June 19, 2006 Our First Full Day As A Family Of 3!
Abigail is the sweetest little baby and an absolute joy! I keep going to check on her just to see that this is really happening! She is more beautiful than I ever expected! Her last update said she weighed 18 lbs. and that seems to be about right! She isn't too interested in her bottle which had me a little concerned last night! She hates the playtex style bottles that I brought with me so I ventured out to the grocery store and bought the Chinese baby bottles which have a very fast flow and are flat! She did better with those, but still doesn't seem to drink too much! She did eat a big bowl of Congee for breakfast, and some rice cereal for dinner. She loves to ride in the stroller and she is a nosy-rosy! She is very alert and looks over everyone! She cried last night when I tried to put her down and her little cry is the most pathetic little cry! It sounds as if she is saying "Momma, Momma and then hollers in Chinese!" This girl can turn up the volume when she wants! But once I picked her up, she just curls up my arms and is out like a light! Emily was a little upset when Abigail was crying and went out to sit in the hallway! She sobbed a bit and said she wished it was the old way when it was just the 2 of us! So she was crying, the baby was crying and I was crying! But that only lasted a few minutes and she woke up today saying she was so glad to have Abigail and she jumped right in and was a great big sister! Emily is really a big help to me on this trip! She can manage the luggage cart, change a diaper, and bargain shop with the locals for me!
Today, we returned to the Guangdong province office to complete the adoption and then it was off to shop. Tracy and Judy our guides for FTIA are absolutely wonderful and Tracy was able to get me a good deal on some squeaky shoes and a stroller! The White Swan and the Shaiman Island are really quite spectacular! There is no way to describe the scene at the breakfast buffet! You look around and all you see are Chinese children with adoptive parents! Everyone talks to everyone and admires all the babies! The people here in Guangzhou are much friendlier and we have not had any run-ins with the clothing police! :)
The shopping is fabulous and the girls who work at the shops remember all of our names and say "hello: Kathy!"
We are here until a week from Wednesday, so I am sure we will have lots more shopping adventures! To the May referral group, Tina just told me you got your TA's so I will tell the shopkeepers you are coming soon! Congratulations! To those waiting on referrals, hang in there! This was so worth it!!!!
Happy Birthday to my sister Mary Ellen today!
Thanks for the emails and prayers!
Love,
Kathy, Emily, and Abigail
Abigail and Mom
Abigail Up Close
Dr. Deb gives Abby and Rebekah a clean bill of health.
