March 26
Erin here:
Well it was another exciting day getting to know our daughter. Both the girls (Lexi and Mommy) are fighting a cold or something and Daddy is doing his best to make sure everyone is taken care of.
We went to the Chongqing Zoo today, which apparently is famous for it's Pandas. I have to say we are very spoiled with the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park. This place was very hard for me, the animals are basically in concrete pens, like US Zoos of old. Lexi slept through most of the Zoo experience.
Whenever we go out with all the babies we tend to get mobbed. We almost feel like animals in a zoo ourselves. And let me tell you if someone feels you haven't dressed your daughter properly or aren't holding her right they have no problem telling you so. Yesterday Courtney was yelled at by a Chinese Grandma for having her daughter in a snuggli. She said the baby will be bow legged. The same Chinese Grandma then picked up Cindy and Shawns daughter Avery and started to walk away (in a teasing manner but it was not funny to any of us). Cindy of course was not pleased and Zhou finally showed up to put an end to the antics.
I had an opportunity to use some of my Chinese with the people at the Zoo today. And the local children were very excited to come up to us and practice an english word or two. Ken and I got many compliments on Lexi, "her eyes are good eyes", but I was also advised that I would be a much better mom had I wrapped my jacket around my daughter who already had three layers of clothing on rather than wearing it and keeping myself warm. Thank you for the advice now if you'll excuse us we need to catch up to our group.
This afternoon was free time, no schedule. Lexi didn't seem interested in her afternoon nap, turns out we were just too early. We are still figuring out her schedule. So we decided to venture out and take a walk to the Square. Think Times Square. Lexi is not much of a crowd person. It was all a bit overwhelming, she kept a watchful eye while clinging to Daddy. After a while she just decided it was not for her and fell asleep on Daddy's shoulder. She continued to finish her nap after we returned to the room.
Tonight we had a bath breakthrough. We are having to bathe her everynight so we can give her the scabies medicine. The first night was torture, blood curdling screams, we basically accomplished a quick sponge bath. Last night was a little better she got her fanny in the water and we were able to soap her up and actually wash her hair, but she screamed all the way through. Tonight she actually got into playing while in the tub. I have been getting in the bath first and play with the bath toys then Ken brings Lexi in to see what I am doing. So after lathering and rinsing she was more interested in the toys than she was afraid of the water, so we let her play for about 5 minutes. So hopefully this too will continue to progress.
As I am sitting here writing this Ken and Lexi are playing on the floor next to me. Lexi just took 5 steps by herself, not holding on to anything or anyone. So she does seem to be adjusting and thriving even with all the changes. This evening when we went down to dinner she was very talkative with the other babies. Previously she has been happy to just sit on our lap and watch. Tonight Lexi and Erika were having quite the conversation from 20 ft apart. I feel so sorry for the other guests in this hotel. Us 9 families have really taken over. You can't miss us.
Well, this is our last post from Chongqing. Tomorrow we leave for Guangzhou. So far Lexi has been a great traveller. The bus starts to move and Lexi falls asleep. It will be interesting to see how these 9 babies (and there families) handle the air plane ride. At least tomorrow it is only 90 minutes. It will give us an idea though about what the 13 hour flight home will be like.
Good night all.
Happy in Chongqing
Ken, Erin, and Lexi.
