Thanks so much for visiting us during our journey, Danny, Sally, Daniel and Carmen!
February 25, 2009 A Relaxing Day in Nanning!
Well, this was the first day we could sleep in and it certainly felt good! The paperwork from the past few days is being processed so we just get to enjoy the area and spend time together while we wait for this portion to be finalized.
Our day started with breakfast downstairs and again, this girl did some eating! She loved the fruit, especially the watermelon of which she ate two big helpings (thought of you Lisa Pfeifer!) and actually took Danny’s toast away and ate that too. Joy said that the Chinese don’t toast bread so his with jelly was a new treat for her. He didn’t care because it was another baby step for him to hopefully make friends with Carmen. She still will have nothing to do with Danny --- screams if he gets near her or even if he gets near me for that matter. On the other hand, she has completely started trusting me and wants me to hold her constantly…unless she’s eating but then I have to be right beside her. She’s leaning into me so hard that you can tell the trust and love are developing. She is not crying so much for “Mama” and will occasionally point at me and say “Mama”. It just makes my day!! We have come a long way in a short time. It is so, so sweet. Another big sign to look for is eye contact and she will just stare right at my eyes now. It certainly puts a lump in my throat and Danny’s too.
Later we walked to a nearby park with Joy and others from our group. The park was stunningly beautiful with lush trees along stoned walkways. It was really quite large and encircled a gorgeous lake with bridges and people all over just enjoying the day. We saw a man doing Tai Chi exercises and it was amazing. He had to be in his mid sixties and was as fit as any thirty year old. There were also paddleboats, some amusement rides, playgrounds and many stands with games and snacks. Danny bought an ice cream treat and again made small strides with Carmen as she devoured it from him bite by bite. He couldn’t hold her but at least she would look at him to take the bites. I know that might not sound like much but if you could see her fear of him, it’s really progress. Oh – there was also an older man in the park who greeted our group and said he would love to practice his English. He had been attending “retiree college” and learning English for three years and was actually pretty good. He was very complimentary and tried talking about many subjects. One that cracked us up was when he said “not good to talk about politics but Obama new and Bush – bye, bye (as he waved)”. It was really funny. Of course, we also get MANY stares and some smiles when they see us Americans with a Chinese baby. They’ll often come to touch the baby and even take a picture. I asked Joy what they think of us and she said the older ones understand and approve, but that some don’t understand what we are doing or why we want to adopt these babies.
We had another major achievement today with Carmen. I have had to carry her constantly (as she will not let Danny) and not only is my back about to break but it’s terribly hot and humid here. Anyway, one of our friends borrowed a small stroller from the hotel today and when I tried to put her in it to see if it would work for us – she absolutely freaked out. I don’t think she had seen one before. So later Danny picked up one for us and we put her in it “not happily” while in the room to let her get the feel of it. After about 5 minutes, she waved at Danny and said “bye-bye” and off we went down the hall. Now she calls it her “bye-bye” and we can hardly get her out of it. Matter of fact, we had to hide it in both the restaurant tonight and back in the room. This was sooo major for me!
We also started Carmen on an antibiotic last night. She’s been pulling and scratching on her ears to the point of even bleeding so I suspect an ear infection. We can also hear some chest rattling/congestion so the antibiotic should definitely be called for. She also seemed to be running a slight fever today so we started Tylenol as well. Oh --- she is finally drinking her formula too. It would seem that she likes it almost hot and we weren’t serving it that way. Live and learn I guess. In a very short period of time, we’ve made so much progress.
Another interesting tidbit we’ve noticed is that Carmen finds comfort in rubbing on the corners of material. I wore a collared shirt the first day with her and she immediately took to it --- always in her hand and rubbing it against her face, neck and ears. I’ve tried to wear a collar each day and she goes right to it. At night we’ve given her a little receiving blanket which she loves and rubs between her fingers all night. Again, so sweet. You’ll notice the blanket and my collars in the pictures.
Well, that’s it for tonight’s post as I am off to bed. The music is putting me to sleep as I type. There is a control in the room where you can play the tv or play instrumental music that is pre-selected. We are playing the music and it is hours of JOHN DENVER! ‘Rocky Mountain High’ is like a sleeping pill!!
Thank you again for your e-mails and prayers. One more week and we’re home! We will hate leaving this beautiful country where Carmen was born but also can’t wait to get home to our family, friends and own bed!! We love you all!
Note to Daniel: It made us so happy to talk to you this morning. We’re so glad you’re having a good time with Alex and Barrett. Ms. Lisa & Mr. Amir said that you are being a very good boy and we are so proud of you as usual. Today we were at a park that had sooo many dinosaurs that we talked about how much you would love it. We will tell you all about it when we get home, okay? We love you and can’t wait to be there with you,
