Made it to Guangzhou!

Eliana is truly amazing!  Yesterday morning started early (have to love that good old jet lag!) and apparently we were a little too noisy because little Eliana was up by around 5.  We got all packed up and there was simply never a quiet time for her to be able to take a nap.  Check out time was noon and we were going to grab a quick bite to eat before our guide came at 12:30, but he came early so there was not time to get anything.  I had some snacks for her so I knew she would be fine for a bit.  So it was off to pick up the last of our paperwork in Shanghai.

Our guide then dropped us off at a shopping area where we had a couple of hours to browse and get something to eat.  I had her in the Ergo carrier and she fell asleep for a few minutes as we walked and grabbed some lunch at McDonald's.  By now we were all very tired!  Eliana does not really want Keith to carry her when we are out and about like that.  And while I am more than glad to do so it is exhausting!  She only weighs around 26 pounds, but even that gets heavy after a while!



Shopping in Shanghai!

Anyway, our guide picked us up around 3 to head to the airport.  Since we are here over one of the biggest Chinese holidays, we wanted to get there in plenty of time just in case it was overly crowded.  As it ended up, we still had about 2 hours to wait for our flight once we were through security.  We got something to eat for our, by now, very hungry little girl then found a place to sit down.  Eliana played and was generally sweet and happy.  I'll have to admit that by now it was become a bit of a struggle for me to be as sweet and happy as she was being!



Watching airplanes.

Finally we boarded the plane.  I really expected a struggle with needing to strap a very exhausted little 3 1/2-year-old into a seat.  But no, she was totally enchanted with the seat belt and buckle.  Throw her own personal light into the equation and a magazine out of the seat pocket and you had delight and entertainment for as much of the flight as she could keep her little eyes open. She did cry briefly when we were landing, but that was it.

She went soundly to sleep as we were driving to our hotel and only woke up briefly as I put her pj's on her.  She whispered her own special little sound she makes when she wants a bottle and made the accompanying hand motion.  I was more than glad to give her this comfort!  She barely even started drinking it before she was out again and now it is 7:15 AM and she is still asleep.