Levi and Alex

Saturday, July 31

Today we went back for Levi's TB test to be checked and all was well with that. We were able to spend some time on Shaiman Island and do a little shopping. Our large group is back together now so it takes us a while to get together. Last Monday each family traveled to the province their child is from for the adoption and we all come back together in Guangzhou for the US Consulate appointment and swearing in. This is where we will get the children's visas. Our appointment is not until August 4 and we get the visa on the 6th. That is why we have to stay here this coming week.

Levi has come into his own and the quiet boy we picked up on Monday is now an independent boy who is seeing what he can get away with. He is more excited in the mornings and today he has been wound up. He is a good boy and has a precious smile, but he is all boy. We have to do things to help him get his energy out. Thankfully we can go swimming now so that will be a big help.

Scott has been having a sore throat and we believe it is allergies so pray that he gets better soon. I was sick our last trip and he has been having trouble this time. I left both guys taking a nap to come use the internet.

We have a family from Atlanta that adopted a girl, Alex, from the same orphanage as Levi. The picture is of the two of them. We found out we have a connection because we know families that are adopting or have adopted older girls. Criss and Cristy - they are Betty's aunt and uncle. We will have to talk!

We want to wish Corey and Ashlee the best today as it is their wedding day. We love you guys and are sorry to miss your big day, but we are so happy for you!

Getting Checked Out!

Thursday July 29

It's 5:00 am on Thursday and I am having trouble sleeping so I thought I would share a little update. Levi is sleeping extremely well and is pretty compliant going to bed. He has been taking 2 hour naps each day and that is good because he has been through a lot.

We had our appointment at the police station yesterday and basically we went to appear before them, no questions and they took Levi's picture. When the lady tried to get him to look at the camera she called his name and Levi looked up gave a big cheese grin and held up two fingers on both hands. All of the police officials got a kick out of that and laughed with him. We have found that he is very compassionate toward others especially the younger children. One family has a 12 month old and he was crying while they were trying to make him a bottle. Levi walked over to the dad who was kneeling down and put his arm around the father's shoulder. After that he ran over to one of the other dads and gave him a huge hug. He has also been allowing the other kids to play with his cars.

We went to eat at Pizza Hut and Levi tends to get a little excited in restaurants. He did not want to be still or sit down. We finally figured out how to say "no" and "sit" in Chinese and he pouted! It was funny to see because he did not want to eat or turn around. We left him alone and when everyone else was eating he decided to join in. I have a feeling we will not be going out to eat much because now I have 2 three year olds who don't want to sit still.

We are looking forward to seeing Hope on Skype again this morning. That has been awesome to video chat with her and it is free. We are still not able to view our blog or any comments that folks are making on that. If you would like to email us we are using the following email: crystal.setzer@yahoo.com. We do not have access to the internet unless we go to a certain area of the hotel and sometimes our emails do not go out so we may or may not be able to respond. Will post more later.

We have had free time from Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday afternoon. On Tuesday we went to get groceries after our Notary appointments. Levi liked going to the store. We came back and the boys took naps while I blogged and caught up on email. Levi and Scott are buddies. They watched their first baseball game together. I gave Levi his baseball cap and he really liked wearing it. He put all of his toys in it and tried to carry it like a bag so I found a bag for him. He has put everything we have given him in it and carries it around the room. I guess we will find him a man bag sometime! After nap time we went to a play room at the hotel and to Food Street to eat. We ordered Sweet and Sour pork and fried rice. Levi was all about the pork and kept wanting more. He was pretty feisty at mealtime not wanting any help from Mama. He is independent and likes to do things for himself.

This morning (Wednesday) we were able to Skype with Hope againg and we are really missing her. She was not so sure about brother this morning but I am sure that is normal for any kid having to learn to share her parents. I was able to sing with Hope and play some of our silly games so maybe that helped. She is doing great at preschool camp this week and we are thankful for Tina and Meg keeping her.

We also went to a park this morning but it was so hot and humid that we couldn't stay long. When we returned to the room it began thundering and lightning. We do have an appointment this afternoon and then we get to go to Pizza Hut for supper!

One last thing we were able to snuggle before bed last night and we got Levi to say I love you. He doesn't know what the words mean but he knows he is special to us. He will know we love him and are proud to have him as our son.