An Emotional Day...

First, I want to thank everyone for the e-mail messages. I don't get to respond to all of them, but we are loving them. I read them aloud to Rodney and it makes us feel so much more connected to home, which is incredibly nice!

I woke up Friday morning very early. We are not adjusted to the time as well as we originally thought we were. But we are napping with Anna, so I really don't mind if we don't fully adjust. Maybe it will make the transition back home easier....I hope. Anna is sleeping all through the night. It takes her a while to go down, but then, out like a light. She sleeps very peaceful.

Rodney and I started getting ready for the day and Anna got up around 6 am. She opened her eyes, no crying, no whining. She was ready to play for a minute and then ready for her bottle. She is eating so good compared to the first couple of days. She doesn't want to hold her bottle. Rodney says that she is already spoiled to me feeding her. But honestly, I don't remember her really trying to hold her bottle. She would pull it away from her mouth, but she was never really active in her feedings in the beginning either. I contribute part of that to her small size. I honestly don't think she ate much.

We all were ready, after a small bath scene. The easy bath on the first day has not been repeated since. She cries now. She is fine as soon as I get her out, but she gets mad. We went downstairs for breakfast. I had my usual, fried rice, fried noodles, oranges, and a slice of bread...yes, I am a nutrition nut (ha ha ha). Rodney had watermelon, oranges, boiled eggs (grossing me out!), fried onion cakes, curry dumplings, and oranges. He makes me about sick at breakfast with his combinations!

We hurried through breakfast because we were leaving for the orphanage visit. Our guide, Connie, arrived, helped us get our things loaded and we were off. The drive to Foshan Nanhai Social Welfare Institute took about 45 minutes. We enjoyed the drive. Getting to see new things and to see how far Guangzhou goes. It is huge. Buildings on top of buildings. Huge bridges. Traffic. Construction. It was amazing. One thing that really sticks out to me is the trees and landscaping. Even though some of the places are very cramped, there are trees - everywhere. In the median of the road there is shrubbery and flowers. Below bridges there are huge designs made with different shades of green shrubs and grasses. And they are all manicured. It is odd to see these huge buildings piled on top of one another, people, bicycles, cars, trucks everywhere and then a huge, old trees probably pushing 100 years or more. It really is a sight.

This bridge stretched as far as you could see

We were on a large highway and Foshan Nanhai, SWI was pointed out to us. I recognized it from pictures I had seen in the past with the huge red Chinese characters on top of the roof. My stomach started turning. I was so nervous. I didn't know how Anna would do. But I felt that this was so important for her later on. We had already agreed that if she acted uncomfortable or getting upset, one of us would leave with her. Although we both wanted to see, it wasn't worth losing the ground we had made with Anna.

Foshan Nanhai SWI with the red roof and large sign on top of the roof

We drove past the front gate entrance and drove down by the iron and brick fence surrounding the complex. We saw the apartment type buildings that housed the "old peoples". It was like a small retirement community/nursing home. We got nearly to the end of the fence and pulled into a small drive and up to a door. This was the entrance to the orphanage. We were greeted by the Assistant Director, the lady that brought Anna to the Civil Affairs on Monday to meet us. It was clean inside and warm. We were pointed to a room where children with physical disabilities were given physical therapy. We were told that there was "professional doctors" that would help the children.

Next, we were taken upstairs to Ms. Tang's office, the Orphanage Director. She was on the phone and greeted us with a wave. She motioned for us to sit. Anna was flip flopping in my arms, as she does not like small rooms or to get hot. It was a small room and very hot. A young girl, probably my age, but looked so young, came into the room and spoke some words to our guide. When she left, Connie told us that it was a tradition at this orphanage to fix returning babies a bottle of their formula and congee. The young lady returned with a bottle. Anna would have nothing to do with it. She began to fuss. Our guide and the director began speaking and trying to get her to take the bottle, again she refused. She was getting really hot now and I was getting nervous. I turned her around got the bottle that we brought and she began to drink. They said something, don't know what and put the bottle down.

The director told our guide she was sorry she was so busy, but they had just gotten a new baby with "mental problems". The Assistant was going to take us on our tour. Connie said that since Anna didn't want the bottle, we could go ahead.

She lead us down a hallway and we stood outside the doors of the observation room, infant room and the food preparation room. The observation room is where children are kept that have just come into the orphanage. It is like a quarantine area to keep the children separate until they have been checked out okay to join the other children. The infant room was obviously the room for babies under 5 months. We could only see a small little head through the screened door. The food prep room had a sink area and multiple rice cookers. We were told that the babies got a different flavor of congee everyday. Beef, chicken, fish mixed with their formula.

We were in a hallway with all the rooms to our left and to the right was a screened area looking outside. We could see a river from the windows, but there wasn't a breeze to be felt. It was so hot. Anna held on like the little spider monkey that she is, turning from side to side looking around. We walked into the play area for the babies Anna's age. There was a little girl walking around with a pink ball. A nanny was playing with her in the play area. She seemed so happy and incredibly cute. We were told that she was a special need because she is so small. No physical disabilities, nothing shown up on her "brain test", just small. She watched Anna and myself. She would look and smile. I don't know if she thought I looked different, aka funny, or if she was just wanting the attention I was giving her. I could have scooped her up and brought her home too.

The nannies tried to touch Anna and talk to her, but she would turn her head and pull away. Which made me feel good, but also made me wonder. She acted as though she had never seen any of them before. We stood right outside the room where Anna was kept. I could see a familiar face standing up in a crib and I was anxious to go inside.

Anna's former crib

We were lead to the room and shown the crib where Anna slept. We were given the name tag from her bed for a "souvenir". I didn't know how close I was allowed to get to the babies but I was ready to go see the sweethearts. I scanned the room looking for another baby that I was familiar with. I seen her sitting in her crib with another baby. She was so sweet. I approached the bed and rubbed her foot. She looked at me questioning my intentions. I rubbed her chubby little leg and then her hand. She pulled her hand away and I returned to her foot. I told Connie to tell the nannies that I knew her mommy and she would be called Annabelle. The guides all laughed and liked that I knew she was going to a home. She finally let me rub her hand and arm, then her face. I whispered to her that her momma was coming soon and loved her very much. All the other babies were looking my way and I felt pulled to each one.

As I stood in the room, my heart was breaking. I was biting my lip trying so hard not to let out that first tear. My chest was so heavy for these babies. If I started, I knew I wouldn't be able to stop. As I walked from crib to crib, touching each one, telling them that they are loved I prayed for God to save them. They are being taken care of, yes, they are being clothed, fed, changed, but Oh God...they need a mother. Someone to love them as their own, to have dreams for them, a home for them...there are so many, in so many places around the world. How it must grieve God.




There was one baby in the back corner that just watched me, everywhere I would I go. I approached the baby...I don't know if it was a boy or girl, I'll say he. I rubbed his face and he just smiled. He had the cutest little teeth and a chubby little face. The more I rubbed his face, the more he would grin. Finally, he let out a laugh that was so sweet. He grabbed my hand and wouldn't let go. He kept pulling me to him. How can you pull away from a motherless child? I stayed at his crib for a long time playing with him...but there were so many more I wanted to show attention. I gave him a final touch and hugged his little body and moved to the next crib.

The other baby that I recognized was standing the entire time we were there. She was very attentive to everything that I done. She would smile at me when I would just look at her. She was very soft and sweet and didn't make any noises, but was very responsive to my touch. I took many pictures of these two babies to send back to their families waiting for travel.

While I am traveling from crib to crib, Anna is not making any sounds, just holding on to me. Looking around and seeming very content to be there. She didn't act nervous or upset, but she didn't want me to let go of her. My back was wet and I could feel sweat running down the sides of my face. It was so hot in there. As I was walking around the room, the nannies started bringing in bottles to the babies and it was sweet to watch them eat. They would lay on their backs and hold their bottles at the bottom pushing it against their faces. I could have stayed for hours playing and giving attention to these children. They were all so sweet and I pray that somewhere that are mothers out there looking for all of these children. I will never forget their faces.

We left the room and walked back to Ms. Tang's office. There I met another family that had just received their son on Monday as well. They were there to tour the orphanage. Rodney and the mother had their pictures made together with Anna and Micah, their son. I was talking to the director and our guide about another child. I had an incredible experience in her office that I will share later.

Ms. Tang and Anna reaching for her Momma :-)

I do believe that the children are taken care of there. It is not ideal, but much better than other orphanages that I have read about. I am thankful that Anna was cared for until we arrived. But nothing can replace a family. No matter how good or how well equipped, how well staffed an orphanage can be, nothing is better than a family.

Rodney, Anna and myself got into the van while the driver and Connie got some directions to our next destination. I began to cry inside and have cried many times since. I pray God sends a burden to people for these children. I would have brought them all home if I could. As we drove away, we told Anna to say "Goodbye", and that she would never have to come back again.

We were headed to the Yuban Hospital Clinic. The abandonment spot where Anna was found. It took about 20 minutes to get there. We got out of the vehicle and it was sooo crowded outside the hospital. We walked through the gates and up to the front entrance.

Once inside, we turned to the right and down a small hallway. The hall was filled, on both sides of people holding children receiving IV treatment of some type. They were all watching us, wondering, I'm sure. We were taken right outside of the injection room, which is where her papers state that she was found. There were so many people there, I can see how someone could slip in and out without being noticed.

I had such mixed emotions there. I was so happy to see how crowded it was there. I wanted Anna to see and know when she is older that her birth mother took her to a place where she knew someone would find her. She couldn't have been there long at all before her cries would have been noticed. Plus, she took her to a hospital where she could recieve medical treatment. I am sure that having a cleft baby would be frightening, especially if you were young or it was your first child. But, then I was extremely sad as well. This was the hallway that her birthmother walked. The pain and emotion that she had to be feeling to walk her newborn baby, with a birth note pinned to her clothing, knowing what she felt she had to do, down a hallway, laying down her baby, and turning to walk away. I cannot imagine.

I think that many people get a feeling of hostility towards the Chinese people regarding the many children abandoned. But once you are here, holding one of these children, your not hostile at all. You are thankful that they gave their child a chance. There were other options Anna's birthmother could have taken that no one would have ever known of her existance. But, she didn't. And because of her, we have a beautiful daughter and I will forever be grateful to her memory.

We left the hospital and Connie told me that Foshan was very famous for it's porceline artists. She is going to take me to a porceline house later on to purchase something for Anna that was done in Foshan. We arrived back at the hotel and put Anna down for a nap. She is such a precious gift and we are so thankful for being able to be a part of her life and for her to be such a big part of ours.

Boys,

You would have loved all the things that we seen today. Huge buildings and bridges, cars and trucks everywhere on this huge highway and then a man on a bicycle riding right along side cars. It was funny to see. There was also this tiny truck that we were coming upon and I pointed it out to daddy. When we passed and looked back at it, it was a motor tricycle with a small truck on it. It was really funny too. We may be coming home with a stuffed peacock if it doesn't hush! We also seen that there is an emu inside that cage too. We could see it's head sticking up over the edging. We love you all very much - 6 days and counting!!!!

So blessed by my experiences here and sending love to my Parker, Jacob and Carter.

Wednesday & Thursday...

Wednesday morning we had to go the the Police station to apply for Anna's passport. Her passport picture taken at the orphanage didn't qualify, so we had to first stop in at a photo shop for an additional photo. She didn't like having her picture taken as she does not want me to sit her down, especially in a new place. The shop was very, very small and hot. It was about 10x 20 room with about 15 people inside, plus a desk and photo area...very cramped. But, we got the picture and went to the Police Station.

What a cutie!!!

The driving, as if I haven't said it already, is nuts. You basically run and pray. No one stops for pedestrians and there are no "real" cross walks...they have the lines painted, but drivers definitely have the right of way!

We all safely made it across the street and entered the police station. It was nice inside and cool...thank you God! Anna gets so upset when she gets hot. We walked up to the second floor and took a seat. There were about 15 cubicle type windows with officers sitting behind computers. It was our turn, so we took our adoption certificate with our "lovely" family photo on it and our passports and approached the officer and was told to take a seat. She, yes, she, took our passports and certificate, entered some numbers, took Anna's picture and said, "all done." We thanked her and were finished.

This is the document that "offically" states that Anna is our daughter!

We left the Police station and headed back to the hotel. Anna is doing soooo much better. She isn't nearly as nervous or frightened by things and is much easier consoled by Rodney or myself. She does not like small rooms, but prefers larger areas or outdoors. She is fine in our hotel room and actually likes it in here. She does hate the elevator though coming to the room. She actually starts whining when we walk out of our room and start down the hallway...she knows what is coming.

We hadn't had breakfast, so we ventured out for lunch. We headed back to Lucy's Diner where we knew we could get some safe food. If all else fails, we got fries! I ordered a grilled chicken wrap w/fries, of course and Rodney got a Chicken Enchilada. I also tried the stir-fry vegetables and steamed rice and Rodney got sweet and sour pork with rice. We were starved and made total pigs out of ourselves. Everything we got was good. Rodney said the Enchilada was not "Mexican" at all, but had a good taste. He loved the sweet and sour pork and I loved the steamed rice...I could eat it everyday...oh, yeah, I have! My body is in total carb overload...rice, noodles, bread...I am going to have to de-tox when we get home.

We came back to the room where Anna turned on. I think we crossed a huge milestone. She played and played and played. She was acting up and just a total silly monkey. I call her a spider monkey, because she sprawls out like a spider when I pick her up and hangs on like a little monkey. She was a total nut. Laughing and cooing. She would yell out and just grin. She knew she was being funny and we were loving it. She acted so comfortable and content. It was a good afternoon.

We thought she would take a nap, but she just kept playing. We finally decided if we were going to go eat, we just needed to go as it was about 7 pm and when she did fall asleep that would be it for the night. We decided, actually I suggested the restaurant we can see from our hotel window. We could tell that it was a hot pot restaurant and I thought it would be neat to try. We walked into the restaurant and it was nice inside. Very, very loud. We were taken back about 1/2 way back in a corner and were seated. They brought a menu, totally in Chinese with lovely pictures of snakes, turtles, fish, plucked chickens and ducks, and "chunks" of unknown meat. The look of horror on Rodney's face was priceless. The waiter standing over us started speaking, Chinese of course, and Rodney looked at me and said, "I don't think we should do this." Meantime, someone else had brought a huge brass type pot and sat on our table, filled with hot water and they started washing out our dishes and chopsticks...yes chopsticks. Rodney again, in horror, "I don't think we should do this." Rodney asked if anyone spoke English and they shook their heads not understanding the question...obviously that was a big fat, "no". Another lady came over, people are staring at us...the funny white people with a screaming baby...and spoke the only English words of the night, Chicken, Beef, Fish, Rice? I decided to order, much to Rodney's dismay. I ordered Chicken, Beef and Rice. They pointed to pictures of a pot filled with I don't know what and I said no. They then showed me pictures of dumplings, and many other things that I don't know and I said, no, just Chicken, Beef and Rice.


When they walked away, I began laughing so hard my stomach hurt. Rodney was trying to watch people use chopsticks and practice...it was honestly one of the funniest things ever! I have only tried chopsticks 2 times, ever and was not very successful. It was too funny. They brought out the rice first and Rodney began trying to eat. I had Anna and just watched him in total glee! I was loving it and Rodney was about to freak out. Next came the chicken and beef. The chicken was chopped bite size pieces of chicken with bones in it and I think some ginger. It was okay, but the small bones were a hassle. People would just put the whole piece in their mouths and then spit out the bones...I just couldn't do that. The beef was good. It was very fatty, which was hard for me, but had a really good taste. It was cooked with onions, ginger and what looked like leeks. I like it. Rodney was struggling.



We knew we were being watched and Rodney just loves that kind of attention! I was okay. I didn't mind trying and didn't really care that people were watching...it was a once in a lifetime thing. I told him it would make a good blog story. He did well though. He was able to eat pretty good. Finally though a waiter came over and Rodney conveyed that he couldn't eat with the chopsticks and he got us some silverware. We finished up what we wanted, which I was full, mainly on rice, but satisfied. We paid and then immediately went next door to the 7/11 for Rodney to get some Pringles. While in the store, I asked if he wanted any beef jerky, laughing all the while, and he told me to stop. He then seen the squid jerky and was totally grossed out. He was about sick. We got back to the room and he had a feast of chocolate and Pringles. I don't think we will be going back, but I am so glad we went. I can hardly think about it without getting tickled.

Anna was so tired. She really fought sleep. Finally around 10:30 or 11 pm she went to sleep. She slept all through the night.

She woke up Thursday in a good mood. She didn't cry and was very lazy. She ate her bottle and we started getting dressed for the day. We were leaving the hotel at 10 am and didn't know when we would be back, so we needed to make sure we ate breakfast. We were going to a department store, the electronics market and the children's clothing wholesale market.


Anna typically gets very upset when we get into the van. She did really well on Thursday. She got in and didn't cry at all, just whined a little, but as soon as we sat down she was content. She loves to ride. She takes in everything. Her little head is just turning from side to side trying not to miss anything.








We arrived at the department store and went up to the 6th floor I believe. It has 9 total. There was the children's clothing. The prices were okay, but not great. They had some really cute, different things, but we didn't purchase any clothing. We did buy stationary items for the orphanage. We were told that the older kids love stationary. We bought several notebooks, pencils, pens, markers all for about $35.00. We took our basket up the cashier and she yelled out and sales ladies came and took our baskets and took us to an end cap type desk. There they filled out these little "invoice" type papers detailing our purchase. We were then given the papers and pointed back to the cashier. We stood in line w/our papers until our turn, handed our papers and were checked out. She stamped our papers and then pointed back to the end cap desk. We gave our papers to the sales lady who then gave us our bags and then stamped our papers and gave them back...what a process! But we got it and left for the electronics market.

Yummmm...Duck!

We drove back to the electronics market and it was nuts. There were tons of stores with street access, but we went into an indoor area like a flea market type set up. There were cameras, tvs, cell phones, copiers, projectors...you name it. We purchased several movies....my kids are gonna love me. We paid about $1.30/dvd.

We then went to the Children's Clothing Wholesale Market. It was more like a mall with small shops inside. Many of the stores you could only buy in lots. But some you could purchase 1 item. We went there mainly for the orphanage. We purchased 15 shirts and 10 shorts for the older boys for about $40. I also got Anna 3 dresses that are just too cute. I paid about $5.00/each for them.

By the time we left there we were all hungry so we asked our guide to let us stop at KFC, Pizza Hut, McD's to get some food to take back to the hotel. Anna was so tired and needed a good nap. All in all, she did excellent. She wasn't fussy at all and I think I have a shopper!!! She loved looking around, as long as she didn't get hot.

The van pulled into a temporary parking area and there was a few "American" chains in walking distance. They have just opened a Papa John's and we decided to eat there. Rodney ran in and got a "Big Papa" and we took it back to the room. People who know me, know that I have "winter" foods. Pizza, to me, is a winter food. Not good in the heat...but my mouth was watering over the pizza smell...we were soooooo excited.

When we got to the room, Rodney was tearing into the box to get to the food. When he opened the box, he had a very worried look. It looked different. I think they use mozzarella slices vs. grated, but it tasted awesome! Rodney and I ate, Anna played and we were happy! I got Anna down for a nap, Rodney was asleep, I washed her new dresses and decided I might as well join them. We napped until Anna woke up. She ate another bottle, played for about 1 hour and was ready for bed again. She has slept well and likes sleeping between us. We like it too. She is just so sweet.

We are suppose to leave the hotel Friday, today, morning around 9 am. Our orphanage visit has been bumped up to Friday instead of Sunday. I am a little anxious about how she will react. Obviously, if it is bothering her, we will not stay. If she acts afraid, one of us will stay outside with her. We aren't going to do anything to go backwards in her progress. But from other families that I have followed, their babies did good when they visited. I think it will be good for us to go to have information for her when she is older. I want to try to fill in as many gaps as I can.

We are also going to visit her finding place. I expect that to be pretty emotional for us.


Boys,

We missed our call yesterday. I didn't like not getting to talk to you all. We got some really cool dvd's. But, they are going to be a surprise! Anna is getting more and more playful as the time passes. She loves to be tickled and kissed on. You all are going to have so much fun getting to know her. She is just a sweet doll. We love you very much and can't wait to see you again. Just one more week until we are home!!! Love you bunches.

Happy there is just 7 days left in this leg of the journey and sending love to Parker, Jacob and Carter

Slacker...

Wow...didn't even make it one day. I have lots of stuff to tell you all, but we are short for time this morning. We have to leave the hotel at 10:00 am and don't know for sure when we will be back. So, we have to eat breakfast this morning!!!

I will give you the short version and try to fill in all those little details that my husband just loves about my story telling (sarcasm, sarcasm) later.

We again were very busy yesterday. Last night we were all 3 exhausted. Anna had a hard time falling asleep. I don't know if she was overly tired, or if she was just feeling some anxiety. But once asleep, she slept like a rock. It poured rain all night, so hopefully it will not be so humid today. We are doing good and I PROMISE I will give the low down tonight :-)

But, not to leave you all hanging....this is really what you want to see anyway....

Boys,

Hope you all are doing good. We love you very much. We are going to the electronics market, a department store, and a wholesale clothing market today...watch out daddy!!! I am going to keep my eyes open for some awesome stuff! Love you three so much it just makes my chest hurt. Airport security will have to pull me off you guys when we land in Nashville. I can't wait to have hugs and kisses :-)

Getting ready for another CRAZY day and sending love to my Parker, Jacob and Carter

Where Do I Start....

Okay, first I apologize for not updating...I know I have had some disappointed followers :-) Yesterday was very tiring. I think the excitement, time adjustment, stress levels and new baby duties hit hard yesterday afternoon. Rodney and I were just exhausted, so when Anna napped, so did we. When Anna fell asleep for the night, so did we. But we did a lot more yesterday than nap!

I got up around 5:00 am and took my shower. The lovely "monster pigeons" and peacock was singing "Rise and Shine". I needed to get in and out before Anna woke up anyway. We were told that she woke up at 6 am. I checked on her around 6 and she was just moving in her crib, but was still asleep. Yes, I did move her from our bed to the crib...she was getting restless between us and rolling all over the place. She had her feet right in Rodney's face and was kicking him in the chin...found that pretty amusing, but I did move her so she could rest better.

I came back to the bedroom to check on her about 6:15 and she was sitting up in the crib with her feet dangling between the bars...just looking around. Her little right foot was kicking one of the bars. I walked in and sat in the floor in front of her and began to talk and rub her unmoving foot. She just looked at me with a wondering expression on her face. I talked and moved from her foot to her leg and then her hand that was placed on the top rail of the bed. She moved it quickly and began to hit the bars with her hand 3 times. I patted the bar 3 times. She looked at me and repeated. We began to play.

Rodney came into the room and sat beside me talking to her. He began to rub her feet and she was getting excited. She stood up in her crib and I stood and put my hands out for her. She didn't really act like she wanted to come to me, but had this questioning expression, like "what are you doing?" I picked her up and she lunged towards me. She put one hand on the back of my neck, holding my hair and the other hand was on my cheek. She laid her head on my face and I began to kiss her forehead. She still felt a little warm.

We talked and bounced and walked and she was looking at the surroundings, I guess making sure nothing had changed since the night before. She didn't seem too scared, but her heart was pounding pretty hard. We stayed in the bedroom until she seemed calmer and then I ventured to the sitting room. Again, same process, she was checking everything out. Rodney took her and I began to fix her bottle.

We worked on the bottle for about 45 minutes and she only drank about 2 ounces. She began to push the bottle away and just wanted to play with it. She liked to scratch the ring that holds the nipple and make a clicking sound.

She was feeling pretty secure, so I decided to wash her. I took off her shirt as we had not removed it from the day before. I wanted her to have the familiar smell the first night...anything to help. She let me take it off fine. I was just going to wash her off as I didn't want to scare her with a real bath. You just don't know what they are used to. I caught a sink full of water, put a towel next to the sink and sat her on the towel. I put her feet in the water and she didn't mind it at all. I then started taking off her diaper and she stood up and just plopped right in the water. Very shocked, but knowing I needed to take advantage of this, I started taking water and pouring over her back. She started sliding down in the sink trying to recline. I put my hand on her back as I didn't know what she was trying to do. She put her head on the towel next to the sink and threw her hands up over her head. Like she was in a jacuzzi or something. YEAH!!! We like baths!

This is the outfit that Anna was wearing on "Gotcha Day"

I gave her a bath, being very careful not to "over do" anything. But she let me wash her face, body and hair. We have some places that will take a few baths to clean good...but we will do that in stages. I took her to the sitting room to dress, only to discover that everything that we brought was too big. I brought size 12 months and a couple of 6/9 month outfits. I got the smaller of the 2 and put that on her. She shorts were held up only by her diaper. They did not touch her waist. The shirt was 12 months, which was okay, but too big. The shoes I brought were size 3, again too big. When I tried them on her, she screamed. I don't know that she has ever had on shoes. I put on a pair of socks and she got upset over that as well. Finally, she started pulling on the socks and seemed okay.

We had to leave the hotel at 10:45 to finish the adoption process on the Chinese end. We went back to the Civil affairs building. Anna does not like getting into vehicles. We are fine once inside, but the transition from outside to inside, she gets upset. We first went to have our "family photo" made for the CCAA. Then we had our CCAA interview. Very easy and laid back. Not as "official" or "ceremonial" as I had anticipated. We went next to the notary interview. Again, very easy. We paid all of our Chinese fees and were done. Anna is officially our daughter!

Anna was feeling warmer by the end of our outing. Her eating was minimal. We took her to the medical clinic in the White Swan Hotel. The doctor spoke Chinese and our guide translated for us. It was all pretty scary. Not knowing what they were going to do and Anna was horribly frightened. We were told that her ears were fine, only wax buildup in one. But she had a "throat infection". Not sure if they thought it was strep, which I don't think. They said that there was some infection in her throat and her phlegm was thick. They gave us a 2-day dosing of an antibiotic, Cefixime and 2 small bottles, unlabeled, of an "antiviral" and something for her phlegm. We were told to mix 1 ml of each bottle with one granule packet. As well we are to give her Tylenol and Benedryl. The cost for the office visit and the medication was about $20.

She was so upset she just passed out after the exam. She slept until we were about 1 block from the Hotel. She woke up very attentive, looking around and in a good mood. We got back to the room, gave her medicine, fixed her a bottle and she ate vigorously. She ate 4 x as much yesterday afternoon in 2 feedings than she had in the prior feedings. Huge milestone. She and her daddy played and she feel asleep.

She napped for about 3 hours and woke up ready to go. Rodney and I were starved as we had not eaten all day. We fixed her a bottle and went out for dinner. We walked about 5 blocks to Lucy's Diner. It is an American style restaurant which is a favorite of adoptive parents that travel to Guangzhou. Anna was frightened with the loud music and the neon lights inside. Too much stimulation in very close quarters. Thankfully we sat in the corner and she settled down and ate her entire 8 ounce bottle and then I filled with water and she drank maybe 2 ounces of that. She did well.

I ordered American Fried Chicken that came with fries and onion rings. The fries were sooooo awesome! Close to McDonalds. The chicken was like strips of sweet and sour chicken and the onion rings were with the similar batter. It was pretty good. Rodney had a Hamburger Fried Steak with fries. He liked it and we were pleased with Lucy's.

It was dark when we left Lucy's and was just drizzling rain. We walked to a clothing store to try to get Anna some clothing and shoes she could wear. There was only about 4 outfits that was small enough to fit her. It took 3 stores, but we got her a traditional Chinese outfit with a "princess" flair, 3 dresses and 3 pairs of shoes. It was all under $30. Rodney is soooo bad. He is so wrapped. I was going to get A PAIR of shoes. Rodney was asking me how many do you want? Do you like those, those, those? He is so bad. I am thinking I need to take advantage of his mental lapse right now, because I know this will surely not last long...but I can hope!

We got back to the room and Anna was so tired. When she gets hot, which it was hot last night, she gets so grumpy. I am sure it makes her feel worse and she sweats like Parker! We got into the room, I fixed her another bottle and she began to have a grieving session. I tried to console her to no avail. I finally just changed her diaper through her screams, put on her pjs, gave her medicine and then we rocked, sang, and cried. It just broke my heart to see her so upset. I tried to sing to her and I would start crying with her. I prayed that God would heal her little heart and mind and help us to just melt together as mother and daughter.

She started to calm down and began playing with her Daddy. I washed her new dresses and bottles while they played. She was so tired and so were we. I laid on the bed with her and her daddy and we rubbed her belly, tickled her chin and laughed at every sweet thing she done.

I have some bragging rights myself. Rodney got the first Anna sugars, but I got the first Lovin' Session! She was lying on the bed between us and got up on all fours. She crawled over to me, put her hands on my face and gave me a big kiss on the mouth. She then laid her cheek on my mouth, I kissed her and she raised back up to kiss me 3 more times. The last time, she put her lips on mine and shook her head to give me a "BIG" kiss. Such a sweetheart.

She laid back down and it wasn't long until she was asleep. She slept the whole night with us. Didn't toss and turn, didn't whine or cry out.

I woke up this morning around 5 am. Anna woke up around 6 am. She was crying, but was easily consoled. She ate an 8 ounce bottle of formula and cereal and then ate another 5 ounces of formula. Big belly this morning! She took her medicine through tears, but then again, was easily consoled. She is lying on the bed now playing with her Daddy's necklace that he faithfully wears made by Carter. She is loving the beads and the clicking sounds it makes when she shakes it.

She makes these sweet cooing sounds and is much more willing to show affection towards us. She is eating better and is just a sweetie all the way around. She is still doing the spit on the palm thing, but not as much. Mainly when she gets nervous or upset. She also is not hitting her head as much. Again, when she gets upset or nervous. We know that if that hand goes to her mouth or if she hits her head something is going on that makes her nervous. But it is improving, gradually, but improving. It kills Rodney for her to hit her head. You can just see it on his face when she does it, his heart just breaks.

She loves playing with her daddy. Daddy loves playing with Anna. They are very sweet together. She wants to play with him and be consoled by me...which is about right. We are ate up with her and just excitedly wait for the next display of affection she shows us. The past 24 hours she has shown so much improvement. We are approaching the 72 hour mark and are thrilled that she has done as well as she has.

Carter, Jacob and Parker,

We hope you all are having a good time. We miss you three very much and think about you ALL THE TIME! We see things that we remind us of you and cannot wait to see you again. Anna is such a trooper and is doing so good. She is going to love you guys. She loves to cuddle and play. But she also has a very sweet small cry and coo. Can't wait to talk to you soon! Hugs, hugs, hugs, kisses, kisses, kisses!

Watching my husband becoming a HUGE softy and fashion nut and sending love to my Parker, Jacob and Carter.