Day 6

We are now in Guangzhou. We're on the last leg of our journey. It was a little sad as I stood at the window of the hotel overlooking Nanning with Olivia. I told her to say goodbye to Guangxi. On the ride to the airport she wanted to take off her coat. I wouldn't let her because it is so cold and there is no heat in the car. She got really mad and started crying. Soon it was obviously the crying wasn't about the coat anymore. She was just sobbing. It was just pitiful. She cried for almost 15 minutes without stopping. Mary said she was saying that she wanted to go home. When she finally quit crying she looked up at me and started stroking my face and my hair. Then she started rubbing my ear. She made really good eye contact with me as well. It was a major breakthrough in bonding. I know that she really needed that cry. It was strange too that it happened as she was leaving her province, as if somehow she could sense something.

It was sad to say goodbye to my guide Mary. She took excellent care of me and we became friends.
This is Mr. Li. He was my driver for the week. I always felt very safe with him. He took the video for me when I met Olivia.
Olivia did wonderful on the flight. There were 6 families flying from Guangxi to Guangzhou. They set us all together in the middle of the plane. I can't imagine why! :) All of the babies did really well. Oliva cried when I buckled her in but then I put her on my lap and buckled her and she was happy. She actually enjoyed it. These other families have been invaluable to me. They are all very willing to help the pitiful woman all alone with her baby! It really is difficult to carry Olivia, my backpack and my carry on. Trying to load and unload and walk through the long airport is challenging. I think I'm due a good massage when I get home. (hint hint)
When we got off of the plane in Guangzhou I began getting really stuffed up. By the time I got into my room, I could barely breath. The air quality is very polluted here. It doesn't bother everyone and I don't normally have allergy problems but anytime I go outside now it hits me really hard. Medicine isn't helping. If anyone has suggestions please send them!!! It's still really cold here and it's raining non-stop. It's not as bad as Nanning though. And it is certainly not as bad as the provinces further North. There are adoptive families in some of them who could not make their Consulate appointments due to the weather. There is a possiblity that they will have to stay here 2 more weeks!

We are staying at the Victory Hotel on the Sha Mien Island. Our room is really nice. And it's CLEAN!! It is twice the size of a normal hotel room. We have a king sized bed and separate sitting area. The internet service is free here too. The only drawback is that the rooms are not heated. Yes, you read that correctly. This is normally a hot climate. They are not used to cold weather. I have 2 electric heaters in the room. It heats it fine but if we are out of the room for a while it gets chilly again. The hallways and the lobby are FREEZING! And again, like everywhere else, none of the shops or restaurants have heat.

This morning Olivia had her medical exam to get her Visa to come to the United States. We went with Brenda, Lynn and their daughter Alison. We were the first to arrive. I was glad because the hallway filled up quickly.
You know, I've seen this picture hundreds of times on other blogs and websites. As I was taking it, I was thinking "I cannot believe I'm am now standing here taking this picture to put on MY blog!" It was very surreal.

The physical examination
Weight is 25.8lbs. I would have sworn it was closer to 50!

Next was the ENT exam

After the exam we met in my hotel room with Brenda and Lynn and our guide to do the paperwork for the visa. Brenda played with Olivia while I filled out my forms. She taught her how to blow bubbles. It was so cute! Later I got her on video. She loves it! I think Olivia is beginning to feel like she belongs with me. She is initiating a lot of play. She has refused to even touch the ball that I brought until today. We kicked and threw it for about 20 minutes and she laughed and giggled the whole time. She got me to chase her and wanted me to tickle her. This is the first real playtime we've had. It was so much fun. She's going to love playing with her brothers when she gets home!!
The food situation is much better now. Today I had a cheeseburger from Lucy's and Papa John's pizza that I had delivered to the hotel! I'm happy! Olivia is not eating any of the foods that she used to. She' eating all table food now. Today she had a PB&J sandwich and french fries with ketchup. She loved them both.
Such a sweet face! You'd never know that just 5 minutes before, she had a meltdown. Even after such a great day, the sadness still comes sneaking up on her. While I was putting her pj's on I couldtell by the look on her face what was coming. She put her Crocs on and grabbed her hair bow and headed for the door. She stood there for a few seconds then burst into tears. At first she didn't want me near her so I waited a minute to go to her again. This time she let me hold her. She cried for a couple of minutes then wanted down and went to the door again. She realized that she wasn't leaving so she just quit crying. Such a brave little girl. We adopted Jackson whenhe was 6 months old and he really went through a tough grieving process. Olivia was left at the hopital at 5 months old. Now, she's had to leave her family again. That's lot for a little one to go through. God wll have to heal her sweet heart and I know He will.
I just got my first kiss from Olivia!! She's refused every time I asked her but ths time she kissed me on the cheek. Ahhhh...life is great!

On a side note: I MISS MY FAMILY!!! GUYS I'M READY TO COME HOME! I LOVE YOU!