Ever had that feeling that you are repeating something you have done before?
Well that is what it is like being back in Nanning!
Hazel and Emmett are from the same orphanage, so our trip to China to get Hazel is very similar to the one we took to get Emmett.
We are staying at the same hotel in Nanning: The Majestic. As soon as we pulled up we all were hit with a wave of memories.
"Oh look! There's the fountain that Emmett tried to swim in!"
"There's the Baby Restaurant. Remember the first time we ate there?"
"Hey! This is the same floor we stayed on last time. There's the spot we had our Pizza Dinner on the last night."
"There's the famous Walmart and Pizza Hut!"
And so on, and so on!
It has been a bit surreal. Especially since we had only 4 days to absorb the fact that we were finally going to get Hazel.
Tomorrow morning is her Gotcha Day and I am so excited! I know it's a bit sappy to say, but I have literally had this little girl in my heart since I was 17 years old!
I finally get to meet her after all these years!
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Off the Beaten Path
Last time we were in Beijing we had a tour guide who took us around to all the great historic and interesting places - The Great Wall, The Forbidden City, Tienanmen Square, etc. They were all amazing and fabulous!
This time we were on our own in Beijing. And we only had one day to explore. So, we decided to walk down to the REAL Beijing. The place where real people live real life. It was soooo worth it! Check out some of the pics:
Other fun things we discovered today:
And....The big highlight of the day occurred when we stumbled upon a local park. It first caught our eye because there was a bunch of elderly people exercising on random pieces of equipment. Hannah called it "the old people playground." We couldn't resist seeing more, so we went into the park. And soon we came across the table tennis courts filled with people happily playing ping pong. Eric did a good job of appearing like a poor begging puppy waiting for scraps, so a nice man motioned him over to play. He was like a kid in a candy store - completely gleeful.
Even though he got seriously schooled.
He loved every second.
It made up for the horrible impending BYU defeat.
This time we were on our own in Beijing. And we only had one day to explore. So, we decided to walk down to the REAL Beijing. The place where real people live real life. It was soooo worth it! Check out some of the pics:
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| Some men playing a game on the street corner - check out that famous Asian squat! |
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| Market down a crowded little alley |
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| These buns looked so good and it was amazing watching the guy roll/knead the HUGEST ball of dough I have ever seen!!! |
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| A high school track |
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| I can't believe she touched that thing AND put it up to her ear! Yuk! |
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| Life saving mask to be used in case of a fire - there was one in our room, but we had 3 people. Good thing there was no fire, I would have felt bad leaving Eric and Hannah behind... |
And....The big highlight of the day occurred when we stumbled upon a local park. It first caught our eye because there was a bunch of elderly people exercising on random pieces of equipment. Hannah called it "the old people playground." We couldn't resist seeing more, so we went into the park. And soon we came across the table tennis courts filled with people happily playing ping pong. Eric did a good job of appearing like a poor begging puppy waiting for scraps, so a nice man motioned him over to play. He was like a kid in a candy store - completely gleeful.
Even though he got seriously schooled.
He loved every second.
It made up for the horrible impending BYU defeat.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
We're Heeere!
We finally arrived in Beijing around 5pm tired, hungry and in need of some showers! So, after checking into our room and freshening up, we set out to explore.
We spent the evening perusing a mall and finding dinner. It was fun being back in China and adapting to life here.
However, we quickly remembered that pedestrians do not have the right of way when we witnessed a little girl being plowed over by a bike (luckily she wasn't hurt!). Note to self: Watch out for the bikes!
We spent the evening perusing a mall and finding dinner. It was fun being back in China and adapting to life here.
However, we quickly remembered that pedestrians do not have the right of way when we witnessed a little girl being plowed over by a bike (luckily she wasn't hurt!). Note to self: Watch out for the bikes!
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| Our first meal in China - Yum! |
Ok, don't judge us in these pictures! We were tired and just finished a 20 plus hour voyage! I think it is a
miracle we were still awake.
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| Poor Eric gave up on the chopsticks and went all American on us! |
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Nesting!
We all know that pregnant women nest. Well the same goes for expectant mothers who are adopting.
I got bit by the bug the week Emmett had his surgery. When we returned home, we were home bound for a few days as he recovered, so I took the opportunity to work on setting up Lilly and Hazel's room. I am very pleased with the results!
My favorite part were the quilts. It will come as a shock to most of you to learn that I MADE THEM!!!
About 6 months ago as I began shopping around for bedding, I was disappointed to learn that there was nothing that I loved. Everything for tween aged girls was either done in pink and black skulls, or purple and turquoise rock star. Not my style. So I went to Etsy - the place where designing dreams come true...for a price. $250 a quilt to be exact. I just could not see myself spending $500 on bedding, so I took desperate measures. I decided I would make quilts myself.
All I can say is I am so thankful for YouTube. I have learned that I can learn to do anything through YouTube videos. These quilts are proof! I LOVE THEM!!!
I hope you enjoy the room as much as I do!
I got bit by the bug the week Emmett had his surgery. When we returned home, we were home bound for a few days as he recovered, so I took the opportunity to work on setting up Lilly and Hazel's room. I am very pleased with the results!
My favorite part were the quilts. It will come as a shock to most of you to learn that I MADE THEM!!!
About 6 months ago as I began shopping around for bedding, I was disappointed to learn that there was nothing that I loved. Everything for tween aged girls was either done in pink and black skulls, or purple and turquoise rock star. Not my style. So I went to Etsy - the place where designing dreams come true...for a price. $250 a quilt to be exact. I just could not see myself spending $500 on bedding, so I took desperate measures. I decided I would make quilts myself.
All I can say is I am so thankful for YouTube. I have learned that I can learn to do anything through YouTube videos. These quilts are proof! I LOVE THEM!!!
I hope you enjoy the room as much as I do!
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| I love this huge dresser - just perfect for sharing! |
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| Empty shelves waiting for Hazel's treasures! |
Monday, September 10, 2012
China, Here We Come!
We are so excited to announce that we got our Consulate Appointment today!
But, I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me back up.
On Friday the 7th we got a call from Wasatch informing us that we got our Travel Approval (TA)! We were so excited. This was the final step of the 14 month journey! All we had left was to choose 5 dates that we wanted for a Consulate Appointment at the US Embassy in Guangzhou, China.
After a lengthy discussion, we decided that we would ask for September 27th. We knew it was a long shot. For several reasons. First, it was only 20 days away which meant we would have to leave in just 7 days. Second, it was the last appointment before the whole of China shuts down for about 2 weeks to celebrate The Moon Festival. And third, it was really short notice to make arrangements: Plane tickets, hotel reservations, Eric's work, school, Grandma and Granddad Sharp, etc. It seemed crazy to request that date.
But, we did. We knew that if we didn't get to go in September then we would have to wait until November to go because of scheduling conflicts in October.
And of course, against all the odds, we got it!
I actually sort of knew we would get it because it seems like most things in our lives end up being done in the craziest, most inconvenient manner. Why should this be any different?
So, we leave for China in just 4 days.
We get to meet Hazel on Monday, September 17, 2012.
She becomes a US citizen on Thursday, September 27, 2012.
We bring her home on Sunday, September 30, 2012.
Luckily, I feel totally prepared since I had the round of nesting right after Emmett's surgery. And of course, we have done this before. Experience brings confidence. So, I know we can do this!
We can do this!
But, I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me back up.
On Friday the 7th we got a call from Wasatch informing us that we got our Travel Approval (TA)! We were so excited. This was the final step of the 14 month journey! All we had left was to choose 5 dates that we wanted for a Consulate Appointment at the US Embassy in Guangzhou, China.
After a lengthy discussion, we decided that we would ask for September 27th. We knew it was a long shot. For several reasons. First, it was only 20 days away which meant we would have to leave in just 7 days. Second, it was the last appointment before the whole of China shuts down for about 2 weeks to celebrate The Moon Festival. And third, it was really short notice to make arrangements: Plane tickets, hotel reservations, Eric's work, school, Grandma and Granddad Sharp, etc. It seemed crazy to request that date.
But, we did. We knew that if we didn't get to go in September then we would have to wait until November to go because of scheduling conflicts in October.
And of course, against all the odds, we got it!
I actually sort of knew we would get it because it seems like most things in our lives end up being done in the craziest, most inconvenient manner. Why should this be any different?
So, we leave for China in just 4 days.
We get to meet Hazel on Monday, September 17, 2012.
She becomes a US citizen on Thursday, September 27, 2012.
We bring her home on Sunday, September 30, 2012.
Luckily, I feel totally prepared since I had the round of nesting right after Emmett's surgery. And of course, we have done this before. Experience brings confidence. So, I know we can do this!
We can do this!
Monday, August 27, 2012
What a Stinker!
Looks like the swelling went down in Emmett's legs and he can now get his little fingers in there to scratch. The result: he needs new casts!
Before
After
Much Better!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Emmett's Surgery
Today was Emmett's surgery. We are hoping it will be the last.
He had some major reconstruction done today. It included having tendons moved/stretched in his right foot, breaking and resetting some fused bones in the same foot, and (my personal favorite) rotating the shin bones in BOTH legs.
He has casts on both legs for 6 weeks. Plus he has permanent plates and pins in each shin. The doctor assures me he will not set off metal detectors...we shall see.
Of course, Emmett did beautifully. He was as cute as ever and won the hearts of all the nurses in Recovery and on his floor. He really is a lady killer!
He had some major reconstruction done today. It included having tendons moved/stretched in his right foot, breaking and resetting some fused bones in the same foot, and (my personal favorite) rotating the shin bones in BOTH legs.
He has casts on both legs for 6 weeks. Plus he has permanent plates and pins in each shin. The doctor assures me he will not set off metal detectors...we shall see.
Of course, Emmett did beautifully. He was as cute as ever and won the hearts of all the nurses in Recovery and on his floor. He really is a lady killer!
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| Matching bracelets! |
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| A kiss for luck |
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| Post surgery and looking adorable! |
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| Even Patrick the Panda got in on the action! |
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| Enjoying a Popsicle |
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| Personalized door sign made by a volunteer |
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| Check out those beauties! |
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| It only took about 2 minutes for him to master the wheelchair that he will have for the next 6 weeks! |
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