Naptime

These photos above were taken after McDonald's and the mall in Beijing. We were very sleepy. The heat will tire anyone. But we enjoy strolling along the mall. I think tonight we may try to go back. It looks like there is an outdoor market type thing. It is still very hot, but I'd like to check it out. I wish I'd have known these things earlier. I may not have went a little stir crazy. Anyway, we are enjoying ourselves much more.

We've learned a lot about our little guy in a week. I'll give you a little synopsis. Say, 20 random things about my Jace:

1. He LOVES to eat! Especially fried rice! ALso, he eats most veggies, shoots, etc. But he can 'put away' rice, pork and chicken. Makes me want to learn to cook his foods. I want him to be able to still enjoy those.
2. He smiles a lot. And laughs. He is genuinely VERY silly and mimics everything you do! He also imitates signs.
3. He loves people. Especially the men in the group, but will go to anyone who wants him. But lately he glances at me first to check. I like that.
4. His feet can smell up a room quickly! Even in sandals!!! Whew!
5. He LOVES the bath. Tells me 'no' when it is time to get out. But I make sure I win ;)
6. He will sit on the potty anytime and be able to go. He is potty trained for sure. However, if in a public place, if I miss his 'sign' to go, he will go in his pull-up. He wakes up dry every morning.
7. He is extremely smart. Show him 1 time, and he knows it.
8. He hates to walk a lot. Makes me carry him more than I want to.
9. He needs to work on going up and down steps and his balance is off.
10. He will go down for a nap/bedtime without a fuss if he has toys from that days play in the bed. And me, of course ;)
11. He dresses himself and is very independent, very routine with it. Thank you, Nannies from the institute.
12. He LOVES cars and trains! But will entertain himself with anything except tv--no attention span for tv.
13. He is a 'kisser' for sure. Will kiss on demand.
14. He also loves puzzles or anything flashing or moving.
15. He doesn't like fast, rough play--makes him scared and he cries.
16. He wakes up happy and wants to look out the window every morning.
17. He loves his cross my mom got him. He shows it to me a lot.
18. He will not let me take things out of his hands (especially food and CANDY). If I do, he fights me. Bites my shoulders and scratches my back. Again, not hatefully! But enough to let me know he is mad. I can always wrestle him into affection afterward.
19. He loves flashcards with pictures-I wish I had more.
20. He has stolen this momma's heart for sure!
Shannon Pierro
www.ourdeafson.blogspot.com

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