China As We Know It

"We are now in March, next month we head to Thailand for a nice beach holiday and then....we should be gearing up to leave China."

That is what consumes my head in the quiet moments of the day. Usually, as I'm pushing Carter in his stroller on the way to the grocery store or to McCafe (I refuse to call it McDonald's) for a coffee. So I'm going to try to write a bit more about our lives in China.

So here we go....

First of all, I have to say, we have LOVED living in China. This country is so cool in so many ways. More times than not, we don't really talk about all of the wonderful things. I don't really know why, maybe we don't want to rub it in! Ha ha. Or maybe we feel the need to vent about the struggles more. Who knows!

The people here are SOO friendly. They LOVE foreigners and LOVE babies. Having a little one here, you are constantly told that you have a beautiful baby. (As if you didn't already think so!) It really boosts every parent's ego. Ha ha.

The younger generation is learning English starting in 1st grade. They know so much! Sometimes they are too shy or embarrassed to use it. But it is VERY impressive. Sometimes when they see a foreigner, we don't really blend in, they want to speak English to you! Other times, you will be frustrated trying to communicate to someone like at a restaurant or store and out of no where, a random person comes up and helps to translate! They are so friendly!

Shopping! I have to say, it is addicting. This needs bullets of it's own:

• Furniture: This is a reason I'm not ready to leave and am willing to do another round in China. Seriously. I feel like I have more furniture to be made, fabric I want to buy, and random antique accessories. Addicting. I just got a new dining room and chairs made and am now looking for a big antique Chinese drum to be made into a coffee table or ottoman. If you show them a picture of something you want, they make it, but with REAL, solid, wood and for about a third of the price!!!! AMAZING! You also get to pic out the fabrics, wood color, finish, knobs, etc! Ahhh....I may have him throw in a little apolstered couch/bench, and an old shutter screen.
• Fabric: I want more table settings for all kinds of fun future family events and pillows to match!
• Jewelry: if you bought some that I've brought back to the US, you know the addiction. REAL stones and REAL pearls for a few bucks! I have them copy cool designs from stores I like. But the stores at home use plastics and charge about $40-$120. CRAZY! I'm going to miss having jewelry made and all of the people I've met doing this.
• Fakes: I love the fake markets. Big shopping malls full of designer goods for a few dollars. I've really learned lots about this business too. Ha ha. People here study hard in this business. This isn't some slum shop. It's huge. There are several big malls around Shanghai (and other cities) and the copy business is serious. There are good copies and bad copies. ALL...look amazing. Even the bad is just used with not as good of a quality of leather. You wouldn't know. Trust me. We even had a "hand bag guy" who lived in a hidden apartment complex. So fun! Ahhhh, I can't leave this place!!!

We've also made so many wonderful friends here! I love them all and want to take them with us where ever we move next.

Last thing for today, we have learned so much Mandarin! Did I ever think in my life I would be able to have a simple conversation in Chinese? Or be able to give directions in Chinese? Negotiate prices??? I would love for Carter to learn Chinese too. But sadly, he will miss the boat on this one.

Okay, I could go on and on, but I don't want your eyes to get tired.

That is all for now!

A Tad Late

This picture is from two weeks ago but I thought it was worthy of sharing!

Thank you John!, they are beautiful! I love you so much! You make my life complete!

Caught, in Action

Has the climbing begun?

I've noticed several times lately, Carter raising a knee, trying to boost himself up onto something.

He is still slow, to keep steady so I caught him at every step. (Should I have been spotting?) :) Here is the latest:

This is too much! Even Lucy is enthralled!

"See, Mom, you don't need to boost me anymore!"

"Now, I can stand up on my truck!"

And that is how it is done! So proud!

(Notice, he had to throw face wash samples in there with him. Priorities.)

Carter's First Year

A look back at the best year ever!

Hope you enjoy!

(I don't know why some pics are a bit yellow on Youtube.)

Happy Birthday Lucy!

I know we don't talk about this much, but the truth is, John and I have a daughter too!

And our sweet Lucy-Lu has turned 5 today! She is a Valentine's Pup!

Lucy at Shi Mao (our compound/high-rise complex) in Shanghai. It had a dog park and lake! Right in the center of the city!

Lucy was in Heaven!

Pooped after a hard day of playing at the park! Of course, the ball is never too far. (Again in Shanghai) I can't believe we let her on the beds back then. I kind of feel bad about that now.

Carter and Lucy are really becoming friends! It is the sweetest thing. Carter LOVES to "throw" the ball for her! She always tries to bring it back to me. I'm not sure if the 2 feet throw is up to her standards for fun. Ha ha.

We had this bed of Chinese silk made for her at the fabric market in Shanghai. Can you tell, she was our first child? Poor girl really took the back seat when Carter came along. :(

Lucy, we found this picture under your bed!!! This must have been taken while Daddy and I were out of town and the Sexton's were watching you!!! We are very disappointed in your decisions!! (Those Sextons are very irresponsible!) Your grounded! ;)

Lucy, we love you and had no clue we could love a dog this much!!

Chinese New Year Update

Awww, the year of the Rabbit has officially begun. This past week of the Chinese New Year, John (and all of China) was off of work and the weather warmed up (only for that week...it is snowing again). It was great! A wonderful week!

We watched the fireworks at all hours of the clock! Carter is a huge fan!

We enjoyed the wonderful weather!

High Ten!

Weeee down the slide!

So fun!

"I love it out here!"

"And I really love playing with my Daddy!"

Flat Stanley came to visit! All the way from Granbury, Texas! (Home of our favorite nieces, Alexa and Ella!!) Alexa sent Flat Stanley to take a look at China. You should see the powerpoint presentation "Uncle Johnny" made for them. AMAZING. This little paper-man has been all over the place!

We went to Shanghai....again. It is like our home away from home. Superbowl party? Sure, we'll be there! We get there every chance we can. On this high-speed train, it only takes an hour!

Where did this big boy come from?

Impromptu pic with the Pearl Tower in the background. Aww, seriously, I love this place!!

Can you see Carter? He is playing his booty off on the way to meet some friends for dinner. He loved the lanterns.

There he is! Still sporting the Steelers shirt even later that day. :)

The Year of the Rabbit

As I promised about two posts ago...Carter wore his traditional Chinese New Year outfit.

It was awesome! He loved it. He seriously thought he looked good. Here are some pictures of our little outing down to the front desk and restaurant to visit our Chinese family here and spread a little bit of New Year's cheer.

Dressed and ready to go.

Out to the elevator.

This is where he saw himself in the reflection of the elevator door. "I look gooood."

"Here I am everybody!!"

There was quite a crowd waiting for him!

You can't really tell from this picture BUT there is a fake, black, braided pig-tail on this hat. Mandy is checking it out. Every girl loves a long, braided, pig-tail.

"I'm so happy to be by the New Year's Orange Trees!"

美国 (American)

Family Pic!

中国 (Chinese)

Family Pic!