Our last 2 days in Guangzhou

This is a "double" post - a recap of our last 2 days in Guangzhou before we have our swearing in ceremony at the US Consulate and head out of town and back to the USA. We have mostly been shopping, touring the island, shopping, playing with Amelia, shopping...did I mention shopping?

In the middle of it all, I have completed mounds of paperwork - yes, there is still more to be done even after you are holding your new child! - and enjoying the playroom at the White Swan Hotel. We received our "Coming Home Barbie" today. It is a white Barbie mom holding a Chinese baby. No, that it not a joke!!! You get one if you stay at the White Swan Hotel to complete your adoption journey. The baby isn't really Chinese, though, because it is not wearing 49 layers of clothing, HAHA.

Amelia has been coming out of her shell more each day. She laughs and plays. She likes the White Swan toy room. She has let Sara hold her a few times, but Papa still only gets kisses when she is sleeping (shhh...don't tell her!).

We are missing our Spicy Sichuan cuisine - yummy and cheap. The food here is pricier and not nearly as tasty. We are enjoying having clean laundry, though! The laundry is cheap and well done. We need a laundry service like this at home! Wait, it's called "me." :)

There is a photography studio here on the island, so we have seen lots of couples having their wedding photographs made. The dresses are beautiful. We also have seen many school children and families. We enjoy just walking around and watching everyday life unfold.

We found a coffee shop - not Starbucks, but still tasty. Amelia kept asking for a sip of my drink. In all my motherly wisdom (NOT!), I though "she won't like my hazelnut decaf latte" so I let her have a sip. Well, guess what? She LOVED it. She wanted to drink the entire beverage. Thank goodness I ordered decaf. On the bright side, it's the only milk I have been able to get down her in 2 weeks. I don't feel too bad about it.

We cannot take the child into a store without her wanting to buy snacks. Her favorite thing is Cheetos, but Cheerios will do. She also downed 3 bananas in one sitting the other day. She is too much! Granted, they were small bananas, but still.... YIKES. I am going to have to get a second job just to feed this child. We love to watch her laugh and play. She bought a new cell phone and purse at the store yesterday, and they are her new favorite things!

One more day until we get to come HOME!
Love,
Amy, Amelia, Mike & Sara