Back in Hong Kong- almost home

We are back in Hong Kong- it was almost nice checking into the hotel we stayed before going to Nanning- a partial home coming. The weather here today is very nice- a cool breeze that is a relief from the unbelievable heat we had been having. We just had McDonalds- again! Davis has now had McDonalds's three times- and Sarah Bess has yet to have a fast food burger. We told Davis that we will soon introduce him to some better fast food- Chick Fil A! The variety of food we have had has been really good, but it's nice just to do something easy also. We ate at a great Italian and Thai place in Guangzhou.
The past couple of days have really just been killing time and waiting for paperwork to go through. We went to the US Consulate yesterday to swear in. The Consulate has moved from Shaiman Island and from stories I've heard from others- the new place while almost an hour a way is a big air conditioned improvement!
Saying goodbye to our group was bitter sweet. While thrilled to get home, we couldn't have found two better families to spend the last two weeks with. The children have grown to love each other and think of each other as a big family. I know they will miss each other as we all go to our various parts of the country.
Davis continues to have better and better days. We are now seeing some frequent temper tantrums that have more to do with being two than with the situation here. However, he usually quickly regroups and is learning more about Mama and Baba's rules. He does really well on the short little flights- so keep your fingers crossed for tomorrow.
This blog has helped us more than you can imagine- there is no way to explain what the comments from home have meant to us. We are so blessed with many wonderful friends and family. We love you all. We are counting down the hours to getting home. We can't wait to get our arms around Sarah Bess and introduce Davis to his Mei Mei.
Love, Hannah and Jimmy

More Pictures!

We have had a busy day of doctor's appointment and paperwork. Davis has had a good day- playing in the room. He went into the bathroom today, took off his clothes and went over to the tub b/c he wanted to take a bath. So I put him in and he took an hour bath! Oh boy. Here are some pictures. Looking forward to being home soon.

We're at the White Swan!!!!

Hello All! We are now on the next leg of our journey and so glad to be here. We had some flight problems yesterday. Our morning flight was cancelled and then we checked in for our afternoon flight and there were mechanical difficulties. Some in our group were stressed by this- But Davis loved being at the airport and was running around playing so Mommy got to sit for the first time in 5 days without it being meal time so I was quite content.
He did pretty well on the plane. He went to sleep at first and then when he woke up he was a little unsure but did fine with some snacks. He doesn't love being in the room here but it seems much better than it was before. He has been a very happy and good boy today. We are currently in a shop outside the hotel with free internet. Everyone here is very nice as well and I have to say it is nice to be back in the world where people speak English.
This morning we went on a tour and part of it was to the Buddist temple here called the 6 Banyan Tree Temple. They performed a blessing ceremony for the children. It was very nice.
He also is opening up some more to Baba today. Still prefers mama over all others and loves when we tease him by lifting him high in the air. He is all boy- loves to jump, play with cars and run around.
We look forward to introducing him to all of you. Our spirits are much lifted today as I think his are as well. We still ache to get home to Sarah Bess and know that will happen soon.
We love you.

Last Day in Nanning

Well, it is Friday night here and we prepare to leave Nanning tomorrow. I must say, I am very glad to have this leg of the trip completed and be that much closer to being home. Nanning is wonderful- such a beautiful place for such a large city. We have been amazed at how clean everything is and how much the people obviously take pride in living here. Everyone is so friendly. They love to try out any English they may know which is usually "hello". The language barrier has been hard at times, but the people are so friendly they always try to help. They are also so kind to the children. The driving system is quite odd- basically seems to be go and try not to get hit or hit anyone else. Quite scary with children not in car seats, but from the family in our group that has been here before- better than the province they were in for their first child.
Today was the best day with Davis yet. He was a very happy boy and laughing and teasing with us and the other children. He is eating well. He continues to really dislike our room, but cried slightly less today. He will not take a nap in the room and we do ALOT of strolling- in the hallway, the lobby of the hotel, the park and even at the pool.
He has said his first English word "Uh oh". He also says "bye bye" when prompted. He is already understanding a few things- especially if it has to do with cars and trucks! He loves other children and we look forward to introducing him to "Mei Mei" Sarah Bess.
I don't think I've said much about our hotel. It is pretty nice- the fresh flowers are amazing. They smell throughout the hotel and are beautiful. There is an amazing Chinese Restaurant in the basement where we have tried many different dishes (one family in our group even tried the chicken feet- but we weren't quite that daring).
Please keep all your comments and emails coming. I can't say how much they mean to us. We love you! Hannah and Jimmy

More calls for Rich....
There have been so many, but hard for us to remember in our tired brains. Some are:
We had a great call about Ian Ann Coulter Poulter during the British open...but what was it?
The hotel here has rooms call "Specificity Rooms" that are for staff only (we've tried numerous times for a good pic with little luck)
"Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth".
Welcome to our bar..... Did you say Babar? Is that two B's. Just not right next to each other.
Nanning....other wise known as Nann..singlinglinging......
Ok- so these might not be as good typed out but you get the point that many a call is made in China!

For Sarah Bess

Sarah Bess,
Mommy and Daddy made you a video today and wanted to send it to you saying we love you- but can't figure out how to make it work so we wanted to still say to you we love you! We miss you so much and we are so proud of you for being such a good girl while we are away.
love, Mommy and Daddy

PS- to everyone else checking we had a nice time at the zoo today and we'll spend some time tomorrow updating pictures and stories! Davis and Jimmy are now sleeping and I'm right behind them to bed! Love, Hannah

Some Photos!!!!

Wednesday- Day 3 with Davis

The past three days have been some of the highest highs and lowest lows for both Jimmy and I. Each day has been much better. We can't say how much your thoughts and prayers mean and how we feel them here so far away. We also love reading the comments on the blog so please keep them coming.
Davis is really adjusting better. He has the most beautiful big smile and a giggle that keeps us laughing. He has become very bonded to Mama- to the point that I must be the one to push the stroller and hold him at all times (sound like anyone else we know?)- but he has really started to attach more to Jimmy- especially while playing in the pool. He is now calling us Mama and Baba (Daddy in Mandarin) and at the pool wants us both to hold his hands. He is eating really well and loves the fun things we have been doing. And today he went "Number 2". While this may seem like too much information, he hadn't yet and is a good sign for bonding that he feels comfortable to do that. And boy did he eat some dinner after that!
I think the most difficult aspect is the language barrier. He often tries to tell us things that we can't understand and we can't explain back to him. When our guide Michael is with us and he becomes upset- he is easily reassured from Michael speaking Mandarin.
Today he was happy the entire day except while in our room. He screams each time we come in and is very difficult to calm. Michael came in with us for a while today and also could not calm him. He feels that Monday was so difficult for Davis and as we spent the entire time after we got him here in the room, he has bad feelings about this room. We hope when we leave here and go to the White Swan he will not feel the same. Because of this he is not napping but we are taking wonderful stolls in the most amazing park beside the hotel. (And keeping our fingers crossed after dinner he seems to calm a little more in the room and gets to bed ok).
On to Nanning- what a beautiful city this place is. We really love it. There is so much greenery and parks here (inlcuding the one beside our hotel on a big lake). Nanning is very close to Vietnam and over 2000 years old. The people named the city Nanning for peaceful. Yesterday was mostly paperwork, and then the afternoon to pizza hut and to the Walmart- how much Western can you get! We were able to get things for the children there.
Today we went to People's Park. They had great rides for children and a place to feed the fish. It was also a great place to people watch the singing, dancing and martial arts happening at the park. Davis loved the music and was dancing away. He also loved the rides but only if Mama would ride with him (which on one ride was pretty humerous as it was not meant for adults!).
Our group is so wonderful. We are one of three families and we spend a great deal of time together. I couldn't have made it without them and our ability to talk openly with each other about our feelings- and cry and laugh together!
Jimmy and I were able to talk to Sarah Bess this morning who is doing wonderful with Sudie. It meant so much to us both to hear her voice as we ache to see her again.
Sorry that I wrote a book but wanted to catch you up to speed. Please keep your prayers coming and we'll keep you "posted". Tomorrow we are taking the children to the zoo which should be fun.
We love you all.