One week and one million diapers later

Monday, August 21, 2006 (We have had Sophia one week today!!)

Sophia is getting into quite a routine, blessing us with a dirty diaper to be changed in the middle of the night and then another one right after she awakes in the morning. She takes these dirty diapers in stride, never even crying when they are full. We are the ones that are crying with the stink and the mess. The medicine does not seem to be helping in the least bit. We were planning on visiting the doctor here at the White Swan after breakfast but were told we had to go for our medical exam for the visa so off we went. She did not want to leave mama or baba’s arms for the visa picture. She looks quite scared.

The medical appointment checked her weight (18.4 pounds) and length (28.75 inches), her hearing (by ringing a bell and playing a toy piano), and her throat. It was a very quick and efficient process. The doctor seemed pleased by her chubby little legs.

After the medical exam another doctor consulted with us regarding her diarrhea. He reviewed her medical chart from the hospital in Chengdu. He told us, with our guide interpreting, that is not bacterial and gave her some medicine that should bind her. Let’s hope this does the trick.

After the medical appointment we went out to find a place to do our laundry and then did some shopping. We bought some squeaky shoes, some traditional Chinese outfits, and some gifts for future birthdays. Guangzhou is really a charming city. The shops are amazing. The people all seem very friendly and we found a place around the corner that serves Hagen daz ice cream. We know what we are having for desert later.

Sophia is truly amazing. She is laughing more each day. She is imitating everything we do and learning so much through exploring. She seems to be playing with her voice today. She is cruising along furniture and can sign “more” when asked to. She also knows how to play “peek-a-boo.” We say “peek-a-boo” and she covers her ears!!! She does this consistently. I am sure she will fine tune it in a few days and learn to cover her eyes. She is a doll. She loves to cuddle and doesn’t mind us giving her lots of kisses.

Chengdu

August 20

We spent the morning in Chengdu. After a short morning swim for Katie we headed out onto the streets. Chengdu is a beautiful city. It is cleaner than Chongqing but just as busy. There were so many people riding bicycles. In Beijing, Chongqing and Wolong we constantly heard car horns blowing. Here the ringing of bells from people on bikes was almost music to the ears. The amount of bike traffic is amazing. The streets have a lane for bike traffic and then the car traffic. You feel like frogger trying to first get through the bikers and then the drivers. It is quite scary at times. I hesitate too much and take far too long to cross a street. Steve plows right through.

Sophia went on her second plane ride today. She slept through most of it. We “double-diapered” for the plane ride and it is good thing. Right before landing Sophia had, yet another, dirty diaper. The two layers saved mama’s lap.

Guangzhou seems beautiful. There are bright lights and the city has a very British feel to it. We did not see much of it on the bus ride to the hotel but what we saw we liked. We are at the famous White Swan Hotel. The service seems great so far. We had dinner in the hotel tonight and Sophia, who can no longer eat anything but her rice cereal, congee, and formula, did a great job entertaining herself while mama, baba, and Katie ate. She loved the sound of a spoon hitting a table.