Happy to Report

...that last night was MUCH better for us. After a 2 1/2 hour nap, Jace was feeling much better. We went to the acrobatic show and dinner, which was more of the same, but enjoyable. The food really is good. I am just tired of the same things. And last night was the first night I ate without sweating all over. It was calm and relaxing. After dinner, we got back to the hotel and I gave Jace a LONG bath. HE played a lot in the tub. He loves it. I skyped with hubby for a long time too.


Today, we slept in. We will not meet for site seeing. A dear friend who has 'been there done that' gave me a little tip. There is a play area in the mall about 4 blocks down from the hotel. We will do that today. And maybe swim. We have to wear swim caps here--that should be a site! Oh well, Jace won't care what I look like!


I want to thank all who are praying. I feel like myself today. I didn't know I could opt out of all the activities as much as I needed to. Our agency recently suggested that I take it easy. Just what the dr. ordered! I will post more tonight!


Signed,
Seeing the Light

Ron sent me this before he left for work. I miss them so much!! I can so see Jace right in the middle of all of those limbs intertwined! lol! Can wait to see them!

Not Coping Too Well

Today we visited a Tea house and the Beijing Zoo...

The tea house was cool. I liked tasting the different teas--even if it was 100+ degrees outside!!! Nothing like tasting hot tea with a smile on your face and sweat running down your boobs and back. Oh, lets not forget holding an also sweating toddler who wants very much to upset the tea cart. But, hey....let's move on to the zoo scene....

Hot + Hazy + Humid= 3 MISERABLE ADOPTIVE FAMILIES IN BEIJING!!!! Ugh!!! Come on! How much more can this girl take??????? Can you tell I am starting to unravel? Here's the deal...

I am ecstatic to be here to get my little boy. My sweet, adorable, God given little boy. BUT, I hate everything else!! I hate the schedule! I hate it that my son misses out on nap time while being transported place to place to place! I hate going outside and walking for hours in what feels like a huge sauna with 30 million non-smiling, nasty-look giving, rude and pushy people! I hate feeling like I will get hit by a car or a hurling 'loogy' or anything else!!!! I hate it that after standing in this sauna we go to a restaurant and eat FRIED EVERYTHING. I hate it that there is not a healthy dish ANYWHERE!! I hate it that I haven't worked out in FOREVER--unless you call toting a 40 pound hot, squirming toddler around for hours without a stroller because your guide promised to get you one and never did-exercise.

I miss my family. I miss American food. And ice in my drink. All I want is a big, fat, COLD, healthy salad. And maybe a glass of wine.

To my family and friends...sorry to vent. I am really stir crazy here. I didn't let on to any of this complaining before now for a reason. Now, I just don't care. This blog entry is really for all the adoptive moms before me. Help!! How did YOU handle it????

Please pray for us. Even Alex sits on the bus with her ears plugged into an ipod. That's how she copes.

Signed,
Sweating in Beijing

photos: http://www.dropshots.com/shannonpierro#date/2010-07-28/00:06:01

Pearl Market and Summer Palace

Ok...

Today was the Summer Palace and Pearl Market.

The Pearl Market was interesting. We learned about fresh water pearls and how to know the real from a fake. We got a little demonstration and the girls opened an oyster to show us how many pearls were actually inside. We guessed only one. One pearl actually had about 15 inside. We also learned the colors...white, pink, lavender and black. Of course my favorite--the black--was most expensive...figures!

Then onto the Summer Palace. Beautiful place. The pictures just won't do it justice. Our guide was pretty informative, but unfortunately I couldn't really listen to him as Jace was having a meltdown. Yes, I said 'meltdown'. Today is the day he decided to show me his naughty side. I am thanking God there is a naughty side to see. I was beginning to get worried that he was only trying to please me by being a 'good boy' all the time. Although, I did see a bit of it yesterday when he tried to bite me in the restaurant-although gently-he still bit me. So this is what happens. If his feelings are hurt, or he is mad, he first throws whatever is in his hands or anything near him. He tries to grip anything in his path to send sailing throughout the room. So of course, I pick him up to walk away from the situation. As I walk away from our little 'scenario', he very discreetly scrapes his nails on my back. If that doesn't work, he then acts like he is putting his head on my shoulder to rest, but instead bites me. Not hard at all, but enough to let me know he is P.O'd...IF THAT doesn't work, he wiggles out of my arms and goes as limp as a noodle to the ground. Well....guess what? It doesn't work. I don't LET it work. I pick him up and hold him and kiss him until he stops fighting me. He must not be used to crying for very long--it doesn't last more than about 3 minutes. I want him to know that he can test me all he wants to-Momma's not ever leaving and he will never get away with hurting me.

It was actually funny when he was trying to bite me. The look in his eyes said "I am mad, but I am afraid to hurt you". Honestly, he likes the correction from me. He cozies in my lap afterward. I love it.

Hope you enjoy the pics!!!!

www.dropshots.com/shannonpierro

Until tomorrow!!
Shannon