Crazy Kids

Showing Off Mommy's New Tires

Parker did this pose all by himself when I said I was going to take a picture of the tires for Daddy. I could just gobble him up!

Not the right "Ma"

We had a little relapse last night. When falling asleep, Parker started whining and then that turned into full-blown hysterics. It lasted about an hour and there was nothing we could do to comfort him. I wasn't the right "Ma" that Parker wanted. It is so heartbreaking, but I love that my little guy knows how to love.

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The picture above was sent to me yesterday. In my heart, I think this is "Ma." I am not ready to ask Parker yet, but I look forward to the day when he is comfortable enough that I can show him.

Love You

Harrison and Piper went back to school today and I am back at work for my second day. Mike just called me a little bit ago and I could tell that he had stopped by the house. When we were getting off the phone, Mike said, "I love you," and in the background I heard "Love you." It was Parker. Mike was so excited that he tried to get him to say it again, but Parker had stage fright.

In addition to "Love You" Parker's English vocabulary consists of the following:

Screaming NO and pointing (I think he got that from me)
Mama
Piper - although it sounds very funny and it takes you a while to realize he is saying her name
Bye Bye
Dada - although he won't say it directly to Mike
and Parker - which is a huge improvement from what he originally called himself - Barker.

h1n1

Sorry there has not been a post since we got home - or a catch up post with all the pictures. We came home and immediately caught the h1n1 flu. It is terrible and we are still not 100%, but we hope to be better soon so we can update!

Red Couch - Zhengzhou Kiddos

Taking pictures on the red couches at the White Swan hotel is an adoption tradition. We took our traditional red couch photos today. I love watching the progression of Parker as you scroll from the top.

Red Couch - All Kids

Here are the red couch photos of all the kids in our group. From left to right - Charlotte, Grayson, Lilianna, Gloriana & Parker.

Red Couch - The Laniers

Red Couch - Other Families

Red Couch with Siblings

Here are all the siblings with their new additions!

Dec 28th

Today started out a bit like the movie, Groundhog Day - more french toast at the White Swan. After breakfast we had to wait in our room while Maggie went and handled our paperwork at the US Consulate. At 10:30 a.m. we got the call that our paperwork was ok at the Consulate and we could leave the room. Since Piper was not feeling well last night, she and Parker stayed home for a special day with Daddy and Harrison and I went with the group to the Pearl Market, Pet Market and Medicine Market.

I did not expect to buy anything at the Pearl Market - oops - instead I bought about 6 things at really great prices! Then we did our favorite thing - we walked through the markets. I have so many great pictures that I will have to update once we get home. Harrison and I loved the adventure and I am so glad we went. We saw puppies, kitties, turtles, hamsters, bunnies, fish, scorpions and sadly, tiger paws.

On our walk home we passed a man without any legs who was begging for money. I walked by and Harrison was so appalled that I just walked by that he stopped me and asked for money to go back. I dug around and found him some and back he went. That was the first time I almost cried. Then, we rounded the corner and time #2 hit.

As we finished crossing the bridge, there was a woman pushing a child in a wheelchair with a sign that the young boy was holding. I knew that it was a sign begging for money, but what got me is that when I looked at the little boy he had a serious case of hydrocephalus and he was probably 3. I knew that under other terms that could have been my babies. Parker has hydrocephalus and I just kept seeing his face in that little boys. It was very hard to walk past him, but I didn't want Harrison to notice.

We rushed back and loaded up for our visit to the US Consulate. It was all kids over 2 and there were TONS of amazing kids and their new families. LOVED seeing all of them.

Once back, we headed to the Japanese restaurant in our hotel. Our travel mates had raved about it, but we did not really like it. Now we are snug back in our hotel room - have I mentioned how great and worth the money the suite is? I am about to take a bath in our huge soaking tub with the bath salts and the candle, then I am going to snuggle in and read my book. I figure it may be the only peace that I have for a while. Stinker Butt - aka - Parker is into everything so I know going home is going to be tough. We are going to have to put Harrison's Legos under lock -n-key.

Oh, and its my birthday. Happy Birthday To Me!

Shamian Island

Sorry I have not updated. The internet at the White Swan has been going in and out. Also, now my pictures won't download from my Iphone - my only camera since the other one broke. Here is a little breakdown of what we have done.
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1. Eaten way TOO MUCH french toast at the breakfast buffet.
2. Played and made way too much noise in our room.
3. Gone to Lucy's 2x - maybe that was 1x too much.
4. Walked the Island and shopped a bit.
5. Fallen for one little stinker butt.
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Today, I spoiled myself and went to the Chinese Medical Massage place on the Island for a back and foot massage. Last time, two of my travel mates went with me, but this time no one would come so I went alone. It was wonderful. 70 minutes of massage for $16 US - including tip. I totally want to go back tomorrow!
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Tomorrow we head to the US Consulate to take the citizenship oath for Parker. We also have an optional pearl market tour and Pearl River Boat dinner cruise. Plus its my b-day! Piper came down with a fever of 101.8 tonight. Our great guide walked off island to get children's Tylnol. It worked great and broke her fever. We also started her on antibiotics.

View from our living room window

The night lights are great on the Pearl River. I will try to get more soon.

Our Christmas Baby

Tonight I got my first kiss. Totally starting to fall for this little guy. He is such baby in so many ways and at first I was not prepared for that, but now I love that snugglie little diaper butt in footie jammies! The pictures are Parker playing with his blocks that Santa brought to China.

Playing on Christmas

Piper posing with the Barbie that Santa delivered to China for her.

Harrison posing with my "grand children." I swear we have a whole suitcase of stuffed animals.

Harrison wanted a fashion shoot with his pals.

And then so did Piper.

In the elevator - always a constant fight for button pushing.

Unfortunately, today did not really feel like Christmas. What is usually a lovely tropical island - Shamian Island - had a cold front hit and its a low of 40 high of 60 and rain. The town is also

hopping with locals. Its like New Year's Eve and they come into the hotel for pictures. But, we did have some great new friends over to the room today to play and the kids really loved it.

Daddy and Parker Michael on Christmas Night

Parker is starting to warm up to each of us a little more each day. Here he is with his Daddy on the way back to the room after Christmas jammie pictures.

Christmas Jammie Pictures

Below is Harrison's imitation of Parker's face when he is upset.

Frosty The Snowman

Our hotel has done a great job with getting everything ready for Christmas. There is a huge tree in the lobby and a gingerbread house you can walk into and shop. By the restaurant there is also a real frozen Frosty The Snowman. We love to rub our hands around him and try to melt him a little. The best part - every night at 6:30 the staff puts on choir robes and signs Christmas carols on the steps. We have great video of that!

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We leave this afternoon for Guangzhou. Next stop - The White Swan. Very excited for their famous breakfast!

Hanging out in our room

These were from this morning, which is our last day in Henan. Both of my kids were born in Henan and I can guarantee this will be our last time here for quite a long time. Its sad because only in the last 24 hours have we really been able to leave our room, so we did not even get to enjoy it.