We are back in Beijing

Well we are now back in Beijing... and we are on the final leg of our trip. We left Changsha at 6:00 a.m. this morning to fly to Beijing. Maggie did great on the plane. She fussed for about 10 minutes and then played, slept, fed and then we were landed. She really is an easy baby to parent. We arrived at lunch time, spent a few hours organizing and repacking and then we walked to MacDonlds for a bite to eat and the market for some supplies.

I think most of the families (including the babies) were feeling irritable today. We have spent the last few days pretty much couped up in the hotel room... and living out of a suitcase gets old pretty quick. We just had to get out for a walk this afternoon.... to get some fresh air. I think it made Brent feel better... because he has had cabin fever big time! Tomorrow should be a fun day. We leave early in the morning to go the Jade Factory, then lunch and on to the Great Wall. The Great Wall will be a challenge for us because Maggie is too big for the baby carrier / snugli that we took... and I don't think we will get far with the umbrella stroller. After we climb a few steps and take a few pictures, Maggie and I will just spend our time shopping.... girls gotta shop!

Speaking of shopping.... we have not had an opportunity to spend much money in China! Except for a few Chinese dresses and shoes we have not had an opportunity to shop. We hope to be able to do lots of shopping this week though... the group told our guide Freda to take us shopping! She is going to honour our request.

Brent has been trying to spend money on electronics but is not getting very far. The stuff he likes is cheaper at home. He is a little dissapointed, because he was determined to buy some electronic junk (ohhh I mean gadgets) for himself and for Aunt Stephanie too... but he is not having any luck. He will still keep looking. In the meantime he has focused his attention on buying a nice Chinese coin set for Maggie. Of course he is thinking about buying a really expensive one (who Brent thinking about buying the expensive one??? Couldn't be Brent!!). However I think I have talked him into an average priced set. We can't blow the budget with still a week left in China!

We did not have an opportunity to spend much time with the other families today due to our travel from Changsha to Beijing. But I am going to try to take updated pictures of the other NL babies on the bus ride tomorrow and post tomorrow night. Of course this all depends on 1) if Maggie is fussy or 2) if I remember (I think I left my brain back home!!). No promises, but I will try. I am sure you are all waiting to see the babes yourself on Friday!

Here are a few pictures we took today.

This is Samuel. He is three years old and is from Inner Mongolia. He is going to be living in New Brunswick with his parents Clyde and Ginette. It is amazing at how well he has adjusted this week, given the fact that he does not speak any English. He does a fairly good job communicating using his body language though. When I tried to take his picture, he winked at me!
Brent saw Brian and Tammy for a few minutes this afternoon and managed to snap this photo of little Miss Mia MaGrath. She is soooo tiny -- just 13.2 lbs. Maggie is easily twice as big as her!

Maggie -- all dressed and ready for Beijing!.... but not before she had a quick nap sitting up on Daddy's knee while waiting for Mommy to get ready.

Maggie with our wonderful guide Freda....(Freda and "Chubby Baby")All bathed and ready for bed...

Maggie sucks her thumb when she is tired, just like big sister Gracie!

Bye for now. Again we love and miss you all.