On Our Last Full Day in Chongqing

I’ve been monopolizing the blog, so here’s a post from Kim:

Ni hao!

There are not enough words to describe how full of love I am right now.

I am so in love with our baby. She is now reaching out to us both. She is quick to smile, quick to laugh, and falls asleep easily. She loves to eat almost everything, but especially baby mum-mums. Our box is running low and we are going to need to find an alternate soon! She had her first Popsicle today at the zoo and enjoyed it after getting used to the cold. She is just too precious for words, especially when she sings. Her little voice melts my heart.

I am in love with my husband. Joe is an amazing dad. He is so kind and gentle with Eleanor. He sings and rocks her like he’s been doing it forever. I especially love the look on his face when Eleanor reaches out to him…it is magical.

I am in love with the Chinese people. They are kind and have an amazing sense of humor. They are quick to smile and everyone seems to have a joke to tell. People are definitely curious about us, and frequently talk to us to practice their English. It is very clear that the Chinese people love babies. We can’t take Eleanor anywhere without people talking to her and fawning over her.

I love Chinese cities. Both Beijing and Chongqing are huge, and both cities have expanded greatly in the last 10-15 years. It can be hard to find buildings older than this. The people are polite and, aside from bars on all the windows, there doesn’t seem to be much evidence of crime. The cities are not as clean as someplace like Chicago, but there are constantly sanitation workers out picking up garbage and such. The ground is filthy due to people spitting…a lot…even inside. Plus many of the little kids wear split-crotch pants and can be seen peeing and pooping right out in public. There is no “5 second” rule in China. If it hits the ground, don’t eat it. The stores are fascinating and the skyline massive. These are cities that go on forever. This is an energetic and active place.

I love our guides both in Beijing and Chongqing. I feel safe and comfortable with them. We have seen some amazing sites since we have been here, thanks to the people guiding us around. Today at the zoo, our guide Michael even carried our hot little bundle of joy since Joe and I were clearly melting from the heat. These gentlemen have navigated the Chinese adoption system for us so that we can focus on Eleanor. I will forever be grateful.

I love Chinese super markets. They sell everything. The packaging is awesome. They are huge. They are crowded and noisy. Unfortunately, they don’t have baby mum-mums. I also wish I had the opportunity to try out the produce. We’re not supposed to eat the produce unless it’s cooked and we have no way to cook it.

I love Chinese shirts with English sayings. My favorite so far as been “Puma racer! Run fast!” with a picture of a bike on it. They’re awesome.

I love bandanas. They are good for catching excess juice and formula. They wash easily and dry quickly.

The list could go on forever, but you get my point. Life. Is. Good.

The list of things I don’t love is pretty short: wicked heat, baby constipation, being sick during the most awesome trip ever, and the lack of Facebook.

Another thing I love is the sound of my baby waking up…which is what she’s doing right now! I’m off to be a mommy.