Adventures

I haven't posted in a while, but we've had lots of "adventures".

Let's just say, I have time to type now, because I have three down with the stomach bug. I have been so thankful for the boiling tea pot that I can use to sterilize the tub between uses.

Between baths--because there is NO WAY wipes could handle the job--I sterilize the tub and "boil" clothes with the tea pot water.

Right now, both tubs (because we have adjoining rooms) have clothes in them.

On Friday, we had taken a trip to the park. It was our off day, since we were awaiting Sammy's passport to be processed. I did not take the camera.

But, in place of pictures, I'll try to explain how we go to the park. First, we put the two littles in the double stroller. Then, we carry the double stroller down two flights of stairs to get to the underground walkway so we can cross the road. Then, we carry the double stroller up two flights of stairs.

We transfer over to the subway, that sometimes has a lift available. So, down we go in the elevator, if we can find one. Down three floors. Cherish buys our subway tickets by herself (with Daddy overseeing), and then we go through security and transfer to the subway. We are in China, so our guide said to act like Chinese. So, we push as we need to to get on the subway with "Big Bertha" (double stroller). We sometimes have to push our way through the crowd to get off the subway.

Then, sometimes there are only stairs, but if we are super lucky a 3-story escalator is available. I hold Hope's hand, Cherish holds Andrew's hand, and Derek puts Big Bertha on the escalator. But, there's no guarantee the escalator will not stop in the process of going up. At such time, I walk the bigs up to the top, and then come back down the escalator to help carry Big Bertha up the escalator. Not an easy thing to do with the lines of the escalator--that make me so dizzy. Thankfully, Derek is super strong and takes the majority of the weight.

So, by the time we get to the park, mommy has gained a whole lot of muscles. You should see how good my arms are looking ;). Just kidding.

All we wanted to do was go to the park to paint, but after all that work to get to the park, we didn't want to leave after 30 minutes. So, Derek took some of the children on a paddle boat ride, and then we went to eat.

Derek had spotted a McDonald's, so he treated the kiddos to lunch. And, if you couldn't guess, we got to lift Big Bertha again. McDonald's has 3-flights of stairs.

Then, when we finished with McDonald's, off we went to repeat the journey back to the hotel.

When we got back to the hotel, it was time to pack for the next leg of the adoption trip.

Here's Daniel keeping Sammy occupied while Derek took some to swim and mommy packed:

Teaching Sammy how to "honk" noses:

Sammy got distracted from crying and began laughing a lot!

"Thank you, Daniel, for distracting Sammy for me!"

That night, Derek and I got to bed around midnight--after packing and preparing to leave the local province. Daniel woke up at 12:25 a.m. with a belly ache. Sammy woke up at 4:20 a.m. sicker that he had been with his congestion. Previously, it had all been in his chest. That morning he was spewing green mucus from his nose--lots, continuously! It was bad!

But, we had to fly to the next province.

The trip was smooth--other than Sammy soaking through all his clothes, and Daniel and Sammy screaming with pain from the flight.

When we finally got to our hotel room, the stomach bug exploded. We were in our room minutes before it hit. THANK YOU, LORD!!!

The tub was a blessing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Sickness has Sammy and Derek in bed at this time. Daniel is walking around right now eating dry crackers. =(

We are thankful for Sammy's passport coming in and now we will work on obtaining a visa to travel to America.

Sammy has a doctor appointment at 9 a.m. tomorrow. I hope he will get an antibiotic at that time. Here's what he's on now:

 He drinks half a vial 3x day.

Diaper duty calling. More later....