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!