Twas the Day before Lizzie and all through Taiwan...

We were stirring that's for sure  :)  Today was an amazing last "vacay day" here in Taiwan.  We spent the day preparing for Lizzie and letting Sophie tell us what she'd like to do since Lizzie will most likely dictate the happenings around these parts starting tomorrow.  She opted for the huge ferris wheel at Miramar - what five year old wouldn't?

Chris and Sophie went to purchase all of our high speed train tickets for our trip to Tainan and St Lucy's Center (SLC) tomorrow while Mom got a massage (per Dad's request, love him) at the hotel.  I swear the lady was standing on my back at some point but that's a story for another day!

Once we reconvened it was to the MRT station we went and hit the train to Marimar.  I'm struggling coming up with unique words to describe things as Chris state "beautiful " "amazing" and "cool" are used way to often so let's throw out a new one.  Totally radical.

The ferris wheel was right in the middle of a shopping center and is the third largest ferris wheel in all of Asia ( i think at least that's what a website said) and was complete with glass bottom air conditioned cars.  The view was unbelievable.  The ferris wheel does not stop yet goes very slow the entire way around.  Sophie thought was this was pretty fantastic and we were on our way to the carousel next.  There a few arcade style games there and Sophie and Chris hung out there for a few minutes while I shopped the 4th floor baby/kids section it was pretty incredible.  Each floor of this mall was focused on one category.  1st floor eating, 2nd floor make up and beauty, 3rd flood men's clothes, 4th floor baby, etc  not in that exact order but you get the idea.  Due to the sheer lack of land everything is Taiwan (and I'm assuming most of Asia) is build up not out so escalators are everywhere - Sophie said I feel like I"m moving....lol

After Marimar we took the train back to SoGo just to check out this shopping center and then walked back to the SYS Memorial park and there were tons of people outside just enjoying the nice weather.
We ended the day with a trip to Taipei basement foodcourt and a trip to Jason's for some stuff for us in the room tea and noodle bowls in case we don't make it out too much tomorrow.

Tonight we spent the evening prepping for Lizzie.  Packing the diaper bag, packing diapers, clothes, bottles, gifts for the nannies, train tickets, camera charging, gift for Lizzie from SOphie, Sophie gift from Lizzie, blowing up the baby tub and now there is a new excitement in the air, different from the days prior which was all about touring Taiwan and giving SOphie a piece of her birth country and allowing us the opportunity to view if with her and learn more ourselves.  Now the air is full of excitment, nervousness and I wonder ifs, hows, etc. as we prepare to meet our newest addition to the RHine household. 

Our prayers our different tonight.  We always pray for Lizzie but tonight we pray for a smooth transition for this little lady as she leaves the only enviornment she has ever known and that she finds comfort in us or at least one of us tomorrow. We pray she is healthy and well.  We pray she knows how much she is loved.   We pray for her birth family.  Like SOphie will are unable to meet them; however, they will always hold a special place in our heart and will be remebered always for giving us the most precious gift.  Our Lizzie.  A special prayer for BIG SISTER Sophie tonight too as her world is about to be rocked in a great way but to a five year old who has been the apple of our eye for over 4 years this could be hard on her too.  We pray in her little heart and head she understands that mommy and daddy love her, always will and just because our attention may need to be diverted to Lizzie from time to time that she will always be our baby. She is wise beyond her years and sometimes its hard for us to remember she is just five  :)  And lastly Chris and I.  One for patience and lack of dirty looks when we're frustrated tomorrow (hey this is an honest blog folks this won't all be sunshine and rainbows  - lol) and that we find our groove quickly.  He's my world and I love him and I'm so glad we get to grow our family from this most awesome journey.

So we end this day as our last day of 3 and enter into the journey as a family of 4 tomorrow.  We cannot wait!!  XOXOXOXO

 The Ferris Wheel @ Marimar

 WOWZA that's high.

air conditioned cars 

 Sophie on the ferris wheel

 Sophie and Daddy on top of Taiwan  :)

 View of housing from the ferris wheel

 View of city, lots of construction, This country is truly growing. 

 Mommy and Sophie on the Ferris Wheel

 And the carosel

 Lunch time

 Soph eating a soup dumpling

 Sophie with her Sprite and Me with the Coca Cola Light !

 Starbucks - MOM D we tried a GREEN TEA Frappacino.  yummm.

 SYS Memorial Hall and Garden.

 MRT

Sophie was so excited - she thought we were getting a bird.  She thought this was for people who brought their birds with them.