First full day on Shamian Island

Noah is doing great despite all that has been thrown at him over the last few days-he's eating great (even points out everything he wants at the breakfast buffet) His favorites are noodles (of course), watermelon, hard boiled eggs, breakfast potatoes and a bowl of cheerios with milk-oh and of course gerber puffs and some kind of gold fish crackers here that smell really bad.  I found out today that if Noah dosent get his way he will just flop down on the ground and lay there...typical two year old, He is VERY loud...all the time, mostly happy noise, he just talks and talks...hmmm I think he will fit in just fine at our house!  I also found out he LOVES dogs. There are strays here (and some with owners) and every time he sees one he squeals and squeals! He's going to love Harry! Noah is definitely a toddler....with a strong will, we didnt see it for the first few days but I am seeing it now! That having been said, he is sweet and funny and very important...continues to be a VERY good sleeper.  Oh...and he said "mama" yesterday, unfortunately I didnt hear it, but another family did so that counts!

 

Yesterday was a very busy day, after breakfast-much better at this hotel we met some of the other families from our adoption agency WACAP and the kids had a visa photo, then off to the medical clinic for a medical check up and vaccines.  There were about 35 families there already when we got there, then around another 35 showed up...lots of screaming, crying, waiting in lines and it was soooo hot!

Each child had to wait in line for 3 different rooms- the first was weight/height and vision (only to older kids had vision checked)- Noah did fine in this room.  Then a room that checked ears, nose, mouth, the

?doctor?  had to pry Noah's mouth open, this obviously did not go well, and while he was screaming the ?doctor? tried to check his hearing by shaking a tamborine near Noah's ear which he of course didnt respond too.. doctor seemed concerned but when Noah starts screaming he dosent respond even to his favorite toys or food sometimes.  then off to the medical exam...again he did fine- wasnt much of an exam realy, just felt tummy, checked his boy parts and that was it.  Then the Grandaddy of  them all...after another 45 minutes of waiting during which time we were heading up on Noon...think repeat of flight...A sucker donated by another family helped as did a ride in the stroller....anyway this poor baby had to have 1 ppd and 5 shots!!!!  This is an new thing for families adopting post Hague treaty,before that the kids could just get most of their shots in the U.S. when they get home. They do give you the boxes to take back for the pediatricion and of course our pediatrician will have to do titers for all of them anyway.

We both cried for about 10 minutes and then headed home for lunch. On the way I stopped at starbucks and picked up a panini and a mocha frappachino...which tasted JUST like...a  mocha frappachino!!  By the time we got upstairs Noah fell asleep- so had his lunch after naps.

 

In the afternoon he and I explored the island, sometimes in the strollers, sometimes walking-

the island here has a photography studio for weddings- it much be very famous, on every block there are many beautiful brides and grooms having photo sessions, I've NEVER seen anything like this, like something out of a Chinese Vogue (if there is such a thing)

The island is very peaceful and relaxing- there is alot going on but you never feel unsafe and the atmosphere is just more low key here.

I was going to take Noah to the playground but as I got there a child wearing split pants (open up the center) peed on the slide...maybe we'll go tomorrow!

 

At the one end of the island is a park overlooking the pearl river- in the morning there are tons of people there ballroom dancing and doing tai chi in large groups, so hard to describe, I'll have to take many more photos of it...also in the am people are out exercising, hundreds of people, walking backwards, forwards, walking and clapping, walking and slapping knees and doing every type of calisthetic you can imagine!

 

Last night I went with another family to LUCY's a western restaurant that serves hamburgers, quasadillas, spaghetti etc.  I had a cheeseburger and french fries...it tasted wonderful- but only b/c it was such a nice change- at home this burger would not have tasted as good. Both me and the other mother Angie had the same thing and low and behold...both of us got sick last night! I am now dosed up on Cipro so should be fine.

 

I got some bad news last night that Dina d/t some delays with flights, will not be here until monday afternoon..we are going to have a lot of shopping to make up from..but the shopping is  whole other post and this one is long enough.

Maybe tonight (Sunday  here) I"ll post on today...

I have included some photos though so enjoy!

 

One is of Noah enjoying his noodles in the room with his new favorite toy,

one is of us BEFORE shots...it was obvsiously VERY hot in there

One is of one of the many sculptures throughout the island, and lastly is a photo of some of the kids from a school that teaches english.  They were so cute...they would come up, the teacher asked if they could practice their english and then the conversation went something like this...

"good afternoon" " how are you today?"  "my name is Henry...what is your name?"  "nice to meet you Jennifer" (followed by handshake).  "will you please sign my book?"  "thank you very much".

These two were the first I encountered, later I met a group of about 15 kids! Same converation every time, the teacher would cue as needed or remind them to use their right hand to shake...each one had a little notebook for you to sign, it was the sweetest thing and all of them were so appreciative!

 

OK, that's all for now!