I'm going to try to squeeze a lot in one post so it might be all over the place!!
First...since my last post I have not had access to email until this morning and checked FB tonight. I was overwhelmed with all the love, prayers, and support we have received! SO many emails & messages with much needed encouragement! We love you all so much!
Now on to the part you are waiting for...
This is our sad eyed baby girl. She finds comfort in having a bottle in her mouth even if she's not drinking. She will not let you pull it out at all! She has a toy in both hands at all times, even when she sleeps. She cries when she's sad or when she can't express what she wants to us. She has yet to make the first sound other than a scream or cry. She prefers Baba all day long but only wants Mama to cuddle her to sleep....all through the night...several times when she wakes up! She eats everything and wants to eat all the time. I call her lil squirrel because if you don't watch her carefully, she has the food packed away in her cheeks! She HATES the bath. She's terrified of the crib in the hotel so lucky for her she sleeps in between Baba & Mama. She doesn't mind changing clothes. She loves music. We learned today she loves to walk. She eats rice for breakfast...well all the time! And I love her more than she will ever know!
Yesterday we went to her orphanage in Ningbo City. Beautiful place! It was 2 hrs from our hotel. Natalee slept the entire way. When we arrived we were instructed to go directly to a nearby restaurant for lunch that the orphanage director had planned for us. It was very nice. The meal was served on the lazy Susan. You just spin it and get what you'd like off the dishes available. The directors and leaders picked Nat up and she immediately reached back at me. This is when I first knew I had so many prayers going up for us!
We later went to the orphanage where they presented us with a beautiful gift, a certificate, and a photo album with a letter for Natalee. These pictures were all of her with the leaders.
Front entrance before we enter
Office building in orphanage
We were then taken to her classroom. The director said we weren't able to enter the building with cribs but we could see her classroom. She was already in a preschool. She got a little uneasy so Jeremy took her outside.
Classroom Building
Her classroom
The Directors wanted pictures with us. They all were SO sweet!
We left after that and went to get her passport processed. We will pick it up Friday!
We also received our official certificate of adoption from Civil Affairs! That was a very exciting moment!
Last night she grieved quite a bit again. I just held her tight for a couple hrs then Jeremy took his turn. Finally she got tired and stopped crying. I put her to sleep and she woke less through the night.
Today was much much better! She is gaining our trust and actually allowed us to put her down and walk! Now she walks everywhere. She loves to "kiss" Mama (really she just leans forward with her mouth open) and she gives partial smiles when I kiss her neck. She started playing in the floor with me. She actually rode in the stroller when we went out for the evening with the Hardee family!
We went and toured (climbed the stairs) of a pagoda today. It was beautiful!! Difficult and tiring but the scenery was worth it.
We also went to tour a tea farm. That was truly an experience!
(Some of the Hardee's and Savor)
Our green tea lesson!
I had to take this photo because these are really the brooms they use her! I've seen them put one together and start sweeping out on the street!!!
Tomorrow we go on a boat across the West Lake. I am so excited! Friday is our free day so we will hit the town for shopping. Then we leave to Guangzhou that evening.
China is a wonderful place and I just can't soak in all the beauty and write it down. Wish you were here to share with me!
Keep praying! We feel every one!!
Much love,
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