Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Our Own Suite Life
Surprise, surprise, today was filled with pretty much the same thing as the last few days...breakfast, playroom time, walking, a little shopping, lunch, nap, swimming, dinner and more walking. It is funny how acclimated Liam is to our hotel room and the elevators...A two year old knowing the guards and attendants, catching an elevator multiple times a day, having housekeeping come in several times a day... It be a great story if Disney didn't grab it first. That's okay, we're living our own "Suite Life" and sweet it is.
Andrew is feeling much better. His fever broke last night and he has taken it easy today. We have never seen ANYONE hug as hugely and genuinely as we did Liam for Andrew when we returned home from dinner last night and Andrew was at the door waiting for him. It is pure love!
After a day or two, everything in the hotel room becomes a toy. Liam not only helps me put things away, he finds new things to play with. One of the pictures is just that (yes, it is what you think it is...and no, I don't think Tampax had play toys in mind when they redesigned their packaging.) He quite likes to put things in the trash and has a grand time pulling everything out to play with at once, including food. Sounds like a typical two year old, doesn't he? It doesn't matter whether we're in a hotel room or house, the antics are classic across the world.
When we had Liam's health exam last week, the doctor looked in his ear and saw it was infected. We told her he was on meds and she cleaned it out and we went on our way. We didn't get our "real hearing exam", which I've heard consists of them ringing the bell near the child's head and seeing if they turn their head that way or not. We paid our money and went on our way, no big deal =) We figured his hearing is fine as he's figured out somewhere along the streets of Guangzhou, one of his shoes has lost it's "squeaker". He now has a lopsided squeak and it bothers him. They sound just fine, but only one squeak per full step as opposed to the two. This seems to perplex him as he'll try to go faster...nope. Still the same. He'll hold a foot up after taking a step...nope. Shoes still there. He then goes down on his knees after a step to see if that works. Of course it doesn't but it is so cute to see him try to figure out what's up with the squeaky. That is priceless. Guess what we're doing tomorrow? Yep, probably going to see if they have extra squeakers at the store. Who knows, we may be able to even get a good deal on them! =)
Today I got to swim with Liam. I actually went early to do my laps, which was an experience in itself. As I described the flocking at the walking street the other day, I realized it is just one of the cultural differences I won't understand. Another one is the personal space issue. Seems the pool doesn't have rules for personal space either, despite the lines that go along the bottom of the pool. I not only was the only female, I was the only one who swam strokes other than breaststroke and stayed in my lane. I got to thinking that maybe I am at fault and maybe their rules are when someone comes in your lane, you keep moving to the middle. That would have been fine except when I tried that, someone came in that lane, too. I don't mind sharing (there are no lane lines) but we are talking right next to me. I guess maybe somehow it could be considered a compliment and I should take it as that~which is what I did as I got out. It was a little hard to stay focused but I was grateful for the H2O time.
After I got out, my boys came down to the pool for Liam to swim with me and Andrew and Wade to go run on the treadmills. I thought maybe it would be hard to get him in the pool since my hair was slicked back from being wet and he doesn't seem to like that...but I was wrong. He and I went swimming, splashing and kicking and had a lovely time! I again began to fantasize of this little guy being "my swimmer" and us going to the pool each and every day back home...until Andrew came around from the gym and Little Man wanted NOTHING to do with me. He has the splashing concept down~right in my face. He only wanted Roo to swim with him. I stayed near and he kept a glaring eye on me, making sure I didn't get too close. It is so strange and yet so funny!
The pictures today are of our walking/shopping, a meal time or two (of course) and his inventive play toys. After this (and the fit that followed when I took them away), we went to a toy store and bought a few more little "real" toys for the room, one which "lost" its battery after only an hour! After dinner, Wade and Liam took a little walk and Liam discovered the light show on the sidewalk. The lights turn colors and he found that just fascinating...just as we do him! mct
Andrew is feeling much better. His fever broke last night and he has taken it easy today. We have never seen ANYONE hug as hugely and genuinely as we did Liam for Andrew when we returned home from dinner last night and Andrew was at the door waiting for him. It is pure love!
After a day or two, everything in the hotel room becomes a toy. Liam not only helps me put things away, he finds new things to play with. One of the pictures is just that (yes, it is what you think it is...and no, I don't think Tampax had play toys in mind when they redesigned their packaging.) He quite likes to put things in the trash and has a grand time pulling everything out to play with at once, including food. Sounds like a typical two year old, doesn't he? It doesn't matter whether we're in a hotel room or house, the antics are classic across the world.
When we had Liam's health exam last week, the doctor looked in his ear and saw it was infected. We told her he was on meds and she cleaned it out and we went on our way. We didn't get our "real hearing exam", which I've heard consists of them ringing the bell near the child's head and seeing if they turn their head that way or not. We paid our money and went on our way, no big deal =) We figured his hearing is fine as he's figured out somewhere along the streets of Guangzhou, one of his shoes has lost it's "squeaker". He now has a lopsided squeak and it bothers him. They sound just fine, but only one squeak per full step as opposed to the two. This seems to perplex him as he'll try to go faster...nope. Still the same. He'll hold a foot up after taking a step...nope. Shoes still there. He then goes down on his knees after a step to see if that works. Of course it doesn't but it is so cute to see him try to figure out what's up with the squeaky. That is priceless. Guess what we're doing tomorrow? Yep, probably going to see if they have extra squeakers at the store. Who knows, we may be able to even get a good deal on them! =)
Today I got to swim with Liam. I actually went early to do my laps, which was an experience in itself. As I described the flocking at the walking street the other day, I realized it is just one of the cultural differences I won't understand. Another one is the personal space issue. Seems the pool doesn't have rules for personal space either, despite the lines that go along the bottom of the pool. I not only was the only female, I was the only one who swam strokes other than breaststroke and stayed in my lane. I got to thinking that maybe I am at fault and maybe their rules are when someone comes in your lane, you keep moving to the middle. That would have been fine except when I tried that, someone came in that lane, too. I don't mind sharing (there are no lane lines) but we are talking right next to me. I guess maybe somehow it could be considered a compliment and I should take it as that~which is what I did as I got out. It was a little hard to stay focused but I was grateful for the H2O time.
After I got out, my boys came down to the pool for Liam to swim with me and Andrew and Wade to go run on the treadmills. I thought maybe it would be hard to get him in the pool since my hair was slicked back from being wet and he doesn't seem to like that...but I was wrong. He and I went swimming, splashing and kicking and had a lovely time! I again began to fantasize of this little guy being "my swimmer" and us going to the pool each and every day back home...until Andrew came around from the gym and Little Man wanted NOTHING to do with me. He has the splashing concept down~right in my face. He only wanted Roo to swim with him. I stayed near and he kept a glaring eye on me, making sure I didn't get too close. It is so strange and yet so funny!
The pictures today are of our walking/shopping, a meal time or two (of course) and his inventive play toys. After this (and the fit that followed when I took them away), we went to a toy store and bought a few more little "real" toys for the room, one which "lost" its battery after only an hour! After dinner, Wade and Liam took a little walk and Liam discovered the light show on the sidewalk. The lights turn colors and he found that just fascinating...just as we do him! mct
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
I'd gladly pay you on Tuesday...
Howdy all,
Happy 18th of September! No idea what special has happened or will happen on that date in history, but hey, we'll just tell you what "normally" happened over here in the Middle Kingdom.
The day started off per usual. The highlight of every day (at least for Andrew) is breakfast. Not only the most important meal of the day, but here in Guangzhou, the most identifiable. The Eating Machine, which contary to all that we've said before, is the most literal translation of "Shan Le Yang" was as happy (as also per usual) as a pig in slop. (see picture in next post) Or a monkey in a banana tree. Drew, however, was not feeling his oats. He said that his eyes hurt and they were red and a li'l puffy. So whilst TEM and Wade went to the playroom after breakfast, Andrew went up to the room for a benedryl and some rest. We thought it was some sort of allergy. Andrew is known for his daily auditions for Fear Factor Guangzhou and will eat ANYTHING. So we thought that that was probably it.
Anyway, later in the morning, Mari, Wade, and Liam decided to give the new toddler backpack a try and exercise our urban land navigation skills and try to find the shopping district we went to the other day (by the Pearl Market). The backpack worked like a charm. (see picture in the following post) However, Wade's city-trailblazing skills were a tad rusty. Although, in his defense, lots of stuff rusts in heat and humidity like this. Long story short (and relatively short distance longer than it actually needed to be), our intrepid shoppers made it in the same three pieces in which they started. Littlest, however, took advantage of the 95 degree heat, the swaying motion, and Daddy's all too soft deltoids to rack out...leaving not only a nose dent in Dad's neck, but just a smidge of sweat. We did this exploration run with Tracie, Ericka, and Abby--the other CHI gals in our mini-group.
While on our "off the beaten path" excursion, we saw some areas that probably aren't frequented by your typical foreigners. Although only just a teensy bit off course (as in "No, Mari, I SWEAR that the pink buildings that we are looking for are just behind that next decrepit old structure thingie right there."), we got to see shops that don't have the prices posted anywhere...if'n you get my meaning. We saw folks spreading out thier mushrooms (and their seahorses...yes, I wrote seahorses) to dry on the sidewalk before slappin' them up for sale. We saw a couple of medical supply stores open to the general public. The cobalt blue lead vests for x-ray patients are quite stylish and go well with the matching rib spreaders, I must admit. Through these travels and travails, however, our fearless band had high spirits...and high steps over some of the more aromatic sewer grates. (And hey, navigation is ALWAYS easier from the air. Seriously.)
Up and down "Up and Down" street, we gladly exhanged different colored pieces of paper for cute baby outfits and other necessities. Feeling a bit peckish after our ever-so-slightly long cut, we decided to hit the McDonald's over looking the main shopping plaza. TEM was running on all cylinders as he devoured a Quarter Pounder with Cheese (and also, incidentally with cucumbers and some sort of spicy, um, mayonnaise/sauce/industrial lubricant) in no time flat. (see picture in following post) He is going to be the total All-American boy: diggin' his burgers and he is totally hooked on Coke in all it's insidious forms (Coca-Cola, Coke Light, Fanta, Sprite). Not crazy 'bout the fries, though. We'll see how he does on Tsing Tao soon, I guess.
After further adventures in swapping wampum for textiles, we picked up some McNuggets, fries, and a Fanta for Andrew and headed back on a MUCH shorter path...found by Wade by using some sort of instinctual homing mechanism, like the Capistrano swallows, or Chinook salmon, or maybe just remembering where the bus took us yesterday. When we got back Andrew was still the same, but Liam was REALLY happy to see him. So happy, amidst the giggles and squeals, that he decided that a nap would only cut into the joy of the day. The joy was only added to by eating all of Andrew's McNuggets (minus the breading, of course).
On an aside, we've been asking (as I'm sure you've read) since we checked in to have a room with one king size bed in addition to the crib and the rollaway. Up to now, however, we've been very Ozzie and Harriet in our slabs of twin beds. Management said, every morning and afternoon, that they were booked solid and, sorry, would not be able to move us. Today, though, Wade noticed that the next door room was being cleaned and, miracle of miracles, it had a king size bed. Quick as a bunny (assuming that a bunny could somehow hit the second floor button on the elevator), he was down at the reception desk. Even more miraculously, after checking with a few other people behind the desk, the clerk said that the room would be ours as soon as it was cleaned. Oh happy day! After the "it will be ready in about twelve minutes" stretched past the hour point, we did actually move.
Andrew, however, wasn't ready to do much moving at all. We had a dinner with a bunch of the other families scheduled at the Thai place (Cow and Bridge), but 'Roo wasn't feeling up to it. So we left him with instructions to finish his religion homework and maybe some other reading. Liam had a blast, eating most of Wade's noodle plate and a good chunk of Mari's. He fell into a deep post-bacchinal slumber on the stroller ride back to the hotel. When we got up to the room, Andrew was asleep still, now with a fever. We're sure that it is just some sort of virus, and with a motrin in him, hopefully the fever will break tonight. More to follow.
Although not any "important" day on the calendar, today Liam learned to say "please" for his cookies, had fun playing "take this to Andrew, take this to Mommy", and was surrounded by a family that love, love, loves him! A pretty great day in anyone's book. :0)
Happy 18th of September! No idea what special has happened or will happen on that date in history, but hey, we'll just tell you what "normally" happened over here in the Middle Kingdom.
The day started off per usual. The highlight of every day (at least for Andrew) is breakfast. Not only the most important meal of the day, but here in Guangzhou, the most identifiable. The Eating Machine, which contary to all that we've said before, is the most literal translation of "Shan Le Yang" was as happy (as also per usual) as a pig in slop. (see picture in next post) Or a monkey in a banana tree. Drew, however, was not feeling his oats. He said that his eyes hurt and they were red and a li'l puffy. So whilst TEM and Wade went to the playroom after breakfast, Andrew went up to the room for a benedryl and some rest. We thought it was some sort of allergy. Andrew is known for his daily auditions for Fear Factor Guangzhou and will eat ANYTHING. So we thought that that was probably it.
Anyway, later in the morning, Mari, Wade, and Liam decided to give the new toddler backpack a try and exercise our urban land navigation skills and try to find the shopping district we went to the other day (by the Pearl Market). The backpack worked like a charm. (see picture in the following post) However, Wade's city-trailblazing skills were a tad rusty. Although, in his defense, lots of stuff rusts in heat and humidity like this. Long story short (and relatively short distance longer than it actually needed to be), our intrepid shoppers made it in the same three pieces in which they started. Littlest, however, took advantage of the 95 degree heat, the swaying motion, and Daddy's all too soft deltoids to rack out...leaving not only a nose dent in Dad's neck, but just a smidge of sweat. We did this exploration run with Tracie, Ericka, and Abby--the other CHI gals in our mini-group.
While on our "off the beaten path" excursion, we saw some areas that probably aren't frequented by your typical foreigners. Although only just a teensy bit off course (as in "No, Mari, I SWEAR that the pink buildings that we are looking for are just behind that next decrepit old structure thingie right there."), we got to see shops that don't have the prices posted anywhere...if'n you get my meaning. We saw folks spreading out thier mushrooms (and their seahorses...yes, I wrote seahorses) to dry on the sidewalk before slappin' them up for sale. We saw a couple of medical supply stores open to the general public. The cobalt blue lead vests for x-ray patients are quite stylish and go well with the matching rib spreaders, I must admit. Through these travels and travails, however, our fearless band had high spirits...and high steps over some of the more aromatic sewer grates. (And hey, navigation is ALWAYS easier from the air. Seriously.)
Up and down "Up and Down" street, we gladly exhanged different colored pieces of paper for cute baby outfits and other necessities. Feeling a bit peckish after our ever-so-slightly long cut, we decided to hit the McDonald's over looking the main shopping plaza. TEM was running on all cylinders as he devoured a Quarter Pounder with Cheese (and also, incidentally with cucumbers and some sort of spicy, um, mayonnaise/sauce/industrial lubricant) in no time flat. (see picture in following post) He is going to be the total All-American boy: diggin' his burgers and he is totally hooked on Coke in all it's insidious forms (Coca-Cola, Coke Light, Fanta, Sprite). Not crazy 'bout the fries, though. We'll see how he does on Tsing Tao soon, I guess.
After further adventures in swapping wampum for textiles, we picked up some McNuggets, fries, and a Fanta for Andrew and headed back on a MUCH shorter path...found by Wade by using some sort of instinctual homing mechanism, like the Capistrano swallows, or Chinook salmon, or maybe just remembering where the bus took us yesterday. When we got back Andrew was still the same, but Liam was REALLY happy to see him. So happy, amidst the giggles and squeals, that he decided that a nap would only cut into the joy of the day. The joy was only added to by eating all of Andrew's McNuggets (minus the breading, of course).
On an aside, we've been asking (as I'm sure you've read) since we checked in to have a room with one king size bed in addition to the crib and the rollaway. Up to now, however, we've been very Ozzie and Harriet in our slabs of twin beds. Management said, every morning and afternoon, that they were booked solid and, sorry, would not be able to move us. Today, though, Wade noticed that the next door room was being cleaned and, miracle of miracles, it had a king size bed. Quick as a bunny (assuming that a bunny could somehow hit the second floor button on the elevator), he was down at the reception desk. Even more miraculously, after checking with a few other people behind the desk, the clerk said that the room would be ours as soon as it was cleaned. Oh happy day! After the "it will be ready in about twelve minutes" stretched past the hour point, we did actually move.
Andrew, however, wasn't ready to do much moving at all. We had a dinner with a bunch of the other families scheduled at the Thai place (Cow and Bridge), but 'Roo wasn't feeling up to it. So we left him with instructions to finish his religion homework and maybe some other reading. Liam had a blast, eating most of Wade's noodle plate and a good chunk of Mari's. He fell into a deep post-bacchinal slumber on the stroller ride back to the hotel. When we got up to the room, Andrew was asleep still, now with a fever. We're sure that it is just some sort of virus, and with a motrin in him, hopefully the fever will break tonight. More to follow.
Although not any "important" day on the calendar, today Liam learned to say "please" for his cookies, had fun playing "take this to Andrew, take this to Mommy", and was surrounded by a family that love, love, loves him! A pretty great day in anyone's book. :0)
Monday, September 17, 2007
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