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2.17.2010

Some clarification

Well, here is is at 4:26 am.  I'm still tired, but after CRAZY firework noise from about 11:30 until well after midnight (I'm serious, it was like watching "the grand finale" for any of our 4th of July shows, only they were going off ALL OVER the city skyline at the same time.  And some of them were going off from right across the street ~ I now have an idea for the noise level if a city were being bombarded...), Caleb waking up disoriented and hungry at 2:15 (thank goodness for that jar of JIF and the bagels I threw in the suitcase!) and then Kylie waking up at 3:45 because she had to go potty and was hungry too, I just can't get back to sleep.

Right now it is the strangest thing with Fireworks and Fireflies.  I can access other sites if they are in my RSS feed, and even some through my bookmarks, but can't get to Fireworks and Fireflies myself just yet.  (I have a very good friend who was kind enough to post for me yesterday).  We'll see later if my other backup is going to work.  BUT your comments are coming through email to me, so please keep them up!  It boosted my tired soul at 4:15 when I turned on my computer and saw how many are checking in on us.

But the funny thing is that I realized just how tired I was as I tried to update last night.  Not a lot was coherent (I went back and read what I typed to my friend), so I'll try to clarify a few things. 

First of all, Ian and I had to laugh that we had so much in place for our trip, yet we had totally overlooked getting from the airport to the hotel.  At one point when we realized just how much "stuff" we have with us (stroller, checked bags, carry on bags) Ian came to the conclusion that we probably wouldn't all fit in one taxi.  I think I heard the words "We may have to split up and take two taxis" come out of his mouth at one point.  Don't worry, I shot him "the look" (communicating that there was NO WAY, NO HOW that was going to happen) and we began to come up with another plan.  It was the strangest feeling to come out of the secure area of the airport knowing that there would be no one holding a sign with our name.  And enter in the conspicuous part again.  Boy howdy did we get some second and third looks as two Caucasians pushing two Asian kids in a double stroller amid a sea of other Asian faces...

But we found an information desk and ended up hiring a private mini-van to take us the 60 kms from the airport to our hotel.  We needed it too!  The stroller had to ride in the front seat...

And that is where the title of the post came in.  (I just forgot to tell about it due to insane tiredness).  For the first five minutes of our ride, both Kylie and Caleb pointed to pretty much every building they saw and asked, "Mommy, is that building in China?"  The first few I think they really wondered, and then it became a game.  Both just kept smiling and saying, "We're in China, we're in China!"

I have to add too that the Singapore rice noodles last night tasted just like the ones at SoHo back in Harrisburg.  Minus the chicken.  Which here I think is probably a good thing...

Y'all, it is 4:47 am now and the fireworks are going again.  Crazy I tell you!

Okay, last thing and then I'm going to try to catch a few more zzz's before the sun rises.  Apparently either my level of tiredness when I typed last night was so great that it impaired my ability to do simple math calculations, or (and I'm going with this one) I was already asleep at the keyboard and decided that since I was already asleep that I didn't need to count last night's sleep.  Cause we still have TWO more sleeps until we meet Darcy.  Guess I am just too giddy with excitement about being so close to our baby girl. 

I'll be back later tonight with pictures from our day here in Shanghai. 

23 comments:

Mama said...

You poor Baby, you must be crazy tired. Hope you will all four get on the same sleeping schedule soon.
Can't wait to see pictures of Shanghai. Can just imagine the looks that you are getting - especially blonde haired, blue eyed Ian with the two adorable Chinese children. Sounds like God was before you once again with the hired van to take you right to the hotel with enough room for everything and everyone! I love you.

Leslie said...

Sorry that you're having trouble sleeping. I'm so glad you were all able to get into the same taxi. Splitting up did not sound like a very fun solution. We'll pray for God to be carrying you in his hands throughout your entire trip there. I can't wait for the pictures (especially the pictures on Saturday)!! You are loved and prayed for.

Amy Woods said...

I'm so excited you are in China!! I guess being there over Chinese New Year really adds to the firework experience! Because its bad enough already!! I'm glad you all didn't have to split up in the taxis! Brian and I took a taxi from the Beijing airport to our hotel and it was crazy trying to communicate where we needed to go. I finally got service on my cell phone(probably cost a pretty penny! I haven't seen the bill yet) and called our guide to speak to our taxi driver. Hope you guys get on China time quickly!! Praying for your family!!

Cindy M said...

Um, yeah...NO WAY, NO HOW. Totally agree. And I have to admit I'm having a tough time restraining my laughter...tell Ian he can start exaggerating the number of bags any time now.

Hope you get some sleep. I remember those times of being so dog tired I fell asleep typing.

Love ya!

Laurie said...

I am cracking up at you shooting Ian "the look". I give that look a lot myself- like, are you crazy, man? :) And oh do I remember being that tired- I hope you were able to go back to sleep. I was so excited to see a new update BEFORE tomorrow- you're so good to us, Kristi, keeping us in the loop. :)

Andrea said...

It's so good to hear from you IN China! It's funny how much I've blocked out from our last trip... the tiredness, the stiff beds, the insomnia at 4am. Oh yeah and the flights! I still haven't flown since we came home so I am rejoicing that your flights went smoothly. That is the first big hurdle and now it's behind you! Have a great time on your last day as a family of 4! oh and I'm not sure why, but it seems so right that you would have fireworks your first night in China considering the name of your blog! ;-)

Ann Marie said...

As exhausting as those fireworks are how COOL that you and the kids get to experience CNY! Sleeping in China is always so rough. Hang in there...she'll be in your arms so very soon.

Hugs,

AM

Denise said...

Everytime I hear about these experiences I always say, at least you have your luggage...remember what happened to me? So glad you are there and I can't wait to see you with Darcy!!

Rachelle said...

Hope your enjoying your trip and your last few moments with our Darcy... she will he here soon! WOO HOO!

Nancy said...

I can't even imagine how tired you are! I am so impressed how you guys are doing this "alone" without guides AND have 2 toddlers AND stuff for your 3rd toddler. Rest up, friend! Continuing to pray in PA...

Bekah said...

Well, this could be good or bad for me...but I knew what you were thinking about the buildings without you even saying it. So I'm either really smart, or something else is wrong with me and I can't blame it on sleep! We are praying for you guys and are checking the blog all the time for updates. If there is anything we can do for you guys stateside, let us know! Love you all!
Bekah

Lisa said...

I'm so hoping you were able to get a little rest. I can't imagine how the fireworks must be adding to your inability to rest...crazy! Two more sleeps sound wonderful to me. She's so, so close. You're in CHINA!!!!

Melissa said...

Oh Kristi, I SO remember the craziness of the fireworks EVERY night keeping us up during CNY...at first it was so great, but then when we couldn't sleep through them, they got old! But, the decorations are great during this time of year, so I can't wait to see your pictures from your day in Shanghai soon! Oh, and I have to tell you, I SO remember reading about Jif and bagels during your trip to Caleb, that is too funny to read it again - I will be praying for you to get some rest, and that all of you will get adjusted to the time difference soon. Have a wonderful day today - and I will always think of you shooting Ian that "look" too - NO WAY!!!! hehe....the moments to remember are captured already! Lots of love sent your way!!!

Kimberly said...

It is so exciting to read about your third trip to China! Praying that you will be able to get some rest before Darcy arrives! Enjoy Shanghai-- I'd love to go there someday, so for now will be content to read all about your time there.

Tigger said...

Kristi, Have a great trip, I hope you get some sleep before Darcy joins your family. Kylie and Caleb are amazing travelers, they look so happy and excited in yesterdays pictures. Be safe and have a great time. Can't wait to see your family complete in 2 sleeps!

Brooke

Jess Danielson said...

Can't wait to see some pics of Shanghai! We only saw the inside of the airport (for 8 hrs), but none of the sites!! So excited for you!! Try to get your sleep!! Hugs!
Jess

Kathy said...

How exciting that you get to see CNY - the real thing!! Although I know you must be craving sound sleep. I'm looking forward to seeing pictures. Thank you so much for posting so often - we are hungry for news. And Saturday seems so close. Love you all.

Sharon said...

So glad you made it and I hope you have gotten some sleep. I have re-read my gotcha night post a few times and it cracks me up how many typos are in it. I have thought about correcting it but it is a reminder of how blissfully happy tired I was with 6 hours of sleep in 2 1/2 days as my little China man lay sleeping behind me as I typed. SO excted to "meet" Darcy!!!

Shannon said...

Hey guys! Well a lot has happened since I went to bed after coming down
with the stomach flu. Sigh. Yes it hit with a vengeance! So glad God gave me wisdom to follow my head and not my heart on the night of your departure as I so wanted to send you off with love and HUGS! But so thankful I didn't send you off with a sick bug! WOW what a delight to hear from you. Following and posting from my blackberry in bed! But you know I wouldn't miss following along. Looks as if. I will have lots of time to pray for you all from my sick bed. Have a great time in Shanghai. Can't wait to see and hear of all the adventures! Love on your crew for me! I hope to be fully recovered to enjoy thouroughly Darcy being united with you. Can't wait!!
Shannon

Larry and Carol said...

Just wanted to let you know we are with you in spirit and can't wait to see Darcy.

Tricia said...

So glad to hear your trip has gone so smoothly so far. God is Good ~ ALL THE TIME!! The fireworks must be incredible. You may need to invest in four sets of ear plugs.

Amy Murphy said...

I'm a new reader of your blog. I just read the story of how you came to Darcy. I had goosebumps, I cried, and it was just such a wonderful story of how God works.
When you get back from China and have time to think strait, I'd love to be your facebook friend. My name is Amy Murphy (you can look me up under blueamy76.)

Anonymous said...

You better get some rest before you get Darcy... You are going to need to rest with three! :) I cna't wait to read more and more! Love you bunches... WE may be flying through Shanghai as well as one of my students (megan, who follows your blog)dad is a pilot and is willing to give us buddy passes to Shanghai, we would just have to get to Taipei from there... Think it is worth the risk of getting bumped to Stand by if we leave a day or two earlier than necessary.

Talk to you soon,
Love ya,
Traci