Day 10 (rest, first Day in Guangdong)

Today we slept in a little (about 30 minutes or so) since yesterday was a heavy day and someone missed her nap!  C slept fitfully her first night here (meaning she talked in her sleep A LOT and was all over the bed - she had one to herself!)

C woke up pretty happy today - she even smiled at Sam, which she usually doesn't do.  We can't decide whether she is a morning person or not.  She does require about 20 minutes to wake up, including being snuggled, getting a back rub, kissing from mom : ), stretching and slowly starting to play.  Another plus is that she didn't cry when she woke up this morning, which she has been doing as well as after naps.  

Breakfast was very busy, almost overwhelming, but good.  It was the first time I have been full in a long time!  It was the first time I have seen so many other families wadopting Asian children in one place!  Kind of fun!  There were people from all over from all different agencies.   C wouldn't eat any fruit, dried or fresh (kiwi, raisins, apple, banana), any bread, BUT she did eat scrambled eggs (a little) and a whole boiled egg!  Yay!  The orange juice they have here wasn't Tang, but the real stuff with the pulp, so it wouldn't work in the sippy.  Apple juice was a no go, but pineapple juice proved to be a suitable substitute.  Let me tell you, if you can't fnd something to eat at this buffet, then you must be dead!  They have everything!

We did a lot of playing and some room organzing today, since we will be here for two weeks.  C was getting bored in the room and all of our family was out since they have a different schedule, so we rode the escalator (she loves this!), elevators, explored the hotel, played outside despite the rain and found the indoor playroom, which really isn't much, but, hey, it wasn't the hotel room!  When we were outside, Sam got to hold C willingly for the first time!  Definitely a happy moment!  

She doesn't look happy here, but she was.  This girl simply refuses to smile for the camera - she knows what it is and it will zap a smile in a New York second!

C had fun in the playroom and is VERY particular about what goes where, but is also fantastic with pick up.  She's a great girl!

As far as clothing, for the people back home, her shirt is a 2T, which fits great, the pants are 18 months (2T is best for length), which are about 4 inches too short, but fit in the waist (she's lost some weight since FFamily Day), and, yes, she is wearing panties and keeping them dry!  Thanks, D family, for strongly suggesting the panties (2T-3T)!  Most importantly for my southern friends, she is keeping a bow in!  We had a talk about it once or twice, but she likes seeing it in her hair and is almost always willing to have it put in!  When she plays very hard I take it out because I know it must pull a little.  It is just a soft, ribbon covered clip in type.  She is the only child in China I have seen with a bow in her hair!  We're starting trends!

She is also keeping the pretty bracelet from the orphanage on her wrist.  She will touch it and then I will show her mine (they are very, very similar!) and she is pleased that we match, though she is starting to want a watch now!  I have to push it up when she eats because she doesn't want to get it dirty.

I would say that while she is very neat and dainty, likes to be clean and loves putting her clothes on in the morning, she is not easily scared.  Loud noises, water, rain, dark caves, boats, planes, buses, loud horns and the like do not scare her!  

We took her shopping at the local 7 Eleven for lunch.  When she saw this cup of noodles, she grabbed it and didn't let go until it was time to put it on the counter.  After we paid for it, she carried it all by herself back to the hotel.  She feels much more comfortable (as do I) walking beside us now, holding my hand.  Guangdong does not seems as busy or as fast paced as Guiyang (probably just the area we are in is quieter) soI don't feel like she will get lost in a crowd or run over by a car or moped.  After lunch, I got the bed ready and then showed her a pciture of her sleeping and said, "Night night" and ointed to the bed.  She went down without a fuss and slept easily for two hours.  We wore her out this morning!

For dinner, we had the hotel buffet with our original Beijing families (U and D families), which was nice.  It was expensive, so Sam and I split a hamburger (which tasted like an actual hamburger) and bought C some fried rice.

After dinner was bathtime, which C loves, so that was fun

You can see her different haircut a little better above.  Her forehead and the sides, all the way around to the back are saved about an inch and a half.  Though it may not be what I would have chosen, I can tell from how her hair lays that it is a quality haircut and fairly recent.  Just another little piece of evidence that her foster family took great pride in her and also very good care of her.  Shes a loved girl!

THings that I'm glad I brought:

* Baby wash and lotion (C has dry skin, but she knows what lotion is - she helps me put it on her every night)

* snack containers (lunch size - we put things from the buffet in them to enjoy later, or take them on outings)

* gas drops for infants - C is still having some potty issues and tonight asked in her way for medicine.  Seemed to help

* a Dolly for C - she loves it

Things I wished I'd Brought:

* prunes - C will eat them

* more 2T pants for C

* picture book of our family back home (we have one picture of nieces and nephews - she studies it and asks for names)

* hypoallergenic lotion and baby wash _ I'm thinking C has senstive skin issues, too

Praises and Prayer requests:

* one of the families had their child's medical check up today - they had an unexpected test run and are worrying about the outcome and possible treatment in country (not wanted).  Please pray for no issues and no in country treatment.

* C is doing great with Sam - yay!

* Pray for C and for us and for FL as her Forever Family Day is coming up.  It will be a big day, C will miss her nap and probably be very frightened by the experience, but the best option is to bring her with us.  we know it will be hard on FL.

Thanks for reading!   : )