Tuesday, July 25, 2006

I don’t know why I always wait until the wee hours to complete these updates, because they must always sound like we are tired and crabby….but the last few days have been honestly thrilling AND exhausting! Right now John and Gracie are once again curled up under the covers, snoozing away, and I am hoping to be there soon as well. I am in love! This little girl has captured my heart. She is starting to slowly let me in a bit, although today the most I achieved from her was a little half smile. But it was a start! We started the day in a rush, getting our family pictures taken for the Chinese government’s adoption certificate, and then off to several stops to be interviewed for the adoption and then have the formal adoption ceremony. It was so special to meet with the orphanage director from Yizhou, a very kind man, and one of Gracie’s nannies, who answered several questions about Grace for us. They told us their orphanage only has 15 children in it, some of which are special needs and some healthy. They surprised us by telling us that we will have permission to come and visit them tomorrow! We will be up at 5:30am to leave early for the six hour trip. After our visit, we will make the six hour journey back home, so don’t be surprised if the update tomorrow is late. It will be a l o n g day! But so worth it. Please pray that Miss Grace is not traumatized in any way by her return visit. She has behaved so well every time we have had to be on the tour bus, so we are hoping she will continue her magnificent travel behavior tomorrow. At the ceremony today, the director gave us some wonderful pictures they had of Grace and also a love ball, a special gift specific to the Guangxi province, and a beautiful hand embroidered bag. It was a very touching gesture. You can see how much he loves Gracie. He and the nanny lingered for a long time in the hallway, peeking in and waving at Grace. It was very sweet.

After that, it was an afternoon of shoe shopping to try and bulk up Gracie’s wardrobe. I guess her size must be the most popular, because we only could find four pairs of shoes in it. They are super cute though, and cheapcheap, so we left happy. She had a wonderful morning, letting both of us snuggle her and hold her tight, but once naptime hit, it was a different story. She screamed and screamed and did not want to sleep, even though she was dead tired. It was a very rough time of confusion, as I wasn’t sure if I should follow the director’s instructions to let her fall asleep on her own in her crib, as they told us she usually did, or pick her up to comfort her….so I probably did it all wrong…both letting her scream and then running to comfort her because I could not stand it any longer. But it was then that I first really got to hear her speak as she kept yelling to me, with arms outstretched, “Wo bao! Bao!”, which means “carry me, hold me!” That was irresistible to my too soft heart. For the rest of the day, she would look at me every once in a while and put up her arms and say, “Bao!” and of course, I happily obliged. She goes hot and cold with John…one minute he is fine, the next, don’t touch! Poor John is dying for her to come to him on her own. We learned today that she is actually very, very chatty and animated when she is comfortable at the orphanage with her buddies around and they are playing. She can speak and understand both Mandarin and the local dialect well….so we are anxious to hear this alleged Chinese chatterbox actually chatter. Maybe we will see a taste of it tomorrow.

We went for a long walk tonight through the beautiful park next to the hotel….there was a pretty lake and pathways and people flying kites. Nanning is a charming city. And we even ventured out on our own to catch a taxi to Walmart to buy a few things for the orphanage visit tomorrow. Our generous friends from Oakwood sent along a donation for the orphanage, and so we used some of it to buy all the kids new towels and washcloths and socks, and got them some candy, and tomorrow will put the rest towards an air conditioning unit for the orphanage. Thank you, Oakwood ladies!!!! Your generosity is going to make a big difference in the comfort of these little children! I hope they will let us take pictures so we can show you when we get back.

Okay….I’m off to bed. Please continue to pray for Grace…we are a little worried about how she will react tomorrow at the orphanage, and also she is having a terrible time when it is time to sleep. Pray for wisdom for us as we care for our baby girl. We love you!!! :) Miss you bunches and bunches, Jack, Lily and Han!!!!!!

Oh! Before I forget, I must amend a previous update. The Huggie wipes are NOT Chinese. They are Korean. :) Go figure!