Trip to China
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Sunday, April 6, 2008 Today we got up early and once again we had to wake up Maggie for breakfast. She had a restless sleep last night, with a lot of crying and whining in her sleep...poor baby. I wonder what she is dreaming about and if this is part of her grieving? During the day she goes back and forth between being happy and then sadness comes over her face and she will shut us out for awhile. I know that this is normal, and we just try to let her play quietly through these moments and the next thing you know, she is coming to me for a hug. It is so hard to see her go through this, but comforting to know that it is normal. Many of the other children seem to be having similar issues, although the older ones more so than the younger. I hesitate to write about this next topic, but I want those of you who adopt older children to hear this. I had seen marks on the top of her legs and wondered what they were, but didn't really think much of it. When we got here to Guangzhou I was explaining to another mom how scared and sad Maggie was when I put her on the toilet. (I have tried just letting her use the diapers instead of having to use the toilet, but she will hold it forever, and seems to not want to go in her pants...and I know it is not good for her either.) Anyway, the other mom asked if she had the strap marks on her legs. Now I realized that the marks I had seen were strap marks from making them sit on the toilets in the orphanage...oh my sweet baby! The reason this really upset me is that she was in foster care up until December, so I doubt that the foster mother was doing this to her. She was probably so frightened when they did this to her at the orphanage. No wonder her eyes fill with tears when I sit her on there. So I am unsure what I should do at this point, but I think that it would make her more upset to go in her diaper. Any advice would be appreciated! And if you would like to e mail me privately, our e mail address is on the guestbook page. Back to our day today. We headed over to Shamian Island (Jeff close your eyes) to shop. There are many stores with tons of souvenirs, most of them geared to adoptive parents. The White Swan hotel is right there and since most adoptive parents stay there, the streets are filled with adoptive families. We don't feel so out of place here like we did in Chengdu. As we got off the bus there was a park and some local school children had us quiz them on their English skills. The teacher gave me a set of 20 questions to ask each one and they had to answer. I gave them all high fives at the end. Their English was very good. Since Kristy and I are both teachers, we thought it was very funny that they picked us. Maggie enjoyed shopping and loves to try on shoes...that's my girl! She actually walked a bit instead of me holding her. She will not sit in a stroller or a high chair, and usually wants me to carry her everywhere. My arms muscles are getting a workout. The shopping was wonderful...and we get to go back tomorrow! Bargaining with the shop owners is encouraged and we did some of that. Unfortunately, Kristy paid too much for some necklaces, but we didn't find out until after she had paid for them. The shop keeper would not give her any money back...so, lesson learned. For those of you who will be coming here, just make sure that you shop around a little bit and find out what other people are spending on certain items. What they make sound like a deal, may not be.

With some Chinese school students. She loves to shop...Daddy, watch out! Maggie and Mom at the White Swan. All 3 of us. Shopping is hard work!

Tomorrow morning we have a paperwork party to attend and then we take the children for their medical exams. Kristy is excited to get to baby-sit Maggie during the paperwork, let's just hope that Maggie is ok with it! We are enjoying every minute with this sweet, beautiful girl and are so glad to be getting to know that other families and their children. Some of the children have been sick so please pray for healing for them. Until tomorrow~ Denise

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