1st Birthday

In making the adjustments back to Nova Scotia, we had time to celebrate Jorja's 1st birthday on Saturday.  It has been quite the week for her and we are extremely happy to be able to celebrate this special day at home.  It was a small affair but was fun.  Jorja was not quite sure what to make of it all but she certainly is enjoying her new toys.

Jet Lag

Well we have been home for several days but the jet lag still remains. Although it is getting better, we have been going to bed and waking up at irregular times.  Last night was our best so far so we are hoping that in the next couple of days we will be back on Nova Scotia time. 

Beijing to Halifax

The girls did incredible on the flight home. It was over 14 hours of flying but they were incredible. While sitting in our seats on the flight from Beijing to Toronto, We looked over and saw Jean Chretien, who was walking around the plane talking to people.  Jean was telling people that he wanted to do something special for the flight.  He stated that there was a young Canadian musician on the plane who plays the Cello by the name of Stephane Tetreault and he had just finished touring Asia.  After talking to our section of the plane, he had Stephane set up at the front of our section and play 3 selections.  It was a very memorable experience and broke up the flight.  Mr. Chretien was an incredible personality and you could see why he was Prime Minister.

On Our Way Home (Goodbye China)

Well today is finally the day where we make the trek back to Canada.  Although we all have had an incredible time, it will be very nice to get home.  We have over 15 hours of flying and will not get in until midnight but we will be all apprecitative of being in our own home and own beds.  The first little while will be difficult to adjust to the time difference but getting Jorja on a regular schedule will be great. She has adapted extremely well and has been an incredible baby girl.  See you soon!

Shopping and Acrobat Show

Yesterday and today were mainly shopping days (much to Mom's delight). We went to the Silk Factory yesterday morning and it was really neat because we got to see the silk worms and the process for making the silk. We got some really nice things there. We then went to the Pearl Market and Paul got to do some bartering which he LOVES!
Last night we went to an Acrobatic Show and it was really amazing. Paul stayed home with Jorja; she's doing really well and is almost as good a traveller as her sister but we didn't want to risk an evening performance so just Maya and I went.  Maya really liked the show, especially the costumes the female performers wore.
Today we skipped the group excursion and went to the tea house and saw a traditional tea ceremony. Maya didn't like the tea so much but did like the clay 'lucky boy'.

Tonight we had our farewell dinner with all the families in our group. It was nice to be together with everyone and share our experiences here in China. We are all anxious to get home now, it is not easy living out of a suitcase with two kids, but we have really had a wonderful experience here and it is a little sad to leave. Jorja is showing more of her personality to us each day and she is such a delight. She has the sweetest smile and we are so blessed to have this little girl come into our lives. As I sit here writing this post I can here Maya and Jorja playing together behind me and it really is the most wonderful sound in the world. Our family is now complete and we can't wait to get back and show her off to all our family and friends at home!

Summer Palace

On Monday we went to the Summer Palace.  It was beautiful there, however I think it would be much nicer in spring and summer when the flowers are in bloom.  It also boasts the world's longest corridor and that was very nice to stroll through. It was pretty chilly but we enjoyed ourselves and Jorja did awesome. She loves all the activity and loves to watch what is going on around her.

 

Beijing Zoo and Great Wall

It has been a very busy couple of days! Yesterday we went to the Beijing Zoo and Maya was delighted to see the giant pandas.  It was a little cold but we had a great time. The zoo was huge and we only got to see a fraction of the animlas there. The pandas were the main attraction of course, but we also saw lions, bears, monkeys and alligators. Most of the animals were in indoor cages, and it was a little sad because there were some huge lions and tigers in little cages just pacing back and forth.
Today we went to the jade factory and then Great Wall! It was kind of neat that we went to the same place on the wall that we went when we came over for Maya.  One of our complaints was that it was very foggy that day so it was nice to have a clear, crisp day to enjoy the scenery.  We actually made it to the top this time and the view was incredible! Maya did an awesome job climbing up and Jorja even had a bottle on the walll. It was a very interesting climb because the stairs are not consistent heights and are on a fairly steep incline, but we did it! I think I was more nervous coming down than I was going up! We also did a drive by of the Olympic stadium and the Bird's Nest and Water Cube. Everyone was pretty wiped out by the time we got back to the hotel.

Jorja is doing very well, she has very quickly wrapped us around her finger and she won't go to sleep unless she is snuggled into one of us. She responds to her name now when we call her.  Paul had her laughing out loud today, such a sweet sound!