... And We're Back!

I put Alex in his crib at 7:20 and he was asleep by 7:25, so I think we succeeded in wearing the boys out. A good time was had by all!

On Sunday, we spent the day at Epcot. The day began a bit rough with ‘Nemo and his friends’. Nemo was friendly enough, but his friends .... well, not so much. Alex spent the next half hour clinging tightly to us and chanting "no boat".



Luckily, we redeemed ourselves quickly thereafter with a very cute and highly interactive exhibit called 'Turtle Talk with Crush' and with some talking seagulls repeating "Mine, Mine, Mine" with some splashes of water in between. Alex was highly amused. We toured Spaceship Earth, had lunch at the San Angel Inn (in 'Mexico'), returned 'home' for a nap, and spent the early evening in 'America'.



On Monday, we headed to the Magic Kingdom. Morning temperatures were in the low 30s which did wonders for keeping the crowds at bay. Alex and Owen found 'It's a Small World' to be much more palatable first thing in the morning than 'Nemo' and happily climbed aboard 'Dumbo' and 'Peter Pan' and the carousel for more adventures.







On Tuesday, we toured Hollywood Studios and, on Wednesday, returned to the Magic Kingdom. Owen's all-time favorites were the 'Toy Story' and 'Buzz Lightyear' rides. Something about all that shooting appealed to him ....



Alex's favorite ride, incidentally, was the tram that shuttled us from the parking lot to the parks (we heard "Tram-Tram Pun" quite frequently!). I think this is akin to those empty cardboard boxes at Christmas ... In any case, he also liked 'Aladdin's Magic Carpet' and the very tiny tea cups at 'The Plaza'.





On Thursday it warmed up to near 60 (I briefly considered shedding one of my many layers ... but then decided to just enjoy being warm), so we headed to the Animal Kingdom. We safari-ed. And we trekked.













We enjoyed 'Nemo: The Musical' and we lunched at The Rainforest Cafe. At the latter, we dined right next to a roaring waterfall, were treated to the sounds of nearby screeching animatronic gorillas every 15 minutes, and we experienced a thunderstorm that roused all of the animatronic animals every 30 minutes. It was, ahem, an experience ... See how happy we are (to have escaped)?





Friday, we returned to Epcot for more adventures and a lunch at Teppan Edo(in 'Japan') and today, Saturday, we returned home uneventfully. Owen immediately set about making up for lost Lego-building time ...



and then headed for bed. His parents aren't far behind ...

We're here!

And it's freezing!! About 10 degrees colder than forecast with highs this week in the lower 50s and upper 40s. But we're going to buck up -- and layer up -- and head out to Epcot early this morning! The kiddos are super-excited!

Coming Soon ... Disney World!

In the meantime, we're potty training (ugh!) and finding other ways to keep ourselves entertained ...

The Many Faces of Owen

Christmas 2009

I'm not sure why they look so serious in these photos ... because Christmas sans the jet lag was great fun!! Thanks to all who spoiled our kiddos!

Happy Family Day, Alexander!!

One year ago today, we awoke in a hotel in Zhengzhou, China, a bit awestruck that the day had finally arrived when we could hold you, the little boy who had stolen our hearts four months earlier.

And what a day it was.

We walked to the Civil Affairs office with our guides and waited in a crowded hallway with several other families whom we had met just days before (but with whom we now share such an incredible bond). There were knowing glances and smiles ... and some quiet, nervous laughter. We weren’t sure what would happen next. And, then, we heard your name. Xu Han Bo. And there you were, in your nanny’s arms, checking out what must have been a very strange scene. You were dressed in a leopard print shirt and quilted red pants and some black corduroy shoes that were at least five sizes too big. Your hair had grown out a bit. Your eye had healed. You were adorable. And you looked so small. And then, before we could catch our breath, your nanny handed you to us. You came without complaint. You were dressed in so many layers, we feared that we might not be able to hold on to you. And, so, we knelt in the hallway for a few minutes, whispering “Ni hao, Bo Bo” in your ear, completely oblivious to the other families being united all around us. We braced ourselves for the moment that you would start to cry, but the tears never came.

Soon, we were escorted to an adjoining room. We talked briefly with your nanny. We thanked her for bringing a photo album with pictures of you as a baby and a camera that we had sent to your orphanage weeks earlier. We watched you tentatively play with stacking cups and eat cheerios and watch with curiosity as we repeatedly pointed to your new “ge ge” and “ma ma” and “ba ba”.

And then you smiled.

And the uncertainties of all of those months spent waiting and wondering and worrying were eclipsed by joy and relief and awe.

Happy Family Day, Alexander!! Happy Family Day, Owen!! We love you both so very much.

Jingle Bells!

Thanks for the card, Grandma and Grandpa! I've been shaking my 'babao' all afternoon!