48 hours left – and yes we are counting. Being in the same hotel room for 2 weeks is getting to us. We are all feeling a bit sick too so that doesn’t help. But Joy continues to do well and we are having a lot of good family time. I know when we get back to the states and everyone resumes their busy schedules, I will long for these more carefree days.
The highlights of the day continue to be the playroom, the fish in the lobby, looking at the boats outside our window, and just playing in the room. Joy does seem to be more animated and outgoing when we are in these areas. She is doing better when we go out but still prefers to stay in a more sheltered environment. She really responds to everyone in the family now but favors Daniel over the other kids. She is also figuring out that Dad has a stronger back and she is more likely to be carried thru the entire outing if she is in his arms. She now holds her hands up to him as soon as we head out the door.
She is talking more and more, in Cantonese, and we are trying to get as much on video as possible. I know it won’t be long before she is talking totally in English and we don’t want to forget the sound of her little voice speaking in her native tongue. Many people have asked how we communicate. For the most part it really isn’t a problem. There are times it could be easier if we spoke the same language, particularly when she is feeling sad. But these times are getting fewer and far between. Yesterday she only had one very short time of crying and today she has not had any. I know these times will come up in the future, and even when she has command of the English language, she may not be able to express the feelings inside.
There isn’t much else to report, which is really a good thing. It feels like business as usual and everyone just seems to fit into our family as God intended.
