China: Day 8

Praise the Lord! Today was a MUCH better day for our little crew. We all got a great night's sleep - my first 7.5 uninterrupted hours since we left for our adventure, and Bella got a solid ten hours before we had to wake her up for breakfast. 

Smiling so hard because she is eating her first ever Oreo (see evidence in her right hand)

Before I go into today's adventures, I just have to rave about our hotel. It is seriously the nicest hotel I have ever stayed in. First of all, you walk in and it smells delightful - the lightest floral scent just accompanies you wherever you go! It is just lovely. The lobby is exquisite - the most gorgeous decor, fresh hydrangeas, all kinds of high end shops, a little chocolate shop (yes! chocolate! you can bet your bottom dollar this girl will be enjoying a glass of red wine and some chocolate tonight!), a beautiful bar and lounge, and more. I just can't describe it well enough to adequately explain how nice it really is.

Side view of the lobby

 

The gorgeous wall behind the check-in area

 

The bar/lounge area in the lobby

 

The other side of the lobby (my pictures don't do any of this stuff justice. It is all beautiful, trust me!)

 

Oh nuthin'. Just the most gorgeous, delicious desserts ever. 

 

The quaintest, prettiest little floral shop in the lobby (aka why the lobby smells like heaven on earth the second you enter the hotel)

 

High-end shops all throughout the lobby

 

An authentic greeting the second you enter the hotel

Also, I don't think I mentioned this before, but the entire time we were in Hohhot, we were basically always sweating while indoors - in any van we traveled in, in the hotel and hotel room, every place we ate, EVERYWHERE - the inside air was always kept at such a high temperature that we really couldn't cool down. We put the A/C as low as it would go in our hotel room and still woke up sweating (lovely, I know ;). Even thought it often felt nice outside, we were just constantly over-warmed while indoors. Well, that is NOT the case in Guangzhou. In fact, the first thing we noticed when we got in our van that transported us from the airport to the hotel is how nice and cool it felt. I was literally JOYFUL over feeling cool air! And the hotel and our room is the same way! Now, it is hotter than Hades and more humid than a rainforest when outside here (seriously. The humidity is INSANE, and I am from the South. I have never felt anything like this), but inside, it is just divine. :)

And our hotel room!!! Oh my word. It is a 2-room suite, which allows us to put Bella's crib in one room while we sleep in the other. AND we don't freeze her out (her little body isn't use to the A/C) because we have two thermostats - one for her "room" and one for ours. Score! Oh, and the bathrooms in Chinese hotels crack me up because it is a glass (aka see through) wall from the bed area into the shower/bath area. Which means, you lay in bed and are able to see the person who is showering/bathing, clear as day. Ha! At least in this hotel, there is a remote controlled (!) curtain that can be lowered to allow the bath-er some privacy, if preferred.  :)

One more thing: the food!!!!!! We went down for the breakfast buffet this morning anticipating more noodles, more rice, more beef, more lamb, etc., along with lackluster coffee, as was the case in Hohhot. No, no, no siree Bob. In addition to plenty of Chinese food options, there were scrambled eggs! And bacon! And a cappuccino/espresso/latte machine (along with regular, good coffee)! And more! I swear, I was almost in tears over the amazingly delicious cuisine. Also, within walking distance, there is a Pizza Hut, Subway, McDonald's, and yummy Mexican place. I know, I know. We're in China. What's up with our insatiable desire for Western food? I'll tell you why. It's because when you've basically had rice and noodles and chicken for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a week, American food sounds heavenly. Ha! So, we'll be getting our fill of American food for a few days before we sample some local Chinese. ;)

ANYWHO, now that I have gushed about Guangzhou and our hotel after not even 24 hours here (have I mentioned we LOVE this hotel?!), I'll share more about our day. :) After our delicious breakfast, which we got to enjoy with the other family from our agency who was also able to make it to Guangzhou yesterday (still missing our friends who are stuck in Hohhot for now :( ), we all headed out for the big appointments of the day. First up, Bella had her visa photo taken. And I swear if it's not the cutest thing ever. I'm so glad my baby girl has the #Meekcheeks her momma has. :) 

 Waiting patiently for our turn (not a long wait today!)

 Now, I can't be certain, but I *think* someone adores his baby girl

Then, she had her medical appointment. She was examined from head to toe by one doctor. Then, another checked her ears, nose, and throat. Then another got her height, weight, and head circumference. At 26 months old, she is at the 1st percentile for weight (22 pounds) and height (31 inches) and at the 18th percentile for head circumference (46.5 cm). Of course, these percentiles are based on American charts. I am searching for a good Chinese children growth chart to compare. :) Because we had to wait a couple minutes between sessions, we got in some good walking practice. :)

Measuring that sweet noggin

Such a brave girl!

Walking practice for our little one

Finally, it was time for the dreaded TB test. Any Chinese child over age 2 has to have a TB test done. Our Bella turned 2 at the beginning of May, which means she had to have it. They took her in a room and shut the door (and it felt like FOREVER) and then I could hear her crying as they gave it to her. You better believe the second that door opened I snatched her up and snuggled her so fast and gave her her favorite snack (yogurt melts). Such a brave girl. <3

After all that was done, it was time to head back to the hotel for lunch, naps, and more adoption paperwork. On the way home, we stopped at a supermarket where Clay picked up more bottled water and Coke Zeros (!!!!) for us and some oreos ;) for his little girl. After a great nap for Bella and yummy lunch for us (Subway sandwiches!), we decided to go explore outside, around the hotel. There is the prettiest outdoor area, with giant waterfalls, coy ponds, the cutest little bridge, and tons of greenery.

Once again, my pictures don't do this place justice. It is insanely pretty!

 

Candid shot captured by my hub. I was trying to show Bella the fish in the coy pond. She was more interested in gazing at the waterfalls :)

Photo op (momma doesn't miss one of those) ;)

Next, we walked around all over Guangzhou, as Clay was looking for something he needed for work (yes, he is still getting work done while we're over here, either just before we got to bed, during the middle of the night, or when Bella is napping). 

We ended up going to this place called the China Plaza. It was unlike anything I have ever seen: it was this humongous seven-story "mall," with each floor boasting dozens and dozens and dozens of little stores with all.kinds.of.stuff. We wandered around for awhile and took in the craziness all around us. 

 This place was massive.

Hello Kitty, anyone?

The whole place (much like China at night) was illuminated in bright, bold, fun colors, including these stuffed animal vending macines

 

Stroller duty for Daddy

Finally, we headed to dinner at...Pizza Hut. Ha! We met the other family we are here with right now and were thrilled to have some actual, good pizza. The menu was funny though. This was NOT your typical Pizza Hut, as they also offered Chinese meals, steaks, pastas, salads, wine, beer, and several liquor drinks, coffees, desserts, and more. Nice! We ordered a large, supreme pizza and it was so, so delicious. :) Bella agreed! Then, it was time to head back for bedtime. What a day! 

Waiting for our friends to join us

I am truly trying to soak in our time here. As much as I miss my other kiddos and want to go home, I recognize how special, surreal, and rare this trip is. So, I take my time and take it all in, with our little lady by my side. <3

One last thing: none of this would be possible without the help of our amazing, invaluable parents, who are watching our kiddos back home while we're away. My "in laws" have had the kids this first week, and they have truly brought such a sense of comfort and relief for us over here. My father "in law" has reiterated multiple times, "Don't worry about things over here at all! You just focus on taking care of Bella," and my mother "in law" has been sending regular photos and updates of the kids. We also FaceTime with them twice daily and they are doing really well so far. <3 

Our little nurturer <3 (side note: NO! We did not get kittens. The kiddos headed to Nana and Pop's house for a few days and those are their new kittens :)

Our little snuggle bug 

And for the third year in a row (and this year, thanks to one of our favorite families), Banks got to attend Panthers training camp, observing everything from the sidelines and cheering on our all-time favorite kicker, Mr. Graham. :) He also got to meet one of his favorite former Clemson players, Ben Boulware, and their photo was featured on the Panthers website. So cool!

Trying on Mr. Graham's helmet for size :)

Banks and his good buddy, Cooper

Meeting the one and only Ben Boulware! Go Tigers! And Panthers!

Photo from the Panthers' website :)
 

So, thank you to our village back home who is taking care of our Lu Crew. We love you all and are so, so grateful for each of you. We love you!

Now, we gear up for an entirely free weekend here in Guangzhou. I can't wait for more adventures with our girl as we spend our last weekend in China before heading home later next week.