Doesn’t she have the sweetest profile? This is one of my favorites. I wonder how much hair she has these days? All these screen grabs are from last March – just before she turned one – and they have shaved her head since then.
We got the process started for our Visas today. Also started trying to decide whether or not we’ll stop in Beijing on the way to Nanjing. I can’t decide and I would love to hear feedback from anyone who has done this before. I know that it would be very cool to do all the tourist stuff- the Great Wall, The Summer Palace etc. And I hear that if you travel through Beijing, you’re forced to get over the time difference very quickly because your guide will generally have you on the go go go. Plus, of course, Spike is all about getting to see some of the stuff he’s read about. But there is another part of me that thinks going straight to Nanjing and maybe taking a day or two there to settle in and get our bearings before Fang Fang joins us, might be the kinder, gentler way to ease into this huge transition. I am generally the kind of traveler who likes to rent a little house, find the local market, meet some folks in the square – take day trips, and haunt the same streets until I feel some familiarity. I am not the kind of traveler who likes to bomb through as many sights as I can cram into a day. But then, I don’t want to be boring, either. I mean, I know that this trip isn’t about being tourists. We’re going to China for this incredibly specific reason. But I wonder how I can find a way to not feel over taxed and exhausted before the baby even joins us, without denying Spike (and Ryan, too- I think he leans toward going to Beijing) their chance to do a little of what they want to do. And just to be clear – Ryan and Spike are not exactly kamikaze tourists, either. We all like a comfortable stroll better than a flat out run. But, all you A-parents – if you had to do it over again – would you do the Acrobats and duck and the wall and all that in Beijing, and then head straight to Nanjing and the baby? Or would you skip Beijing (assuming, in the back of your mind, that you will be returning with your kids someday just as tourists) and take a couple of days in Nanjing and try to get yourselves situated and prepared?
I actually planted bulbs today. In the middle of January. Because I had a paper bag full that I didn’t manage to get into the ground before the ground froze, so I stuck them in the cellar, thinking they were surely goners – and then, all of the sudden, it was sixty degrees for three days straight. In January. And then it rained. And the ground thawed, and I realized I had a second chance to get all those babies in the ground. So when I heard we were due another foot of snow tonight, I suited up (overalls, hoodie, my most awesome knee high, lace up, green rubber boots, and the great red FoxGloves that my MIL sent me for my birthday) and put in daffs and alliums and tulips and blue bells, and grape hyacinth, and sweet little cream and lilac crocuses. I planted a lot of different types of mint in my shade gardens last year, and I really love rooting around in those beds now because every time I pull a tendril aside, it smells like Wrigley’s gum. (No, no, it smells way, WAY better than that. Seriously). And now I’m happy thinking about all those nice little bulbs happily sleeping underground while the snow piles up on top of the beds. And I especially like thinking that by the time they are pushing up through the earth, poking their pointy green heads up, Fang Fang will be here – and I will be able to show her the amazing way a flower grows and blooms. Gardening is, of course, the best way to learn patience that I know. Everything you do in a garden is about the future - how it will look and grow down the line. So I think my urge to get out there and poke around – smell the mint and dig a little – wasn’t too surprising, all things considered.
The ground is covered in snow now. It came like they promised it would. I imagine the ground will be frozen again by morning. And that’s good. That’s how it should be this time of year. Because no matter how much you want it -you can’t force spring.
5 comments:
Our snow didn't arrive as planned - which is kind of okay because city snow can be very much of a bother.
My advice is to go to Beijing. You will spend a lot of time in Nanjing anyway, and Beijing is really a wonderful city to experience.
And oh, yes, a perfect profile. Perfect.
We went to Beijing both times and loved it. I was exhausted and overwhelmed the first time because it was so cold and I am not really accustomed to real winters and because I was anticipating becoming a mom for the first time and in la la land--but it was still wonderful. I think it helps tremendously with keeping your mind occupied and helping adjust your clock while waiting for the baby. You will have plenty of time, as BMama said, in Nanjing for that babymoon. Get out and see the sites with Spike and Ryan and ease into baby time by taking in some of the big city. You won't regret it.
The second time we went I was a lot calmer and it was summer and we went early to kick around and do things at our own pace for a couple of days before the travel group arrived just because we loved it so much the first time and it was delightful! We shopped. We went for walks. We visited the Hutongs. We went to parks and to see the big historical sights--just my family and a guide. Twigs had so much fun and it was a great way to ease her into things. She got to spend several days in China with just mom and dad before becoming a jie jie and that was just perfect. After the group joined us she liked hanging with the other kids in our group too. It was a great play group experience. We have great pics of the American kids at the Great Wall. They were little celebs and Twigs loved that. Ha! Spike will get some looks with that fantastic hair, by the way. Have him take autographed head shots for his adoring fans. Ha!
By the time we got to the baby Twigs was settled into her travel routine and was all excited about being with the baby. I think it would have been quite a shock if we hadn't had some time just to hang with her before shifting our focus toward the new baby. Of course Spike is older but I would think it would be great fun for the 3 of you to have that holiday hurrah together just before the family dynamic changes. I would do it exactly the same way if we were to do it again. It was a very special and fun introduction to my daughters' birth country.
You know, I've just gotta tell ya ... I'm speechless. I'm a woman of words at the most inappropriate times, yet--I am so into what is going on for this little beauty and her brother and mom and dad ...
Let me tell you, this silence is Golden.
I'm late with congratulations! Fang Fang is darling and sounds like a delight. How exciting for you.
We've gone to Beijing twice. It was a lot of fun. I thought it was a good way to get acclimated to the time zone and the sights and sounds. And they do keep you so busy that you can hardly remember to be nervous.
WE did 4 days in Beijing before going to Fuzhou to adopt Lindsey. It was great. We were not even jet lagged on family day. It was GREAT FUN. Our guide Ann was the BEST.
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