Saturday,
December 27, 2008
OMG – all the rumors are true, The White Swan does have the best
French toast! Our day started out rather well. We enjoyed the
buffet immensely and Mike swears this place serves the best
apple juice he ever had. After breakfast Mike headed out on his
bank adventure and got back in one piece. He said that no one
spoke English where he was, but he was able to show a card to a
taxi driver that the hotel had given him that which gave the
driver the destination to return him back here. Lauren and I
were with the rest of the “petitioners” completing our consulate
paperwork together so Mike got back just in time to scoop her up
and take her down to the play room for some floor time. She was
kind of grouchy (tired and hungry) so she didn’t enjoy it very
much, but it really is a nice playroom. Mattel sponsors the
room, so there are lots of toys for babies and younger children
to exert some energy and get some exposure to other kids. We met
another family from California who have two biological kids and
one daughter from China. They are here on vacation and were able
to visit their daughter’s orphanage on this trip. Nice!
Lauren & I hung out in the room for most of the afternoon as she
needed a major nap and it was drizzling out anyway. While
hanging out we received a present from the hotel; it’s a
Caucasian Barbie doll holding an Asian baby, called the “Going
Home” Barbie. These dolls are not for sale in stores, they are
strictly for adoptive parents who stay at The White Swan. Very
cute. Ellie and I were cracking ourselves up saying how much we
resemble the skinny,“stacked“, blond Barbie mom with her tiny
tee shirt, capri pants and open toe high heels. NOT!
The little munchkin appears to feel a little better today. As
noted above she’s been really hungry so I guess that is a good
sign. Her fever is gone but she still has diarrhea – so gross –
these diapers can’t contain it. The housekeeping staff must
think we are gross because we’ve had to change the duvet cover
three times in two days. Hey – I can’t control it if the Pampers
can’t – you know what I mean? It looks like Lauren is back to
only wanting me. No matter what Mike does she just cries with
him but is happy as a claim as soon as I pick her up. That just
breaks his heart. But we have to keep in mind that she didn’t
have much exposure to men in her 15 months, so it’s going to
take a little longer to bond with him. And of course, I told him
that it helps that I have “cushions” for her to lay on so who
wouldn’t love that? Lauren is not real fond of strangers either.
Some of the babies show no fear but she immediately looks up to
me and turns into me if I’m carrying her. From what we’ve been
told about the attachment process these are good healthy signs
that she is bonding with me. Praise the Lord!
Later in the day, we went to dinner at Lucy’s again with
Pat/Ellie/Tess and Jason/Andrea/Joanna. Joanna is the little one
that had the hospital visits. I am so very thrilled to report
that she is doing very well and her little happy personality is
in full force now that she is feeling better. Thank the Lord and
thanks to all of you that kept her in your prayers. At dinner,
Mike tried the “American Apple Pie” and reports that it is not
so great. More like warm mushy stuff between doughy crusts. Oh
well, can’t win them all. After dinner we went shopping for
Lauren’s “red couch photo” dress & we found one that both Mike
and I agreed on. For those of you who don’t know what that
is…there’s a set of red velvet couches here in The White Swan
and it is tradition for the adoptive families to dress their
children in the silk outfits and have group photo’s taken on the
red couches. I’m not sure how it started but now everyone does
it, so we plan on doing it too! I had originally planned on
getting Lauren a traditional Chinese red dress, since it is a
color of good luck, but my keen spouse pointed out that she
would just blend in with the sofa….well we can’t have that
happen so we choose another color that will stand out and should
be more “unique” and I think she’s going to look quite lovely.
We’ll post a picture in a couple days, so be sure to check back!
I have a confession to make. I have never liked pacifiers. I
can’t stand seeing them in kids’ mouths….and I purposely did not
buy any for Lauren. One night we were over in Pat & Ellie’s room
and Tess wouldn’t take the pacifier that they had given her.
Well this little one grabbed it up and LOVES it. Ellie ended up
giving her one of her own and well….now she’s pretty much stuck
on the Nub. Oh boy! Pat says that it won’t effect her bite and
that weaning her off of it won’t be hard, as both of his boys
used them…so I’m hoping that is true for Lauren. I caved in
because it was giving her comfort and she so desperately needed
that comfort with all these crazy changes in her life. Just
think two weeks ago we took her away from every sight, sound and
scent she has ever known! So, those of you who know me well
please try to refrain from giving me a hard time – I’m already
beating myself up over it but for now, it just seems “right”.
I would like to ask that you all keep one of our travel mates &
her family in your prayers. Kim’s father in law has passed on
and obviously she is not able to be at home with her husband and
family during this time. Please say a prayer for them that they
are comforted in this time of sorrow. |
Boy, she looks JUST like me!
Dinner with the gang, yay chicken
congee!
Oh yay, it's bedtime,
but Lauren's just getting revved up!
As soon as BaBa comes over Lauren turns into "Stitch"
Playing peek-a-boo with the covers
So tired out!
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