Consulate Day

Today started off very early as we had an 8:30 consluate appointment.

Basically what this day meant was the paperwork to issue her Visa to come into the US - and giving us the documents that we will hand over to immigration on landing on US soil that will make her an automatic US citizen when her feet touch US soil.

No pictures are allowed in the consulate area, so we took a picture by the sign.

 

She had a nice patriotic dress on, that she promptly spilled chocolate milk down and ruined.  Guess that's what she thinks of the U.S. :)

 

My funny for the day was my tale of the avoidance of all things that start with the word squat.  and end with pot.  

 

The Consulate totally rocked a toilet with a seat.   We were done quick..and had about 2 hours to kill till others were done with their appointment.  So we wandered around... and I went a on search for a toliet.  I went to about 4- all were squatty potties.  I. Just. Can't. Do. It.

 

Finally we were sitting in the lobby of the building of where the consluate is located.  That is on the 5th floor.  Floors 1-4 do not have western toilets.   My guide tried to convince me that 'floor 4 squatties were clean- so go there'.  Nope.

 

So what did I do- I grabbed my  most important document.  My US Passport.  Went back through security.  Sat and pleaded my case with the guard for enterance into the US consulate for a 2nd time - with my reason of 'I need a Western toilet' (Seriously people, I did)  I can only imagine what they were thinking (something like STUPID SPOILED AMERICAN). 

 

I didn't care- the power of my US passport got me a potty with a seat.  Amen.

 

(And Jen, I can't take a picture because in every single bathroom I've used someone's job is to stand there... and stare.. I can't be like, hey, just gonna poke my camera in here to take a pic!)

 

So anyways, we waited for the 2 other families with appointments today to be done & off we went to a Chinese bookstore.

 

On the way there, we had the dueling annoying "Xiyangyang" guns.  (which, as our guide pointed out, wasn't the BEST choice of toy to bring to the US consulate appointment when we have to go through security). 

 

Gus and Charlie rocking out the annoying songs in the van.

 



 

We got some books & such..and came back to the room where we had noodles for lunch and then Charlie and Daddy took a loooong nap.    She needed it- she was crank.

 

Dinner we met up with some different groups of people.  But it was kinda a fail.  They chose a Japanese resturant which when we got there we realized wasn't going to work with our girl.

 

She needs her food when she spots it..and watching it 'cook' on a grill wasn't going to bode well.  So we had to leave.  

 

We found an Irish Pub run by an authentic Irish Dude (as opposed to the fake Chinese Irish dude)... and  they got us french fries ASAP..and the food was YUMMY.  Even real mashed potatoes.  It was perfect for us. 

 

Now we are back to the room.  And she's sitting on my lap as I type.  She did this yesterday too & Kurt took a picture...

 



Also from yesterday, we ordered the best Pizza in China to our room.  We ate the entire large.  And Charlie loved it...

The other big moment for us today is she called me mama.  Just once.  It was when I was changing her diaper.  Usually I do it and she says Ayi (which is aunt/caregiver in Chinese..and what they would call their nannies).   Today instead of Ayi, she said 'Mama'.   Ah, yes... yhea!

Little. Tiny. Baby. Steps.  That's what we are taking right now.

Tomorrow is our last day in Guangzhou.  We get her visa in the afternoon and take the van to Hong Kong where we will overnight for our flight home.

There's finally a light at the end of the tunnel.  We are so close.  Please continue your prayers for these last steps to fall into place. 

Over and out.  Last night on mainland China.