Put the Octopus in the Mesh Bag

There's this cute little list that went around Facebook a while back to help prepare parents, adoptive or otherwise, for what it's like to live with a toddler. http://community.babycenter.com/post/a25875471/11_steps_to_becoming_a_parent

They are humorous suggestions to prepare potential parents for the "real world" of child-rearing. One of the moms on this trip and I were talking about it the other day. This was her favorite:

1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.
2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out.
3. Time allowed for this - all morning.

Today I feel like I may have gone 8 rounds with the octopus. The flight was good actually as far as all things go. Gabriel wasn't upset by the plane or the noise. He cried through take off because he had to sit in my lap instead of stand in the aisle. He napped through most of the flight, starting about 10:15 am. The last flight, to Zhengzhou, we got to see (not hear) most of the movie 2 Guns. Today it was 12 Years A Slave. Also, I had mom take this picture, below, because I've decided to augment my income by hiring myself out as a Sherpa. If you know anyone who needs a Sherpa, several parents today said they were also Sherpas-in-training. 

We landed at noon on the dot, and were out of the airport baggage claim by 1 pm. The ensuing shuffle to the van, to the hotel, to the room and wait for the luggage porter meant that Gabe did to get his afternoon nap. At 3:30 when things were calm it was too late to put him down, so we just juggled the octopus and the mesh bag. Anything he wanted, he wanted right now so he cried to get it. When he got it, he didn't want it anymore so he cried. If he didn't get what he wanted (boiling hot pitcher of water down from the shelf) he also cried. It was quite the afternoon. 

At 4 we went in search of the kiddie play area on the 4th floor and found a nice outdoor play set near a water feature. It was good to see him run and play and get all that pent up energy out. We joined another family at the dinner table about 6 pm and we all watched in amazement as I fed Gabe bite after bite of pork dumpling. There were 8 on the plate and he demolished 7. As one bowlful was emptied he tipped the whole thing up to his face to catch any remaining crumbs. He also helped me tackle sweet and sour pork. 

We have had bathtime (more expending energy!) and he is now quietly snoozing. You can please pray for more complete rest. I know he needs his sleep tonight to recharge those batteries! He is such an easy-going kid; he's not usually an octopus!! Also he had a cute shirt on for the flight, but it came off at one some point this crazy afternoon at the hotel.