Shanghai Weekend {Friends & Pearl Market}

Shanghai, here we come!

305 Km/h = 190 Miles/Hour from Nanjing to Shanghai.

(It goes much faster...but I forgot to take a picture)

With Carter, we now have this easy trip down to a science.

-Pack light has a whole new level of lightness now.

-20 minutes in the car to the train station...pre-arranged.

-1.25 hours on the train:

Breakfast, then a walk up and down the aisles waving in every aisle person's face with an "eye!!"

-30 minutes from cab to the hotel room with Pack-n-Play set up for nap #1.

-While he sleeps, we confirm meet-up times by text with friends, fill the hotel room with balloons for some Carter fun and unpack/set-up!

Once awake and refreshed, we met up with some of our favorite people for some "Texas" BBQ, our tradition with these people! This was a special visit, because our good friends Kellee and Francious just had their precious baby, Violette, and we finally got to meet her! Of course, too much fun so I didn't get any pictures!? Grr.

2nd Nap Time (for Daddy and Carter) I snuck off to the Pearl Market. With out knowing where and when we will be moving, this COULD possibly be my last visit to this place. :(

Many friends have asked about this place. I have never taken too many pictures because it isn't something you think about in your everyday life, but since we MAY never be back...I did!!

This is where the creativity begins!

Stones of every color! Just imagine all of the jewelry designing you can do!

Here are my two favorite people at the pearl market. I LOVE them!

I buy all of my jewelry from them. If you've ever bought jewelry from me...it is from these two! Sweetest people ever.

This is their big store they moved into (thanks to all you girls who bought jewelry). They used to have a booth like the ones pictured above!

These are all pearls! Again, imagine all you can do! Do you see why I love this place?

Me and Jennifer, that is her English name. My Chinese name is Sha La.

(Named by my Chinese teacher...she said after "Sha La" Jessica Parker.)

Okay, so Jennifer and I had a big cry. You know, you can only really cry with your real friends. I cried because I'm sad to be leaving this life. She cried because their business is not doing so well this year. This breaks my heart. She told me that her daughter said "we must be poor because all day long you've played with me and no customers have come in here."

So....I think I'm going to be doing another shipment. (Let me know if you would be interested.)

and..

I found these little pretties for myself!

Fun in the Sun

The past few Saturday's we've been jogging to this huge park a couple of miles from our house. It is fabulous!

We start off with a picnic breakfast. Mango for Carter!

He loves looking at all of the kites.

(Those aren't power lines, some type of arbor.)

The locals like to bring tents and hang out for the day. People don't really have yards of their own, so this is how it's done. I like it! They fly kites, BBQ on little disposable grills, and let their children and dogs run free!

Our kid and dog (below) running free! Woo Hoo!

See John and Mark (our couple & baby friend) attempting hacky-sack after a failed attempt at kite flying. (I just know all of the Chinese people were laughing at us. They are PRO'S at kite flying!!)

Then music came on and there was a HUGE water show that soaked half of the park. Lucy is loving it! Carter and Trevor (baby of Mark and Cat;) were not too sure.

John and Carter loving the water show!

Bed Head

Inspired by:

Carter McCoy.

Lucky for Carter, he wakes up with his hair like this! Naturally!

He must really work hard to tease it while he sleeps because there is no combing it out. We've got to start all over. Our morning grooming session always begins with first, re-wetting his hair. Then combing it out. And letting it set with an air dry.

It's not so bad in the front. Notice his Angelina Jolie top lip. Busted yesterday. :()

You know kids these days, always trying to be "trendy." ;)

Delivery (14 Months)

I've always wanted to find a baby on my doorstep!! I'm sick, I know.

We have many imported items delivered to us from Shanghai weekly. This what we got this week! Ha ha!

Today Carter is 14 Months Old!

There are so many things to list these days I'm just going to have to do some or we (I) could be here a while:

-Climbing stairs like a big person but holding onto the wall for support. NOT crawling, which he can, but prefers this way. This makes Mommy scared so I follow him up for back up.

He does this every chance he can and always uses his right leg...so bye bye right leg roll. :( So sad. He's working his quads.

-Loves to eat. Especially mangos, bananas, apples, yogurt, french toast, pancakes, oatmeal, couscous, cheese, peanut butter, green beans, Cheerios, oranges, kiwi, dragon fruit, eggs....meat, not so much though, he's getting better.

-Moves, CONSTANTLY! He cracks me up. Always running.

-Communicates. He has certain grunts and body language that is very specific that anyone would understand him. Ex: Grunt and put a book into your hand. Run over to you, winey face and point at what ever he wants or isn't working, etc.

-I think he is saying "hi." It is the same sound with a wave, every time. More like "Eye??" (Anyone else notice girls at this age seem to be more advanced in language? While the boys are at Large Motor?)

-LOVES to be outside! Every awake-time we have to go out for "recess." If we can't, he bangs on the back door, comes to me with arms up, then grunts/winey face and points/grabs for the door handle. I pretend like he wants hugs from me...really he uses me to get up and closer to the door handle. I don't care, I love it. (John and I fight over who gets these moments, they are the best.)

-Man, he is busy these days. From the second I he is out of his crib, his feet hit the floor and he is off for something specific.

-This kid loves his naps and bedtime. All you have to do is ask him "Are you ready for nigh-night?" and show him his blanket. I kid you not...if you aren't there to catch him in your arms, he will fall to the ground. He ALWAYS melts into his blanket. It's the best. (We fight over this time too.)

-Loves bath time! This is all John time. Funny how even at a young age they are different for different parents. John has him leaning back to wash the soap out (he is much more gentle than I am...I always just poured on his head) but Carter falls back into his arm. So sweet. I hear them having fun in there!!

Of course, I'm going to say the usual: Time has flown and this is my favorite age!!! But it is true!!

I've noticed that God prepares you for the next step in parenthood at each step you are in. There are always little changes and adaptations that get you ready for the following stage. Whether it is having a mobile child, less adult-only home, eating solids, dropping naps, talking etc. When the new thing happens, you are so ready and excited for it! But if you think about it too far ahead, it seems daunting. God is good that way! He knows how to prepare you.

Fabric Negotiating and Pillow Cases

Today, on our daily trip to the grocery store across the street from our house, we took the long way home to peek at a fabric shop.

I am trying to walk past this shop a few times a week. Each time I walk past I make sure that the owner notices me. I wave and give him a "Ni Hao!" (Hello!) I want him to know that I live here. I'm not a tourist. I'm comfortable here, not intimidated, confident, friendly and shop (DAILY). "You want me as a customer, you want me as a customer."

China business is run with the term Guanxi (pronounced guan-she) which means: relationships. And this is very real. You need to establish relationships for good deals. Because nobody pays the same price.

Grocery and big chains...not so much. Little businesses...for sure. Except for a Chinese Airline (I'll have to ask John the name, it has slipped my mind), if you have to read the website in English you pay 3x the amount. If you can read it in Chinese characters...a third of the price.

Okay, so back to the fabric. In Shanghai, they are so used to foreigners, negotiations are "game on" for all. No matter what color your skin is! Of course, you can never negotiate as low as a local. They will let you walk away if you try to pay that little. BUT here in Nanjing, they are trying to charge ridiculous prices!!! I can't stand it. I got pretty good at navigating the Shanghai markets but am way out of practice since I've have the little man in tow. Nanjing is a whole new ballgame.

I am trying to get some table linens made from this man. I want him to be my "fabric guy" because he is SOOO close and this all takes so much time. So a few weeks ago I went into his shop, picked everything out and started the negotiations. He was at $180 for table cloth, 2 runners, napkins, chair pillows and place mats.

I'm so used to Chinese prices now that I don't even know if that is good at home or not. But not good here. Nice joke guy!!

Usually, they throw a price, you throw half (or a third of the price), and you meet near half of the starting price. You have to have a mean face, act all serious, business like and fake walk away a few times. Gather your purse, calculator, pen and paper, huff and puff, etc. They usually say "okay, okay, okay."

Well, Mr. Nanjing Fabric Guy....didn't budge. At ALL!!!

So today, he was selling some extra pillow cases he made. I collected this hodge-podge of extras for $15! Not too shabby!!

One of these.

Three of these. Okay, maybe if we have a girl someday? Who knows, but I thought the fabric was cool.

Three of these. I can always use a little blue and brown!

2 of these gray. My least favorite, but could look neat with black.

One of the bottom right. I liked the two on the bottom even though they didn't have any matching, they look pretty neat together.

I'm sure I'll find a home for all of them!

How do you like me now, Mr. Nanjing Fabric Guy!? I see how low you can go!! Because your mama (seriously) sold me 10 pillow cases at $1.50 each. I'll be back for my table cloth later! Get your game face on!

A Day at the British School!

Carter and I joined a little group at the British school this Tuesday! It was a lovely morning, we had great weather, friends and fun!

The First Day Photo!

Carter playing with some friends.

There was a huge playground...they chose the little old house.

He's hooked.

He took a break from the house to ride on the back of a bike. Whoo!

Gotta get home again!

And, he found a Cheerio on the ground, but hey, he's happy! (Take a look at his huge teeth!)

Carter coached Mia from the sidelines. "Go Mia, Go!"

Loving the football pitch! Defense, defense!

Let's Chat about Motherhood

I want your opinions. Seriously. I've read these articles (below) and can't stop thinking about their points. I'm mad, disgusted, and shocked. I'm trying to be understanding and think that everyone is different and parents the best way they know how. But I can't even think about these moms long enough before I keep thinking about their KIDS! Hello, you have little people who need you!!

Ughhh......I need a bit of time to collect my thoughts. In the mean time read these articles:

First:

The Opposite of a 'Tiger Mom': Leaving Your Children Behind

Next:

Why I Left My Children

Finally:

What Kind of a Mother Would Leave Her Children

Let me know what you think!