Monday, June 29, 2009

Guangzhou Day 3

What started out to be a difficult day turned out to be a great one. We started our morning off with a little "incident". We're still not sure if Kara locked herself in the bathroom or simply went to the bathroom and locked the door. That may seem like a minor distinction, but it was a very significant one for us to try and figure out this morning. Picture that situation and not being able to communicate with the person on the other side of the door. A bit of a challenge, eh? We believe that Kara was used to getting full reign of all the tv channels, but Nolan and I have other beliefs regarding children and televisions. Kara started flipping channels this morning and Nolan simply asked her for the remote control. She held the remote high in the air and said, "No!", so Nolan proceeded to turn the tv off. Thus started the pouting, followed shortly by the bathroom locking incident. It is so hard when you can't communicate to tell her why we do things. Fortunately, our guide explained to her later that not everything on tv is appropriate for children and that if she wants us to turn the channels, to simply point to the tv. She was fine with that and now she knows. This has been the biggest issue that we have encountered thus far. On a scale from 1-10, it was maybe a 4 or 5, so we're still doing very good. She recovered quickly and was back to her cheerful self by breakfast.

We started off by heading to the park. This is just the coolest park. The playground equipment doubles as exercise equipment for the adults. Every morning, the residents are busy working out, just like it's a YMCA. Leila really impressed the locals with her monkey bar skills. She got several cheers from people standing nearby.

Finally, on day 3, I got to do a little Shamian Island shopping. Woo hoo!! While out shopping, I started talking to another woman and recommended that she shop at a local store. Nothing clicked. I was headed to that store, so I saw her again there. Still nothing clicked. After talking to her a bit more and glancing down at her BEAUTIFUL daughter, it finally clicked. It was Kimberley of Red Mary Janes. How funny!! We have "known" each other through the blogging world for quite a while, but we never officially met until today and here we are standing in a store talking and we didn't even recognize each other. Oh my, her daughter is beautiful!!
I am still floating on cloud nine because today, Kara blew me kisses when I was leaving to go shopping and Nolan and the girls were headed back to the hotel room. I was blowing them to her and she blew them right back. I thought that was a good moment in itself, but then tonight, I got two unsolicited hugs and kisses from Kara. May I just repeat that, please? TWO unsolicited hugs and kisses from Kara!!!! Ah, yes!! This is one happy Mama here. I am amazed that she has become so comfortable with showing and receiving affection in just 7 short days. I'm off to bed now, to dream of more hugs and kisses from my sweet girl tomorrow. :)

Tomorrow afternoon is the swearing in ceremony at the US Consulate and then we head to Beijing on Wednesday for a five-day tour. We were warned tonight that we will be busy from morning until night every day. We should be exhausted and ready to sleep on our L-O-N-G flight home!

15 comments:

Gail said...

Gosh, I can't believe you are getting ready to come home...it's gone so fast. Kara is doing great Michelle...more than great. She's been through a lot of change. You're an amazing mother!

Great pics...we were there almost a year ago. Grace posed with the same statues.

hugs..

Lori Lynn said...

I don't know where I've been the past week, but I had totally missed out on your journey to Kara. Now I am all caught up and totally amazed with how well she is adapting to your family. I am so happy for you all; it brings tears to my eyes. I know there are a lot of challenges ahead of you, but yours is an amazing story.

Eagerly waiting for more,

Lori Lynn

Ohilda said...

It sounds like your Kara is JUST PERFECT!!!! I am beyond thrilled for you and your beautiful family, Michelle. Praising God for his perfection, every time.

Hugs,

Ohilda

Missy said...

I wake up everyday excited to see a post from you! Looks and sounds like things are going great. I can imagine communication would be the biggest obstacle right now. I can say, since Paige is Kara's age, there are lots of changes going on in their little bodies. Couple that with everything else, I would say that Kara is doing SUPERB!!! God is sooo good, Michelle! I am over the moon happy for you and your family. Now, go and give some hugs and kisses in on your sweet girl :)

LaLa said...

AWWWW...yuck on the TV and potty and HUGE smiles on the lovin!! Happy you saw Kimberley...too cool!

a Tonggu Momma said...

Y'all are doing SO well. And it's great you were able to meet Kimberley and her daughter. How funny is that?

And I thought of you when I read this blog post written by Jean - http://theresnoplacelikehome-family.blogspot.com/2009/06/cuddling-older-child.html
I'm adding it to the NHBO links list this week, but I thought you might like to read it now.

Fliss and Mike Adventures said...

I am glad to hear that all is going well... even with the incidents...
How nice to meet Kim too...

Stacy said...

Michelle, still loving your blog and your honesty! I think it speaks volumes that Kara feels comfortable enough with you to "act out" a little bit:) I remember stomping to my bedroom back in the day when I was upset about something- ha!

You are both great parents and I'm thrilled about the affection she is showing you! Yeah! Praise God!

We leave for vacation tomorrow so I won't be able to catch up on your blog until we return. I will still be thinking of you and praying for a safe Beijing tour and trip home!

Alyson and Ford said...

Time has flown! So glad you ran into Kimberley!
Keep shopping; you never can buy too much (just in this case).
Safe travels home.

Alyzabeth's Mommy for Nine Months

Heather said...

OH MY GOLLY, KIMBERLEY AND KISSES????? What an amazing day, minus the small morning snafu!

Michelle, I am so happy Kara reached out today, huge!!! Shows the tenderness of this beautiful child and the trust she is building, what a blessing.

Leila looks like she is handling everything in stride, what a champion. Thinking of you as you think of Mia and just continuing to lift you all, till you can be together...I get chills thinking of your reunion!!!

Love you!
h

Steffie B. said...

So happy for you....and how exciting that you met Kimberley....I am planning on being at the airport when she returns....happy shopping! ;)

Rydley said...

Unsolicited hugs and kisses are the best of the best! I still remember when I first got them from both girls.

Glad it's going well in spite of a slightly stinky morning!

Rebecca Lily said...

HUGS AND KISSES!! Alright!!! That is great news. :) Amazing how she is responding to you so quickly. And the "incident"... we had a few of those in China too, I think everyone does. :) The communication barrier is THE HARDEST THING bar none, at least in my book! It will be SO much easier when you can speak the same language.

I love you and love following along with you...

xoxo

Sharon said...

Marissa locked herself in the hotel room bathroom when we were there, but she did it with ALL of our vitamins! When we finally got in there, she had them sticking out of her mouth!!!!!!!!!

Amie said...

Michelle..

I have been following along on my blackberry while we have been out of town, and I am finally back to my 'puter and able to catch up on the big screen.WOW!!! This is my most favorite post so far. Hearing that she showed you insolicited affection. BIG NEWS!!! AWESOME!!! And so excited you have found her third musketeer!

Love seeing the pics of the girls together. They are just precious!

Travel safe dear friend!

~hugs
Amie