Wow, what an adventure!!!

Well, we have spent the last two days scouring the markets of Seoul!! Hannah is such a trooper! She has been riding in the carrier that Lea-Ann has been wearing - for hours at a time! Sometimes she sleeps, sometimes she plays with her toys, sometimes she watches the sights go by, and sometimes she coos and makes faces at the people on the subway! Oh yes, she is a pro on the subway - she has to hold onto the bars every time we get in - it is so funny - we even got a picture of her holding on with both hands! She is such a peaceful baby, unless she is tired or hungry she hardly fusses at all - how did we get so lucky???!!! She eats everything (soft foods) - yes at seven months she is already eating table food! They usually start solid foods much earlier in Korea than we do in the US, usually around 4 months of age. Right now she is gnawing on a rice stick - a stick (almost looks like corn on the cob) made with puffed rice that is sweetened and formed into a roll - they are very yummy, mommy likes them too!

This has been a trip of a lifetime!!! The Korean people are very shy but honest, kind and helpful! There have been many times that we have commented on how safe we have felt in various situations where in the US we would not have. We asked the city tour guide about the crime rate and she said it is very very low. She said that Koreans have a very deep sense of honor for each other. The police do not carry any guns or sticks, she said they just shout and ticket. Koreans also love their children, we have been constantly stopped by people so they can see Hannah and talk to her. We have heard that it is very difficult for Koreans to see their babies adopted out internationally, however they have been very gracious to us. You can see the sadness in the eyes of many as they watch us walk by or talk with Hannah but there have also been many that have acknowledged us with gratitude and excitement for Hannah's future.

We have strived to learn as much as we can about the Korean culture and to try to capture some of it to share with Hannah as she grows. We have visited some of the historic sites in Seoul, such as the oldest Royal Palace which has a folk museum on the grounds that taught us about the history of the lifestyles and practices of the Korean people. We also visited the National War Museum which pays great tribute to the Korean War and it's veterans, it also includes a museum that shares the history of the Korean military/warfare dating back to prehistoric times. We went to a Korean Mass at the Cathedral - they are extremely reverent!!! We also stopped by a shrine to some of the Korean martyrs that Pope John Paul II promoted to sainthood. One evening we were able to go to a show called "Nanta" which is a show that started here in Korea and has been taken to Broadway. It is a musical about four chefs who are preparing a meal for a traditional Korean wedding. The story is told through the music, dancing, and acting - there is little talking. The amazing thing is most of the music is made with cooking utensils. There is audience participation and Lea-Ann got pulled up on stage to be the bride of the couple. We had a very sweet college age girl (studying linguistics) take us to a wonderful Korean restaurant to eat and shopping in the streets of Insadong. We have mastered the subway and have walked and walked and walked and walked the streets of Seoul - taken in the sights, sounds, and smells of this unique culture! All this and to top it off we get to be the parents of one amazing and beautiful Korean baby girl (we are proud parents - can't you tell!)

Tomorrow we board a plane back home. We are very ready to get back to our three other wonderful little ones who have been having a blast with their Grandma and Grandpa, however we will miss being a part of this culture that has given us our daughter. There is still so much to see and experience -another day maybe! We will always carry Korea in our hearts and hope to bring a little bit back with us (like two suitcases full - he,he)! Gabriel, Josiah and Marie Elizabeth we are bringing your baby sister home!!!!!