Tuesday in Guangzhou

This morning began quite early for Jim, and consequently for Tammy. We spent time reading your comments and were so encouraged! Then, we popped in the disc that was given to us by either Love Without Boundaries or the orphanage (we're still not sure which, and were so excited to see MANY pictures of our daughter, from the time she was about one until the present time. The earliest pictures show a tiny little girl with the same sweet face, large eyes and distinct ears. She was as precious then as now. Other pictures showed familiar outfits and hair-dos from pictures we already had. And still others showed Emmy Xiang receiving the care package we sent last, with her baby doll. It was so neat to see her expressions then!

But perhaps the most special pictures are the ones that show her with her foster family...some with the foster dad, some with the foster mom and others with foster siblings. What a treasure for us and for Emmy Xiang to enjoy one day. The love they had for her is evident in the pictures! Once the kids were awake, we showed them the pictures, too. Then we all readied for and went down to breakfast. OH! Emmy Xiang slept great and though she was the last to wake up, she did so with the largest smile and happiest mood! That is a huge blessing!

We enjoyed watching her eat...she knows what she likes and dislikes. And you should see how deftly she maneuvers a fork! Most kids twice her age would've had more trouble with such a large and long fork! She LOVES eggs, bacon, muffins, and noodles, tolerated watermelon and cantelope (at first anyway!), and avoided cabbage like the plague! She was suspicious of the skim milk at first, but decided it was good. She does like to eat! And she loves the flip-top straw sippy cut (likes to chew on the soft straw...I know she's not teething, but she seems to REALLY enjoy the chewing...anyone with little ones have any thoughts on that one?)

She's quite independent...likes to walk by herself most times. Lynda and Eddie, she has the same "Banessa stroll" that Eddie mimics so well and she's the same height but twice the depth of O, believe it or not! We went to the Civil Affairs office today to take our official adoption "family picture" with just mom and dad and new "baby", as well as the two official interviews so that we could legally be deemed her parents (which we passed!). The officials seemed quite surprised that parents with 3 girls (gasp) would want to adopt ANOTHER girl! Still we told them ho we loved and "knew" girls! They seemed pleased and signed off on the forms! And we were very grateful.

Our bus trip there and back revealed a better section of the city. It seems that it is divided into different sections or markets where booth after booth sell many of the same wares. Yesterday we saw a lot of hardware supplies (nuts, bolts, etc)and much metal. Today we saw time pieces, mechanisms, etc. and a lovely area of a flower and plant market. After we got back to the hotel, we exchanged some money, the girls bought lunch (6 bun-type of deli sandwiches for less than $3 US(they were pumped!)and met a friend, Kate and her family. They are here to finalize their 12 year old daughter's adoption and will head back later this week. It was great to meet in person one of the people who has been an encouragement to me when the wait was so long. Kate and Jim, and my Jim and me were two of those six families who experienced that little "lost in translation" mishap. Three, maybe even four of the other families will be here next week, so we'll get to see and visit with them, too! They all received their children yesterday too, so I pray their transition is going well too.

The three older girls and I left Emmy Xiang and Dad (to hang out and nap)and went on a shopping adventure in the city. Ann, a sweet local gal who has recently begun to take adoptive parents shopping, took us to the pearl market (and other jewelry stuffs) and to the silk/clothing market. It was an eye-opening experience to say the least. We got a closer look at the local economy (much different than at home!!!!) as well as life in a LARGE city. Wish I could describe it...wish I'd had a camera, thought I wouldn't have felt safe carrying it. It was strange to carry money in my belt and to feel so vulnerable, but all went well. We rode in two taxis and even experienced the China subway. We shopped for almost four hours and Katie was quite the trooper, keeping on without complaining, but feeling awful with a headache and the need to, well...let's just say there are not nice "toilets" as they call them in these kinds of places. Our guide said, "no, you won't want to go there...real smelly." I am sure she was right. Have you ever seen a squatty potty? Even a "nice" one is a glorified port-a-potty...not fun, unless you REALLY gotta go. Okay. Enough of that kind of talk.

We returned with fun stuff, souveniers and gifts. When we got back Jim and Emmy Xiang were just hanging out. He said after her nap he *tried* to do her hair (which is quite wild), but as he put one clip in and reached to do the next one, she handed him the one he'd just put in. It became a most fun game! So he just gave up. Smart.

On the way to supper tonight (it was quite late...almost 7pm) Emmy Xiang began to whine or moan. At first we thought it a ploy for attention or maybe just those normal sinful tendencies to pout or "cry" when we don't get what we want (aka selfishness). However, we realized quickly that she might be wondering if these strange people would feed her. She *had* to be hungry...we all were...and these moans seemed to be communicating *something*. So we whipped out the peanuts and voila', she stopped. Only a few were needed to assure her we had not forgotten. We were going to care for her. The girls and I discussed the fact that we really must help her to feel secure, and one way we could help is to maintain a realistic eating and sleeping, personal hygiene and exercise schedule for her. These things communicate love and care. Please continue to pray that we would be sensitive to needs and gentle, kind and firm with other issues so that she learns that we love her and will be here forever for her.

Last but not least, we popped into a local shop and purchased a pair of famous "squeaky shoes" for her. She barely made it...her foot is the size of the largest pair! Our laundry was ready (we'd dropped it off the day before) and the shop loaned us a stroller while we are in Guangzhou.

So after a bath and brushing teeth, all went to bed...that is all but me. But that's where I'm a-headin' in just a few minutes.

Blessings to y'all and more pictures later!

Love,
Tammy and co.