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Bathing in a fish tank with Chinese men

We decided to take a 2 hour train to Nanjing for our anniversary. We left Samantha with ayi and headed to a thermal spa resort. We really had no idea what to expect. My criteria for this trip were simple. I wanted a nap, time to read a book, sleeping in, one-on-one time with my Husband, and some relaxation. We got that...and some.

When we got to the resort we walked around to look at all the spas. There were so many! The selection included a coconut milk bath, wine bath, sauna, rice bath, salt spa, and others. You have to remember they were all written in Chinese, so half of the thermal spas we went in, we really had no idea what they were infused with. Hmph. That's kind of a scary thought.



 coconut milk bath






They look a tad murky but its really what they are "seeped" in. Like rose petals, wine, green tea, etc. 








We decided to try one treatment where you are buried in a large sand pit to "detoxify" or "heal" your body. I am 98.3% sure it was a just a gimmick, but it was fun to try. I was actually surprised by how heavy the sand was. I felt really claustrophobic so I actually only lasted 15 minutes instead of the recommended 30. After we got out you get to take a shower with some special sand exfoliant that makes your skin soft. That was nice.




After we went in a few more pools we decided to try the "turkish feet fish pool." I have done this "natural pedicure" once while in Cambodia but this time you get completely in. I was pretty nervous and a tad grossed out. I literally sat in a fish tank. The fish surprisingly just stayed only on our feet. They are supposed to be eating the dead skin off your feet, and no kidding, they really did feel smoother afterwards. We stayed in maybe 10 minutes and got out when we realized that there was quite a bit of fish poop floating about. We made some new friends in the process, as well.




Some of the spas were so incredibly hot we only lasted a few minutes in each, but afterwards we were very relaxed. When we told our friends we were going they all wanted to know if we would be naked while doing this. To everyones relief, no. We would be clothed in bathing suits. Peyton may have worn a speedo the second day. I will neither confirm nor deny.



It was relaxing, definitely unique, and fun. Most of the time when we are in China we are reminding each other that we have to have "the experience." Add this to the list!


Our Escape to Yellow Mountain

We decided last minute to do a weekend getaway to the "yellow mountains" (Huangshan mtns.) in China. They are located in the Anhui province. It is only an hour plane ride from Shanghai! The weather looked promising so we packed a bag and left. We had a very fun weekend and I am glad we went.

The first day we decided to get up very early and catch the bus to the mountain entrance. There was a cable car that takes you up the mountain so you can hike. We turned the corner and stopped dead in our tracks. This line. Was 3 hours long. It was the only way up the mountain!



We HAD to wait in this line. I almost died. Okay, thats a little dramatic but we braved it and I was never so excited to get into a cable car in my life. Samantha did amazing in the heat and crowds. We don't deserve her.

After we got up to the cable car we hiked a bit around the mountain. I don't use the term hike lightly. There had to have been 1 million stairs on our path. Just when we turned a corner. No. More stairs. After 2 hours my thighs were burnin and my enthusiasm had depleted. Good thing the scenery was gorgeous! We could not have picked a better weather day. We heard that clouds cover these mountains a good portion of the time, we happened to get blue skies. Hooray!










She has the right idea! 




 So. Many. Stairs. 









After a long day of the stair master we got to our hotel and passed out for a much needed sleep. The next day we woke up and went to a place that had "amazing grottos". No kidding. That was the name of the place. "Amazing Grottos." When we got there we realized that there were random carnival games everywhere. We decided to play them, because why not? It was the most random thing ever. It is so China to have something so random in the middle of nowhere. We decided to play archery and something that involves tennis balls and shot guns...or something like that. We finally got to go see the grottos. They were pretty amazing.





That night we visisted the "Old City of Huangshan". It was quaint and nice to see some of China. We were in a very rural part and there were many Chinese tourists. Of course they loved Samantha and we had to pose for about 1,000 pictures before we could go any further. After living in China with a newborn with blue eyes and blonde hair I can feel a little bit of what Celebrities deal with all the time.










That night we boarded a midnight flight and headed back to Shanghai. It was a very fun weekend.




China doll birthday party

Samantha turned one last month. ONE. One years old. People would tell me that when you have kids time flies ---but it REALLY does. They are a sweet cuddly newborn for all of about 10 seconds. While I do miss those days, this kid is getting such a personality and we love seeing it develop. I can't wait until she starts to talk. I can't even imagine what is going to come out of that mouth.


We decided we wanted to have a small party for Samantha's first birthday with just some close friends. At first I wasn't even going to have a party because, hello, she's one. She doesn't even know what a birthday is. But, my friends encouraged me to just do it. I don't really need any encouragement for an excuse to throw a party. I decided that it should be China themed. Duh. It was a fun way to commemorate her first birthday. Coincidently, lanterns and red decor is readily available here.









We had dumplings, cream cheese wontons, (which my Ayi explained are definitely NOT Chinese food), fortune cookies, ( not really Chinese either) egg tarts, and cupcakes.

We decided we wanted to do a cake smash and she wasn't sure about it at first but she learned what the deal was pretty quickly.








We also got to experience a Chinese first year tradition where Samantha "chooses her future." You place toys in front of the child like, an airplane (world traveler/pilot) a calculator (mathematician), microphone (singer), paintbrush (artist) etc. Samantha picked up the stethoscope. She is going to be a Doctor! Brilliant. She can take care of her Mother in her old age. Oh no, I hope she pays for medical school, herself. Work on those scholarships now, girlfriend.


Peytons Brother, Brandon, and his family had a board book made for Samantha for her Birthday with a darling story and family pictures included. She loves to look at herself and giggle. It is such a neat gift where she can see her relatives in a story. 




It was fun to celebrate with friends who are more like family all the way here in China. I love being able to experience all these little milestones. When I see how fast Samantha is growing it makes me want to take a step back and take it all in. I love being a mama to this sweet one year old.