Day 12: Turning a Corner

So-we have been a family for one week as of today.  One long week, in which tears were shed, shut-downs have occurred, and security has been fostered.  Today was a big day-I feel that Zoey has finally accepted me into her circle of influence, so to speak.  I am not in the center (yet), but we have made HUGE strides.  I have been patient-tending to her needs and assuring here that I'll be here when she does need me.  I have exercised great restraint in letting her come to me, instead of freaking her out by getting in her face and demanding that she love me.  I was told I would probably have to "fake it"-that familial love does not come easy, and someone whom you have never met needs to worm their way into your heart.  I figured within a month of being home, we should be in a decent place-once we establish a routine, Jenna goes back to school, Bryan and the other 2 bond with her and go to school/work, and really she's stuck with me with few other options-I was hoping that she'd finally accept me as her Ma ma and I'd get hugs, kisses, cuddles, etc...

Well-she surprised me.  I got tons of kisses today-thanks to Jenna, in part, but they have not stopped.  We were walking around Guangzhou and she had become tired.  I picked her up and she let me cuddle her-usually she keeps her legs stiff and I have to hold her off to the side.  I got a full front hug, with both arms and legs wrapped around me.  We stopped at a stop light.  Jenna gave her a kiss.  I gave her a kiss.  She laughed.  She gave Jenna a kiss.  Jenna told her to give me a kiss.  She did.  Then she gave me another.  Then another-both cheeks.  Then she gave me a raspberry on my cheek, then another kiss.  Over and over-it was adorable.  Knowing what she has gone through in the past week, it made it even more special. 

But that was not it.  She "checked in" with me more frequently-and when I'd look over I didn't get the quick glance away, but instead got a big smile.  She'd run and come over and tickle me.  She'd run and come over and give me a pat on the back or a "Hello." 

We've only been through a week together, but already I feel for her the way I do my other 3.  I truly feel that she is mine and we'll be together forever.  I honestly didn't think I would get to this point until later-most likely after we'd be home.  But it built quickly-you can't watch someone go through what she has in the past week and not feel love - especially when you just know she is meant to be yours.

So-enough with the sap.  Here are our silly pictures from today. 

Many thanks to Theresa and Monica (and Lexie and Megs as well) for the wonderful job they did on Zoey's room while we were gone.  When we built our house 2 years ago, we made sure we had a bedroom for her, and the transition from storage to this is AMAZING!!!

This is adorable!

This is out of order-should be below during our excursion out in Guangzhou, but this was a store with flip flops out front for sale.  Check out the awkward ones in the front right with the red band and the blue toe thingamabobs... eek. 

Back at the medical center waiting to have the TB test checked. 

TB test is fine-woohoo.

We ventured out to walk near our hotel.  Notice the lack of a sidewalk and the bike lane RIGHT near where we were.  Was glad to get off this side of the street. 

No orange barrels here-everything is red red red.

Yuexiu Park across the street from the hotel.  Bumper or paddle boats in the background.  The crazy Americans with the cute babies seemed to be the center of attention with the natives here...

Your local Lamborghini dealer...

Noodles.  Again.  (Hey-I can "cook" these.)

Testing out the stroller.  Zoey found this hilarious.

No more pictures, please. 

LOTS of smiles today. 

Buddhist temple. 

The leaning pagoda.

Glad we rented the stroller.  Very effective.  lol

Offerings.

Our favorite sign.

Our group going into the Old Chen House.

Wax museum in the Old Chen House.  We thought they needed a little Disney influence-needed them to start moving.  Much to serious.

This is hand-embroidered on silk canvas.  Very pretty.

Zzzz

The guy behind John with the camera spent about 10 minutes just snapping pictures of our group, and Zoey in particular.  Let me know if anyone sees any pictures elsewhere on the internet...

Chinese calligraphy.

Papa John's pizza party-was a pretty big hit with all of the kids. 

Isabel, Jenna, and Hannah.

Yes-Jenna taught her to STAND at the top of the slide.  grrr...

Megs-can you see who is on the cover of their entertainment magazine???  (I can hear her screaming all the way to China!)

The Buddhist temple. 

After 4+ hours of trying to load the photos from my camera and onto the blog, this is all I can do.  I give up.  This might be the end of the photos until we get back.

As a summary: we had Zoey's TB test check (the whole group came out fine), and we went back for lunch.  We took a walk around the hotel and saw some interesting sights...went to a park behind a skyscraper that was beautiful (koi pond, etc...).  In the afternoon we went with our group for a tour of a Buddhist temple, a museum with this incredibly beautiful hand-embroidered silk art work-looked like paintings, then to an arts and crafts place, where our decision to go with Ann was affirmed.  We discovered that the jade pendants that we bought were literally 1/10th of the price as the low quality ones in this store.  Thanks again, Ann!  We finished off the evening with a pizza party at the play park with our group-with Papa John's pizza.  And, I have to add, it tasted just like home.

Cross your fingers that I can make this work-otherwise I promise to update when I get home.