Well, we started the last leg of our amazing China journey by flying into Beijing late Friday evening and meeting up with 13 other families from Children's Bridge adopting babies from other provinces. We didn't get settled into our hotel rooms until around 11:30pm which made for a long day. We are staying at the TianTan Hotel in south Beijing, a few blocks from the Temple of Heaven and the Pearl Market - Jane is in her glory. Given the late arrival in Beijing, we shifted the Great Wall visit to Sunday and spent a "quiet" day settling in with our new additions. On Saturday, Steve also celebrated his 33rd(?) birthday.
With a population of over 17 million people, Beijing is the capital, and cultural and political centre of China. It will play host to the 2008 Summer Olympic Games from August 8 - 24.
Alice and Quinn (Shiyan orphanage mates) spent several hours playing with each other and with the other Loten and Ottman clan members on Saturday. It was (is) quite amusing watching Alice and Quinn interact - they display a lot of the rough and tumble nature that we are assuming occupied their days in the orphanage. They tossed crayons, ate chalk, fought over cookies and miniature cakes, sending crumbs in all directions, shredded an orange, throwing orange peel across the room and taking turns sucking the juice out. The funniest of all was when Alice (the older of the 2 and apparent "leader"), was feeding a yogurt drink to Quinn, dousing the 2 of them and the room floor with the white liquid. Did we mention that this was all in the Lotens' room :). Though the above description may set off the alarm bells, the 2 have made great progress over the past week or so.
Steve, though happy to have a man on his side, is getting a little worn out. Sir Quinn is Ba Ba's boy, always wanting to be with Daddy. Though Quinn knows who Ma Ma is and offers a kiss or hug when requested, Mom is feeling a little left out. However, after carefully reconsidering things, Mom realizes that the free time gives her more opportunity to do what she does best - Shop!!
Tune in Sunday afternoon for a Great Wall post (with pics - sorry for the text-only post) - we're all looking forward to it.
Mar 15, 2008
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2 comments:
Hang in there, guys...we know that Quinn is going to love his Ma Ma and Ba Ba in equal measure though the short term adjustment is always so hard. You are all in our constant thoughts...enjoy these last few days in Beijing (taking the cable car, Jane?) and we'll be waiting to welcome you home!
Love Lianne
Hi Ottmans,
Congrats on your new addition! Looks like you are having a great trip. Katie says hi Hannah, I miss you, looking forward to meeting your new brother. Connor says hi Stephanie.
Looking forward to seeing you all when you are back, house is fine - missed a lot of snow shoveling mind you. See you when you are back.
Carolyn,Brian, Katie and Connor.
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