Update from Janet & Don via Tanta Linda

Gotcha moment: Amy cried on full volume for about 8 hours. About 4 hours into it, she quieted for Don, but screamed like bloody murder for me. Don went to go to do the requisite paperwork that night, while I stayed with the screaming baby to try to bond. The lightswitch flipped and she fell asleep in my lap and then for the whole night in her crib.

Our week's itinerary:
Monday: we visited Tianenman Square, the Forbidded City and the Great Wall (and of course Don and I hiked a whole section)
Tuesday: flew 3 hours to Nanning. Checked in hotel, unpacked and packed diaper bag in 45 minutes, formula, etc to get baby at 3p (Gotcha moment)
Wednesday: appointment in official office to finalize process (sort of). Trip to Walmart. Got Amy's first smile in Walmart of all places. This Walmart is nothing like our Walmarts, but we got a stroller and some other stuff. Pack bags again for departure in a.m.
Thursday: 6 hour bus ride to Guilin. If all this packing and unpacking and traveling doesn't give us a crash course in parenting, I don't know what will.
Friday: Today! We have a trip to a park and then shopping. Guilin is spectacular, so far.

About Amy: Like mommy, she LOVES to eat. She eats congee at every meal, egg custard and we are starting to give her fiber so hopefully she will produce something for us. So far only number one. Luckily, I have a literal apothecary of stuff with me if we need it. Early on it was just crying, then she would let us comfort her, but no eye contact. Now we get eye contact but she is a very serious baby. We had a smile in Walmart and then last night about 10 minutes of adorable smiles and play. So we are making progress every day.

Are you wondering if we like all of this traveling with our new baby? Well I can say I DON'T. This is exhausing to be packing and unpacking. The hotel we are in right now doesn't even have high chairs! Last hotel, the best rest I got was when I'd put her in the high chair and stuff her with congee.

If you are planning to adopt a baby from China, please make sure they don't combine a tour of China with the adoption! Sheeeesh...

On the other hand, the sights are fabulous and the hotels (except for one) are great. We LOVE the food we've been served. Each meal is different and we've enjoyed each and every one. I just don't eat the things I don't recognize.

Thanks mostly to Tanta Linda for offering to update the blog. Linda, Amy has already said she can't wait to meet you. And thanks for all the emails and comments from everyone. The love and support and interest is dearly appreciated by Don and I.