Travel to Guangzhou

Friday was traveling day. We left the hotel in Nanchang at 1:15pm. Due to delays the flight never left until around 5pm or so. By the time we got settled into our room here at the China Hotel we were all very tired and hungry. While Tonya tried to get Noelle to sleep Robin and I snuck over to McDonald's which is right beside the hotel. It was very similar to back home except they put thinly sliced cucumbers in place of the lettuce. I liked it much better this way. We pretty much crashed after that. Noelle had that cough thing again in the night which made for a not so good night of sleeping for Tonya and I. Robin pretty much remains comatose through any commotion that goes on during her sleepy time.

Today was another busy day. Noelle had her medical exam this morning. After her exam the doctor had us come into another room by ourselves with 2 other doctors and our guide. They were all just staring at her and talking in Chinese. We were a little concerned for a few minutes. They were discussing whether or not she might be younger than what her paperwork says because she wasn't walking and talking and they thought that for her age she should. Finally, they told us that it was okay to go back on the bus. That's the only time this week anyone has ever questioned her development.

From there we went shopping at a 6 story department store...very fancy. We bought some grocery and baby items along with an outfit and toys for Noelle. It was an interesting experience. Quite a few Chinese ladies came up and tried to interact with Noelle. It was pretty fun. This afternoon Tonya had a 2 hour paperwork meeting in our guides room. I got baby duty. It was just what Noelle and I needed for bonding. First I got to change a very messy poop. All the poops have been firm until this one. It was everywhere! (our hands, the bedspread, the onesie, etc. etc.) Noelle fell asleep in my arms without crying for mommy. I could not be happier today.

Right now it's 8:30pm and we are having some delicious burgers that we ordered from room service. Robin is with her new friends and their families out on a shopping trip. We felt that we needed to stay in with Noelle tonight. Tomorrow is going to be more of a relaxing day. We are ready for one of those.

A funny side story: Tonya was having a piece of Robin's white chocolate Dove bar the other day while holding Noelle. While eating the chocolate she looked at Noelle and noticed that she looked like she was trying to give mommy a kiss. Tonya leaned forward to kiss her and Noelle stuck her slimy little tongue in mommy's mouth in an effort to get a taste of the succulent Dove bar. It grossed Tonya out pretty bad at the time. It was not expected. That's just one example of how observant and quick our daughter is. She has been cracking us up often.

Hopefully she sleeps good tonight without much coughing. We gave her some Tylenol and a nice bottle of formula with rice cereal. Hope that works. Well, gotta finish my yummy burger and organize some things. We'll try and post photos and video before we go to bed tonight.