Getting closer to home!

Oh, it's so nice to be in GZ! Familiar ground…

They say the weather had been in the 60s and 70s until we got here. I'm not sure what the temperature is, but its hat and glove weather. It's still so nice to be able to just go out from the hotel, through the little alleyways and hit the Starbucks and then tackle some major shopping. There's a playground just a couple of blocks from here, so Brian took AnLi over there, while I wrestled Carli through the medical exam. Yes, she screamed at every station. They were all saying "spicy girl". Yes, we've got two spicy girls, but they are spicy in completely opposite ways!

Right now, the two are doing pretty well getting along. Of course, AnLi thinks she should be able to send Carli to time-out. It's been frustrating for AnLi, because Carli just doesn't really interact with her yet, nor does she talk, so I think that's just been hard on AnLi. Soon enough they'll be running circles around us, I'm sure.

Carli is adjusting fairly well (aside from the screaming) and has made huge strides physically. She still can't really chew or drink anything (except out of her bottle), but Brian taught her how to use a straw the other day. She thinks that's pretty fun! She tried to say "comb" today, as that's what she's attached herself to. She won't let it out of her hand for anything. Last week she couldn't even hold a Crayon. Now she can scribble with the best of them. She loves to sway back and forth and dance. If you hum something, she can hum it right back to you. She falls asleep very quickly and sleeps pretty soundly. We've been very lucky on that front. She's giving lots and lots of smiles these days.

Yesterday, we held off giving her bottle until we were ready to leave. She was singing and dancing and making all kinds of noises, just looking up at that bottle sitting on the counter. So, we handed it to her and strapped her in the stroller with AnLi and away we went. When she was done drinking her bottle, she handed it to us, gave me the hugest grin and started kicking her feet around because she ended up loving the stroller. Thank goodness! That will help tremendously at the airport. Although, I'm sure we could sell the stroller for top dollar here. The Chinese have never seen a double stroller, so we get lots of comments from them. Yesterday, we had at least five or six adoptive parents stop and ask us if we got it here, because they wish they had brought one. It's been very handy!

Last night AnLi and I did some shopping, dropped off laundry and brought food from Lucy's back to the room. Lucy's has mostly American food on the menu, so it's nice to get something familiar. AnLi was very happy to have some tomato soup!

Brian just got done with the paperwork and is going to go out to do some shopping, while the girls sleep. Yesterday, I did some shopping, while the girls slept. Of course, Brian didn't think I bargained well enough. It's just great to be here again, although I miss my shopping buddy, Joleen!!

Can't wait to see everybody!!