Day three in Guangzhou

We're a little less jet lagged around here so perhaps this post will include, ahem, better grammar. I read over the previous one and felt a leetle embarrassed to be an English major's wife :)

Today was "visit the police station and get a document to take to the Consulate appointment Day." But that didn't happen until the afternoon so we had all morning to have good times together. S woke with a little sorrow but I quickly gave her a bottle, which she took some of and welcomed the cuddle. We dressed and walked down to the breakfast buffet, which is awesome, by the way, and tried to figure out a few of her likes/dislikes. She will eat congee but doesn't go crazy over it. She does like most fruits that we send her way. She began to feed herself a little that morning, which was good to see. She is not so in shock anymore. She LOVED the steamed bun with bean paste. She actually just took out the bean paste. Hmm...will have to work on my Dim Sum skillz once we are back home.

We are calling her a variety of things; Sihong, Hong Hong (her nickname), and then will add the Serena. She kind of answers to us when she is feeling like it :) As we see her personality come through, we are seeing a sweet but mischievous little spirit. She is very curious and just yesterday wanted to walk on her own, explore the room, and take on the hotel playroom. She got right into the stroller we borrowed from the hotel and we took a turn on the island, stopping briefly for a little squeaky shoe shopping. Walking around the island was so peaceful and she just took it all in. If only the rain would stop long enough to dry out the playgrounds, it would be even more delightful.

The afternoon brought on intense sadness; we're not sure if it was the van ride (a reminder of previous caregiver exchange)? post nap blues? feeling the loss of her foster family? We are not sure. On the return trip she seemed better and the van slowed ever so briefly so that I could take photos of the area where she was found. It is actually an incredibly busy intersection, so we were not able to stop.

Five O'clock came and S turned into a normal toddler! (Similar to the night before). Laughs came easily and freely and she welcomed our kisses. We felt confident enough to try FIRST DINING OUT experience. It was awesome. There was rice on the floor in less than 30 seconds after our food was brought as S decided to show us that she can feed herself (not quite yet) but was determined to do so without our help. She is so delicate with eating, her pincer grasp so precise, and becomes VERY worried with food that escapes to the floor or to her bib pocket. We have to go after each morsel and then I have to explain to her that we can't really eat food that dropped on the floor. Not sure I've convinced her quite yet.

We had a bit more rousing fun in the playroom following dinner where she discovered just how fun her Baba (dad) can be, a little bath, prayers, and sleep. She watches us while we pray together and I wonder what she's thinking - what are these strange white people doing now?

Well, it is 4 am and perhaps I should try a bit more sleep as today's agenda includes some serious shopping.

A few pictures before I retire (again):

 

 

 

 

 

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