Monday, July 31, 2006
SUGARPIE/CUJO

Well…today is our last day in China and we are a little sad to say goodbye to it….although SUPER excited to get home to see our kiddos and see how they like their new sister!!!!!

Yesterday we got up early to visit the local zoo here where we saw some animals that are native to China and also some we recognized from the States. We all piled onto the tour bus for the morning at the zoo and after we were all settled and were pulling away from the hotel, our sweet guide Rebecca said, “This zoo is surrounded by trees, so it is very full of mosquitoes! I hope you have brought your mosquito spray!”, which of course, only one lone mother had. She graciously lent it to all of us though, and we suffered not a single bite. It was like all zoos….sort of interesting and also sort of sad. Gracie however thought it was awesome as she excitedly pointed out all the animals to us from her perch in John’s arms. She has been favoring him a little more the last couple days, which we think is to be expected. It’s kind of funny….she will be sweet as honey with him, letting him do all sorts of silly things, and very affectionate also, but when I do the same she always brings out her alternate “cujo” personality, coming in for the kill with the big teeth. If I try to kiss her hand, she tries to bite my cheek, if I put my hand on the window near hers, she leans over with a slap and a bite to the hand. But if John is nearby, she will VOLUNTARILY hold up her hand for him to kiss it. Ay-yi-yi!!!!!! So unfair! But she is interacting with us so much and as long as I am more in the background, she is happy, happy, happy. She has been sleeping very well the last two days and playing with little toys in the room also.

We tried to get Grace to pose on the famous White Swan red couch with the other babies for a group photo. You can see the results. She looked a little confused but stayed put on the sofa, which was good.

Last night we went on a fun dinner cruise on the Pearl River and she really enjoyed that. She loved to walk all around the deck, going back and forth to our table with John in tow. She would go out to the outside deck, look around, then run inside back to our table and climb into her seat. Then repeat the entire process. It must be amazing to be outside of the orphanage courtyard for her, able to explore and see all these new sights. She will eat anything we put on her plate, and also anything on someone else’s plate as well, and it makes us wonder if she was already introduced to a variety of foods, or if she is just an adventurous eater? Last night she swiped my corn on the cob, and when John returned with another for me, she swiped that as well right off his plate. Some of our friends are having such a hard time finding something their daughters will eat, or getting them to poop, and let me tell you! This Gracie is a champ at both. But I guess they do go hand in hand. :)

Today will be a visit to the consulate, toy market and a last dinner together as a group. Tomorrow we leave for Hong Kong, and then one more day until we begin the long journey home. I will try and post again from Hong Kong, but if I cannot, the next post will be from HOME! Thank you all for praying so diligently for our family during our Journey to Grace!!! We have been so buoyed by your encouraging emails and guestbook notes, and have felt absolutely covered from tip to toe in your love and prayers. We are so grateful for all of you.

Okay. Off to the toy market!!!! Much love from us.