Aaaahhh...

We are in Guangzhou and absolutely love our new hotel (see pictures). The change of scenery is a blessing beyond explanation at this point! Today, we went for Rylee's medical exam. I guess the CDC will not allow her to enter the country without the exam. There was a whole area specifically for adopted children. According to them, Rylee weighs 19 lbs. She did great during the exam and did not fuss a bit. I guess she got a clean bill of health and has been approved to travel as we did not hear otherwise. This morning, we also got her picture taken for her visa. From there, we went to Lucy's Bar and Grill for some American food. It tasted so good! We also went shopping. Oh, Mike just shared with me that on the tv station that Morgan is watching (must be Hong Kong station as it is in english), Survivor Guatemala is on tonight at 9. I am in heaven!!! Back to shopping, we did a little shopping. So many neat things, but so many things we would never use - In addition, they like to barter. I hate doing that! Just tell me the price and I will decide whether or not I want to buy it. Oh, I lasted 10 days without having to use a squat pot (if you are not sure what they are, I will gladly send you a photo)...What an experience. It had been many years since I had to use one...Memories...:o) For those that are dying for more photos, here they are:

Catch Up

Well, we missed a day posting and I haven't heard the end of it...Morgan and I were "under the weather" yesterday and I used my "free time" to take a nap. Let's see...Yesterday, our outing was to the Nanchang police station to receive our children's passports. From there, we went out for lunch...Guess what we ate - CHINESE FOOD! I don't think we will be eating chinese food for a long time after we return home...Actually, I know we won't!!! Last night, we flew from Nanchang to Guangzhou. It is in Guangzhou that we will complete the last of our paperwork at the US Consulate. We arrived at our hotel at midnight. It was so great to move on to another place as we were really, really needing a change of scenery! Rylee is doing well - the first picture is of her pouting as Mike is trying to let me take a nap. So, she is in his care - not real thrilled with him. Looks like we will be "bridling a spirit" when she settles in and adjusts to us, her new home, etc. She is a sharp little cookie and she tickles us to death!

I forgot to post the most exciting news...RYLEE POOPED! Yes, you read that right I said she pooped and not that she is pooped. We were so excited! I woke up this morning and asked Mike if he smelled what I smelled...He wasn't sure. We were becoming a bit concerned - I didn't constipate her afterall! Yippeee! Sorry if that was too much information for some.

We completed the 2 hour paperwork marathon, not that we have not put in enough hours by now. She is officially ours, but we just can't leave the country with her. Mike is ready to get on a plane now as he is trying to coax her into accepting some Cheerios from him and she is crying. Many times he will look at her and she will turn away as if to snub him...Poor guy is trying so hard to be patient and not get his feelings hurt. Right now, she is playing games with him - he hands her a Cheerio, she takes it, puts her head down into the bed, begins saying "mmmmm....", then will not put it into her mouth until he begins to close up the box. Didn't take him long, the box is now being put up. Best go and fix something for dinner...Top Ramen, oatmeal, hmmm... so many choices! :o)

Emperors for the Day!

Today our excursion was to the Tengwang Pavilion which is a very short walk from our hotel. It was there that we became emperors for the day. Picture did not come out very well as we had another family take it with our camera. We are not quite sure what the significance of the pavilion was, but hey it was pretty! Will research it and get back with you :o) Not sure how to spell pavilion either - I absolutely hate not having a dictionary! Once again, the local people gathered around to see/inspect Rylee. They are very curious and just stand around staring and chattering. Once we are stopped, then a crowd gathers. Rylee does not seem to be bothered by the attention and the people touching her. We just smile and let them look. When we go out, we keep Rylee covered as the Chinese people in this province layer their clothing despite the temperature. Many families have been stopped and told that their baby needs more clothes. So, we just put that pink sweatshirt over her and a blanket for her legs as her pants creep up in the hip hammock. She is unaffected by the layers of clothing. From the pavilion, we ate in a local Chinese restaurant...Yes, back to more chinese food. This was the best place that we have eaten at up to this point. This afternoon, we will fill out more paperwork for the consulate in Guangzhou and then pack/prepare for our departure tomorrow. We look forward to leaving Nanchang and to a new hotel!

Wild Hair, Wild Child

Well, we went to Pizza Hut tonight and I ate more than pizza (my words). One trip to Pizza Hut and Rylee is quickly growing into her hair...Oh my goodness! She let loose - grabbing everything, climbing around, pounding the table, etc. Would have helped to have a high chair, but she had the pleasure of my lap since she won't go to Mike. We are quickly beginning to think that the nannies spoiled her - she puffs out her bottom lip if she doesn't get her way. Morgan has an ear infection. Thankfully, the nurse/adoptive mom brought an otoscope. Unfortunately, we only have Zithromax which is not an ideal antibiotic for an ear infections. We are hoping it will take care of it as we have many flights ahead of us! Whew, things can changed on a dime! Good night from China.

Sights & Sounds

This morning our excursion was to People's Park. What a great experience! I now know why the Chinese are healthier and less overweight. This park was so peaceful and we are thrilled that we had the opportunity to experience it. From our understanding, many of the cities here have such a place. There were people doing Tai Chi or similar exercises, people gathered together playing some sort of game, people playing badminton (sp? no dictionary here), people strolling, a man playing a violin, etc. There was also a play area, for lack of a better word, for adults. It looked like community park equipment in the US, but was for the adults to exercise on: gliders for your legs, stretching equipment, etc. ( I will try to post pictures of it in a photo album tonight). It was at People's Park that we met Lenny (picture with Morgan). He stopped and talked to us and spoke very good english. He asked us many questions about why we were here and why we were adopting, occupations, etc. It was a great experience to talk to a local person. We asked Lenny how the people feel and he got very uncomfortable. In addition, it seemed like he did not know much about the process. So, we do not know how much they know about the issue. It was a great opportunity to share with him why we have chosen to adopt and we assured him that we would be giving Rylee all the opportunities that we can possibly offer her. In addition, we told him how thankful we are to his people for allowing us to make our family what it is today. Okay, enough - tearing up :o) From there we went to McDonald's! Yippeee! We know the feeling of the people on Survivor when they are given opportunities to get food rewards. We are not quite to the point where we would strip down naked for peanut butter and chocolate (previous season), but it tasted soooo good! We are headed off to Pizza Hut tonight..WooHoo two "American" meals in one day. Then, off to a fountain in the newer section of Nanchang. We are beginning to realize that Rylee might have a stubborn streak. Today, she has refused water from me, but is taking it from Morgan. Mike said that one time she took it from him and then looked over at me as if to say "Ha!". Oh my...I might have to eat some words!

PS Rylee thinks McDonald's french fries are pretty cool!

Miss Rylee

3am again...Guess who is awake and who is sleeping...Thank goodness for the internet. It is quiet and I do not need to turn on a light. Thought I would fill everyone in a bit on our little Rylee. She is doing great (comparatively) with the transition. She likes for me to hold her and touch her. I am doing all of the feeding, bathing, diapering, putting her to bed, etc and she does not make a fuss. Have you noticed that Mike is not in any of the pictures recently? Well, there is a reason...She is not taking to him much right now. That is completely normal at this stage of the game and many families are experiencing that - Mike is fine with that and is just thankful that she has bonded with one of us. Her attachment to him will come with time. Rylee adores Morgan and looks to him for entertainment. He is the one that gets her laughing and smiling. Mike and I aren't quite as successful. As far as her development, we anticipate a walker pretty soon. She is crawling, standing up on the side of the bed, moving along the side of the bed, stands without support (we have to get her into position), will take a couple of steps from the bed to a table. Her fine motor skills are growing more and more. The first day, we gave her Cheerios at the restaurant and she would just hold them in her fingers. If they were left in a pile on the table in front of her, she would dip for them like a duck going underwater. Now, we spread them out and she is feeding herself. She loves to eat. So far, we have fed her steamed eggs (local restaurant thing), white rice, banana, banana bread, french fries, and a few other little items. I think I may have constipated her, however...She has opened her mouth wide enough to count teeth and there are 8. She has a great personality and is fairly easy going. Sorry, to all those that were wishing a little "cracker jack", "spit fire", and whatever other names you all used, on us. ;o) I am sure she has yet to show all of her true colors though. She will play by herself and with Morgan/I. She is a great sleeper. You just put her in bed and she will go to sleep or move around until she falls to sleep. When she wakes up, she stands in her crib and looks at you until you wake up or will do her gymnastic routines. She prefers to fall asleep with her face smashed into the pillow or comforter - scares me to death. She is a joy and we feel so blessed!

Side notes (Things I have meant to post and not gotten to, questions you all have asked in emails, etc)

The orphanage director gave us pictures of Rylee in the orphanage (can't see much of the environment, however), a picture of the place where she was abandoned (bookstore), and a map showing the locations of both the orphanage and location of the bookstore. They also gave us a little keepsake (pillow thing) with soil and coins from her province.

The tags we have been wearing around our neck state the name of our agency and why we are here (both in english and chinese). They also have a few bible verses on them.

Mike is unable to access any of his bible study websites (for Sunday School prep) as they are blocked.

We will post again tonight...Gonna try and go get a few more minutes of sleep.