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Kimberly H
01-16-2004, 08:57 PM
Here is the Thursday journal and you can see yet MORE photos at http://www.picturetrail.com/rabbitwife "our china journey to Mia" folder

Thursday, January 15, 2004 – Hefei, Anhui Province, PRC

Mia awoke at 7:00am and sucked down half a bottle. She’s definitely more fussy and mobile today, both a blessing and a bit of a curse. We could’ve done without movement until AFTER the 15 hour flight, you know? Robert and I showered and we went down to breakfast, running a little late this morning for our tour to the Hefei Museum, silk shop, and lunch.

Robert got food first while I put Mia in the high chair. As soon as I left to get food and make my rounds saying hello to families and babies, Mia threw up her bottle. Since she was bouncing all morning, I suppose it shouldn’t have been a surprise but with that sweet formula, it was incredibly sticky. Ewwww… After that she was rather clingy so today’s Mommy breakfast consisted of 2 slices of pineapple and two chunks of chicken. I packed a breakfast bar for the trip today.

We ran upstairs, grabbed the backpack and some money to change and met in the lobby. A light rain was falling as we boarded the bus and Mia looked adorable in her little pink windbreaker. She spent most of the drive “drawing” on the bus window and playing with the condensation. Whatever makes her happy!

Traffic in China is unbelievable. You never know from what direction the next vehicle will come and pedestrians and bicycle riders are fearless. They’ll come right up to the side of the bus and you’re afraid to look back, just knowing they’ll have tire prints on them. Nope!

The Hefei museum was COLD! No heat and the windows were open. Yisha later explained that Mao decreed cities north of the Yangtze River were to have government-provided heat, cities south were not. Guess where Hefei is? Just south of the river. Aaarrrggghhh! The government is now installing heat in the Hefei area, but it’s expensive.

Bronze, porcelain, calligraphy paintings and models of houses – it’s amazing what the people of China have produced. We especially enjoyed the Tongling bronze. Anhui province is famous of the quality of their ink sticks and we purchased a writing set for Mia that includes a chop (uncarved), a pot of sticky red ink, a gorgeously carved ink stick, a stone for mixing the stick with water, and 2 brushes. All for $10!

After the museum we went to a local silk shop but ended upnot buying anything. I was fascinated with the baby seat on the back of a bicycle – made from bamboo! You’d never see that in the States.

We were to eat lunch at a famous local restaurant and squished a Jeep getting there. The traffic was horrible and this driver decided he had room to squeeze beside us. Ummm…no. The next thing I knew, the bus was moving along and the Jeep actually dropped to the ground. WOW! The driver of the bus didn’t notice, we had to tell him! He got out, they both looked at each vehicle and then got back in. The surrounding cars weren’t concerned about the vehicles or people, they just wanted the traffic to get moving again.

Once we got to the restaurant, the manager(?) of the restaurant came outside and told us “welcome to my restaurant” then apologized to Robert for the rain. The elevators were manned by girls with white gloves on and they escorted us to the 4th floor. We sat with Joseph’s parents and enjoyed watching him eat anything and everything put in front of him. Robert ordered beef with small peppers and I had sweet and sour pork. I can’t get used to them bringing out some dishes and leaving therest of the party to wait. The women at the table waited for their food while the men began to eat. I snatched a few pieces of Robert’s meat – the beef here is very soft and I don’t ask questions. The s/s pork was good, but very heavily drenched in sauce. For me to say that, you know it was soaked! Mia was fussy and finally fell asleep on my arm, making eating a little difficult.

Once we returned to the hotel, we all just congregated in the hall and played while the babies slept. People assemble right outside our room and we leave the door open unless Robert’s sleeping too so others can come check their email on my computer or we send photos to families waiting at home. It’s such a feeling of community and apparently the 5th floor families don’t do the same thing – they’re non-Tongling’ers and most are 2nd time adoptive families and the Yips have family here in Hefei so they’re gone a lot of the time. (I can hear Mia in her crib scratching the sheet – oh yay, a new toy!)
We went down to the Patio restaurant for dinner with Kathi and Katie. Robert and Kathi ordered the Happy Couple (grilled ham and cheese sandwich with fries) and I decided to try the Hor Fun – pork and seafood in gravy with fried noodles. Their “fried noodles” aren’t crispy. It arrived, swimming in brown gravy. Okay, we’ll try. The first bite – a giant prawn. Yum! Second bite, some spiky fish. Hmmm… Third bite, a whole squid. Ewww… Fourth bite, a big rubbery flat piece of fish. Mom’s done! I ate a few noodles, then part of Robert’s sandwich. No more adventurous eating for me.
More hallway play for us, then the eating of strawberry ice cream. Mia wouldn’t touch the stuff, big surprise, but Katie couldn’t get it in fast enough. She was grabbing Kathi’s spoon and shoving it in her mouth. We laughed, and laughed and laughed. Silly babies!

Melanie
01-16-2004, 09:12 PM
Yay! I love seeing them and now the journal entries.

It must be so heartwarming to hear her say "ma-maaaa" even if you are trying to sleep. ;-)

Momof3Labs
01-16-2004, 09:27 PM
Mia looks so happy and like she is settling in well (all things considered). Her mama's must be music to your ears!!

Oh, and we won't tell daddy that you posted pics of him in his underwear on a public board ;-).

Mommie2MadLyn
01-16-2004, 09:36 PM
She is just beautiful!! Every time I see another pic she just melts my heart!!! You must be thrilled!

liya
01-17-2004, 03:20 AM
She is gorgeous....It sounds like an unforgetable trip ......Everytime i read your entry is cry...LOL

NEVE and TRISTAN
01-17-2004, 05:22 PM
Kim,
We're thinking about you!!!!
I look forward to your updates, journal entries and beautiful pictures of little Mia!!!! It is obvious you are so happy!!! :)...

What a gorgeous family!!!...I'm also really glad that you are enjoying your trip so much!!!


Neve
AKA "mama2be"-forgot password
and Baby Boy Tristan born @UNC
Feb 25, 2003
Brother to 3 pups "gees" and 2 kitties

Rachels
01-17-2004, 05:52 PM
She's so beautiful! You all look in love.
-Rachel
Mom to Abigail Rose
5/18/02

blnony
01-18-2004, 09:58 PM
Kimberly-
I just saw the latest pictures, and I can't beleive it....Mia gets cuter and cuter every day!!! :D she looks so happy and sweet.