Catching up - last days in China and once home...

I didn't want to leave out our last days in China just because I was too busy to post. It's a long post but it here it goes... I don't want to forget a day of it!
First, was our trip to the medicine market. All of these things are eaten, taken as medicines or used in soups.

Dried seahorses

Deer tendons

Dried frogs. 

Mushrooms

Scorpions

Snakes

Turtles

Bigger scorpions.

Bigger mushrooms

Ava liked the chickens.

Pearl shopping!

Ava had to try some on.

Cutest little furball pups. Not for eating! No this is the pet market!

It's official! Ava's going home. The US Consulate appointment, swearing in, and now we wait for her visa!

Such a ham!

Tea time! Our guide, Helen, brought us to a traditional tea shop and we tried all kinds of different teas.

The tea shop goods.

Time to buy our favorite teas!

Tea table made out of oak, it has a drain in it and they just pour the remaining tea on the table. They like the way it colors the wood.

Miss Independent walking by herself and swinging her arms so that she doesn't have to hold our hands!

Beautiful garden and waterfall inside the White Swan Hotel, a popular hotel for adoptive parents. They were closed for renovations while we were there but the first two floors were open to the public, including the red couch. The red couch became a tradition for adoptive parents to get photos of their babies on before they left for home.

Our Red Couch Photo.

And, because she started to fool around, and I just can't get enough of her infectious smile, I'm going to add a few more....

I was born in the Year of the Rabbit (which by the way, this is also the Year of the Rabbit) and Ava's Chinese name is Winter Moon. When we arrived in China we learned that there is a very popular fable about a woman who lived on the moon and had a rabbit to keep her company. The moon and rabbit are linked in many Chinese tales, as well as Aztec, Mexican and Native American stories. They say that the rabbit can be seen on the surface of the moon. Apparently, even NASA told Buzz Aldrich to keep an eye out for the lady and her rabbit! As someone who loves these "signs" I couldn't pass up getting a picture taken with this sign.

While on Shamian Island many adoptive parents like to get their kids to line up between the last little boy and girl statue for a cute pic.

This was as close as I could get. After many days of trying... she just didn't trust those little people who didn't move.

We couldn't even trick her into it by putting my ring on the boys head.  She  was perfectly willing to leave my ring there rather than step any closer.

Good morning Sunshine. Last day in Guangzhou, time to go  home.

Three days later, there are a horde of boys begging for her attention.

She circled them, staying just far enough away to not be touched. 

I introduced each of the boys and she continued to stare them down and circle. It was time to bring in the food.

Banana in hand, she continues the stare down.

Despite her cool demeanor the boys are enthralled and amazingly patient.

Striking a cool pose while her brothers continue to wait for her to warm up.

Daddy suggested they each get 15 minutes to play with her with no interruptions and it worked like a charm.

Ah yes, nothing breaks the ice like toys and play!

Brothers also taught her how to draw, which keeps her busy! Although she is not sure which hand she wants to use. She seems to use them both interchangeably. 

Big brothers are fun!

After 2 hours it was hugs and kisses all around!

Before he went to bed Asa gave me a hug and said "Thanks Mom" and I said "For what?" and he replied "For bringing Ava home. I am so happy!"

Adam was overwhelmed with emotion at one point, shook his head and said  "I've never felt this way before." 

Um, yeah, she may end up being a little spoiled.....

Aaron, Ava and I continue to fight jet lag. We've been really tired all day, yet not sleeping very well at night. Ava has started to cry really hard when I lay her down in her crib, yet she won't sleep with me either. She won't lay down at all, ever, without a struggle. It's like she doesn't like to go to bed, terrified of it actually, yet when she finally does she sleeps like a rock. I have to wake her up every time because her naps turn into 5 hour naps and I swear she would sleep until noon every day if I let her. When she cries, it is very loud, and frantic sounding. It sounds terrible. Last night she cried so hard she threw up. I know it is not abnormal for these little ones, it is going to get better (it has to), it's just hard to deal with while being so tired myself. It's a good thing her smile and general good nature makes up so well for it during the day!