Day 5, Nanning, Guangxi Province

Today was spent medicating Emily while Kevin shopped with the other families. Michael and David, our guides, took them to a department store in Nanning for clothes, formula, and masses of Diet Coke--referred to as "Coke Light" in China. Most of the families were pining for Diet Coke, and it's only found in one store in all of Nanning. It's not even available in our hotel or at restaurants!

The Chinese continue to be fascinated with us, following us around, beaming, sometimes just staring at our daughters with no expression, or approaching us to read the laminated cards around our neck that explain our purpose in China. Then we hear "very lucky baby", and lots of bowing commences as we part ways. Several times when we were being bused to and from places, through our bus window we'd spot a Chinese parent or grandparent holding an infant, they'd see us, and we'd each hold up our babies and smile broadly. What a wonderful feeling that we're accepted here.

This morning while Kevin shopped for clothes that actually fit Emily--she's still too tiny for 12 month clothes!--I stayed in with another mom whose 19-month old daughter is suffering from diarrhea. We ran the sick room until the families returned, and many piled into our room for a while. It's great fun--we're all getting so close, just like our adoption agency intended. We're starting to just keep our doors open so families can visit throughout the day. (The air conditioning doesn't work that great in the rooms anyway.)

Here's a photo I forgot to include the day we received our daughters. It's of the new mommies with their new daughters, outside the Lottery Hotel in Nanning.



I also forgot to mention that when we exchanged gifts with the orphanage director, each family received a gift bag that included our disposable cameras, completely used up (Michael is going to have the film developed for us before we leave Nanning), a lovely red, silk book with a special adoption thank you in Chinese, tiny origami stars and a heart, a braided good luck ornament (red, of course), and a very special gift...11 photos of our daughters, playing together. Apparently most of them know each other, and some have been crib mates. We're still trying to find out who bunked with whom. But it appears we were all matched with baby girls who know each other.

These little girls are starting to come alive this second full day, although many of them are still mourning the loss of their nannies. So in between bouts of extended crying (Emily included), there are moments of sheer bliss, when we hear them laugh for the first time...take their first steps...cling to us tightly like little monkeys...or stare into our eyes and then smile sweetly. It takes your breath away.



We take our time with them, calling them by their Chinese name, followed by "GuaiNu" (pronounced "Goo-eye"), which means "good girl", a very affectionate term. "Mama/BaBa Bao" (pronounced "Poe") means "Mama/Papa hold you", and "Buku" (pronounced "Moo hoe") means "Don't cry". The "Don't Cry" in particular works well, followed by "Good Girl". It calms the girls down quickly. We're gradually introducing their American names, followed by their Chinese names, and they'll know simply their American names by the time we come home.

Today Emily giggled when Kevin jostled her on his knee and made silly talk with her. She gave me a toothy smile when I imitated her as she turned her head from side to side and stuck her tongue out. And she held our gaze very often today, which is a good sign of bonding. She still doesn't play with toys much. Instead, she loves to be held. We took her to the pool for the first time today (very briefly, since she's sick), and here are a couple of photos.


Mommy Preps Emily for Swimming


First Swim with Daddy

Take care,

Caroline