We flew (Landon's first flight) to Guangzhou for the big day...Consulate Appointment Day!
This place is hot. The airport was 92 degrees, but I think it felt more like 93. LOL! Just about everyone in our group was pouring sweat and lapping up the water our guides handed out as we boarded the bus.
Today, Sunday, we have a free day and get to sleep in! Kristen and Justin have us excited about the breakfast bar according to their glowing reviews.
Monday is the medical appointment and a River Cruise complete with Papa Johns pizza. Tuesday we visit the US Consulate in the early morning and will get to spent the afternoon doing a little shopping. I am super excited to visit the pearl market. Danl is not as excited about shopping for pearls. What's up with that? LOL. Wednesday we wait for Landon's visa and then Thursday we fly home to Tennessee!
Landon ate a good breakfast on Saturday morning and spent the ride to the airport playing and laughing (mainly obbessing over his ability to adjust the air vent). We spent all of our time at the airport walking and exploring. Like any American boy he got excited when we passed a store with cars, toys, etc. He even started reaching out his hand and walked toward the store. We walked past a Mickey and Minnie store (the airport version of a Disney Store) and he wanted to go in there too! Danl and I can't get over how opinionated he is already! We are taking that as a good sign that he is feeling secure with us. If he did not feel safe and secure he would most likely appear timid and accept anything that comes along. That is not our boy. He knows what he wants and he is happy to let us know. Once he acquires language things will get really interesting!
When we boarded the plane all the walking and exploring paid off. He was asleep before take off and slept until we landed. I was in shock. ***PLEASE pray that our long trip home goes half as smoothly.*** We will spent 20+ hours traveling on Thursday. I can't begin to imagine that kind of exhaustion, but I guess we will find out soon enough. Frankly, the plane ride/travel home is the only thing that is causing me anxiety at this point. The trip is as follows: We leave Guanzhou early Thursday morning and fly to Beijing. That flight is followed by a 6 hour layover before we board the 12-13 hour flight to Detroit. We only have 1 hour and 40 minutes to get through customs with our new little citizen and board the next 2-3 hour flight to Knoxville. The incredible part is that with the time difference Danl and I (and Landon) will have traveled 20+ hours and must then subtract 12 hours from that, arriving in Knoxville at 9:30 pm. Confusing? I can't wrap my brain around it!!!
Our hotel in Guangzhou is very nice. They obviously cater to Westerners and adoptive families. There was a pink basket with a small bear and baby wash in our room when we arrived. Apparently they don't come in blue? lol.
We found one important location right away...Starbucks. I had something similiar to a Chai tea latte, which was good enough for me!!! lol. Danl ordered a coffee and then we visited the small hotel market and purchased something Landon and Daddy enjoyed more than you can imagine...frosted flakes. It was so cute to watch them eat their cereal before bed. We also got Landon a banana. He ate about half of it without letting up before hitting the frosted flakes. Danl and I just sat and watched him chew. Precious!!!
Landon still won't let me put him down for a split second...not even for a stroller ride. We have only ventured out (successfully) in the stroller for a few minutes on two occasions. The stroller is a work in progress. Thank God for the ergo carrier. Chloe' helped me shop for one right before we left for China and I have been very grateful for that purchase!!! His attachment to us is obvious and we are so thankful. This little guy has been the picture of health (despite a tiny runny nose) compared to what we expected. Putting on some weight and developing musle tone is our #1 priority for him. Bathtime is his biggest deal (he is not a fan). We will have to ease him in to that transition.
We don't know how long it will take him to build trust but for now I hold or carry him whenever he wants, which is all the time. We call him a spider monkey (insert Danl's Talladega Nights impression of Ricky Bobby's son here..."Son, I am gonna climb you like a spider monkey"). You get the picture.
Continue to keep us in your prayers...
Outside the orphanage where Landon lived for 18 months.
They are obsessed with the World Cup and have placed a huge screen by the pool at the hotel.
With their guide Rita in Zhengzhou.
Waiting on Landon's passport in Zhoukhou City.
Eating Congee (milky rice), favorite of Chinese kids.
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