Thursday, September 21, 2006

     We got KFC today and it was very good! Yippee! And Alivia loves the French fries! For us adults, it was a welcoming change from all the Chinese food.
     We went souvenir shopping at the local merchants and then to an amusement park just to walk around.     Alivia’s cough and cold is doing much better today. Jane informed us that with regard to the babies’ running noses, coughing and fevers; there is no air-conditioning in the orphanage and that this is quite an adjustment for the babies. It will take a couple of weeks for them to get use to the air conditioning and climate change.
     I am settling in nicely to a routine and the fact of having a little one to take care of all over again. She has made it quite easy on me. She is so good-natured, loves to be held, and sleeps 12 hours straight through the night! Although Alivia is not walking yet, she is standing with my assistance. She loves to play with her blocks and stuffed animals. Each day she is getting more and more comfortable with me.
     At lunch, Jane asked us if we would like to see the Huangguoshu Waterfall that Guizhou is famous for? We all said, “That would be wonderful”. This sightseeing trip is located in southwest Guizhou, approximately 2 hours away and was not in the planned agenda, therefore it will be at our own expense. We are all excited and can’t wait for tomorrow.
     8:30 p.m. – Oh, I am so excited! We had a major breakthrough tonight with Alivia. She drank from a sippy cup for the first time and walked with the help of Mommy and Jennifer for the first time! I am so thankful at all the progress Alivia is making in such a short period of time.  Keep the prayers coming as they are truly working!
     While I am thinking about it, I would like to take this time to thank a couple of people. First to everyone at CWA (Christian World Adoption) for all they had done to make this trip what it has been. Our guides in both Beijing and Guizhou have been great and very helpful with the language barrier – we have been so well taken care of; which has helped to make this experience even more special. Having Jane here has been blessing. She has answered many questions all us parents have had.
     Also, I want to thank Joe and Jennifer for all the hard work they had done with keeping our website up to date with the journaling and pictures. For our husbands, children, and other family and friends; they have been so grateful for the quick postings. I greatly appreciate you both so very much!
     Must turn it now as we are leaving quite early in the morning for our trip to the waterfall. Hope you all enjoy today’s pictures of Alivia! She is such a blessing! Til tomorrow.
     God bless –  Lisa and Jennifer