Pearl River and the Pearl Market

Yesterday was a rough one for Jefferson. The US requires all immigration applicants to under go a physical with a TB test. Blood draw, ouch!

The clinic that our group went to caters to US adoption groups. To make the families feel more comfortable, they decorated the office with a beloved American cartoon character - Santa Claus! Melinda took Steven to the clinic last year while Matt stayed back with the girls. So this year, Matt returned the favor and took on doctor's duty.

Santa did not make Jefferson

happier about the whole needle thing.

While Jefferson did his patriotic duty, Melinda and the three remaining rascals explored the cavernous Marriott hotel. First, she took them to the executive lounge where they each got a water bottle and a banana. You can go anywhere when you've got your water bottle and your banana.

Waterfall!

Bridge!

Chair! Or, as the kids called it, "The Throne!"

That evening, we took the family on a boat ride down the Pearl River to see the lights. Last time we did this, Matt had food poisoning. So, he was excited to be able to do the trip topside this time. We ordered Papa John's pizza to munch on while we puttered downstream.

While he was very attached to Baba for the first few days, Jefferson has now decided that Mommy is his favorite parent, and attached to her like glue. That is, attached when he's not running around like a wild man. He does a fair amount of that too. Consequently, he's already learned his first English word, "No!"  

We raided the executive lounge again and

got sodas for our family and most of the group.

Today was a little easier. We slept in, had a long breakfast at the hotel buffet, and visited the Pearl Market and Toy Market in Guangzhou's bustling wholesale centers. 

Adelaide just hanging out with enough

pearls to buy our house.

Jefferson's TB test came back negative, woo! The orphanage had him pre-tested a couple months ago, so we weren't worried. Poor dude, so many needle pricks. So, tomorrow we get to take him to the US Embassy for a final review of his paperwork before the US issues him an immigration visa. It's our LAST appointment. We are in the home stretch! China has been fun, but we're really excited to head home and get back into our normal routine.