Shamian Island

Today we had to get Alex's TB test read- it was all clear! Thank you God! Many times the kids from the orphanage will come back with a false positive which then adds the step of a chest x ray so we were glad it was clear and we are done with the medical stuff. Poor Alex, they read the test in the same room where they give the shots and she starting screaming and crying so loud. Everyone was talking to her in Chinese and telling her 'no more shots' but she wasn't happy until we left the room. She is such a smart girl!

After reading her test we were free to roam around Shamian Island while the rest of our group had their medical checks. In our group there are 27 families who have adopted children from all over China. Alex's province just happens to be the capital province so we have been in the same city the whole time, which allowed us to get our medical checks earlier in the week. The families that arrived late Friday had to get their medical exams today.

Shamian Island is really nice and quaint. There are 2 or 3 hotels mostly filled with westerns and people adopting from China. There are many little shops that cater to the adopted families selling all sorts of baby items and souvenirs from China. The island is pretty torn up right now (as is the whole city) due to the Asian games coming to Guangzhou this November. The whole city is getting a make over so there is construction everywhere! It will be so beautiful when it is done. There are few places on the island where the walkways are complete and it is really nice. It is such a beautiful island that you see many models and brides getting their pictures taken. I have no idea how they can stay cool and get good shots when there is literally steam coming up from the streets! I found my Starbucks on the island so I got my iced latte and I was much happier!

Alex has been talking to Avery on Skype and it is pretty funny. Avery's saying hello in Chinese and Alex is saying hi in English. Alex's personality continues to show through everyday! So much for a quiet child. She may be my loudest one yet! It does help that she is loud and happy. Even the Chinese people think she is hysterical and can't help but laugh along with her. We are so lucky!

P.S. The picture of the squatty potty is for Avery- she really wanted to see what it looked like. There are many places with western toilets but whenever you really need to go this is what is staring back at you- it's an adventure!