Trip to China
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Monday, September 8, 2008 SOPHIE’S VISA PHOTO, MEDICAL EXAM AND SHOPPING ON SHAMIAN ISLAND "Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart." ~Confucius We met our guide, Jocelyn, and the other families in our group this morning at 9:30 a.m. for a short walk across Shamian Island to have visa photos taken. It only took a few minutes for each of the four children to have their photographs taken. Then, each of the children had a brief medical examination. First, we were taken to a room where Sophie was weighed and measured. She weighed in at 22.5 pounds and was 33 inches long. Next, Sophie’s medical history was reviewed and she was given a brief medical exam. We were a bit worried that she might have a full on Sophie Mei style fit when we had to take off her clothes for the doctor : ) But we lucked out and she didn’t shed one tear! I think she was a little distracted by all the other children around. Lastly, we were taken to a room where they checked her eyes/ears and hearing. When Sophie saw the tongue depressor, she immediately opened her mouth and stuck out her tongue for the doctor. But before the doctor could take a look, she quickly clamped her mouth shut and the doctor had to do a little prying to see what she needed to : ) The entire process took less than a hour. Afterwards, we spent some time walking around the island, taking pictures of Sophie and doing a little shopping. We walked along the Pearl River and had a great time watching some of the local people playing games, ballroom dancing, singing, playing traditional instruments and doing Tai Chi. Jessie, you would have loved seeing them dance! Some of the women were even dressed up in their fancy dresses. It was a lot of fun to watch! We bought Sophie her first pair of squeaky shoes today. She was so happy with them that she couldn’t stop smiling. For awhile, she tried to walk very softly to they wouldn’t squeak. Tonight, I think she was trying to make them squeak as loud as possible : ) We had major Sophie drama when it was time to take them off for her nap. What a girl! She is talking more and more. I really think it’s just baby talk right now, not any real words yet. But, I don’t think we really know for sure : ) Her baby voice is so sweet and definitely has Chinese intonation and inflection. I love it! She is not as quiet and shy as we were told that she is. In fact, I don’t think it will take long before she’s fully in charge at home and telling her brothers what to do ; ) She LOVES to play tickle and thinks dad is the greatest when he throws her up in the air! She has the most contagious belly laugh! She follows me all around the hotel room and is on my heels at every turn. We went to an Italian restaurant for dinner tonight with two other couples from our group. When the waitresses tried to talk to Sophie, she immediately grabbed my hand off the table and pulled it toward her as if to tell them that she is with me and I am her mom. Oh, that made me so happy! We spent a couple hours this afternoon completing paperwork for Sophie’s visa and finished the evening off with a little more shopping. We have absolutely LOVED our time in China and can’t believe we will be on our way home in a few days! So, so excited for Sophie to meet the rest of her family…

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