sure makes us not as lonely. The Cingular bill is going to be a
whopper, but that is OK.
Sue has posted the last couple of days and our lives seem to be that
of living in a cantonment. We are staying on an island that was the
cantonment for the British - my guess is it was for security. There
is a small creek that separates this area from the rest of Guangzhou,
with two small bridges - on the other side of our hotel is the large
Pearl River. There are still foreign consulates here, but the US has
built a larger facility in downtown. The buildings are very colonial
- but now are converted to 7 Elevens, hotels and even a Starbucks.
Lily is improving rapidly and is done with her doctoring. The
healthcare here at the hotel was outstanding. I cannot say enough
good things about Shiyan and how she helps the families. Almost all
the Xuwen babies have come down with bronchitis, but in the
orphanage's defense, they traveled with the babies for 8 hours in
cold and damp conditions. I am surprised on just how well the babies
held up the first day considering all they went thru. Last night was
a huge improvement and Lily started to show her true personality.
The first couple of days all we did was hold her - vertically. The
47 and 46 year old spines were not ready for that - for sure. We
looked at each other, did not have to say a word (being with each
other for 30 years) and just smiled. Lily has gone from being held,
to the turtle on me, to sitting up and now imitating all our sounds
and facial expressions. Sue taught her to stick out her tongue and
twirl it around - it was not me! i did the scary face though. Lily
was characterized by the caregivers in a word that Shiyan says does
not translate into english. She said that it is not exactly bossy,
show-offy, actressy --- i think she is just perfect -- i say she has
spirit. She will need that spirit to keep up with Kelly, Britt and
Davis -- oh and also Chloe.
Sue has ventured out with Cindy from Tennessee. I am babysitting
thru naptime. Sue will be home soon and I am sure she was happy to
go shopping and get out of the room. Tomorrow Lily gets her Chinese
passport and her medical appointment is Saturday. Home in less than
a week.
Greg
