Tuesday, January 29, 2008

More of the 2nd Day

The good thing about not sleeping is that I have tons of time to blog! (I did get 9 hours last night!) I'm actually glad because I want to capture as much of it as I can for her to read when she is older. I'm going to have this blog made into a book for her and it will include your comments! I forgot to write about changing rooms. The first morning I woke up here the bathroom sink was literally FULL of ants! Of course, I'm sure they were coming to feed on the food stains all over the wall! They moved me to a new room which is a little better. They gave me a fruit basket to make up for it. Yipee. Anyway, more about Miss Olivia....

This little girl is just a wonder to me. I love her so much! She talks non stop. We carry on converstions as if we can understand each other! It's so funny. I mean I have some serious competition in the talking department! She's very girly. Loves her purses and her clothes. She changes her pants frequently. She slept in her crocs. She put them on as soon as I put her pajamas on. She cried, really loud, when it was time for bed. She did this at nap time too. But, it didn't last long and it wasn't a "I miss my foster mom" cry. It was a "I don't WANT to go to bed" cry.

Today we will go to the country and walk through some rice paddies. I hope we don't freeze and I hope that TODAY I can finally get some pictures of China!




GIFTS:

These are 2 of the gifts that Olivia's orphange gave to her. I was so touched by this. We also got a photo album.
This is a memorium to us for our contribution to the orphanage. A thank you letter is written inside. Everyone has to give this donation but we are glad to help the orphangae who saved our daughter's life.

This is a very beautiful embroiderd bag.

This is a Love Ball. It is a national symbol of the Guangxi Province which is where we are now and where Olivia is from.


MEAL TIME:

This is Rice Congee. It is what all the babies eat. I was told that Olivia eats it but she really doesn't seem to like it much. She prefers shrimp! A girl after her daddy's heart!

This is pretty much what I am living on. Fried Rice with ham (Olivia eats the shrimp). And yes, I've learned to use Chopsticks...it's pretty fun! The other stuff is some kind of meat. It tastes kind of like horse. Not that I've had horse but it sure doesn't taste like chicken. Mary wrote the words Take Out in Chinese and I got to the restaurant and give that to them then walk around and point to the pictures on the wall of what I want. They are very nice and helpful. Maybe today I will sit in the restaurant with her. It's just kind of hard with all of the stares. Some people have pointed and laughed. One woman with a young girl like Olivia stared and stared and stared. I smiled but she just looked at me. I know that it is culturally okay here to do that but it's still a little awkard for me.
She couldn't get to her purse so she improvised!
Dessert? This is brought to my room every night. The Kit Kat's do not taste good. But they did make me want chocolate so I bought a HUGE bag of Dove chocolate bars at Wal Mart yesterday! :)


POTTY TIME:

She's actually doing well with going potty. I tell her in Chinese that it's time to go and she does. She hasn't told me yet though. At least not that I'm aware of. I still keep diapers on her though and will continue to until I get home.

19 comments:

Lauren and Ed said...

Lynn,
I am just amazed at how great Olivia looks! What a difference foster care makes. (Mia was in the orphanage and was in a "state of shock" the entire time we were in China. Everything was so new and overwhelming for her.) Olivia looks like she is so with it and full of spunk and life. I can tell you are enjoying dressing her in all her cute clothes and accessories! She is truly a china doll. I can tell from your posts that you are relaxing somewhat and are enjoying your China experience. It goes so fast. I wish I had done a better job documenting while we were there, but I was too consumed with being a new mom. Lynn, I am so happy both of you are doing so well. I am excited for you, and it won't be long you both will be back home beginning your journey as a family. PS LOL about your posts on the food. Let's just say, I lost 9 pounds in the 2 weeks we were in China. The smell of the foods were so different and I just couldn't eat!

keelstar said...

Congratulations Lynn! I am close friends with Jeanette (Elizabeth's mommy!) and we also adopted through A Helping Hand (from their Guatemala program). I have been following your blog ever since Jeanette told me that you were adopting "Sherry" from the AHH list! Olivia is absolutely beautiful and it looks like she knows you're her mommy already! It is so wonderful to see another family joined together through the miracle of adoption! I love the pictures of Olivia too! She looks super healthy & well cared for! Many blessings to you during your time in China! Enjoy every moment as the time will fly by! Blessings, Keely

Mission To Macie said...

Awesome post.....i am going to make my blog a book too, but have no idea how you get the comments onto the book........when you get home and settled your gonna hafta tell me. Things look like they are going great over there.......seeing all the familar things in your pictures is making me miss China!!!

Have a great day!
Jill :)

Andrea Nielsen said...

You are so lucky to have those wonderful gifts and pictures! what a blessing for you and her. I can't wait to see coutryside pics...we were in a huge city our whole time!
blessings!
andrea

Leslie said...

You are making some huge strides! There is a song on right now called "Keep holding On", kind of appropriate adivce huh?! She is just beautiful I have to say! Enjoy the Doves! It took Myah a few days before she really took to us, she wouldn't really look at me for a few days and then one day it was like she woke up and realized I wasn't so bad. Everything was at HER pace. You are doing a great job Lynn!

Anonymous said...

Are you planning on cooking horse when you get home? Michele

Leslie said...

Two posts in one day for all of us!!!!! Lynn your a great blogger and Olivia will love you so much for it when she's older. She is a living doll, and I'm so glad your doing so well with her. Well, how could you not. That rice looks so good. I sure miss the rice over in China, because that's what I ate almost everyday. I did venture a little, but never tasted anything like "horse." Good luck with that one. When we ate in our region, a lot of times it was at the hotel buffet, because they had rice and american potatoe salad...Yummy. Praying for another great day today for you.

Seven Alexanders said...

So very cool!

redmaryjanes said...

Wow! That's great that she is comfortable with the potty. I just love her little outfits.
And I'm glad that you two are communicating in your own way and bonding.

Carrie1013 said...

Lynn...I am so happy that Olivia is doing so well. I appreciate your blogging! I look forward to checking in every day after work! I will continue to pray for each day to be better and better for you and Olivia!
Carrie Travel Group 80B

LaLa said...

What an awesome record you are keeping for her and she will treasure it. Glad you have your own secret Mama/Daughter language. Don't let the boys in on it when you get home ~ it will drive them nuts LOL
Happy you are enjoying munching on Mr. Ed!! Annslee supposedly loved eggs but I have NEVER seen her eat one ~ in China or here ~ she lived on tater tots and banana bread at the yummy breakfast buffets in China (I totally miss those!)

Enjoy your outing!

jeanette said...

I am in absolute awe of how God is working in sweet Olivia's life!

I'm loving all of these pics! LOVING them!

Anonymous said...

Lynn,

She is so cute!!! Ben and Cole loved watching the Videos! She is so smart -One Circle- and so sweet! Thank you for sharing her with us!!! We all look forward to seeing what you have done each day!

Roxanne

Anonymous said...

I can't get enough of her.
love, Olivia'a Aunt Vicki (I get a charge out of saying that!!!!!!!!)

Ladyblog said...

Lynn:
I am so late in commenting, but I am so glad to see Olivia! She looks so cute and happy. I just love that she is a girly girl. The boys are going to love that about her! Keep the pictures and blogs coming! Give Olivia a hug from me.
~Rebecca

Keisha said...

Lynn,
I don't blame you about staying in the room. When Matt & I were in Faith's province we were a little weirded out too! Mainly because WE WERE the ONLY Americans there... a lot of stares! It was fine while we were with our guide but, when she left our hotel for the day.. we DID not venture off.
Things will be different when you get back to Gangzhou. We felt like we were "home". I'm glad she's doing well, I continue to pray every day for your protection, safty and for you two to have a bond like no other. Sounds like my prayers are being anwsered!! Praise the Lord!!
Love In His Name,
Keisha

Joanne said...

Oh, I'm having soooooo much fun following your journey! The "pocketbook" that you were given is a Guiping bag ~ very popular in Guangxi ~ our orphanage (Guiping SWI) gave one to us for Mia too! Olivia is a doll ~ she is bonding wonderfully :)

Denise said...

Wow, what a difference! After seeing her the first day and now with the smiles...I love it! And it gives me hope for when I get Maggie. If you have a chance can you tell me where you got the bowband? I am looking for a simple white one like that for Maggie. I have 4 boys, so I am not good at this bow thing.

I have my e mail on my profile~

Denise

Lori said...

I love her little carrying compartment! lol
I think that is the first time I've seen this 'congee' stuff, I've always wondered what it looks like! :)
Loving all the pictures!