home--yea!!
    Love,
    Sally

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:41 PM  

  • Can't wait until you get back. I have so many questions...perhaps we will see you this weekend?!?!?!
    We love you!
    k & m

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:33 PM  

  • Just catching up as no computer over weekend. Really great pictures. Sorry Lily got sick. Hopefully she will recover before your flight home and none of you catch whatever she has. I know I can count on Tim to take care of you all. BD party lots of fun, 20+ people and Ben was so sweet and cute. For my BD, a ticket to CA from Pete and Sandi and boys. Wow- what a really really wonderful surprise!!!
    We will arrange a time when you get home and settled. Love you and miss you. I will be very glad when you get home too!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:38 AM  

  • I can't believe you're almost at the end of your trip. It's been so fun to follow your blog everyday. Dean and Maddie have been getting a kick out of the pictures too.

    I can imagine you're getting anxious to get back home at this point, especially with Lily having a cold. What an adventure, though. We can't wait to meet Lily and hear more about your trip.

    Mary :)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:27 AM  

  • Hi, Emma took Lily's photo and some of your blog to school today to show her teacher and fellow students. We put one of Lily's photos in frame and Emma has been carrying it around all over. She is very excited about her new cousin. It seems like you have been away for sooo long but it doesn't seem possible that your 15 days in China are almost up. It will really be fun to see both Lily and Jack on the computer camera. We are really hoping that Lily's cold is better for traveling, it will be such a long trip home. Love and Kisses to all, we miss you so much. Love Grammie and Emma

    By Blogger Grammie, at 1:20 PM  

  • Sorry to hear Lily is not feeling well. Hope that she will be feeling better soon. I love seeing the red couch photos. The babies are all beautiful. Have a safe and smooth trip home. Something about the feel and sound of the plane kept Ellie asleep almost the entire 17 hours of flying. Maybe Lily will do the same!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:41 PM  

  • Hi Jack, Lisa, Tim and Lily!
    Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. We can't wait to meet Lily and we miss Jack! Colin and I look at the pictures and he is very excited to see his friend. See you soon.
    Love, Denise and colin (he wanted to type his name in!)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:10 AM  

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