CNY - Day 4

We all came downstairs with stories to tell and things to talk about after our night in the war zone, aka Chinese New Year.  

 The babies had their breakfast and morning baths.

It is custom to dress in new clothes on CNY, so we had fun picking out new outfits from the donation suitcases we brought over for the babies to wear.

 We tried to get a group picture, but the babies weren't happy about it.

 We spent the day taking turns playing with the babies and cleaning the house.  When it came to meal time it was a group effort.

 It was another good day in China!

Chinese New Year

This night deserves its own post!  I have always wanted to experience Chinese New Year because I have heard what an amazing celebration it is.  Well, I have now experienced it and all I can say is WOW!!  For every hour leading up to midnight, people pop firecrackers and send up fireworks.  At midnight something happens that I can't even begin to explain!  All I can say is to think World War III.  I mean firecrackers and fireworks like I have never heard before.  It literally sounds like you are in a war zone.  One of my babies snoozed right through it.  The other one... not so much.  Rachel and I stood by the window of our bedroom and watched the fireworks together.  I called home so that Robert could hear what was going on because I knew that my verbal explanation wouldn't do it justice.  Brynn, Robert, Rachel and I all rang in the New Year together via FaceTime.  We didn't even talk, I just held the phone so they could see and hear everything around us.

 I am so glad that I got to experience it!  We always celebrate Chinese New Year here with our adoption group, and now I can talk to Brynn about how crazy it really is.

The next morning Rachel and I came downstairs after our long night looking like this.  Yep, it was quite a night!  But I wouldn't trade it!  We made such a lasting memory!

Happy Chinese New Year ~ Year of the Horse

CNY - Day 3

Day 3 started bright and early with Regan and I trying to keep up with the remaining nannies.  We wanted to do our best to keep the kids on the schedule/routine they were used to.  I became the official hair fixer for the girls each morning.

  This is the day that all the nannies would be tricking out the door.  We tried to continue to build relationships with the babies so that when all the nannies were gone, they would be able to find comfort in us. 

 One by one the nannies left, and it was usually followed by some tears from their little ones.

It didn't take this guy long to warm up to Shannon!

 We were responsible for doing the laundry as well.  We washed it in the washer, but then hung it on the roof to dry.

 Since the nannies were leaving, and it was mostly Americans, we were told it would be best to stay inside the gates to play each day instead of going on a walk. We were happy to comply with whatever kept us safe!

 These little pushing toys were the hot pick!  There were only two of them, so we had to referee some fights regarding who got to play with them.

 Today turned out to be warmer than the previous day!

 In an attempt not to overwhelm the babies with cameras in their faces, Shannon was our official photographer.  That way there was just one camera in their face all day instead of 6.

 We spent the afternoon playing with the babies and keeping up with the daily chores.  We would take turns playing with the babies, and hand washing dishes, doing laundry, mopping, disinfecting, cooking, etc...  We found a system that worked well for us and we fell into a groove. 

 By dinnertime all of the nannies had left to go back to their home provinces to celebrate the new year.  Jody, a wonderful expat wife had volunteers (other expat wives) sign up to provide our dinner each night.  For breakfast and lunch we ate the food we had packed to bring (whatever was quick and easy), but at night we loved getting to sit down and eat the warm, delicious meals Jody brought over for us!  This was the first night that we were all on duty, no nannies were left in the house!  This night was also Chinese New Year Eve!  More on that coming up!