All Boy!

Yesterday morning Zoe was surprised to wake up and find that boy from the day before still with us. She woke up about 3am (I didn't sleep....what is WRONG with me!) So she and I played in the bathroom for awhile. We took baths. Sat in the hallway eating oranges. And then went to the lobby to walk around. When we came back, Jeff was up. Then Zoe started getting noisy and we realized it didn't bother him. We turned on the TV and still, nothing. Lights, no problem. This little boy is the best sleeper in the family. Right now we are all up again. Zoe is eating Prawn Crackers (we will need stock in this stinky stuff) Jeff is watching TV and Ethan Yuyu is sleeping soundly, silently. I want to pinch him like the mother in Terms of Endearment just to see if he's okay.

We went to breakfast, and met another American. I hate paying these crazy prices for the 3 bites of food my kids eat, but Jeff and I have to go and so they have to go with us. We won't be going to many restaurants when we come home. Zoe always wants to wander, but he just cant sit still. After he had his few bites he was running his cars on the rail, on the floor, trying to climb, run, etc. The good thing about him is he doesn't mind being corrected. Where Zoe will drop to the floor and scream when you tell her no. He either ignores you (he's very focused) or complies no problem when you are firm enough. I don't want to be firm right now since we are still so new together, but he still needs to realize we are Mommy and Daddy (BaBa) and he needs to do what we say. Firm and loving is not always easy.

Later that morning we headed to the bank and then back to the civil affairs building to finalize our adoption. The afternoon was spent in the hotel room, where we hoped for a nap, but no. I was really hoping to see a lot of Guiyang and tour the area, but I don't think the kids are going to permit much. Ethan sees Zoe getting carried and wants to be carried, too. Fortunately after lifting my almost 50 pounder for so long, he feels like nothing. He also wants to ride in the stroller. He thinks its the most fun ever! And finally, seeing someone else in her stoller made Zoe want to get in, too. We'll buy another when we get to Guangzhou.

Just to get out of the hotel room, we went to the mall down the street. They have a really nice supermarket in the basement next to ToysRus. The boy about lost his mind in the toy store. It was difficult to keep him with us, so we didn't stay long. We bought him a little transport truck with 3 cars that ride on it. I started to tell him no, but he was insistent and looked so grateful when I said, "ok" He said, "ok?" I said, "ok" again, and he said, "shay shay" which means "thank you." He says thank you whenever I give him anything.

He's pretty good at sharing, too. At least he was until the new truck entered the picture. He doesn't want Zoe playing with it, and naturally that makes Zoe want it. We had some scuffles and I see many more in our future. I want to be extra special loving and kind to Zoe right now since we are putting her through so much, but her behavior sometimes... Ooooh, parenting is fun!

We have today and the next two days pretty much free, so I'm not sure what will happen. Even this swank-a-rific room is gettin a little small. And you really can't do much outside during the day because of the crazy, nasty heat. The tourist brochures say this is "Cool Guiyang" but they must be referring to the hipness factor rather than the temperature. (Actually this is a popular tourist place because of the cooler temperatures, so I'm pretty much scared to go anywhere else in China.)

When the guide comes this morning we will go to Monkey park. A park with a temple and free-roaming monkeys. After that is the provincial museum for souvenier (sp?) shopping. We want things for Ethan from his province.

The whole time I have been typing this, Zoe is roaming the room singing, Jeff is watching TV, and Ethan is sleeping. I am so grateful for this. He is a sweet, sweet boy.