April 5/6th

I’ve got a moment of peace and quiet as it is 5am and I’m awake but everyone else is sound asleep. Naomi and I had a great night’s sleep last night, going to bed at 9pm and she’s still snoozing. I think all this big sister stuff is pretty exhausting for her, but she’s doing a great job and I’m so proud of her. She loves to hold Lilah and is so proud of the fact that when Lilah drops something, Naomi picks it up and hands it to her. We had such cute moments yesterday with the two of them. Once, I had propped Lilah into a sitting position with pillows (she hates being put down, can’t roll over or sit, although she can pull herself up during tummy time). Naomi was feeling the need for some tickles and so she put her head between Lilah’s legs and said “tickle me baby”!. Lilah then started laughing and smacking her with her hands. It was heartwarming to see the two of them giggling together. A couple of times Lilah pulled Naomi’s hair and Naomi didn’t even budge. She was so good with her. Another time, Naomi was playing PeekABoo with Lilah and Lilah was laughing up a storm. Those moments make it all seem like bringing Naomi was the right move for us. We have had some challenging moments too, but overall things are going better than we expected. (knock on wood)

We are bonding with Lilah too. She is making good eye contact and looks for us when we leave the room. She seems to be connecting with both of us equally. Admittedly, I wasn’t sure I could love a second as much as I do Naomi. Now that we’re getting to know her I find myself discovering a unique person within this little gal and I am falling in love again. It is tougher with the second, especially because the first part of our trip was really focused on Naomi. I’m happy to report though those feelings have changed.

After the girls woke up yesterday, we started getting ready to go do laundry. Since we’ve already been here a week and it’s been muggy, the dirty clothes are really starting to pile up and we’re running out. Lily (our guide) suggested a place down the road so a bunch of our group all headed down there. We thought we’d be dropping it off and it would be quick. Actually what ended up happening was that the store owner had to go through to sort and count the items. It took a good hour for her to count and then for Lily to negotiate her down to 7 yuan per item.

Since the front of the shop was actually the street, a large group of people started congregating and looking at the babies. Lilah is such a jolly girl and loves the Baby Bjorn, so she was happy to swing and kick her legs around. Naomi was also quite active because she had just finished a 2.5 hour nap, so our family seemed to generate the most comments- and finger wags. It was about 28C and muggy, but the Aunties obviously disapproved of Naomi’s sandles, t-shirt and capris and Lilah’s jean overalls, long sleeved t-shirt, etc. Can’t win, so I don’t even bother.

Once we finished at the laundromat, we headed to do some shopping at Walmart. It’s different and yet the same as the Walmart at home. Different in the produce/meat departments as you’ll see from pictures, the same in the smily faces that abound. We didn’t have time to do any shoe shopping at the department store though. Kind of a bummer that we don’t have more time here – I really want to do more shoe shopping.

Last night brought about Lilah’s first bath with us too. She hated it and actually peed on Papa. Definitely have to work on this girl in the water.

12:30pm – Lilah awoke at 5:30 this morning and I had to suspend completion of this blog entry. As I resume, we just returned from the Embroidery Institute. Joel and Lilah are both napping while Naomi is playing quietly on the floor and I’m catching up on my journal writing.
This morning was a bit more relaxing for us, as Naomi and Joel slept in until about 8am. Lilah and I went down to the play area at 5:30 this morning and had some one on one time until about 7:30 when she had her first massive poop. She was a bit constipated last night so we gave her some prunes. She’s so much different than Naomi was and actually liked them. Anyhow, this morning I changed her diaper, dressed her and since the rest of the clan was still asleep we decided to head down to the breakfast buffet just the two of us. We had a nice breakfast and were joined by the rest of the sleepy clan about 8:30 this morning. It is so much easier to focus on one at a time, one child seems like such a breeze now!

Naomi had a great sleep last night, about 10.5 hours. I think she’s feeling happier and she’s eating great today as a result. This morning was watermelon, banana bread and baked beans. Now she’s devouring noodles in a cup and an orange. She’s such a trooper and having a great day in being a big sister.

This morning Lilah seemed to be having a delayed reaction to the idea that her whole life has changed so quickly. She had been a bit fussy and only drank about 5 oz out of her bottle this morning, but did eat some small bits of pancake and some watermelon. She has only the two bottom teeth, and I think more are on the way so perhaps that is causing some of her grief. She was coughing terribly and sounded congested last night, so we started her on antibiotics. She seems far better today, is not feverish and is still eating and drinking so I’m not too concerned.

Several of the babies and parents are struggling today. I think the change in routine and life are catching up to the babies. Some of the newer parents are also having a bit of a tough time as they adapt to a new child and to a country that is very different than North America. We are trying to keep their spirits up, reminding them that it does get easier and that they just need to take it one day at a time. I remember so well that feeling of helplessness that I know they are feeling.

The rest of our group decided to visit the Yuelu Mountain and Academy today after the Embroidery Institute. Since we’ve already been there, we took a cab back to the hotel and are are enjoying some relaxing family time. I was told that a family on another floor adopted a three year old this week and thought I might track them down this afternoon to see if she and Naomi would play together. I am eager to get to Beijing so that she can chum around with the two big sisters from the Guangzhou group. We may head to the pool this afternoon as well. With this hot and muggy weather we could use a refreshing dip.

3:00 pm – Ok so now you understand what life is like with two children. I can’t get anything done! Hahaha!

Lilah woke up from her nap this afternoon and was hungry. She had a great lunch of steamed egg (really like a custard), cereal, applesauce and about 4oz of milk. Suddenly she’s got an appetite. She sure lets you know what she likes and doesn’t like. Apparently she’s got a sweet tooth and loves fruit – much like her older sister! This afternoon she seems to have recovered from her fussy issues. She’s now had two poops today, so maybe everything combined she’s feeling better. Lilah is the one we have to keep an eye on all the time. She’s very mischevious and into everything that Naomi never bothered with. She’s also pretty laid back. I’m so relieved that their personalities and their energy levels are complimentary, especially that they aren’t both running in two directions. Perhaps that will come later.

Now Naomi is napping. Before she fell asleep though it was quite the comedy in the room. Lilah loves the mobility that a walker offers and is trucking around our room in one right now. I hope she will tolerate the Exersaucer’s inability to move when we get home! Naomi was eating too and the two of them were hamming it up again with each other. Today Naomi seems quite happy with Lilah and loves to make her smile. Anyhow, I’ve attached a few photos for you to enjoy of the two girls. The only time we seem to be battling with either of them is when they are tired.

The weather here is fantastic. I was prepared for much more rain, but we haven’t even seen a shower yet. It’s high 20’s C every day and muggy.
The rest of today we’re just planning to relax. Tomorrow one person from each couple is heading to Chenzhou, while the other stays back with the babies. We’ve not been granted permission to visit the orphanage, but our plan is to take footage of the outside and to visit our daughter’s finding spots. It’s the best we can do in this situation, but I want this information for Lilah when she’s older. In all the other families it’s the hubby going, but in ours the mom is heading out. Should be a long day (7am departure) and the drive time will be about 10 hours total. The city is apparently small, so we’ll only be there a short time.


Friday morning we head out early again as we take our trip to Zhuzhou. Our departure is at 8am and we’re headed to Naomi’s orphanage and her finding spot. I just realized this afternoon that I have to head out and get some gifts for the orphanage as I won’t have time tomorrow. Friday also brings about our departure to Beijing. Our flight is at 8pm and we land at 10pm. Should be interesting as all of us are normally in bed by 9pm. So, don’t be alarmed if you don’t hear from us until Saturday. With our busy itinerary, I may not be able to post until we get settled in Beijing. If I can take advantage of the highspeed access here to post more photos I promise you that I will.

Cheers,Naomi and Lilah’s mommy