The past two mornings have started with a warm bottle and Skype. When Salem awoke up yesterday around 6:00, we decided to surprise her Papa and Nana with an early evening skype at the house and this morning we introduced her to her cousins and Aunt Corie. Each morning Cabbeen has taken us to see the city. Yesterday, he arrived at 10:00 to take us to the Teng Wang Pavilion, a local attraction popular in Nanchang.It was originally build by a prince of the Tang dynasty in 653 and was rebuilt 29 times, each reflecting the current dynasty's style. Drew loves to learn and is always asking questions. Without his smartphone, he is at a loss for the Internet at the touch of a finger.When he wants to know information, his only source is poor Cabbeen.Drew has bombarded him with questions about all the places we go and we often get an "I don't know." Drew actually gave Cabbeen permission to say "I don't know" without feeling bad about it. So, like I expected, Drew spent the evening researching Nanchang. Before we left the Pavilion, we were offered motherly advice from a woman who was visiting with her grown daughters. The daughters stood back and laughed while their mother handed out gems like: "Feed her hot water after you give her the bottle. This will give her good health in cold weather." The reception everywhere we go has been generous and warm,but this was the first advice we've gotten. Still no clicking and chiding for underdressing Salem, so we're still good!
Today had a constant light rain, but it was pleasant enough to walk around with an umbrella. Cabbeen took us to People's Park, a huge park with ponds, older folks doing Tai Chi exercises, and a small amusement park. We walked around and enjoyed the landscaping, even though this is not the growing season here. We also went to a local porcelain shop where found a china tea set to use as a family and one day give to Salem.
The weather has been cold and Salem nose has been running constantly.With every sneeze comes a flood of nasties. She despises having her nose wiped, but has the cutes scrunchie face when she blows bubbles with her snot. It is hilarious! After two days of observing her pulling on and sticking her finger in her ears, we thought she might have an ear infection. Ana, the Brazilian concierge, has been so helpful to us and managed for us to see the hotel physician. We laughed to ourselves and exchanged smirks when she used a flashlight to shine in her ears from about 6 inches away. Apparently if we want to use one of those scope thingamjigs, we have to take a trip to the hospital. She said she was fine with only a low grade fever. Amoxicillin is waiting in our bags if it gets worse.
The first bath we gave her was within only minutes of meeting her and we were scrambling to her and everything else ready for our appointments. So we took our time and I got in the bath with mybathing suit so she would feel secure. Drew prepared a bubble bath which ended up being a great idea for modesty sake. Of course, wetook pictures and captured the event. She did cry but I believe she felt more secure and let me wash her hair in the midst of her sleepy eye rubbing, her head in my lap and her limbs wrapped tightly aroundmy leg...spider monkey:)
We noticed yesterday that her belly button had dirt encrusted in the grooves and tried to wipe it down to no avail. So, after her nap we attacked it with a wet Q-tip. She played with toy the entire time and never made a fuss. Now she has the cutest, squeaky clean umbilical stump, clean enough for baby belly kisses.
Salem is quite the Daddy's girl. She is smitten, and it goes both ways. I love to watch them interact, not to mention the sound of her sweet little girl cues and giggles. She is quickly gaining strength as we play with her and it becoming more brave to try new things.Today, she discovered that she could roll over and has found a newgame that gets praises and claps from mommy and daddy. She is beginning to use her arm strength, catching herself a few times today and once she pulled to a sitting position. It is amazing to watch her bravely try new things and feel so proud of herself when she accomplishes them. Once she got the hang of rolling over today, she rolled from side to side on the bed, laughing and awaiting our applause. She came close to crawling today, but plopped back down quickly. I guess all she needed was a few less layers of clothes. As everyone who has seen A Christmas Story knows, rolling over is impossible to do in a snow suit.
This afternoon, we decided to explore Nanchang solely for the reason of making it to Walmart. We have heard here that they are quite the experience, and though it was raining, we slapped Salem in the Bjorn and made our way through the streets to buy a Chinese rattle and whatever else seemed worthy enough to try. Amongst the Chinese New Year decorations and sea of faces looking and pointing, we found what we were looking for and more, including some that were quite unfortunate. While looking for toys and baby paraphernalia, Drew spotted a box of boy briefs with a young boy posing as he were an adult underwear model... creepy and definitely not age appropriate!In America it is common to see items hanging on the ends of aisles asa marketing technique to draw our eyes to the item and feel as if we must need to purchase it. Here, apparently rendered goose fat with head and bones intact is a hot item. Tanks of live fish and vats of strange meats surprised us at every turn. At one point, we saw what looked to be like a chicken dyed black lying on a bed of ice. I'm not sure what in the world would make that taste good, and I am not about to find out.
As we were making our way through the produce section, we were approached by an enthusiastic local fellow carrying half of a pair of Nun chucks (a chain and one... chuck). He was overly friendly, asking us where we were from (normal), asking if we knew what nun chucks were (a little weird), and telling us cheerfully that they were his greatest weapon (getting very weird). Don't get the wrong idea - he was the least threatening little guy you could imagine, so Drew joked with him for a while. Bruce has the traditional Chinese concept of personal space: none. Bruce (but not Bruce Lee, he pointed out)teaches English and very much wanted to hang out with us, inviting us to join his group in the park over the weekend. Bruce's English was very good with one exception: he doesn't understand vocabulary used for ending a conversation. He trailed us all the way through the store. After we finally broke away from him and laughed at our good fortune, he rejoined us at the checkout. Drew spoke in short sentences keeping his back to Bruce, really hoping he wasn't going to need to ask Bruce to leave us alone. Bruce snuck up on us one more time as we were leaving the store. Just before we created a distraction and took evasive maneuvers, we made a communication breakthrough. Bruce said goodbye, only willing to part by saying "I will see you when you return to Nanchang." I have no doubt he will find us if we ever return. Maybe he will have found his lost chuck by then.
We just had our last dinner in the Galactic Peace Hotel, which means we've had our last visit to the noodle bar. Every night, we've looked forward to the most delicious noodle soup with the most basic ingredients: warmed spaghetti noodles served in broth. At the bar, you add your own mix of soy sauce, chives, chopped and cooked local veggies, very hot sauce, sesame oil, peanuts, and ground pork. It is a delight every time, and we have promised ourselves to cook more Chinese food at home. Salem showed her skills and delight in eating rice from chopsticks tonight. She ate so much rice, she might not finish her bottle in a few minutes.
We are about to begin packing up the room to prepare for our flight to Guangzhou tomorrow afternoon. By Friday night, we hope to be back with our original trip buddies and a couple of other families. We've heard encouraging reports from them, and we are eager to meet their girls.Thank you for praying for us and for our family. One more round of appointments, exams, and paperwork awaits in Guangdong province. After that, we return home. Whew.
We are about to begin packing up the room to prepare for our flight to Guangzhou tomorrow afternoon. By Friday night, we hope to be back with our original trip buddies and a couple of other families. We've heard encouraging reports from them, and we are eager to meet their girls.Thank you for praying for us and for our family. One more round of appointments, exams, and paperwork awaits in Guangdong province. After that, we return home. Whew.
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