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Monday, January 29, 2007

This next encounter just proves how small the world really is these days. We headed down to breakfast this morning but soon discovered we forgot Becca's bib (yesterday without the bib was painfully messy.) So, after getting seated at a table and getting Becca her congee, I headed back to the room to look for the bib. On the elevator trip back down, I said hello to an adoptive family. They had a strong southern accent, so I asked what state they're from, and the father said Georgia. Hmm, my interest perked up a bit and so I pushed it a little further and asked where in Georgia. The man told me that they live in Augusta - okay, so I don't really know anybody in Augusta; now I don't really care anymore. But then he went on to say, "But I grew up in middle Georgia." Ah, I was interested again. "Where in Georgia?" I asked. "Milledgeville," he said. Not believing him, I said, "Milledgeville, Georgia?" and he said, "Yes." Wow! But it gets better. I went back to the table and told Angie, "Hey remember these names, Grady and Frances Torrance, so I can report their names in Becca's journal. They're some grandparents of an adoptive family I just met and they live in Milledgeville, Georgia." I quickly learned that Grady was Angie's economics professor. We met and took a photo with the family and Frances told us that she had been Pop Strickland's Deacon.

After a rushed breakfast, because Becca decided to catch up on sleep this morning, we walked with our group to the Health Care Center of Guandong International Travel for the children's medical examinations. On the way there, a young man asked Angie if he could talk with her to practice his English. He asked her where she was from and what were her hobbies. He told her that he had taught himself English using American movies and music. His name was James, after LeBron James, the professional basketball player.

The girls all did quite well during the medical exams. There was a special area for adoptive children. The examinations reminded me of my high school group physical. The children were whisked through 3 permanent stations. These stations consisted of "ENT", "Medical and Surgical", and "Height, Weight, Temperature." Becca really did well - she cried during the medical and weight portions but not her ear, nose and throat examination. The actual examination took less than 3 minutes. I didn't have a chance to talk with the physicians as a colleague because they were very busy. I also didn't get the details on Becca's examination (with the exception that she weighs 17 lbs) as I was documenting the event with my camera - the one physician even voluntarily re-measured Becca's head circumference so that I could get the photo. Becca is the youngest and smallest of our group of girls.

After a short break, we all headed over to some marketplace by taxi to search for pearl and jade bargains. Angie was totally overwhelmed as this marketplace was beyond huge - it was like we were in Las Vegas all over again (Angie was so overwhelmed in Vegas she wouldn't come out of the room for a few days). I thought the Mall of America was big, but this place seemed to trump it. We have heard so much about the Pearl and Jade Markets. For some reason, I had it in my head that we would go to this nice, aesthetically pleasing market with fountains, fish in the ponds and music softly playing in the background by musicians dressed in the ancient garb. Oh no, this was a New York City style market! Hundreds upon hundreds, even thousands of little shops selling every piece of jewelry imaginable. The place was 6 stories high, with 2 large atriums, a connecting corridor, and stores layered behind each other. You could easily get lost in the maze. I personally had a lot of fun, but Angie hated it.

But, we were on a quest for our child's gift for when she is older and we succeeded in obtaining it. Our guide sent us to the best, highest quality pearl store and we purchased a pearl necklace, matching earrings and 2 matching bracelets (and didn't break the bank.) We hope to give them to her on her wedding day or when she enters the convent - these are her choices (I'll tell her when she's about 16 - just kidding.)

 
Becca wasn't thrilled with getting weighed.


Hmm...looks like the stocks have been falling.


Trying to brush Mommy's hair.


Outside at the marketplace.


Stella with Becca during our shopping expedition.


Becca and Malia discussing toys and clothes.
 
Now, you may have seen a lot of pictures of other adoptive families at McDonald's. It seems everyone takes a picture of the baby's first French fry from McDonald's. Angie feels that this is not something to be proud of, and has been saying that this is something we will not post. But when we saw and recognized those golden arches at that huge marketplace, we were magnetized and next thing you know, there we were eating a Big Mac and taking photographs of Becca and her French fries.

Becca has once again been a joy. Today, I received my first unsolicited kiss and I really think she said "Daddy." She probably said "dadadadadadada" as this is easy for babies but, hey, no one else was in the room so it will be documented as "Daddy, I love you so much. Thanks for everything. I love Mommy just as much!" If you think I'm kidding about how smart this kid is, just look at the photograph (remembering that a picture says a thousand words). And that paper isn't even in Chinese, her native language. She also pulled herself up from a sitting position and then proceeded to walk on her own with support from the bed. She taught us how to follow her commands as well. When she's tired, if we are holding her and sit or lie/lay (again, look that one up) down, she will scream or cry until we stand and then she laughs or giggles. Sit back down and tears start flowing again. The faucet turns off when we stand up. And, this is all while we are holding her. Becca drank from a sippy cup today for the first time and ate some more solid food.
We've learned the Chinese word for no which sounds like boo although Becca laughs when Angie says it - perhaps it's something in the pronunciation that Angie is missing.

This evening after going to eat dinner at Lucy's Bar and Cafe with another family in our group, we went shopping. The saleswoman sang a Chinese song to Becca so Becca let the lady hold her. After shopping, we went to our friends' room and their child, Malia, and Becca played together for about 30 minutes.

Well, it's getting late so I will see you tomorrow. We have our farewell dinner and red couch photos tomorrow.

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