Tantrums, Pearls & An Island

So let me clarify- the first tantrum of the day- it was all mine.

I went there again & it was bad.  I checked out... and I'm not at all proud of it.

It was a super dooper mega bad morning for me.  I was in this bad place that I don't ever really want to go to again.

It's not my proudest moment- mom, wife, person- or otherwise.....  but I couldn't help it. 

Breakfast was a blur of emotion.  Skyped mom for some serious mom-therapy.  Broke down...and curled up in the bed with the covers over my head and had my tantrum.

Rock Star hubby took over.  He has been aaaamazing here!  We had to go get Charlie's TB test checked..and he just took her - without me asking.  Giving me a few hours to have my tantrum.  Take a bath.  Read my book...and recoup.

And I did recoup.  Let me just say this again.  Adoption is HARD!  Hardest thing I have ever done. Period.

This morning was not rainbows and unicorns - but this afternoon and evening is throwing some definite glimpses of color! 

So Kurt came back to the room to get me because we have 5 minutes till we went to the Pearl Market & Shaiman Island for some shopping.

My tantrum and subsequent try to recover left us woefully unprepared for the afternoon events in the fact that I just had zoned out too much to get my act together to grab enough money to get what I truely would have liked to get.   Oh well. 

Anyways, I got some hugs when I met up with the group.  A few more tears.  And my tantrum ended.

The prayers got me through.  Thank you.

So off we went to the Pearl Market....

That's our guide Richard in the red.  Notice how he's WITH US as he guides us... he's pretty much a rockstar too.  Really like Richard.  And he has a definate love for orphans and the job he does.

I really wanted to get Charlie a jade necklace in China.  I love jade much more than pearls.  And I wanted to get her a jade necklace with her zodiac sign.  That is what I wanted her special gift to be.  And so I accomplished that....

I also did purchase her a strand of pearls for her wedding day.   I have several at home my dad brought back for me but I wanted to give her the ones we got on her adoption trip. 

This is the lady stringing Charlie's pearls.

I also got some jade bead bracelets made for all three of my girls & my rockstar mom! 

From there we headed to the 'Island' (Shaiman Island).  This is the Island that the US Consulate (and all other foreign consulates) used to be located on.  It's history is that last century China was closed off to the world & only allowed foreigners on this Island- and would cross the bridge over to do business.   

It has a very European influance to it.....

It's only been the last few years that the US Consluate moved off the island- and subsequently- so did all the adoptions.  This used to be 'the hub' of adoptions- and anyone who adopted prior to probably 2010 has a lot of memories of this island. 

For locals- there are MANY who come for photo shoots- mostly brides & fashion models...

This is where we did our shopping too- but due to my poor planning, we lacked the funds to get a lot.  Thankfully I know several SUPER AWESOME chinese chics (talking about you Lisa & Shup) that head to China every year & can pick me up anything I decide we should have... also- we have a really cool Chinatown in Chicago.  So we'll be ok.

Sorry for those expecting souviners... um.. you arn't really getting any.  :)

I had enough for some stuff for Charlie & for my girls.  And that's about what we did.

Then we walked around- even though it was SO SO hot again.. taking in the Island.

The Polish Embassy is still hopping on the island and I tried to get a pic for you Magda but the Chinese guard outside tackled me almost.   No pictures- of Mao.  Or Polish Embassies.

This 'child' statue is famous in the adoption world.  Everyone poses their kid with it.  We thought she'd be terrified- but she rocked it- like the little stoic she is proving to be.   Such a brave girl.

She can tackle anything with a juice box and some rice cakes in hand! :)

I am cute.  And I am aware I have rice cake crumbs ALL OVER MY FACE.  

If you recall, the orphanage said her favorite thing to do is play outside.  Really?  Cuz stupid orphanage, I'm pretty sure she's never seen an plant.

By 3, we were done. Hot, sweaty and no money.  Time to go back to the hotel.

Oh, perhaps our regret for a purchase.

The little laser gun that sings the super annoying theme song to Pleasant Goat (which is HUGE here).  I'm not joking..the theme song is seriously annoying.   And she, of course, loves it!

She loved it so much that we came back to the hotel- and thanks to Lisa's super awesome instructions on the Chinese translation of Pleasant Goat on the Chinese You Tube- we got her some videos to watch.

Oh, but this was after she crashed out.  She won't let me hold her or touch her when she's upset or tried.  So I couldn't lay her on me or into me.... So this was nap. Looks comfy, no?

We decided to try the pool again. 

Hence you think I am lying about the fits?

I'm not.

This was a result of both the fact that I used 'splish splash' to refer to the pool & she knows that for the bath.  And was PISSED when I put on her swimsuit and not her neeked body in the tub.... and the fact that she didn't like Winnie the Pooh on her swimmer. 

But... we got to our pool

And she was happy....

We had a good swim.  And came up and took that splish slash.

And she even let me wash her without freaking out about doing it herself. 

Then I ordered some pizza from Oggies & it was AWESOME. 

And little miss loved it.

And she's been running around happy, laughing, smiling & playing.  See, the colors of that rainbow- coming out.

Right now she's making us play that ever so annoying Pleasant Goat toy so she can dance to it.

Tomorrow is a big day for us & this process.  It's the US Consulate appointment.  We have to leave super early (7:50am meet up) which means we'll miss our morning skype with the girls.  :(

But tomorrow is the appointment that allows her to be the US citizen when she lands.  Big day.

And so our day of tantrums & shopping is coming to a close.   Each step closer to home & closer to glimpses of the little girl that is our daughter.

What will tomorrow bring? (hopefully not another meltdown from mom!). :)