Abby Kate is an absolute dream. She's so wonderful and I find it hard to believe she's finally with us. We spent the morning today going to the notary's office to pay the last of the fees due here in Nanchang. We sat with the notary and answered a few questions, including why we want to adopt her from China. I think we've answered that about a dozen times in the last few days. It's funny how every step we take seems to be the exact same process. But we just smile and go with it.
I've been wearing Abby Kate in my Moby wrap. I finally turned her to face outward today after realizing she's probably going to get a crick in her neck from turning to see everything. She loves to look at what's going on. She's unbelievably attached to me and very clingy. This is a huge praise as we had been praying for her ability to attach and bond. Please be praying for her bonding with Brian. We are trying to have him hold her some and feed her, but she's very uncomfortable with him still. This is very common because the babies don't get much interaction with males in the orphanage or in foster care. He is being very patient and understanding about it, but it hurts my heart. I want her to love him so much. I know it will come with time.
Traveling around the city is quite the experience here. The other couple traveling with us described it as a live version of Frogger. We tried crossing the street yesterday. It is literally a free-for-all. I just held on tight to AK and stayed very close to our guide. I think I squealed the whole time we were crossing the road. Cars come at you and don't slow down. There are painted lines on the streets, but they don't mean anything. And if a driver wants to get around a car, he may just move into oncoming traffic to do so. I just keep looking out the side window whenever we're being driven somewhere. It's the only way to keep myself from having a heart attack. :)
We went to the Teng Wang Pavilion after the notary today. It's an absolutely gorgeous 6-story building on the river. Tons of history inside. We got to watch a performance of dancing, singing, and playing some ancient instruments. It was, of course, wonderful and too short for me. I love that kind of thing. There are no boundaries or personal spaces when it comes to the Chinese, so even though I thought I had a good place to watch, by the time the performance began, I had 6 or 7 people who had moved in front of me. I had my video camera held high in the air assuming I could just watch everything later. Very uncharacteristically, though, a Chinese woman motioned for me to come take her seat on a bench in front. Then when someone else got up, she came and sat beside me. She was very enthralled with Abby Kate, and I sensed she truly wanted me to be able to take in the experience. At one point, a man started to stand in front of me. She fussed at him and made him move. :) She gave AK a piece of candy. I thanked her in Chinese. It was nice to have a friend for a moment.
Today was the first day we've really been out for an extended period of time with AK. We really stick out and get lots of stares because of that. People kept coming up to look at us and to touch AK. There was one group of men who walked by and seemed to be scolding us for having her. We knew before we came, though, that some people would react that way, so we just ignored it. Mostly, the people have been friendly, curious, and happy for us.
The rest of today will be for resting and bonding with AK. I'm getting a bit tired of the hotel food. The Western restaurant is far from western, but my picky self has been able to find a few things to eat. We'll be trying the Italian restaurant tonight. That should be interesting.
I'll try to work backwards and send some posts about Gotcha Day and yesterday. I'm limited on time to write since AK doesn't want me to put her down. We miss you all and look forward to coming home soon!
This pic is of Me and Abby Kate in front of a Tiger Statue. Abby Kate was born in the year of the Tiger.
This pic is of the Teng Wang Pavilion and (below) of the three of us in front of it.
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