We are home!!

Hard to believe we have been home almost a week now. I didn't have a chance to post as my clock wouldn't switch to NB time and I have been pretty much in a fog. Lo and behold yesterday it switched!! What a difference a couple of days make on your outlook, lol!! We left Beijing and Sophia slept almost the whole flight and was fussy only about 45 minutes. This was fantastic as those who were flying know it would have been a nightmare if she hadn't slept. We arrived safe and sound at 3:45 in Toronto and had no glitches with immigration and by the time we got through the paperwork and picked up our luggage we and the Cassell's checked in the Sheraton at about 5pm. Not bad. We had some supper and a quick visit from Mike's brother in law and it was off to la la land. Sophia fell asleep from 9 pm and woke around 4:30 am. We got up and got ready for our next flight and we were on our way to NB!!! Sophia slept both the flight to Montreal and the one to Bathurst and this picture pretty much sums up the emotions of the day.
This is my daughter JJ getting her first look at her new sister and the blond girl is her "bestest girlfriend"!! All of our family and friends braved a storm that threatened our landing but God helped us out and we were able to land safely! We all went back to our house and our families had a welcome home party all ready! Thanks to all those who helped out it was great! Sophia headed off to bed around 11pm and woke up at 8am, yahoo!! Since then her clock has been on our time and while she has been waking up once a night she unusually goes right back to sleep. The Easter Bunny also found us and the girls had a great time searching out eggs, all 36 of 'em...Not sure what auntie M was thinking, lol!! We have slowly settled into a routine and are just loving every minute of it. Sophia is actually sleeping in her crib but when she wakes will not go back to sleep there so she is usually join us around 3 am until morning but this is a long way from the little girl who screamed bloody murder every time she was placed in the crib! She is really taking to her big sister and loves the feel of snow flakes on her face, whew!! I will post some pictures and will try and update later this week. Thanks to all those who have followed our journey and to all of our fellow travel mates...A better group we could not have asked for!!

At the Airport

At the Party!

Grampie's Girls

Next Morning

Easter Morning

Pictures from Rickshaw tour and visit of school

Rickshaw Tour

We left this am at 8:00 and toured vis a vis a rickshaw. It was very enjoyable with the exception of the weather. It was very cold and hazy and the pollution was very high today. They called it a sandstorm. we visited a kindergarten, a locals home and government garden. Lunch followed and we made our way back around 2:30. Sophia is down for a little nap and we are off touring with another couple, Joe and Dianne after "nap time", Sophia and Dad's and Joe and Meghan's, lol. We find this time around that we go out more on our own scratching around and are seeing more of China that we missed last time....A little braver I guess!! I am waiting for Mike to put the pictures on the computer and we will post Sophia's firtst St .Patty's Day, medical, and today's events....

On another note Sophia spent her first real night in a crib last night and did great...took just 10 minutes for her to calm down and then she rolled over and went "dodo" Hopefully same for tonight!!!

Medicals

Yesterday morning we went for Sophia's medical. It was bright and early at 7:30 on the bus :( YUCK!!! Those who know me well know that is TOO EARLY!!! Sophia thought so too!! So far she is quite a sleeper (HA HA BRUCEY!!!) Everything went well she weighed in at 9 kilos, was 74.4 cms tall and head was 44 cms. All were not on the chart except weight was 5-10 percentile but when they chart her weight for height and with the head it is all VERY healthy!! WHOOHOOO!! She has a low grade fever and upper respitory infection which I kinda thought but also has an ear infection starting in both ears and is cutting back molars!! Whew thats a lot for one little girl but the really strange part is she barely shows it except certain moments she can be a little cranky,but with being a little older we just assumed it was the transition. So all in all just a great day. We started her on an antibiotic yesterday and tylenol for pain as per the doc and she is already improving a little.

Last night we went to the pearl market and I was really not in the mood to shop just browse (IMAGINE THAT!!) and it's funny the amazing deals that you can get! I bought "silk" dresses for the girls (pretend of course) and paid 40 RMB, about $5, and at the end of the night I went back for 1 more and told her 30 and she said lowest price was 35 and when I walked awy she didn't chase me so I know this was the lowest she would go because it was also closing time, best time to get a deal. She had started out at 180 RMB. Mike said my dad would have been proud of he deals that i got!!

This morning we need to be on the bus at 8:00 and Sophia FINALLYT slept the night in her crib. She went to bed at 8"15 and is still out cold so I need to go get her ready. Bye for now and will post again later with pictures!! Miss Mahoney is also one shrewd dealer and we had Lisa Allen all ready to go at the end of the night she picked up a beautiful tea ste that started at 580 RMB for 100!!! Theres a lot of typos but no time to correct!

Sunday - THE GREAT WALL

Hi everyone;

Today we ventured to THE GREAT WALL. This time we went to a different part than last time we were here which was great for Barbara and I. We went to one of the top towers this time around as we used the treaker that we borrowed. It was great even though I was carrying another 20 pounds on my back. It was very cool and windy today and CROWDED! It was a fun day of sightseeing and bartering with the vendors as I got some pretty good deals. ( I probably still got taken) After the wall we stopped at the JADE FACTORY where I bought Barbara a Jade bangle and Sophia and Jenna a special Jade charm for thier 16th Birthday. On the way home we passed by the olympic site; amazing! Well we are off to bed after a long day and up early for the babies medicals in the morning.

Mike

THE NB POWER GANG

MANY TRAVELLED FAR AND WIDE TO SEE WHAT WAS AT THE TOP TOWER

TALK TO YOU ALL LATER! TAKE ME DOWN DAD!

More Pictures