Safari Park...

This morning we met with another couple (with our same agency) and went to the Safari Park. The Safari Park was VERY impressive!! We counted at least 20 giraffes and, yes, 10 PandasThey had LOTS of every kind of animal. I think Jeff and I enjoyed it way more than Abram. We wish Chase and Aubrey could have been there, they would have loved it!

Our afternoon was low key. We did some walking and enjoyed the chance to talk with other adoptive parents. One mom made the statement about her new little girl, “she’s still ‘mommy shopping’ and will go up to anyone, not realizing that I’m her mom.” She said it with such calmness, knowing that her little girl will come around. It put me at such ease. Though we don’t know how much Abram sees us as his parents, he does allow himself to be cuddled and loved on by both of us and he will still give us kisses.

Sunday night we ordered in Papa John’s Pizza (thanks to our safari friends for telling us) and ate outside of a café with our “hotel neighbor”. She’s the mother that traveled alone to pick up their child while her husband is home with their 5 other children. We ate pizza while our boys ate rice. She shared her adoption stories and how God has changed her heart…considering she only ever wanted 2 children. Afterwards we walked to the park together and let the boys burn some energy. It was an enjoyable evening.

Monday morning, we were able to skype both of our parents and the kids. It was good to see the kids…the other times we skyped, they didn’t have a webcam, so they could only see us.

Abram took a fall right before we were to meet our guide, so we had to quickly find some ice for his head. He knocked it pretty good, but he seems to have a high pain tolerance, considering he didn’t cry for long.

Our guide took us to a market place where we saw dried sea horses,

beetles, scorpions and other fun items that the Chinese add to soups or drinks.We also saw large buckets of live scorpions for sale (pretty gross).From there we went to the shopping mall/pedestrian street.

For the most part, Abram wants to be carried and doesn’t want the stroller…our arms are exhausted! We looked into purchasing a baby/toddler carrier and bought one…..but 5 minutes later we returned it because Abram wanted nothing to do with it.

Thankfully our guide was with us and handled returning the item. We ended up purchasing a sling that was much cheaper and Abram tolerates it.

Tonight (Monday night) we went out for supper with our “Indiana, same agency, safari” friends – Ryan & Heather.

Afterwards we went to the deli and got dessert. The days can get kinda slow here, so it’s nice to have other friends to join up with and talk. One side note here…tonight we met a couple who adopted a one year old girl and they live in my home town. Isn’t that nuts? What a small world!

Slowly we are starting to understand Abram…(i.e. when he gets tired he gets “wound up” and “slap happy” - literally!) We are still working with sign language, hoping that lessens his whining (which we hear a lot of!) Communication barrier….6-7 months ago we were in the thick of it with Aubrey and now we are starting all over again. Patience, right?! I feel like this is a honeymoon period with him. Life is all about him. He gets all of our attention. He doesn’t have to share with anyone. It will be very interesting to see how he does when we come home.

We both have moments of going “stir crazy” here…but, thankfully, I don’t feel homesick yet. I’m trying to enjoy every bit that we have here. Tomorrow is a complete free day, so we need to figure out some kid friendly schedule and activities to keep busy with, otherwise the day will be so slow.

Love,

Jeff, Chelby & Abram

(lunch with Ryan & Heather & Silas at Safari Park)

(Trying to write blog posts or check email with Abram is no picnic!)

(Walking to the park with, Maria, our neighbor)

Abram demanding to have his hat & mittens on while in the hotel room

(i.e. he wants to go outside!)

(Safari Park)