More Snow!!!

We got about a foot of snow. In some places in our yard, it looks like more. We only spent a little time out in the snow. Avery kept saying she wanted to make a snowman, and then when it came right down to making it, she wasn't so interested, so Tripp made 2 little snowmen for her. Garnett was very interested in the snow, and although he didn't have very good use of his hands, thanks to ill-fitting mittens, he was all about swatting at it and sitting in it. The pictures posted in reverse chronological order.

Avery is very excited because she has taught Garnett how to say "jet, jet, jet," as in airplane. Garnett is quite happy to oblige her.

Snow!!!!!

Tripp said I should wait until tomorrow, since it will be daylight and more snow is on the way, but getting snow before the first day of winter has made me rush to get some snow pics posted. We have only ventured to the deck, but life is grand with 2-3" of snow and more on the way! Garnett keeps looking out the window and holding his hand out as if to catch some snow. Apparently Hengyang doesn't get any more snow than Richmond. Everyone is quite enamored with the snow.

We didn't know that Garnett could use a spoon. It's not pretty, and he needed a bath after this meal, but I think we can check feeding himself with a spoon off on the developmental checklist. Can Mommy and Daddy tolerate the mess for a few months until he gets better aim?

We hope that all of our east coast family and friends are enjoying the snow.

First visit to Santa . . .

. . was a real sleeper for Garnett. We thought that noon would be a good time to take the kids to see Santa, but Garnett fell asleep on the way there, and would not be woken to pose for pictures! Oh, well, maybe he'll stay awake for the Easter Bunny!

Christmas Pics

Some cute shots.

Avery Taking a Picture of Garnett

I got a video of Avery taking Garnett's picture. It was her idea. These moments are scarce for us now. It was great to actually document Avery showing some interest in Garnett.

Garnett is doing so well. He is a true toddler now. He walks more than cruising at this point. It is still so novel to him, he usually starts smiling or laughing after a "good walk" of 8 or 10 feet. He will even applaud for himself.

Red Sofa Video

Here's a closer look at the red sofa.

"Red Sofa" picture

Tripp here - We've had our "red sofa" picture. Means things are really winding down. Called the "red sofa" picture because for years the tradition was that adopting families stayed at the White Swan hotel, which had a red sofa in the lobby. There was always a picture taken on or in front of the red sofa that was a group shot of all the new family members. Well our picture is in the lobby of the China Hotel, but on slightly less glamorous, but more functional, stairs... FYI there are several brothers and sisters in the picture, who where not adopted this trip. The fact that Avery is in the picture might have given that away to all but me if I was in your shoes looking at the blog. So I thought I'd make that clear. ahhem...

The other picture, as you might have guessed, is the entire group of families we have been with in Guangzhou. Most of whom where also with us in Beijing before we went to Changsha.

view from window

Oops, forgot these. And here's our amazing view...

Buddhist Temple

I can't remember if I sent this, but I got the important picture turned around correctly. The family. So I'm sending it again. I think there were 500 statues in this place. Some folks were walking around paying respect to all of them. I was fun to actually see a functioning temple. You can see they were burning inscents (sp?) and kneeling. Pretty fascinating.

Christmas Card?

Our hotel in Guangzhou has been quite nice. Actually it had us at: soft mattress. Seems most hotels have mattresses that are just a bit softer than sleeping a nice stadium turf. But it is a nice hotel. Here a look from the outside and at a distance. Our view. And a nice Christmas shot. Perhaps the front of a Christmas card?

Dinner out on the Town

We went out to eat as a group a couple nights ago. To a big restaurant. We've done this several times. It is all organized by the guide and adoption agency. Usually pretty tame as far as offering go. This night was similar. BUT, going into the restaurant we got to see just how fresh they made their food, and how locals could pick what they wanted. Snake anyone? Gator? Duck? Turtle? Crustacean? Rabbit? All there for the lookin, buying, and eating.

When we were leaving a catfish jumped out on the floor. The employee just kicked it under the stand. Still flopping around gasping for air. Wild.

Bargain Shopping

We went shopping at this huge Clothing Wholesale Market. It was insane. 6 or 7 floors with 100+ shops a floor I'd say. The bottom floor was the cheapest, best deal floor. Especially if knock offs are OK. The higher up, the more name brands, and less ability to haggle. But still crazy-good deals. But it was overwhelming and it would help to know the industry. We were basically frozen with indecision.

But I've put some shots up that hopefully show how crowded it was (and how low the ceilings were) and how small the shops where. As an aside, we were huge novelties again. All the young women working the shops would oooo and ahhh over Avery and Garnett. Avery made friends VERY quickly.

The last few (or first few) are pictures Avery took of Garnett.

Bullet Train

We went to the park near a hotel a couple of days ago. It had rides like I've mentioned before. Check out the warning. I'll type if it isn't legible.

"Children younger than five years old and cowards should be accompanied with adults. person who has mental disease or epilepsy, please don't play this game." and so on.
Not exactly the PC language we are familiar with! But even more important, look who didn't get on. FYI - I couldn't fit...

Some random Garnett Photos

I'm starting to run out of steam for posting. But there are some good pictures and stories I'll get around to. Today we had our American Consulate visit. We are official! Garnett is ready to a US citizen now. All we need to do is be let back in the country.

Fascinated Locals

This video was cool because it showed how people were so fascinated by Garnett and Avery. Much more so in Changsha.

Last few days

Hi.  Andrea here.  Tripp has made all of the posts recently, but I wanted to say hello.  We're hoping to fix the videos, so keep checking those.  There is a really cute one of Garnett playing with bubbles.  Garnett is doing really well.  He is such a happy baby.  He is quick to imitate, and already is talking to us! (well kind of)   He has learned to say "up" when he wants us to pick him up.  It comes out a little like "uup-ha" and he has such a cute little baby voice.  He does get mad when he doesn't get his way and he will say, "Ma ba ba buh!" and start swatting.  He even grabbed my hand once (ok twice) with both of his hands and pulled it into his mouth to try to bite it with his 6 little baby teeth!  It caught me by such surprise that I started laughing, but Tripp saw it happen and reminded me that I should not laugh at that kind of behavior.   But, he is easy to console when he gets mad and doesn't stay mad for long.  Avery and I have been singing the itsy bitsy spider to him.  He loves it and tries to do to spider motion with his fingers.  He is into everything (the phone, drawers, Avery's things, anything lying around he opens and explores).

These pictures were all taken with my camera.  I don't know what order they will post in, but I will try to explain them.  I posted the one of him laughing because it is hard to get him to look in the camera and smile, but he really is quite happy most of the time.   In this picture a shopkeeper was playing with a spinning top with Avery and Garnett.   The picture of Avery and Garnett standing was in the Hunan provincial museum.  The museum had a 2000 year old woman that had been buried in a tomb nearby!  Note the many layers that Garnett is wearing!

I included the one of Garnett tugging on Avery's hair to show the measures he goes to get her attention.  She has been a good big sister but is not as playful as he is.   Last night, though, Avery was throwing her sock up in the air and catching it (or not catching it) and laughing and Garnett was loving it!

The Christmas picture was from the hotel restaurant in Changsha.  We had had breakfast in the restaurant on Thanksgiving morning and there were no decorations.  And then Thanksgiving night, we decided to treat ourselves and do the buffet for dinner.  When we got to the restaurant, it was decorated for Christmas.  It was such a surprise and almost made me cry.  They had a huge tree in the lobby that was beautiful.  Tripp has been playing Christmas music since Friday.

I included a token picture of both kids sleeping in the bed, and then a couple pictures of them jumping on the bed together.  It's hard to tell, but they are actually catching a little air and jumping.  Both Avery and Garnett loved jumping on the bed!  

The family photo is from Shamian Island, where we had to go to do some paperwork. It's hard to get everyone to look at the camera at the same time!  Last trip, our hotel was on Shamian, but now we just go when our group bus is going.  We love our hotel in Guangzhou this trip, though.  The beds are not too hard, and the rooms are quiet.  In Changsha, we were on the 30th floor, but there was still lots of traffic noise because the windows opened (yes opened from the 30th floor) and were not very noise proof.

We just have 2 and a half days left in Guangzhou and then about 30 hours of traveling (door to door) on Friday.  Since we are 13 hours ahead of EST, all 30 hours will take place on Friday!  We think it may be hard on Garnett since he is so active!   We are looking forward to seeing everyone!