Another Step Closer

Yesterday we went to get AL's picture taken for her U.S. documents. After that we went straight to the clinic to get her physical examination done. It went very well. She was extremely good and was very interested in all that they were doing. She had to get her height, weight, temperature, and eyes, ears, and throat checked. All were good. She was 104 centemeters (3.5 ') tall and weighed 18 kilograms (40 lbs). Very healthy girl.

They checked her eyes with that thingamajig that eye doctors use to check your eyes. :-) She had to put her chin on the little shelf and her head forward. I would have liked to know what he thought. The doctor told our guide that he would finished writing up the report the next day because it was a little complex. We have an pediatric eye appointment for her in October. As far as I know she doesn't see out of the smaller eye. It moves along with her other eye, but I believe she may even have a cataract on it. I had to write down her special need diagnosis on a paper while we were there. Anna Lin was very interested in that. She looked very close to the paper while I was writing. Very close to the paper. That was surprising. I wonder if her sight in the good eye impaired. However, we do not get that impression from our day to day things we do. Well, we find this out later and deal with it as we need to. I see the eye doctor for a follow up when we get back. I planned that so I can take her with me. That way if they decide they want to see her sooner our doctor can handle that.

After all of that excitement we went shopping as I posted earlier. She had not had a nap in a couple of days because we have been busy and she didn't seem to need one but she seemed really worn out yesterday afternoon so she laid down for a very long nap. She is very good about taking naps and going to sleep. She has not fussed about it since day one. Even on the first day she laid down and went right to sleep. It doesn't take long either. Usually within five minutes of hitting the pillow if not sooner. Last night Angi and her went out to eat and went to the market for some groceries. She was very excited when she got back to the hotel because she had all of the snacks and noodles that she likes. She paraded around the room with them and was very silly. She added another English word to her vocabulary, "foot." She is saying a few new English words each day. Bright kid! This was a worry for me (Angi), and I'm relieve at how well she is developmentally.

We also had a big milestone in the bonding department. She came up to Angi and gave her a big kiss on the cheek. Purely unsolicited. Then she came over to me and did the same. BIG suprise! Things are going very well indeed at the moment. We have not had any meltdowns in a couple of days which is very nice. I know it won't always be like this but we are enjoying it while it lasts. There will be more adjustments when we get back home. I'm sure she will be jealous of the Boys but who knows?

We are going to meet up with some friends today that we met in Hefei so that AL can play with their daughter and son. They are staying at the White Swan and they invited us to the play at the playground. I will have pictures. The White Swan is a five star hotel that is very impressive.

(Angi - While the princess went down for a nap yesterday, I snuck out to find big shoes for her with our guide. It took five stores but finally we found some, along with hair bows. She doesn't have much hair but wanted piggy tails anyway. While out and about Susan took me to a antique type store where lo and behold were our friends from Hefei! We all squealed and hugged. Her Mom was buying the store out practically. It was so nice to see them. I had lollypops in my bag and gave them to her two kids that were doing a beautiful job waiting. These are the people we will get together with today. I can't wait.)

- Ric & Angi