Medical Exam & Friendship Store

Hi All,


For some reason, we are having trouble posting and have not been able to load our pictures from Saturday...we will keep trying! But, in the mean time, I will catch you up on what our Saturday was like.


We started our day with a wonderful breakfast in the hotel "Veranda Cafe". Kylie continues to be quite the eater. She loves her congee or oatmeal w/banana, chinese sausage, eggs and rolls. The rest of our travel group arrived in Guangzhou late last night. We met up with many of them at breakfast. There are quite a variety of ages of children...both boys and girls. Most of the little ones have some sort of special need. There are 12 families including ourselves. It is fun to hear everyone's experiences in the different provinces.


We left the hotel at 9:30am with our entire travel group to go to Shamian Island for the medical exam that is required by the US government. This is for any chinese citizen who wants to apply for a visa to go to the U.S. Again, this was a flurry of activity as we waited to go to three different stations...ENT, measurements, and physical exam. These we all very superficial and quite a matter of formality. Our guide, Liniker, prepared us for what to expect by saying not to count on this for a medical check-up. He laughingly said that if our doctor at home did an exam like this one, that we should be looking for a new doctor. Kylie sat and waited with us, just taking it all in . Hank and I went into each station...Kelsey and Kennan followed along documenting the entire experience with their cameras. The first station we went to was the ENT. She did fine with the ear check, but sure did not like having someone look into her mouth. She did seem quite secure in Daddy's lap and was easily consoled with a few cheerios. Next was the measurement station. The took her weight and a few measurements. There were two nurses or doctors there and it was difficult to see what the results were. At the last station they checked her body...she did just fine at that one as well.

After the exams, we went to a place called the Friendship Store. It was a seven story building with everything from what you would find at a very nice department store to groceries all in one location. We got a few grocery items and made a stop in the toddlers department for a new jacket for Kylie. It is really interesting how it works. In each department the sales clerk will write up a receipt for what you want to purchase. You go to the cashier on that floor to pay and then they bring all your items to you from the various departments on that floor. The grocery section you pay for your items there. Also, the Chinese government requires individuals to provide or purchase their own bags for grocery shopping...this is an attempt to "go green".

While we were walking around the Friendship Store, we experienced a first with Kylie Grace...we heard her giggle for the first time. Now, mind you, she has had plenty of smiles but this was the first out loud giggle!!!! It was so precious.

We returned to the hotel for a free afternoon for Hank and the kids. Mean while, I had a paperwork meeting with Liniker and Amy (our guides) and a parent from each of the other families. We spent about two hours filling out all the forms that would be necessary to submit to the US Consulate to obtain the visas for our children. I must say, I am glad that I had made a notebook and organized all the forms in it. It sure made the process a bit easier. Yeah!!!! It sure felt good to get that behind us. Our forms will be submitted to the US Consulate for us on Tuesday by our guides.

We had some fun and precious moments watching Kylie as she lets us see a little bit more of her personality. She has begun to show us her silly side. We continue to be amazed and are quite amused at her meticulous side...she will let you know if she has a crumb or a drip that needs to be wiped up, as well as push in any open drawers. She is also a very good "picker-upper" when it is time to clean up her toys when we are done playing. She is precious and I love her so very much.

Thank you to those of you who have left comments...it is such fun to hear from you. Also, I really appreciate your words of encouragement to "hang in there". I truly am grateful that Kylie feels comfortable with her Daddy and Kelsey and Kennan. I continue to stay right beside Hank as he does all the Daddy things...feeding, bathing, diapering, putting to bed. I help prepare things for her to eat and hand him things...so at least I am right there. Kelsey and Kennan have fun with her when it is play time. I know that my turn will come. As Hank said...until then we will continue to wait with hope.

A grateful Mommy,
Cheryl