{China #12} US Consulate Appointment

We were all up early this morning and ate breakfast at 6:30.  At 7:30, we met our guide and went to our consulate appointment.  This is the final step before we can come home (it’s to get her visa to come to the US). Once we were done with the appointment and on the outside of the building, an older man recognized Jeff and stopped to talk to us.  I guess he was on the same flight as us from Nanchang to Guangzhou.  I don’t doubt that he recognized us, we were the ONLY foreigners on that flight.  Jeff spoke just for a bit with him.  Before we left he informed me that I shouldn’t wear a white flower clip in Emerson’s hair.  He said that’s what women do in China for a funeral.  Oops!  We laughed about it and I told him I’d take it out of her hair, but once we were in the States it would go right back on her head! ☺  

After we walked away, our guide said the younger generation in China wouldn’t have thought a thing about Emerson’s white flower clip, just the older generation.  Afterward, our guide took us shopping and we were able to get a few more souvenirs.

As we drove back, Emerson was very active and wasn’t about to sit on any of our laps.  Oh, she’s in for a rude awakening, when we get back to the States and she has to sit in a car seat!

Jeff ran out to Subway to get lunch as I was able to get Emerson down for a nap.  Slowly, I’m figuring out what works for her and helps her calm down for a nap.  Not to say that I have it totally figured out.

I had somewhat of a rough afternoon, today.  Thankfully Emerson slept for close to 3 hours, but Jeff laid down after lunch and rested for the next few hours, too.  Chase couldn’t keep himself busy (didn’t matter what I suggested), therefore was getting into trouble.  Finally, I was able to take him to the park, where we played a bit of ping pong.  I think he needed to burn some energy and some words.  It was cooler and misty outside.  Everyone else was smart enough to have an umbrella except for us.  By the time we got back, I felt like a “drowned rat”.

I got Emerson up from her nap, finished feeding her lunch and then the 3 of us went down to the play room while Jeff slept some more.  With it being a nasty day (yes, I know, not as nasty as back home), I felt trapped.  I’d ran out of ideas, Emerson had played with all the toys we brought for her, couldn’t go to the park….

{Play Room at the Hotel}

Thankfully Jeff was up by 4:30 pm and we headed out on the Metro to a shopping area.  First we went to the Grocery store.  We were VERY excited to find cereal!!  We’ve been looking for cereal every time we go to the grocery store, it’s hard to find! (same with granola bars, hard to find them too)

{Riding in the crowded Metro}

{Found the cereal!}

Next we needed to find a place to eat and NOT McDonalds like our 8 year old has been BEGGING for.  We’ve ate there too many times in the past 2 weeks!  For the boy who doesn’t really like McDonalds back in the States and BEGS for Panda Express or China Dragon….Who would know that he’d be here in China and BEGGING for McDonalds!(we’ve told him he can eat it once we land in the States)

Eventually we found a quick Chinese type restaurant that had an English Menu.  Poor Emerson had been SUPER cranky, but we finally realized it was because she was SO hungry!  She gobbled down everything that was in front of her.  Afterwards, we did head to McDonalds for some ice cream (their ice cream is JUST a bit different here…really good and pretty cheap, too).

{The restaurant we ate at}

{Ice Cream cheered her up!}

Tonight we enjoyed watching The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again.  Emerson giggled when we giggled.  She cozied up onto Jeff’s lap and even rested her head on his chest.  Jeff (and me too) treasures these moments.

{Playing with Daddy's hair}

{Smiling with Daddy}

Tomorrow is our last FULL day here.  I’m praying that we can keep busy.  I sense that we all need some space from each other.  Two weeks in a hotel can get a bit cramped.  We are thankful the trip has seemed fast, but we are ready to come home.

-Jeff, Chelby, Chase & Emerson