Our Journey to Carson

My Final Post From China!!

The boys went to the zoo this morning...no decent pictures, though, as Carson wasn't being very cooperative with Daddy today. One funny development on the trip: Carson had to go potty and our guide, Kathy, who was nearby just stripped his pants off and had him squat right there on the sidewalk. She said it was fine for boys! Not for MY boy it's not...yikes! Kevin didn't photograph it...I totally would have had I been there.

The Consulate appointment was very anti-climactic, to put it lightly. We were all herded through passport checks and security screening to a large room full of chairs. Family by family, we went to the front and a guy checked our passport pictures, comparing them to our faces. Then we sat down. The officials (thankfully, Americans who spoke perfect English) made a few remarks then we all stood en masse and repeated the oath. That was it. We couldn't bring cameras, so no pics of the momentous event. Then we were herded back to the buses. Wow...we waited two weeks for THAT!! We did receive Carson's passport and visa, which we need for travel tomorrow...otherwise, I would have preferred to phone that appearance in!

We went to Lucy's for dinner with a couple of other families for a final goodbye, but Meggie started feeling sick and she and I had to leave. Kevin and Carson are still there, Meggie's OK but refusing to eat, so I figured I'd blog really quick and start packing...we leave at 9AM to head to the airport!

I literally have NO pictures to post today, so I thought I'd go back through the old ones and post a few that got skipped on the first go around...

One of Carson's first smiles on Gotcha Day

The first of many wrestle sessions with MeggieSitting on Baba's lap for his first car ride

Baba helping Carson eat soup at our first meal together...
Gotcha Day lunch at the Brazilian restaurant

Cooperating quite nicely with our first attempt at brushing his teeth

Cracking himself up at the Hefei Zoo

Carrying the stroller (with King Carson in it) through the numerous gates at the Hefei Zoo...
no handicapped or stroller access here, for sure!

Clowning around with Meggie and Mama in the hotel room

Daddy and Carson watching fireworks from the window of our hotel room

Carson combing his own hair...which really never moves or requires any combing at all!

Carson seeing his foster mom for the first time since Gotcha Day

Family picture at the entrance to the Hefei SWI

The day Carson learned how to wink...what a cutie pie!!

Oh, the boy LOVES to fly...and landing on the bed in a pile of pillows is pretty fun, too!

Hanging out with Will on the Red Couch

Trying to impress Violet on the Pearl River Cruise...

hard to do since "How YOU doin'?" is his only pickup line!Carson playing with the piano at the ENT station on the day of his physical...
the boy LOVES to push buttons!! (Great Christmas gift idea, Grandma!)

Not one to break tradition, here are a few shots of the kids together to close us out one last time...

Climbing on Mommy together...
at least I was able to duck out of the way for the photo!

Snuggling for warmth at the Sofitel's unheated pool

Yet ANOTHER picture of the boy wearing one of Meggie's headbands

Walking hand-in-hand on Shamian Island

Hope that is enough to tide you over 'til Friday when I post again....from HOME!! Please pray for safe travels and a really well-behaved Little Man on a L-O-N-G day of travel tomorrow!! Time to pack...