October16th, 2007

Hello everyone! We miss you and hope you are all well!

Meizi is now walking on the floor, back and forth to Scott and I as we sit on the floor. She is changing by leaps and bounds, everyday. She is still only taking bottles but the way it's going, I'm expecting her to be eating solid foods soon. We gave her a sucker yesterday and she took one lick on the sucker and then turned it around and sucked on the stick;-) Oh well, it was worth a try.

Yesterday we took a trip to the local zoo in Guangzhou. It is a half hour drive and the trip there and back proved to be very interesting again. We learned from Peter, our guide that people in China have to take 3 months of driving instruction and studies before they can get their license. It is hard to believe that when you see how people drive.

We had a really fun time at the zoo with Grace, our guide, Dave, Kristen and their little girl. It is a very large zoo and we could have spent another day there just to see it all but it was dinner time by the time we left and we were concerned that we would push the babies too long and they would get tired and hungry and ruin a good thing so we left a 5pm. We saw a large tiger being fed and watched it crouch down and pounce on the cage, waiting for the zoo hands to give him his food. We heard him roar, which is different from anything you will ever hear on TV. It was terrifying and deafening. The most surprising animal we saw were dogs in cages. We aren't use to seeing dogs in cages and it didn't make much sense to any of us. Grace, our guide said they do that to show the different breeds of dogs? Our main reason for visiting the zoo in China was to see the large Pandas. The one Panda that was out of his den was very lazy, and hot. He crawled around a little then laid down to take a nap. It was a little disapointing not to see him swimming or playing but he was beautiful, none the less! I've only seen photos of Pandas or seen them on TV so once again, it was a very surreal experience for me!

Last night we ate at "The Rose" restaurant which is right on the Pearl River. The tables were outside right next to the river. There were red lanterns in the trees that were all lit up and boats cruising the river that were also lit up. It was such a beautiful sight and such a perfect night, again warm, calm and so gorgeous.I still couldn't believe our good fortune at being in China again and once again had to pinch myself, to make sure it wasn't a dream. I will miss this about China, there is so much I will miss about China when we go back home.
Jade Lin and Kelly loved the Chinese food. It is so good and so different from what we call Chinese food in the US.

We did more shopping today and had to buy an extra suitcase just to bring home all of the gifts we have bought. We also visited the near by park again where Meizi and Jade Lin looked like all the other children and Scott, Kelly and I drew all the stares. We are considered a large family in China and a family with a teenage son and two Chinese daughters drew a lot of attention but everyone was so kind and welcoming.

Meizi Meilin is officially our daughter! The only thing we have to do is take the oath at the American Consulate on the 18th. We are waiting for Meizi's visa now. We are all doing well and having a great time! I was a little sad and depressed yesterday, knowing we will be leaving soon, but missing everyone at home too. It is very hard to describe the feelings and emotions I am experiencing. I just pray we will be able to return to China, someday, in the near future, when the girls are older and Meizi will be old enough to remember the journey. I think it is so beneficial for the girls to see the Country there were born in. I hope and pray they will develop a love of China, the way I have.