I Solemnly Swear

This morning we were up and on the road bright and early. We visited the US Consulate to complete Gabe's US visa application. I started it online a while back and today we had the interview (officer looked at our papers, no actual interview as such) and then the parents solemnly swore that we would do lots of things that I can't remember. To my credit my child wiggled and cried through it all because he wanted to be back in the play area instead of in my arms. He seems to have a knack for wiggling and crying through all of our momentous occasions- adoption registration, official passport trip etc. I don't blame him one bit. 

Interesting that we weren't allowed to take anything other than baby supplies in a plastic bag, our official documents in a clear plastic folder, and our passports into the consulate. No electronics or backpacks/bags of any kind (figured that), but also no watches, or liquids. The building is just a year old, so even the families who had adopted before had not seen it. They said the play area was much better. The entire process took a bit less than 2 hours. 

We did a quick change after the consulate appointment back at the hotel and then visited the wholesale pearl market. It was fun to look around and get an education on real fresh/salt water pearls versus imitation ones. There were stalls upon stalls of beads for jewelry making. It was neat to see it all. 

Possibly this building doesn't allow goats? It doesn't look like a dog...

Instead of shopping, we scored a quick nap...

If you look closely at this picture you can see our lunch destination...

We think these are breadfruit..

We visited the hotel park before Gabe's afternoon siesta. 

Also, let me take this occasion to give a shout out to my Symbiotix peeps. You were soooo right about the attraction of the Leapster. Gabriel knows how to work all the buttons and how to turn on his videos- Olivia, Ni hao Kai Lan, and Paw Patrol. Every night we turn on the Disney Classics album and listen softly while Gabe falls asleep. The drawing board is also a hit. He has a Chinese phrase that he says when he wants his Leapster. I recognize that he wants the Leapster when he says the phrase, but I don't know how it translates. We tried out the headphones to prepare for the plane ride and he will wear them! I can't thank my Symbiotix team enough!

And here's the pic of the day... 

Probably no blog tomorrow depending on our travel schedule. We leave Guangzhou for Beijing late afternoon and then overnight near the Beijing airport. First thing Friday morning we head back to the airport- depart hotel at 6:30 am. Our flight out of Beijing leaves Friday at 10 am and lands in Chicago Friday at 10 am. Have fun with that brain-buster! We arrive back in Lex Friday early evening. Love and hugs to all of you!!