Guangzhou and Lily's medical exam

Internet has been spotty, so I am a day behind in posting. We are doing great and enjoying Guangzhou. There are adoptive families everywhere. It is amazing to see all of the new families. We are staying at the White Swan Hotel, on Shamian Island and the weather is beautiful. It feels very different from the other cities in China that we have been to. Tree lined streets, beautiful little parks, friendly shops with their doors open, it is lovely to get outside and just take a stroll (and stop at Starbucks!). The island has a british colonial feel to it. Today, we bought lunch and sat outside in the shade along the river. Lily slept in my arms for 2 hours. It was so relaxing just being there with her. We watched dragon boats float down the river in preperation for the upcoming Asian Games. We watched our angel sleep peacefully. We are so in love with our girl, and to be with her is magical.

Lily does have her moments when she is very sad. It has happened a few times and it is at night, after our busy day has come to an end. It is not a mad cry or a hungry cry or even a tired cry. It is something much different. As her tears fall, we hold her and love her and tell her it is alright. I wish so badly that I could explain to her that she is safe and loved and that we will never leave her. I think in these moments she is missing things familiar to her and she is grieving for things lost. It breaks our hearts to see her so deeply sad, and we want her to know that we understand where her tears are coming from. She has such a sweet little soul and she tries so hard to be happy. We want her to know that it is ok to feel whatever it is that she needs to feel. We want her to know that our love for her will never stop. We want her to know that we love her in every moment. She has been through so much in her little life. She is the bravest person that I have ever known.

Earlier today, we did some touring of the city, visited a traditional Chinese neighborhood, went to a Buddhist Temple, the Old Chen House, and did some shopping. We have taken hundreds of photographs so we can share everything that we have experienced with Lily, and our family back home. We have bought little gifts for Lily, and artwork for her room. We bought her a beautiful tea set and a chop with her Chinese name on it. We want to bring some of China home with us. Miss Lily got some jewelry that we will save and give to her when she is older. It is hard to feel like we are doing enough.

Yesterday was Lily's medical exam. To say that place was crazy would be an understatement. There were so many adoptive families there with their new new babies. The lines were long, it was hot inside, but our guides were great, as usual, in helping us navigate the necessary rooms we had to visit. We went to an ENT room, a measurement room, and one other one that I can't remember. Lily did so well, she actually slept through the first exam. She woke up when they had to take her measurements. She is 28 inches long and weighs 17.2 pounds. Such a little peanut! On our way to the exam, we stopped by the Visa photo place. Lily sat and smiled pretty for her official photo.

This is her serious look. It was a long morning for her.

Tonight we went to dinner at a Thai food restaurant with our travel group. The food was delicious. Tomorrow is our Consulate appointment in the morning, and the Oath Taking Ceremony in the afternoon. Tomorrow night we are going on a dinner cruise down the Pearl River. We are getting very close to the journey home. We miss everyone back home so much. Love to you all.


Happy baby!

and just because, you've got to have a bathtub photo - our beautiful Lily.