An update from the parents states that they plan on arriving in Chicago at 6 p.m. tomorrow night.
Everyone is doing well, although they are extremely tired and just want to be home. Julie had a very uneventful plane ride from China, and there doesn't seem to be a lot of fussiness.
Please pray that everything would go according to plan tomorrow! We'd like to have them home!!!
Saturday, April 7, 2007
NEWS FLASH!!!
NEWS FLASH!!!!!!
Julies arrival has been postponed for the moment! Due to travel problems the Blakes missed their flight exchange and were not allowed to leave San Fransico. They are as of right now trying to work out the details to get them to either indy or Chicago. Their departure and arrival times are unknown, but more will be posted as it arrives! Thank you for your prayers!
-Alex Blake
Julies arrival has been postponed for the moment! Due to travel problems the Blakes missed their flight exchange and were not allowed to leave San Fransico. They are as of right now trying to work out the details to get them to either indy or Chicago. Their departure and arrival times are unknown, but more will be posted as it arrives! Thank you for your prayers!
-Alex Blake
Homecoming!
Today at 8:01 p.m. (Lord willing!) the U.S. portion of the Blake family will pick up the China portion of the Blake family at the airport in Chicago. We can hardly wait!!! It's been 17 days, and we've been counting down each and every one. Little Jules will be home in time for Easter (which is also her 1 and 1/2 year birthday!)
Yay!
Welcome to America, Baby China!!!
Yay!
Welcome to America, Baby China!!!
Friday, April 6, 2007
Last Day in China
Day 17 - Friday, April 6, 2007
Well, it is Thursday night in Lafayette and our church family is presenting the Passion Play to the Lafayette community right now. Lord, please give them good success in presenting the simple gospel message. There are many in our community who live without an understanding of the free gift of eternal life offered through Christ. That is true in Indiana and it is true in China. So many people live and die and never here about God’s love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness.
Today is also our last full day in China. We go to the consulate today to take an oath (not sure what we are promising just yet, but we will find out). We will also receive Julie’s passport and visa so that we can leave the country tomorrow.
I think that we are all looking forward to leaving China and getting home to the people, family and country that we appreciate so much. However, there is also a sense of sadness that our China odyssey is nearly over. We have enjoyed the adventure of navigating our way through a totally foreign culture. We have enjoyed all of the sights, sounds, smells, and personal exchanges that are so different from Indiana. We have enjoyed the food, the people who fawn over Julie, and watching Julie come out her shell and develop. Maybe we will come back again someday.
Julie continues to progress. Just yesterday one of the ladies in our traveling party noted by pudgy Julie was. She has gained over 3 pounds (from 16# to 19+#) in the 11 days we have had her. She eats voraciously and we are thinking that we are going to have to start managing the amount that she eats. She continues to progress mentally. She plays with us, mimics what we do, “asks” you to keep doing something that she finds pleasant, and giggles and squeals. She is also able to roam around as a crawler, but still doesn’t take steps without assistance. It is very rewarding to see how human contact, play, conversation, and personal feeding is helping her to develop quickly. We love her.
Looking forward to seeing Courtney and Alex Saturday night!
Well, it is Thursday night in Lafayette and our church family is presenting the Passion Play to the Lafayette community right now. Lord, please give them good success in presenting the simple gospel message. There are many in our community who live without an understanding of the free gift of eternal life offered through Christ. That is true in Indiana and it is true in China. So many people live and die and never here about God’s love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness.
Today is also our last full day in China. We go to the consulate today to take an oath (not sure what we are promising just yet, but we will find out). We will also receive Julie’s passport and visa so that we can leave the country tomorrow.
I think that we are all looking forward to leaving China and getting home to the people, family and country that we appreciate so much. However, there is also a sense of sadness that our China odyssey is nearly over. We have enjoyed the adventure of navigating our way through a totally foreign culture. We have enjoyed all of the sights, sounds, smells, and personal exchanges that are so different from Indiana. We have enjoyed the food, the people who fawn over Julie, and watching Julie come out her shell and develop. Maybe we will come back again someday.
Julie continues to progress. Just yesterday one of the ladies in our traveling party noted by pudgy Julie was. She has gained over 3 pounds (from 16# to 19+#) in the 11 days we have had her. She eats voraciously and we are thinking that we are going to have to start managing the amount that she eats. She continues to progress mentally. She plays with us, mimics what we do, “asks” you to keep doing something that she finds pleasant, and giggles and squeals. She is also able to roam around as a crawler, but still doesn’t take steps without assistance. It is very rewarding to see how human contact, play, conversation, and personal feeding is helping her to develop quickly. We love her.
Looking forward to seeing Courtney and Alex Saturday night!
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Picture overload
If you really want to see ALLLLL of the pictures from our trip, go to ...
http://picasaweb.google.com/blakedad/ChinaDays12
http://picasaweb.google.com/blakedad/ChinaDays12
Oriental self portraits
I thought that I would post some of the plethora of pictures that my beauty queen took of herself in her new silk dress. I think that she is beautiful. Joe
Streetscapes ...
These are a few shots taken today along aback street near our hotel. Quite different than we would see in Lafayette, IN. The extreme differences from our culture have been fun to observe. There are some of these vendors that have foods that look really appealing, but we dare not try any.
At the zooooooo
We had a nice, shot visit to the zoo and enjoyed seeing many familiar animals. The zoo was in the middle of the city and surrounded by tall apartment buildings. However, the grounds were nicely landscaped. The zoo looked oldish, built maybe in the 1960's and not meticulously maintained.
We also got to see the main attraction - the panda bear.
One of the little girls in our group had a bunch of stickers that she was giving out. We decided to start a club called the "Star Browed Sneeches" and this is what we looked like. It was good for a few smiles for children and adults. The group with whom we are traveling are really fine people. We have enjoyed many pleasant walks and meals with them.
We also got to see the main attraction - the panda bear.
One of the little girls in our group had a bunch of stickers that she was giving out. We decided to start a club called the "Star Browed Sneeches" and this is what we looked like. It was good for a few smiles for children and adults. The group with whom we are traveling are really fine people. We have enjoyed many pleasant walks and meals with them.
Dinner in the market
Margaret, we couldn't keep it secret any longer. This is really what we have been eating for dinner, not those nice sanitary Chinese restaurant meals. Sometimes you make sacrifices when traveling on a budget. Can't wait until McDonalds introduces squid on a stick in the States.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Julie Laughing
Day 15 - Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Last night we went for a walk through the park that is immediately to the east of our hotel. It was a nice city park with four small lakes, trails, gardens, trees, recreation equipment, and amusement rides. It was fun to see a more pleasant slice of everyday life for the “Guangzhouians”. We saw many people walking the paved trails and enjoying the gardens. We also saw many people using the recreational equipment. They had nice playground equipment for adults - chin up bars, balance beams, a device like an elliptical trainer, back massages, etc. These had the 2008 Olympic committee sticker on them so maybe they were recently installed. We also saw many people playing table tennis and badminton outside on marble tables and paved courts. We all agreed that we didn’t want to challenge even the oldest and most feeble to a match!
We got some snacks at a local market and brought them back to our hotel rooms to enjoy them. We watched some Chinese TV and caught up a bit on international events.
Trevor spent a lot of time laughing at and laughing with Julie last night. Julie learned yesterday (from Momma) how to jump up and down and act like a silly girl. Last night Trevor took Julie’s pants and put them on her head as a hat. She looked like Aunt Jemima and she and Trevor just laughed and laughed as they bounced up and down and acted like wild children. Such fun. It is a delight to see Julie developing and opening up with each passing day. She certainly does not lack attention from Mom, Dad, Bubby and Sissy. We are pleased to think of a future where Julie can enjoy the love and protection of a family. What a neat opportunity to open our lives to one more little one to see what a family, warts and all, can be.
God, thanks for bringing Julie to our family. Thank you for making her transition easy and pleasant for all. Help us to continue to love Julie and to help her to be all that se can be for Your sake.
Last night we went for a walk through the park that is immediately to the east of our hotel. It was a nice city park with four small lakes, trails, gardens, trees, recreation equipment, and amusement rides. It was fun to see a more pleasant slice of everyday life for the “Guangzhouians”. We saw many people walking the paved trails and enjoying the gardens. We also saw many people using the recreational equipment. They had nice playground equipment for adults - chin up bars, balance beams, a device like an elliptical trainer, back massages, etc. These had the 2008 Olympic committee sticker on them so maybe they were recently installed. We also saw many people playing table tennis and badminton outside on marble tables and paved courts. We all agreed that we didn’t want to challenge even the oldest and most feeble to a match!
We got some snacks at a local market and brought them back to our hotel rooms to enjoy them. We watched some Chinese TV and caught up a bit on international events.
Trevor spent a lot of time laughing at and laughing with Julie last night. Julie learned yesterday (from Momma) how to jump up and down and act like a silly girl. Last night Trevor took Julie’s pants and put them on her head as a hat. She looked like Aunt Jemima and she and Trevor just laughed and laughed as they bounced up and down and acted like wild children. Such fun. It is a delight to see Julie developing and opening up with each passing day. She certainly does not lack attention from Mom, Dad, Bubby and Sissy. We are pleased to think of a future where Julie can enjoy the love and protection of a family. What a neat opportunity to open our lives to one more little one to see what a family, warts and all, can be.
God, thanks for bringing Julie to our family. Thank you for making her transition easy and pleasant for all. Help us to continue to love Julie and to help her to be all that se can be for Your sake.
Day 14
Day 14 -Tuesday, April 3 2007
Another leisurely breakfast at the Dongfang Hotel in Guangzhou. Right after breakfast we hopped on the tour bus and took a trip to Shamian Island. We went inside the White Swan hotel for the traditional group baby picture on the red couch in the lobby. All eight babies did very well with very few tears. I think that the group got some great pictures. We also took some photos by the indoor water fall in the very large lobby.
We then went to a little photo shop to get passport photos for all of the babies. Julie cooperated nicely!
After that we went to the medical clinic for a physical of all of the babies to make sure that all of the children are healthy as they leave China. Every baby passed the physical. We confirmed that Julie has gained about 2.5 to 3 pounds since we got her 8 days ago! She certainly has not lacked an appetite, but she still is not interested in any solid foods. Her bottle is all she needs, thank you very much!
I am struck by the magnitude of the business being generated with the adoption of Chinese orphans. It would not surprise me if this is a multi-billion dollar a year business. Airfare, hotels, tour buses, taxis, meals in restaurants, medical exams, passports, fees to the orphanage, gifts to caregivers, shopping at the markets, etc. It is hard to remain positive about the process when it seems to be driven by money. With the lifelong commitment that these adoptive parents are making to care for these children, you would think that they should be getting paid for doing so, not the other way around. Oh well, we focus on the goal - bringing a little girl home to nurture, love, teach and guide. What a blessing (Psalm 127).
We then went to a very nice Starbucks on the island. While everything else seems to be a bargain compared to US prices, Starbuck is as much or more than the US. Imagine that … Maybe a few Starbucks franchises in China would be a good investment.
We have noticed that there are a lot of people living in very substandard housing, but then there are those living in luxury. It appears that the Chinese government is allowing people to earn whatever the free market will allow. However, it appears that the gap between rich and poor I widening. It will be interesting to see if that is allowed to continue.
We bought a few pieces of art work at a shop on Shamian. We hope to hang them in a remodeled stairway someday.
We had a nice lunch at a Chinese restaurant by the Guangzhou airport. We have enjoyed the Chinese food and have not gotten ill from any of it. However, we are longing for a nice home coked meal with ingredients that are familiar to the palate.
Another leisurely breakfast at the Dongfang Hotel in Guangzhou. Right after breakfast we hopped on the tour bus and took a trip to Shamian Island. We went inside the White Swan hotel for the traditional group baby picture on the red couch in the lobby. All eight babies did very well with very few tears. I think that the group got some great pictures. We also took some photos by the indoor water fall in the very large lobby.
We then went to a little photo shop to get passport photos for all of the babies. Julie cooperated nicely!
After that we went to the medical clinic for a physical of all of the babies to make sure that all of the children are healthy as they leave China. Every baby passed the physical. We confirmed that Julie has gained about 2.5 to 3 pounds since we got her 8 days ago! She certainly has not lacked an appetite, but she still is not interested in any solid foods. Her bottle is all she needs, thank you very much!
I am struck by the magnitude of the business being generated with the adoption of Chinese orphans. It would not surprise me if this is a multi-billion dollar a year business. Airfare, hotels, tour buses, taxis, meals in restaurants, medical exams, passports, fees to the orphanage, gifts to caregivers, shopping at the markets, etc. It is hard to remain positive about the process when it seems to be driven by money. With the lifelong commitment that these adoptive parents are making to care for these children, you would think that they should be getting paid for doing so, not the other way around. Oh well, we focus on the goal - bringing a little girl home to nurture, love, teach and guide. What a blessing (Psalm 127).
We then went to a very nice Starbucks on the island. While everything else seems to be a bargain compared to US prices, Starbuck is as much or more than the US. Imagine that … Maybe a few Starbucks franchises in China would be a good investment.
We have noticed that there are a lot of people living in very substandard housing, but then there are those living in luxury. It appears that the Chinese government is allowing people to earn whatever the free market will allow. However, it appears that the gap between rich and poor I widening. It will be interesting to see if that is allowed to continue.
We bought a few pieces of art work at a shop on Shamian. We hope to hang them in a remodeled stairway someday.
We had a nice lunch at a Chinese restaurant by the Guangzhou airport. We have enjoyed the Chinese food and have not gotten ill from any of it. However, we are longing for a nice home coked meal with ingredients that are familiar to the palate.
Anticipation Increases!
Well, as spring begins its joyful march in to april, the eldest Blake children are becoming more and more eager to meet their newest sibling. As I (alex), walk to class every morning, I look at my watch and try to imagine what my family is doing each day. Most of the time I am awake they are probably sleeping, but in the other times I can invision them trudging through the dirty streets, seeing the sights, and shopping. But other times they are relaxing in the hotel trying to catch up on sleep and tending to the babooshka (julie). And I just realized something, all their posts have pictures.... I haven't posted a single picture from here! So here you go! Thats Courtney and I, in all our spare time we decided to climb Mt Everest... Weeelll its school time all, I will write more later!
Sunday, April 1, 2007
The Cruise Down the Pearl River
On Sunday night after dinner the incomplete Blake family traveled down to the river Ghuangzhou is built around. The group of adopties were taking a cruise down the river. All along the river are tall beautiful buildings like ou would find in NYC except all of these are lit up with neons instead of soft lights. The cruise was about and hour and a half and absoulutely beautiful. The weater was gorgeous and there was a very stiff breeze.
So far Julie has adapted well although i think the crazy routine has gotten her grumpy. She's been talking more and clapping her hands very well. God has truely blessed our family. Thank you for all your prayers durin this transition.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Many funny signs
We have found a plethora of funny signs and labels. Here is one example on Shamian Island in south Guangzhou. (double click the picture to read the sign)
Another day, another dumpling
Day 10 - Friday, March 30, 2007
We are getting into a bit of a routine these days. We are up around 6:00 AM, feed Julie, shower, have a leisurely breakfast at the hotel until about 9:30. From there, we generally do some site seeing and have lunch with the group. Then we spend the afternoon hanging around the hotel or doing some shopping at the street markets.
Today we went to a beautiful botanical gardens called Yuntai Garden. It was a very peaceful, beautiful park with wonderful landscaping, flowers, fountains, and sculptures. Very enjoyable walk through the gardens.
Our guide explained that when he came to the USA and went to a “park” he expected it to be a man-made, sculpted, relatively small place. Instead, he found a wooded area with few improvements. He used that as an example of ho our cultures misunderstand each other even though we might understand the words that are being used.
Botanical pandas in the park
Our beautiful Erika!
Lucy,one of our guides
A truly beautiful, peaceful setting
Susan practicing the oriental arts in the garden ... a common sight
Julie is doing better each day. She is crawling a lot now. She lets us know that she wants us to hold her. She talks to us with little squeals. She eats like a horse any time food is offered. In fact, based on the scales in our room, she has gained about 1.8 pounds in the past 4 days. However, she still won’t have anything to do with solid foods. She is not interested at all toys - she pushes them away. She seem very healthy as other babies in the group are dealing with colds, poor eating, and rickets. God is good.
Tonight we played with Julie, took a walk to the market, bought baby supplies, and watched Chinese television. I think that we are all wishing that we could speed this process and return to the US sooner. We miss all of you.
We are getting into a bit of a routine these days. We are up around 6:00 AM, feed Julie, shower, have a leisurely breakfast at the hotel until about 9:30. From there, we generally do some site seeing and have lunch with the group. Then we spend the afternoon hanging around the hotel or doing some shopping at the street markets.
Today we went to a beautiful botanical gardens called Yuntai Garden. It was a very peaceful, beautiful park with wonderful landscaping, flowers, fountains, and sculptures. Very enjoyable walk through the gardens.
Our guide explained that when he came to the USA and went to a “park” he expected it to be a man-made, sculpted, relatively small place. Instead, he found a wooded area with few improvements. He used that as an example of ho our cultures misunderstand each other even though we might understand the words that are being used.
Botanical pandas in the park
Our beautiful Erika!
Lucy,one of our guides
A truly beautiful, peaceful setting
Susan practicing the oriental arts in the garden ... a common sight
Julie is doing better each day. She is crawling a lot now. She lets us know that she wants us to hold her. She talks to us with little squeals. She eats like a horse any time food is offered. In fact, based on the scales in our room, she has gained about 1.8 pounds in the past 4 days. However, she still won’t have anything to do with solid foods. She is not interested at all toys - she pushes them away. She seem very healthy as other babies in the group are dealing with colds, poor eating, and rickets. God is good.
Tonight we played with Julie, took a walk to the market, bought baby supplies, and watched Chinese television. I think that we are all wishing that we could speed this process and return to the US sooner. We miss all of you.
Day 9 in China
Day 9 - Thursday, Marc29, 2007
(excerpt taken directly from Susan’s journal) Today we went sight seeing at the Six Banyan Trees Buddhist temple. We entered to the sound of chanting monks, drum beating, and gong striking. We climbed the pagoda. We saw lots of golden Buddhas. Joe and Julie participated in a baby blessing by the monk.
We got back on the bus and once again crept along through traffic to an old market with narrow, stinky streets. The stalls were old and dirty, but filled with such incredible sights: teeming scorpions, hundreds of spices, jelly fish, squid, cats, dogs, large fish hanging by their tails, etc. We then went back to the clothing shopping area for a group lunch.
Our guide, Jun Tao, is excellent - he is full of cultural observations and insights. Our other guides are Lucy and Lisa, two lovely Chinese girls.
Here is what lunch consisted of. Large sections of rubbery/spongy rice cake, an interesting cabbage roll of pork (?) with shrimp eggs on top, sesame balls with sticky rice and red bean center, a dumpling of some sort, and spring rolls.
After a group lunch of mostly fried stuff, we went back to the hotel. When we got back from lunch, Joe, Trevor and Julie napped while Erika and I shopped around the hotel. We stopped by the 7-11 to get some nibbles - they were high priced just like convenience stores at home. We got some good crackers with raisins in them, some peanut butter Oreos, etc. Fun! We then went back to the hotel where she and I had a “picnic” while others slept. As I write, Julie is sitting on my lap. Erika is resting. Joe and Trev are out and about.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Crazy Fun Markets
Trevor, Joe and Erika are having a great time in the markets of downtown Guangzhou. It is so much fun to negotiate prices with the vendors. We think that we are getting great prices for the merchandise. I suspect that the vendors think that they are getting a great price for their goods. So, we are both happy! :-)
Susan is a little apprehensive with the whole process, but is also enjoying herself. Any requests for inexpensive name brand "stuff" should be made known now! I don't know if we will ever be able to shop in the USA again!
Wild Rides
Wow! this internet stuff is so amazing (this is Susan, the easily amazed). Here we are in China communicating with you all! Julie is progressing every day. She's a great eater and a great sleeper, common characteristics of the females in our clan. In spite of jet leg, Erika and Trevor still find boundless energy for exploring and shopping. We bravely hop in a taxi, point to a spot on a map, and trust the driver (who we really have no reason to trust). So far it's working, though we've experienced some hair raising cab rides, including speeding down the wrong side of the street and shaving by buses and pedestrians. We even had a driver who fell asleep every time the car slowed in traffic. He was the same one who ran red lights, but everyone drives that way.
Left in Lafayette...
I'm right there with you, Alex!
I started tearing up in the library while I was looking at pictures of you all... I'm so jealous! But I understand that it would not have been feasible for me to go, so I'm enjoying spending more time with my very sympathetic, understanding brother. He's taking care of me like HE'S the oldest. I like it! :)
You all are missed. Erika, please come home and clean out the litter box. I don't want to do it. Ew.
And Mom, I missed trash day. Again. Apologies.
I plan on making up for lost Julie-time when you all get home! But until then I'll just bury myself in psychobiology tests, audiology observations, and avoiding the cat litter.
Love to you all!
I started tearing up in the library while I was looking at pictures of you all... I'm so jealous! But I understand that it would not have been feasible for me to go, so I'm enjoying spending more time with my very sympathetic, understanding brother. He's taking care of me like HE'S the oldest. I like it! :)
You all are missed. Erika, please come home and clean out the litter box. I don't want to do it. Ew.
And Mom, I missed trash day. Again. Apologies.
I plan on making up for lost Julie-time when you all get home! But until then I'll just bury myself in psychobiology tests, audiology observations, and avoiding the cat litter.
Love to you all!
Home and Heart wrenched
Wow I am jealous! I wish I could be there with the rest of the family... But here I am, trying to stay content as I finish my calculus homework. But I know that it was in God's perfect plan for me not to be able to go to China, so now I just have to be happy and look for the reason!
Love you all! Thank you family in China, for all the emails and pictures, and thanks to all the kind people who read this blog!
Well I better get ready for class..... :(
-Alex
Love you all! Thank you family in China, for all the emails and pictures, and thanks to all the kind people who read this blog!
Well I better get ready for class..... :(
-Alex
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Life with Julie
Wednesday, March 28 2007 6:00 AM
Yesterday (Tuesday) we went back to the adoption registration center and signed paperwork to finalize Julie’s adoption. She is now officially a Blake! The remainder of the time in China is just waiting for her passport to leave China and her visa to enter the US. Seems like a long process just for those two items, but we don’t make the rules. We did a group lunch and all of the babies seem to be adjusting fairly well. I am sure that it will take time. One experienced adoptive dad told us that three days of being with the children will make a world of difference.
After lunch we came back to the hotel and rested for a while, then we ventured out to Shamian Island where the White Swan is located. It is a beautiful setting along the banks of the Pearl River (?) with wonderful architecture in the surrounding buildings. We did some shopping and Erika bought a silk dress for her and Julie. They hope to wear them on Easter Sunday and to Melissa’s wedding. Courtney also has one that was given to her by an Australian friend, Lavinia. Won’t they be snappy!
We then went to a shopping area that is several downtown blocks of just pedestrian shopping area. What a free-for-all. The kids and I found it exhilarating, while Susan found it a little unnerving.
Today we go to the Security Bureau for another interview and to apply for Julie’s passport. We will have dinner with the group, but the rest of the day is on our own. We are all healthy and are resting well. The breakfast in our hotel is very nice and we are enjoying the hotel accommodations very much. It m be the only time that our children get to have their own room in a 5 star hotel!
Julie is doing well. While have only had her for a little over a day, we can already see some encouraging signs. It seems obvious that she has spent most of her life alone without a lot of personal contact. She is very content to sit for long periods with no stimulus or interaction. She also has the hair rubbed off of the back of her head indicating that she has spent a lot of time just lying on her back. While you would expect that for an infant, you wouldn’t generally see it in a 15month old. She also has a little bald spot right in the middle of her forehead. The Chinese doctor thinks that it was shaven to insert an IV, however, we have a dermatologist traveling with us (a new grandma) that thinks it is a birthmark where her scalp did not fully develop. We think she is correct. We think that a Gene Keady comb-over is in her future! J Other than, that, it appears that Julie is healthy. We are thankful for that.
We appreciate the love and support of our family and friends at home. Your prayers have been very encouraging along with your notes of encouragement. Looking forward to seeing you all soon!
Yesterday (Tuesday) we went back to the adoption registration center and signed paperwork to finalize Julie’s adoption. She is now officially a Blake! The remainder of the time in China is just waiting for her passport to leave China and her visa to enter the US. Seems like a long process just for those two items, but we don’t make the rules. We did a group lunch and all of the babies seem to be adjusting fairly well. I am sure that it will take time. One experienced adoptive dad told us that three days of being with the children will make a world of difference.
After lunch we came back to the hotel and rested for a while, then we ventured out to Shamian Island where the White Swan is located. It is a beautiful setting along the banks of the Pearl River (?) with wonderful architecture in the surrounding buildings. We did some shopping and Erika bought a silk dress for her and Julie. They hope to wear them on Easter Sunday and to Melissa’s wedding. Courtney also has one that was given to her by an Australian friend, Lavinia. Won’t they be snappy!
We then went to a shopping area that is several downtown blocks of just pedestrian shopping area. What a free-for-all. The kids and I found it exhilarating, while Susan found it a little unnerving. 
Today we go to the Security Bureau for another interview and to apply for Julie’s passport. We will have dinner with the group, but the rest of the day is on our own. We are all healthy and are resting well. The breakfast in our hotel is very nice and we are enjoying the hotel accommodations very much. It m be the only time that our children get to have their own room in a 5 star hotel!
Julie is doing well. While have only had her for a little over a day, we can already see some encouraging signs. It seems obvious that she has spent most of her life alone without a lot of personal contact. She is very content to sit for long periods with no stimulus or interaction. She also has the hair rubbed off of the back of her head indicating that she has spent a lot of time just lying on her back. While you would expect that for an infant, you wouldn’t generally see it in a 15month old. She also has a little bald spot right in the middle of her forehead. The Chinese doctor thinks that it was shaven to insert an IV, however, we have a dermatologist traveling with us (a new grandma) that thinks it is a birthmark where her scalp did not fully develop. We think she is correct. We think that a Gene Keady comb-over is in her future! J Other than, that, it appears that Julie is healthy. We are thankful for that.
We appreciate the love and support of our family and friends at home. Your prayers have been very encouraging along with your notes of encouragement. Looking forward to seeing you all soon!
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